Minutes 2014-11-19 SP ACTION MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2014
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 215 EAST BRANCH STREET
ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tern Guthrie called the Special City Council Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL:
Council Members Tim Brown, Kristen Barneich, Joe Costello, and Mayor Pro Tern Jim Guthrie
were present. Mayor Tony Ferrara was absent.
Staff present were City Attorney Tim Carmel and City Clerk Kelly Wetmore.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mayor Pro Tern Guthrie led the Flag Salute.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mayor Pro Tern Guthrie invited public comment on any item on the Agenda. Speaking from the
public were: Patty Welsh, commented on the investigation; Otis Page, thanked Council Member
Joe Costello for his service to the City; Jim Hill, thanked Council Member Joe Costello for his
many years of service on the Council; Alegi Davar, commented on the investigation report;
Colleen Martin, commented on the investigation, the need for the Council to take immediate
action to remove City Manager Adams from his position, and that it was time to apologize to the
community, employees, and AGPOA; Michael Andrews, commented on the Mayor's recent
statements provided to the Santa Maria Times, commented on the July 3rd incident, and spoke
in support of the Police Department; Glen Martin, commented on the July 3`d incident and lack of
action taken by the Council, and expressed concerns about Brown Act violations regarding
previous closed session meetings; Vanessa Andrews, commented that the original police
reports and a follow up investigation by a third party with no conflict of interest would have been
sufficient, expressed concerns about the investigation process, and stated that Mr. Adams
should be terminated tonight; Jim Hill, referred to the closed session item, asked the Council to
accept Mr. Adams' resignation effective immediately with no further action such as termination
for cause or special compensatory action, requested appointment of a Director as Acting City
Manager until an Interim Manager can be appointed by the incoming Council, and requested
that no action be taken to engage any employee search organization until the incoming Council
is seated, and thanked Mr. Adams for his good service to the City; April McLaughlin, expressed
concern about closed session meetings; Will Power, congratulated the newly elected Council
members and expressed concerns about how the attitudes of some people have impacted the
residents of Arroyo Grande; Beatrice Spencer, commented on the public investigation report
and stated that the report did not reveal anything they did not already know, and expressed
concern about the City's legal exposure had the Council received better legal counsel; and
LeAnn Akins, commented on statements made in the investigation report.
5. CONSENT AGENDA:
5.a. Correction to September 9, 2014 City Council Action Minutes.
Recommended Action: Approve an amendment to Page 7, Item 17 of the September
9, 2014 City Council Meeting Action Minutes, as follows:
Minutes of City Council Special Meeting
November 19, 2014
Page 2
City Attorney Carmel reported that there was no formal reportable action taken under the
Brown Act; however, the City Council asked him to announce that they would not be
moving forward with an outside investigation of the July 3rd incident.
Action: Council Member Costello moved to approve an amendment to Page 7, Item 17 of the
September 9, 2014 City Council Meeting Action Minutes. Council Member Brown seconded,
and the motion passed on the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Costello, Brown, Barneich, Guthrie,
NOES: None
ABSENT: Ferrara
6. CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION:
At 6:35 p.m., Mayor Pro Tern Guthrie adjourned the meeting to closed session to consider the
following item:
Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release pursuant to Government Code
Section 54957: Title: City Manager
7. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION:
Mayor Pro Tern Guthrie reconvened the meeting to open session and announced that the City
Council decided to accept Steve Adams' resignation and immediately place him on paid
administrative leave until an Interim Manager is hired. He stated the motion was made by
Mayor Pro Tern Guthrie, seconded by Council Member Barneich, and the vote was unanimous.
8. NEW BUSINESS:
8.a. Presentation By Sintra Group Regarding Investigation of July 3, 2014 Incident at
City Hall
Chuck Hookstra and Peter Ruggiero, Sintra Group, provided a summary of the investigation
report.
Mayor Pro Tern Guthrie invited public comment. Speaking from the public regarding the
investigation report were Vanessa Andrews, Colleen Martin, Alegi Davar, Julie Tacker, and
Carole Henson.
Chuck Hookstra responded to questions from the Council and public.
Council comments ensued regarding the investigation report and its conclusions, and the need
for the City to move forward with City business.
No formal action was taken on this item.
5. ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:51 p.m.
Minutes of City Council Special Meeting
November 19,2014
Page 3
Ji Hill, Mayor
ATTEST:
Kelly W tm•/e, City Clerk
(Approved at CC Mtg /-13-09-015 )