The Borough Assembly revisited its policy on nepotism during Tuesday evening’s regular meeting, at the behest of a resident who had lost his new position because of it.
Max Dalton took the lectern to make his case. He had last month begun work as a part-time custodian with the Parks Department. During the hiring process he had been one of several candidates for the post, and after interviews had been selected as the top candidate.
Dalton is the son-in-law to Mayor David Jack, he explained, and is related by marriage to another city employee. Dalton added he had disclosed this on his application form at the start, and it had not appeared to be a problem. This had been an oversight, as after working his first shift on January 22 he was told by his supervisor he would no longer be able to continue working with the department. The position remains unfilled pending a decision by the Assembly.
“I was surprised by the news,” he said. “There are not a lot of job opportunities in Wrangell.”
Municipal code has a strict interpretation of nepotism, outlined in section 3.04.114. Close relatives of the city manager, assembly members – including the mayor – or “any other authority of the borough government” cannot be appointed to any office or position of profit in the city government. An exception exists for relatives in the second degree, but only if the Assembly approves their appointment or hire by the city manager. Also, current officers or employees are not required to step down if a relative is elected or appointed to office afterward, but at that point they cannot take a higher position.
The Assembly had dealt with the same issue back in November 2016, after member Stephen Prysunka was compelled to resign so his daughter could take on a lifeguard position at the pool. During subsequent discussions members had considered changing the rules, though in the end it was determined Prysunka could simply be reappointed if he wanted. He did so, and was reappointed that December.
Returning to the matter, Jack noted his conflict of interest in the discussions and stepped down. Now vice-mayor, Prysunka took over as chair.
“I know in my situation it was aggravating, and I had to resign,” he said. Additionally, he noted the difficulty the borough tends to have finding people to sit on boards and committees.
“I’m related to a lot of people in town,” said member David Powell. “This hits home for me and I don’t agree with it at all.”
In discussion, members acknowledged the purpose of the policy has its merits. Ostensibly it is meant to remove any pressure on the city manager from making hiring decisions for the wrong reasons. It was also meant to prevent abuse of the position.
“I don’t know what the balance is between having an open process up front and the public thinking that you’re hiring your relatives,” said Patty Gilbert.
“Honestly I think it’s gotten ridiculous,” said Powell.
City manager Lisa Von Bargen told members she will flesh out a small handful of scenarios for them to consider at their next meeting. Any decision would take some time, however, with a change of personnel policy taking at least one meeting and a change of municipal code needing at least two for public readings and hearings.
A legal opinion would also be sought out for their consideration. However, she pointed out one problem that stands out to her is not so much the hiring of assembly members’ relatives, but rather disciplinary actions and termination of them.
“That’s where things get a little more hairy for the manager,” she commented.
In other borough business, during her monthly manager’s report Von Bargen informed assembly members she had received reports about illegal dumping of sandblasted material originating from The Marine Service Center. A local diver had reported debris near the yard’s main dock, as well as other reports of improper disposal by boat owners once back in the water.
“We obviously need to be able to prove those things,” she said.
Consulting with harbormaster Greg Meissner, Von Bargen said the matter will be looked into. Cameras placed around the yard could be one direction, and one which could also address unrelated security concerns. Meissner’s office could also begin requiring to see bills of lading for incoming and outgoing materials used in sand blasting projects. Currently three contractors at the yard engage in that activity.
Before any action would be taken, however, the allegations would need to be looked into further. City staff would make inquiries both with the borough’s attorney and with the Department of Environmental Conservation.
Von Bargen also reported Park Department staff had recently discovered used needles on city park grounds. Wrangell police have previously found similar needles, she said, which had tested positive for methamphetamine.
In light of problems with opioids elsewhere in the state and across the country, she would encourage the Parks director to assemble a small working group to come up with ways to discourage inappropriate use of the city’s parks.
“Apparently this has become an increasingly complex issue in parks across the country,” Von Bargen said.
In lighter news, the department’s “Helping Parks” program would be gearing up this Earth Day for another run. Last year residents raised $15,000, while volunteers and city staff helped spruce up Volunteer Park and its ballfields. This year City Park has been selected for similar treatment, with a goal of $30,000 set. The Parks Department would put forward a 25-percent match for whatever is raised.
After a series of delays, the resurfacing and improvement of Evergreen Avenue is finally getting on its way. The Alaska Department of Transportation resolved the last of its right of way issues with property owners along the roadway. The Federal Highway Administration will soon begin the certification process of that documentation, Von Bargen reported, after which ADOTP&F will be able to apply for its federal funding. This will trigger the department’s request for Wrangell’s full match, which at present just tops $590,000.
With funding in place and a notice to proceed given, bidding can begin. With no unforeseen complications to the planning process, ADOTP&F estimates the bidding phase can begin as early as March.
In other Assembly business, member Becky Rooney has tendered her resignation. Rooney had served with the group since her appointment in 2014, and had subsequently won reelection in 2015. Her seat was set to expire in October. No letter of explanation was attached to the meeting packet, but other members reluctantly accepted her resignation.
Reader Comments(0)