HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981.05.27_City Council MinutesOn Wednesday, May 27, 1981, the Owasso City Council met in a Special Meeting in
the Council Chambers at City Hall, per the Notice of Public Meeting and Agenda
posted on City Hall bulletin board at 4:55 PM on May 22, 1981, and by reference
made a part hereof.
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM with Mayor Spencer presiding.
Present: Boyd Spencer, Mayor
Dennis Burke, Vice Mayor
Al Lambert, Councilman
Steven Clark, Councilman (called
Phyllis Gross, Councilwoman
Kenneth Thompson, City Manager
Harold Charney, City Attorney
Wauhilleau Webb, City Clerk
Absent: None
out on an emergency at 7:50 PM)
In regard to Mr. Lyle Wasserman's public hearing to determine his status on the
Personnel Board, he said he has given serious thought to it and since he has
hired Paul McTighe to represent him, and Mr. McTighe also represents Ed Scott,
that under those circumstances on the one hearing for Ed Scott he would like to
disqualify himself.
Mr. Gary Pritchard, another member of the Personnel Board, commented he feels
Lyle Wasserman is a fair individual and it would be a mistake to take him off of
the upcoming hearing as he feels Mr. [dasserman could hear both sides and make a
fair decision.
Motion was made by Dennis Burke, seconded by Al Lambert, to accept Lyle Wasserman's
voluntary stepdown in the hearing of Ed Scott before the Personnel Board. (This
motion was later rescinded.)
Ayes - Messrs. Spencer, Lambert, Burke and Clark
Nays - Mrs. Gross
Motion carried.
Dennis Burke commented because of the publicity over this situation he felt the
Board that hears the Ed Scott case, with the exception of Gary Pritchard, should
have two people from outside the City limits that could give an unbiased opin-
ion. Mr. Burke submitted the name of Rev. Andy O'Kelley from Bethel Baptist
Church. Mayor Spencer submitted the name of Robert "Skip" Durbin an attorney
in Tulsa.
Mr. Charney asked Mr. McTighe if he had any objection to Mr. Wasserman stepping
down and Mr. McTighe responded no, but he would not waive anything.
Mr. Charney advised the Board that since there is no provision for anyone to
step down temporarily from the Personnel Board that their only power to replace
Mr. Wasserman is to remove him completely and appoint someone to fill the unex-
pired term.
Owasso City Council Page Two May 27, 1981
Mr. Charney commented if Mr. Wasserman is removed he must be given a Public
Hearing. Mr. Burke said that is what the first item is on the agenda. Mr.
Charney read the Charter and agreed this is the Public Hearing which is re-
quired after Mr. Wasserman's removal.
Motion was made by Dennis Burke, seconded by Steve Clark, to rescind motion
previously made, that being to accept Lyle Wasserman's voluntary stepdown in
the hearing of Ed Scott before the Personnel Board.
Ayes - Messrs. Spencer, Lambert, Burke and Clark
Nays - Mrs. Gross
Motion carried.
Mr. H. D. Hale commented he respects Mr. Wasserman's opinion and he feels it
would be a mistake for him to be removed or allowed to resign.
Dr. Clark asked Mr. Wasserman if he wanted to be on the Personnel Board and Mr.
Wasserman replied that he felt in his own mind he could make a decision but he
also felt it would be for the betterment of the case to step down but his re-
commendation was to just have the other two members set in on the Board without
him and not appoint a replacement for a temporary situation.
Motion was made by Phyllis Gross, seconded by Steve Clark, to retain Lyle
Wasserman on the Personnel Board.
Ayes - Mrs. Gross
Nays - Messrs. Lambert, Burke and Spencer
Motion did not carry.
Dr. Clark was called out of the room on an emergency at this time and was not
present for the remainder of the meeting.
Motion was made by Dennis Burke, seconded by Boyd Spencer, to remove Lyle
Wasserman from the Personnel Board.
Ayes - Messrs. Spencer, Lambert and Burke
Nays - Mrs. Gross
Motion carried.
Mr. Wasserman requested a Public Hearing on his removal, and was advised the
Public Hearing was just held.
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Motion was made by Boyd Spencer, seconded by Dennis Burke, to appoint Robett
"Skip" Durbin to fill the vacancy on Personnel Board created by Inez Odom's
resignation, which will expire June 30, 1981.
Owasso City Council Page Three May 27, 1981
Ayes - :`~essrs. Burke, Lambert, Spencer and Mrs. Gross
Nays - None
Motion carried.
Motion was made by Dennis Burke, seconded by Al Lambert, to appoint Rev. Andy
O'Kelley to fill the vacancy on the Personnel Board created by the removal of
Lyle Wasserman, which will expire June 30, 1983.
Motion was made by Phyllis Gross to appoint Dr. Gene Drake to fill Mr. Wasserman's
vacancy.
Vote on Rev. O'Kellev's nomination:
Ayes - Messrs. Burke, Spencer and Lambert
Nays - Mrs. Gross
Vote on Dr. Drake's nomination:
Ayes - Mrs. Gross
Nays - Messrs. Burke, Spencer and Lambert
Rev. Andy O'Kelley was appointed to fill Mr. Wasserman's vacancy.
Mayor Spencer recessed the Owasso City Council at 7:55 PM to go into Executive
Session to discuss personnel problems for the purpose of reviewing eight written
reports concerning allegations against the Department of Public Safety made by
individuals. The meeting was reconvened at 9:25 PM.
Mayor Spencer announced that all information has been turned back to the City
Manager and Mr. Thompson will take actions he will need to take on them as it
all pertains to his office.
Mr. Charney said he has investigated all complaints and could find no concrete
evidence for criminal action.
Mayor Spencer adjourned this Special Meeting at 9:30 PM.
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Boy M. Spen er, Mayor
Wauhilleau Webb, City Clerk