An agenda for a special meeting of Pottsville City Council on Tuesday night has been set. And it appears council members will be asked to ponder several personnel matters related to recent developments.
The meeting was originally advertised as a joint meeting between City Council and the Pottsville Redevelopment Authority. That came about after the Redevelopment Authority balked at advertising for a part-time executive director opening.
But when the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting was released on Monday, it was noted that the Redevelopment Authority portion of the meeting was cancelled. Only City Council will meet.
The agenda items listed are vague but do relate to recent developments in city government over the last few months.
Following a closed-door executive session listed at the top of the agenda, council may act on these three items listed:
1) City Administrator/Executive Director (personnel matters)
2) Police (personnel matters)
3) Advertise an RFP for City Legal Services Under Third-Class City Code
At last week’s meeting of the Redevelopment Authority, City Administrator Ian Mahal noted how, in the past, apparently the person in his role was also supposed to act as executive director of the Pottsville Redevelopment Authority.
The authority was also sharply criticized for not having an executive director in place.
As far as police matters go, at regular August meeting of City Council, four of five members voted against a promotion to Sergeant for officer Jonathan Randolph, who had previously been on administrative leave.
Though council members were tight-lipped about their reasons for voting 4-1 against ratifying Randolph’s promotion, Councilwoman Dottie Botto said publicly, “I have to say, I know this may put us in a not good position but morally, I can not vote ‘Yes’ to this, so my answer is ‘No’.”
The agenda also indicates that City Council members will be asked to vote on seeking a Request for Proposal for legal services.
In April, long-time Solicitor Tim Pellish retired from the position. Deputy Solicitor Ed Brennan took his place as interim Solicitor. Brennan came under fire at last week’s Redevelopment Authority meeting, when he was questioned about his legal fees charged to that board.
The City Council meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
RELATED:
- Pottsville Council Votes Against Police Sergeant’s Promotion After He Was Sworn In
- Pottsville Officials Clash with Solicitor Over $194K in Legal Fees
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