The first agenda item at the Stevensville Town Council meeting of August 27 died quietly without any discussion. The agenda item, a resolution determining the wages and compensation of elected and appointed officers and all employees for the fiscal year 2018-2019, was voted down at a previous meeting.
Councilmember Bob Michalson objected to consideration of the agenda item.
Mayor Brandon Dewey said that it had been pointed out to him that the Council Rules state that a motion can’t be brought back for re-consideration unless two councilmembers request it or after waiting for two meetings, but said that he was asking the council to consider suspending the rules to consider the resolution.
His request was met with silence.
Another agenda item was also met with an immediate objection from Michalson, the re-consideration of the decision to re-open the Town’s temporary fishing access site.
Mayor Dewey said that he put the item on the agenda for “clarification purposes.” He said he left the meeting unsure of what the motion’s intent was in accepting the update and said he was looking for direction. He also said that the Mayor’s and the Public Works Director’s recommendations remain the same: to not re-open the temporary FAS.
Michalson objected immediately to any consideration of the topic.
Councilmember Robin Holcomb said that two meetings ago the council gave the mayor direction to re-open the FAS, “and we still haven’t seen it.”
Dewey said there were some unanswered questions about the floodplain permit at the meeting when re-opening was approved and he came back with an update at the next meeting. Then, he said, he wasn’t sure what the intent was in accepting the update. He said the Town’s attorney found it unclear as well and recommended erring on the side of caution and bringing it back to the council for clarification.
“I would encourage the Town to reconsider the decision to re-open the site,” said Dewey.
Councilmember Stacie Barker said that Police Chief James Marble had raised the issue of public safety and moved to table the issue to a future meeting where it could get a full hearing and people could be more prepared to discuss it.
Councilmember Raymond Smith said that he was the lone dissenter on the issue when it was voted on the first time and absent the second time.
“But they voted to re-open it, plain and simple,” he said. “I’m not for re-opening, but I feel that they voted on it and they need to move forward on it, even though it is a temporary access, even though there are associated costs, even though we don’t have the manpower. But to push it off another two weeks is asinine.”
After a reminder that a vote needed to be taken on Michalson’s original objection to consideration of the item, Dewey asked for a vote on the objection. It passed 3 to 1 with Barker casting the lone dissenting vote.
Asked by a member of the public if there would be any public comment on the motion, Dewey apologized and said it was his fault for not asking for public comment but that it was now too late.
Next the council declined to consider approval of the Town’s staff job descriptions. A couple of the councilmembers said that they were not expecting a full list of all positions but only the four that they were “concerned about,” the new job descriptions which they claim the Mayor “made up.”
In other business, the council approved a resolution authorizing the Town to enter into the Montana Department of Commerce Big Sky Trust Fund program contract for a grant to Transco for job creation; re-approved a resolution requesting distribution of Bridge and Road Safety and Accountability program funds; set a public hearing date of September 24 to consider amending the fiscal year 2017-2018 budget; set a Committee of the Whole meeting for September 17; and approved a Montana Department of Transportation contract.
During one discussion, councilmember Michalson mentioned that no action had been taken on an appointment to the Town’s TIFF/TEDD board but an application had been received from former mayor Jim Crews eight months ago. Michalson asked why the existing applicant hadn’t been appointed.
“I don’t believe he’s a fit for the board,” said Dewey.
“He was Mayor,” said Michalson. “He’s a good person. To say he’s not fit for the board…”
“We are not here to discuss the TIFF board applications,” said Dewey.
The Mayor’s response did not sit well with Michalson, nor with Mr. Crews.
Crews sent Dewey an email, stating, “You have publicly insulted me again. You slandered me, belittled me and you openly admitted to Council and the Public that the attack and discrimination against me is personal.” He insists that the council take formal action against the mayor for his “conduct unbecoming the office of Mayor” and for his “discriminatory actions.”
“No elected public officer can be allowed to discriminate and belittle the Citizens of our town and attempt to ostracize any Citizen so that such Citizen may not participate in our government,” wrote Crews.
“Who do you think you are making a determination that I am not fit to serve on a board?” he states. “No apology from you is expected nor would it be entertained. Actions such as what you have said cannot be reversed.”
Michalson emailed the Town’s attorney, saying how shocked he was at the Mayor’s comment.
“It showed a total lack of respect for not only Mr. Crews but also set an example for any citizen who Mr. Dewey sees unfit for his needs,” wrote Michalson.
He went on to say, “My view has changed to the point that I feel Mayor Dewey’s position of Mayor of the Town of Stevensville has deteriated [sic] that he shows little leadership qualities, skills and is failing to be a qualified Mayor or Public Officer of our town. I would entertain a vote for his resignation as Mayor for the town of stevensville. We as a council of course would fall under your guidance as this issue is one that none of us has ever had to do. Between the email issues, and the job descriptions/jobs that mayor dewey has overstepped his duties on, He has put a lot of stress and undue pressure on the council that we feel we should not have to do; He has lost the trust off [sic] each and every one of us council members. Hopefully we can reach a conclusion that keeps the town of Stevensville out of litigation and getting sued.”
Town attorney Brian West emailed Michalson, other councilors and town staff, stating, “As Council President Michalson suggests, the audio from the meeting is where I will start before responding, given the accusations that are being thrown back and forth.”
In the council comment portion of the meeting, Councilmember Smith commented negatively about the way his involvement in the SRO interviews was handled.
Councilmember Holcomb stated that when she asked about the money for funding a kiosk, the Mayor had told the council that it was funded by the Montana Department of Commerce.
“That’s not 100% true,” she said. “Only $5,000 came from the Department of Commerce, the other $5,000 came from us. Where did that come from, where is that laid out?”
The Mayor started to reply but was cut off by Council President Michalson. “Point of order,” said Michalson. “It’s council comment and the Mayor is not allowed to answer.”
“Anyway, we may need an update on that,” said Holcomb, “because it is not exactly true.”
Councilmember Barker had a long list of complaints starting with one about a mini excavator that she said was budgeted at $13,000 but one had already been ordered for $42,270. She said the town’s personnel policy states that any purchase over $25,000 requires three quotes and that anything outside the budget would have to go to council. She said that hasn’t happened and yet the machinery was ordered. She said she had heard reports of kids smoking cigarettes and pot in the park and said the park should be closed at dusk. She also wanted it known that the council did not close the pool.
Smith spoke up again, saying that the council really needed an answer about the airport fencing issue. He said if the contractor really did “jump the gun,” then he should not be allowed to bid on the project because he showed poor business practices.
Michalson said that some people were setting up house in a storage shed in town and something needed to be done. He said they had been living there for close to a month and something should be done.
After the comments, Mayor Dewey said, “Would the council object to me responding to a few of these items for the public’s sake. You’ve brought some things up that contain a few inaccuracies that I’d like to clarify so that we don’t have the public leaving here tonight with that information without it being clarified. I realize it’s your time to make comments but there are some questions that need to be answered here. Are you OK if I address a few of those items?”
Dewey’s request was met with silence.
“OK, it’s in the public’s interest, but if you are refusing to do so, then I will do my best to clarify it with each person individually,” said Dewey.