HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/16/2007Januarys 16, 2007
SPECIAL CALL MEETING
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE
VOTE OF CONFIDENCE FOR
EXECUTIVE AIDE TO THE BOARD KIM MASSUNG
The Board of County Commissioners of hldian River County, Florida, met in
Special Session at the County Commission Chambers, 1840 25th Street, Vero Beach, Florida, on
Tuesday, January 16, 2007, at 11:23 a.m. Present were Chairman Gary C. Wheeler, Vice Chair
Sandra L Bowden, and Commissioners Wesley S. Davis, Joseph E Flescher, and Peter D.
O'Bryan. Also present were County Administrator Joseph Baird, County Attorney William G.
Collins II, Executive Aide Kimberly Massung, and Deputy Clerk Maria I. Suesz.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Wheeler called the meeting to order at 11:23 a.m.
The meeting began with a reading of the Ordinance on Special Call meetings by
Attorney Collins, at the request of Vice Chair Bowden. Vice Chair Bowden said it would be
"more practical" to delay the meeting for 12 hours, since the Chairman was providing no backup,
and she was lacking understanding of the subject matter. Chairman Wheeler did not feel the
delay would make a difference. He explained that recently it was brought to his attention that
their Executive Aide Kim Massung was considering resigning. He told the Commissioners that
as of today he was given a copy of Kim's evaluations since 1986, and that he wanted to ask the
January 16, 2007 1
Special Call Meeting
as of today he was given a copy of Kim's evaluations since 1986, and that he wanted to ask the
Commissioners for a vote of confidence for her and the job she has done for this
past 22 years. Vice Chair Bowden reiterated her request for a delay to give
opportunity to look over the evaluations and the subject matter at hand.
County for the
the Board an
The Board continued to discuss delaying the meeting, asking $luestions, and
offering comments. Then Charman Wheeler, who was ready to proceed, asked fo# a motion.
MOTION WAS MADE by Vice Chair Bowden,
SECONDED by Commissioner O'Bryan, for discussion,
to delay the Special Call meeting for 12 hours.
Discussion ensued.
The Chairman CALLED THE QUESTION and the
motion FAILED 2-3 (Chairman Wheeler, Commissioners'
Davis and Flescher opposed). The Board denied Vice
Chair Bowden's request to delay the Special Call Meeting
for twelve hours.
Chairman Wheeler was hoping that a vote of confidence from the
have some bearing on whether or not Kim Massung would resign.
Board would
Commissioner Davis had opposed the retirement portion of Kim's contract at the
time of renewal when he voted against the contract, but it was not due to her perfoiniance, he
said. If his action was the cause for this meeting, he said, he would give Kim a vote of
confidence today.
January 16, 2007 2
Special Call Meeting
Chairman Wheeler acknowledged he was opposed to all three contracts (County
Attorney Collins, Administrator Baird, and Kim Massung), but it was not a reflection on their
work, it was a reflection on his philosophy toward contracts.
MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Davis,
SECONDED by Commissioner O'Bryan for discussion, to
give Kim Massung a vote of confidence.
Under discussion, Commissioner O'Bryan said he was not on the Board at the time
Kim's contract was renewed, however, based on Kim's performance that he had seen in the last
two months he had no problem giving her a vote of confidence.
Vice Chair Bowden stated she too voted against Kim's contract, but it was not a
reflection on her performance at all. She wanted a copy of the evaluations. She lacked an
understanding of the Chairman's direction and intentions and wondered if it had to do with the
subject of having personal aides in the new building.
Chairman Wheeler said he would provide a copy of the evaluations to Vice Chair
Bowden. Regarding aides he said all the Board needed was three votes to hire aides, if that was
their desire. He believed there was a situation that was in question of Kim's role with this Board,
and he wanted Kim to know that the Board approved the work that she had been doing. He
spoke of "Government in the Sunshine", feelings of pressure, and the Board giving direction to
staff.
Vice Chair Bowden thought staff was sophisticated enough to know that they have
options in their contracts if they become unhappy. She reiterated that she had no knowledge of
what the Chairman was talking about and added that other Counties have aides and that is what
she would like to see.
January 16, 2007 3
Special Call Meeting ""
Chairman Wheeler alluded to Vice Chair Bowden's unhappiness with Kim. Vice
Chair Bowden took exception to his comments saying he was making assumptions and that was
not true. She refused to discuss this matter now. She agreed to give a vote of confidence that Kim
was doing an excellent job, if that was what he wanted.
The Chairman CALLED THE QUESTION and the
Motion carried unanimously. (The Board approved a vote
of confidence to Executive Aide Kim Massung that she is
doing an excellentjob.)
Vice Chair Bowden stated for the record that the Board needed to look into having
personal aides. The Chairman advised her to place it on the agenda for discuss f at their next
meeting.
15. ADJOURNMENT
ALL BACKUP DOCUMENTATION, RESOLUTION
OF THE CLERK TO THE BOARD AND ARE
S, AND ORDINANCES ARE ON FILE IN +HE OFFICE
HEREBY MADE A PART OF THESE MINUTES
There being no further business, on Motion duly made, seconded and carried, the
Board adjourned at 11:40 a.m.
ATTEST:
Sici±b-D A(ARte—ec.
Jeffrey. Barton, Clerk
Minutes Approved.
BCC/MIS/2007Minutes
MAR
6 2007
January 16, 2007
Special Call Meeting
4
C. Wheeler, Chairman
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