CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 331

NOVEMBER 18, 1997

The Special City Council Meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18th, 1997. The purpose of the meeting was to vote on the hiring of Kim Dickens as City Planner.

The Mayor asked if anyone had heard comments. Aldermen Jeffrey and

Christman had heard good comments. Alderwoman Seratt said she wanted

to postpone to hear from the community. Neither she or Alderwoman

Watson had heard anything.

Mayor O’Harris said that the whole reason for calling the meeting was to vote on the hiring of the Planner. She saw no reason to postpone.

Alderman Freeland said that the comment that he heard was that the job was published. There was a deadline. For whatever reason, the Mayor did not hire anyone from that input. None of the applicants who were late were considered. Now the Mayor is hiring someone who did not apply by that deadline.

Alderwoman Seratt said she thought Kim would be a great planner, and wanted to be sure the Mayor did it right.

Mayor O’Harris said she was doing it right.

Clerk Lee said that Mr. Miner, the City Attorney had explained very clearly what the Mayor’s power is in that instance.

Alderman Freeland’s response was to let this be a Council discussion. He went through all of the steps that the City had done. He said anyone late in filing was disregarded. Now we are coming up with someone who did not even apply.

Mayor O’Harris said that when she read Kim’s resume which had been on file from another job application, she realized that Kim had all of the requirements needed for the job. She asked if Kim would apply.

Alderman Jeffrey said that everything was done in an orderly manner, and that part is done. Nothing said that the new hire had to come from that group.

The discussion went on with more of the same.

The Mayor asked the Clerk to call Mr. Miner. The City Attorney was not available. Mayor O’Harris said that she knew that she could do this and that it was not illegal. The implication should have never been brought up.

Mr. Freeland said that if there was going to be a vote, he refused to be party to it and left the room.

The Mayor called for a vote. Aldermen Christman and Jeffrey voted yes.

Alderwomen Seratt and Watson abstained. There were not four votes to

over-ride the Mayor’s appointment. Kimberly Dickens is the new City

Planner.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

APPROVED:

ATTEST: