Residents, Mayor Oppose Aldermanic 'Usurpation of Power'

Opponents of a controversial proposal to grant aldermen the power to reject committee appointments say it is a power grab and usurpation of executive power. Proponents of the measure, though, say it is the only way to ensure communication between aldermen and the mayor.

Residents vowed opposition to the aldermanic proposal Tuesday night during the board meeting at Sunset Hills City Hall.

If aldermen give the proposal final approval next month, the city’s eight aldermen will have the new power to approve mayoral appointments to the city’s committees and other advisory groups. The board already approves mayoral appointments of the city’s treasurer, attorney engineer and public works director.

Mayor William Nolan Jr. and several residents spoke against the proposal, calling it unnecessary and a dilution of mayoral powers. Aldermen who crafted the proposal said its goal was only to improve communication.

Nolan said he believed the ordinance was a reaction to aldermen not being informed of a recent appointment. He said he had never been asked before to send notification of appointments to aldermen, but would do so in the future.

“In all humility, I apologize…” Nolan told board members. “Mayors serve a particular time, but a city goes on. This has been part of the city since its birth.”

Alderman Claudia Svoboda of Ward 4 said the sole intention of the ordinance was to ensure aldermen knew of the appointments.

Nolan said the ordinance would have long reaching consequences, and would cripple the formation of emergency committees such as the group formed to mount recovery efforts from a tornado which struck the city in December 2010.

Nick Dragon of Sunset Hills volunteers on some of the city’s committees and said such an ordinance would deter others like him from serving. He added residents would not want to endure a “public grilling” before the board as Alderman Dee Baebler of Ward 1 did when she was appointment alderman.

“Not only are you taking power from the executive branch, but you are putting into the board of aldermen,” Dragon said. He questioned the need for the ordinance since the board already has the ability to reject any recommendations stemming from a committee.

Alderman Jan Hoffman of Ward 3 said the board has never questioned committee members, and Baebler was scrutinized by the board because of her appointment as an alderman.

“I am blown away so many of you believe this will curtail citizen involvement…” Hoffmann said. “I personally don’t see this as tying anybody’s hands at all.”

Alderman Stephen Webb of Ward 3 offered an amendment to the ordinance that replaces granting the board approval of the appointments with requiring the mayor to give the aldermen advance notice of the appointments. Webb said the amendment garnished little support.

Baebler said she would support such an amendment. “I see the freedom of the mayor to appoint committees as an asset to the city,” Baebler said. “I feel strongly the participation of citizens should be encouraged and not discouraged.”

Kermit Starnes of Sunset Hills said he would refuse an appointment to a committee if he faced the judgment of the board.

“I don’t want to be judged by you people….If all you wanted was to be notified you would (accept Webb’s amendment),” Starnes said. “You want to pick the people. You want control.”

Starnes said the measure allowed aldermen to stop unwelcome recommendations from even reaching the board for consideration.