Councilman Richard Best said he was contacted by city employees about questionable charges put on city credit cards. Best said he asked the council to do a review of all the accounts, but at an estimated price of $10,000, the council voted it down.
As the account statements are public records, Best said he requested statements from the manager’s account hoping to use them as a benchmark for future reviews. Instead, he found spending that was “confusing” to him, he said.
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“For the Alaska Airlines board meeting in Seattle, he charged the city for his room and board and airfare,” Best said.
While the manager does have a $5,000 expense account for discretionary funds, this is only for use on city business. Allen may have had discussions about the city while in Seattle, Best conceded, but his original intent was to go to the board meeting.
“Charge us a percentage of the trip, not the whole thing,” Best said. “I think we’re paying more than our fair share.”
Best also made a public document request for copies of the internal memorandums regarding employee performance evaluations. They show employees were consistently given multiple-step pay raises after their six-month probationary period instead of the one-step raise called for in the city’s employee manual.
“I think there’s enough to ask questions,” Best said. “I’m a stickler on public funds. These are funds we forcibly extract from the citizens. I think we should be extremely conservative.”
Following the city code, the review is in executive session because the matter could “prejudice the reputation and character of any person.”
For his part, Allen said he could not comment because the matter is still in executive session.
“The councilman shouldn’t have commented either,” Allen said. “He commented knowing I couldn’t respond.”
Best said while he understood the protections of executive session, he has only discussed matters of public knowledge and information. Anyone can request the documents he has reviewed, he said, and he feels the public has a right to answers.
“I’m not one to just go to that person and ask for justification,” Best said. “I would like that in a public forum. I don’t like that being behind closed doors.”
Mayor John Combs said the city clerk and attorney determined Best did not legally violate executive session. However, Combs said he wished Best had held off making his questions public.
“He has made a conclusion and then released the information. A man needs a chance to respond to that material,” Combs said. “Now, we have a one-sided view of everything that’s out there.”
Councilman Michael Chmielewski agreed it is necessary to question city expenses, and the key question is what the total amount is. The council is in the process of evaluating the city manager and is well aware of all the information in question. But, Chmielewski agreed with Combs, it is unfortunate this information has been made public.
“My personal opinion is that when you are in the midst of an evaluation as an arena of executive session, that discussion you want to err on the side of being cautious,” Chmielewski said. “This puts everybody in a difficult position.”
All members of the council agreed their findings would be made public after they come to a conclusion in executive session. Combs hoped to have the matter finished after tonight’s meeting, but he said the discussion could extend to the next council meeting on Aug. 25.
Allen has agreed to respond as soon as the findings are released.
Comments
16 comment(s)Mr Right wrote on Aug 13, 2009 4:30 PM:
I dont read the ADN wrote on Aug 13, 2009 12:51 PM:
A house with 8" of foam but look closer they have a closed roof with no venting.
And most of the heat like our bodys go up the Roof or our heads. No News just BS "
brit wrote on Aug 13, 2009 12:35 AM:
I agree wrote on Aug 12, 2009 12:27 PM:
Good Point wrote on Aug 12, 2009 11:05 AM:
Makes me wonder, maybe it's Mitchell that is driving the decline in the paper. "
To interesting wrote on Aug 12, 2009 10:42 AM:
I find it interesting... wrote on Aug 12, 2009 10:08 AM:
Is this another example of biased views by this so called paper? Good job in being fair & reporting all the news Kari!
Maybe this is why you are going out of business & giving papers away...
So glad you're our hometown paper, Oh yeah you're owned by an out of state company!!!!
Maybe Sleight & Mitchell should be replaced so we can get an unjaded view on the real news.... "
Brian wrote on Aug 11, 2009 9:43 PM:
Alaskagirl wrote on Aug 11, 2009 4:18 PM:
2. Alaska Airlines PAYS for all board members air and hotel. There should be NO cost to the city of Palmer.
3. I can't think of any reason a dog sled ride promotes business in Palmer.
4. The Palmer Council members should call for a full and complete audit. Let the dust fall where it may.
Or as Reagan always said: "Trust, but verify".
It is time we verify. "
Richard Best is being manipulative at best. wrote on Aug 11, 2009 3:57 PM:
go home wrote on Aug 11, 2009 2:52 PM:
Typical Palmer Politics wrote on Aug 11, 2009 2:29 PM:
Just Wondering wrote on Aug 11, 2009 11:37 AM:
2. Why an organization the size of Alaska Airlines didn't reimburse him for the expenses going to Seattle for a Board meeting.
3. What touring a dog kennel in Big Lake has to do with the City of Palmer.
4. What the bar tab has to do with conducting business and who was being wined and dined. Was that AK Air Board members too.
Foraker provides support/education for nonprofits in AK and Martin is not a nonprofit or located in Palmer. "
Do It Right wrote on Aug 11, 2009 10:53 AM:
goodbye wrote on Aug 11, 2009 9:17 AM:
kristi wrote on Aug 10, 2009 9:13 PM: