Council nixes new director

March 26, 2006

MARY AMES

Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA - The Wasilla mayor's attempt to reorganize the divisions within the city's departments, fund a position for a deputy administrator and combine smoe departments failed Monday night, leaving the city with no single person responsible for guiding business development in the city.

From September 2004 until Jan. 6, Wasilla had a director of economic development: Ron Singel, who moved his family from Maine to fill the position created by Wasilla Mayor Dianne M. Keller. Singel's sudden, unexplained departure in January left the city with an empty department.

Keller's new plan would have downgraded the position Singel held to an economic planner and added a deputy administrator, who would have been in charge of the newly named department, report directly to the mayor and be responsible for three divisions that now are within other departments.

In her monthly report, Keller said several private developers have called, wanting the mayor to fill the economic development position.

&#8220I have informed them that the council will take action on this at the meeting tonight,” Keller wrote.

But the council balked and the mayor had to jet off to Russia. Rather than extending discussion of her plan to have a deputy administrator position funded, she insisted on a vote, yes or no, before she left. When the six members of the council tied in a vote to continue the discussion, Keller cast her vote with council members Ron Cox, Diana Straub and Howard O'Neil, compelling the council to vote on the plan she originally put forward at a special meeting on Feb. 6.

The council rejected the plan, and Keller left the Monday's council meeting about 8:30 p.m., without a deputy administrator in Wasilla's near future. The proposed deputy administrator would have reported directly to the mayor and overseen economic development, planning, general services and human resources. Currently, planning falls under the purview of the Public Works Department, and general services - which includes human resources - rest within the Finance Department.

According to Keller, the change was necessary because of increased growth in city staff who provide direct service to the public, such as Mat-Comm dispatch and the Multi-Use Sports Complex employees; and the increased work loads on department directors. With salary and benefits, the new position would have cost the city $91,000 per year.

&#8220We have a lot of planning needs and there will come a time when the directors, with their full plates, are not efficient,” Keller said. &#8220Today was the third time someone in the public asked for that position to be filled.”

Councilman Mark Ewing had reservations about adding another administrative position.

&#8220We're getting top heavy,” Ewing said. &#8220Are we going to spend another $15,000 on a head hunter for someone who lasts eight months? How is this person going to be hired and what are the criteria? I've got to know what I'm voting on.”

Councilman Steve Menard recalled that during Keller's first campaign for mayor, she promised she wouldn't have a deputy mayor, a claim Keller denied.

&#8220The only campaign promise I made was that I wouldn't wear Spandex and have my picture taken,” Keller said.

Menard agreed with Ewing that the city seemed heavy on the administration side and said he felt steamrolled and bombarded.

Keller told Menard to go on the facts.

&#8220I know the facts,” Menard said, referring again to Keller's campaign promise. &#8220I read The Frontiersman article.”

&#8220The Frontiersman isn't always accurate,” Keller said.

The proposed change was voted down with Cox and O'Neil casting the only yes votes. Keller left and Deputy Mayor O'Neil led the council the rest of the night, including the public comment period.

Cheryl Metiva, executive director of the Wasilla Chamber of Commerce, took the council to task when the public could speak.

&#8220I'm exceedingly disappointed,” Cheryl Metiva said. &#8220You spent more time discussing a resolution about a Senate bill than you did dealing with staffing. I deal with economic development daily. Our city is behind the times. I see the need, maybe this isn't the perfect answer. But if the mayor hadn't called the question so quickly, if it failed through proper proactive dialogue, I'd feel better.” Cheryl Metiva suggested the council open the floor to public comment during a volatile debate like they had been having and allow people to weigh in on the issue.

Colleen Cottle, who said she has a degree in business administration, was concerned about the support staff necessary for the deputy administrator adding to the city's costs.

&#8220This vote shouldn't be no forever and ever,” Cottle said.

&#8220The mayor introduced this in January, but never really got anyone's opinion before she just threw it in. This isn't something you just jump into.”

Two more motions and two more votes later, and the council agreed, five to one, to postpone further discussion and another vote on the matter until another meeting.

Menard, the only no vote, objected because be believed it would be better to bring the matter up after the budget is passed.

Contact Mary Ames at 352-2284 or mary.ames@frontiersman.com.