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SYRACUSE - Yet again, the Syracuse Town Council revisited Tuesday what the powers and duties of the town manager are.
This time the council considered an ordinance modifying the ordinance that created the town manager position in 1991.
And for this go-around, council president Larry Siegel didn't like the ordinance because it wasn't exactly the language the council previously approved. But the other three councilmen were fine with it as town attorney Mike Reed wrote it, and it was approved by a vote of 3 to 1.
Siegel said, "I do have issues with the way this is written." He suggested the second sentence of section one be struck and reworded to say exactly what the council previously approved.
The sentence Siegel wanted struck states, "Specifically, the town manager shall supervise all town departments and department heads and superintendents with respect to all day-to-day operations and all administrative matters. The department heads and superintendents remain ultimately responsible to the town council for their job performance and the town council shall retain all authority with respect to the hiring and firing of such department heads or superintendents."
What the council approved and what Siegel wanted the ordinance to say was, "the department heads report to the town manager on a day to day basis for administrative matters, but ultimately report to the town council for purposes of hiring and firing."
Paul Stoelting, council vice president, said the words are different but otherwise the ordinance says the same thing.
Siegel replied, "Words do have a meaning," and he wanted the ordinance to be consistent with what the council approved. He said he didn't know who changed the ordinance.
"I drafted it," said Reed. "I don't see any difference."
If there's no difference, Siegel said there shouldn't be a problem with changing it back to what the council approved. He made a motion to strike the second sentence and include the exact sentence the council previously approved.
Also not seeing a difference was councilwoman Cassie Cowan. Siegel asked her why it couldn't be the same "verbiage" and she responded, "I guess I need to be talked into it."
Stoelting, an attorney, repeated that he saw no difference either. "Why have an attorney draft (ordinances) if we're going to?" He said the ordinance does a pretty good job as it is. Stoelting made a motion to approve the ordinance as is, but Siegel said he already had a motion on the floor and asked for a second. There was none, so Siegel's motion died for a lack of a second.
Cowan then made a motion to accept the ordinance as written and Stoelting seconded the motion. With councilman Brian Woody's vote in favor, the ordinance was approved.
However, later in the meeting, Parks and Recreation Superintendent Mike Hixenbaugh said the council may have to revisit the issue. As park department head, he reports to the park board. He said he will meet with Reed, though, and see what can be worked out.
In other business, the council:
• Approved an ordinance for additional appropriations of $20,000, $22,000 and $34,000. According to clerk-treasurer Julie Kline, the council has certain projects they want done and to do so, the additional appropriations are required.
• Approved an ordinance amending the Economic Development Income Tax plan for 2004.
• Approved a resolution establishing the cumulative fire fund not to exceed $0.01480 on each $100 of assessed valuation to be levied beginning with taxes for 2004 payable 2005.
• Approved awarding the contract for the town's comprehensive/strategic development plan to Jeff Noffsinger. The contract for industrial planning was awarded to Wightman-Petrie Inc.
• Accepted town manager Brian Redshaw's resignation, effective Sept. 1.
• Approved the lease for the police department's copy machine.
• Heard the firemen's carnival is Aug. 13-14. A portion of Sycamore Street will be closed at least for a portion of Aug. 14.
• Approved the purchase of two new belts for the wastewater department's belt press machine for $1,835 from the Phoenix Co.
• Approved the Ind. 13 water and sewer extension project scope and for utilities superintendent Clint Houseworth to get bids for the project as soon as the drawings are received.
• Approved Wawasee Tree Removal to remove a hazardous tree on Boston and Oak streets for $1,200.
• Approved to forgive the overdue water bill for Lakeland Day Care of $597.04 for one time only.
• Heard beginning Aug. 2, trash pick up will be Monday for residents north of the railroad tracks and on Tuesday for residents south of the tracks.
• Approved to change the August regular meeting from Aug. 17 to Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. at which time the first reading of the 2005 budget will be given. The budget will be adopted at a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 13.
Members of the Syracuse Town Council are Siegel, Stoelting, Cowan and Woody.
