OILTON—TensionmountedatAugust’s regular meeting of the Oilton City Council, prompting the decision to move forward with a personal improvement plan (PIP) for Mayor Patrick Kennedy and a separate one for Police Chief John Hefley.
A PIP is typically used to formally address concerns about an employee’s performance. Drafting a PIP for Kennedy was approved in July and was placed on the August meeting to formally enact it, according to Vice Mayor Julia Bagwell. Hefley’s PIP was placed on the agenda by Kennedy but no reason for it has been given. Kennedy has not responded to requests for a statement.
Council member Bessie Mattaliano made the motions instructing City Attorney Adam Heavin to draft a PIP for both the mayor and the police chief following a return from executive session. While Kennedy’s PIP was seconded by Bagwell and passed unanimously Hefley’s PIP was met with contradicting votes. Bagwell and Mattaliano both abstained from voting while all other present council members approved drafting the PIP for Hefley. Council member Brian Barton was not present to vote on either item.
The agenda item that was meant to approve an interim chief for the police department had no action taken on it. Following the meeting, a spokesperson for the Oilton police department said, “At this point the only thing we will say is John Hefley remains the chief of police.”
Prior to the executive session, the council heard an agenda item listed as “discussion on council member/vice mayor Julia Bagwell and what her role as a council member/vice mayor is”. This item was also requested to be placed on the agenda by Kennedy, who expressed concerns regarding what he perceived as overreach by Bagwell.
“I put that on there because I want to know what makes her think that she’s in charge of the city,” said Kennedy.
Before he was able to continue Bagwell stated she did not think she was in charge of the city and told Kennedy to “elaborate on that”. Kennedy then began to read from the city code what the role of the mayor and vice mayor is stating the vice mayor only assumes mayoral duties in the event the mayor is unable to or if requested by the mayor. Furthermore, Kennedy emphasized the mayor was the one to hire and/or fire staff.
“I have the responsibility to fire and hire, not you,” stated Kennedy.
Bagwell said she had not hired nor fired anyone to which Kennedy implied she had undermined his leadership by stating she had told someone that they did not have to listen to him. Bagwell reaffirmed her rights as a council member to “advocate for our departments”.
The exchange escalated when Kennedy questioned Bagwell’s involvement with city equipment referencing an incident when she cleaned a police vehicle. To which Bagwell, admittedly did further explaining that it was done with permission while the chief was on medical leave.
The exchange was cut short when a third council member reminded Kennedy and Bagwell there was still plenty of agenda remaining.