Council - Special Meeting

Good evening. Sorry for the slight delay. Just needed to have a couple of paper documents completed for us. So with that, calling the meeting to order. And if you will join us to stand for the invocation and pledge allegiance. It will be led by Councilwoman Scogg.

Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we come to you this evening with thankfulness that we live in a free country and a beautiful city. With gratitude, we ask you to guide us this evening with our decision. Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, Send down upon those who hold office in Nampa, Idaho, the spirit of wisdom, clarity, and justice, that with steadfast purpose, they may faithfully serve in their offices to promote the well-being of our people through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

I pledge allegiance.

indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Clerk will call the roll.

Gog.

Present.

Cengula. Here. Bills. Here. Reynolds. Here. Rodriguez. Here. Griffin. Here. All present.

So folks, tonight, this is a council meeting for council. It's not a public hearing. It's not a meeting whereby the public has the option to raise their hand or come forward and give testimony or comments. So it's strictly a decision and discussion, discussion first and then decisions by city council. So respectfully, uh, if you hear something that, uh, cause you angst, uh, would appreciate no booze. Uh, at the same time, if you hear something that causes you to be happy, please don't clap. Um, this is a meeting for you in the form of observation. And so, uh, as such, uh, we asked for that decorum this evening. The decisions before council tonight, some are difficult. We may make a couple of adjustments to the agenda and trying to work through some of the issues that are before us. So at this point in time, council, we have a revised agenda. We've added a piece and now labeled as one, two, one, three, and one, four are still listed, previously listed as one, two, and one, three. And need a adoption of the amended agenda. Second. Is there any discussion?

Yes, sir. One, three. That's something that we're going to remove from the agenda.

I think I'd like to just be able to give clarity what that item is. And so the amendment probably would be that we won't be taking action, but we'll have brief discussion if that is workable for you, Councilman Reynolds.

Thank you. I appreciate the clarity.

Any other questions on the agenda? Clerk will call the roll.

Skog.

Here. Oh, yes.

Jingula?

Yes.

Bills? Yes. Reynolds? Yes. Rodriguez? Yes. Griffin? Yes. All in favor? Motion carries.

So on 1-2, Council, I'm new at this, and Consequently, there is possibly a couple of missteps under Idaho's open meeting law, and so our attorney has given us some guidance here to cure, and that's the point of 1-2, is make a declaration to preemptively cure potential violations of deliberations as defined under Idaho open meeting law of the council declare certain actions, if any void null and commitment to ensure compliance. So as such, I wanted to share with council that in the city has complied with a public record request related to mayoral appointment and city council has done all within its discretion to be compliant with all applicable laws. including open meeting law. Further, to preserve the integrity of the decision as being solely upon the council to make and prevent undue influence by outside parties, I'm requesting that council members at times to keep material from premature disclosure. To remove all doubt of mystery, the council is providing recent coordination emails regarding tonight's vote, as well as completed questionnaires by three possible candidates. So the request for questionnaires to be put together or questionnaire and subsequently getting that to council members raised a question whether my communication may have crossed a boundary there. And so we're just working to cure and to make sure that we have that information out to the public and that the public is able to be informed and on such matters. So therefore, need... Councilor need to know, are we doing a motion and an acceptance on this? Council President, thank you, yes.

Before you is a resolution that we can share here for those viewing online and here in the room. And Madam Clerk, would you like me to share that or our IT department? I can share it right now. Council President, what is before you? I apologize, the font may not be super big for those in the back of the room. The copies though are available. Our clerk's office has receipt of this and it will be added to the agenda item. Council President, if you'd like, we can read through this right now. What you've summarized captures what is in here. A council vote on this resolution would be forthcoming to pass that before we proceed with the later agenda items.

Okay. So council, a motion to pass this resolution.

President Bills, I move to approve the resolution as presented on the screen and before us here. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Is there any questions or discussion? Clerk will call the roll.

Scott. Yes. Tingula. Yes. Fills. Yes. Rodriguez. Yes. Reynolds. Yes. Griffin. Yes. All in favor. Motion carries.

Action one three, or excuse me, item one three is an action item. However, I'm going to speak to it, but I'm going to, we're going to defer it at the moment. Uh, The aspect was for council discussion to vote on chief of staff, modified responsibility. Council, some of that information didn't get completely put together and out to you for adequate review. And so we're going to postpone that. The idea was to work on a little further Chief of Staff's responsibility for clarity going forward. So I'm suggesting that we have a special meeting at four o'clock a week from today on the 15th, and we would take up that item if it's appropriate. and any other issue related to and or a swearing in of a person if a vote for mayor is accomplished this evening. So that would be a special meeting a week from today. uh, noticed as four with those items. And that would bring up the item one, three, just wasn't quite enough time to get everything put together for, for that issue. Keep looking left and not looking right. Um, so as such, uh, Now would be appropriate time for a motion to postpone that to a special meeting Monday, June 15th.

Council President, I will make a motion to postpone that to a date certain of June 15th. I'll think of that.

We have a motion and a second to take that particular item and postpone to June 15th at a special meeting four o'clock on June 15th. Any discussion, questions? Clerk will call the roll.

Gogg. Yes. Gingula. Yes. Bills.

Yes.

Griffin.

Yes.

Rodriguez. Yes. Reynolds. Yes. All in favor. Motion carries.

Next action item is council discussion and vote to a point of on the appointment of mayor. And so council, what I appreciate is that we, uh, We can make a motion I can bring forward, which was my plan not to cause a heartburn for you, but in order to move us along was to name an individual and allow for discussion, allow for the vote. And if successful, why then we're complete. If not successful, then I'll present another name. and we'll walk down through the options that have somewhat been before us prior, but you've gotten more information, and so that may influence or not your votes. So is that workable? That's where I'm seeing us go here. So the chair or the president is making a motion to appoint Debbie Kling to the position of mayor in the city of Nampa. Is there a second?

I second that.

We have a motion and a second. Is there discussion? Hearing no discussion, clerk will call the roll.

Skog. No. Cangula. Yes. Rodriguez.

No.

Griffin.

No.

Reynolds.

Yes.

Mills.

No.

Motion fails.

The next item would be... President would put forth Clay Long to be appointed as mayor. Would make a motion to appoint Clay Long as mayor. Is there a second?

Second.

We have a motion and a second. Is there a discussion?

Once the president.

Yes.

Before we vote, I would like to make very clear my position that I'm tossing and turning over because my vote will likely not be a lack of confidence in Clay. It's actually the opposite. Clay, in the last few months, that most of the citizens don't get to know and have not been able to see firsthand, has done an exceptional job for the city of Nampa. He's kept the ship afloat. Him and David Bills have worked tirelessly for the city in preparing for council meetings, in dealing with organizational matters, in dealing with budgetary constraints, and making sure level heads prevailed. My concern at this time would be losing that asset out of the mayor's office as chief of staff. The relationships have been cultivated. And I keep going back and forth on how do we best approach the next 16, 18 months for the city of Napa. Because Clay is a very exceptional individual in terms of his work product, work ethic, workability with the council, budget prep. But for me at this point, when I viewed the next 18, 16, 18 months, uh, this appointed mayor would serve more as a public facing individual rather than the deep knee deep in the operational. And that's why a chief of staff is absolutely critical and essential. Part of the reason why our agenda today had those outlined to be sure our chief of staff felt supported and, uh, ensured that the work was getting complete in a proper way to be able to support both individuals, whoever the new mayor would be and whoever the chief of staff would be, whether that would be shifting and moving somebody else in place or not, which could also be burdensome and have its own difficulties. I'm just expressing a lot of this now as I'm working through my thoughts. No matter what the decision is tonight, there is going to be a transitionary period. There's going to be a learning curve. There's going to be a new, uh, person in the mayor's office and us as community members could do a real good job of making sure that everyone feels appreciated and valued. Uh, clay, I do think you do a great job. We've had the opportunity very briefly to discuss that. I think all of you in the mayor's office do an exceptional job. I'm looking at the full line up there. Crystal, I know you're not in the mayor's office, but we'll pull you in as well. You do great work and you're very much appreciated. And this vote is not a vote of no confidence. It's a vote of extreme confidence that whatever ends up happening, Napa will prevail. The city will continue going in a new direction. We have a game plan that was outlined very well by our former mayor. And we're grateful for that. But at this time and for that reason, I'm not going to say that I oppose Clay because I do not. I just believe that he is the chief of staff that we need in this transitionary period and in perpetuity as long as we can hold on to him.

Council President.

Yes, Councilman Reynolds.

Differing viewpoint on that is from my perspective is we're voting on this on the merits of what the job description of chief of staff are currently today and what the mayor's role is today. And I think that it would be selfish of us to not give clay a chance to show his leadership in the mayor's role. The current mayor's role is huge. I watched the mayor clean work tirelessly for the city. for eight years. And the number of hours that she put in, I don't even know if you can total them up. It just never ended for her 24 seven. And I feel like Clay has the ability to do that and to put that time in. And he has, he's young, energetic. I say young, he's maybe half my age or something. I don't know. But, and yeah, I feel like my decision is based on the merits of what I know that the mayor does today currently, and also what Mayor Rick did, which was put in a lot of hours. And to deny him that opportunity to serve in that role, he's every bit as qualified, probably much more so than our other candidate that we haven't discussed yet. And sorry, Darrell, no, nothing against you. You're a great individual. I just feel like Clay is more ready for this role and has more intimate knowledge of the role and the position and what needs to be done to keep the city moving forward. We're coming off of, or we're in a time Where the city of Nampa had some unprecedented growth and we're still in that path, we need a leader that can step in there and keep that momentum going. And we have some great accomplishments to be proud of in the city of Nampa under Mayor Kling's leadership, including a wastewater treatment plant, $300 million that came in on time under budget. that we need for the city. So with that, that momentum to me is important to keep going. And I know that Clay was a student of Mayor Kling for some time, and I think that he would fill this role in a good way at this time. Thanks, Clay.

Council Member Jangela.

I will say Clay is young because we're the same age. I want to echo what Councilman Reynolds said. I also agree, I think that Not only has Clay showed us that he has the ability to fulfill this role, but he also has been mentored under Mayor Kling and Mayor Hogeboom. And he got to be heavily involved in that transition of power. And he can see the vision of what or what the mayor's office was wanting to move forward with. And he would be exceptional in being able to move that vision forward. And I have full confidence in him. I know that the staff resoundingly support him and I know that the community has supported him as well. And I think that he would be an outstanding choice.

Other comments? We have a motion and a second. Clerk will call the roll.

Skog. No. Vengula. Yes. Rodriguez.

No.

Griffin.

No.

Reynolds.

Yes.

Bills.

Yes.

Motion fails.

So, Chair makes a motion to the City Council vote to appoint Daryl Bruner to the Office of Mayor.

Second.

We have a motion and a second. Discussion?

Council President.

Yes.

In my previous comments regarding Daryl, or I apologize, Clay. Clay, I mentioned public facing. Darl was forced to vacate his seat a few years ago when we had redistricting. The legislature, and I believe in a wise move, said that when you're above 100,000, you should represent districts. I personally favor that because I get to intimately know the constituents I get to serve for and represent here. After Darl's departure, he stayed involved on NDC. He stayed involved in the community. Uh, sometimes I might not have agreed with some of the things coming out of the breakfast club, but he was having engagement with the community on what should be happening or what people's thoughts and has been very public facing. I think it will be a learning curve for Darrell, but I think he's willing based off of what we've discussed and read through the, um, survey to be able to serve hand in hand with clay. And this decision for me is significantly factored in with, uh, Darrell filling that public facing role and serving it operationally while still having clay continue to provide operational continuity and staff leadership, which is also necessary. One thing about Darrell, he's been elected twice. He's had a vote of confidence from the people. He got another vote of confidence once again on a reelection. Whether you agree with him or disagree with him, you know what you get with him. Very clear, very transparent, very directed. And for the discussion that Council Member Reynolds and Councilwoman Jangula had stated, we need that right now, I believe. And I believe we could have that with Clay as well. So all these comments, it's not to, weigh apples to apples, one is significantly better than the other. I think we've got two great men willing to serve, and I'm grateful that we have people willing to serve in Nampa, because this would be a whole lot worse if nobody was willing to carry the torch. So with that, I believe that a combination of a strong chief of staff, as well as a strong interim mayor, we can do some exceptional things for the city of Nampa. I believe that. I have hope for that. And if it doesn't land that way, I think we'll make a motion and a decision tonight that ultimately is best for the city of Napa and continuing forward.

Other comments?

Councilman Reynolds. So I was going to speak right to Darrell for a second. No, Darrell. I think you're a good guy. Uh, I've enjoyed serving on council with you in the past and interacting, and I appreciate everything you've done. And, um, this has nothing to do with the friendship, uh, but I can't support you in this role. And, uh, I I've said that once before, it's hard for me to say, but it's politics. And, um, the personal side is separate for me. So business is business and personal is personal. So please don't take it personally. Um, I see on your answer to questions that you're willing to forego your family vacation this June if selected. I can tell you right now, I would not do that, Darrell. I would go on your vacation. You know, this role in serving as mayor is a serious thing and it's not that much fun. So I would take your vacation. But I have appreciated some of the things that you've done in the past and what you've done for the city, your time given and your time at N and U has been, um, fantastic. Uh, and I know they probably miss you over there. Um, but, um, at this time I can't support that. I don't, I don't feel like, um, um, moving forward with the path that we're on and the growth, the unprecedented growth that we have, I don't feel like that vision aligns with my vision. And, um, so that will be the main reason why I can't support you.

So councilwoman Jenga.

I have so much respect for Darrell. I love that guy. He is so great. I just feel as though when I look at the line of candidates and the experience and what we have going forward, I just feel like that we have two candidates that are stronger for this specific position.

Other comments? Clerk will call the roll.

Bogg. Yes. Chingula.

No.

Reynolds.

No.

Rodriguez.

Yes.

Griffin.

Yes.

Bills.

No.

Motion fails.

Make a motion to appoint Clay Long to the office of mayor.

Second.

Any further discussion? Clerk will call the roll.

Skog? No. Vengula? Yes. Rodriguez?

No.

Griffin?

No.

Reynolds?

Yes.

Bills?

Yes.

Motion fails.

Council President. I make a motion. Go ahead. Thank you. To appoint Darrell Booner to Mayor.

Second.

Clerk will call the roll.

Gogg. Yes. Angula. No. Reynolds.

No.

Rodriguez.

Yes.

Griffin. Yes. Bills.

Yes.

Grace.

Council, we have the majority to appoint Daryl Bruner to mayor and... Next Monday, we will notice for a special meeting at four o'clock whereby we will be taking up the item that we've postponed far as discussion on the chief of staff, modified responsibility and authority. And we will also then have a swearing in for Mr. Bruner as mayor and Our regular meeting will begin at five o'clock. So be prepared for that. Thank you for adjusting your schedules. Thank you for being here today.

Excuse me. Excuse me.

Go ahead.

I just wanted to take a minute to say something publicly. I would like to publicly express my sincere appreciation for Councilman President Bills. He has led us through an extraordinarily difficult period. one none of us anticipated, and his steady leadership has helped guide us and our city through this challenging time. Council President Bills is a dedicated public servant, a respected businessman, a hard worker who stepped forward during a significant gap in our city government. He has worked diligently to navigate differences among council members, staff, and residents while continuing to serve the best interests of our community. For that, I want to say thank you. Your leadership and commitment are deeply appreciated. This has been a season marked by sadness, unexpected stress, and unfound accusations. Throughout it all, Council Bills, President Bills, has remained focused on the work before him and on the well-being of our city. Nampa is a strong and blessed city supported by a capable staff and a council that cares deeply about its future. Council President Bills has demonstrated that same commitment through his service and his leadership. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Bills for your hard work.

Remember our decorum requests. Councilwoman Skagg, that was very kind. I appreciate the sincerity.

Councilman.

Council, we're not.

Yes, go ahead. So I just want to say thank you to President Beals. I'll tell you what, if you've ever seen that look of, oh my gosh, why? Or I've got to take care of something. I hope we don't see that look anymore because you've been stand up, you've been upright. And I'll tell you, I am so proud of you. So on behalf of me and District 5, I want to thank you for your service.

So councilman has been a difficult period. It's been difficult for Rick's family. It's been difficult for a lot of our staff. It's important for me to communicate and speak not only to the community and the public, the actions and the business of city of Nampa and the responsibility of city of Napa continues forward. City council has responsibility financially as well as the oversight of the and the leadership within our city. And so none of that necessarily changes per se. It will have a different little bit of nuance in essence. And there may be a little bit of adjustments, but we're gonna continue to work on refining the chief of staff's role to continue with good leadership in the city. The second part is, is that council still has the responsibility. So tonight is not, it's one move. And so we'll continue looking forward to next Monday night and regular agendas and continuing on. I'm appreciative for council and the efforts that has been put forward. These last few weeks, the difficulty, more importantly, I want to say to play along. Trying not to be too much emotion, but candidly, it's been a tough road for everybody. We're grateful to get to this point. Whether we fully agree, we have to agree to disagree and we got to keep our dialogue moving forward. We're appreciative of that. Darrell Bruner, congrats on the vote, condolences on the vote. We look forward to coordinating with you and swearing in and discussion a week from today. Council, any other comments? With that, the meeting is adjourned. No, we need a motion.

So moved. Second.

See how wonderful it is to soon be out of this position and getting it mixed up? All in favor? Aye. Folks, we appreciate you being here tonight. Thank you for your respect. We hope you have a good evening.