APPROVED A Special Meeting of the City Council was held Monday, March 19, 2018, in the Council Chambers at City Hall to Interview and Appoint a Council Member.
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Mayor Brent Teske.
Present were Mrs. Williams, Ms. Smith, Mr. Zimmerman, Mr. Beach, Mr. Armstrong, City Clerk Audray McCollum and City Administrator Jim Hammons. City Attorney Dean Chisholm was absent.
Interview and Appoint City Council Member.
Four candidates for the position were in attendance: Rob Dufficy, William Holcomb, Hugh Taylor and D.C Orr, to replace Angel Ford. Mayor Teske asked the candidates to join City Administrator Jim Hammons in the back, to be summoned one at a time to express their interest in why they would like to be on Libby City Council.
The first candidate was Rob Dufficy, 1307 Nevada. Mayor Teske asked if Dufficy had been a resident of the City of Libby for 60 days. Dufficy said he had. Mayor Teske stated Dufficy’s background check was good. Mayor Teske asked if there was anything Dufficy wanted to disclose about his background. Dufficy said he did not. Dufficy has been on the police commission for three terms and served on the library board. Dufficy moved to Libby eleven years ago from California where he retired as a police officer; he has plenty of time to serve as a council member.
Members of the council were then allowed to ask Dufficy questions. Zimmerman asked what he could bring to the council. Dufficy said he is a team player and would help out.
Smith thanked Dufficy for applying and appreciated his wealth of education. Smith asked if Dufficy had participated in any other organizations. Dufficy said he was chair of the library board.
Beach asked Dufficy to list 3 to 5 priorities of importance for the city. Dufficy said the budget, attracting new business, roads, and water. Beach asked how crucial it was for the council to work together. Dufficy said after watching the council for the last 11 years, it is vital.
Williams asked what Dufficy did to prepare for this interview. Dufficy said he updated his resume. Williams asked what the city’s role is in economic development. Dufficy said the city needs to keep up with police training to keep the riffraff out of town.
Armstrong said economic development happens over the basic needs of the city, how we can balance that out. Dufficy said he was not aware of how the city’s money is rationed out. Dufficy is not sure what the solution should be, he would like to get involved and help out.
Dufficy said if he is fortunate to be chosen, he will give his best.
Mayor Teske asked for any public comment.
The second candidate was William Holcomb, 213 West Balsam St. Mayor Teske asked if Holcomb had been a resident of the City of Libby for 60 days. Holcomb said he had. Mayor Teske stated Holcomb’s background check was good. Mayor Teske asked Holcomb if there was anything in his background that he wanted to disclose. Holcomb said he did not.
Holcomb worked in the lumber and mining industry and now works as a substitute teacher. Holcomb would like to have a voice in our city and get involved with local government.
Members of the council were then allowed to ask Holcomb questions. Armstrong asked Holcomb how he would approach his first month as a city council member. Holcomb would talk to each council member so he would be informed and talk to the public.
Williams asked, “What you did to prepare for this interview.” Holcomb spoke to the City Administrator, improved his resume and letter of interest and attended city council meetings.
Beach asked what should be the city council’s priorities and list them in order from first being most important to least. Holcomb said clarity, economic development, infrastructure and clean up areas around town.
Smith thanked Holcomb for his strong letter of interest.
Zimmerman asked what Holcomb’s strongest suit was. Holcomb said he was a fast learner and has a vested interest in Libby and city government.
Mayor Teske asked the public if there was any public comment for Holcomb.
The third candidate was Hugh Taylor, 1519 Utah. Mayor Teske asked if Taylor had been a resident of the City of Libby for 60 days. Taylor said he had. Mayor Teske stated that Taylor’s background check was good. Mayor Teske asked Taylor if there was anything in his background that he wanted to disclose. Taylor said there was not. Taylor was born and raised in Libby; graduated from a school in Libby then went on to the Marines. Taylor worked at Timberline Auto; Harlow’s Bus Barn and is currently at Kootenai Truck Repair.
Zimmerman asked what Taylor’s strongest points are that he could bring to the council? Taylor said he is a team player, 100 percent committed to whatever he does, and give it his all. He believes in Libby.
Smith appreciates Taylor’s application and resume.
Beach asked Taylor to rank the city councils priorities from most important to least. Taylor said infrastructure, clean up Libby, and work with the port authority to bring jobs to Libby. Beach asked how important it is for the council to work well together. Taylor said it is very important.
Williams asked, “what did you do to prepare for this interview?” Taylor met with the city administrator, went over the city infrastructure, contacted each of the city council members asked if they had questions, approached the mayor, and asked if he had any questions.
Armstrong asked how he sees the economic balance between the business community and the residential community. Taylor said the council needs to figure out what projects they can handle without increasing rates. The council needs to look at grants.
Taylor read a statement to the council and the public.
Mayor Teske asked if there were any public comments for Taylor.
Mr. Hammons stated Orr requested that all candidates be present for his interview.
Mayor Teske said if that was his prerogative, that was fine. All candidates returned to council chambers.
The fourth candidate to speak was DC Orr; 1117 Nevada Ave. Mayor Teske asked if Orr had been a resident of the City of Libby for 60 days. Orr said he had. Mayor Teske stated Orr’s background check was good. Mayor Teske asked if there was anything in his background he wanted to disclose. Orr said Libby has been in turmoil for years; the council had nine appointments in the last two years, several lawsuits, scandals, and disruptions. Libby needs some stability and stability is gained by following the law. Orr had Clay Coker give him his letter of reference because Coker followed the law and policy. Mr. Orr had Councilman Olsen do a letter of reference; he admired the way he fought against people who lied about him and false accusations. Orr said council could all work well together yet have a difference of opinion, respect each other and respect the law.
Mayor Teske asked Orr did Mr. Coker, and Mr. Olsen write you letters of reference? Orr said yes. Mayor Teske said they were not attached to your resume. Orr forgot they were references.
Orr said everybody is under the law. The mayor enforces the law. The public has a right to know about your deliberations. Orr knows the law and can help council abide by the law.
Members of council were then allowed to ask Orr questions. Mr. Zimmerman asked Orr, “You want honesty and transparency. How do think that has helped or hindered with your dealings on social media?”
Orr said he did not understand Zimmerman’s questions.
Zimmerman said Orr, “you are on the Libby Troy news, and opinion site, you call out members of the council how do you feel this will help things?” Orr said “you are on there reading it. You could reply, be honest and transparent. Those are the discussion the public wants to hear. In Bozeman, the council’s email is available to the public on the city’s website.” Orr said the Libby City Council could use some social media work. Orr said the council could get their ideas out there to the public.
Orr asked Zimmerman if he was part of the discussions to legally not appoint anyone.
Zimmerman said he discussed with Beach, Armstrong, and legal counsel.
Mayor Teske said the issue first came up before the appointment of Mrs. Ford; when there was only one application. Mayor Teske talked to the city attorney and asked if the council was bound to select that candidate. The City attorney Dean Chisholm said no and explained why.
Orr asked if the council had received the letter from his attorney.Mayor Teske said he had. Orr said the council should receive legal counsel before continuing. Mayor Teske said that they had.
Smith had no questions for Orr.
Beach asked how important is it that the council works well together?
Orr said it is not important that they work well together, it is important that they come to a decision and that is something that this council has failed to do. I want you to follow the law and not in secret.
Beach asked Orr to list the city council priorities starting with the most important.
Orr said following the law is the most important. Orr said you need to consider what is important at the time and make that your priority.
Williams had no questions for Orr.
Armstrong had no questions for Orr.
Orr said Armstrong wrote demeaning things about him in the newspaper. Orr asked how he could get a fair vote from the council.
Armstrong said he does not know how to answer that question.
Williams passed.
Beach said he would not respond to anything Armstrong wrote. Beach said he had not been part of any secret deliberations.
Orr asked Smith how do you see Armstrong’s comments in the paper as anything but personal attacks?
Smith said,” Mr. Orr, your reputation precedes anything that Mr. Armstrong wrote in the paper, you attack people and issues and things.”
Orr called POINT OF ORDER.
Mayor Teske said this is her answer to your question.
Smith said she was surprised Orr applied for the council based on the way he has treated every council member. Orr said the council is lawbreakers.
Orr asked Zimmerman “ Councilman Armstrong said I enjoyed criticism and insulting that I live for it, do you think this is true?”
Zimmerman said “with everything I read on social media it makes a person wonder that it is true. When I am out in public, people approach me about you and the negativity.” Zimmerman said Orr needs to bring solutions to council meetings.”
Orr said council needs to work with him, not against him.
Orr asked Zimmerman, “ do you believe you are above the law or do you follow the law as a council person.” Zimmerman said,” yes I follow the law as an American citizen. Orr said, “ did you follow the law a month ago when you refused to nominate anyone.” Zimmerman said, “I believe so.”
Orr asked Smith, “do you believe you’re above the law or do you follow the law as a council person?” Smith said she followed the law as a council person and she followed the law a month ago with her decision or lack thereof.
Orr said there was no decision.
Mayor Teske said she said or lack thereof.
Orr said Mayor Teske could not limit her answers.
Mayor Teske said he had not limited her answers, just because you do not like the answers does not open it up for debate.
Orr. Said, “yes it does.”
Orr asked Beach if he was above the law and if he followed the law a month ago?
Beach said he was not above the law and he as an individual followed the law, “the law states a suitable candidate, I felt we did not have a suitable candidate for different reasons.”
Williams passed on the discussion.
Orr asked Mr. Armstrong if he was above the law Armstrong said no he was not above the law. Orr said, “did you follow the law a month ago?” Armstrong said he was not clear on what the law was a month ago; he was not aware of the 30-day window. Armstrong stated he was not aware there was a deadline sitting in front of us; he could not decide with the choices.
Orr said three applicants applied within the 30 day period. The fourth applicant, Dufficy applied after the deadline, he is an untimely applicant. Orr said the council would be breaking the law if they appoint accept Dufficy’s application.
Mayor Teske said those are your opinions of the law.
Orr then asked Armstrong about Montana Code 7-4-4111.
Armstrong called POINT OF ORDER and said he refused to participate any further.
Mayor Teske told Orr, “ we are moving on.”
Orr called POINT OF ORDER.
Orr stated, “ if he refuses to answer my question he will have to site his fifth amendment rights.
Mayor Teske said that is your legal opinion.
Orr said the council is going to continue to violate the law.
Mayor Teske said that is your opinion.
Mayor Teske asked all candidates to the back room.
Mayor Teske asked for public comment for Orr.
Council Comments:
Beach Would like a better procedure for interviews in the future.Smith liked the letter Holcomb put together.
Zimmerman nominated Hugh Taylor.
Zimmerman nominated Rob Dufficy.
Council comments followed.
Mayor Teske called for the vote.
Taylor 4-Yes 1-No
Dufficy 3-Yes 2-No
Taylor had the most votes.
The candidates were brought out.
Council took a five-minute recess.
Council resumed at 6:55 p:m.
Mayor Teske swore in Hugh Taylor
The meeting ADJOURNED at 7:05 pm.
______________ Attest; ______________________________
Mayor, Brent Teske Audray J. McCollum City Clerk/Treasurer