THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, March 7, 1995 TAG: 9503070274
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PERRY PARKS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
The City Council on Monday sailed smoothly through a long agenda that had consumed four hours of debate and confusion at a work session two weeks earlier.
Among its actions Monday, the council:
Passed a travel reimbursement policy for City Council members similar to one used by other city employees, requiring receipts from hotels, meals and other travel expenses.
Adopted a list of initiatives to combat crime, such as beefing up community policing efforts and implementing a code enforcement team. The list was submitted earlier by the Mayor's Crime Commission and has been endorsed by District Attorney Frank Parrish.
Amended an ordinance to allow billiard parlors to open on Sunday after being advised by the city attorney last month that restricting the hours was unconstitutional.
Approved the hiring of a full-time parks and recreation laborer, two fire department employees, a full-time police officer and four part-time sworn officers. Under the city's hiring freeze, the council must approve all hires.
Monday's meeting followed a soul-searching special session on Saturday morning, in which council members spent nearly an hour complaining about communication breakdowns with one another and city employees.
Council members cited debates from the marathon Feb. 20 work session, saying much discussion could have been shortened if they had been forewarned about some of the issues.
``This council could be better served if we communicate among one another,'' Councilwoman Myrtle Rivers said at the weekend meeting, adding that some issues require better explanation from officials. ``There are some that understand it quicker and more in-depth than others. But the important thing is that we all understand it together.
``I just don't feel comfortable as I should, meeting here and asking questions,'' Rivers said. ``You feel like you're laughed at.''
Councilman David P. Bosomworth recommended that council members preview their meeting materials, which they receive several days before regular Monday meetings.
Mayor H. Rick Gardner said he would be glad to answer or find answers for any council members' pre-meeting questions.
But Councilwoman Anita Hummer said some city officials weren't doing enough to keep council members informed.
``I try to do my homework,'' she said at the Saturday meeting. But on issues such as the legality of the city's billiard parlor ordinance, Hummer said, ``We should have had legal advice before we got here.''
Hummer on Saturday also accused City Manager Ralph Clark of stonewalling her, describing a conversation in which she said Clark told her she had no authority to request a department head's presence at Saturday's meeting.
``I'm like Rodney Dangerfield,'' Hummer said. ``I don't get any respect.''
Council members W.L. ``Pete'' Hooker and A.C. Robinson Jr. sided with Hummer, saying she should not be intimidated about requesting information or help from Clark.
Clark on Monday declined to comment on the conversation with Hummer or his relationship with the council. ``There's no point in stirring the pot any more,'' Clark said. ``I'll allow her comments to stand without response.''
Some council members, including Hummer, said Clark and other city officials should have been present Saturday to answer questions in advance of Monday's meeting.
Gardner, who had called the meeting, said he had excused Clark because he wanted the council to hash out its problems.
``I thought the purpose of this meeting was for us to discuss ways to keep information flowing to the council,'' Gardner said Saturday as council members asked specific questions about Monday's agenda items. ``Here again it looks like miscommunication one more time.''
KEYWORDS: ELIZABETH CITY CITY COUNCIL by CNB