The primary focus of the meeting was the debate over how to proceed with the city manager, Marcia Cardi, who is under scrutiny due to allegations from multiple sources, including former employees. The commission grappled with defining a 30-day cure period during which Cardi would be expected to address the allegations. Commissioners clashed over whether the investigative report provided to Cardi served as adequate notice to commence this cure period. Some commissioners argued that Cardi had not been given sufficient time to respond to the report, which was received shortly before the meeting, while others insisted that the report did indeed trigger the 30-day timeline.

Further complicating matters, the commission faced the challenge of deciding who should be responsible for formulating the cure plan. One commissioner emphasized that Cardi should be involved in drafting the plan, whereas others believed that the responsibility lay with the commission itself. This debate highlighted the need for transparency and clarity to maintain public trust and employee morale, with one commissioner pointing out that the current situation reflected broader systemic issues within the city’s management structure.

Additionally, the commission discussed the financial ramifications of potentially terminating Cardi’s employment. Concerns were raised about the costs associated with severance and recruiting a new city manager, as well as the instability that might arise from another leadership change, given the city’s history of frequent city manager firings. The commissioners expressed differing opinions on whether the financial and operational risks of termination outweighed the benefits of retaining Cardi under a structured improvement plan.

The investigation into the allegations against Cardi was a point of discussion. Three allegations had been received, two from former employees and one from a current employee. An attorney involved in the investigation, Mr. Hammer, provided insights into the process via Zoom, noting that while there was a perception of a retaliatory environment, specific instances of retaliation could not be confirmed. This lack of specificity in the report led some commissioners to question its adequacy in holding Cardi accountable.

Public comments during the meeting added further depth to the discussion. Former city employee Daffany Brusso described a culture of intimidation under Cardi’s leadership, urging the commission to take decisive action. Another resident, Allegra Kitchens, urged the commission to proceed with caution, highlighting the risk of destabilization if managers are frequently dismissed based on employee grievances. Kitchens and others supported the proposed 30-day cure period as a fair opportunity for Cardi to address the issues.

As the meeting progressed, the commission voted on an amendment to establish the 30-day cure period, which would require Cardi to undertake specific training courses, including those on hostile workplace prevention and ethics. The amendment was unanimously approved, emphasizing the need for documentation of Cardi’s engagement and completion of these trainings.

A motion was also proposed to include a written reprimand in Cardi’s file if the required training classes were not completed. This sparked a debate over the nature of the allegations and the validity of the reports surrounding Cardi’s actions. While some commissioners questioned the sufficiency of Cardi’s rebuttals, others maintained that her admission of the actions warranted a reprimand.

The meeting concluded with the commission emphasizing the importance of clarity regarding the timeline for implementing the decisions made. A commissioner insisted on defining a specific start date for the cure period, with the mayor confirming that a written notice would be drafted promptly to avoid miscommunication. The commission agreed that legal counsel should be involved in the drafting process, and the meeting was adjourned with an understanding that Cardi’s timeline would take effect once the documentation was finalized.