A request for a city employee to attend a waste water management training session erupted into an argument during Monday’s city council meeting.
Walter Williams, the city’s new public works director, asked the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for persmission to attend a waste water management training course.
“This is a certification that I have obtained and held for many years,” Williams said. “It expires July 1. Before I got the job here, I had planned to go to this training to renew my certification.”
Mayor Diane Delaware said she remembers telling Williams that he could attend the course to renew his certification.
“We are just not going to pay for it,” she said.
Delaware added that the course deals with duties that the Public Service Commission handles, not Williams.
Williams, who joined the city staff a few weeks ago, said he did not initially ask the board to pay for the course even though he believes it relates to his job duties.
“I am asking you mayor to give approval so that I could go,” Williams said.
“I thought I told you I would handle it,” Delaware replied.
“Well, on the last meeting we had, on May 9, it was not on the agenda,” Williams said. “Then you said you would add it to the next agenda. Then there was a special call meeting on the 19th. I had sent out an email to you and (carbon copied) all the aldermen, and it was still not on the agenda. You said it could not be added to the agenda.”
Williams said he feels like he should be able to attend the training whether he pays for it or not.
The session will be held at Mississippi State University in Starkville. Williams said he would like to complete two days of the course.
Sarah O’Reilly-Evans, board attorney, said in order for the city to pay for any education courses and the travel associated with it, it has to be related to what an employee does for the city.
“It’s a continuing educational training, and I could pick up units or credits of a subject matter,” Williams said. “I am sure they would have things on solid waste there that they would give me credit for.”
Delaware said she has examined the agenda for the training.
“There was no such thing,” she added.
“Mayor, you didn’t show me the agenda, and I don’t think they gave you an agenda with subjects on it,” Williams replied.
Delaware made the motion to allow Williams to attend the session at his own expense.
“I have been on this board for two or three years now, and I cannot ever recall refusing to let an employee go to a continuing education program that will better serve this town,” said Alderman Dr. Jack Varner.
Varner then attempted to make another motion.
“I already made a motion,” Delaware said. “You started talking.”
Delaware and Varner then argued over motions.
“Gavel, gavel, gavel,” Delaware, who was participating in the meeting by telecommunication from Washington D.C., broke in at one time.
Delaware said the board never had a chance to vote on her motion due to Varner’s interupption.
Varner said Delaware interrupted him after her motion “died for a lack of a second.”
“You need to get off your horse and tend to business,” Varner said.
“I am tending to business,” Delaware replied. “You are not.”
Delaware then restated her original motion, adding that Williams pay for the training out of his own pocket.
“He has no vacation days, but we will pay him for that,” Delaware said. “And it’s the right thing to do for the taxpayers’ dollars.”
O’Reilly-Evans added that Williams must share with the board how the training benefits his position with the city.
Williams said the PSC works with the city’s street department.
“It’s interrelated,” he said. “Even though it’s a different animal, it does interrelate.”
Delaware said maybe PSC should cover the cost if that’s the case.
“It doesn’t matter how you do it, but they all interrelate,” Williams continued. “Public Service helps us. We help them. And everybody is helping each other.”
O’Reilly-Evans said it should be a “fact-finding decision” made by the board based on what it has been told by Williams.
“Because we don’t have the time to do the fact-finding, I’ll second your motion,” said Alderman Rev. Gregory Robertson, to Delaware.
“Don’t make him pay for that trip,” Varner said.
However, when it came time to vote, Delaware casted the sole “yea” vote. Aldermen Ron Johnson, Aubry Brent Jr. and Varner casted the opposing votes.
Robertson abstained from voting.
Varner then made the motion to allow Williams to attend the meeting, with the city covering travel, per diem, lodging and the cost of the session.
Johnson seconded the motion.
“I want to go on record that I don’t believe that the taxpayers’ dollars should be used for anything, including for myself, that is not related to the work you do for this city,” Delaware said. “I think we are heading down a slippery slope...”
The board approved the motion with Delaware casting the sole opposing vote.
