SEBASTIAN — At its Dec. 11 meeting the Sebastian City Council voted to establish Community Development Director and Airport Director Joe Griffin’s salary as $104,422 plus $1, in his new position as Interim City Manager. Griffin officially steps into the top city job Dec. 13, replacing Al Minner, who is leaving to take the City Manager post in Leesburg, Fla.
After Council unanimously named Griffin to the position at its Nov. 13 meeting, Minner wrote a memorandum of understanding, to establish employment parameters while Griffin serves the city as interim city manager.
In response to Councilman Jerome Adams’s question as to whether there was a suggested salary range, Minner said there was no range, but that the City Manager should be the highest paid city employee and suggested Griffin receive “$1 dollar more than the second highest paid city employee,” who is Chief of Police Michelle Morris.
When public comment was invited, before the vote, Sebastian resident Damien Gilliams approached the lectern and asked what the actual salary figure would be and what Minner’s salary is. He asked what the big secret was and admonished Council to “get it out in the open.”
“The Chief gets $104,422,” Minner interjected. “Joe makes $85,000 now and I get about $115,000.”
“Joe’s a good man,” Gilliams continued, “but he’s never been a city manager or an interim city manager. I’d like to see him get the job, to prove himself, but don’t be so quick with the checkbook, There are taxpayers out there, too. I know he will take the job for far less. Has anybody asked?”
Griffin responded, saying, “Discussions like this, about compensation, are personally embarrassing. I am taking on a lot and, if I can’t hack it, I know you’ll get me out of here. I will say now that I do want to apply for the position (of City Manager) and not for the money. I love this community.”
The motion to accept the amount Minner recommended, $104,422 plus $1, was quickly made, seconded and passed.
Gilliams returned to the lectern during a later public input segment, first to extend congratulations to the winners of the recent election. Gilliams, himself, has run for Council unsuccessfully four times.
Beginning to get wound up, he thanked Council member Richard Gillmor for voting against granting Capt. Hiram’s six variances relating to a new motel project, asking Council, “Why do we have codes if they are not followed. It’s unfair. He gets rewarded with variances when he has illegal (water) pipes in the DOT right-of-way. Where are the leaders, Mr. Mayor? Are they afraid to speak?”
Gilliams then launched into a mini-tirade against Councilwoman Andrea Coy, who was absent, implying she had voted for granting the variances because of an election contribution.
At that point, Mayor Bob McPartlan attempted to cut him off.
“Point of order! Point of order!”
“I have a right to speak,” Gilliams protested.
“There are rules of etiquette here,” McPartlan responded. “We do not personally attack an individual. It is cowardly to attack someone who is not here.”
“He’s taking up my time!” argued Gilliams.
“Sir! Sir! Take your seat,” McPartlan admonished Gilliams.
“I’d like the attorney’s opinion on this,” Gilliams continued.
“Do I have to have you escorted out?” asked McPartlan.
When Gilliams continued to object, McPartlan asked the police officer assigned to the meeting to escort Gilliams out, which he did.
