By Edmond Ortiz
Kirby’s elected officials are looking to sanction a City Council, instead of possibly removing her, for allegedly violating the city charter.
What is happening
City Council went into a special April 6 meeting to consider the possibility of ousting Councilmember Susan Street over claims of interfering with city staff, among other allegations. But council ended the meeting by taking no formal action.
Instead, Mayor Janeshia Grider announced council will return in one month to weigh a resolution that could suggest remedies for Street.
Street was given an opportunity to address the allegations in open session. She denied any wrongdoing to certain claims that she alone gave specific orders or suggestions directly to city employees.
In one instance, Street was accused of wading into matters pertaining to the handling of city personnel issues, which would be typically managed by a human resources officer.
Such a standalone human resources position does not exist in the city of Kirby, so the city manager oversees those issues.
Street said she merely suggested to City Manager Brian Rowland that she could possibly help to offer the names of human resources experts who could answer related questions if necessary.
In another instance, Street was accused of directly engaging the city’s auditor and giving him an order outside of a council meeting. Street responded that the city auditor is not a full-time city employee but rather a contractor that could still answer questions away from City Hall.
“I did not give any direction, but I asked a lot of questions,” Street said.
Additionally, Street said much supporting evidence was missing from the city attorneys’ summary report of an investigation of the claims made against her.
Street also said the April 6 meeting was improperly called, and she objected to being excluded from a recent executive session.
A ‘pattern of behavior’
Grider asked about public works employees purportedly complaining about Street posing questions about official city matters during a holiday season lunch event that the city threw for the public works staff. Councilmember Maria Lozano reportedly helped to drop off food at the event and then departed while Street stayed behind.
Jones said the investigation revealed that Street interacted with staff at the lunch, but that there appeared to be no specific conversations that would have been prohibited by the city.
“No information was provided that (either Street or Lozano) gave directives or orders to any city employee that would’ve violated the city charter,” senior city attorney Dan Jones said.
But Grider said there was “a pattern of behavior” where Street has allegedly disparaged fellow city officials, and berated city staffers and, as a result, has fostered a toxic working environment at City Hall.
“When there is a pattern of conduct that consistently undermines the operations of the city, creates fear among staff members, and violates the standards of professionalism, action against an elected council member becomes necessary,” Grider said.
Councilmember Mike Grant said Street has essentially attempted to micromanage city staff, and that she has forged an adverse working relationship with Grider and City Manager Brian Rowland.
At the same time, many residents have come to Street’s defense, saying she appears to be the only council member who tries to keep city officials accountable, particularly regarding finances, and that her direct style may rub some people the wrong way.
Councilmember Maria Lozano said council cannot be selective in disciplining one of its own members when there have been claims of Grider, Rowland and fellow elected leaders being disrespectful to constituents.
Following an executive session, council did not act on the agenda items, and Grider said council will come back in one month to weigh a resolution containing disciplinary steps for Street, such as anger management and civility training.
“City Council will hold Councilmember Street to these trainings, and show that it is not okay to act the way she has acted toward city employees. This will also hold true to the other council members,” Grider added.
