In an effort to clear up the confusion surrounding the surprise (September 28) public reading of the city employees’ no confidence letter, comments were requested from Mayor Walker and four council members. Only Councilman Jamey Brooks refused to comment. Brooks’ refusal could be seen as a manifestation of his commitment to open government.

Due to a mix-up in phone and email efforts, the Gazette was unable to interview City Manager Yvonne Quiring directly. She did submit two comments as follows: In terms of Lathrop, “The Council conducted a thorough background process, including a trip to Lathrop and selected me to carry out their vision.”

And in terms of the letter [Vote of No Confidence] —“Right now we have budget challenges, labor negotiations and a class and comp study as well as an election cycle. Given the uncertainty, it is understandable that nerves are frayed and employees are worried. I remain committed to healing these divisions and working through these challenges.”

Fillmore Mayor Pro Tem Gayle Washburn commented that she “[may have] been the only one” to not know that this letter was coming. And even though she has heard comments from community members that the presentation of this letter could “be a political event… designed to discredit the Mayor and City Manager”, Washburn still recognizes that “these are serious allegations and concerns… which the Council needs to address as soon as possible.” Commenting on what is happening now she stated “as we speak, the Council is scheduling [a meeting] to determine the process” that will be used as the Council investigates the employee complaints.

Washburn went on to explain that in her opinion the allegations seem “out of character” for Quiring, whom she has witnessed “being respectful to everyone”, she does know that there are “two sides” to the story, and hopes that the Council is able to “get to the bottom of this” quickly. Washburn did note that she has questions around the letter and vote of no confidence in that this “[can be] a commonly used tactic when labor negotiations are underway” as they are in Fillmore. There is currently a “class and compensation study” underway. According to the city’s website the study “is performed to review organizational structure; to assess job descriptions; and, to maintain competitive and equitable pay.” So while this may be a possibility, Washburn says they “won’t know for sure [until the Council] addresses the [issues raised].”

Councilman Steve Conaway stated he had not seen the letter or known of its content until it was read by former Mayor Scott Lee. “For Fillmore, the letter was totally unprecedented,” Conaway said. “In this case it [the letter] was unanimous. It does create some obstacles in the work environment.”

There were 3 items on executive session that night: two performance evaluations and discussion of “potential litigation”. According to Conaway, City Manager Yvonne Quiring ignored council direction to place them on separate nights due to the heavy load it would cause.

“In my opinion she [Quiring] is very much a command and control manager. The previous manager informed me of what was going on; a little different communication chain.”

Conaway believes a meeting to discuss the letter should have been requested after the letter was read.

As for the Mayor clearing the room, Conaway stated, “Legally, no infraction, but very unusual.” He thinks Walker may have tried to broker a last minute deal. Possible results could have been, “do nothing, record a letter of discipline and place it in her packet either permanently or temporarily.” Other possible actions could involve discussion, discipline, dismissal, or suspension.

Conaway said, “I think we need to address the concerns of the letter and it needs to be done rapidly. These are serious, legitimate allegations. I can only assume this [letter] was their only recourse.”

Regarding the anticipated hiring of a Deputy City Manager, Conaway said he sees no need to fill the position, which came in with the temporary hiring of Bill Bartels in 2008. When asked why Quiring is determined to hire the position Conaway stated, “It’s in the budget, she wants to fill it.” The cost to the city, approximately $200,000.

Conaway also commented on former interim city manager Larry Pennell and his part in the useless city budget he oversaw, “It’s a good thing the sewage treatment plant was finished when it was.”

When asked about what information the Council had regarding Quiring’s earlier resignation as city manager for the City of Lathrop, Fillmore Mayor Patti Walker explained that the entire Council was told by Quiring of the situation leading up to her leaving that post. Walker stated that since Quiring was the “top candidate” in addition to “her experience in redevelopment, economic development, budget operations as well as labor relations” that the situation at Lathrop “had little to no consequence on the decision to retain her services as manager for Fillmore… it was a unanimous decision that Ms. Quiring be offered the position.”

Walker pointed out that Quiring has a contract regarding her employment with the City and that any decision or action taken must “comply with the terms and conditions within the document.” During all meetings, legal counsel will be present to advise them to ensure that they adhere to the contract during this process, and since “all parties are employees they are… protected under the Brown Act.”

Walker commented that she is “disappointed and distressed over the chain of events.” Walker confirmed that the Council is working on getting a date scheduled as soon as possible for a special meeting to begin the process of addressing the complaints brought against the city manager. She continued that the council “must address [the] concerns … of those who [feel] they have been involved in a hostile and inefficiently run work environment. “ Walker pointed out that the Council will need to “determine the facts and circumstances” leading up to the vote of no confidence and “then we will have the ability to determine what the next step will be [for] the best interest of the City overall.”

In a brief interview at the Gazette, Councilmember Laurie Hernandez commented as follows on the employees’ no confidence letter: Hernandez knew nothing of the letter until it was read publically. There had been no meeting about the letter, other than a secret meeting between Mayor Walker and some employees at the Ventura College cafe.

She emphasized that “No [employee] cuts of any kind are necessary, nor should be made.” She also affirmed that “employee morale is at an all time low due to mismanagement.” According to Hernandez, no “open door” policy has existed since the new manager began her work. And no meaningful, personal, face-to-face communications have been possible between Quiring and Hernandez. Meetings to inquire about the direction the new manager is taking the city must be scheduled and Quiring has not made herself available in any spontaneous way for the past 10 months or so, according to Hernandez. This avoidance makes it difficult to determine any progress with long-standing issues such as the Equestrian Center and Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation, stated Hernandez.
She spoke highly of all city employees, many of whom she has known for years. She expressed complete solidarity with them in their efforts to attain redress of grievances. She also firmly opposes the hiring of an assistant deputy city manager to help Quiring with her work. Hernandez sees a new position as both not needed and far too expensive, especially at a time when staff cuts are being contemplated.

Hernandez expressed her disapproval with the hiring of so many “consultants”.

As of the date of this interview, Hernandez is critical of the Mayor’s decision to take no action on the employee complaints. As of today, Wednesday, no meeting has been scheduled to address this serious problem.