AAAC member says staff liaison acted confrontationally; recounts special meeting to remove him

Mateo Watson, identified himself as a current member of the African American Advisory Council, used his citizens' comment time to accuse a staff liaison of "confrontational body language, verbal hostility, and acting out" against residents outside the council chamber and said the liaison's behavior showed bias.

"Disappointment at the failure of the unprofessional staff liaison who has no self control, displayed confrontational body language, verbal hostility, and acting out against bystander residents outside this very chamber because of a speech she did not like," Watson said. He told the commission a special meeting was held one week after a Feb. 5 speech: "Because of the previous speech on February 5, a special meeting was held 1 week later on February 13 for my swift removal," he said, and added that another person, Basil Phillips, "has stated on recording that I am out of control and I have demonstrated a stereotype of the poor qualities of the black community."

Watson framed his remarks as a call for accountability and greater focus on community work: "To the commission and members of the triple AC that's present today, I stand before this commission today, not as an adversary, but as a resident who simply requests for a council who I hold in high regard to begin meeting the bare minimum of tangible contribution to this city of Hollywood."

Joanne Reese, who identified herself during the meeting as chairwoman of the board (the advisory council referenced), responded during public comment that she has served on the board for about nine years and said she had nominated Watson to be chair in the past. Reese said she hopes "things would change in his behavior" and referenced existing board processes and a survey that is under way; she also named staff liaison Allison Stanford and board member Anthony Grisby.

The mayor (unnamed) addressed the chamber and said the African American Advisory Council has "been real leaders in this city and have, brought about much improvement and change over the decades, you know, from building housing to creating jobs and everything else." The mayor urged the council members to work together and asked Watson to direct his energy toward recruiting and building consensus.

Commissioner Peter Hernandez later noted that commissioners do not always agree and encouraged council members to "get together and try to mend those fences" for the community's sake. No formal investigation, disciplinary action, or vote was announced at the meeting; Watson's remarks were recorded as public comment.