Resident asks council to seek legal review of city manager; council adds item to Dec. 2 agenda

Jamie Gills Takanuchi, a Clawson resident, asked the City Council on Nov. 18 to formally direct the city attorney to review three actions by the city manager she described as partisan and legally problematic.

Takanuchi said she prepared a written request and presented copies for the public record. She told the council the matters include alleged misuse of public resources for partisan political activity around the recent election; a severance addendum approved by the prior council that she said guarantees severance even if the manager is terminated for cause; and an alleged political endorsement that appeared in an official council packet. "The issues involving the city manager's actions demonstrates a clear and repeated pattern of using public office for partisan political ends," Takanuchi said.

Mayor Moffett moved to add the matter to the Dec. 2 council meeting agenda and to request a written legal opinion from the city attorney. City Attorney Noushay said he would provide that opinion. Noushay stated he thought it would be appropriate to add the item to the next agenda and indicated he would prepare legal guidance.

The council approved the motion by roll call; the agenda item and the attorney'9s written opinion were scheduled to appear on the Dec. 2 meeting packet for formal consideration. The council did not take any legislative or disciplinary action during the Nov. 18 meeting; the request is scheduled for council review with the attorney'9s analysis at the next session.