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Tensions flare as councilmembers trade accusations over mayoral powers and contractor selection
Summary
Several councilmembers sparred over past changes to mayoral authority and recent contracting with McElveen and Alliance; one member called accusations 'irresponsible' and asked for documentation, while others called for transparency or executive-session review.
A heated exchange during council reports centered on governance and procurement practices after recent remarks about restoring mayoral powers and questions about the McElveen and Alliance contracts.
Councilmember Gilles (speaker 4) criticized comments he said implied wrongdoing by some council members and pushed back at suggestions of a "shadow government," saying those claims were made without hard facts. "I think that is irresponsible," he said while urging documentation be produced. Other councilmembers defended the procurement process and said both McElveen and Alliance contracts were vetted and scored and that votes occurred prior to some members' arrivals. One councilmember asked staff to provide documents showing how contracts were developed and noted the treasurer and mayor had provided supplemental information to bring late-arriving members up to speed.
Several councilmembers suggested the issue could be revisited in executive session if necessary, but others insisted future conversations should stay on the public record. The back-and-forth prompted several requests for better liaison reporting and for staff to circulate contractual records so the council can examine procurement steps in full.
