It was standing room only in Town of St. Paul council chambers last night, as more than 35 people came to listen to a heated exchange over a request from a resident to hire an independent consulting firm to look at town’s hiring and dismissal practices.
Several people and members of recreation groups came out in support of Gary Ward, who was dismissed as recreation director last Tuesday. However, since the group that came was not on the agenda, council had to vote on whether the group spokesperson, Paul E. Boisvert, should be allowed to speak to the administration decisions. By a unanimous vote, council agreed to let Boisvert speak to the issue.
He started by saying there was a “state of unrest in the community,” not because things have not gone as people wanted but because of a “lack of confidence” in the administration of the town.
He addressed Town CAO Holly Habiak, saying, “Given the public perceptions with regards to the hiring and dismissal events since your appointment, are you willing to ask council to hire an independent consultant firms, to review the hiring and dismissal procedures you have initiated, and other administrative practices also initiated, and as a second part, you are willing to inform council that you are willing to suspend any dismissals, pending the conclusion of any investigation?”
“First and foremost, that’s not a practice that is done by any municipality,” said Habiak. “Secondly, I would have to consult the lawyer to ensure that I’m not doing any litigation against the town.”
She then asked to clarify what Boisvert meant when he asked about hiring and dismissal, and which dismissal he was referring to.
“I’m not talking about one. There’s been more than one dismissal,” he answered. “This has rattled the community to an enormous degree. You don’t have to take my word for it. I think the people that are here exhibit this.”
“Absolutely - there are 6,000 people in this community, just to clarify that,” said Habiak. She said she had been instructed that if people had concerns in regards to council or administrative decisions, to direct them to Municipal Affairs.
Boisvert said the group had already done that step, but he was asking her as CAO to consider taking the step of hiring its own consultant.
“There’s nothing in the Municipal Government Act prohibiting you as a CAO from requesting that town council undertake the hiring of an independent firm to carry out a study of the administration and management practices of this town,” he said, adding this request would not contravene the need to respect privacy in personnel decisions.
“It is simply a question of management practices that we are asking about,” he said, asking for this to be done right away during the council meeting.
“You can understand my point of view. I would like to contact my legal advisor prior to me committing to your request for the simple reason is that I would not want the council or the town to be put in any jeopardy,” answered Habiak.
“Oh my goodness,” said Boisvert, to chuckles from the audience. “Oh my goodness. If you don’t realize the jeopardy that exists in the community . . . you’re out of touch with the Town of St. Paul and the 6,000 residents that live here. If you are so confident in your ability as a CAO, you will immediately ask council to pass that motion.”
Habiak responded tersely, “First and foremost, I am entitled to what I will do. I am not here to be strong-armed by anyone.”
“I’m not strong-arming anyone,” Boisvert said.
“Yes, when you say you will do it immediately, that’s being strong-armed,” she retorted. “That is in your opinion. In my opinion, I am confident in my decisions. I have my background. I have done my investigation. I have no problem with that. I am going to ask the lawyer first on whether or not this is the correct manner in which things should proceed in.”
She said she would directly communicate with Boisvert about her decision, to which he said, “Don’t wait 14 months to do it, because there’ll be another council by then.”
“I might ask - why would you make such a comment to me? Council’s political views, or political whatever it may be, has no reflection on to my decisions made in this office,” she said.
“The reason I make this comment to you is we’d like this settled sooner than later,” said Boisvert.
Habiak noted there had been a death in her family just the night before, and requested Boisvert give her a week’s time to respond to the request, to which Boisvert acquiesced.
Several residents stayed throughout the rest of the meeting, and following its conclusion, expressed their disappointment that more answers weren’t forthcoming from town administration about its decision-making.
“The administration of this town sucks; it royally sucks,” said Boisvert. “What kind of ethical BS is going on?”
He urged residents, if they are concerned, to ask their councilors for answers.
