Tensions boiled over on Wednesday between Monterey Aldermen during a work session after Mayor Alex Garcia proposed creating a city manager position.
Garcia proposed the position while discussing changes that he would like to see made to the town’s charter, stating that the town is growing and that it has become a chore for the mayor to handle city manager-like duties. Alderman Bill Wiggins said he likes the idea of a city manager. However, he said the aldermen would have to consider how the town would pay for the position, stating that city managers make six-figure salaries.
“I got to see a firm plan for compensation, I just do,” Wiggins said. “Don’t tell me you are gonna plan on it, I’ve got to know. Are we going to do tax increases? How are we gonna do this? Because we are paying money that we don’t have now, so where are you gonna get it?”
Alderman Jamie Phillips said rather than raising property taxes, the town would likely have to change one or multiple positions to accomodate for the city manager position. Wiggins said to Phillips that he wanted to get right to it and asked him to lay out what positions would be changed.
“It’s a work session lets get with it,” Wiggins said. “What particular department is on the chopping block? And what personnel?”
Phillips then responded to Wiggins, saying that he is not necessarily saying that positions have to be cut.
“I’m not saying they are on the chopping block, I’m saying that the department may be promoted,” Phillips said. “I’m not comfortable with naming names, but we can, you know… I don’t know if that person wants to be named.”
Garcia then clarified that he proposed the position because Cultural Administrator Rafferty Cleary is handling a portion of city duties already and is willing to take on the city manager position alongside the cultural administrator duties. Garcia said it would be a mistake for the town not to hire Cleary for the position.
“We would be stupid not to have him as a city manager because somebody else is gonna take him,” Garcia said. “So yes, I would like to change that position from cultural administrator to city manager.”
Many aldermen questioned whether cultural administrator responsibilities would be a good fit to combine with the city manager position. Alderman Ceilia Paulsen and Wiggins said combining duties would not make sense. Phillips said most of the cultural administrator’s duties are not related to the depot.
“The depot doesn’t bring us any money, hardly at all,” Phillips said. “The return on that investment is minimal. It does not make financial sense to be financing the depot with one position. We can’t afford that either. That’s why this position needs to have more duties to city duties if they want to do it.”
Wiggins said he appreciated Phillips’ confession, and Whitaker proceeded to say “they” are trying to get rid of the depot. Phillips said doing away with the depot is not his intention.
“I don’t want to do away with the depot,” Phillips said. “But you know what I’d rather do? I’d rather go drive on my streets and go over there and look at the train at the depot. That’s exactly what I’d rather do. I’d rather be able to go through here and not have to worry that my coffee will spill all over my car because I got potholes that are four inches deep. Yeah, I’d love to do something besides the depot. I mean, it’s ridiculous.”
Debate also centered on oversight. Garcia suggested a city manager could potentially replace the town’s civil service board by handling hiring and firing alongside department heads. Alderman Larry Bennett said he supports a city manager but opposes eliminating the civil service board, arguing it helps keep politics out of personnel decisions.
Alderman Jim Whitaker called removing the civil service board a political move, while Phillips argued a city manager appointed by the full board would instead reduce political influence.
Garcia said if the board wants to pursue the change, it must act before March so the proposed charter revisions can be sent to state legislators while they are in session.