Portage council axes utility chairman's salary
NWI Times
February 10, 2017
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/portage-council-axes-utility-chairman-s-salary/article_547399f8-c95c-53d3-bf9a-9c8e42aac01f.html
PORTAGE — City Clerk-Treasurer Christopher Stidham is challenging the legal basis of Mayor James Snyder's battle in regard to action taken by the City Council this week.
That council action included the passage of an ordinance on Tuesday removing Snyder as chairman of the Utility Service Board.
Stidham spoke at length Thursday about his findings prior to the council passing a second companion ordinance deleting the $30,000 annual salary for the Utility Service Board chairman position currently received by Snyder. The ordinance also removes the salary for any future chairman.
Stidham, who graduated from Valparaiso University's law school in May, said he had reviewed the letter from Faegre Baker Daniels, the law firm appointed by Snyder after the Utility Service Board voted 5-1 on Wednesday to hire legal counsel to defend itself.
"Not surprisingly, the letter is based on misstated facts which resulted in gross distortions of the law. ... I offer this legal opinion not as attorney for the City Council but as clerk-treasurer only. I would strongly recommend following up with your council attorney for additional legal opinions," Stidham said.
The city's legal counsel didn't attend Thursday's meeting.
Snyder, who chaired the meeting on Thursday, offered little public comment during a meeting at which several council members asked for him to step down as mayor, including City Councilman Patrick Clem, D-2nd.
"I was raised to respect people, to be honest. I don't see that here. I'm going to ask you to resign," Clem said.
Snyder, who was indicted in federal court in November on three counts including bribery and tax evasion, faces an April 10 hearing.
After the meeting, Snyder said he has no intentions of stepping down as mayor.
Snyder offered the following statement in regard to action taken by the council:
"Members of the council passed, in haste, ordinances Tuesday night and tonight that clearly violate state law, despite being provided with legal advice to better inform their decision. The council action sets the stage for further legal battles which could be very costly and burdensome for the city. In the coming days, I will gather advice and contemplate possible options before taking action. As I give this careful consideration, I welcome the opportunity to have productive conversation with council members to determine if we can reach a more workable agreement."
Stidham, citing state laws, said the council does have the right to remove Snyder as chairman of the Utility Service Board.
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