03072017 - News Article - Portage council overrides mayoral vetoes

Portage council overrides mayoral vetoes
NWI Times
March 07, 2017
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/portage-council-overrides-mayoral-vetoes/article_3241ec02-5db7-594c-9df0-166c81589c18.html

PORTAGE — The City Council has overridden mayoral vetoes on two ordinances that will affect the appointment of department heads.

At a Feb. 23 special meeting, the council approved the ordinances. Mayor James Snyder did not sign them within the allotted 10 days, in effect vetoing them.

One ordinance changed the titles of the Street Department superintendent and director of Public Safety to simply Street Department superintendent and director of Administration and Emergency Management to director of Emergency Management.

The second ordinance regarded department head oversight and stated a person couldn't serve as a department superintendent if they officially work for another department.

The two ordinances were approved after the resignation of Joe Calhoun as director of Administration and Emergency Management. Calhoun continued to be on the Fire Department's roster receiving salary and benefits through that department. The same is true for Joe Mokol, who serves as Street Department superintendent and director of Public Safety. Mokol is an employee of the Police Department.

Snyder asked the council to reconsider, saying losing Calhoun and now Mokol will hamper his ability to negotiate a union contract with the Street Department. Snyder said he will not be able to continue negotiations until a new street superintendent is hired.

"This will slow us down greatly," Snyder said.

"This is just one of your games," said Councilman Pat Clem, accusing the mayor of holding the negotiations hostage.

Council member Liz Modesto said the city attorney is at City Hall 20 hours a week to handle negotiations.

"I can't go into a room without a department head. I am simply asking for time. This was shoved down the people's throat," Snyder said.

Council President Mark Oprisko said the council has seen the dual roles for the two employees as an issue, but never brought it up until Calhoun resigned.

Councilman John Cannon voted Tuesday against overriding the vetoes.

The council's action left Mokol with a decision to make. He must either resign from the Police Department or as street superintendent.

Mokol said after the meeting he would not resign from the Police Department and anticipated he would be going back on patrol. He will be forced to resign as street superintendent.

"I don't want to retire yet. I love being a police officer," Mokol said.