Hagan: City Council was never informed of AG’s Open Meetings ruling

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette

Wednesday, July 11, 2012 1 a.m. — Communication between the mayor, city hall and the Bardstown City Council was not on the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting, but the issue briefly ignited at the end of a council meeting focusing on mostly routine business.

Councilman Fred Hagan questioned the Mayor Bill Sheckles about a contract Sheckles canceled last month between the city and the Bardstown-Nelson County Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. — asking Sheckles specifically why the council wasn’t informed of his decision.

The 2005 contract between the city and incorporated volunteer fire department allowed the city to add two full-time firefighter positions that were funded by the volunteer fire department. The volunteers raised the funds by increasing raising fire protection dues by $10 for residents outside the city limits. At the July 3 Safety Committee meeting, Sheckles announced he had given the required notice that he — on behalf of the city — was canceling the contract. which required a year’s notice.

Sheckles never mentioned the cancellation to the council at a meeting or working session; the council members who aren’t on the Safety Committee weren’t aware of the mayor’s decision. Hagan said he felt the council should have been told of the mayor’s decision.

“I’m in the dark on this,” Hagan said. “The mayor’s taken it upon himself to cancel the contract — which he has the power to do. “The council had no involvement in it, we don’t understand it,” he said. “We’re aware of it, and I take exception to it.”

Hagan also had a questioned the mayor about his comments on transparency. “I assume your opening remarks were talking about the Attorney General’s ruling?”

The mayor said they were.

Hagan asked if the council members were going to receive an official notification of the Attorney General’s decision that found the council in violation of the Open Meetings Act.

“I’ve heard nothing officially on this, other than Jim Brookses’ website,” Hagan said. “As far as I know it hasn’t happened — officially.

“My point is the Attorney General has ruled we violated the Open Meetings law. As a councilman I was not aware of it. I was a party to it, and I don’t even know that it happened unless I read the newspaper,” Hagan said. It seems to me it would be proper for the city council to be notified that this has happened. It just makes sense, doesn’t it?”

City Attorney Tom Donan told Hagan he would send him a copy of the ruling.

“And after you do, I would like to discuss it, but that’s for another meeting,” Hagan said.

Sheckles told Hagan the Open Meetings complaint was directed at him, and that’s why he responded, adding that he could discuss it at the next working session.

“I stand by my statement,” Hagan said.

-30-