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City tries to get past disputed firing

By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA
Published March 13, 2005

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH - John Coffey is still city manager and Steve Andrews, the building official whose firing led to a government crisis here, could be invited to return to his job.

"There is not much we can do but hope the two individuals get together and end up with a happy conclusion all the way around," said Commissioner Bill Ockunzzi after Coffey told him he would rehire Andrews if a "compromise" could be reached.

Coffey's willingness to try to work with Andrews came as a surprise to some commissioners and residents who disapproved of Andrews' public criticism of Coffey during a recent commission meeting.

"We can't have a situation where the city manager is being dictated to (by an employee,)" said Commissioner R.B. Johnson, adding that it is "totally untenable" for Andrews to return.

Mayor Bob DiNicola said Andrews had "put his foot in his mouth and everyone here knows this."

Jim Driscoll, a former mayor, said it was "physically, mentally and politically impossible to rehire Mr. Andrews."

But Coffey said Friday, "I'm willing to bring Steve back as long as we can work together for the good of the city." He has scheduled a meeting with Andrews in about 10 days to discuss his returning to his post as the city's building official.

Tuesday night, the commission instructed Coffey to review Andrews' personnel file to remove any inaccurate charges, and called for revising personnel rules to clarify how appeals to firings are handled.

In the next few months, the commission also plans to revisit its analysis of the city's community development and finance/human resources departments, and will formally evaluate the performance of its charter officers - the city manager, city clerk, city treasurer and city attorney.

These decisions by the City Commission on Tuesday appear to end weeks of controversy, including a nine-plus hour public investigation, and calls from some commissioners that Coffey either resign or be fired.

"There were numerous comedy of errors. We terminated Steve inappropriately without grounds," said Commissioner Jeremiah Carmody, who had initiated the commission investigation. "I am not sure we have the right person running the city right now. My confidence is shaken dramatically."

Carmody appeared ready to fire Coffey on Tuesday, calling - to loud applause from the audience - for a "vote of confidence" on Coffey's management of the city.

"If you want to take an up-down vote right now, I stand ready for the results," said Coffey, who admitted making mistakes, but still believed he made the "correct decision" in firing Andrews.

Carmody's effort to force a vote on Coffey's future got little support from other commissioners.

Mayor Bob DiNicola even apologized to residents for agreeing to the investigation in the first place.

"It was uncalled for. I could have stopped it and I didn't do it. It was nine hours of B.S.," said DiNicola, reminding the commission of the praise they had heaped on Coffey only months ago. "At one time this person (Coffey) is the most fabulous person that ever walked the face of the Earth, and now he's not worth a nickel? As far as I'm concerned, the matter is closed."

Commissioner R.B. Johnson said Andrews' firing was "done seriously" to protect the city from possible lawsuits, and that the investigation was filled with "fog and sideshows".

But the rest of the commission was not so quick to dismiss the matter.

"There was no justification for the termination of the building official," said Commissioner Jim Palamara.

Commissioner Bill Ockunzzi urged the commission to "discipline" Coffey and the city's finance officer for not enforcing city personnel rules.

He had particular criticism for City Attorney Andy Salzman, who Ockunzzi said "polled" the commission "in possible violation of the Sunshine Law."

Salzman sharply defended his actions.

"I at no time polled the City Commission and I resent that allegation. I did absolutely no violation of the law and I want that clear on the record," said Salzman.

When Coffey asked for severance pay, Salzman said "I contacted each individual commissioner and discussed it individually with them. When I got approval individually, I contacted you (Ockunzzi) in the afternoon."

Salzman said he told each commissioner that any decision was subject to a public vote.

[Last modified March 13, 2005, 00:22:15]