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Candor flows free at retreat

Dunedin's city commissioners try to deal with personal tensions hindering their mission in a six-hour meeting.

By TAMARA EL-KHOURY
Published June 1, 2007

DUNEDIN - One commissioner unilaterally gave instructions to a citizen advisory board. The mayor used his bully pulpit to push a controversial land buy months before the commission would make a decision. And everyone on the Dunedin City Commission could show a bit more respect.

The obvious personal tensions that have long simmered among the city's five commissioners were aired Thursday in a six-hour retreat at Dunedin Community Center amid discussions of team building, developing city priorities and clarifying the roles of city staff.

"I think there's a lot of personal stuff going on that I think we need to let go," said Commissioner Julie Ward Bujalski, who said commissioners interrupt each other with snide comments at meetings. She said she knows that some other commissioners are reading her e-mail, which are public records, but she said it shows a lack of respect.

But Bujalski was criticized for her hands-on style, including attending citizen advisory board meetings and asking the board to complete a task; and for constantly asking questions in commission meetings.

Commissioner Julie Scales said Bujalski can be more respectful of everyone's time.

Several commissioners also said they felt blindsided when Mayor Bob Hackworth wrote a letter to the editor advocating the purchase of potential park property along Bayshore Boulevard, south of downtown. The commission isn't expected to take up the matter until September.

Hackworth listened to his colleagues but defended his right as an individual to express his opinion on an issue he is passionate about.

It was good to clear the air, said Bujalski.

"I think the most important thing we can do is to listen to one another and come back in a period of time and reevaluate if we've made any strides or improvements, " she said.

The retreat was facilitated by John Streitmatter with Leadership Research Institute of Palm Harbor, a consulting firm. The company has a $2, 000 contract with the commission to facilitate "team building" for several meetings.

Vice Mayor Deborah Kynes spoke about the commission's need to set policy, not direct city staff, saying that is the job of city administrators.

Also chiming in was City Manager Robert DiSpirito, who asked that commissioners keep him informed when they request information directly from department heads.

DiSpirito said he needs to know about such requests to avoid competing priorities.

Commissioners also set four priorities for the upcoming year: prioritization of land acquisition and management; agreement on a city development plan; revising the city's services, such as permitting, to be more citizen-friendly; and creation of a strategic plan for the new Economic Development and Housing department.

[Last modified May 31, 2007, 23:46:11]