Scott questions city attorney's role

At its Nov. 8 meeting, the City Council will debate whether the mayor speaks for the entire city.

By JANET ZINK, Times Staff Writer
Published November 2, 2007

TAMPA - The City Council wants to publicly hash out its concerns about whether Mayor Pam Iorio has the power to speak for the entire city.

At the request of council member Tom Scott, members scheduled a special discussion of the matter for Nov. 8 at the end of their regular meeting.

Scott said he was bothered by a letter Iorio sent last week to Hillsborough County's legislative delegation that repeatedly said "the city" opposes changing the composition of the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission, which now consists only of county commissioners.

The City Council does not share Iorio's view.

In June, the board voted unanimously to ask legislators to include representatives from Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace, which are also governed by the EPC.

Scott said he wondered if the mayor had the authority to speak for "the city" when it conflicts with official action taken by the City Council. He also questioned the objectivity of City Attorney David Smith, who was quoted in the St. Petersburg Times on Saturday as saying the mayor does indeed have that authority.

"I do believe the city attorney was in conflict when he rendered that opinion," Scott said, noting that Smith works for Iorio.

Council member Charlie Miranda supported scheduling the discussion for next week, but said he didn't want to "start a bickering conflict between one branch of the government and another."

Smith said after the meeting that his opinion that the mayor speaks for the city is based on an interpretation of the city charter, not about who can hire or fire him.

He also said that the City Council has the right to communicate its legislative priorities to lawmakers, but "there's nothing that prevents the mayor from taking a different position."

-In other action, the City Council gave final approval to a wet zoning request from Busch Gardens that will allow hard liquor sales throughout the park during special events.

Janet Zink can be reached at jzink@sptimes.com or 813 226-3401.

[Last modified November 2, 2007, 00:20:51]