1978.06.20_TC_Minutes_Special
• TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA
Minutes of Meeting of Town Commission
Special Meeting
June 20, 1978 2:30 P.M.
Mayor Horton called the Special Meeting to order at 2:30 P.M. In
attendance were: Mayor Horton, Vice Mayor Mumford, Commissioners
Joy, Clark and Storm. Also present were: Mrs. Elaine W. Roberts,
Town Manager, Thomas E. Sliney, Town Attorney, Mrs. Jane E. Barker,
Deputy Town Clerk and Chief of Police, Kenneth Jones.
Mayor Horton announced that the Special Meeting was called by the
Town Manager for the reason of suspension of the Town Clerk. The
Public Notice was posted June 16, 1978 at 9:00 A.M. He then read
from the Code of Ordinances, Section 2-20(b):
"To employ, suspend or discharge any administrative officer
or employee of the Town for cause including misconduct in
office or neglect of duty. With respect to certain appointed
• positions; namely, the Chief of Police, Town Clerk and Town
Treasurer, (charter offices) whose appointment is provided
to be made by the Commission, they shall not be discharged
by the Town Manager without Commission approval but may,
under appropriate circumstances, be suspended by the Town
Manager who shall forthwith call a Special Meeting, or if
the Regular Monthly Meeting is to be held within three (3)
days (Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays excluded) and at such
meeting make a full report and recommendation thereon to the
Commission which body shall then take appropriate action."
Mayor Horton read two memos - one dated June 1, 1978 from the Town
Manager to the Town Commission: Recommendation re: Town Clerk -
and one dated June 15, 1978 from the Town Manager to the Town Clerk:
re: Immediate Suspension - into the record.
Mayor Horton explained the format for the meeting: individuals
would be allowed to speak, once, for three minutes, upon identifying
themselves, either prior to the Town Clerk and Town Manager speaking
to the suspension issue or afterward. The Town Commission may ask
questions or speak any time throughout the meeting.
• He then read correspondence received from three Town c~ttizens. These
residents stated in their letters that since they could not attend
the meeting on June 20, 1978, they wished to go on record as
•
Minutes Highland Beach
Town Commission
Special Meeting
June 20, 1978 Page 2 of 3
opposing the dismissal of Kathryn Borgemenke and asked consideration
from the Town Commission for the services she had rendered to the
Town. Two Town citizens who indicated their wish to speak were
recognized. They referred to Mrs. Borgemenke.
The Mayor then requested the Town Manager to present her reasons
for suspension (six pages in length). After completion, the Mayor
asked for questions from the Town Commission. There were none.
Mayor Horton then requested Mrs. Borgemenke to respond to the Town
Manager's presentation, which she did. Her Attorney, Jeff Brown,
also responded.
The Town Manager was then requested to respond to any points which
were raised by Mrs. Borgemenke or her attorney.
There were then second responses by Mrs. Borgemenke and her attorney.
Other persons were then invited to speak. Some who spoke were Town
• citizens; one was a former Town employee. They stated their opinions
of Mrs. Borgemenke's work, of their respect for her, opinion of
personality conflict, of her grooming, and some offered comments
about the Town Manager's and the Police Chief's performance.
After several interruptions by Attorney Brown, the Town Attorney
reminded him about the procedure for this meeting set by Mayor
Horton at the beginning.
The Town Commission, one by one, responded with their views, dpinions
and comments. Mayor Horton further explained his assessment of the
issues and the seriousness of same, adding that during several hours
of discussion he had with Mrs. Borgemenke on Friday, June 10, 1978,
she admitted her lack of interest and concentration and that she
realized her work had deteriorated because, she said, of harrassment
by the Town Manager. The Town Manager responded to the accusation
of harrassment by explaining that only after errors became apparent
was there close supervision - no close supervision was deemed
necessary earlier, which would coincide with the Town Clerk Job
Description:
"Reports to the Town Manager receiving periodic supervision
• and direction; exercising considerable independence,
judgment, initiative and scheduling of work".
Minutes Highland Beach
Town Commission
• Special Meeting
June 20, 1978
•
Page 3 of 3
Attorney Brown returned Mrs. Borgemenke's Town Hall keys to Mayor
Horton.
After additional discussion and a summation by Mayor Horton, a
MOTION was made by Commissioner Clark and seconded by Vice Mayor
Mumford that Mrs. Borgemenke be suspended without pay until August
2, 1978, which will be her termination date. She is to receive
two weeks severance and accumulated vacation pay. Further, her
Group Insurance would extend through August, 1978.
All Town Commissioners voted Aye (5).
Meeting ADJOURNED at 4:20 P.M.
' ~ S
i
APPROVED : _ ~'- ~' -- ,'r~
Louis Y. Horton, Mayor
Ruth E. Mumford Vice Mayor
~.k~--r-~ Lam' ~ ~~~
Robert D. Clark, Commissioner
~~
Leslie W,~'Joy, Commissioner
~' ~ _..
Harold C. Storm, Commissioner
_ ~ ~ ~~
ATTEST: .,_~'~%~--~ ~-`-• ~' ~<_-'%- _c__ ~c -
/Deputy Town Clerk
Dated: August 18, 1978