Locked Cabinet Leads to Heated Discussion at Mountain View City Council Meeting

Discussion was tense at the last Mountain View City Council meeting on Monday, March 28, with members sparring over matters related to a key, a cabinet, and who should control access to city records.  

"It has come to our attention that the custodian of records, who is the City Clerk, has not been given access to certain records that belong to the city," Alderwoman Laura Wagner said as the meeting got underway. She went on to explain the ongoing issue that City Clerk Shannon Elliot did not have a key to a locked cabinet containing city records.  

Alderman Punkie Stevenson further explained that the file cabinet is located in the office of the city's financial officer, who is on medical leave. "Nobody's accusing her of anything," he said, referring to the financial officer, "According to our city ordinances, the City Clerk has access to every piece of city material."

East Ward Alderwoman Judi Colter fired back, "She's [the financial officer] worked here for two years, and nobody's ever said anything about that key."

Colter then explained how she had recently had surgery, and was in the ICU. "How do you expect the the Mayor to get a key when the lady just had surgery?" she questioned before beginning to rhythmically thump the desk in front of her with the side of her hand, "How cold-hearted is this City Clerk and this Council, to expect her to be disturbed in ICU?"

"I am not being cold-hearted towards her situation," Wagner retorted, "The fact is the cabinet is locked, and Shannon needs access to it."

Mayor Pruett turned to Elliot and asked if there was any instance when he didn't provide her access to materials, or if asking him had ever hindered her ability to do her job. Elliot said there had never been any particular issue, but said it was her understanding that she should have access to all materials. Section 22.200 of the City Code states: "The records of the city shall be kept in the custody of the City Clerk." 

The arguments continued as Mayor Pruitt and Alderwoman Colter repeatedly explained that getting a key was extraordinarily burdensome, given the health of the financial officer. The Mayor also contested minutes from the previous closed session, regarding whether or not he had promised to get a key the following day.  

After a bit more back and forth, the matter closed with Alderman Stevens making a motion to enforce the city ordinance. All present were in favor.  

On Wednesday, the City Clerk told Howell County News that she had since been given a key.