Shock personnel changes as newly elected members take seats

A meeting where the agenda listed a closed session, "if needed," saw Mountain View's city clerk terminated and the operations manager position eliminated.

 

At the end of the April 15 open session, Alderwoman Judi Colter made a motion to go into closed session, seconded by Alderwoman Gail Wallander. The motion did not cite a Sunshine Law exception to justify a closed session. Alderman Calvin Perry asked why the board was entering into closed, and the answer was "personnel" reasons.

 

During the closed session, City Clerk Jessica Smith was terminated pursuant to a motion made by Alderwoman Wallander, seconded by Alderwoman Jennifer McAdams, both sworn in earlier that night. Voting was as follows: Wallander-aye, McAdams-aye, Colter-aye, Perry-abstain. The position of Operations Manager, held by Eddie Owens, was next on the chopping block as Alderwoman Wallander made a motion to remove that position. The motion was seconded by Alderwoman McAdams. In the vote, it was Wallander-aye, McAdams-aye, Colter-Aye, Perry-nay.

 

"Personnel" alone is not a justifiable reason for a closed session under Missouri law. Rather, discussing the performance or merit of individual employees as it relates to hiring, firing, disciplining, or promoting is one exception. Individually identifiable personnel records is another justified exception. Votes and motions relating to the beginning or end of employment are open records, as are wages. 

 

Due to the lack of a city clerk, who was the custodian of records, Mayor Charry McCann spoke with the News to satisfy the newspaper's Sunshine Law request for the voting record. McCann also confirmed that a special meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.

 

That agenda contains a closed session for hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting certain individuals and one open session item -- appointment of city officers.