CLEARFIELD – After a request during the public comment session on Wednesday, board members of the Clearfield County Recreation and Tourism Authority clarified the action taken on a “recommendation” at February’s meeting.
Aaron Evans, editor of GantDaily.com, approached the board about its motion to carry out “the recommendation as set forth” by the human resources committee. He indicated that they didn’t make a “proper motion.”
Evans said he contacted the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association, as their action raised Sunshine Act compliance issues. He said any motion should reflect the action being taken by the board.
“And, it was rather vague,” he said. He said he’d received correspondence from Melissa Bevan Melewsky, media law counsel for the PNA.
In her written correspondence with Evans, she said the Sunshine Act requires agencies to allow public comment prior to all official action.
“If the public has no idea what’s been voted on, there is no opportunity for meaningful public comment and that conflicts with the Sunshine Act,” she said.
“The Sunshine Act also requires votes to be cast publicly and reflected in the minutes. Again, if we have no idea what is being voted on, the vote and the record of it are incomplete at best.”
Melewsky said agencies are permitted to discuss “personnel issue related to specific employees” during private session. But she said all votes must be taken publicly and recorded in the minutes after there has been an opportunity for “meaningful” public comment.
According to Evans, Melewsky suggested he request they revote in order to clarify the records of their February board meeting.
He said, “Right now, the record is not clear. It doesn’t give any of that. We can only assume based on an unconfirmed (media report). What you do is important.”
Nancy Micks, board chairperson, said she appreciated Evans calling their attention to the matter. She then requested the board pull the minutes from their consent agenda.
She said the human resource committee was accepting an employee resignation as presented during the February meeting. She requested the record be amended as a result.
“I don’t think we need to re-vote,” she said. “It’s there (in the minutes).”
When Evans asked who had resigned, Micks indicated former executive director Sandy Fink-Barrett.
After the board meeting, Micks told GantDaily.com that they received Barrett’s resignation at the mandatory staff meeting on Feb. 18.
At the regular meeting a day prior, the CCRTA board went into an executive session for “personnel issues.” They remained in the same for approximately 35 minutes.
Afterward, board members reconvened with a motion to carry out “the recommendation as set forth.”
Board member Terry Malloy then requested a roll call vote, which received approval, 7-3.
Board members Jane Elling, Joe Kendrick, Joan Robinson-McMillen, Missy Rummel, Ray Savel, Greg Sheehan and Micks voted in favor.
Board members Wilson Fisher, Lynda McCracken and Malloy voted no. Both board members Tom Grice and Hildred Rowles were absent from the meeting.
Following the vote, Micks announced a “mandatory staff meeting” for 3:45 p.m. Feb. 18.
Barrett then related she had a previously scheduled meeting at the same time. Micks then instructed Barrett to cancel the same, as her attendance was required at their staff meeting.
Micks said they had issued a press release announcing Barrett’s resignation following the Feb. 18 staff meeting. She said it was sent to all the media; GantDaily.com didn’t receive the press release.
Micks said that Holly Komonczi has been named the interim executive director. She said that Malloy will be the chairperson of the search committee.
Micks said Malloy will work with other board members and possibly a county commissioner to complete the search process. She said he will advertise the executive director opening and review applications for the position.
