City Manager Gets New Contract In 4-1 Vote, J. Wagner Opposed
Written by 991KBU on May 30, 2018
City manager Reva Feldman has a new job contract and a 3 percent raise.
But it was a 4 to 1 vote last night … and it turns out … it was a 4 to 1 vote during the secret meeting two weeks ago as well.
Feldman will get a raise over the three years of the contract … to 260 thousand dollars a year.
City councilman Jefferson Wagner says it was difficult to vote against a new contract for Feldman … as he has to work with her.
But he has problems with Feldman’s handling of her department heads.
WAGNER REVA 222 :27 QQQ WORKING AS WELL.
“I do grant that, and I understand, and I have seen that Reva does some really good work.
“She did fine work on the park and with the treatment system, and when she has complete control of it quite often that turns out to be very successful and I thank her for that.
“However, down rank, sometimes she can’t keep some of the departments are working as well.”
Wagner referred to the Planning Department … and criticized the recent move to cut public access hours at the Planning counter in the name of increasing efficiency.
He also blasted the Planning Department for tying up a crosswalk project at Ls Costa Beach for five years … while expediting a crosswalk project being built by the Malibu Beach Inn.
And Wagner said many of his constituents are really unhappy with the Planning Department.
WAGNER REVA 333 :22 QQQ: CONTRACT AT THESE AMOUNTS.
“It’s been expressed, deeply, throughout the community.
“So, I still have to work with Reva for the next 2-1/2 years, and she understands that my position represents a lot of people in the community, and that I have frustrating moments, but that I was not in favor of the renewal of the contract at these amounts.”
Malibu Mayor Rick Mullen spoke for the majority … and said there are numerous cities that would love to snap up the experience and problem solving ability that Malibu has with this city manager Reva Feldman.
MULLEN REVA :29 QQQ: THE CONCLUSION THAT WE DID.
“It was a deliberate process, where we evaluated her performance based on the priorities that were set forth by the council.
“We examined the compensation of like cities in this area and in comparable types.
“Of course no city is exactly like Malibu.
“And we figured `is she doing good job?
“ `Is she worth the money we are paying her?
“ `And do we want to keep her on?’
“And that’s how we came to conclusion that we did.”
Mayor Rick Mullen … one of four council members voting to give a new three year contract to city manager Reva Feldman.
The evaluation process, however, was done in secret … and city attorney Christie Hogan assured the city council that all cities do it in secret.
The council brushed off concerns voiced by a Malibu reporter … this reporter … that the first vote to offer Feldman a new contract should not have been behind closed doors.
City Attorney Hogin says that the act of offering a contract to the city manager …. did not change the job status of the city manager. … and therefore the vote and job offer to the city manager could be kept secret.
So .. that meant the city council voted last night for the second time to extend the new contract and pay hike to the city manager.
