(July 12, 2003, updated July 14) -- LB City Manager Jerry Miller's wife, Gail Wasil, is slated to begin work at the Port of LB as a Leasing Sales Officer IV.

The item is on the Board of Harbor Commissioners' July 14 agenda as part of its consent calendar.

In a story first reported July 3 by the Grunion Gazette, followed by a July 10 Press-Telegram piece, it was reported that Ms. Wasil was stepping down from her city management position in the Dept. of Parks, Recreation and Marine to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest (and notified her superiors of this after her husband took the oath for his new post in May). In her former Parks and Rec position, Ms. Wasil answered to the Dir. of Parks, Recreation & Marine who answers to the City Manager.

In contrast, in her new Port of LB position Ms. Wasil won't answer to the City Manager or anyone who answers to the City Manager. The City Manager does not manage employees at the Port of LB...thus avoiding a conflict or appearance of a conflict.

Under the City Charter, the Board of Harbor Commissioners (not the City Council) is the Port's governing body. The Council does approve the Port's budget annually...and the Board of Harbor Commissioners has discretion to (and does) contribute up to 10% of Port revenues to City Hall annually.