(Sept. 27, 2002) -- The October 1 City Council meeting is scheduled to open with a common array of proclamations and presentations...and one that is arguably uncommon.
Less than a month after dismissing City Manager Henry Taboada by a 9-0 closed session vote, after a vote 24 hours earlier (motion by Baker, vote 6-3 with Colonna, Carroll and Reyes-Uranga dissenting) on whether to hold a special performance review in the first place, the upcoming Council meeting will open with introductory items that include: "Presentations to City Manager Henry Taboada."
The Sept. 4 closed session Council vote ended Mr. Taboada's City Hall career spanning more than 30 years for reasons never stated publicly. It came just over a year after Councilmembers voted (6-1, Baker dissenting, Grabinski exiting roughly 45 minutes before vote, reappearing 60 seconds thereafter) to raise his salary to $199,500 (including deferred compensation).
There is no indication on the posted agenda of who listed the item at the opening of the Council meeting, although Mayor O'Neill has traditionally overseen such introductory items. It's not immediately clear who will be delivering the presentations.
In July, exiting Councilmembers received presentations in the form of tributes from incumbent Councilmembers, city officials, state and County officials, as well as firefighter and police union officials. After receiving the presentations, outgoing Councilmembers then delivered farewell messages.
