Greenfield Village Council holds special meeting
Four members of the Greenfield Village Council were present for a special meeting called Tuesday, April 9 to discuss the status of the employment of the city manager.
Council president Phil Clyburn opened the floor to public participation before council handled the only item on its agenda.
Representatives of the “Greenfield Reform Group” spoke during the meeting and said they had collected “almost 300 signatures” on their petitions to “adjust the village form of government.
“We are meeting with our lawyer to actually have them placed on a special ballot soon,” Amie Ernst said. “We’ll be getting that finalized with the Board of Elections through all the legal processes that our attorney advises us to, to be submitted soon for a special election.”
The city manager form of government was voted on by Greenfield citizens in May 2007.
Some of the community concerns expressed during the meeting were regarding the current administration, council and/or employees of the village; grants; village projects; communication between the village government and residents; water and sewer rates; treatment of businesses, citizens and/or village staff; and need for increased checks and balances.
Other concerns included negativity in the community; anxiety over going back to a mayoral form of government; lack of participation/attendance from the community; and the need for the entire community to “get along.”
Regarding communication between the village and community, Clyburn pointed out that citizens have “never been turned away from council meetings.” He said that council has heard the community’s concerns regarding personnel and utility rates and is currently working to address them.
“There are some things we can do and some things we can’t do,” he said.
After the hearing, council entered an executive session to discuss Wilkin’s employment. There was a 2-1 vote, with one abstention, to remove the city manager, which failed.
Regular Greenfield Village Council meetings are held on the third Monday of each month beginning at 4:45 p.m. in council chambers at the village office.
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