by Chance Prigge
Thisweek Newspapers

The Farmington City Council turned personal on Monday, with two council members jawing over whether one member's actions were against city policy.

Council Member Bill Fitch had placed on the council agenda an item listed as "staff communications.î When the item came up during the meeting, he brought to issue a council member's actions in the review process of City Administrator Dave Urbia.

"I believe there's been some violation of city policy,î Fitch said.

Fitch said a council member, but not saying who, talked to staff about the city administrator, which is where he saw the violation of city policy. By involving the staff under the city administrator in the review process, Fitch said the administrator's position could be weakened.

"You're talking about me, obviously,î Council Member Kevan Soderberg said to Fitch. "I went to staff, I admit it.î

Soderberg said, however, that his actions weren't against city policy. He said he wouldn't have any idea how Urbia was doing as administrator unless he asked.

"I try to get all sides of information,î Soderberg said.

Soderberg said he wasn't evaluating staff nor was he discussing Urbia's conduct with the staff. He also said he had talked with City Attorney Joel Jamnik about whether he violated any city policy by talking with staff about Urbia.

Jamnik had told Soderberg, and reiterated at the council meeting, that Soderberg had not violated any city policy.

"I don't see anything in policy that [says] I stepped over the line,î Soderberg said.

The events played out in a council that is often divided on large and small issues. Fitch and Soderberg briefly went back and forth over if Fitch had accused Soderberg specifically of violating a policy.

"There again, you jumped to a conclusion,î Fitch said at one point.

Fitch suggested the council either re-evaluate Urbia or change the policy.

"I've been in the corporate world maybe too long,î Fitch said.

The council decided to stay with the evaluations they had made for Urbia's performance review, which was held in a closed session at the end of the council's meeting.

Chance Prigge is at farmington.thisweek@ecm-inc.com

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