City Council votes 4-3 to immediately terminate City Manager contract Tuesday

City Council voted in a 4-3 vote to not renew City Manager Todd Darden's contract during Tuesday night's meeting. During the open session – elected by Darden – evaluation, Council member Terry McDaniel made the motion to terminate the City Manager contract immediately. McDaniel's motion was seconded by Council member Gloria McDonald.

During the evaluation, Councilmembers Raul Marquez and Doug Hartman spoke highly of the dedication Darden has shown to Big Spring and his position. McDaniel cited the recent $2.2 million in collections outstanding, in addition to several other occurrences that have been brought before the Council's attention in the past, as indication there was a void in the collection procedure that cost the City of Big Spring $2.2 million.

“Based on these things, I know we have the opportunity to simply give you a bad review and go on down the road, but in this particular case I am going to make the motion that the City Manager be dismissed immediately,” McDaniel said.

McDonald's second to the motion was followed by a heartfelt expression and explanation of her reasoning behind her decision.

“Even after making this motion, I still have a lot of warmth for Todd, a lot of like for Todd. Todd has always been very good to me, as I hope I have been fair to him,” McDonald said. “This is not about what or who I like, this is about the best for Big Spring and to try to get some of our departments back in the running where we are not on Facebook against our discretion. Personally this hurts me to do, but I was elected to see the city ran well and to see we had opportunity for growth and that is what I feel I have done tonight.”

The motion passed 4 to 3 with Council members Marquez, Hartman, and Thomason voting against. A closed session was held for the evaluations of City Attorney Andrew Hagen and Municipal Judge Timothy Green. After Council members reconvened, there was no action taken regarding the City Attorney or Municipal Judge.

City Council Members also discussed the first reading of a resolution amending Section 9 of the Purchasing Policy entitled "Purchase orders" to limit purchases for Council Member use of computer hardware and related goods and services by requiring City Council to approve such purchases in advance; cancelling orders of such goods and services currently in effect; and declaring equipment purchased without such approval surplus property and ordering it to be sold; and providing an effective date. Council member McDonald made a motion to approve the agenda item and it was seconded by Council member Camilla Strande and passed unanimously.

Public Comment opened up the meeting with citizen, Melanie Gambrell, with Big Spring Rail Systems addressing issues with members of the public crossing Howard County railroad tracks illegally. Gambrell asked for the support of the council with law enforcement to make railroad crossing safer for all Big Spring citizens and the Big Spring Rail Systems crew through Operation Lifesaver. Gambrell also asked the public to wear red Sept. 25 in honor of Rail Crossing Awareness Day.

Discussion on the first reading of a resolution amending Chapter IX of the Big Spring personnel policy entitled "Conduct" Section 3 "Political Activity" to reduce political activity restrictions on non-firefighter city employees to the same level as firefighter city employees; to allow employees to run for office; and providing for an effective date. Council members discussed the agenda item coming to compliance with state law per approval and Big Spring policy. A motion to approve was made by Council member Jim De Pauw to be seconded by Council member Camila Strande. Mayor Shannon Thomason moved to amend the agenda item slightly, however, the motioned failed as there was no second. The original motion was then passed 7 to 0.

Mayor Shannon Thomason then presented all appointments to City Boards and Committees and Council member discussion began. After