The City of Winona’s Board of Aldermen meeting Tuesday night was eventful to say the least.
Mayor Aaron Dees was absent due to illness, so Mayor Pro-Tem Charles Harris, who represents Ward 4 as Alderman, stepped in to preside over the meeting. The session began with a public hearing concerning two properties at 403 and 407 Powell St., which are being considered for condemnation. The property owners, Carolyn Carson Purnell and Thelma Carson, addressed the Board via telephone.
Since the properties are located in Alderman Harris’ Ward, he suggested granting a 90-day extension to allow time for the owners to clean up the properties. Ward 1 Alderman Mickey Austin motioned for the 90-day extension, which Ward 5 Alderwoman Linda Purnell seconded. The motion passed following a 3-0 vote with Ward 3 Alderman Archie Flowers abstaining.
Following the public hearing and roll call, the Board voted to go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. Once out, Mayor Pro-Tem Harris read a letter of resignation from City Clerk Monica Turner also announcing her intentions to work out a two-week notice.
“I make a motion to accept the resignation, but not in two weeks, immediately,” Alderman Austin said.
Ward 2 Alderman Travis Johnson seconded the motion. During the vote, Alderwoman Purnell opposed, Alderman Flowers abstained, and Alderman Harris cast the third vote in favor, passing the motion. Following the meeting, Alderman Harris’ vote in the capacity of Mayor Pro-Tem was questioned by several people on hand.
According to Section 21-3-13 of the MS Code, “the mayor pro tempore shall serve in the place of the mayor when the mayor is temporarily absent or disabled. The mayor pro tempore temporarily becomes the mayor and assumes the duties and powers of the mayor and exercises only such powers as may be exercised by the mayor. When acting in that capacity, the mayor pro tempore is restricted from exercising his powers as alderman,” which would void Alderman Harris’ vote in favor of immediate dismissal. However, according to several Attorney General opinions, generally abstentions are counted with the prevailing side, so Alderman Flowers’ abstention would provide the three necessary votes in favor to pass Alderman Austin’s motion.
Alderman Harris addressed Turner, “I would like to say on behalf of the Board, I do appreciate what you have done for the City of Winona.”
Following the vote, City Attorney Adam Kirk assumed responsibility for recording the minutes as City Clerk Monica Turner immediately left the Board room.
The resignations didn’t stop there. Later in the meeting, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Frank Faulkner presented his letter of resignation to the Board effective July 31. The Board did not accept this resignation and will revisit on July 31.
After covering routine business in the meeting, the Board went into Executive Session for the second time to discuss a personnel matter. Upon returning to open session, Alderman Austin made a motion proposing two staff changes. He moved to transfer Tracy Holcomb from her current position at the Winona Police Department to the role of City Clerk. Additionally, he proposed reassigning Krystal Guess, who had been hired as the accounts payable clerk at the previous meeting, to a position within the Police Department. His motions pertaining to both Holcomb and Guess was approved.
