Eugster Tries To Influence Hiring Decision Council Members Say Letter Violates Charter

Some Spokane City Council members say Steve Eugster violated the city charter Thursday by recommending the new city manager hire Eugster’s personal pick for a high-level job.

In a memo to Mayor John Talbott, Councilman Eugster suggested Henry Miggins “be contacted immediately and encouraged to make the selection of Nick (Dragisich) today.”

Miggins was hired as city manager Monday night by the council in a 4-3 vote. Eugster wanted former assistant city manager Nick Dragisich for the job but couldn’t swing the votes.

“I would never have voted to hire Miggins if I thought Nick was not going to be seriously considered for the head of operations,” Eugster said Thursday.

But Councilman Steve Corker, who convinced Eugster to vote for Miggins, said there was never any promise of a quid pro quo.

The memo left council members Phyllis Holmes, Roberta Greene and Rob Higgins aghast. The trio are in a minority that often finds itself at odds with Eugster and the other council members.

“This is a direct violation of the charter,” Greene said. “I view this as already trying to influence Mr. Miggins in how to do his job.”

Section 22 of the city charter reads:

“… neither the mayor, nor the city council … shall in any manner direct or request the appointment to or removal from office of any person by the city manager.”

Asked if someone might view his letter as trying to influence a new city manager, Eugster said: “Is there something wrong with that? That’s exactly what they’ve done over the last 30 years.”

Eugster charged that former city manager Bill Pupo was hired because the City Council approved of the people Pupo would put in place.

“I don’t see that this crosses the line,” Eugster said. “I know as a City Council member I can’t direct the city manager to do anything. The only thing I can do is communicate my hope and concern.”

Holmes denied Pupo was hired in a similar fashion. “There was never any discussion of people being protected in their places. It was the case of a good city manager,” she said.

Corker said Eugster’s memo was “not appropriate.”

Corker, Eugster, Talbott and Cherie Rodgers form a majority alliance on the council, representing themselves as agents of change for the city.

Talbott described Eugster’s memo as “interesting” without elaborating. Asked if he would encourage Miggins to hire Dragisich, Talbott said: “I will not violate the city charter.”

Rodgers said, “We can make suggestions, but the ultimate authority lies with the city manager.”

“It is completely inappropriate,” Higgins said. “You hire a city manager and it stops there.”

Eugster’s memo resulted from a council retreat on Saturday where the group tried to determine who would be the next city manager during a session that was closed to the public.

According to accounts from Holmes, Greene, Eugster and Corker, the council stalled in a three-way split. Eugster wanted Dragisich. Greene, Holmes and Higgins wanted Pete Fortin, who was then acting city manager. Talbott, Rodgers and Corker wanted Miggins, a virtual unknown from Portland.

“I felt we needed someone outside the history and politics of City Hall,” Corker said. “When I saw all the unions united behind Pete (Fortin), I knew I wanted a fresh face.”

After the retreat, Corker took Eugster out for nachos and “I twisted his arm,” Corker said.

Corker said he made the argument that Dragisich had already left for another job in St. Paul, Minn., to be near his family.

“Steve (Eugster) was obviously going to consider Miggins before Fortin because he wanted change in City Hall,” Corker said.

But Eugster didn’t commit. On Monday, the council arrived at City Hall with a resolution to hire a new city manager, but the name was blank.

Between an afternoon briefing session and the 6 p.m. council meeting, Corker polled Talbott, Eugster and Rodgers. He had the votes.

“Then, two minutes before, 6 I told the clerk this is the name,” Corker said.

The whole episode rankles Greene.

“I had no clue Monday they were going to do this,” she said. “I knew there was an item on the agenda, but the name was blank. The clerk knew before I did.”

Greene said now it is up to Miggins to show his mettle.

“Mr. Miggins needs to come to town and show us whether he is his own person or not,” Greene said. “And I think we will find that out real soon.”

This sidebar appeared with the story: THE LETTER Eugster backs Dragisich

Spokane City Councilman Steve Eugster wrote the following letter to Mayor John Talbott on Thursday:

“As you know, in the past I advocated the selection of Nick Dragasich (sic) as the City Manager, or if that was not possible given the voting positions of the council, the selection of Nick as the Assistant City Manager in charge of the major department of the City - that of Operations (Building, Planning, Utilities, Engineering, Operations, Roads, etc.).

“My hope, indeed my expectation was and is, that Mr. Miggins, if selected as the City Manager, would select Nick as the Assistant City Manager and that the selection would take place immediately.

“Nick’s selection as Assistant City Manager must take place now. Indeed, with (Assistant City Manager) Gale Olrich’s resignation yesterday (Wednesday), it should have taken place yesterday.

“I suggest that Mr. Miggins be contacted immediately and encouraged to make the selection of Nick today. There can be no delay in the making of this important appointment.

“If this does not take place today would you please call me.

“I will be in my office most of the day. I have a speech at noon so I will be gone from about 11:45 to 1:30. I will have my cell phone on while in transit.

“I look forward to hearing from you.”

Steve