The Indianola city aldermen were unable to come to a unanimous consensus with regard to approving the board’s minutes during Monday night’s session.
The lack of agreement stems from some apparent confusion over whether or not the city’s department heads were actually approved by the board.
Alderman Ruben Woods attempted to add the item to the current agenda for discussion, however, Mayor Steve Rosenthal asserted that the board had already approved them.
“That’s something that got by me,” Woods said.
Alderman Sam Brock also questioned when the approval was made. He said the board did not approve the item because Rosenthal had asked for an extension until August 31.
“And August 31st has never gotten here,” Brock said. “We put them on probation, we approved them,” Rosenthal said.
Brock further asserted that if the department heads had not been approved then they should not have gotten the raise, which was voted and approved at a recent meeting. Rosenthal contends that the board had to approve the heads in order for them to be placed on probation.
The debate concluded with the officials tabling the matter and Rosenthal maintaining that he would supply the aldermen with the proof.
In the vote, the aldermen excluded the August 13 minutes after a motion by Alderman Gary Fratesi failed to get a second. They voted 2 for, 1 against with 2 of the aldermen not voicing a ballot either way with regard to the Sept. 24 minutes.
Alderman Darrell Simpson made the motion, Fratesi seconded. Brock voted no, and a no vote was not heard from aldermen Marvin Elder or Ruben Wood. Rosenthal called it 4 to 1.
