Duane Wallace: "The guy would vote no as often as he could but it kept coming up yes and he couldn't figure out why. Haha" Read transcript of mayor / mayor pro-tem discussion / vote from City Council meeting December10 South Lake Tahoe here at City of Angels Blog:
Pictured: Tami Wallace takes over as Mayor after her motion "that I be mayor for the 2025 year" passes
TRANSCRIPT:
Cody Bass: We'll go ahead and open this item up for public comment. This is on item number two the reorganization, mayor and mayor pro-tem selection so anybody in the room yes [SOUNDS LIKE] Mr. Ebert.
Male Speaker: -change
in leadership it's a bad look when you have
a pot dealer as mayor. It's disgusting. Somebody that gets pulled over 3:00 in
the morning, somebody that has this much legal trouble- I think we need to go
in a different direction and send a clear message we don't need this kind of
garbage.
(Watch Clip of this speaker here: https://cityofangels25.blogspot.com/2024/12/a-bad-look-when-you-have-pot-dealer-as_12.html
Cody Bass: thanks all right anybody else yes Mr. Moser.
37:16
Ed Moser [sp?] South Lake
Tahoe obviously you don't have a sense
of humor or else you'd make Scott the mayor. So with that in mind number one I object to Miss Wallace being selected. She's kind of
bullied in the past her comments outside.
I was here at the chamber when she screamed at the top of her lungs outside at
Mr. Robbins, calling him a real asshole, and I mean screamed.
And also right over here at a break after you spoke to him Mr. Bass to Mr. Robbins you know calling him a real jerk got right in his face and screamed at him and called him a real jerk and I don't think anybody like that that treats another council member like that whether you think he deserves it or not deserves to deserves to be mayor and I don't think you deserve to even sit up there. I think it should be should be recalled and for a number quite a number of reasons. …
*
Obviously you don't have a sense of humor or else you'd make Scott the mayor. -Ed Mosur
*
Mr. Robbins was the biggest vote getter when he ran you know and in the past people have used that
as an excuse to say that you deserve a shot if you're the biggest vote
getter and sit here for four years and don't get don't get to be mayor….
Jenkins has been a
city manager here for quite a few years, even knows the process and is familiar
with city government and could possibly do do the mayoral job…..
Cody Bass: Thank you for your comments yes thank
40:00
Female Speaker: [SOUNDS
LIKE] Melissa Soderstein South Lake Tahoe. I'm going to agree with Mr. Moser. I have great respect for you Tamara but
unfortunately your emotions and your disrespect for some people in this Council
chamber have been palpable to the community.
Your husband's
direct attacks against a member of this Council, personal attacks, are
completely inappropriate and I feel that
the only correct choice is to leave Cody in his position.
He has done a
wonderful job, he has been completely compassionate towards his Community, he
has shown his ability to compromise with every single person that was on this
Council, which by the way has been the best Council and staff that this city
has ever seen, this has been an incredible four years. The previous years
before this Council were great as well but this has been the best Council I don't
want to see that change I do have great respect for you.
But we need to move
past this election cycle was awful. It was horrific it was embarrassing it was
tragic for our community on very many
levels. The insecurity and just an attitude-
It was just very
immature the way that this community behaved on every level. That we cannot be
civil is very disappointing. And I think the only way to be civil going forward
is to keep Cody as mayor. I think he's
done a wonderful job. I think that Scott really cares about this community more
than people give him credit for. I think he is very compassionate I think his
heart is absolutely in the place of the community.
You might not like the way he speaks but I think that he does deserve his shot if we are not going to give him a shot, which I agree would be probably not the best choice. At this point it needs to be Cody and I think that it just needs to be Cody at this point and I love you Tamara and I really appreciate you it has been an excellent four years and I hope we can continue that and I hope you two will continue to compromise and continue the Forward Thinking for the future that we have had
53:15
Tami Wallace: So I
think that there's some confusion about protocol versus the way that we've done
it, and because we have a written set of protocols. So what we've talked about at
least in my and Mr. Bass's time on Council was that it was a rotation.
However there is
also nothing that says that we have to do it that way and here's here's my
concern with you, Mr. Robbins. We have not always gotten along and and that's
fine, I'm I have been part of that and I accept my responsibility in that.
However the one
thing that at least in mind and in my opinion that the the mayor does that is
super important is that we represent the council in the public and in the media.
And I a have major
concerns based on the last two years [to
Bass] that you would be able to effectively communicate on behalf of the
council and not yourself. And and so that is a that is a real concern for me.
During covid and during
the Caldor Fire, as mayor pro-tem and then mayor, I represented the council,
not Tamara Wallace, and I made a very good effort at that.
And when there were
times when I didn't always agree with the council, I then went to either our PIO
or the city manager at the time and asked them to handle it. Because I really
feel like that is an important position that the mayor does
Other than that the
only extra power you have as a mayor besides running the meetings is to call a
special meeting, which we haven't done in a really long time because there's
been no reason to.
So I I would be
willing to consider supporting you as mayor protem once I have those fears allayed
that you could represent the council and not yourself as a mayor, so that's my
concern.
Cody Bass: Okay
great so anybody else that would like to speak? I'll just say thinking more
about this, we've both been elected now twice right. And you're up now for your
second term as being mayor. Both been elected here the same amount of times and
if we're both going to serve two terms as being mayor, which would be kind of
matching it up, if we're going to talk about protocol and talk about those
things- for me when I-
If I were to serve
as two terms as mayor, it does make sense for it to run in continuity, only
because in the public realm of things, when I'm going out as mayor as I have
many times, working with the tribe and all sorts of things that don't fully
understand how you were even appointed as mayor, I think there is a sense of
continuity that does work better.
And just in the
representation of the City generally, a mayor is elected and they serve a Four-year
term a one-year term does create- it creates confusion in a certain sense.
And so my only point
is that if we're both the two seniors here that have been elected for two terms,
and we're both going to serve two terms as Mayor, it would just for me work- it
makes a lot more sense to do that in continuity is all I'm trying what I'm what
I'm saying.
And then it comes
back up again next year and you look at taking mayor in in the next term I just
put that out for thought. And and there is no protocol that says like Mr. Moser
pointed out, we've had multiple mayors that have served mayor and then mayor
again. So there's never been a protocol that says that we can't do that. It's actually
been and has been done multiple times in this Council so that that would just
be my my only two cents to that and
And I do agree like
I I think coming into a new Council us trying to have as much cohesion and kind
of working together I definitely know that I can bring that sense of leadership
to to the role. And I know you could as well, I just I think that there have
been- coming out of this election cycle things we are in a in an interesting
time. So again I yeah I’ll just put
those comments out for thought and leave it up to council-
VOTE
52:05
Bass: So when I call your name let me know how you vote
council member Roberts no council member. Robbins yes council member Jenkins
mayor protem Wallace No mayor bass yes that motion fails
Scott Robbins: there's a lot of value in the continuity aspect for external interactions that's that's that's handy.
Tami Wallace: I don't disagree about the continuity. I would just argue that we have had rotating or different mayors at least for the last 10 years at least since 2014.
And you're right
there is nothing that says you can't do it back to back. In the community I
grew up in it was the same setup and we had the same mayor for 17 years.
So that all things being equal I think that you and I
have different contacts with the outside agencies and and jurisdictions but we
have equal contacts in that regard we may sort of, because of our positions that
we take, the city Council assignments. We just have a tendency to have
different context.
But you know, it's
I'm I'm not going to fight for the position. I've already been mayor, I think I
would be a good mayor.
I think that I'm
less concerned with what happened in the last election going forward because I
think things have been resolved and that that it's just it's not necessarily a
nonissue but it's less of an issue than than I think people are thinking it is.
I think we we as a
council have always had a really good relationship for the most part and we've always worked
together very very well. I talked to
people about this that I’ve never once felt like I had to call a council member
and say hey can you support me in this. Because I know that when I walk into
the room that I'm going to be heard by the members on this body.
So if this means
that we support you as mayor, I would just I would be okay with that. I prefer
based on some of the feelings that you and I have- have had in the past about
previous councils that we do switch it around but I’m not going to fight for it
it's just not worth it. I'm I'm done
fighting on this Board.
Cody Bass: Right Mr.
Roberts
01:00:45
Keith Roberts: Yeah
when I was running, during my campaign, one of the things that struck out to me
the most and surprised me actually was how many people talked about how divided
not only our city was but our Council was. And I don't by any means mean to
place any blame on you mayor or anybody else, it just was what it was.
And I think what
that represented in our constituents was the need for a change. And I think it
would be more reflective of that if we did make a change in the mayor position
at this time.
Cody Bass: right any
other comments Mr. Jenkins or
David Jenkins: No now
I think the struggle we are having here is something that I would have
preferred that I mentioned to some people to some people's chagrin that we have
a discussion in January when the two newest members- and I'm just talking for myself-
would have had an opportunity to think through all this. I'm not afraid to make
a decision I’ve made a lot of them in my life some most of them I would like to
think are were good some maybe were not so good.
But I I think the
the time we're taking on this is one of the reasons that I had hoped that maybe
by January that we could have resolved that, we would resolve this and this
whole question of assignments and all of these other tasks that we have. But I'm
prepared to vote at the rest of the prepared to vote I'm I'm I'm ready-
*
Scott Robbins: As as
someone who still fondly remembers their college days I am I am no opponent of
procrastination. The challenge is that
per the Brown Act we can't really discuss this over the next month. So if we
come back we do this again in January we're not going to have- we could
individually think about it some more. But we're not really going to be able to
talk offline about it that's not allowed-
Female Off Camera: yes
and if I can add something it's also in our city code not just in our city
council protocols, it's in the city code that we need to do this at this
meeting.
David Jenkins: So
it's not really a discussion but it takes three votes if you don't have three
votes it gets carried over. So I think I'd I Mentioned that before to staff. It
can say what it wants, but it takes three votes, so you don't have three votes
then it gets carried over if it's a tie gets carried over so I don't I don't
want- I appreciate the clarity but I want to make clear that the council will
make those decisions not not other not other people.
Scott Robbins: Point
being come January we're not going to have a lot more new information and like I
would be just as down with putting this off just and not having it be something
that takes up the evening.
But the thing is,
it's just going to come back to where we are now a month from now because we
can't have discussions amongst ourselves in any effective way legally. And
that's one of the frustrations of the Brown Act is that- I understand the
importance of but it also means that
sometimes like the ability to do things behind the scenes Is limited, is very
limited. So being able to come to like a
negotiated decision over the over time is just not something we're able or
allowed to do because of state law
So all right well
yeah Miss Wallace if if Miss Wallace it sounded like you had maybe changed your
mind on Cody for mayor. I'm willing to make another motion to re rerun the vote
but I’ll defer to you on that because-
*
I am going to make a
motion that I be mayor for the 2025 year. Tami Wallace
*
WATCH CLIP OF TAMI WALLACE MAKING A MOTION TO MAKE HERSELF MAYOR HERE: https://cityofangels25.blogspot.com/2024/12/audacity-of-entitlement-story-coming.html
01:04:50
Tami Wallace: Okay
in the interest of moving forward and in the interest of or in the sense that
we've already voted on one and it failed, I am going to make a motion that I be
mayor for the 2025 year.
Voice: I will second
it.
Cody Bass: All right
and I will go ahead and call a roll call vote
Council member
Roberts yes council member Robbins no council member Jenkins Yes mayor pro-tem
Wallace yes mayor Bass yes that motion carries.
All right and so with that we'll move into the mayor protem selection so I’d-
[DISCUSSION]
01:17:10
Bass: Yes we will go
ahead and open this item for public comment this will be on the mayor pro-tem
selection yes Mr. Wallace.
*
I'm going to confess something. – Duane Wallace
Duane Wallace: D. Wallace,
citizen. I've had I guess the pleasure of having known every city council
person that this city has ever had. And this is always the toughest thing.
Also I was also on
the Utility District board for I don't know 20-25 years. I only served as the
president twice because I didn't want the contention that went along with it.
Our city council had
many people who never served as mayor and were on for many terms some some
people by choice, some people because they didn't run a meeting well you happen
to have run meetings really well.
But but since the statute of limitations has run out and everything's so tense, I'm going to confess something.
We had one person
who was elected the city council that was really a problem person. And I happened
to as a Utility District Board member, sit in those seats. And they had a red
button and a green button.
And just because it
was around April fools, I switched those buttons when that guy was elected and
so when he came to vote and I knew he would vote no as often as he could he
kept voting yes and couldn't figure out why.
So I can tell you
that now. It took them about 6 months to figure out who did it.
I I never never
admitted it and I'm not going to say who it was and I know Mr. .Bailey would
probably represent me if I needed it but-
So what I'm saying
is get past this and run the meetings well and respect each other and it's time
to have a different attitude about how we treat each other in our community.
And I I’ll have to
admit when somebody says something about somebody that I love, I don't like it.
We don't like the death threats we get and those are just from family members. But
but it it can be very tense.
It doesn't need to
be. I'll give you an example I was in Washington I’ve been there many times and
I was with Kevin McCarthy and Senator Feinstein and we were they were hugging
each other and talking and giving out plaques and platitudes and then I got
back to the hotel room and they were both having press conferences just
blasting the heck out of each other.
It doesn't have to
be that way and Harry Reid told me once he says we make you hate each other so
you'll send us money.
So my point is it's
a new day. I will try to be more respectful and I hope you all are too thanks.
Cody Bass: Thank you
Mr. Wallace any other
Comments yes Mr. [INAUDIBLE]
01:10:00
Male speaker: It's
grotesquely and I mean grotesquely elitist to to just suggest the notion that
the people can't figure out who the damn mayor is. That's grotesque. The people
can figure that out.
Bass: thank you
thank you for your comments any other comments in the room, yes Mr. Asbury
Male Speaker: Thank goodness
for the Brown Act thanks again for this opportunity to speak so mayor Bass you pretty
made the community proud. You are a humble guy which makes it even better. It's neat to see those Olympic Stars win these gold medals and
they're just so humble and and you give respect to everyone and your leadership
qualities are quite phenomenal. I never saw you talk down. You I'm sure you have -
Watch the entire
council meeting on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okumZhpCneg
* Weblogged by Kay Ebeling, invisible, peering from behind the trees
