Donabed back, city clerk, engineer temps in place

What he’s finding out isn’t the best of news. After coming up with a balanced budget in June, Hughson now faces serious financial issues like just about ever other city, county and state in the country.

“With reduced revenue, there’s an expectation on the part of the public of continued public services,” Donabed warned.

Donabed went back to work Nov. 30 as ordered by the city council. He had been gone since Oct. 19, when three of the councilmen suspended him for 30 days, pending termination of his contract. For undisclosed reasons, the council made a 90-degree turn Nov. 23 and Donabed will likely remain at city hall till his contract expires May 1, 2010. Speculation around town has been that the council didn’t want to continue paying his contract while he wasn’t working.

Meanwhile, some are wondering what he did while off work and if he’s excited about coming back to a divided city council.

“It was kind of a vacation yeah,” Donabed admitted. “I spent more time with my wife, had some fun.”

The city manager normally spends 40 to 60 hours a week at the office. As for working with councilmen Ben Manley, Doug Humphreys and Thom Crowder, who voted to suspend him, Donabed was philosophical.

“It’s never easy to work with the city council at any time,” he stated. “I am a professional. I’ve been doing this type of business 38 years. I’ve worked with numerous individuals and numerous councils.”

Crowder’s summation was also pragmatic.

“I expect him to follow council direction and use less ‘creative’ methods, which has brought liability upon this city,” the councilman said without elaborating. “Other than that I have no feelings towards the man, only high expectations during the remainder of his current contract term.”

Still, among the contentious issues at city hall is the hiring of a temporary city clerk. Thom Clark, the city’s building and planning director, told the council the city desperately needs one. The position has been vacant for months, but Manley indicated Dominique Spinale has been doing a decent job in the interim. Clark retorted that Spinale, whose official title is ‘management analyst,’ is desperately needed elsewhere.

“I support Thom Clark’s assertions,” Donabed said. “You’re moving water around the boat.”

The city manager explained that Hughson has no position called “city clerk” or “acting city clerk.” It has the director of administrative services title, with a full range of duties including personnel, recruitment, benefits management, risk management as well as the city clerk function.

“If anybody thinks the city clerk, all they do is sit up and call the role they’re sorely mistaken,” he added.

In addition, the position requires education and management experience. Thus a three-month contract for Anabelle Aguilar, Riverbank’s deputy city clerk began this week. The contract ends Feb. 28, 2010. The $42.93 hourly fee will go to the City of Riverbank. Riverbank will compensate Aguilar, who is expected to work full time. Clark also received permission from the council to tap MCR Engineering, Inc. for an on-call city engineer. Tony Marshall’s services will cost anywhere from $60 to $125 per hour, depending on the level of service needed.

Hughson has gone without an engineer/public works director since David Chase went out on medical leave in early October. Chase himself has been under scrutiny, with an item on the Nov. 23 agenda seeking discussion on a disciplinary letter sent to him from the State Water Resources Control Board.

Donabed said Chase’s annual salary is $100,000 and he’s getting paid while on leave. But the city isn’t footing the bill, the city’s medical insurance is. 

“Will he becoming back?” Donabed answered rhetorically. “We don’t know yet but until we know we can’t make any plans for a new one.”