EP City Council Set To Fire Manager Chapman

The majority members of the East Providence City Council have scheduled a special meeting for Wednesday, March 28, 2018, in which they intend to fire City Manager, Timothy Chapman. Chapman is already a lame-duck manager as his appointed position is being replaced by the City's first ever elected Mayor in November, 2018.

The resolution to fire Timothy Chapman is requested by Ward Two Councilwoman Anna Sousa. The council docket also states that Ward Four Councilman, Brian Faria is requesting that city Finance Director, Malcolm Moore be named Acting City Manager.

This is one of several recent attempts by the current council to suspend or fire Chapman. No immediate explanation has been given for this current intent.

In a raucous January 3, 2018 city council meeting, Chapman and Finance Director Moore had several tense moments. While Chapman was discussing the departure of embattled HR Director Kathleen Waterbury and a plan to restructure the HR department, Brian Faria called Moore to the podium.

"I thought this would be a good time to look at the HR department," said Faria at that meeting. "The HR Director and the number two person (in HR) is also out for awhile. This is a great concern to us. The Trust (insurance) settled this (Waterbury complaint) and didn't cost the taxpayer anything," Faria said. Faria opined that the HR department could possibly do with less staff when compared to other comparable cities.

Finance Director Moore told the council that former Manager Kirby (who was also fired) had discussions with him on cutting the HR staff through attrition due to department automation in payroll. "Unfortunately it never happened as Kirby was let go," said Moore. Moore then said that city payroll functions have moved "back to tax collection within the last year." Moore said he had also had these HR and payroll functions in his area.

"Let's talk about the fact that payroll was in treasury (department) for about 30 years," Chapman said in response to a Faria request to comment. Chapman then sternly addressed his City Finance Director. "I know, Malcolm, that you disagree with me on just about everything that we try to move forward with this city and that you were very happy with the last situation because that got another person out of your office. Unfortunately we were trying to combine jobs, make things easier, and give your office more support," said Chapman. "As we continue down this road, of you continuing to undermine me, I'd appreciate it if you could talk to me when you have conversations with others about how we should run the city," finished Chapman.

If the current council goes through with the firing of Tim Chapman, it will add to a long list of previously fired city managers.

The council agenda for this Wednesday does not list any opportunity for the public at large to be heard.

WEDNESDAY'S AGENDA:

CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

DOCKET OF SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
March 28, 2018
Council Chambers, City Hall, 145 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914

7:30 P.M. Open Session

I. CALL TO ORDER
II. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
III. NEW BUSINESS

A. Resolutions
RESOLUTION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-11 OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE TO REMOVE THE CITY MANAGER FROM OFFICE

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS
CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

RESOLUTION NO.

RESOLUTION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-11 OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE TO REMOVE THE CITY MANAGER FROM OFFICE

WHEREAS, the City Manager was appointed by the City of East Providence on May 2, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Resolution Number 17 was adopted by the City Council on May 2, 2017 authorizing the City Council’s hiring of the City Manager; and

WHEREAS, the City Manager may be removed by a majority vote of its members; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to City Charter, the City Manager may reply in writing to this preliminary resolution and may request a public hearing which shall be held not earlier than twenty (20) days nor later than thirty (30) days after the filing of such request; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to City Charter, the City Council may suspend the City Manager from duty pending a request for a public hearing; and

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of East Providence at this meeting of said City Council votes to suspend the City Manager, Timothy Chapman, with pay effective immediately and pending a request for a hearing he is hereby removed effective thirty (30) days after the date of adoption of this resolution:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED pursuant to Section 2-11 of the Charter of the City of East Providence, and Resolution No. 17 adopted May 2, 2017, the City Council hereby adopts this preliminary resolution to remove the City Manager from office without cause.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager is hereby removed from office without cause and is immediately suspended with pay as dictated by City Charter from the performance of any further duties as City Manager of the City of East Providence.

This resolution shall become effective upon its passage.

Adopted by the City Council:

Attest: ____________________________________
City Clerk of East Providence, Rhode Island

Requested by: Councilwoman Sousa

Motion___By___2nd___
Botelho___Britto ___Faria___Sousa___Briden__

B. Council Members

1. Appointment of Acting City Manager, Malcolm Moore (by Councilman Faria)

Motion___By___2nd___
Botelho___Britto ___Faria___Sousa___Briden__

IV. ADJOURNMENT

Motion___By___2nd___
Botelho___Britto ___Faria___Sousa___Briden__

*If communications assistance is needed or any other accommodations to ensure equal participation please contact the City Clerk’s at 435-7590.