Administrator in Montebello Faces Cutback of Power
The City Council will vote June 24 on an ordinance that would strip City Administrator Joseph Goeden of his hiring and firing powers.
The policy change would require that hirings, firings, promotions, demotions and salary changes be submitted to the council for approval.
The ordinance, which the council ordered Goeden to draft by a 3-to-2 vote at Monday’s meeting, would give the council more control over department heads. Mayor Art Payan and council members William Molinari and Catherine Hensel favored the change, with Philip Ramos and William Nighswonger dissenting.
The council sought the policy change after Finance Director Grant Gundestrup resigned in March shortly after a disagreement with Goeden. At the time, council members said Goeden had not kept them adequately informed about his dealings with the finance director.
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