It’s Final: Administrator Ousted : Government: The City Council acted despite recall threats from a group that supported 8-year veteran Bruce Spragg.

Despite recall threats from a crowd of about 75 angry residents, the City Council officially fired City Administrator Bruce Spragg at a special meeting this week.

The council’s decision set off a chorus of boos from the audience, which consisted mostly of Spragg supporters. Mayor Robert A. Philipp at one point threatened to have police officers clear the council chamber.

The council allowed comments only from Spragg and his attorney, Martin J. Mayer, during the Monday morning session.

Spragg announced Aug. 13 at the end of a regular council meeting that he would retire in March, but the council then asked him to resign by Aug. 17. Spragg, 57, who has been city administrator more than eight years, refused to resign, and demanded a public hearing.

At Monday’s meeting, the council hired William D. Cornett Jr., 70, as interim city administrator for three months while officials search for a permanent administrator. Cornett, who is retired, was South Gate city administrator for seven years before leaving in 1966 to become city manager of Fullerton.

Attorney Mayer said a lawsuit will be filed claiming that the City Council violated Spragg’s constitutional rights by firing him without a hearing. Mayer said the council also violated a resolution, passed a day before the April election, providing better job protection and more severance pay for top administrators. The newly elected council rescinded the resolution.

Mayer said Spragg and other administrators who were employed at the time the resolution was approved are entitled to six months’ severance pay if they are fired without a hearing.

Before the council’s vote, Mayer had asked council members to allow Spragg to go on administrative leave with pay while some type of settlement could be arranged.

“This is insane. The council is spending money to fire a man who offered to resign. You’ll spend more in legal fees to resolve this matter,” Mayer said.

Philipp, citing the possible lawsuit, declined to discuss the firing in detail. However, he said, “the council has a right to choose its city administrator. The administrator serves at the will of the council.”

In a prepared statement made after the council fired him, Spragg said, “Events of the last week involving my public humiliation go beyond damage to my professional reputation and reflect badly on our city.”

Spragg said he submitted his retirement request in advance because he wanted to help ensure a smooth transition.

Among Spragg supporters in the audience were former Councilmen Odell Snavely, John Sheehy and William DeWitt. DeWitt said the council has the right to hire its own administrator, but added, “It is unfortunate it has come to this. An orderly transition is needed.”

Sheehy said the council action was “disgraceful. The city isn’t functioning properly. Department heads are leaving or being dismissed.”

Spragg, who earned $87,000 a year, was the fourth top-level administrator to leave the city since the April election. Three new council members were elected, resulting in a change in the balance of power on the five-member council.

City Atty. Bruce Boogaard resigned in May to become chief attorney for Chula Vista. Public Works Director Rollie Berry retired in July, and Parks and Recreation Department Director George Price left the same month for a better-paying job with the Moreno Valley Parks and Recreation Department.

A few people in the audience said they supported the council’s firing of Spragg. Retired city radio technician Ted Loya said the city had deteriorated during Spragg’s tenure. Streets were being repaired more slowly, for example, Loya said. “The council took the right action,” he added.

Council members Philipp, Slaughter, Larry Leonard and Johnny Ramirez voted to fire Spragg. Councilwoman Mary Ann Buckles was absent for health reasons.