Mayor’s Meeting With Workers Draws Criticism

Pasadena Mayor William Paparian held a brown-bag lunch Wednesday with more than 200 city employees to hear their concerns about the city--much to the indignation of other top officials who questioned his authority to call such a meeting.

Employees packed the meeting to tell the mayor they believe the city lacks leadership and to express concern about proposed cuts that could result in layoffs.

Paparian told workers that he was “concerned about morale in the organization.”

But the calling of the meeting generated more controversy than the actual discussion.

Before the meeting at the city’s maintenance yard, City Council members and City Manager Philip A. Hawkey challenged Paparian’s authority to call such a session, saying it violated the City Charter. They also feared that employees would believe attendance was mandatory, and that the meeting disrupted some city operations.

Councilman Paul Little said that “without consulting anyone he scheduled an event for city employees during the workday. It looks like he is trying to undercut the city manager.”

Little said the latest dispute with Paparian, whose term as appointed mayor is up May 5, may be the final straw for some council colleagues. “A couple of us have considered booting him out in the last few weeks,” and selecting another council member to take up the mayoral post before Paparian’s term ends, he said.

Paparian said he just wanted to hear directly from people who provide city services and that he never ordered anyone to be there.

Some employees said they were surprised at the controversy and said they attended voluntarily during their lunch break.