A property owner who doesn’t live in town applied for two board-appointed positions in Summit, a part-time employee who inherited the duties of a second job wants to go full time and the public works department has been out sick and understaffed.
Those were among the personnel issues facing Summit councilmen at their Tuesday night work session, along with hearing grievances from a former employee about a lack of due process in his departure from the town and the prospective hiring of two police officers.
Michelle Hartz, who lives outside town limits but owns three properties in town, including a bed and breakfast, applied for seats on the planning commission and housing authority.
If appointed to the planning commission, she would replace the late Dr. Tom Carey, who died last month. He was the only other person who applied for the position, Mayor Percy Robinson said.
“I have talked with Mrs. Hartz and she is very interested in taking the position,” Robinson said.
Councilman Julius Nash said the council agreed earlier to give first consideration for board appointments to Summit residents.
“And I own three properties here in the town of Summit,” Hartz said.
“We said we were going to do citizens of the town first,” Nash said.
Hartz said she lives just outside town limits and is interested in service, while others apparently are not.
“Just out of curiosity, do you have people beating down the door to help?” she asked. “I would love to see hundreds of people willing to help.”
“First we want the people to apply,” Nash said, adding that in the case that no one does, then he’d be willing to consider residents who “live nearby but not in town limits.”
Hartz said the town needs someone who is eager to serve.
“I feel like even through it’s volunteer positions, there’s a level of integrity that goes into that,” Hartz said. “I’m not here campaigning saying, I’m dying to have this job, I’m saying I’m here to help. As a citizen, that’s who I want working for me.”
Later in the meeting, the council reviewed an agenda item declaring Aug. 19 as First Responders Day, and Robinson said a small reception would be held for local police, firefighters and EMTs, and Hartz volunteered to provide food and decorations.
“I’ll be happy to take on that project and develop a team to take care of first responders on that day,” she said.
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The board also debated on whether to appoint Gerald Alexander full time for his dual roles of zoning enforcement and building inspections or to wait until a new job description could be written.
“I’m requesting that he be made full time,” Robinson said.
“I agree with that,” Councilman Joe Lewis said. “He said he doesn’t have any problems and he’s full time here anyway.”
Alexander had previously been the zoning administrator but he took on the building inspector job following the retirement of Wayne Parker, who used to handle both jobs.
Councilman Chris Daniels asked for Alexander’s formal job description.
“We certainly need to make a definitive job description,” Daniels said.
Lewis said this would be a good time to revise the job description now that Alexander is taking on both zoning and building code enforcement.
Councilman Julius Nash initially suggested advertising for the job and letting Alexander apply for it along with other applicants, but later in the meeting he proposed tabling the matter until a new job description is written. Doing so would delay Alexander’s promotion by at least a month.
Lewis didn’t agree with that plan.
“This gentleman is already in the job. he’s doing the work. He’s giving you the reports, and we’re going to table it because of a job description?” Lewis asked.
Councilman Marcus Pittman agreed.
“If Mr. Alexander is capable of doing both jobs, let him have it,” he said.
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in other staffing matters, Town Superintendent Tim Baylor also addressed manpower shortages in the public works department.
“A few weeks ago I worked three days with no employees, me by myself,” Baylor said, adding that the staffing shortage continued for the next three weekends.
Baylor said three of his employees were out sick with COVID and he has one job that he’s trying to fill. for which the council will vote on a hire next week.
“I am trying my best just by myself trying to keep up,” Baylor said.
In another personnel matter, the council heard from ex-employee Jamie Knox, who alleged his job with the town ended without “due process.” After some back and forth with board attorney Ben Gilbert, the two agreed that Knox would put his grievances in writing and Gilbert would respond.
And the council will vote next week on whether to hire two police officer — Deborah Rider for a full-time position and Jacob Harvey part-time.
