Carthage mayor calls special council meeting ‘a major violation of the Sunshine Law’
CARTHAGE, Mo. — Things got ugly Friday (5/10) at a special meeting of the Carthage City Council. In fact, the meeting became very contentious at times.
After a heated exchange with Carthage Councilmember, Tiffany Cossey, fellow Councilmember, Chris Taylor excused himself from the meeting. While leaving the council chambers, Taylor addressed the mayor, saying, “Excuse me Mr. Mayor. I’m sorry for the problem. Because It’s either I leave, or I’m going to go to jail.”
This was the fourth special meeting since the April 2 elections, and the sixth overall.
During the meeting — Councilmember Cossey, along with newly elected Councilmember, Jana Schramm — repeatedly disregarded the city’s ordinances and procedures. And, in a move that appeared to violate the Missouri Sunshine Law, started making motions and creating ordinances that were not listed on the meeting agenda.
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There was also an uneasy exchange of words between Councilmember Cossey and Carthage Mayor, Dan Rife, whom Cossey and a handful of other council members still want to impeach.
“We had a number of things that we requested to be put on today’s agenda that our city attorney unlawfully refused to forward, and those are supposed to be placed on Tuesday’s agenda as well. Assuming they do what they’re supposed to do, which I unfortunately do not have confidence in our city administration to do,” said Councilmember Cossey.
“Everything that happened in this meeting today I think was a violation of the Sunshine Law. Nothing was on the agenda other than discussion and there were votes taken and we mentioned that, but they decided to go ahead with it,” said Mayor Rife.
According to Councilmember Cossey, the agenda for Tuesday’s Carthage city council meeting (5/14) should include motions that were passed today (5/10).
Those include hiring a new law firm to determine if the council has the ability to fire City Administrator, Greg Dagnan, without the mayor’s consent — as well as hiring Joplin attorney, Karl Blanchard as special general counsel for the city.
We reached out to Blanchard about the council’s motion to hire him but have yet to hear back.
The Tuesday, May 14 council meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Carthage City Hall.
