Goodman issues warning to City Council staffers

Dan Kulin

Thursday, Sept. 8, 2005 | 9:38 a.m.

Some of the powerbrokers at Las Vegas City Hall appear to be having trouble getting along.

In what was an apparent acknowledgement of bad feelings on City Hall's 10th floor, Mayor Oscar Goodman on Wednesday said there has been some "discord" and "issues that have bothered people" recently, and issued a warning to the staff working under City Council members that they could lose their jobs if they participate in "activity that's not consistent with the best interest of the city."

However, the power to fire such staff is held by the city manager, not the elected officials.

Goodman made his comments during the council discussion of the ratification of the hiring of Kimberly Reid as executive assistant to Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian. The mayor stressed that his comments were in no way directed at Reid, and said her ratification presented an opportunity for him to speak publicly about the "liaison process."

The mayor said Reid, whom he spoke with prior to the meeting to assure her his comments were not directed at her, is a "wonderful young lady and a wonderful addition to the 10th floor staff."

The council voted 6-0 to ratify Reid's hiring. She will be paid $43,500 annually. Tarkanian was absent from the meeting.

Before the vote, the mayor said, "The 10th floor has enjoyed a wonderful spirit of camaraderie and collegiality, at least for the last six and half years that I've been the mayor and I want to see that continue.

"There have been some undercurrents, that there's some discontent, some issues that have bothered people, and I don't want to see that anymore.

"And I'm going on the record now that as we ratify -- and once again I make it crystal clear this does not apply to Miss Reid -- this is just a way of getting this on the record, that if in fact there is any kind of discord, which is inappropriate or activity that's not consistent with the best interest of the city, we can de-ratify."

The mayor's comments were the only to come from the council dais on the matter.

Following the meeting, Goodman said there are "no problems" on the 10th floor, and refused to say to whom, if anyone, his statement was directed at.

Goodman said he chose to make the statement during the meeting because he was "not going to go up and down the halls" talking to everyone.

Also, he said, "I don't want to be accused of intimidating anyone or coercing anyone. I want to kill this in the bud."

Also after the meeting, Councilman Larry Brown said Goodman's statement "was probably needed."

It sent a clear message to everyone on the 10th floor," Brown said.

Brown said he didn't think the mayor's comments were directed at any one in particular.

He added that "some things happened, some misinformation really. There can't be any games up here."

Brown refused to be more specific.

The mayor and council are each allowed city staff. Council members get two council liaisons and an executive assistant, and the mayor can have three liaisons and an executive assistant.

The hirings are ratified by the council.