December 2, 2009 Council Approves New Administrator's Contract But Never Mentions a Salary Amount or Benefits during the "Public" Discussion of "Public" Business at a "Public" Meeting

At yesterday's public meeting, the Mayor and City Council passed an employment contract to forward to Anthony Cox, the city-administrator select, for his consideration.

During the "public" discussion and deliberation of the contract, Mayor Barile and council seemed nervous. 

It seemed like they were talking in some kind of special, private code.

In most contract discussions, the contract amount is mentioned. Not so during yesterday's "public" discussion of the new administrator's contract.

In most contract discussions, there is discussion of other payments (like benefits, perks, car allowances, pre-negotiated severance terms). Not so during yesterday's "public" discussion of the new administrator's contract.

"Public" discussion of "public" business at a "public" meeting" has not exactly been a hallmark of city government lately.  Yesterday's "public" discussion of "public" business was unusual and that is putting it mildly.