Council to reconsider motion to investigate mayor's conduct
- Mayor investigation back on agenda; Yuma Sun obtains list of allegations - Jan. 25, 2012
- Yuma City Council to reconsider vote on mayor investigation - Jan. 24, 2012
- Mayor's vote seen as conflict of interest - Jan. 20, 2012
- Split vote nixes Yuma mayor investigation - Jan. 18, 2012
- Council to follow up on allegations against mayor - Jan. 15, 2012
- Stuart: Mayor must be investigated - Jan. 7, 2012
- City administrator rebuffs mayor on city finances - Jan. 6, 2012
- Krieger accused of abusing mayor position - Jan. 4, 2012
When it meets Wednesday, the Yuma City Council again will take up the question of whether to approve an investigation into allegations of misconduct by Mayor Al Krieger.
The meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the council chambers at Yuma City Hall, One City Plaza.
During an often-contentious meeting Jan. 18, the council defeated a motion by Councilman Jerry Stuart to proceed with an investigation by a vote of 4-3, with the mayor casting the deciding “no” vote.
Then, during a special meeting Jan. 25, the council voted to place the item back on the agenda for Wednesday's meeting. The 17 allegations against the mayor include conflict of interest, abuse of his position, employee harassment and violations of the city charter and open meeting law.
Former mayor Marilyn Young first brought concerns about the mayor's conduct to the attention of the council during the call to the public at the Jan. 4 meeting.
At the meetings on Jan. 18 and 25, Krieger denied any wrongdoing. He has declined requests by the media for comment.
The motion again before the council is whether the governing body will take action on City Charter Article VII, Section 10, which gives the council the power to investigate potential wrongdoing in city government.
During Wednesday's meeting, the council also will:
• Adopt a local preference ordinance that will enact and establish criteria for awarding city bids to businesses within the city. The ordinance follows up on a local preference measure approved by city voters during a special election on May 18, 2010.
• Adopt an ordinance to rezone property the city acquired in July at 1584 S. 5th Ave., 1581 S. 6th Ave. and 550 W. 16th St. for future improvements to 16th Street west of 4th Avenue. The city seeks to rezone the properties from transitional to limited commercial with plans to lease them until the roadway project is undertaken.
• Authorize a development agreement with SRZ Yuma LLC, the holding company for Country Club Motors. The agreement outlines economic development incentives by the city to support the company's construction of a new Honda dealership in the 1000 block of 32nd Street.
According to the agreement, the city would pay up to $40,000 as reimbursement for sidewalk and landscaping work as part of the project. Staff reports state that the project represents a significant private investment in the city that will generate more sales tax revenue, increase long-term property tax revenue and create jobs.
In addition to Wednesday's meeting, the council will hold a work session at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the council chambers.
Complete agendas for both meetings are available on the city's website at yumaaz.gov. City council meetings and work sessions are broadcast live on Time Warner Channel 73.
Joyce Lobeck can be reached at jlobeck@yumasun.com or 539-6853. Find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/YSJoyceLobeck or on Twitter at @YSJoyceLobeck.
