Commission Meeting Draft Minutes

Mayor Richards asked if anyone had any comments.

Commissioner Hannan commented he has heard of Lady Lake’s residents’ concerns over the resignation of former Police Chief Chris McKinstry. He stated the Town Charter dictates any action made by the Town Manager, and she was allowed to act.

Betty Salas of Old Dixie Highway in Lady Lake stated that many residents had grown close to former Police Chief Ed Nathanson and were sorry when he retired in 2012.  Since then, she stated that the favorable comments describing former Police Chief Chris McKinstry were apt. She stated the Town flourished under his leadership, knowledge, abilities and passion. She requested the Commission consider inviting him back. Petitions concerning this matter and signed by over 168 residents were turned in to the Mayor.

Town Manager Kris Kollgaard stated there were professional differences between herself and Chris McKinstry that they were unable to work out. She stated it is important to her that department heads are honest with her and do not try to hide mistakes. She stated everyone makes mistakes, but then they must be owned, corrected, and measures put in place to ensure they do not happen again. Ms. Kollgaard stated department heads are leaders and should set a good example for their staff, with rules applying to all. She stated professional differences can sometimes be subjective; however, her job is to ensure that everyone follows the policies and procedures put in place by the Town Commissioners. She stated it would be bad management on her part to allow one department head to follow only the rules they want to, and disregard others.

Ms. Kollgaard stated that the Town has little turnover among general employees of the Town; however, during the six years Chris McKinstry was Chief, 27 police officers have left the Police Department. It appears that there are some issues in the Police Department that were not addressed.

Ms. Kollgaard stated Chris McKinstry resigned, and he did not contact her to request that his resignation be rescinded, which would have been the professional and appropriate thing to do. In addition, she stated he made an intimidating comment to her in front of the Town’s H.R. Director, which she found inappropriate and not something she would expect from a police chief. She stated that she does not feel the end justifies the means; the means need to be legally, ethically, and morally right. Ms. Kollgaard stated although Chris McKinstry has a great personality, she could not come to terms with the difference in management styles between them over the past six years, and she has to do what she feels is best.

Commissioner Vincent accused the Town Manager of keeping things from the Town Commission, and of giving maximum raises to department heads that do not follow the industry curve without proper documentation. He asked for the Town Manager’s resignation as a motion and asked the Commissioners to vote on it.

Mayor Richards asked the Town Attorney if this is allowed since it was not on the agenda.

Town Attorney Derek Schroth replied that although Ms. Kollgaard could voluntarily resign at any time, the Commissioners should keep in mind that under her contract she is also the Town Clerk. He stated that the discussion of the Town Manager’s position needs to be done at a public meeting, duly noticed as an agenda item.

Commissioner Vincent asked that Ms. Kollgaard take two weeks of leave before coming back as only the Town Clerk.

Commissioner Kussard stated she is so surprised by all of this. She stated she had heard from a number of residents and business people regarding the resignation of Chris McKinstry. She stated she reviewed the Charter, and Ms. Kollgaard has the authority over employees as Town Manager.

Mayor Richards clarified that the Commissioners have the authority over the Town Manager and the Town Attorney positions, and over the running of the Town. He noted that items such as this must be discussed as an agenda item at a public meeting.

Commissioner Holden requested that the Commissioners hold a special meeting to discuss the Town Manager’s position and the Police Chief’s position. He stated he would like to have a full accounting of everything.

Mayor Richards stated Ms. Kollgaard has always kept the Commissioners up to date with things that are going on. He stated she told him her story of her experiences with Chris McKinstry prior to his resignation.

Mayor Richards stated Chris McKinstry contacted him and the Mayor invited him to his home to go over the items. He stated Mr. McKinstry gave him contact information for three fairly high-placed people, and that Mr. McKinstry’s comments mirrored the comments of the Town Manager. Mayor Richards stated they are both professionals, and both have done good jobs. He contacted the three people; one had worked with both individuals and he allowed that they have different management styles. He noted that the Town Manager originally hired Mr. McKinstry. Two contacts allowed that Mr. McKinstry was a professional and noted his certifications, etc.

Mayor Richards stated, in the end, it was his realization that a manager gets to pick the people with which they surround themselves. He told Mr. McKinstry that he was not going to take it any further on his part, and suggested he try to work something out with the Town Manager.

Commissioner Hannan commented that Commissioner Vincent’s motion for the resignation of the Town Manager died for lack of a second.

Commissioner Vincent stated he got a two or three minute call from the Town Manager stating she was going to fire the chief over something to do with blue lights. He accused Ms. Kollgaard of telling the Mayor more than he was told.

Ms. Kollgaard stated she called each of the Commissioners and stated that she and the chief were going to have a discussion that would probably end one of two ways; either he is going to resign or be terminated.

Mayor Richards stated he was told the same thing. He stated Commissioner Vincent misunderstood in that he met with Chris McKinstry at his home, not Kris Kollgaard, so that he could hear both sides of the story.

Commissioner Vincent commented that the Town does not need two police chiefs. He stated that he has heard from current and ex-employees that Ms. Kollgaard micro-manages, among other things.

Phil Mathias of Lakes of Lady Lake stated he spoke to several officers who stated they did not receive enough pay here, although department heads get raises. He objected to the Town Manager getting a $600 per month auto allowance, when there are Town vehicles available. Mr. Mathias stated he is tired of the micro-managing, and it is time for the Town Manager to move on.