The Clifton City Commission met at the Clifton campus of Columbia State Community College on Monday, June 23. Mayor Mark Staggs and Commissioners Tammy Prince, Jeff Letson, and Michael Francis were present when the meeting began, along with Acting City Manager Samantha Haines, Finance Director Shelly Bridges, and City Attorney Mike Hinson. Commissioner Dwight Thompson arrived several minutes later.
The first motion, made by Commissioner Prince, was for the approval of the minutes from the May 27th commission meeting. Mayor Staggs seconded the motion, and a roll call vote followed with Mayor Staggs and Commissioner Prince voting yes and Commissioner Letson and Commissioner Francis voting no. Another vote was taken later in the meeting with Commissioner Thompson voting to approve the minutes as well as Commissioner Prince and Mayor Staggs, and Commissioners Letson. Commissioners Letson and Francis voted no on the motion once again.
Regular business of the city was conducted, including discussion of the Multi-Modal Sidewalk Grant. Acting City Manager Haines proposed that Phase 4 of the project be taken out and the funds from Phase 4 be allotted to Phase 3 of the project. Commissioner Letson said this project will effectively eliminate yard space for some residents the new sidewalks will impact. Commissioner Thompson made a motion to table the changes to the Multi-Modal Grant until citizens have a chance to voice their opinions. Commissioner Letson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously on roll call vote.
The next item to be voted on was the purchase of a new or used dump truck for the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, Public Works Department, and other departments that may need to use it. It was explained that the dump truck the city has been using for a long time is now completely broken down and in need of a new motor. The city currently has only a 16-foot trailer to use for hauling things. Commissioner Prince made a motion to look for an affordable dump truck for the city, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Thompson. The motion carried unanimously.
Departmental reports were next. Parks and Recreation Director Eddie Simmons said his department was just trying to keep up with the mowing, as is usual this time of year. Commissioner Thompson recommended that the Parks and Rec employees consider attending herbicide education training, and the other commissioners verbally agreed that would be a good idea.
Public Works Director James Evans gave a brief oral report on his department and stated that utility customers would be receiving a survey they should complete.
The Clifton Fire Chief reported that in recent weeks there were five medical helicopter flights and one motor vehicle accident.
Police Chief Steve Wilson reported that his department is back up to full staff. One officer is currently in special training.
Main Street Director Shawnee Iacono said there was a good turnout at the recent RiverLine Beat the Heat kayak event. She then said that Clifton Main Street, Clifton Chamber of Commerce, and Clifton Rotary Club would be partnering to host a public event on July 3rd from 11am-2pm. More details are to come later on this event.
Acting City Manager Haines said she has just been doing her best to keep the city running.
The next portion of the agenda allowed citizens to address the commission. The first lady to do so was Ms. Jane Humphreys. Ms. Humphreys said she moved to Clifton five years ago and still doesn’t know many of the residents, including Doug Kibbey, but she loves the community. She went on to plainly express to the commission how shameful she believed it was to terminate Mr. Kibbey the way they did in May. [Editor’s note: for reference, Clifton City Manager Doug Kibbey was fired from his position at the last meeting and was escorted out of the building. No reason was given to the public as to why Mr. Kibbey was terminated.]
Ms. Humphreys stated several times that Mr. Kibbey was a veteran, which made the manner of his termination even more shameful. She said Mr. Kibbey had been humiliated, and the manner of his termination was very disrespectful. Ms. Humphreys’ comments received a round of applause from what appeared to be most of those in attendance.
Another citizen stood to make a comment, stating that council meetings are supposed to be transparent, and there had been nothing transparent about Mr. Kibbey’s termination. He said one commissioner had admitted a personal problem with Mr. Kibbey, and that was not a good reason to fire someone. Another round of applause came from the audience after those comments.
Jeff Minatra of Collier Engineering addressed the commission next. He gave them a proposal for an on-call contract between the city and himself to be able to provide his services when needed. Mr. Minatra spoke of his years of experience working with grants, and said the city may be needing help in that area in the coming months. Commissioner Thompson made a motion to table the matter until further study of the proposal can take place.
At that point of the meeting, Commissioner Letson made a motion to reinstate Doug Kibbey to his position as Clifton City Manager. Commissioner Letson said that in his opinion, the city needs Mr. Kibbey to oversee the completion of the new water plant, as he has been working on the project since the beginning. He pointed out that after Mr. Kibbey rescinded his letter of resignation last March, his contract was extended until March 1st, 2026.
Commissioner Francis seconded the motion to reinstate Doug Kibbey. The motion failed on roll call vote with Commissioners Letson and Francis voting yes, and Mayor Staggs, Commissioner Prince, and Commissioner Thompson voting no.
Commissioner Francis said the city needs Mr. Kibbey back, and it was reckless to terminate him in the way it was done. He reiterated Commissioner Letson’s statement that the city especially needs Mr. Kibbey during the new water plant construction.
Commissioner Thompson said the termination of Mr. Kibbey had done more to divide the community than to unite it. He went on to say he thought Mr. Kibbey was “in over his head” with the water plant project, which was met by much laughter from the audience.
At that time, another attendee asked to address the commission, but was told by Mayor Staggs “we done had public comment,” and the audience member was unable to continue.
In closing, Mayor Staggs made the statement, “If you don’t know the whole story on something, you might not ought to be here.” He then stated the meeting was adjourned.
[Editor’s note: The Wayne County News asked both Mayor Staggs and Attorney Hinson for a comment or explanation of Mr. Kibbey’s termination, but we were told “no comment” by both.]