Story Created:
Sep 9, 2010 at 9:22 AM PST
Story Updated:
Sep 23, 2010 at 12:16 PM PST
COMPTON — After a five-hour meeting, followed by a 90-minute closed session, the City Council voted unanimously early Wednesday morning to sever ties with its city manager.
Charles Evans, who was appointed city manager in July 2008 after serving as interim city manager for a year, will be replaced by City Controller Willie Norfleet while a search is launched for a permanent manager. In the meantime, Norfleet will be charged with filling two assistant city manager positions.
Evans began his career with the city 28 years ago when he began in the risk management office before being promoted to assistant city manager in 2004.
On Wednesday morning, however, Evans’ run with the city was halted when Mayor Eric Perrodin and council members Willie Jones, Barbara Calhoun and Lillie Dobson voted to end his three-year contract. Councilwoman Yvonne Arceneaux was absent.
According to city records, Evans was paid a base salary of $185,000 per year, but his total taxable compensation amounted to approximately $292,000 in 2009. Included in the contract is a severance package of six months’ salary and pay for any unused sick, vacation or leave time.
Perrodin did not respond to press inquiries, but in a statement given to The Times, the mayor said he thought “it was time to go in a new direction.” The report further added that Perrodin wants the next city manager’s main priority to be focused on the reinstatement of the Compton Police Department, which was disbanded in 2000 due to alleged corruption. The city ended its contract with the Sheriff’s Department in June and voted to re-establish a city law enforcement agency.
In past council meetings, Evans has been ridiculed by the City Council who have been displeased with his ability to effectively manage staff. On multiple occasions either Evans or his staff were not prepared to present the council will full details on items they were scheduled to vote on that day. And in some cases, where deadlines drew near, the council was forced to make rash decisions.
Residents also took notice and at several council meetings called Evans “unqualified” to do the job, and have even said he “lacks vision.”
Due to these factors, resident Joyce Kelly said she was not surprised by Evans’ dismissal.
“Perrodin had been talking that way for a while,’ she said. “He has been trying to discipline him. ... And he has stated how he has let other city managers go. I think the timing was different.”
Kelly added that while she was content with the city’s decision, she believes that “there was an agreement because Charles knows that if the cards fall he can get into a lot of trouble if he is investigated,” she said. “And I believe that if he is investigated he will take other people with him. He knows the ins and outs of what happens in the city.”
And while resident William Kemp said he was not put off by Evans as a person, he felt he lacked leadership skills. But Kemp sees the council’s action as more of a way to “scapegoat” Evans, seeing as though residents have begun a recall against four members of the council, alleging mishandling of public funds.
Recent reports also have surfaced that a number of the council members, like those in the city of Bell, have been paid for city meetings they often do not attend.
“I wasn’t surprised,” Kemp said. “I believe that Evans is the scapegoat for corruption that is taking place in the city.”
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