In previous LOVE articles, I discussed the problem with Town Manager, Mary Jacobs, disregarding established Town Policies. I specifically discussed her violations of Town Policy #6 and Town Policy #11.
Recent Violation: State Statute requiring 24 hours’ notice of meetings
The Council Meeting agenda for the May 18, 2022 meeting was amended. However, the amended agenda was not posted within 24 hours of the meeting in accordance with State Law.
The open meeting law requires at least 24 hours’ notice of meetings to the members of the public body and the general public. A.R.S. § 38-431.02(C). Notice must be posted on the public body’s website, unless otherwise permitted by statute.
Notice must also be posted at any other electronic or physical locations identified in the disclosure statement and by giving additional notice as is reasonable and practicable. A.R.S. § 38-431.02(A)(1) through (4).
“Clerical Error” or just more negligence?
When this was brought to the attention of Town Manager, Mary Jacobs, her response was that the Council was notified within 24 hours. Although this is true -- the Council was emailed about the amended agenda at 5:52 PM on May 17, 2022 (8 minutes shy of the required notice) --the public was not notified until 7:58 AM on the day of the meeting (just 10 hours before the meeting) in violation of State Law. She blamed it on a “clerical error.”
A pattern of behavior
The primary problem is that Ms. Jacobs continues to violate Town Policies (and now State Law). But the secondary problem is that the Mayor/Council are allowing her to do this without reprimand. It appears that instead of Mayor Winfield and the Town Council managing Mary Jacobs, that Jacobs is managing them. Again, I ask, when will this stop?
How about a non-binding raise?
Additionally, Ms. Jacobs has advised the Council that they are not bound by past Council motions/decisions. As a result, the yearly $120,000 payback from the Community Center Fund to the General Fund (as promised and mandated by the Hiremath Council in 2015) is not binding. Funny how the Town never told us this in 2015 when this “promise” was made.
But, hey, if previous council decisions are not binding, does this mean that the $20,000 raise that the Hiremath Council gave Ms. Jacobs is not binding and can be withdrawn as well?
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Mike Zinkin and his wife have lived in Oro Valley since 1998. He served on the Oro Valley Development Review Board from 2005-2009, the Board of Adjustment from 2011-2012, and the Town Council from 2012-2016. He was named a Fellow for the National League of Cities. He was a member of the NLC Steering Committee for Community and Economic Development and a member of the Arizona League of Cities Budget and Economic Development Committee. He was an Air Traffic Controller for 30 years. Mike has a Bachelor’s degree in history and government from the University of Arizona and a Master’s degree in Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education from California State University, Northridge
