North Las Vegas Council approves manager’s performance in split vote

By Jeff Pope

Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009 | 9:39 a.m.

North Las Vegas City Manager Gregory Rose appears still to have a majority of support on the City Council.

On Wednesday night, three of the five council members voted to approve Rose’s annual performance review. Mayor Pro Tem William Robinson and Councilman Robert Eliason cast the dissenting votes and are the same two who have criticized him and voted against his contract amendments and extensions for the past two years.

The review does not affect Rose’s salary, but Eliason and Robinson raised changes they would like to see made to his latest contract, which runs through September 2013.

Although the city council seats and city manager position are non-partisan, the two long-time councilmen accused Rose of playing politics to benefit himself at the city’s expense.

According to Robinson, Rose brings contracts before the council only when he’s sure he has the three votes necessary for them to pass. Rose denies the accusation.

“The problem I have with you, Gregory -- and I still have it (although) maybe it’s not as great as it was -- you were counting votes,” Robinson said. “I understand that game. I could write a book on it. I don’t expect to see it anymore.”

Eliason said he had a problem with a provision of Rose’s contract that protects him from being fired for 90 days after a new council member is elected or appointed.

The newest member, Richard Cherchio, was appointed July 15. Eliason asked Rose if he would waive that clause.

“It’s not a level playing field then,” Eliason said. “He can approach us and change the contract but we can’t do anything during that time period.”

Rose initially refused and said he had that clause added in his last contract, approved June 3, in exchange for concessions he made, which included an $11,000 pay cut.

“This is more of a cause of political reasons that prevents you from terminating the contract,” Rose said.

After some discussion, Rose changed his mind and said he would waive the contentious clause.

“I think it is that important for the community and I think it is that important for the staff to know one way or the other what is the council’s position,” he said.

Robinson said the contract should be reviewed even if it isn’t changed.

The council can review the city manager’s contract at any time if a majority wishes to, City Attorney Carie Torrence said. That would require at least three votes, something Robinson and Eliason have not had.

Eliason asked Torrence what would be necessary to amend the contract that was approved before Cherchio and Councilwoman Anita Wood joined the board.

The council and Rose would have to agree on any changes otherwise the contract would be terminated after the 90-day cooling off period, Torrence said.

Robinson said firing Rose would be costly to the city because he would be guaranteed 100 percent of his sick days. Rose estimated he has accumulated 800 sick days, which would be paid in full if he is terminated before July 1, 2010.

Rose earns about $200,000 annually.

“What we have here is a built-in savings account,” Robinson said.

Mayor Shari Buck has supported Rose during the divisive contract renewals and said she has found many city employees support him also.

“Even though times are very difficult, as I met with these employees, everybody is so happy to work for the city and they feel very good about being here with this organization,” she said.

Buck said the council initiated the change in the contract last time, not Rose.

Rose is the city’s fourth manager since 1994. In 2003, he replaced Kurt Fritsch, who was fired after three years in the post.

“Under my administrative leadership, that while I may not be willing to just anything to keep my job, I will do everything to serve citizens better,” Rose said.

During the presentation on his past year’s performance, Rose heaped praise for every accomplishment on the department managers.

In the past year, the city has managed to balance the budget with declining revenues without laying off employees or raising taxes; broke ground on a new city hall, regional park and multi-generational center; opened a new library and fire station; annexed lands in Apex for an industrial park; lowered crime – all due to the efforts of city employees, according to Rose.