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Tempe votes to fire City Manager Meyer By Dianna Nanez The Republic | azcentral.com Mon Jan 28, 2013 5:30 PM Charlie Meyer was fired Monday as Tempe city manager by a 5-2 vote. Council members Onnie Shekerjian and Kolby Granville voted to retain Meyer, 60, who had held the position since 2007. Mayor Mark Mitchell and council members Robin Arredondo-Savage, Shana Ellis, Joel Navarro and Corey Woods voted for dismissal, citing issues that included lack of communication skills. Meyer, who made $188,989, did not attend. Council chambers were about half full for the 4 p.m. meeting, and several residents spoke in favor of Meyer, noting that he had led the city out of a difficult financial situation during his tenure. Shekerjian and Granville echoed that praise. Woods, however, noted an e-mail that Meyer sent Friday to every city employee indicating that he expected to be fired soon. It included a scathing quotation that appeared to be directed toward the City Council. Woods termed the e-mail unfortunate and unprofessional. The council appointed Meyer in 2007, when Hugh Hallman was mayor. Less than two years later, the council narrowly approved Meyer’s at-will employment contract on a 4-3 vote at a September 2009 meeting. At the time, Meyer drew high praise as well as criticism that included claims that he ignored workers’ complaints of discrimination at the hands of department chiefs. Council members Mitchell, Navarro and Ben Arredondo voted against approving Meyer’s contract. Hallman, Ellis, Shekerjian and Woods voted in favor of it. In the years since, Meyer has received praise for his handling of the budget, managing cutbacks and the first layoffs in Tempe’s history. However, Tempe has dealt with several high-profile problems in recent years, including a scandal that led to the resignation of the city’s fire chief. Residents were critical of Meyer’s decision to ban televising the public-comments period of City Council meetings. The decision sparked criticism over the public’s free-speech rights. |