Williams butts heads with Polson city council, again

The Polson City Council meetings continued their contentious tone as resident Bob Williams again squared off with council members and the mayor for the second meeting in a row.

Two weeks ago, Williams presented the council with a letter from his attorney outlining concerns he had over perceived conflicts of interest among council members, especially their relationship with council member and developer Mike Maddy.

Phase I of Maddy's proposed Cougar Ridge subdivision came before the board last month, but a vote was tabled until a water study done on behalf of the city would be available. Maddy was absent from Monday's meeting.

Council members have grown increasingly irritated with Williams' accusations and his refusal to fill out meeting agenda item forms, which council members say would allow them to better prepare for and address some of his concerns voiced at the meetings.

Monday night's meeting was no different, as councilman Tom Corse reminded the board that they approved an agenda item at the last meeting which mandated that citizens fill out an agenda form.

"This is not in any way an attempt to limit the public's access to this council," Corse said.

Williams provided written notification to the city of his intent to speak on two different agenda items, but still refused to fill out a form, saying it was an attempt to stifle him.

"We don't feel that any citizen should be (pre) qualified to talk to the council," Williams said. "You're not here to critique us, you're here to address our concerns."

Citizens who spoke on the matter were divided.

"It's a shame it's gotten so adversarial between council and its constituency. If you want to be friendly, you can do it in a friendly way," Rory Horning said of the meetings' tone over the past few weeks.

"It's not unusual what you are doing (requesting an agenda form be filled out). This is the way to get business done, according to Robert's Rules of Order," Linn Carlson said.

"Most meetings, if you're going to have an intelligent meeting, you have an agenda," said Rick Skates.

Williams outlined more of his concerns when the Polson Citizens for Better Government agenda came up later in the meeting.

Among his concerns were that council members have so far refused to provide conflict-of-interest disclosures following Williams' initial request for them in December, and that there is continued assessment of water and subdivision issues, that, in Williams' opinion, certain council members could benefit financially from.

"We think Mr. Ingram as well as Mr. Maddy have real serious conflicts," he said. "You continue in the process of reviewing subdivisions and water issues knowing these conflicts exist."

Earlier in the meeting, the council voted on approving public fund investments based on bids from local banks. Mayor Randy Ingram, a 1st Citizen's Bank board member, abstained from voting.

Council members bristled at the suggestion that they were engaged in unethical behavior simply for reviewing subdivision proposals.

"Did you go to the county attorney (with your allegations)?" Ingram asked Williams.

Williams conceded that he had and that Bob Long had decided further investigation was not necessary.

"We've got a clan hiding under a sheet here," councilman Jules Clavadetscher said of Williams' PCBG group. "How many people do you have in your group?"

"You've intimidated a lot of people, but that's over with," Williams said to the council.

"We just want to know who you are … as individuals," Clavadetscher replied.

"We're Polson Citizens for Better Government," said Williams.

"I feel disrespected in many ways. You mimic, you laugh, you snicker. I feel that's disrespectful," Williams' wife Brenda told the council.

She asked council members to fill out conflict-of-interest statements and to publish in local media outlets their reasons for being on the board.

"I'm happy to tell members of the media about all the business relationships I'm involved in," Ingram said.

Corse reiterated his feeling that Williams established PCBG in an effort to shield himself from liability, saying corporations are to hide identities.

"I think its very insulting to say a corporation is hiding something. People who are willing to take on something like this, it's frightening," Margie Hendricks said of the fear some people have of speaking in public in front of a city council.

Corse apologized to Hendricks, but reiterated his reservations about Williams' group.

Earlier in the meeting, council members approved a response letter to Williams' attorney as part of the consent agenda. Details of the letter were not immediately available.

Elsa Duford asked the council if a copy of the council agenda could be made available to local media to keep folks informed of upcoming discussions. Ingram said the city should try to accommodate that request, and also put the agenda on the city's Web site, www.cityofpolson.com

The next city council meeting will be Monday, April 18.