DAPHNE, Ala.—The City Council at Monday’s regular business meeting upheld its stripping of Mayor Fred Small’s hiring authority with a 5-2 rejection of Small’s veto against the ordinance.

Councilmen Greg Burnam and Ron Scott continued to vote ‘nay.’

“It’s nothing unusual for legislative bodies and mayors to have discussions about powers,” former Baldwin County District Attorney David Whetstone said.

“What is unusual is to have some misunderstandings about how things work and what rules apply.”

He added that the council, in its current structure, has a great deal of power.

“You set policy,” he said. “By taking appointing authority, you take away the power of the mayor to run the city.”

Whetstone said issues occasionally arise when a council member speaks as an individual.

“A council speaks as a unit,” he said.

Whetstone asked that the council not create a system that causes confusion over who is in charge, especially with an approaching hurricane season.

“Do not confuse who is in charge in a time of emergency,” he said.

During public participation, resident David Preston suggested a compromise between Small and the council.

His proposal would allow the council to maintain hiring authority but would include regular input from Small—including making recommendations—about hiring prospective department heads.

Councilman August Palumbo expressed his disdain for this topic.

“This is the fourth prolonged discussion on this matter,” he said.

Burnam asked, “Why is this coming up? Why was it not ever discussed at an ordinance, council meeting or work session?”

Council President John Lake said Burnam received his answer at the last council meeting two weeks ago.

Burnam denied ever getting a straight answer.

“I understand the how,” he said, referring to how the ordinance—or motion, originally—made it to agenda.

“But what about the why?”

“Because several council members felt like it needed to be brought up,” Lake said.

Flustered, Scott asked if committees are even necessary since, according to him, a couple of council members can circumvent protocol—regarding getting an item on an agenda—by simply approaching Lake and asking.

“It’s obvious we’re not working a harmonious relationship,” he said.

Scott expressed favor for Preston’s compromise proposal and then asked what the department-head hiring process would involve.

“What is the process,” he asked. “We need to get some kind of policy.”

Lake said that job descriptions will soon be e-mailed to council members.

In other business:

The city will select an engineering firm after July 31, when all bids have been submitted.

“From there, we’ll be able to tell which firm we’ll select,” Small said. “We’re not just sitting on our hands. We’re moving forward.”

Councilman Derek Boulware asked when construction will begin.

“My goal was to get it done before school starts,” Small said. “It’ll be no later than October. It’ll move fairly quickly after July 31.”

He said the city will meet with Alabama Department of Transportation representatives Tuesday about upgrading the surface at the intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and County Road 64.

Small said he’d like to see the Trione Sports Complex get lighting, restrooms and a concession stand.

“I think we need to look at other revenue streams without raising taxes,” he said.