No details released on city boss review

For about 30 minutes the Fort Smith Board of Directors reviewed in executive session the performance of City Administrator Dennis Kelly. Kelly was then called in for a more than 35 minute session with the board.

The formal reporting of those 65-plus minutes took less than 6.5 seconds.

Mayor Ray Baker said the board discussed his “strengths and weaknesses” and that no salary adjustment was made. With salary and benefits, Kelly makes about $145,000 a year.

When asked about the review, Kelly offered no specifics. He said the discussion was “good, positive and constructive.” When pressed for details, Kelly said he couldn’t share details of the back-and-forth discussion. When asked simply to share what he told the board, he declined to comment.

City Director Gary Campbell wouldn’t share specifics of the discussion, but said he understands the media and any public frustration about being kept in the dark about what an elected board thinks of the job performance of the city’s day-to-day administrator.

To that end, Campbell said the city needs to consider a more formal approach to evaluating the city administrator. The city does not have a formal review process for the city administrator. Campbell said that is unfair and unproductive to all parties, because the city administrator doesn’t know what is being measured and the city board doesn’t have unified measurement standards.

“We need to do that,” Campbell said about creating a more formal evaluation structure.

OTHER CITY BUSINESS
• The board voted to allow up to 40 Fort Smith Police Department employees to have a take-home vehicle. In August 2008 the city board voted to greatly restrict the policy allowing city employees to use city vehicles to drive between home and work. The policy most directly hit the Fort Smith Police Department. Only City Director Kevin Settle voted against the policy change.

• The board also voted to vacate a public right-of-way in the property — formerly the historic ball fields most recently used by a local girls softball league — Andrew donated by the city for expansion of the Fort Smith National Cemetery. John Spruyt, cemetery director, said the expansion is projected to meet burial needs for up to 50 years. There also was discussion of securing a memorial at or near the home plate of the historic Andrews Field, according to City Administrator Dennis Kelly. Initial research suggests that several legendary baseball players, to include Mickey Mantle, once played at the field.

• Ticket and party prices at The Park at West End were approved by the board. The board recently approved a one-year plan to operate The Park at West End. Owned by Phil White and Charlie Still, the park opened in 2006 and features a 1935 World’s Fair Ferris Wheel, a hand painted Bertazzon Carousel made in Italy, a Double Decker Bus and a dining car from a passenger train. The park is located at North Second Street near the Garrison Avenue Bridge and the 201 Garrison Ave. parking lot.

Ticket prices were set a $1 for Ferris Wheel and carousel rides. A one-hour birthday party will cost $5 per patron. A private party before or after normal hours will cost $350. A private party during regular operating hours is to cost $750.