Censure of SLT City Councilmember JoAnn Conner to be discussed at special meeting

For the first time in South Lake Tahoe City Council history, the censure of one of their own is on a meeting agenda.

The censure of first term Councilmember JoAnn Conner is the only item on the agenda of a special meeting on Monday, October 19 at 3 p.m. According to the published agenda, there is a resolution that will be voted on, accusing Conner of being disrespectful towards other Councilmembers during public meetings, creating a hostile work environment by verbally attacking City employees including City Manager Nancy Kerry, been hostile and demeaning to persons who have provided testimony or opinions in public meetings, and has acted in a manner that has caused the Agency partners to decline to or be reluctant to work with Conner. The resolution also says Conner has acted in a manner during public meetings that has been alleged in an editorial in local media to be bullying, ridiculing and scolding, which impacts the respect the public has for the City and the City Council.

"I have no idea what I’ve done so I can’t explain it," Conner told South Tahoe Now. "I can’t defend it if I don't know what it is. This is just crazy."

Conner said she feels these actions are to assassinate her character before the next election and stem from a code enforcement issue two years ago.

"I have never experienced this degree of bullying in my entire life," said Conner. "They feel entitled to nitpick and are questioning my hand gestures during meetings, when I clear my throat, and my facial features."

On September 15, City Attorney Tom Watson directed the City's Executive Team to inform their team members that no further direct communication between Conner and employees would be allowed until further notice.

City Manager Nancy Kerry said that both she and Watson have a legal responsibility to the City and its employees to take actions that will protect their privacy.

This will "allow them to report their concerns and assert their rights to employment in a place free from potential harassment or a hostile work environment," said Kerry.

Conner said the City has blocked her from emailing the City Clerk to get information, or to conduct personal business via her personal email with other Councilmembers.

"I can’t get any information from them," said Conner. "I want to know charges, circumstances of complaints, and dates, but they won't give them to me."

Conner said she objected to her emails to other people being intercepted by Kerry.

"The City requires City Councilmember’s communications to go through the City Manager to protect employees from political influence and to provide one source of consistent direction," said Kerry.

"I am very forthright and I get passionate but I don’t threaten and I don’t’ scream and yell," said Conner. "I have City employees come up to me and say they don’t understand what is going on. Who I am supposed to have offended?"

During a February 21, 2015 workshop, relationships between Council and staff were discussed. Mayor Hal Cole called for the censure, saying Conner's demeanor, attitude or respect for others has not changed since February.

On October 19th's meeting at Council Chambers, Conner will be able to address the situation and everything listed in the proposed resolution. She told South Tahoe Now that she is considering legal representation at that meeting.

If the resolution is passed, it means that the Mayor and other City Councilmembers are publicly scolding Conner and are separating themselves from her alleged behavior. It is a disciplinary move and has no legal penalty involved.