Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter News Analyst
Last night the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) gave Joe Gerrity a big thumbs up during their evaluation of his first six months on the job as City Manager. Four commissioners commented publicly.
Vice Mayor Jeffrey Bunch reported that he had met privately with the city manager several weeks ago and discussed with him what he felt was both good and bad about Gerrity’s performance. Bunch said that he would not share that discussion publicly.
Commissioner Sarah Pelican also said that she would not share her private discussion with Gerrity in public. She did report, however, that she has been approached by members of the public who did not initially support Gerrity’s appointment, who have told her, “We were wrong, you were right.” She said that both citizens and employees are happy with Gerrity’s performance and that “the tone has changed dramatically [for the better]” at City Hall.
Commissioner Charlie Corbett also said that he had given Gerrity an oral evaluation privately. He cited his belief that Gerrity has improved communications and is moving the city forward.
Mayor Arlene Filkoff spoke last, gently reminding both Gerrity and the public that Gerrity had not been her first or second choice for city manager. This comment elicited a chuckle from Gerrity who acknowledged that Filkoff has brought that up on occasion. Filkoff went on to say that she has realized that Gerrity, like herself, is an introvert, and takes time to process information before responding. This characteristic can be frustrating to those in the community who want immediate engagement on an issue or problem. But she went on to say that she has been “positively surprised” by his responsiveness to her criticisms and encouraged him to continue focusing the city commission on its job, as opposed to the job of the city manager.
Filkoff told Gerrity that his biggest challenge in the year ahead will be the budget. She encouraged him to work on “re-engineering“ the city so that important work can continue to be done despite declining revenues. She said one of the problems for the commission is that it doesn’t necessarily see the work that goes on in the city by city employees.
Gerrity responded positively to the points raised in the discussion. He acknowledged that he needed to “move more quickly out of my comfort zone.” He reminded commissioners that he is working with 12 fewer employees than a year ago. He said, “I’ve got a lot of weaknesses, but I am learning. I am thrilled to be here.”
The Mayor did not solicit departing Commissioner Tim Poynter’s input; nor did Poynter ask to weigh in. When contacted after the meeting, Poynter responded, “The opinions of the commissioners who will continue to serve with Mr. Gerrity are what count.”
The evaluation discussion, which lasted approximately six minutes, came at the end of the agenda for their December 4, 2012 meeting, the final meeting for commissioners Jeffrey Bunch and Tim Poynter, both of whom turn over their positions to new commissioners Pat Gass and Ed Boner on December 18. This was also the last meeting chaired by Mayor Arlene Filkoff, who will resume her seat as commissioner on December 18 following the reorganization meeting. During that meeting she will pass the gavel to Commissioner Sarah Pelican following the expected commission vote to ratify the results of the mayoral straw poll vote from November.
December 5, 2012 3:38 p.m.