Discussions surrounding the forfeiture of salaries for Argo’s city council members continued during yesterday’s council meeting as the council went into executive session.

Councilman Steve Medori raised issues of concern regarding the legality of the motion passed by the council on Dec. 21, 2011, requiring council members to forfeit salary based on the number of meetings council members failed to attend during their time in office.

The motion passed in Dec. was done in accordance with section four of Ordinance 2008-209 that was adopted and approved Feb. 11, 2008 and went into effect Nov. 3, 2008, when the current council took office.

Medori said at the time the motion was passed, nobody on the council was aware any legal guidance.  “It was not available when the motion was approved.”  Medori informed the council about regulation in the Alabama state code that prohibits a reduction in pay for elected officials, calling the motion, “invalid, inappropriate and illegal.  It seems to me we have a responsibility to do the right thing here.”

Following open discussion Mayor Paul Jennings made a motion, asking the council to move into executive session to continue salary discussions.  

After the council returned to open session, Mayor Jennings presented the mayor’s report in which he pardoned council members from forfeiture salary for previously missed meetings from Nov. 3, 2008 to Dec. 21, 2011.

Mayor Jennings said the ordinance as passed by the previous administration should be in no way misconstrued as invalid.

Previous and current council member s pardoned forfeiture of salary included: Jaimie Curlee for $100, Bill Leake ,$100; George Howell, 483.33; Herschel Phillips, $100 and Steve Medori, $1,123.32. Council members Leake and Phillips refused the pardon.  Leake said he already paid the fine, and Phillips said he intended to pay his portion.  Councilman Bill Rutledge was also fined but told Mayor Jennings prior to the meeting that like Leake and Phillips, he refused to accept the pardon.

“I think we can all agree that there is ambiguity in this ordinance,” Councilman Rutledge said.  “We need to put our heads together to clarify this ordinance.”  

Rutledge asked the council to consider possible solutions for revising the ordinance and bringing those ideas before the council at the next meeting.

Revisions that need to be made to the ordinance regarding salary for council members need to be completed by February, six months prior to the time newly elected officials will take office.  Changes made will not go into effect until that time.