Office Space
From: Julie Akins
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2021 12:23 PM
To: Adam Hanks
Cc: Melissa Huhtala; Tighe O'Meara; Tina Gray
Subject: Office moves
Adam,
I found out yesterday that you chose to move offices and are now occupying the Mayor's office. But that's not your office to take. It does not belong to you but to the people. City Hall is their house, their place for redress and the Mayor's Office represents them in governance. It's important that we send our residents the appropriate message of respect and reverence. I'm concerned that this may have escaped you in your thinking.
Here's what I've concluded: The Mayor's physical office has for many years been occupied by the elected mayor of this community on the second floor in its usual location and I expect no less than my predecessors.
You did not discuss this with me nor give me the courtesy of letting me know about this despite several conversations regarding the office and one in particular on the day you were moving. In fact, I asked numerous times to be allowed into my office and you prevented me.
Additionally, the City Recorder is also an elected official and she is tasked with keeping our community records and history. She needs a proper office with a lock and privacy so she may discuss matters of importance with voters, press and staff. It's my understanding she too has been moved. That also needs to be corrected.
The person elected as mayor is tasked with important and sometimes controversial decision making and leadership. It is unsafe and uncomfortable for confidentiality sake to place the mayor in a fishbowl on the sidewalk with a large window. Maybe you didn't consider that, but you should have. That's the kind of thing a City Manager should be able to predict, consider and communicate. I've copied the police chief on this for that safety reason. You are aware that groups like the "Proud Boys" have threatened the safety of elected officials who view the world through an equity lens, are you not? You are aware that I have an address that is a public record and that I have already received death threats for my various positions, are you not?
To be clear: that does not mean putting the mayor's office in a windowless room in the basement and claiming safety. It means putting the mayor in her office on the second floor, near staff where constituents can be comfortable and met in the same way they have come to expect. It means restoring the mayor's office to its rightful location out of shear respect for the office and the people who elect the mayor who are your and my boss. Period. Full stop.
I will overlook, the disrespect and poor communication for the moment and direct you to move the offices back no later than January 15 as I will be conducting the people's business on that day and other days as I see fit.
Please advise me that you have received this email and plan to correct the misunderstanding immediately.
Julie Akins
Mayor, City of Ashland
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Adam Hanks
Tue 1/5/2021 3:45 PM
To: Julie Akins
Cc:
Tighe O'Meara;
Tina Gray;
Melissa Huhtala
Julie,
This was discussed in a Council meeting in which you attended (Oct 20, 2020). The item was brought forward mutually by Mayor Stromberg and I with a package of items relating to the May 2020 Charter changes. The office moves were openly discussed and received multiple positive comments from individual Councilors (and no objections) as an improvement for public access to their elected officials.
I have concerns with your characterizations of my professional handling of this matter given the open and proactive actions taken contrary to your depiction. Should you desire to request Council to direct me to resolve this matter in the manner and timeframe you have demanded, an agenda item can be placed on the January 19 Council business meeting. I have copied (bcc) Council on this email should they wish to place this on a future agenda as well.
Adam
Adam Hanks|City Manager Pro Tem
City of Ashland
20 East Main St|Ashland,OR 97520
541-552-2046|541-488-6006 (fax)
adam@ashland.or.us
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From: Julie Akins <julie@council.ashland.or.us>
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2021 12:51 PM
To: Melissa Huhtala <melissa.huhtala@ashland.or.us>; Adam Hanks <adam.hanks@ashland.or.us>
Cc: Tighe O'Meara <tighe.omeara@ashland.or.us>; Tina Gray <Tina.Gray@ashland.or.us>
Subject: Re: Office moves
Fair enough.
I'm sorry if I wrongly evoked your name.
I am, however, not fine with my new space.
Julie