Imagine, if you will, the tension-filled scene at Seaside City Hall this week: A special meeting of the city council--called at the 11th hour. The group is tucked away behind closed doors discussing--according to the posted meeting agenda--personnel matters related to City Manager Tim Brown. Meanwhile, local media sit like stuffed animals, waiting for a break in the session. What went on? Councilmembers sans the recently defeated, vacationing Mayor Don Jordan broke their silence, only to state nothing had been decided.

But hark, the agenda may yield some clues: Under discussion was "Personnel-Government Code Section 54957"--specifically "public employee appointment, public employment, public employee performance evaluation" and "public employee discipline/dismissal/ release," as it related to the city manager.

Naturally, Brown''s future is of interest to city employees--many of whom joined in an earlier "no-confidence vote" of Brown. Voters will also want to know what''s shaking since they heard the management issue debated as part of this month''s elections.

Stay tuned. The council is slated to take up this mysterious topic again.

A Sign of Leadership

Last week the Seaside City Council rejected a legal claim for $62.50 filed last month by former Seaside councilmember and recent mayoral candidate Gert Foreman.

Foreman filed the claim for a campaign sign that she contends was damaged by city employees. But her claim could end up costing the city a pretty penny. This from someone who was hoping to lead Seaside into a (presumably) fiscally sound future.

Blast From The Past?

In response to a lawsuit filed by the local Fort Ord Toxics Project, the Army agreed last week to reevaluate its cleanup at Fort Ord under Superfund law, and study other, possibly better technologies to remove unexploded ordnance.

What about land that has already been transferred, like CSUMB, or is pending transfer, like the 70 acres at the former Fritzsche Air Field?

Who knows, but Army Captain Will Koon of the Judge Advocates Office at the Presidio of Monterey, says the Army plans to ask state officials to allow them to go ahead and transfer land already "cleaned" to Marina, irrespective of new studies.

That means the Army agrees it may not have removed all the unexploded ordnance under the procedures and safety levels required by federal Superfund law, but feels the land in question is safe anyway.

What''s a few bombs among friends?

Bait Squid: squid@coastweekly.com

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