Details reasoning behind two new top positions and plan to move city away from ‘antiquated’ model
MANDEVILLE — Mayor Clay Madden has released an open letter to the citizens of Mandeville on social media asking for their support getting his embattled staff restructuring plan adopted by the City Council.
Madden lays out his reasoning for the proposal, which includes the now-controversial “director of administration” position, which he argues came from the findings of the 2021 Mandeville Efficiency Study, conducted when he entered office. Critics of the plan say the new post is not justified by the recent efficiency report.
In an effort to keep the community informed, the Mandeville Daily’s policy is to report and publish such statements or letters from the chief executive when deemed appropriate. The issue is up for a vote at the April 22 council meeting.
Editor’s Note: The Mandeville Daily was granted a one-on-one interview with the mayor to discuss these issues and more. That story is in development and will be published shortly. To be notified of breaking stories, click the “Follow” button in the lower-right screen.
Here is the text of Mandeville Mayor Clay Madden’s open letter published on social media April 13, 2021:
Dear Friends,
As is common practice in government, new leadership often brings change to an existing organization. You may recall that I commissioned an operational efficiency audit shortly after taking office.
That report pointed out operational deficiencies in city government. The first seven months of my term have confirmed those and other deficiencies, such as lack of centralized contract oversight, lack of comprehensive emergency operations plans, lack of proper interdepartmental operations management, outdated technology, etc.
In addition to moving forward with updated financial software and other implementation actions, I have proposed to the council Ordinance # 21-08 which includes two new positions: a director of administration and a contracts/grants administrator.
The Director of Administration will operate under the direct supervision and authority of the Mayor and will basically be responsible for interdepartmental coordination and initiation and oversight of administrative projects.
I am committed to meet and exceed your expectations as an accessible and responsive mayor involved in your issues and concerns, and working closely with the city council to advance the goals/vision for the city.
As mayor and chief executive officer of the city I remain focused on providing you with an efficient and effective government that works for you, with an emphasis on addressing long standing, unresolved, big picture problems such as water management/flooding, traffic, getting empty retail back into commerce and others. Mandeville is in competition with other municipalities for big project dollars needed to address these and other issues.
Other local mayors, with Director of Administration positions already in place, are afforded more time and effort to compete for big project dollars. Mandeville must do the same and have an administrative structure that allows the mayor time to focus on the big picture and the future.
The position of Grants and Contracts Administrator will establish a position focused on actively seeking grant money, saving taxpayer money. Grant funding can provide for not only critical infrastructure projects but also beautification, parks, purchase of green space cultural arts , and other projects which will enrich our community. Additionally, this position will provide much needed centralized oversight of all city contracts, a weakness identified in the operations efficiency audit.
The addition of both of these proposed positions will come at no additional cost to taxpayers as we will realize a cost savings from eliminating positions deemed no longer necessary. In fact, the long term goal is to have the grants/contracts position pay for itself, as has been demonstrated in other cities.
The current antiquated business model at City Hall has not been working effectively. Doing things the same old way does not adequately address current and future needs and goals. Mandeville is overdue to realign our business model to meet our challenges. With my plan, we will be able to do new things, correct things needing to be fixed, focus on major issues affecting our city and quality of life, streamline operations, improve efficiency and integrate new technology that will overall allow my administration to better serve you.
I ask for your support for my plan . As taxpayers, less costly and more efficient government is something everyone should be expecting and demanding.
If you agree, I would appreciate you letting your city council members know you support my plan. As always, please do not hesitate to call, text or email me at 985-630-8578.
Recommends restructuring organization chart and procedures
Finds flaws in IT operations that put city at risk
MANDEVILLE — A recently released efficiency audit, commissioned by the city late last year, recommends sweeping changes to the city’s organization chart and department processes in a “rapid phased approach” as opposed to a chain of incremental adjustments over a longer period of time. The study also takes issue with how information technology services are handled by the city.
The Mandeville Efficiency Study, prepared by Pyramid Consulting, LLC, and published January 20th, was requested by at-the-time incoming Mayor Clay Madden and approved by the City Council.
Editor’s Note #1: We have chosen to provide reporting on the 2021 Mandeville Efficiency Study even though it was released in January, long before the Mandeville Daily began publication. This 2021 study has become part of the current story — having been mentioned as part of the official record both by council members and the public — regarding Mayor Clay Madden’s restructuring proposal, which is up for a vote at the April 22nd City Council meeting.
Editor’s Note #2: We will refer to the most recent “Mandeville Efficiency Study” as the “2021” study. However, it should be noted that this study was actually conducted in late 2020 immediately after Mayor Clay Madden took office and before any significant changes could take place. This study makes frequent reference to the “2010 City of Mandeville Operations Efficiency Study” which was actually published in early 2011. For purposes of clarity, this piece will refer to the most recent study as “the 2021 study” and the one conducted in 2010 as “the 2010 study.”
Restructuring organization and processes needed
The study recommends the organization chart and department processes for the city should be restructured, and done so together because they are so tightly integrated. A so-called “matrix” organizational structure for contract and program management should be adopted.
The study favors an upfront yet phased implementation of these changes instead of trickling them out over time. By announcing all the changes up front, the study suggests the city can deal with any blowback or issues all at once and then let the rollout proceed.
“Small adjustments to an organization chart actually take longer and are much more painful (emotionally and politically). Furthermore, a series of small changes keeps people in chaos… This is far more difficult for staff than one big change,” the report reads.
City lacks contract and program management
The study takes issue with how Mandeville manages programs and handles its contracts. It recommends establishing “management responsibility” for both programs and contracts.
This could be interpreted to mean creating new positions for each or both combined, or even assigning such responsibilities to existing staff. Both programs and contracts often span multiple departments.
Currently, Mandeville does not have a documented policy or procedure for managing programs. “… all projects are at best performed on an ad hoc basis and in many instances are not performed at all.”
As for contracts, the responsibility of initiating and approving contracts is split between the city attorney and purchasing; there is no structure in place to monitor the terms and fulfillment of contracts.
What’s more, the city has no formal documentation that follows the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s best practices recommendations for handling the life cycle of a contract, the study found.
Mandeville ranks lowest on CMMI scale
The study uses the Capability Maturity Model Integration scale for project management and contracting process areas developed at Carnegie Mellon University. It identifies Mandeville as being only at level one capability — “processes unpredictable, poorly controlled and reactive” — on the five-level scale, and that a “reasonable” target would be level two within two years.
Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is a process level improvement training and appraisal program. Administered by the CMMI Institute, a subsidiary of ISACA, it was developed at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU).
The study identifies a number of operational “gaps” and lays much of the blame for Mandeville’s problems on poor structure, staffing deficiencies, and a lack of documented procedures. The study suggests these issues have led to poor morale and a lack of productivity, with the staff feeling generally overwhelmed.
Employee input shaped recommendations
These organizational recommendations were based largely on feedback from the workers themselves.
The authors of the study conducted employee surveys, interviewed department heads, and analyzed current operating procedures to paint a picture of how well Mandeville city government functions.
Small adjustments to an organization chart actually take longer and are much more painful (emotionally and politically).
— 2021 Mandeville Efficiency Study
Survey shows workers unhappy and not motivated
Of the 20 issues employees were asked about in the survey, being overworked, unhappiness and lack of motivation topped the list of problems, or “weaknesses.”
“People in the organization are happy and motivated” drew negative responses from 26 of the 38 workers completing the survey. “People are chronically overworked” also received 26 negative responses.
However, one of the more telling revelations was in what respondents identified as “strengths” in Mandeville’s organization.
Overwhelmingly, they believe they have the skills necessary to do their jobs, they know what those jobs are, and they’re producing quality work. Thirty of the 38 agreed that “Individuals have the skills and abilities to meet their assignments.” (See a complete table of responses at the end of this story.)
Focus groups reveal discontent with other areas
The authors of the study conducted five focus groups, whose purpose was to identify “opportunities for improvement.”
Participants told interviewers they needed better structure, better communication, better technology, better training, and enough people to handle the workload.
Department heads cite staffing levels, training
The heads of all five departments of the City of Mandeville – Finance, Planning, Public Works, Human Resources and Cultural Development – seemed to echo common themes or gripes at City Hall: the need for improved information technology as well as addressing staffing shortages.
An issue that was raised by the Human Resources director concerned the requirement that creating or changing civil service job descriptions (excluding police) requires that an ordinance be adopted by the City Council.
The study offered this as a possible explanation as to why department heads might be reluctant to update roles and responsibilities as changing times might demand.
Despite this, the authors of the study did find that overall job descriptions and job duties were well-maintained.
Lack of IT disaster plan raises red flags
Mandeville does not have an Information Technology department, and more importantly it does not have a “disaster recovery/business continuity plan,” which is a common term and best practice among organizations this size. Currently, IT is part of the Finance Department.
The 2010 City of Mandeville Operations Efficiency Study had recommended that a formal IT steering committee be established due to a lack of “formal IT governance process and communication forum between the various departments.”
The 2010 recommendations said that at a minimum the membership of such a committee should include the IT consultant, Finance Director, Public Works Director, Planning and Zoning Director and HR Director.
The city’s 2010 remediation response went so far as to set a timeline for the formation of the committee to be the second quarter of 2011. However, the 2021 report determined that as of today this committee does not exist and there are only annual budgeting discussions concerning IT with department directors.
Mandeville outsources much of its IT services. The 2021 report is critical of Mandeville’s practices in this area.
Background on Cyber Threats: A successful ransomware attack – where a bad actor tricks an employee into providing their internal network credentials – could potentially bring all electronic services to a halt. These attacks work by sending employees fake emails that look like legitimate communications from the IT staff or internal login screens. The unsuspecting user types in their password and then the entire network becomes compromised. It happens to companies all the time.
One of the primary recommendations of the 2021 study is to move to cloud-based services, which can offer some protection from attacks, but is no guarantee. It only ensures that if the organization is compromised, it would be possible to restore services, but not without potentially significant downtime.
No Internal Audit Program
Yet another issue the 2021 study identifies is that Mandeville still has no formal internal audit function, this despite the 2010 City of Mandeville Operations Efficiency Study recommendation that the city implement one.
The 2021 Mandeville Efficiency Study points out that even though there is an ordinance from 2008 (amended in 2010) that establishes an internal audit committee, no such committee exists today. The study concludes that this ordinance — 08-39 — is likely still active and enforceable should the current City Council wish to reactivate this internal audit committee.
The Mandeville Daily could not find record of the internal audit committee being codified. There is an existing “Financial Oversight Committee” in City Code Section 18, Article I, established in 2012 by Ordinance No. 12-20, but this does not appear to be the same committee referenced in the 2021 study.
Typically, after ordinances are passed, they are codified and placed into the city code, arranged by subject area. That does not appear to be the case with the internal audit committee.
Editor’s Note #3: Glen Runyon, the managing director of Pyramid Consulting, LLC, the firm that conducted the 2021 study, was appointed in 2009 to a seat on this very same internal audit committee, the Mandeville Daily has learned. (He also had applied to fill the post of interim mayor after the Eddie Price resignation in 2009, but Edward “Bubby” Lyons was picked for that five-month post instead.) This editor’s note is made as part of standard full disclosure to the reader.
Recommendations made to departments
The study makes numerous recommendations to policies and procedures relating to the Planning, Finance and Public Works departments.
Results of the employee survey conducted as part of the 2021 Mandeville Efficiency Study. The Weighted Average values are calculated by assigning 2 points fo ‘Agree’ and ‘Disagree’ and just 1 point to ‘Somewhat Agree’ and ‘Somewhat Disagree’ respectively. Each question is considered to be either negative or affirmative, resulting in the net negative or positive values in the right-hand column.
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MANDEVILLE — The Mandeville Daily provided record-fast yet accurate coverage of the latest City Council meeting. Within hours of the April 8th meeting, we posted a “FLASH” update with the lead and basic narrative, followed the next morning by the complete story. Other outlets didn’t publish until at least Saturday.
With the Mandeville Daily, you don’t have to wait days to learn what happens at the City Council meeting. And moving forward, we hope to respond even faster. The internet provides the means to keep the reader expeditiously informed.
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Council delays action on measure after contemptuous debate over reason for deferral request
Final Release: Friday, April 9, 2021, at 12:19 PM
MANDEVILLE — The City Council voted to defer action on Mayor Clay Madden’s now controversial proposal to add a new director of administration position to handle day-to-day operations for the city.
The proposal, first introduced at the March 25th meeting, would add two new positions, the other being a grants and contracts administrator, but that post is not the one meeting resistance from some on the Council as well as the public.
The restructuring proposal had been scheduled for a vote at last night’s (Thursday, April 8, 2021) meeting, but when the item came up for consideration Madden instead asked the council to defer action on the measure for two weeks so that he could potentially tweak the plan.
Madden said he had received last-minute feedback from certain parties which could have an effect on the proposal, and he wanted time to take those concerns into account before final action. “My desire is to have y’all vote at the next meeting. Good, bad, or indifferent, I want it to be voted on.”
This seemed to frustrate District II Councilman Skelly Kreller who demanded to know “Why? Why do you want to defer suddenly now?” Madden refused to say exactly who he had talked to that prompted him to ask for the delay, only that it occurred later in the week and he thought it important enough to make this request.
Kreller kept pressing Madden for details. “All of this was dropped on us today, or last night… And we always talk about transparency.”
Madden fired back at Kreller, “As you know I was on the council for eight years and I don’t believe I ever voted against a deferral when the mayor or another councilman simply wanted … additional time.“
If you’re against it, vote against it. I’m asking for another two weeks out of respect.
— Mayor Clay Madden
Some in attendance shared Kreller’s sentiment. Local Eric McVicker, 603 Tops L Drive, addressed the Council with prepared remarks in which he urged that the Council vote on the matter as publicly advertised.
McVicker said that adding a director of administration post is a step toward turning Mandeville into a city-manager form of government.
He added that only 4% of the voters in the primary election last summer voted for a candidate who would favor a city-manager type government for Mandeville. “We deserve better. And we expect better,” he concluded.
In the July 11 election, Chad Bordelon, the only candidate to run on the platform of turning Mandeville into a city-manager government, received just 4% of the vote.
Several Mandeville politicos rose in opposition to deferring the vote.
Jeff Lyons, who ran unsuccessfully for the District III Council seat in 2016 and who is the son of a former Mandeville mayor, expressed sharp criticism for the mayor’s plan: “He wants to tweak the position just to make it more palatable. He’s adding another layer of supervision that’s totally unnecessary.”
Michael Pulaski, who lost the District II Council seat to Kreller in the July 11 election, only addressed the merits of the deferral itself, doubting there would be enough time to change the ordinance by the next meeting. The city charter requires a vote within 30 days of introducing an ordinance.
It sure seems like a lot of these negative opinions may be really rooted in old political grudges and not based on what’s good for the city.
— Janet Smith, Mandeville
However, a number of those in attendance expressed strong support for Madden’s proposal. Janet Smith, 1164 Rue Chinon, said she believes his plan reflects filling the “gaps” found in a recent efficiency report.
Smith is referring to the comprehensive Mandeville Efficiency Study, prepared by Pyramid Consulting, LLC, which was published January 20. It cites numerous deficiencies and recommends restructuring the organization chart and department processes, among other things.
“It sure seems like a lot of these negative opinions may be really rooted in old political grudges and not based on what’s good for the city,” she added.
At the end of debate, Councilman at Large Rick Danielson, District III Councilwoman Jill McGuire and Madden discussed the technicalities involved in making revisions to an ordinance already up for a vote while still meeting the requirement for public advertisement. Generally, they agreed that as long as the changes were minor, the current ordinance could be amended and voted on at the next meeting.
Otherwise, the current ordinance would have to be voted down and the mayor would have to start the process over. McGuire pointed out that if no action is taken, the ordinance is automatically adopted, and therefore it must be voted down and not just withdrawn.
Madden’s insistence on moving forward with the current ordinance as opposed to scrapping it now could indicate that a majority on the Council would be satisfied with only minor changes, allowing the ordinance to be adopted on April 22.
Further indication of how the findings in the efficiency report are related to the mayor’s restructuring proposal came at the end of the meeting in what at first seemed to be an unrelated discussion.
Glenn Runyon of Pyramid Consulting, LLC, who conducted the efficiency report for the city, raised concerns that software recently approved as part of an amended budget, based on recommendations found in the efficiency report, would be wasted if Madden’s proposal were to be rejected.
Councilman at Large Jason Zuckerman disagreed and pressed Runyon to specify which software would only be used for either of the new positions in Madden’s proposal.
Ultimately Runyon conceded that the software is needed regardless, suggesting, however, that a new position would be needed to train or manage those who would use that software.
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 22.
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The Mandeville City Council discusses Mayor Clay Madden's proposal at the April 8, 2021, meeting (Mandeville Daily/William Kropog)
Mayor Clay Madden after the April 8, 2021, meeting (Mandeville Daily/William Kropog)
The Mandeville City Council hears from the public at the April 8, 2021, meeting (Mandeville Daily/William Kropog)
Vincent Liberto memorial, waste water testing results, tax renewals, traffic citation report round out long agenda
MANDEVILLE — This is a summary of the remainder of the items on the agenda for the Mandeville City Council meeting held on April 8, 2021. Moving forward, these “The rest of the story” pieces will provide you, the reader, an account of action taken on each item on the agenda, in the order in which it appeared. Consider this an agenda “scorecard.”
Reports and Announcements
Mayor Clay Madden and Police Chief Gerald Sticker revealed plans for a permanent Vincent Liberto memorial to honor the fallen officer as well as the status of the makeshift memorial near the site of his murder near the intersection of Highway 190 and Highway 22.
Madden said the plans include a permanent marker with American and U.S. Marine Corps flags near the top of the overpass, which will be renamed the “Vincent Liberto Overpass.”
The mayor and Sticker said they wanted the public to understand that the makeshift memorial is going to be respectfully dismantled over time as the new plans move forward, and not to be alarmed by the changes.
More to follow on this story.
Presentation
Waste Water Treatment Plant Audit
Presentation by Curtis Environmental regarding the Waste Water Treatment Plant Audit. Followup discussion regarding the traffic/noise issue.
Police Chief Gerald Sticker gave a followup report on traffic and noise citations during 2020.
More to follow on this story.
Old Business
Adoption of Ordinance No. 21-04: An ordinance of the city council of the City of Mandeville to rezone Lots 15 and 16, Square 51, being 820 Lamarque St., City of Mandeville, St. Tammany Parish, State of Louisiana, from R-1, Single Family Residential District to B-1, Neighborhood Business District; and providing for further matters in connection therewith (Councilwoman McGuire, District III)
Adoption of Ordinance No. 21-08: An ordinance of the city council of the City of Mandeville adopting the job classification, position description, and pay scale for the positions of director of administration, and grants and contract administrator, and providing for other matters in connection therewith (Councilman Danielson, At-Large)
Adoption of Ordinance No. 21-09: An ordinance of the city council of the City of Mandeville to acquire a lease for the Mandeville Department of Motor Vehicles Office and for other matters in connection therewith (Councilman Danielson, At-Large)
Adoption of Resolution No. 21-05: A resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in the City of Mandeville, State of Louisiana, to authorize the renewal of special taxes therein; making application to the State Bond Commission in connection therewith; and providing for other matters in connection therewith (Councilman Danielson, At-Large)
This is a resolution authorizing the special election to renew two millage taxes, or ad valorem taxes, providing revenue for operating and maintaining the police department. The City will authorize the maximum allowed, which is customary, but only levy a portion of that amount.
Currently, the maximum authorization for the maintenance and operations ad valorem tax is 5.08 mils but the City is currently only assessing 1.44 mils. And the salary and benefits maximum is 3.38 mils but only 0.94 is being assessed.
The Mayor asked the city to renew the same maximum rates again, but pointed out, and the Council seemed to agree, that based on revenue projections the city may actually collect even lower amounts than what is being collected now.
Councilman at Large Rick Danielson also mentioned that council would like to consider lowering the city sales tax rate as well.
More to follow on this story.
Adoption of Resolution No. 21-13: A resolution of the city council of the City of Mandeville Proclaiming April 8, 2021 as “Mayors’ Monarch Pledge Day to Support and Celebrate Monarch Conservation” (Councilman Kreller, District II)
Adoption of Resolution No. 21-14: A resolution of the city council of the City of Mandeville confirming the city attorney’s appointment for assistant city attorney (Councilman Danielson, At-Large)
This resolution confirms the appointment of Laurie M. Pennison as the assistant city attorney to City Attorney Elizabeth Sconzert.
Introduction of Ordinance No. 21-06: An ordinance of the city council of the City of Mandeville to affect the annexation of a portion of ground in Section 45, Township 8 South, Range 11 East, St. Tammany Parish, 86A, into the corporate limits of the City of Mandeville, designating the property for purposes of zoning as a R-1, single family residential district and providing for other matters in connection therewith (Councilman Kreller, District II)
This ordinance will now move to the Planning and Zoning Commission for their recommendation.
Introduction of Ordinance No. 21-10: An ordinance of the city council of the City of Mandeville revoking the dedicated portion of Monroe Street between Lamarque and Foy streets in accordance with the legal description and survey prepared by Randall W. Brown & Associates dated October 11, 2019; Declaring that portion of street as surplus and no longer needed for city use; disposing of that portion of street at public sale; authorizing the mayor to execute all necessary documents; and designating the property for the purposes of Zoning R-1 Single Family Residential District, and providing for other matters in connection therewith (Councilwoman McGuire, District III)
This motion was withdrawn by District III Councilwoman Jill McGuire do to a change in plans by the property owners.
Introduction of Ordinance No. 21-11: An ordinance of the city council of the City of Mandeville prohibiting extended parking of motor vehicles along a portion of General Pershing Street, Square 46, lying between Lafitte Street and Girod Street, for any period of time longer than six (6) hours on all days, including holidays, establishing penalties for violation thereof and providing for other matters in connection therewith (Councilwoman McGuire, District III)
This ordinance will be discussed at the next meeting April 22, 2021.
Introduction of Ordinance No. 21-12: An ordinance of the city council of the City of Mandeville prohibiting parking of motor vehicles along that portion of Christian Court located in Woodstone Subdivision, establishing penalties for violation thereof and providing for other matters in connection therewith (Councilman Kreller, District II)
This ordinance will be discussed at the next meeting April 22, 2021.
Topping a long agenda, the proposal initially met resistance when introduced last month
MANDEVILLE — The City Council will consider final passage of the mayor’s staff restructuring plan, including the addition of two new high-level positions. The proposal met resistance from some on the council when the measure was introduced last month.
On the heels of several high-profile departures at Mandeville City Hall filled during the opening months of his administration, Mayor Clay Madden faced backlash at the March 25th meeting from at least one council member over adding the two positions.
The positions — “Director of Administration” to head daily operations and “Grants and Contracts Administrator” to oversee contracts and grant-writing — would be appointed by the mayor. Madden plans to tap his acting executive assistant Trilby Lenfant to fill the would-be administration director post.
District II Councilman Skelly Kreller argued against the need for the positions during the nearly-four-hour meeting, which would assume a number of the duties historically handled by the mayor while reducing the role of the new executive assistant moving forward.
According to Madden, the city stands to see a net savings of $174,483 by the change, including the compensation for the two proposed positions.
The director of administration is somebody that will work in conjunction with the mayor and will have a supervisory role over projects, but not people.
More About Trilby Lenfant: Trilby Lenfant is currently serving on an interim basis as Mayor Clay Madden’s executive assistant. Ms. Lenfant is a former Mandeville City Council member who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2010. She previously served in St. Tammany Parish President pat Brister’s administration.
Meeting Details: The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 8th, at 6 p.m. at the Paul Spitzfaden Community Center located at 3090 E. Causeway Approach. The statewide mask mandate and social distancing will be observed. Read City Council Meeting Agenda – April 8, 2021 for the complete agenda.
Experiment to determine if citizen journalism is good fit to cover small-town government
Today we start an experiment. The “Mandeville Daily” will attempt to provide relevant, no-frills coverage of the goings-on at City Hall. This is an online news site, a blog, a journal. Whatever you prefer to call it, it’s just me, doing this as a hobby, period.
This type of news coverage was traditionally the job of small-town newspapers across America, but sadly, those days have come to a close, at least here in Mandeville they have.
The age of the Internet and digital publishing squeezed the local mom-and-pop newspaper practically out of existence. Those that have survived have gone from publishing daily, down to bi-weekly, and even just weekly in many cases. It’s the end of an era, and it’s sad to see.
I guess you could say people wanted both their music and their news for free, but yet today, neither are.
Once upon a time here in Mandeville, there were the St. Tammany News-Banner, The St. Tammany Farmer and the New Orleans-based Times-Picayune all providing Mandeville coverage. Having multiple news outlets cover the same beat was a system of checks and balances, and it gave readers different perspectives of the same thing.
Today, we only have Nola.com which is the Times-Picayune and Morning Advocate combined, owned by the Georges Media Group, which in 2017 also purchased the struggling St. Tammany Farmer. The News-Banner printed its last edition in 2013 after merging with its sister newspapers in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
One could argue that any corruption we’ve seen here in Mandeville in the last few decades can indirectly be attributed to the slow disappearance of the small-town newspaper and the absence of the watchdog reporter at city hall.
The folks at Nola.com seem to have more of a social agenda these days in their news coverage, including crime and politics, and when they do cover Mandeville, it’s usually from the perspective of an outsider looking in.
We need a local telling the local story, keeping government transparent and honest.
I have a steadfast belief that what happens at City Hall is important and people should pay attention. Your day-to-day life can be directly affected by what a handful of people do there twice a month.
It is not enough that your news comes from a muddled post on Facebook by a well-intentioned friend, complaining about what “those morons” at City Hall did last night.
The small-town newspaper is supposed to be your “neighbor” representative at council meetings when you can’t go yourself. I live here in Mandeville and love this city. I’m very interested in what goes on at City Hall.
We’re all journalists by default, and the First Amendment of the Constitution keeps the government from silencing us. Being a journalist isn’t some license or privilege granted to a select few by the government or big media. Pop culture, movies and TV may make it seem that way at times. You have the right to tell your story.
There’s an old expression, which I always thought came from journalism, but perhaps not: “Consider the source.”
We don’t need Facebook or Twitter slapping “Fact Checks” on our posts or removing them altogether in the name of “protecting Democracy.” It’s up to us as individuals to be smart and to “consider the source.”
I remember an old journalist once telling me he didn’t like “Fact Check” stories, and this was back in the 80s. He said when a news organization publishes a so-called fact check story, it usually means they have an agenda themselves and it ain’t to the truth. He said that straight and honest coverage is a fact-check in and of itself.
Why call it Mandeville Daily? The “Daily” is an homage to the extinct small-town daily newspaper, and a sincere hope that these publications might find a way to return one day.
In the meantime, I’m attending these meetings now that they’re in-person once again. I figure why not put my old journalist hat back on and tell the story, as a hobby, in my spare time. It’ll be just straight reporting, no agenda, no frills. Journalism at its core… your neighbor telling you what happened as best he can. Read it if you like.
From newspaper reporter to software developer, Kropog to blog council coverage as hobby
Watching the evolution of the Internet and this new digital age from the late 1990s forward, I had been hoping and rooting for small-town newspapers somehow to transform their traditional print advertisers into digital based revenue.
William “Wild Bill” Kropog
Unfortunately, several factors prevented this from happening in time to save the small-town paper as we knew it.
The age of the Internet and digital publishing has squeezed the local mom-and-pop newspaper practically out of existence. Those that have survived have gone from publishing daily, down to bi-weekly, and even just weekly in many cases. It’s the end of an era, and it’s sad to see.
Newspapers knew the future was digital and a printed product would eventually go away, but they were on a runaway train headed off a cliff. I know, because I was there.
My name is William “Bill” Kropog. I started out my professional career in the late 1980s as a journalist, working as a reporter for the St. Tammany News-Banner and later as the managing editor of The Bogalusa Daily News. Mandeville City Hall was one of my original beats. I also enjoyed a stint covering the New Orleans Saints.
Seated in the press box of the Superdome in 1990.
When the Internet exploded in the late 1990s, I saw my chance. By then I had had enough of scraping by on a meager reporter and editor’s salary. No newspaper reporter ever said they “did it for the money.”
You did it because it was exciting to be the first on the scene, the first to tell the story, and hopefully to tell it well.
I had been a computer hobbyist in the early 1980s and learned programming skills on machines like the Atari 800XL and Commodore 64. I wrote programs in “Basic” language. Thanks to my high school trigonometry class, I once wrote a routine that could rotate a cube in 3D space. Don’t be impressed. It sounds a lot harder than it really is.
Coding on my Atari 800XL Christmas Day 1983.
I’ve been very blessed to be one of those lucky individuals who can honestly say he was in the right place at the right time. Thanks to a combination of buying just about every programming book and magazine I could find and hearing about job opportunities on the Southshore where companies were hiring anyone they could find who knew how to write code, my career as a programmer took off.
I managed to do a little writing — not computer code — here and there over the years to keep my skills intact and fulfill that desire to tell a story. I once had three articles published in a print magazine produced by Microsoft called “Interactive Developer.” I also contributed heavily to two different print books on various programming topics. It kept my writing alive while I pursued my career as a programmer.
Today, I work for a wonderful company, doing software development. Due to Covid-19, we had to change how we worked. Everyone did.
I work from home and writing software is very fulfilling. I’m also a bit of an artist in my spare time. That too brings joy to my life.
I love Mandeville, especially “Old Mandeville” where I live near the lake. I can walk to practically everything I need. I care what happens here.
I wrote chapters in both these books plus had articles published in Microsoft Interactive Developer Magainze.
I also have a steadfast belief that what happens at City Hall is important and people should pay attention. The small-town newspaper is supposed to be your representative at council meetings when you can’t go yourself.
I’ll already be attending these meetings now that they’re in-person once again. I figure why not put my old journalist hat back on and tell the story, as a hobby, in my spare time. It’ll be just straight reporting, no agenda, no frills. Journalism at its core… your neighbor telling you what happened as best he can. Read it if you like.
Paul Spitzfaden Community Center 3090 E. Causeway Approach Mandeville, Louisiana 70448
In order to comply with Governor Edwards Executive Order, masks will be required if you wish to attend the city council meeting. We also ask for you to please respect social distancing for everyone’s protection.
Minutes:
Adoption of the March 25, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes
Reports and Announcements:
Presentation:
Presentation by Curtis Environmental regarding the Waste Water Treatment Plant Audit. Followup discussion regarding the traffic/noise issue.
Old Business:
Adoption of Ordinance No. 21-04: An ordinance of the city council of the City of Mandeville to rezone Lots 15 and 16, Square 51, being 820 Lamarque St., City of Mandeville, St. Tammany Parish, State of Louisiana, from R-1, Single Family Residential District to B-1, Neighborhood Business District; and providing for further matters in connection therewith (Councilwoman McGuire, District III)
Adoption of Ordinance No. 21-08: An ordinance of the city council of the City of Mandeville adopting the job classification, position description, and pay scale for the positions of director of administration, and grants and contract administrator, and providing for other matters in connection therewith (Councilman Danielson, At-Large)
Adoption of Ordinance No. 21-09: An ordinance of the city council of the City of Mandeville to acquire a lease for the Mandeville Department of Motor Vehicles Office and for other matters in connection therewith (Councilman Danielson, At-Large)
New Business:
Approval of the substantial completion of the Fire District 04 Station 42 Warning Signs… A/E Project No. 2101A02 as of March 19, 2021 in the amount of $28,400.00 (Councilman Kreller, District II)
Approval of the substantial completion of TO#3, 2018 Roadway & Drainage Maintenance Contract… A/E Project No. 1801A02 as of March 3, 2021 in the amount of $551, 936.53 (Councilman Danielson, At-Large)
Adoption of Resolution No. 21-05; A resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in the City of Mandeville, State of Louisiana, to authorize the renewal of special taxes therein; making application to the State Bond Commission in connection therewith; and providing for other matters in connection therewith (Councilman Danielson, At-Large)
Adoption of Resolution No. 21-13; A resolution of the city council of the City of Mandeville Proclaiming April 8, 2021 as “Mayors’ Monarch Pledge Day to Support and Celebrate Monarch Conservation” (Councilman Kreller, District II)
Adoption of Resolution No. 21-14; A resolution of the city council of the City of Mandeville confirming the city attorney’s appointment for assistant city attorney (Councilman Danielson, At-Large)
Introduction of Ordinance No. 21-06; An ordinance of the city council of the City of Mandeville to affect the annexation of a portion of ground in Section 45, Township 8 South, Range 11 East, St. Tammany Parish, 86A, into the corporate limits of the City of Mandeville, designating the property for purposes of zoning as a R-1, single family residential district and providing for other matters in connection therewith (Councilman Kreller, District II)
Introduction of Ordinance No. 21-10; An ordinance of the city council of the City of Mandeville revoking the dedicated portion of Monroe Street between Lamarque and Foy streets in accordance with the legal description and survey prepared by Randall W. Brown & Associates dated October 11, 2019; Declaring that portion of street as surplus and no longer needed for city use; disposing of that portion of street at public sale; authorizing the mayor to execute all necessary documents; and designating the property for the purposes of Zoning R-1 Single Family Residential District, and providing for other matters in connection therewith (Councilwoman McGuire, District III)
Introduction of Ordinance No. 21-11; An ordinance of the city council of the City of Mandeville prohibiting extended parking of motor vehicles along a portion of General Pershing Street, Square 46, lying between Lafitte Street and Girod Street, for any period of time longer than six (6) hours on all days, including holidays, establishing penalties for violation thereof and providing for other matters in connection therewith (Councilwoman McGuire, District III)
Introduction of Ordinance No. 21-12; An ordinance of the city council of the City of Mandeville prohibiting parking of motor vehicles along that portion of Christian Court located in Woodstone Subdivision, establishing penalties for violation thereof and providing for other matters in connection therewith (Councilman Kreller, District II)
Public Comment:
Projects in Progress (Status Report):
Adjournment
Kristine Sherer, Council Clerk
City of Mandeville 3101 E. Causeway Approach Mandeville, LA 70448 985-624-3145
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, please contact, Kristine Scherer, Council Clerk, at 985-624-3145, describing the assistance that is necessary.
The City Council voted down Mayor Clay Madden’s staff restructuring proposal at the regular City Council meeting on April 22, 2021, killing the idea of a director of administration post — for now — while giving the mayor a promise to work with him moving forward. This happened while Kreller was out on medical leave.
Danielson voted against the ordinance. He told the mayor that when the two first talked about the idea of a restructuring ordinance, he was under the impression it would have more specifics.
“When we first talked, I really felt the plan should provide all of those details… the who, what, when, where, why, and how much. And we never really got that.” He told the mayor he would need to see more details.
Danielson did, however, reassure the mayor that he has the support of the council moving forward. “You have an incredible team. You have five council members that will do anything to work with you and your team.”
He concluded by echoing the positions of Zuckerman and McGuire, that he would be willing to support a contracts and grants manager only. “I do not see the need — right now — for a director of administration position, as it’s been laid out.”
Elected to office
Rick Danielson was elected Council Member at Large in the July 11, 2020, primary vote where he was the top vote getter, leading the field of three with 44.94%.
Mandeville has two at-large council seats, being awarded to the first- and second-place vote getters, regardless of the size of the field of candidates.
In his own words
Rick Danielson graduated from Mandeville High School in 1988. After finishing graduate school, Rick was commissioned in the United States Air Force, serving our country for over nine years on active duty and achieving the rank of Major.
During his military career, Rick deployed oversees in support of multiple operations to include Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Northern Watch.
In 2004, Rick returned to Mandeville. Professionally, Rick is a senior financial advisor at a national brokerage firm in Mandeville. In 2012, Rick was first elected to the Mandeville City Council as Councilman-at-Large.
In addition, Rick represented the City of Mandeville in 2013 – 2014 on the St. Tammany Parish Office of Inspector General Task Force, serving as the Chairman of this 24-member body.
Rick has always been passionate about serving his community and is actively involved on boards and committees with several local non-profit and community service organizations.
Currently, Rick serves on the Board of Commissioners for Recreation District #1 / Pelican Park, and is the Special Advisor to the Board of Directors for the Northshore Kiwanis Club of Mandeville.
In addition, Rick is a member of the Board of Trustees for Lakeview Regional Medical Center, and the Louisiana Chapter of the HeartGift Foundation. Previously, Rick was appointed to the Board of Commissioners for the St. Tammany Economic Development District, was the Vice President for Membership of the St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce, and served on the Northshore Business Council.
In 2006, Rick graduated from the Leadership St. Tammany Program. Rick served on the Leadership St. Tammany Board of Trustees from 2006 – 2010 and had the honor of serving as the Chairperson of the Board from 2008 – 2009. In addition, Rick is a distinguished past president of the Northshore Kiwanis Club and Division 13 Lieutenant Governor.
Additionally, for over 20 years, Rick enjoyed volunteer coaching for various youth sports in St. Tammany Parish beginning in 1985. Rick was recognized as the 2014 St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce Board Member of the Year. Rick and his wife Stephanie have five children between the ages of 17 and 25.
As an elected representative, my job is to really analyze what’s being proposed and make decisions that are in the best interest of the city… What is it that we’re trying to fix?
— Councilman at Large Jason Zuckerman, April 22, 2021
The City Council voted down Mayor Clay Madden’s staff restructuring proposal at the regular City Council meeting on April 22, 2021, killing the idea of a director of administration post — for now — while giving the mayor a promise to work with him moving forward. This happened while Kreller was out on medical leave.
Zuckerman ultimately voted against the plan, expressing frustration at how divided the community had become on the director of administration issue.
“Many of the people I’ve spoken to … are enthusiastically for the proposal, many are adamantly against… And what I found is both sides seem to dismiss each other. That’s troubling to me,” said Zuckerman.
Zuckerman noted that the previous City Council voted to lower the mayor’s salary (while Donald Villere was mayor and before Zuckerman was elected), a change that was later ratified by the voters.
Zuckerman concluded his remarks by saying he could get behind the grants and contracts administrator position. “I would propose we move forward with what we can agree on… we could at least chip away at this … and that we can work together over the rest of your term. I very much enjoy working with you.”
Elected to office
Jason Zuckerman was elected Council Member at Large in the July 11, 2020, primary vote where he was the second-place finisher with 28.21% of the vote. He edged out Ernest A. Burguieres for the seat.
Mandeville has two at-large council seats, being awarded to the first- and second-place vote getters, regardless of the size of the field of candidates.
In his own words
Jason Zuckerman is a licensed architect in the State of Louisiana, having earned his Master of Architecture from Tulane University.
He has been involved in the design and construction industry for over 27 years and lived in and around the City of Mandeville since graduating from Tulane in 1993.
Jason is Vice President at The McDonnel Group, a regional general contractor specializing in ground up construction as well as renovations including design-build, specializing in educational, institutional, hospitality, healthcare, and industrial markets.
He has been with the firm since its inception twenty years ago. Jason also practices Architecture in the Mandeville area and served on the City of Mandeville’s Historic Preservation District Commission for several years prior to being elected to the City Council in addition to volunteering his time to Mandeville’s Design Review Committee.
Jason has been an active member to the American Institute of Architects since 1996, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) since 1993, and earned his LEED AP credentials from the Green Building Certification Institute in 2009.
Jason has three children Curtis, Danny, and Sarah and is very excited to have an opportunity to help in planning for Mandeville’s future while protecting and preserving its past and everything we all love about our great city.
Bush, a staunch ally of the mayor on this issue, expressed continued support for the plan, reading a letter from one of her constituents into the record, which said in part that Mandeville has added roughly 2,500 residents and its budget has almost doubled in the last 10 years.
“Spending big money and managing large projects requires a more specialized governmental structure than a mayor, council and department heads,” she read.
Elected to office
Rebecca Bush was elected to represent District I without opposition in the July 11, 2020, primary vote.
When a candidate wins office unopposed, they are still considered to be “elected” just as surely as if they would have defeated a candidate in a vote. By choosing not to run against a candidate, the people are in essence voting for that candidate.
In her own words
Rebecca Bush proudly serves the City of Mandeville and its residents as Council Member for District I.
She is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, Loyola University School of Law, and – for more than 20 years – has actively practiced law as a trial attorney in defense of a diverse array of civil claims.
Ms. Bush has resided in Mandeville for 15 years, with her husband and son, and is a long-time member of multiple civic organizations.
The City Council voted down Mayor Clay Madden’s staff restructuring proposal at the regular City Council meeting on April 22, 2021, killing the idea of a director of administration post — for now — while giving the mayor a promise to work with him moving forward. This happened while Kreller was out on medical leave.
At Madden’s request, the City Council voted to defer action on the proposal after contemptuous debate at the April 8, 2021, meeting. Again, Kreller was highly critical of the plan as well as the Mayor’s request for more time to tweak the plan, even questioning Madden’s motive for the delay.
Elected to office
Dr. J. Skelly Kreller won a decisive victory over Michael T. Pulaski in the July 11, 2020, election, taking 59.16% of the vote in District II.
In his own words
Dr. Skelly Kreller proudly serves the City of Mandeville and its residents as Council Member for District 2.
He is a graduate of Jesuit High School, University of New Orleans, LSU School of Dentistry, Residency in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at Charity Hospital in New Orleans.
He has practiced on the Northshore for 38 years and retired in 2015. Dr. Kreller is Board Certified in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and is a member of many professional associations.
He resides in Mandeville for the last 22 years with his wife Cheryl and their 2 Old English Sheepdogs, Olivia & Wally. They have a total of 5 children and 11 grandchildren between them.
The City Council voted down Mayor Clay Madden’s staff restructuring proposal at the regular City Council meeting on April 22, 2021, killing the idea of a director of administration post — for now — while giving the mayor a promise to work with him moving forward. This happened while Kreller was out on medical leave.
McGuire voted against the proposal, indicating she might support such a proposal in the future. “I do feel that if we were to have a director of administration, it would allow you to do the stuff that needs to be done so that Mandeville is not reactive … I’m open to it eventually, but I cannot vote for it right now.”
Like Zuckerman, she cited the referendum last year to reduce the mayor’s salary as one reason for not getting on board yet.
“Things are running so smoothly now at City Hall. Trilby (Lenfant) is doing awesome. Let’s come back in a year and see where we’re at then,” District III Councilwoman Jill McGuire told the mayor during debate.
Elected to office
Jill McGuire soundly defeated Scott Discon in the July 11, 2020, election with 57.38% of the vote in District III.
In her own words
Jill McGuire grew up in the Mandeville area and is delighted to raise her children here as well.
Jill and her husband Barrett have been married for 18 years. Jill’s love of restoring old properties landed her on the Historic Preservation District Commission where she served for two years.
She and her husband live in old Mandeville and have three businesses in Old Mandeville as well.
She is delighted to served the people of District 3 on the council.
The issue had been thoroughly debated and a vote had been deferred from the May 13, 2021, meeting because a majority on the council wanted more time to review the contract. But Kreller had missed that meeting. The May 27th meeting was Kreller’s first back since early April when he took a leave of absence to recover from a medical procedure, and he unloaded on Madden over the need for a contract or a plan.
Ultimately, the council voted 3-1 to authorize the mayor to enter the proposed contract with Richard C. Lambert Consultants LLC, with Kreller standing alone in opposition.
Analysis: A clear victory for Mayor Clay Madden. He seemed in greater command of the facts supporting his position compared to how he handled the director of administration debate, and he didn’t become rattled by the attack from District II Councilman Skelly Kreller the night of the vote. One could argue Madden secured the victory with his consistent messaging and his highly qualified choice of Lambert Consultants. Aside from Kreller, the only real complaint from the rest of the council was that they weren’t brought in earlier in the process, which Madden vowed to improve upon with future proposals. Grade: B+
At Madden’s request, the City Council voted to defer action on the proposal after contemptuous debate at the April 8, 2021, meeting. Madden asked for time to tweak the proposal after it met initial resistance.
Madden vowed to continue moving forward with “the tools that we have.”
Analysis: Embarrassing loss for Mayor Clay Madden. Those voting against the proposal, particularly Councilmen at Large Rick Danielson and Jason Zuckerman cited a lack of details and planning before bringing the issue to the City Council. Madden seemed “off” during his presentation to the council when the proposal was introduced to the public, certainly not up to the form that got him elected. Also, a certain vocal segment of the public didn’t like the term “Director of Administration” nor Trilby Lenfant, whom he had hoped to put into the DOA slot. In fairness to Madden, this seems to have had more to do with political grudges, particularly from the primary where he narrowly edged out Michael Blache by 12 votes, and less to do with the merits of the proposal itself. Grade: C-
Elected to office
Clay Madden pulled what many pundits described as a surprise victory over Lauré Sica in a close runoff election on August 15th, 2020, with a margin of victory of just 3.4% or 118 votes. Sica had led the field in the July 11th primary vote with 32.41% to Madden’s 29.32%. Madden only made the runoff by a thin margin of 12 votes over third-place finisher Michael Blache.
In his own words
Mandeville has much to offer both residents and visitors alike. We are blessed to have incredible schools and friendly neighborhoods, beautiful lakefront and bayous, parks, walking paths, biking trails, restaurants, and shopping for every taste.
I hope you find Mandeville as engaging and vibrant as I do. Our city government is continually vigilant in protecting our quality of life through maintaining and enhancing critical infrastructure, thoughtful planning, community public safety initiatives, and cultural development.
During the next four years I will be focused on the major issues you have identified as impacting your life here in Mandeville.
Priorities of the Mayor
Preserve and protect the neighborhood livability and resident quality of life that make our city so special.
Determine feasible solutions to protect our city and citizens from the impact of flooding
Enhance our transportation infrastructure to move traffic efficiently and support a variety of safe options.
Vigilance over fiscal and budgetary matters
Maintain public safety in a way that respects all our citizens.
Support of our Police Department and community policing initiatives
Robust and consistent enforcement of our city codes
Improved communications with citizens through updated website and use of technology
Regularly scheduled grass cutting, and maintenance of city owned properties
Follow through on recommendations of our upcoming operational and efficiency review
Beautification efforts to enhance the environmental landscape of our city
Madden’s Background
Mandeville City Council-at-Large (2012-2020)
Graduate of LSU: Masters of Public Administration; B.A. in Political Science
Mandeville Daily 