Montague City Council Faces Barrage of Concerns in Contentious Public Comment Session

This incident underscores the depth of the issues facing Montague’s local government, highlighting concerns about proper record-keeping, due diligence, and overall administrative competence.

In a heated city council meeting on October 3, 2024, Montague residents voiced numerous concerns and grievances, marking the first time since August 26 that citizens could directly address their elected officials. The public comment period revealed deep-seated frustrations with the city’s governance, particularly regarding the fire department and issues of transparency.

Michael Crow initiated the session by challenging the legality of a closed-door agenda item concerning the fire department treasurer. Citing specific bylaws and government codes, Crow argued that the council lacked jurisdiction to review the matter before internal processes were followed. He requested the item be removed from the agenda and called for transparency regarding charges against Fire Chief Jason Vela.

Teresa Newton brought attention to a petition signed by 17 fire department volunteers calling for the assistant fire chief’s resignation. She criticized Mayor Murakami’s priorities, alleging he left a council meeting to attend a movie, and questioned the city administrator’s role. Newton also expressed frustration over unanswered requests for agenda items to reconsider leadership positions.

Former city employee Mindy Vela provided insight into her resignation, citing an “intensely uncomfortable, confusing, and hostile work environment” stemming from a poorly handled transition to a city administrator system. She detailed concerns about the ethical handling of her job review and the lack of clarity in her position descriptions.

Tara Pitkin submitted a letter alleging improper procedures in placing Fire Chief Jason Vela on administrative leave. She raised concerns about unauthorized actions by Mayor Murakami, who also serves as the assistant fire chief. Pitkin accused Murakami of changing locks on a public building and misrepresenting his position in official correspondence to the Grenada Fire Protection District. She also alleged that Murakami had been attempting to recruit an assistant fire chief, assuming he would take over as fire chief. Pitkin criticized the council for failing to address numerous complaints about the mayor’s behavior in the community.

Jacob Deegan, representing the fire department, requested to be added to the next council meeting agenda to discuss departmental concerns directly with the council.

Tom Hart, a resident of 4th Street, raised concerns about the lack of postings for City Council vacancies, suggesting it might be an intentional effort to exclude dissenting voices. Hart also expressed unease about the mayor’s multiple roles within the city government, questioning why the mayor hasn’t recused himself from decisions where these roles might conflict. He emphasized the potential legal and criminal implications of mixing public roles with private business interests.

John McKnight, a long-time resident and 30-year veteran of the fire department, expressed strong disapproval of recent events. McKnight referenced two letters he received: one that appeared to dismiss him from his position on the fire district board, and another signed by firemen against the mayor. He then recounted a specific incident on September 15th where Mayor Murakami, in his role as assistant fire chief, allegedly responded unprofessionally to a medical aid call. McKnight criticized the mayor’s inability to properly use essential firefighting equipment and his failure to identify himself at the scene. He concluded with a sharp rebuke, stating, “That is real poor. And you’re an assistant fire Chief. I think you should step down and get on your white horse and ride off into the sunset. I have nothing against you personally. But this right here is plain ass dumb. That’s all I got to say.” McKnight’s comments highlight the growing frustration within the fire department and the community over the mayor’s dual role and perceived incompetence in his firefighting duties.

Kayla Miller, a resident of Delphic Road, expressed concerns about fire department information being discussed inappropriately at a football game, highlighting issues of confidentiality and professionalism.

As the meeting concluded with a return from closed session, it became clear that the Montague City Council faces a crucial task in addressing these concerns and restoring public confidence. The situation took an unexpected turn when it was revealed that the council had put the wrong person on administrative leave, apparently unaware of who actually held the position of Montague Fire Association treasurer.

When this error was pointed out, the council’s confusion was evident as they asked, “Then who?” In a telling moment, the individual wrongly placed on leave had to request that the council review their own minutes to determine whom they had actually appointed to the position.

The complex interplay between Mr. Murakami’s roles as mayor and assistant fire chief appears to be at the heart of many of the concerns raised by citizens, highlighting potential conflicts of interest and raising questions about the separation of powers within the city’s governance structure. This situation underscores the need for clarity, transparency, and potentially a review of the city’s leadership structure to address the concerns raised by the public.

The upcoming council meetings are anticipated to be pivotal as the community watches closely to see how their elected officials respond to these pressing issues. There is a clear expectation for steps to be taken to improve transparency, accountability, and basic operational competence in local government operations. The council’s ability to address these concerns, correct their mistakes, and rebuild trust with the community will be crucial in the coming weeks and months.