Mediation sought in Bluffdale dispute

BLUFFDALE — An effort is under way to have state legislators mediate the ongoing dispute between Bluffdale's mayor and City Council.

Mont Evans, a former state senator and representative, is spearheading an effort to bring the Bluffdale City Council and Mayor Claudia Anderson to the table with Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, and Rep. Todd Kiser, R-Sandy. The aim is to explore solutions to a rift that is dividing the southwest Salt Lake County city.

"I think it's in everybody's best interest to take advantage of this opportunity to get help from elected officials at a higher level," said Evans, who works as a lobbyist for Anderson.

The relationship between the mayor and City Council has been rocky since shortly after Anderson took office in January 2006.

Disagreements over Anderson's management style, treatment of staff and, city council members say, a disregard for city policies and procedures led the council to strip the mayor of her administrative powers in September.

Residents challenged the change through referendum petitions, and Anderson resumed her duties as Bluffdale's chief executive officer in January.

The question of whether the mayor or a city manager will handle the city's administrative duties is scheduled to go before voters in June, unless SB41 passes at the state Legislature. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Carlene Walker, R-Cottonwood Heights, calls for a moratorium on enacting city-manager forms of government until May 5, 2008, and creates a task force to address the controversial issue.

An amendment passed by the House last week calls for the repeal of all ordinances establishing a city-manager form of government enacted after Sept. 1, which would rescind the Bluffdale action and cancel the referendum vote.

Bluffdale's latest feud stems from Anderson's decision last month to fire administrative-services director Brent Bluth and appoint her political ally and former state Rep. Dave Hogue to the post on an interim basis.

Anderson has said her role as CEO of the city gives her the authority to take such action, but the City Council contends its "advice and consent" is required. The City Council has filed a complaint with the Utah Attorney General's Office over the appointment of Hogue and is hoping the office will intervene.

"It seems to me this is right up their alley," Maxwell said.

Paul Murphy, spokesman for the state Attorney General's Office, said the Civil Review Committee is looking at the complaint.