Still, at the March 16 council meeting, Howe called for a motion that was meant to stop the vice chairman of the commission from advancing to chairman. The motion died when four visibly confused council members abstained, citing lack of information.

Although it is known that the vice chairman is Raymond Pole, the mayor refused to give his name. Nor would Howe give the public and his fellow council members at the meeting any more information about why Pole's advancement to chairman should be stopped beyond hints that something is wrong.

Howe recalled to Councilman Fred Fowler that during Fowler's stint as mayor two years ago, city staff came to Fowler with this same issue. Fowler said he didn't remember the issue.

After asking for public comment on an this unexplained issue that many in attendance evidently did not understand, Howe called for a vote to approve a motion to recommend either having the existing chairman serve a second term or finding another candidate.

Council members Melinda Hamilton, Julia Miller, Fred Fowler and Otto Lee all abstained from the vote, citing a lack in understanding what they were voting for. Howe and Vice Mayor Dean Chu voted for the motion and Ron Swegles voted against it.

Due to the secrecy surrounding the issue, several council members suggested holding a closed session. Howe said that would be inappropriate because it was not a city personnel issue and therefore did not justify a private meeting of the council.

Because the council appoints boards and commission members after the initial recruitment by city staff, the council has the option of simply removing a member from the commission. But Howe said that merely preventing the member's advancement to chairman was enough for the next year because, after that, his term with the commission ends.

The Sun was not able to reach Raymond Pole for comment.

City Attorney Valerie Armento cautioned the council on overstepping its own power, by trying to have a say in the progression of commission members. She advised that after boards and commission members are selected by the council, it is ultimately the job of each individual board or commission to determine who holds which position.

Communications Officer John Pilger clarified her statement, saying that a suggestion of that type does fall within the council's power, but a direct request did not, although he added that any strong recommendations from a body like the council would most likely have a strong influence on decision making.