As more employees leave, City of Gig Harbor considers consultant to tackle low morale
The city council is looking for some outside help in addressing an unhappy work environment at City Hall.
City Administrator Bob Larson said at the March 8 council meeting that the city is considering hiring an outside consultant to help develop “an action plan to address areas of concern” identified in a recent employee survey.
That came as three more employees notified the city of their plans to resign.
The December survey of 98 city employees by the consulting firm InsightLink described “broad and systemic” problems. The survey report portrayed a dysfunctional City Hall, in which the majority of employees distrust and fear Mayor Kit Kuhn and other senior leaders they feel treat them with contempt.
Employees complained of “being spoken to in a rude or unprofessional manner, being talked down to, not having their expertise recognized and being micromanaged,” consultant Marilyn Mitchell told the council in a video-streamed study session Dec. 17.
‘Fluid situation’
Larson said he had also sent an email to employees informing them of the plans to hire a consultant. The contract would still have to be approved at the next city council meeting on March 22.
“If all goes according to plan, our labor attorney will have a contract prepared and ready for councils review at the March 22 council meeting for their consideration,” Larson said in an interview.
Larson said it was too early to talk about who is being considered for the consulting position. “It’s kind of a fluid situation,” he said.
The Gateway has previously reported that more than 20 employees, including some department heads and top supervisors, had left the city since the election of Mayor Kuhn in 2017, and the number has only increased since then.
The most recent departures include public works clerk Kris Szelmeczka, human resources assistant Melissa Herzog, and associate city engineer Josh Gilchrist, all of whom Larson confirmed would be leaving.
“They’re all three still with us, but they’ve announced that they intend to leave our employment,” Larson said.
Unions urge action
Kuhn has previously said the city did nothing wrong in it’s treatment of employees. He referred questions on the consultant to Larson.
Several union groups representing employees have called for more to be done to fix the issues.
John Scearcy, principal officer for Teamsters 117, one of three Teamster locals that represent city employees, told The Gateway in an email, “we are deeply concerned about the exodus of our members at the city.”
“Clearly, morale is low, and the atmosphere is not conducive to a healthy working environment,” Scearcy said. ”We hope the city will take the feedback from a recent employee satisfaction survey seriously and implement reforms.”
Larson said there is still much in the air about the plan, though there is a degree of optimism.
“I’m rather excited about it,” Larson said. “Again, we haven’t selected a consultant yet so I know we’ve got a process to take, but I’m looking forward to it. I’m committed to wanting to improve the work environment and wanting to improve employee satisfaction generally.”
Support from City Council
The idea seems to have support on the City Council.
“I am supportive,” said council member and mayoral candidate Tracie Markley. “If we could solve these problems in-house, that would be great, but I’m not sure we’re going to be able to do that. So I think we are going to have someone come in from the outside,” Markley said. “I’m hoping that they’ll be able to figure out exactly where the problems are and give us a very detailed plan on how to solve those problems.”
Markley added that the work will not end there.
“I think it definitely goes deeper than having a consultant come in and, honestly, no matter what the consultant comes in and says, it’s still up to the people who are in the leadership positions to implement those changes that are being recommended,” Markley said. “If they are not willing to make those changes, then we are going to be stuck in the same situation that we’re in right now.”
Council Member Robyn Denson said in an email that she also “in full support” of hiring a consultant.
“I’m hopeful that an unbiased expert will review our employee survey results and take a hard look at our work environment and culture, then make professional recommendations for substantial changes,” she said.
Seeks ‘tangible results’
Council Member Jeni Woock said that she also supports the move and wants to see tangible results. “I will ask for deliverables, which means what they’re hoping to get the independent company to come up with. What is their goal? What is their plan? That is what I’ll be asking,” Woock said. “We’re all hoping that we can demonstrate to our employees how valuable and how trusted and how they’re respected in the city. Whatever has happened in the past, let’s fix and let’s move on.”
Council Member Jim Franich said he thinks “it is important with some kind of action to address some of the concerns that the employees have” and hopes to be able to review the consultant’s qualifications.
“I think bringing in somebody with a fresh set of eyes is really important because there have been some polarizing situations that have gone on over the last year or so. I think a fresh set of eyes that’s not biased any one way or another is definitely a good start,” Franich said.
In other business, the Gig Harbor City Council:
Heard a presentation from the Harbor History Museum about the various in-person and virtual offerings the museum has available. The presentation also addressed the ongoing Shenandoah Restoration that the public can see the progress of behind the museum.
Heard a presentation from outgoing superintendent Art Jarvis about various Peninsula School District projects and the plans to select a replacement for him. Jarvis also discussed the naming of one elementary school and the opening of another.
Heard a mayor’s report in which he acknowledged Employee Appreciation Day and International Women’s Day.
This story was originally published March 12, 2021 at 12:30 PM.
