Houston council votes to keep police sergeant in office

Four Houston Council members refused to terminate Seidl, one of two police officers who serve the city of 1,755 just north of Wasilla. Three, including Houston Mayor Roger Purcell, voted to fire Seidl.

Seidl's job was on the line because Purcell said Seidl was derelict in his duties overseeing Houston Animal Control and was partially responsible for "deplorable" conditions at the shelter and for a decision last week to shoot four dogs and four cats that had been at the shelter for three months.

Seidl said he got mixed messages from city administration about what his role was in overseeing the city Animal Control department, and that he was directly ordered to shoot the animals by Purcell in a telephone conversation Jan. 29 during which Purcell was "irate" that the animals were still at the shelter.

During the council meeting Monday, Purcell denied that he had told Seidl to shoot the animals.

"That's a bold-faced lie," Seidl interrupted.

The crowd of more than 50, many of whom were wedged in the back of the Houston council chambers and its arctic entry, erupted in hoots, applause and cheering at that point. Most were there to support Seidl. One man had a "Recall the Mayor" placard pinned to the front of his baseball cap.

"One more outbreak and we'll clear the room," Purcell warned.

The crowd responded with more hoots and cheers. Purcell banged the gavel and said the council was going into executive session to discuss the issue.

Audience members protested. One man stood and said Seidl wanted his performance review to be held in public. Going into a closed-door meeting would violate council rules of conduct. Purcell called for a 10-minute recess and left the room. Audience members shouted "Are you resigning yet, Roger?"

The meeting was only one round in an ongoing contest between Purcell and members of the Houston community who think he has overstepped his authority. Audience members circulated a petition to recall Purcell on Monday. Several people upset with the decision to shoot animals at the city shelter plan to pack the council chambers again for the City Council meeting set for 7 p.m. Thursday.

Purcell is part-time mayor in Houston. As a second-class city, he holds a voting seat on the council and is responsible for day-to-day management of the city. This isn't the first time he's been at the middle of controversy in Houston.

Purcell, who owns an investment firm, was elected to the City Council in 2007 after a bitter election battle in which he challenged six-year city mayor Dale Adams. His supporters at the time said they backed Purcell because "he gets things done."

Purcell served as a councilman a year before the council selected him in October 2008 to serve a one-year term as its mayor. His appointment followed a year of tumult at the city in which half the city staff resigned or was fired. The council since has extended Purcell's term another year.

Purcell has lived up to his supporters' claim of getting things done. He made good on campaign promises such as getting more grants to boost city spending and being friendly to businesses who want to locate in Houston. In an attempt to save the city money, he and his wife recently returned from a trip to Virginia, where they picked up a used rescue truck the city bought and drove it to Alaska to save on shipping costs.

But he also stirred controversy by installing flashing lights on his personal vehicle and using it to pull over a speeder and by suing the municipality of Anchorage's Transportation Advisory Board when it attempted to remove the Knik Arm Bridge project from its long-range transportation plan without specifically consulting Houston.

Purcell and Wasilla Mayor Verne Rupright won the lawsuit but Purcell lost the battle over acting as a police officer and pulling a civilian over with his personal vehicle.

FAIRBANKS TRIP

Purcell is facing another police-related battle. He and his wife drove a city patrol car to Fairbanks last month to deliver some paperwork. After they returned, Seidl noticed that the vehicle's camera had recorded part of the trip. The camera is activated when emergency lights are turned on. The footage apparently shows a driver using emergency lights to pass other vehicles. The footage has been posted on the Internet video site YouTube.

Following last week's news that eight animals were shot, Purcell fired two city employees at the animal-control shelter and told news reporters he aimed to terminate Seidl as well. Seidl serves at the pleasure of the council, however, and a council vote was needed to fire him.

The mayor put Seidl on temporary leave Monday. Councilman Lee Himes at the meeting asked Seidl whether he would consider returning to work for the city. Seidl had told council members that his relationship with Purcell was sometimes strained.

"I enjoy the city. I enjoy my job. I'd be happy to stay," Seidl said.

Find Rindi White online at adn.com/contact/rwhite or call her in Wasilla at 1-907-352-6709.