After Firing Clerk for Poor Communication, Edgewater Seeks New Hire

Leadership Transition in Edgewater

In a recent shift in leadership, the City Council of Edgewater has appointed Monique Toupin as the interim city clerk following the termination of Bonnie Zlotnik. This decision was made after the council voted unanimously to place Toupin in this temporary role while they seek a permanent replacement. The 30-day search period is expected to begin immediately.

The council's decision to terminate Zlotnik came after a split vote of 3-2 on July 21. The reasons cited included "lack of communication" issues with the former city clerk. Mayor Diezel DePew, Councilman Mike Thomas, and Councilman Eric Rainbird supported the firing, while Councilwoman Charlotte Gillis and Councilwoman Debbie Dolbow opposed it.

Zlotnik’s tenure as city clerk started in 2020, marking her second term in the position. She previously served from 2008 to 2015. Since her termination, she has been using her remaining vacation time, as per the terms of her contract, which requires a 30-day notice period before her separation becomes official on August 20.

Process for Hiring a New City Clerk

The city has initiated a process to find a new city clerk. The city manager and human resources personnel will conduct initial interviews with applicants, eventually recommending the top five names for consideration by the City Council during a regular meeting or workshop.

Initially, the council planned to consider Kelly McQuillen, the former city clerk of New Smyrna Beach, for the position. However, due to an investigation that accused McQuillen of “misconduct,” the interim city manager, Joseph Mahoney, requested more time to review the information.

Mahoney stated that while he believes McQuillen may have a valid rebuttal to the investigation’s conclusions, the city needs additional time to assess the situation thoroughly. McQuillen, who spoke briefly at the meeting, expressed her interest in being considered for the position and shared her experience in the neighboring city.

Salary Increase for Interim City Clerk

As part of the transition, the City Council also unanimously approved an increase in Toupin’s salary to $65,000 as she assumes her new responsibilities. This adjustment reflects the importance of the role and the expectations placed on the interim city clerk during this critical period.

Concerns Raised About Communication

During the July 21 meeting, Councilman Mike Thomas raised several concerns about Zlotnik, emphasizing a "lack of communication." He described instances where Zlotnik did not provide updates on meeting schedules and other requests through the phone, citing his lack of email access. Thomas also highlighted other issues, including failure to notify about meetings and rescheduling, lack of response to requests, delayed meeting minutes, unprofessional statements, and an unwillingness to adapt to his requests.

Councilman Eric Rainbird mentioned receiving calls from residents regarding a statement Zlotnik made during a July 7 City Council meeting. In that instance, Zlotnik said, “I’ll quit” as the council discussed tripling the salary of the city manager. Following this, Zlotnik apologized at a budget meeting, acknowledging the statement as inappropriate.

Diverging Opinions Among Council Members

While some council members voiced concerns, others defended Zlotnik. Councilwoman Debbie Dolbow suggested that Thomas should work with Zlotnik to resolve any communication issues, stating that the clerk should be able to adapt to each council member. Dolbow noted that she had not experienced any problems with Zlotnik and praised her professionalism and promptness in answering questions.

Councilwoman Charlotte Gillis also expressed confidence in Zlotnik, stating that she had no concerns and that Zlotnik always fulfilled her tasks. Mayor DePew echoed some of the concerns raised by Thomas and Rainbird, supporting the change. He acknowledged Zlotnik’s contributions but emphasized the need for restructuring within the city.