The City Council and the city’s administration have, at times, been at odds over the interpretation of the City Charter, the governing legal basis between councilors’ policymaking and the mayor’s executive role.

As of late, the council has attempted to bypass the authority of the Coogan Administration when it comes to the matter of who gets a say in municipal employee contract renewals.

At the April 6 City Council’s Committee on Ordinances and Legislation meeting, Corporation Counsel Alan Rumsey offered the opinion that one approval of municipal department heads from the City Council is enough. But some councilors at the table struck back, led by City Councilor Shawn Cadime, to offer a contrasting view: that all contract renewals ought to return to the Council floor for reapproval. 

“You’re essentially suggesting,” Rumsey told councilors, “That this City Council has the power to terminate, because if [an employee] doesn’t get approval, they’re gone.”

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