Commission removes Hogle from acting town manager role

Longboat Key Police Chief Al Hogle is out as acting town manager.

Susan Phillips, assistant to the town manager, is now acting town manager — at least until 4 p.m. today.

Mayor Jim Brown called an emergency meeting Monday afternoon at the end of a Comprehensive Plan workshop to address concerns about Hogle’s handling of an issue involving a department head.

The commission first avoided naming the department head, but approximately 15 minutes into the meeting, Hogle said that the employee in question was Longboat Key Planning Zoning & Building Director Monica Simpson.

Hogle told the commission that two employees came to him Friday and “reported a very serious problem.” Hogle ordered a police captain to interview employees and was debriefed on the situation Sunday.

Based on interviews, Hogle concluded “that this was a hostile work environment, that (employees) were being bullied and that they were getting harassment from that department head,” that the immediate issue was to keep Simpson away from those employees and that Simpson should be placed on administrative leave without pay. Employees were notified that Simpson would not be reporting for work on Monday.
Hogle said that he called commissioners over the weekend, not seeking their direct input but to make them aware of the situation.

But Brown suggested that Hogle acted too quickly.

“When I did have time to think about it, I said my suggestion would be to put the employee on two-week leave and have an independent survey done reporting to the interim town manager (David Bullock, who assumes the role Nov. 1).

Commissioner Pat Zunz also voiced concerns.

“I accepted the fact that our attorney (David Persson) and (labor attorney) Reynolds Allen went along with the process and the speed at which it was going,” she said. “I was under the idea that they agreed with it. I have since found out it is not true.”

But commissioners Lynn Larson and Hal Lenobel supported Hogle’s actions.

“In my opinion, I think the town manager acted not only appropriately but acted courageously,” she said.

“Rarely do I agree with Commissioner Larson, but this time I do 100%,” Lenobel said. “The town manager acted within the realm of the charter.”

The commission passed a motion to remove Hogle as acting town manager.

“Al, I’m sorry,” Brown said. “I felt backed into a corner.”

Attorney Andy Cohen expressed concerns about leaving the position of acting town manager vacant. The commission then approved a motion temporarily appointing Phillips to the position. The commission also voted to continue their emergency meeting at 4 p.m. today at Longboat Key Town Hall.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].