Mayor Writes Letter of Reprimand to Councilmember Over His Behavior

has sent Councilman Byron Price a letter reprimanding him for his behavior at a recent council meeting.

The letter states, "Councilmember Price, I am writing to express my grave concerns about your bullying and disorderly behavior at the meeting of the City Council on Monday, February 14."

The mayor said the Council will not tolerate Price's behavior. She said Price's behavior put the City and himself  "at risk for a defamation lawsuit."

Price took aim at City Manager Lehman Walker. "I don't trust him as far as I can throw him," said Price, referring to the city manager. The two men differ over the City's financial picture. Price adamantly objects to Walker's belief that the City is in dire financial straits. Walker said when you spend more money than you take in and your only option is to use your reserve fund "I consider you to be in dire financial straits." 

University City has several million dollars in its General Fund Reserves, but Walker said that money can only help in the short term.  He said the City ultimately needs to balance its budget, not eat away at its reserves, which he said will eventually run out. 

Some of Mayor Welsch's accusation's against Price are as follows:

• Refused to accede to the mayor's ruling that he was Out of Order.
• Defamed City Manager Lehman Walker.
• Spoke in a" bullying fashion" to other members of the Council.
• Verbally attacked Councilmember Stephen Kraft on three separate occasions.
• Verbally attacked the mayor and her office.
• Became physically menacing to Councilmembers by rising from his seat and shaking his index finger in their faces.
• Impugned the reputation of the other members of Council by stating that they had contravened the Sunshine Law.
• Repeated information to the audience that he knew to be inaccurate, thereby misinforming  residents.

 Mayor Welsch ends the letter by stating she is considering recommending to the City Council that it pass a resolution of reprimand for "your disorderly conduct on February, 14."

She warned that if the resolution is passed and if Price's conduct continues "I will recommend we proceed with further disciplinary action for disorderly conduct."

University City Patch reached out to Councilman Price and is awaiting his response to the mayor's letter.