Since the elimination of West Hollywood’s city council deputy system last month, all previous council deputies are on paid administrative leave, according to LuNita Bock, director of human resources and administrative services for the city.

“They had a choice to stay working for the city or take [paid] administrative leave. They were given a choice: come to the office, continue in the office, or to take an administrative leave. And they chose to take an administrative leave,” Bock said.

Bock said it is common for employers to provide a choice to employees when they are notified of a pending layoff. All former deputies are on paid administrative leave for 45 days.

On June 15, Mayor Lindsey Horvath recommended replacing the deputy system with a support staff that reports directly to the city manager instead of individual city council members. The city council voted 4-1 in support of Horvath’s proposal. The lone dissenting vote was by Mayor Pro Tempore Lauren Meister, who said the city council rushed to judgment on the deputy system.

“I wish we had a more thoughtful and transparent process and took time to consider what a new system would look like, how it would work, how much it would cost,” Meister said.

However, the elimination of the council deputy system was long overdue, according to Horvath. She said it came as a response to concerns from the community, such as deputies’ high salaries.

“In inquiring, I found no government, nonprofit organization, or business that had five full-time employees, with six-figure compensation packages, reporting to part-time political employees,” Horvath said.

Councilman and former Mayor John D’Amico said the recommendation to eliminate the deputy system was supported by the community.

“It was clear that there was some problems with deputies internally … it was clear from the discussion with my colleagues that this was going to happen. I just wanted to support this effort because we need to have a functioning support system,” D’Amico said.

Councilman John Duran’s former deputy Ian Owens was placed on paid administrative leave from January to March pending an investigation into alleged eavesdropping on Councilman John Heilman’s deputy, Fran Solomon. Owens returned to work at city hall in March.

Owens alleged that Solomon was illegally conducting campaign activities for Heilman on city time. After he was suspended, Owens alleged sexual harassment by his boss, Duran.

In March, Owens filed a lawsuit against the city of West Hollywood and Councilman Duran alleging unfair retaliation, sexual harassment and soliciting bribes. As of yet, a court date has not been set.

The support staff focuses on providing administrative, legislative and policy support and constituent support. The interim support staff is comprised of existing city hall staff that was temporarily reassigned under an interim system until the permanent system is finalized in six months, according to Horvath.

The salary range of the support staff has not been determined yet, according to Bock, who added that former deputies are able to apply for any positions with the city including the support staff positions.

The city is not recruiting for the positions yet, since there has been no final determination on the structure or actual positions, Bock added.

“Right now, we’re adjusting the size [of the support staff] for the needs of the council. I think the system is still a sort of a work in progress to meet all the council members’ needs. Every member at city council has different support needs … I’m working with the city manager and other city council [members] to create the best support structure for the city,” Horvath said.

D’Amico said one of the potential issues that came up with the new support staff is the high-concentration of control in the hands of the city manager.

“We have to make sure that council people don’t lose access to information, unbiased information, to what’s happening at city hall, and what our constituents’ desires are,” D’Amico said.

Additionally, he said the varying years of experience between council members makes the task more complicated.

“It’s not going to be quick. The needs and desires of each council member are different. There are council members with 30 years experience, and there are council members with four months experience,” D’Amico said. “In no small way, deputies provided a point of view that was independent of the city managers and city staff … sometimes that wasn’t necessary, and sometimes it was. We just have to make sure we have an independent point of view at city hall and [with] city constituents.”