Last Updated on February 7, 2024, 9:49 PM | Published: February 7, 2024
BETHANY, Okla. — An open conflict between the Bethany mayor and one of the City Council members throughout January may have come to a conclusion by the end of the month, but the animosity between the two may take longer to resolve.
Mayor Lloyd, and Council Members McPhail and Palmer in the first Bethany City Council meeting of 2024 exchanged heated words that resulted in a disciplinary agenda item later in the month.
The item was regarding McPhail’s conduct as a Council Member and her use of vulgar language during that January 2nd City council meeting.
What prompted the item
During the January 2nd meeting, Council Member McPhail and Council Member Palmer interrupted the proceedings and talked out of turn multiple times, against the advice and warnings of both Mayor Lloyd and the City’s Attorney, as recorded in the minutes of the January 2nd Bethany city council meeting.
Disorder on the horseshoe was brought on after an item McPhail placed on the agenda was struck down by Council Members Knapp and Plank, who argued that the item did not pertain to city business.
Here’s the language of the stricken item:
Discussion on Marilyn McPhail’s open record request regarding Mayor Lloyd’s emails and text messages with the city attorney involving my agenda items and Facebook posts.
As the Mayor and council moved to strike the item, Council Member Palmer protested.
“I don’t think it’s right,” Palmer said between his declarations of a point of order.
After a back-and-forth about the validity of Palmer’s point of order, he asked if “[he] needed to censure the Mayor for not following the rules,” before the vote was called.
Council member McPhail uttered obscenities twice in the meeting, which prompted Mayor Lloyd to include the disciplinary item seen on the January 16 agenda.
Discussion, possible action
The item was intended to discuss and possibly take action against McPhail for “…her use of belligerent, personal, impertinent, slanderous, threatening, abusive and disparaging comments toward the Mayor of Bethany during the January 2, 2024, regular council meeting in violation of the Code of Ethics contained within the City Council Handbook…”
Council member Chris Powell attempted to move to table the item “In the spirit of malice towards none and charity towards all.” However, the council voted to keep the discussion going.
Mayor Lloyd’s comments
“The fact that this item had to be placed on the agenda, I think, is very sad for the city and the people that we represent,” Mayor Lloyd said during the January 16 meeting.
The Mayor asserted that Council Member McPhail had consistently disseminated false and misleading information, and created division amongst the council to benefit herself.
In doing so, McPhail had “cost the City both in staffing and in actual dollars,” said Lloyd.
Free Press requested a statement from Mayor Lloyd on that item. She sent this official statement:
There were violations of our Code of Ethics at the January 2nd council meeting. Obscenities were uttered by a councilperson at the 2 hour and 22 second and 2 hour 23 minute marks. Because of the nature and number of violations, they had to be placed on the agenda for discussion and possible action.
These are business meetings. The goal is to work together in a civil and professional manner to make the best decisions possible for the good of our city and to foster a healthy and high-functioning work environment for staff and council. With such a wide range of personalities, things can sometimes get off track and, with elected officials, the process to get back on track is often done in the public eye. The City of Bethany is making great strides and forward progress in our city, as evidenced with our GO bonds, grant projects, economic development, and excellent staff. We look forward to working together for the betterment of all.
Lloyd did not respond to our follow-up questions about evidence of how McPhail has cost the city staff or actual dollars.
McPhail’s response
After the item was opened for discussion January 16, McPhail responded.
“I apologize to my constituents for using that inappropriate word.”
After Free Press asked for further comments, McPhail only repeated her sentiments. “I apologize to my constituents, and no action was taken against me.”
Then, at the City council meeting Tuesday, McPhail addressed Mayor Lloyd’s claims of city staffing and financial losses directly:
“I disagree with the Mayor about her comments she made in the minutes. I also disagree with the comments that I’m not representing my constituents. I have never done anything to benefit myself.
I also disagree with her that I have cost the city in very real ways, from staffing to actual dollars. I have never had anyone speak to me from the city about this. Also, the City attorney told me that this is not an official statement from the City of Bethany or other council members, this is just [the Mayor’s] comments during a meeting.
It remains to be seen how Mayor Lloyd and Council Member McPhail will work together on the Bethany City Council in the future.
Damian Powell is our government reporter for the smaller municipalities in the OKC metro such as Moore, Norman, Bethany, and Warr Acres. Damian is studying Political Science at the University of Oklahoma.
