SEBASTIAN, Fla. — Two men are claiming to be the mayor of Sebastian after a controversial meeting last Wednesday.
As the state attorney’s office looks into possible Sunshine Law violations, WPTV obtained a copy of the meeting that sparked the controversy.
Just after 6 p.m., three members of the council, establishing a quorum, began to meet. The group met even though the meeting was declared canceled earlier in the afternoon by the city manager.
One item that had been slated for discussion was to reorganize the council.
On the recording, provided to WPTV from councilman, and now self-proclaimed new Mayor Damien Gilliams, you can hear them vote on a motion to remove all city charter officers, then move to address Mayor Ed Dodd.
"We have a motion to rescind the mayor. Is there a second? I second. Discussion? No discussion. All in favor. Aye. The mayor's been removed,” the council members said on the tape.
Shortly afterward, someone on the tape said, “Psst...here come the police.”
The meeting was adjourned seconds later.
Gilliams was appointed mayor after the motion to rescind Dodd.
On Thursday, Gilliams met with reporters outside city hall, and was confronted by dozens of residents, protesting the discussion and accusations the three council members staged an illegal coup.
Dodd said Thursday he remains the mayor of Sebastian.