GOVERNMENT OF THE CITY OF SOUTH FULTON
khalid kamau TAMMI SADDLER JONES
MAYOR CITY MANAGER
MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor khalid kamau & City Council Members
FROM: Tammi Saddler Jones
City Manager
DATE: May 4, 2022
SUBJECT: Recap of Phone Conversation with Council Member Helen Willis
I am writing in response to the phone conversation you initiated with me on Monday, May 2,
2022. The purpose of this correspondence is to express my concerns regarding comments you
made during that conversation with the hope of clarifying the scope of my responsibilities as
City Manager as to personnel decisions.
During the conversation you told me that you lack confidence in the City’s HR Director, Niki
Graham, who reports directly to me. You further complained that Ms. Graham was acting
inappropriately by investigating a complaint lodged by police department employees.
Specifically, you stated that Ms. Graham was “meddling into police business” and that she needs
to leave the city to go to another agency. You also stated that Chief Meadows is furious because
Ms. Graham is meddling into his business. In addition, you said that over four (4) council
members are uncomfortable with Ms. Graham being the HR Director and you are sick of her.
Your comments were inappropriate and misplaced.
As a threshold matter, our HR policies and procedures allow for police employees to file a
complaint with the HR Department. This is referenced in the City’s HR policies and procedures
in Number 118-18 and Number 119-18. Police officer HR complaints such as workplace
discrimination and harassment and/or workplace violence and anti-bullying are not required to be
filed/investigated by the City’s internal affairs division as you said you desired.
In addition, I am not aware of any improper actions taken by Ms. Graham. You have not
provided me with any facts showing that Ms. Graham has engaged in any wrongdoing regarding
the police investigation or otherwise. It appears that your concerns about Ms. Graham are
personal. If at some point, however, Ms. Graham is believed to have violated City policy, the
matter will be handled pursuant to City policies and procedure and consistent with the way we
handle other alleged policy violations. Regardless of who the person is, as the City Manager, I
will continue to follow the City Charter and adhere to the highest ethical standards.
5440 Fulton Industrial Blvd., SW • South Fulton, GA 30336 • Office: 470.809.7700
I would like to clarify my decision to bring in an external law enforcement entity to investigate
the two specific complaints that the HR Department attempted to handle. I reached out to staff at
the City of Acworth and City of Douglasville (to name a few) and both confirmed that they have
used external law enforcement agencies to investigate complaints within their respective police
departments. Your comments to discourage me from continuing to use an external law
enforcement agency to conduct an unbiased investigation into the complaints within our police
department is, therefore, unfounded, not in the City’s best interest, and inappropriate.
Most importantly, while I respect your opinion as a City Council Member, I must remind you
that regardless of whether Ms. Graham is meeting your expectations, personnel decisions are
solely my responsibility. The City Council is not authorized to make personnel decisions
regarding City employees (with the exception of the Municipal Judge, City Attorney and City
Manager). In this regard, you also stated that while you and the other council members cannot
say anything directly to Ms. Graham, you can say something to me, as City Manager, and that
I’m going to have to do something. You continued to stress to me that Ms. Graham is going to
have got to go. Your statement implies an ultimatum concerning my employment if I don’t do
what you all are suggesting. It is improper to attempt to influence, persuade, threaten, or
pressure me into making personnel decisions at your behest or the behest of other council
members.
Finally, you are well aware that the Chief of Police reports directly to me. By engaging in a
discussion with the Chief of Police about my decision to launch an external investigation you are
undermining my authority. This is a personnel matter and, as stated above, any effort to
influence my lawful handling of a personnel matter is improper. Therefore, I am asking you to
please refrain from interfering in my ability to perform my duties and responsibilities as City
Manager.
In closing, I appreciate that I serve at the will of the City Council.
