After two hours of heated public comment, the five-member council, in a rare act of unity, voted unanimously to trim the mayor's administrative powers and put a city manager in charge of running the city.

The crowd was split on whether to continue to give Mayor Claudia Anderson free rein in the day-to-day running of the city or to reduce her role to that of a part-time mayor, which in essence she is, even though she made the personal commitment to give it full-time effort.

"I'm embarrassed because I voted for these guys," said Kenra Keddington, referring to the sharp schism between the council and Anderson. "We need a city manager just to be a referee here."

Earlier this month, Anderson put Brent Bluth, the city's administrative services director, on paid administrative leave, to which the council responded by suggesting this change in government. Tuesday's was the second public hearing on the emotionally charged issue.

"I love the community. Unfortunately we've come to gridlock," said developer Kim Rindlisbacher. "What I really struggle with is that we have too much turnover in city staff and that's really where things happen."

Rindlisbacher and many who attended Tuesday asked that Anderson be freed from the day-to-day administrative duties of the city to use her abilities at a higher level as mayor. But equally as many opposed the hiring of a city manager who has not been elected and does not live in the city.

"If we turn over all this authority to a city manager who doesn't live in our city and has no responsibility or repercussions to his decisions, I think we're doing a bad thing," said Mitch Oldroyd. Bluth, the likely candidate for city manager, lives outside the city.

Council members labored to explain Tuesday's decision to the crowd.

"Let me tell you folks. This thing is broke, and it's got to be fixed and fixed soon," said Councilman Bill Maxwell. "We've lost several good people and are about to lose Brent Bluth. He deserves our support."

"I don't feel the mayor has wanted the relationship with the city administrative services director to work out," Councilman Jesse Kelley said.

Anderson viewed the council's decision as a demotion. "The way they've crafted this, I'll have no power but to go to meetings," she said.

Some of the audience accused Anderson of micromanaging.

"As the city's CEO, I haven't overstepped any bounds. If I should be blamed for anything, it should be for not taking control and making the city run like a top," Anderson said.

cmckitrick@sltrib.com