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Albany
Amid criticism of the human resources department, Rachel McEneny will take the helm in overseeing HR along with several other city functions as commissioner of Administrative Services in Albany.
Council members voted, 11-2, with two absentees, to appoint McEneny – who was hired as budget director last March – to the position. She was hired at a commissioner-level salary of $117,000 in preparation of the planned reorganization as recommended by Mayor Kathy Sheehan’s transition team.
McEneny will be responsible for multiple departments, including budget, information technology and human resources, which has come under fire by Councilmen Judd Krasher and Frank Commisso Jr. in recent weeks. Most recently, Krasher revealed letters that allege misconduct by former Chief of Staff Matthew Peter and Sheehan.
The councilmen said they opposed McEneny’s appointment because she isn’t qualified and her allegiance to Sheehan could mean employee complaints are dismissed.
“This is an important decision that … cannot be based on personal relationships, last names or political connections,” Krasher said. “The nominee lacks the critical experience and education in municipal finance, IT and human resources, as necessary for this position.”
McEneny previously worked as director of public affairs for the state Workers Compensation Board, as deputy commissioner in the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and as a top adviser to U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and District Attorney David Soares. Her father, Jack McEneny, is a former state assemblyman.
Council President Pro Tempore Richard Conti said her experience in various levels of government is impressive.
“From that point of view, I think she has the ability and the experience to handle and administer the department,” he said.
Prior to McEneny’s appointment, Krasher revealed the complaints – one filed in 2014 to the city’s human resources department and another sent by email to Krasher anonymously – alleging hostile work environments at Peter’s hands.
The email stemmed from the person’s time on Sheehan’s mayoral campaign, while the 2014 complaint was from a city employee.
Krasher said he also spoke to a third woman with similar complaints, but did not provide names, stating the complainants fear retribution.
Commisso said someone closely tied to Sheehan as head of administrative services may make employees unwilling to speak out.
“If people couldn’t feel comfortable before going to Miriam Dixon (HR director), then how will they feel comfortable going to Rachel McEneny,” he said. “I do think there is a problem here.”
All department commissioners are appointed and serve at the pleasure of the mayor, according to city code.
McEneny said the 2014 matter was resolved, and expressed concern over the personnel file being released to the public.
“I hope that this individual wanted this distributed to the media and city council because this is a personnel file,” she said.
Krasher wouldn’t say how he received the 2014 complaint.
Attorney Steve Rehfuss was hired in 2014 as an outside consultant to investigate the complaint, which alleged a hostile work environment at the hands of Peter and Sheehan.
Allegations included the complainant being asked to do things not part of the job description, “reprimanded like … a child,” ignored by Sheehan and Peter and “yelled at and spoken to in a very demeaning, disrespectful, rude and very hostile tones.”
Rehfuss confirmed Tuesday he investigated the allegations, and spoke with the complainant, the mayor as well as the mayor’s staff.
“I found that each and every one of the allegations contained in the complaint to be unfounded, uncorroborated and with absolutely no support or basis in fact,” he said.
afries@timesunion.com • 518-454-5353 • @mandy_fries
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