WARNER ROBINS – City Council member and mayor pro tempore Bob Wilbanks said Tuesday a special called meeting of the mayor and council will take place Thursday. Mayor Chuck Shaheen said he’s heard about it.

Under the city’s charter, Section 2-403 states that city council meetings can be called for by the mayor or a majority of city council members, City Attorney Jim Elliott said Wednesday.

Wilbanks said the meeting’s purpose is to look at some “personnel and city government issues that need to be addressed,” but did not go into greater detail.

Another item on the agenda, he added, will be Shaheen’s action Wednesday to suspend Police Chief Brett Evans for seven days without pay for political activities during last year’s mayoral election.

“The mayor’s actions of today will be addressed,” Wilbanks said. “As mayor he has the right to suspend department heads, and the council has the right to either affirm his actions or reinstate a suspended department head.”

When asked Wednesday morning about the meeting, Shaheen waved his hand and said, “I’ve heard about it,” but added he felt it was done surreptitiously.

“That was a Waffle House gathering done behind my back,” Shaheen said. “It’s very unprofessional, and Wilbanks has his secret meetings.”

Shaheen said he enjoys his job and thought he would have more support from the council.

“They do things and then tell me,” he said. “It’s difficult to run a city if we’re not all on one page and speaking with one voice.”

Wilbanks said there was no secret meeting.

“We wouldn’t allow anyone to break the law,” he said. “I checked with the city clerk and city attorney, and we’re going to follow the law.”

Wilbanks said he contacted all city council members and heard back from all of them except for Tom Simms.

“We can do this, even if the mayor disagrees,” he said.

The meeting is set for 5:15 p.m. at City Hall.