FLINT, MI-- An attorney told outspoken Flint Councilman Eric Mays he wanted to “crack him across the head" during an altercation that erupted at a committee meeting Wednesday, Sept. 4.

The incident happened at a meeting where a high-ranking member of Mayor Karen Weaver’s staff, Aonie Gilcreast, was being questioned about lead pipe restoration contracts and an alleged boycott by department heads in July.

Gilcreast was compelled to go before council for questioning after receiving a subpoena. Council voted 5-3 on Monday to also subpoena Weaver for questioning. Council members Maurice Davis, Ward 2, Jerri Winfrey-Carter, Ward 5 and Herb Winfrey, Ward 6, dissented.

City Attorney Angela Wheeler hired Ken Scott to represent Gilcreast, who carries the official title of Outreach Development Liaison, during council’s questioning.

“As stated during the meeting last night, I provided an attorney for Mr. Gilcreast," Wheeler said in an email on Thursday. "In addition, I will provide legal counsel for any City employee that is being compelled to appear before the City Council, just as I did for ... (Director of Department of Public Works Rob) Bincsik.”

Scott couldn’t be immediately reached for comment.

Scott and Mays, Ward 1, began arguing in the middle of Gilcreast’s questioning because Scott didn’t appreciate how Mays was asking questions.

Mays questioned Gilcreast about a request made by city officials to rescind a $12.1 million service line restoration contract from Goyette Mechanical and award the work to WT Stevens Construction for $10.2 million. Mays went on to ask Gilcreast whether he knew about department heads “boycotting” city council meetings. Administrators weren’t showing up to council meetings in July because of how council addressed them, City Administrator Steve Branch previously said.

“If you’re (Gilcreast) making $125,000 and the mayor making $125,000 and department heads are making thousands, you can’t boycott council meetings,” Mays said.

Gilcreast, Weaver’s longtime volunteer adviser, was chosen to lead the economic development team with a four-year $120,000 yearly salary with fringe benefits using a $3 million W.K. Kellog Foundation grant in 2018. Weaver’s salary was raised 36 percent to $125,000 in March.

Gilcreast was questioned for less than 10 minutes before Scott and Mays began arguing.

“I don’t allow nobody to disrespect me or my client," Scott said. “So once you can get him in under control, we’ll be back.”

The two men argued before the attorney walked up to the councilperson and said, “I will crack you across your head.”

Mays has a long history for outbursts during council meetings.

Scott, a Flint-based attorney, eventually left the meeting. Mays called the altercation and Scott’s behavior staged, insinuating it was to prevent Gilcreast from answering council’s questions.

“And why the mayor and her staff want to stage something... I don’t know what they’re hiding,” Mays said. “If that’s the direction the mayor wants the city to go, let’s talk to the person where the buck stops at.”

Mays motioned to do all things necessary including subpoena Weaver if she doesn’t voluntarily come to a meeting and answer council’s questions. Councilman Santino Guerra, Ward 3, reiterated elected and city officials should feel comfortable answering questions publicly.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate for an attorney to say he’s leaving and then to walk up to a councilperson and say he’s going to crack him across the head,” Guerra said. “That shouldn’t happen to any of us for asking questions."