A Birmingham activist has filed an ethics complaint against Mayor William Bell over a mayoral campaign-related meeting held at city hall where he warned employees they could be out of a job if he wasn't re-elected.

Iva Williams, who filed the complaint, alleges Bell used his office for personal gain. He also claims the mayor violated state law by using his official position for political activities and by using city facilities for political activities.

"I think it deserves due process," he told AL.com on Friday.

An audio recording of the meeting was released to members of the media this week.

In the mandatory meeting held in the City Council Chambers on Aug. 28, Bell told staff that they couldn't campaign during work hours. He asked staff to tell residents of the progress being made in the city and "magnify" his voice in the community.

"The political survival of my administration is at stake," Bell said. "And if you think that is just about William Bell, no it is about everyone in this room. It is about each of us in this room. Because I guarantee you while some may survive, the vast majority of you will not. OK. I'm not trying to put fear I'm just trying to tell you the realities of the situation."

In last week's meeting, Bell doesn't explicitly ask staff members to campaign for him.

"Now, what do I need from you? It is improper for you to campaign during working hours," he said. "I am not asking you to do that, but what I am asking you to do when you are at work - do your job professionally. Reach out to citizens. Whatever they need try to meet them as immediately as possible. Don't get into any arguments with people, but try to satisfy whatever their needs are. That's the best thing you can do to help me while you are on duty."

Bell tells them to be professional to residents. He also asks them to "tell the true story" of his leadership and the progress going on in the city.

April Odom, spokesperson for the mayor's office, told AL.com earlier this week that the meeting wasn't a "campaign meeting." She said it was a meeting to "address the widespread information that was being put out.

"After the election we were inundated with requests from staff on how they could help," she stated in an email. "We had a staff meeting where the mayor clearly outlined what was acceptable and not acceptable."

The mayor has yet to comment on the complaint.

Williams filed the complaint with the Alabama Ethics Commission on Sept. 7.

"Mayor Bell used the facilities and employees of the city of Birmingham to hold a meeting to solicit contributions and support for his campaign for re-election as mayor of Birmingham, the complaint states. Mayor Bell used official stationary of the Office of the Mayor of the city of Birmingham to order city employees to attended a mandatory meeting to solicit contributions and their support for his campaign for re-election as Mayor of Birmingham, during working hours.

"Mayor Bell solicited things of value from city employees that he directly supervised, the complaint states. "Mayor Bell used his official position to solicit things of value from public employees for his own personal gain."

In an email to AL.com, Tom Albritton, executive director of the Alabama Ethics Commission, said the commission's traditional approach is to not resolve a complaint related to an election within 45 days of that election.

"We recognize that many complaints filed with us are not being filed for political gain but are, rather, being filed for legitimate reasons," he said. "We won't throw it out, but someone shouldn't file one with us and expect a resolution of that complaint within 45 days of an election."

In a field of 12 candidates, Bell came in second to Woodfin, an outgoing member of the Birmingham Board of Education, in the Aug. 22 municipal election. Woodfin received 1,643 more votes than Bell.

The runoff is set for Oct. 3.

Woodfin issued a statement on Bell's meeting at city hall.

"Alabama law is clear: no elected official can use their office to influence the employees they supervise. Despite the clarity of this law, William Bell issued a mandatory meeting request on official letterhead asking city employees in the Council Chamber to volunteer and contribute to his campaign. William Bell even urged City employees to attend churches and speak on his behalf. These coercive acts William Bell committed are an absolute abuse of power and public resources, and he should be held accountable."

Woodfin said he is also asking the Alabama Ethics Commission and Alabama Attorney General to open an investigation into the meeting.

"The disturbing audio of William Bell inappropriately using the platform of the Mayor's office and City Council Chambers for campaign purposes is illegal, and serves as another example of his blatant disregard for the rules," he stated. "City Hall is supposed to be a noble place where the business of the people gets done, not a platform for politicians to recruit volunteers and raise campaign donations. The state must act urgently to enforce the law and begin the process of restoring the public's trust in City Hall."

In June, Williams also filed a lawsuit against mayoral candidate and Birmingham contractor Chris Woods, who came in third in the Aug. 22 municipal election. He claimed Woods couldn't run for mayor because he actually lived in the city of Irondale.

A judge dismissed that lawsuit in August.