BLOOMINGTON - The hiring of a city of Bloomington official's son as a water meter reader drew heated discussion Monday at the Bloomington City Council.

Human Resources Director Emily Bell's son, Nick Marchell, was hired to be a full-time meter reader for $23 an hour in the city's water department after a 6-2 vote by the council.

Aldermen Judy Stearns of Ward 4 and Steven Purcell of Ward 7 voted against the hiring. Ward 3 Alderman Kevin Huette was absent.

Because Marchell is related to a city department head, his hiring has to be approved after a review by the City Council.

Stearns raised the issue that Bell is the lead negotiator with the unions that represent many of the city's employees. Marchell will be a union member.

City Manager Tom Hamilton said Bell will not need to recuse herself from negotiating a contract with the union that represents the city's meter readers.

That started an argument between Hamilton and Stearns that was broken up by Mayor Steve Stockton.

Former water department employee Ron Schultz of Bloomington told the council he was against the hiring and accused the council of participating in the same kind of corruption that is plaguing the state.

"Make no mistake, this is a deal," Schultz said.

Ward 6 Alderman Karen Schmidt and Stockton argued with Schultz that his comments were out of line.

"You are talking about corruption and claiming we are trying to slip something under the rug when we are following policy is not appropriate," Stockton said.