The Lehi City Council is part of a power group that Mayor Howard H. Johnson says he intends to break up, though one councilman says the mayor and council are going to work together.

Power plays, intimidation, threats and employees fearing for their jobs if they said anything were some of the vague accusations about the council and administration made by Johnson on Wednesday.

"These people who don't want to talk are afraid to talk, they fear retribution," Johnson said, but would not name those he accused. "It's just floating through the organization."

On Tuesday, Johnson refused to let City Council members vote on a city government change that would have changed his role as mayor, saying the council had acted illegally in discussing the issue during a meeting that was closed to the public and him. Under state law, executive sessions are closed to the public and are allowed for personnel, litigation and property discussions.

Johnson has sought out legal help by contacting the Utah Attorney General's Office. The state attorney general's staff is reviewing his complaint and advised him in a letter to seek help from either a personal attorney, the city attorney or the Utah County Attorney's Office. Johnson has been trying to contact his own attorney.

Last week, City Council members asked the city recorder to add an item to Tuesday's agenda that, if passed, would have changed the city government from a council/mayor system, under which the mayor is the chief administrative officer and votes only to break ties, to a council/manager system, under which the city manager runs city operations and the mayor would conduct meetings, break ties and serve as a figurehead for city government at community events.

Johnson said he thinks part of the reason for the council's interest in changing the government may be in his administrative style. He has delayed reappointing 17 administrative and department heads in the city. Of the 17, he has interviewed approximately one third.

"The council was bothered a little, because I didn't just routinely approve them, instead I followed the law," Johnson said. "Now I'm trying to break it up, and they're getting a little incensed."

Councilman Johnny Barnes, who has criticized Johnson's leadership style, said he thought the council and mayor were approaching a resolution.

"Anything that brings this to a head, I think we're going to get there," he said of the conflict. "We're going to work together and stay out of the press as much as we can."

On Tuesday night, Johnson didn't allow any public comments or discussion among council members about the government change issue. He spent time talking about the importance of residents having a voice in city government.

Some councilmembers said they were disappointed Lehi residents didn't get a chance to speak.

"We really feel what we were trying to achieve was not accomplished but what we were trying to do was to have a public meeting," said Councilman Stephen Holbrook, who spearheaded research on the government change issue.

Though he said he's disappointed the discussion was delayed, he said he's glad it will be back on the agenda later this month.

The issue is back on the City Council agenda for April 25 and the proposed amendment is available at Lehi City Hall, 153 N. 100 East, Lehi or on the city's Web site, www.lehicity.com.