VB,
I am glad that you finally see me as your pal. That is the first step to healing. It is not up to the world to bend to your will.
You are not in the fire department anymore. People have a will and purpose beyond satisfying you. Everything you have done or tried to do is a promotion of the good work that YOU do.
You do not seem to be effective at managing the council/city, because you keep compaining that no one is working with you.
You have to have the tool set to lead, to create the atmosphere that wants people to follow you.
Since your first day, you have put people on the defensive. If you seek change in others, you first have to look in the mirror to see why the change is needed.
If you have to ask for, or in your case demand, respect, you will never have it.
Have a great day
