Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-02-07 NPB Village Manager resigns (WeekDay)NPB Village Manager resigns Council votes 3-2 to approve Kelly's severance package By Denise Jaegers North Palm Beach Mayor Edward Eissey called a special council meeting at the Herb Watt building at 6 PM Monday, February 3, for the purpose of approving or denying Village Manager Dennis Kelly's proposed severance package. Kelly had tendered his resignation at 5 PM Friday, January 31, about two months shy of his six-month probation period. All five council members, Village Clerk Kitty Kelly, and Village Attorney George Baldwin were present for the one - hour meeting Monday evening. About 20 residents, including those who have been attending council meetings over the past several months, accusing Kelly of everything from malfeasance to misappropriation of funds, attended Monday's meeting, along with Assistant Village Manager Doug Smith, Village Public Safety Director Earl "Duke" Johnson, NPCC Director David Talley, several police officers - and one single voice who asked to speak in Kelly's defense. That voice belonged to Rev. John Fierking, Pastor of Faith Lutheran Church — a respected community leader whose opinions and advice are not typically discarded when he has the floor. Although Rev. Frerking rarely attends council meetings, he made it a point to witness this one, clearly disturbed by the culmination of this "witch-hunt," as some have termed it. Rev. Frerking started off by advising he considers Dennis Kelly a good friend, and holds him in high esteem regarding both his character and capabilities as Village Manager. "Is this more of a `personality thing,' or do you really have evidence of wrongdoing?", he demanded, predicting this occasion could be setting a precedent for future Village Managers whose personalities happen to clash with a handful of residents. Although he seemed grateful for Rev. •Frerking's support, Dennis Kelly interjected, reminding everyone present, "this is all at my request," urging the discussion move on to the details of the severance package. "Well, I just hope that when this is all over, you can all walk out of here proud of what you've done," were the last admonishing words rendered by Rev. Frerking on the matter, before continued discussion ensued regarding Kelly's departure. At the start of the meeting, Councilman Joseph Tringali had motioned to approve the severance package, noting the Village had "reached a crisis point," adding, "it Dennis Kelly asks for five months severance DENNIS KELLY (left) submitted a severance package to council members, asking for five months salary, plus accumulated sick and vacation leave. His last day as Village Manager for North Palm Beach will be Friday, February 7. Councilman Joseph Tringali (right) made the motion to accept Kelly's package, "in the best interest of the Village Manager and the Village" at the start of Monday's special meeting held at the Herb Watt building. PHOTOS BY MARK BLANK would be in the best interest of the Village to `close it out' and get on with life," referencing the entire Village Manager turmoil. Vice Mayor Don Noel seconded the motion for discussion. The severance package Kelly sought included five months salary and group health benefits, amounting to $43,873.50; plus his accrued vacation and sick leave, equaling $12,189.86. The total comes to $56,063.36. The justification for five months, rather than the conventional three months severance pay, was that Kelly was vacating his office two months prior to the end of his probation period. Kelly's last day of official employment as Village Manager was submitted as Friday, February 7, at noon. The language of the package stipulated Kelly would provide advice and consultation regarding any Village - related matters at no charge for the first 30 days after he leaves, and at the rate of $75 per hour thereafter. Councilman Tringali asked the entire "consultation" paragraph be eliminated from the agreement. Councilmen Charles O'Meilia and David Norris were quick to concur with Tringali, noting the Village was already committing to severance pay, and any consulting with Kelly once he's left the employ of the Village should be included with however long the severance covers. This brought Norris to the next detail he wanted changed. "I think the maximum (severance .pay) should be three months, I could live with three CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Page 2 - WEEKDAY - FEBRUARY 7 -13, 2003 NPB Village Manager resigns CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 months," he remarked, noting the Village wasn't legally obligated to any severance at all, since Kelly was ' voluntarily resigning. In addition, Norris suggested Kelly's resignation be "effective immediately," (not February 7) arguing that was the traditional way of doing business when anyone resigns. O'Meilia strongly agreed with Norris on both points, and Mayor Eissey subsequently called the question. The vote was 3-2, with Norris and O'Meilia casting the dissenting votes, to approve the severance package as Kelly submitted it. The only modification was to remove the consultation paragraph mentioned above, which Kelly agreed to. After the vote, O'Meilia again asked for Kelly's resignation to ,be "effective immediately," rather than February 7, as Kelly had stipulated. Tringali commented it was "not necessary to call his (Kelly's) integrity into question," he opined. "To carry this thing any further would be insulting his (Kelly's) integrity." The matter of who would be the interim Village Manager was brought up after the vote, and Mayor Eissey asked the Village Attorney whether the council could appoint Doug Smith as such, even though the meeting was technically over. Baldwin advised the council could discuss the issue, but they were unable to vote on it, since it wasn't listed on the agenda. It was quickly decided the council would again meet in the Herb Watt building at 5 PM, Thursday, February 6, for the sole purpose of officially appointing Doug Smith as interim Village Manager while the Village interviews candidates for the job.