HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2024-012 Termination of City Manager's Employment Agreement Without Cause RESOLUTION NO. R-2024-012
A RESOLUTION removing the City Manager, terminating the City Manager's employment
agreement without cause, and providing for severance pay pursuant to the
employment agreement.
WHEREAS, the City Council seated in 2020 entered into an employment agreement with
Robert Harrison on August 4, 2020 providing for the employment of Robert Harrison as the City
Manager; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the City of Yakima City Charter, and RCW 35.18.120, the city
manager is appointed for an indefinite term, subject to removal by the City Council upon a majority
vote of the council and upon thirty days' notice; and
WHEREAS, a severance package was included in the City Manager's employment
agreement, as set forth at Section 13, Termination by the City and Severance Pay, as amended
by the City Council in the Second Amendment to Employment Agreement for City Manager,
entered into on September 12, 2023; and
WHEREAS, on November 7, 2023, elections were held for four of the seven city council
seats, and the results of that election, which were certified on November 28, 2023, resulted in
three new councilmembers joining the Yakima City Council; and
WHEREAS, only one city councilmember remains on the Yakima City Council from the
original hiring date of Robert Harrison; and
WHEREAS, as a result in this change in councilmembers, the City Council has determined
that it is in the best interest of the City to seek a new city manager and intends to remove him and
terminate his employment contract as stated herein; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is terminating the City Manager's Employment Agreement
"without cause".
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
YAKIMA:
1. The City Council does hereby terminate the City Manager's Employment
Agreement, and remove him from the office of City Manager, effective thirty (30) days after the
date of delivery of a copy of this resolution to Robert Harrison.
2. The reason for the termination of the City Manager's Employment Agreement and
removal of the City Manager is the change in composition of the City Council since the
Employment Agreement was entered into in 2020, most recently with the election of three new
councilmembers to the City Council.
3. The termination of the City Manager's Employment Agreement is "without cause"
as described in Section 13(B) of the Employment Agreement, as amended.
4. The City Council of the City of Yakima expresses its thanks and appreciation to
Robert Harrison for his service to the residents of Yakima as its City Manager, and wishes him
the best on his future endeavors.
5. City staff is instructed to take such steps as may be necessary to honor and pay
the severance pay provisions set forth in Section 13(B) and 13(D) of the City Manager's
Employment Agreement, including obtaining the required release of claims, and all such steps as
may be necessary to implement this decision.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 2nd day of January, 2024.
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