PORT ANGELES — The City Council approved an interim city manager on Tuesday — while still keeping ties to former City Manager Mark Madsen with a consulting contract that could pay Madsen up to $31,200.
Jerry Osterman, whose contract for $12,000 monthly was approved unanimously by the council, was sworn in as the interim city manager and will begin work this week.
The council approved a consulting contract with Madsen on a 6-1 vote, with City Council member Cherrie Kidd the only opposing vote.
The contract allows Madsen — who finished his last week of work as city manager on Friday — to be paid up to $31,200, unless the amount is changed by the City Council, to give periodic advice to Osterman and city staff on specific tasks, such as the 2009 budget.
“Frankly I think people cannot afford to pay that kind of money,” Kidd said.
“I don’t want to hire two city managers.
“We already have one, and I can’t support this at this time.”
Council member Don Perry, Deputy Mayor Betsy Wharton and Mayor Gary Braun all said they were skeptical of the contract at first.
City Attorney Bill Bloor told the council that the hours could be used if they were needed, but if no consulting was requested, then no money would be paid.
Each consulting session must be signed off by interim City Manager Osterman.
Wharton said she hoped it would be “used cautiously, and only as a last resort and not as a matter of course.”
During the early public comment period one community member, Norma Turner, spoke against the measure.
“I fail to see why it would be necessary to have a contract with him,” Turner said.
“When he left, he said he wanted what was best for the city, so surely he could donate a few questions if you have any.”
Madsen announced his resignation on July 9, citing “untenable, hostile work conditions” created by certain City Council members toward him and the city staff.
Though he voluntarily resigned, Madsen will receive about $37,000 in severance, as provided in his employment contract.
