City council members awarded former City Administrator Judy Brigham restitution after this year’s lengthy legal case was settled. ROBERT JOHNSON II, was named city attorney at the conclusion of Tuesday’s meeting. IOLA FIRE Department employees will now have the ability to use grant funds to purchase new safety equipment, regardless of frozen funds in the city. CITY COUNCIL took the time to honor two of their long-time employees in Tuesday night’s meeting. Council members endorsed a resolution that will allow the city of Iola to apply for status as a “Community of Excellence” through the Kansas Pride Program.
Brigham came before the council Tuesday night to request that money be paid to her on the “good faith” of the council, outside of the settlement made over the lawsuit. The amount awarded included money from sick leave, severance pay and attorney fees — totaling an approximate $56,000.
Brigham’s lawsuit was filed earlier this year against six of the city council members after she was terminated two weeks before her retirement. A settlement was made this fall with the council, to reimburse her for money that would have been acquired during her final two weeks as administrator.
Council member Joel Wicoff heartily supported Brigham’s request of the council to award Brigham the funds. The council had no legal obligation to award the money.
“We’ve all been through heck on this, and Judy has been treated unfairly,” Wicoff said.
Upon the decision of the council, those in the audience applauded. Council member Scott Stewart expressed his feelings about the situation, saying “no one wants this over more than I do.”
City council also separated the resonsibilities of city attorney and city prosecutor.
Carl Slaugh, city administrator, said many cities have a separation of duties between the city attorney and city prosecutor.
Mayor Bill Shirley said the applicant pool will be re-opened for the prosecutor position to be filled. He said he hopes to see the prosecutor selected by December.
“I think the council has done the right thing,” Shirley said, “it was really a win-win situation for the city.”
He said there can often be conflicts of interest between a prosecutor and attorney, and he believes splitting the responsibility between two positions will help alleviate that possibility.
Fire Chief Donald Leapheart came before the council to explain that many of the firefighters’ equipment was used past the point of being considered safe, including many of the mens’ boots.
“Is the equipment an issue,” Leapheart said, “Yes, it really is.”
After discussion from the council, a decision was reached to release funds available from IFD grants to be used for new bunker equipment. Budget freezes are in place for city organizations in order to remain on target for the year, however, the council agreed the grant funds would not be directly adding to the budget.
Council member Steve French brought up the subject of the firefighters union, saying that communication would be more open in such an arrangement. He said the overall cost to the city for a pair of boots would be $15, and if a union were in place, small purchases for the men would not be such an issue.
Both Debra Troxel, a 20-year employee, and James Portenier, a 30-year employee, were awarded plaques by Mayor Bill Shirley to recognize their service to the city of Iola. Portenier said it “has been an honor to work in such a wonderful city.”
Donna Houser, representative for the program, said the conferred status would give the city access to grant funds for city revitalization projects. She said plans have been suggested to construct a foot bridge over Elm Creek, as well as a fishing platform.
City awards Brigham restitution
