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Citing "pressing personal and family matters," newly hired Washington City Administrator Richard Downey has turned in his resignation. The City Council unanimously approved the resignation at its Aug. 15 meeting.
Downey, who took over following the retirement of Bob Morris, spent no more than 45 days on the job.
He recently moved his wife and two children, ages 3 and 6, to Washington well ahead of the December deadline.
"It's just one of those unfortunate things," Mayor Gary Manier said after the meeting. "When you have to take action on something like this, it's disappointing and difficult."
The decision to accept Downey's resignation followed a 30-minute executive session where details of his employment were discussed.
Those details are what Manier classified "personnel issues," and something he was not "at liberty to discuss."
Details available to the media were nothing more than a short press release stating the tendering of the resignation and that the city "wishes Downey well in his future endeavors."
Downey's contract was for an annual salary of $100,000 — up from the $67,000 he was earning in the same capacity in Rock Falls.
When asked about the buyout options and early termination clauses in Downey's contract, Manier said those details can be found by filing a Freedom of Information Act request.
"In fairness for Richard, that's the best way to do it," he said.
The Washington Times-Reporter filed the request and should have more information shortly.
Moving to the vacancy on the city staff, Manier said everyone at city hall has filled in for Downey during his absence. He would not comment on when Downey's last official day was at work.
"Until we voted on this tonight, I couldn't engage the council on the next step until issues were finalized," he said. "We will discuss either an interim or starting the hiring process over again."
Asked if bringing back former city administrator and newly retired Bob Morris was an option in the interim, Manier said, "That would be a nice viable option if Bob was willing and the council would be interested in doing that."
In other items, the board:
• Approved entering into an agreement for general upkeep and landscaping on Washington Square.
The first agreement with Bill Hartter is to tuck-point the fountain, replace the stone caps and rework the brick bases under the planter and trash receptacles for the total of $4,951.
Citing "pressing personal and family matters," newly hired Washington City Administrator Richard Downey has turned in his resignation. The City Council unanimously approved the resignation at its Aug. 15 meeting.
Downey, who took over following the retirement of Bob Morris, spent no more than 45 days on the job.
He recently moved his wife and two children, ages 3 and 6, to Washington well ahead of the December deadline.
"It's just one of those unfortunate things," Mayor Gary Manier said after the meeting. "When you have to take action on something like this, it's disappointing and difficult."
The decision to accept Downey's resignation followed a 30-minute executive session where details of his employment were discussed.
Those details are what Manier classified "personnel issues," and something he was not "at liberty to discuss."
Details available to the media were nothing more than a short press release stating the tendering of the resignation and that the city "wishes Downey well in his future endeavors."
Downey's contract was for an annual salary of $100,000 — up from the $67,000 he was earning in the same capacity in Rock Falls.
When asked about the buyout options and early termination clauses in Downey's contract, Manier said those details can be found by filing a Freedom of Information Act request.
"In fairness for Richard, that's the best way to do it," he said.
The Washington Times-Reporter filed the request and should have more information shortly.
Moving to the vacancy on the city staff, Manier said everyone at city hall has filled in for Downey during his absence. He would not comment on when Downey's last official day was at work.
"Until we voted on this tonight, I couldn't engage the council on the next step until issues were finalized," he said. "We will discuss either an interim or starting the hiring process over again."
Asked if bringing back former city administrator and newly retired Bob Morris was an option in the interim, Manier said, "That would be a nice viable option if Bob was willing and the council would be interested in doing that."
In other items, the board:
• Approved entering into an agreement for general upkeep and landscaping on Washington Square.
The first agreement with Bill Hartter is to tuck-point the fountain, replace the stone caps and rework the brick bases under the planter and trash receptacles for the total of $4,951.
The second agreement is with Gary Lucas to replace, repair or move the four lights at the west and east entrances. Lucas would also rehabilitate the two coping sections at the west entrance to allow for city vehicle access for future maintenance. The total agreement with Lucas is to not exceed $28,500.
Both projects, Oliphant said, are paid for through TIF funding and something he hopes will be completed this fall.
Oliphant added they are working on putting together a master plan of projects that need to be completed on the Square including the removal and subsequent replacement of trees.
"At this point, we plan to do an equal swap for what is already taken out and what we're going to be taking out," Oliphant said. "We've had several people complain about (the dying trees on the Square) ... the blue spruce along the east side and the hawthorn along the north side ... the maples on the west side have been there a long time as well, but those may be good for awhile."
While the plan is merely a work in progress, he hopes to have something to take to the city council by mid-September.
