An unnamed Stanley public works city employee is on unpaid administrative leave, following a closed session discussion and council vote. The council meeting as a committee of the whole held closed session Monday, Dec. 15 under Section 19.85(1)(f) of the state statutes, the action taken after the employee reportedly stopped coming to work.
Section 19.85 of the state statutes allows for closed session in specific circumstances, such as when an open session would damage reputation.
Exiting closed session after a lengthy discussion, the council voting as committee of the whole moved to recommend placing the unnamed public works employee on unpaid administrative leave, pending future action.
Ratified later in council, the motion to place the employee on leave was made by Alderperson Ben Wald, seconded by Alderperson Therese Metzger.
“I move to start the termination process and place employee on unpaid administrative leave pending action at our next council meeting,” Wald said, seconded by Metzger. City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer Nicole Pilgrim elaborated somewhat when reached for comment.
“Answer to your question is that it is a public works employee who stopped showing up for work,” she said, declining to provide a name. “At this time I have to decline to provide a name as they have not been fully terminated.”