October 14, 2022 |
Rawlins City Council will meet behind closed doors in executive session tonight to discuss personnel matters. The specifics of any executive session are unknown by their nature, but council may deliberate terminating Sean Metcalf as city manager.
Tonight’s special meeting was announced on October 11th shortly after a newspaper in Nebraska reported that Metcalf had finalized an agreement with the Hastings City Council to start work “Dec. 15 if not sooner” as administrator of that city.
The Hastings council had approved hiring Metcalf in a unanimous vote on September 27. Bigfoot 99 has learned Friday morning that Metcalf has tendered his resignation to the Rawlins governing body. Tonight’s meeting could be to accept the city’s manager resignation, set a date and set terms.
The Hastings Tribune reported this week that council approved a contract with Metcalf that includes an annual base starting salary of $188,953. Sources close to the situation told Bigfoot 99 that Metcalf signed the contract this week. City council has not elaborated on the reason for the meeting other than to call the an executive session.
The relationship between Metcalf and Rawlins City Council has been tense. Metcalf requested a salary increase earlier this year but was denied. Rawlins City Council member Darril Garner told Bigfoot 99 that the governing body here was responsible for Metcalf’s departure.
Councilman Garner described a rocky relationship between Metcalf and some members of council. The first-term councilmember even recounted being outside a closed door at City Hall where he could overhear another councilmember yelling at Metcalf.
Pictured above: Shawn Metcalf photo courtesy of Shawn Metcalf. File photo of Rawlins City Hall. Photo by Cali O’Hare/Bigfoot 99.
Garner said the screaming match lasted for some time and was witnessed by a city employee. Other city employees who asked to remain anonymous confirmed the tense relationship. We reached out to Councilman Weisenburg but our call was not returned. Garner said several members of council have sending out feelers about removing Metcalf in recent months.
During last week’s city council meeting two residents addressed council about the issue. During public comment, Crystal James called out Mayor Weickum and Councilman Weisenburg by name, saying that every member of city staff deserves to be treated with respect. James said many in the city were disappointed by the tone and actions of the previous council and city manager, and that history appeared to be repeating itself.
Another resident, Tanya Lewman, thanked Metcalf for his leadership during this year’s water crisis and expressed hope that council could find a replacement of “equal measure.” Lewman said the job of Rawlins city manager may likely grow more difficult because of worsening economic times and the social changes that may occur.
As is the formality during the public comment period of city council meetings, members of the governing body did not respond to the comments.
Tonight’s special meeting of the Rawlins City Council is set for 6 p.m. Only one item is on the agenda: An Executive Session per Wyoming Statute 16-4-405, which includes dismissal of a public officer or other personnel matters.
Meanwhile, according to the terms of Metcalf’s contract with Hastings, the city will reimburse him for his family’s travel costs and pay the direct real estate fees and closing costs for the sale of his house in Rawlins.
