Termination of Corner Brook’s city manager not part of any long-term plan, mayor says

Corner Brook Mayor Jim Parsons said the termination city manager Melissa Wiklund has been put into motion by council as a whole.

The city issued a news release on Monday morning stating it is terminating Wiklund’s contract without cause. The notice of motion to do so was received on June 9.

Wiklund came to the city from Regina, Sask., in March 2015. Her contract is not set to expire until March 2019.

Parsons would not provide any specific details on the decision, and said it is a personnel matter.

Wiklund’s name is mentioned in a lawsuit filed in Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court that alleges the city conspired to thwart Way’s Haulage and Excavation Ltd.’s contractual obligations and prevent it from acquiring more contracts.

When asked if this played a role in the decision to terminate Wiklund, Parsons said the city would not comment on anything specific to the termination of her contract.

“It was a matter that was carefully considered by council, just for the overall benefit of the institution,” he said.

Parsons said it is not something that is part of any long-term plan.

“This is not part of any organizational structure change. There’s no grand scheme to change our operations at this point. And there are no plans to let anyone else go.”

He said council met with staff on Monday to reassure them “there is no hit list.”

There is no plan for the position, and in the interim Dale Park, the director of finance and administration, will assume the role of city manager, Parsons said.

Park filled in as acting chief administrative officer for a short time after Mike Dolter was let go in July 2014.

Parsons said the formal process for termination of the city manager’s position is covered under the City of Corner Brook Act. The act requires a notice of motion, followed by a formal vote a week later and another vote a month after that.