FM city manager resigns amid a ‘toxic work environment’
Mayor Deal to face investigation, is defended as hardworker by resident
An irreparable relationship between those in the highest two positions in the City of Fort Morgan’s government reached an impasse recently, leading to City Manager Steve Glammeyer’s resignation, he said at Tuesday’s City Council meeting in front of a capacity audience.
“This is a difficult decision for me, but it is time to discuss a mutual change in direction as city manager,” Glammeyer said. “Tonight, I’m publicly tendering my resignation.”
He claimed city charter and procedural violations by Mayor Lyn Deal had made continuance in his position impossible. He does not plan to seek future employment in city government.
“I just feel that my ability to continue in this position has been compromised by the mayor,” Glammeyer said.
Former Mayor Ron Shaver, speaking in advance of the formal resignation and saying he learned of the resignation through The Fort Morgan Times, made a plea to have Glammeyer withdraw the resignation.
“I’ll do whatever I can to talk you out of it,” Shaver said. “I think you are going to be a huge loss to this community.”
City Council appeared to accept Glammeyer’s resignation following a successive executive session, which followed statements from Deal and Glammeyer, but no comment from other members of City Council. In her statement in advance of his resignation, Deal noted some of Glammeyer’s achievements and offered praise toward his tenure with the city.
“I thank you for your knowledge and leadership of the CentrePointe Development and the excellent Field House, which is the first building of its kind and first step toward recreation in Fort Morgan,” Deal said. “Both will be valued assets for the community now and well into the future. I’m confident these two major projects will be part of your lasting legacy.”
Deal did not address the claims of interference or City Charter violations made by Glammeyer in the open public session, but will face an investigation as a result of the grievances.
“She has continued to violate the City Charter,
City Council rules and procedures, and state statute regarding non-interference by providing direction to city staff directly on a number of occasions, most recently discussion of work needed at the Rainbow Bridge with a front line employee,” Glammeyer said.
Further discussion with that employee was another grievance he levied toward Deal.
“I also understand that she has made disparaging comments about me to that employee,” Glammeyer said, “including a statement such as ‘Steve was a great city engineer, but he is not a good city manager.’ ”
Retired teacher Barbara Keenan made the case on behalf of Deal that her hyper involvement within the city is a continuance of her campaign.
“Mayor Deal won a decisive electoral victory over two respected, popular opponents,” Keenan said. “She campaigned in all neighborhoods, met people up close and personal, listened to them, went to work and still hasn’t stopped. She often gets phoned by constituents whose complaints in past years have sometimes been dismissed or ignored. I can speak to that, because it happened to me.”
Just as she reached the time limit for her comments, Keenan brought up that Deal is the city’s first female mayor and began to intimate it has been a challenge for Deal. Among her community involvement, Keenan said, Deal has documented concerns and communicated those to appropriate departments.
Reading from his resignation letter, Glammeyer detailed what had become an irreparable relationship.
“I’m just tired of the lies and deceit that continues in this relationship with the mayor. The toxic work environment, the stress and distress that is placed upon me has led me to this decision,” he said.
Deal had campaigned on being an involved, handson mayor.
“She is an out-and-about and a carry-through mayor,” Keenan said. “There is no greater advocate for city employees than the mayor.”
Similarly, Shaver had noted his praise for Glammeyer during a five-year period in which he had served as mayor and Glammeyer had served in two management capacities.
“I think you did an awful lot of very good things for the community,” Shaver said. “You brought the city back around from a diverse time that we were in. You got staff morale back up. I want to say that you will be greatly missed.”
When City Council returned from a lengthy executive session, Clint Anderson reported on actions as a result of session discussion and Glammeyer’s resignation.
A separation agreement will be drafted to provide Glammeyer with six months of salary and three months of benefits, Anderson said. He will continue as city manager through Aug. 6. City Council will begin recruitment for a city manager through first recruiting a consultant firm. The separation agreement does not provide for Glammeyer to extend or consult the city after Aug. 6, he said.
It was not clear if the City Council would name an interim city manager should the consultant not deliver a city manager in advance of Glammeyer’s final day of employment, which would seem unlikely. Glammeyer said Wednesday he was not aware of the City Council naming an interim city manager.
Anderson additionally reported claims made and grievances levied by Glammeyer would be investigated by legal counsel. The timeline and scope of the investigation was not detailed. It was not clear whether the investigation would be conducted by the contracted city attorney or through independent counsel.
Deal predicted in her statements preceding the executive session that the city had the personnel to navigate through a period of interim city management.
“I have faith in our department heads and employees to carry out the work of the city as they have always done. The City Council will move forward in the best interest of those who remain: the city employees and residents,” Deal said. “That is the direction that we will now follow. I want to thank those who came tonight to support Steve.”
Added Glammeyer: “I wish nothing but the best for the city. The staff here are the best group of women and men that anyone could ask to work alongside. I hope, as I have shared the issues that has led me to this decision, there will be change. The city deserves the best and I hope you are able to find that person.”
He had indicated a willingness to serve in a transitionary period. The next selected city manager could very well become the third in a three-year window in Fort Morgan. Courtesy City of Fort Morgan