Treasure Island commissioners say the city has no obligation to pay him because he wasn't a city employee.
By CHRISTINE DELLERT
Published June 13, 2004
TREASURE ISLAND - Jim Denhardt has requested severance pay after 17 years as city attorney, but commissioners don't think he is entitled to it. Denhardt, Treasure Island's legal adviser since 1986, was replaced last month by St. Petersburg lawyer Maura J. Kiefer.
Three weeks ago, commissioners said, Denhardt hand-delivered written requests to City Hall asking commissioners for monthly payments of about $3,000. But, instead of one letter, he brought two.
A letter dated May 5 requests that commissioners grant him six months' severance pay. Another, dated May 25, requests 12 monthly payments.
Mayor Mary Maloof said she spoke with Denhardt and he told her the first letter was a mistake. "It was an accident," she said. "He certainly didn't mean for us to see that first letter."
Denhardt was unavailable for comment Friday. A secretary at his First Avenue law office in St. Petersburg said he was out of state.
His letters cite his "length of employment" and "loyalty and allegiance to the City of Treasure Island" as the basis for severance benefits.
But commissioners say that because he was not considered a city employee, the city has no obligation to pay him. Kiefer will discuss this opinion with Denhardt, commissioners said.
"We don't feel that this is a legitimate request," said Commissioner Phil Collins. "He doesn't have a contract with the city."
Denhardt had a retainer of $36,000 a year and received $150 an hour for additional projects. The city also paid Denhardt's health insurance, his costs to attend the annual meeting of Florida city attorneys and for some legal periodicals.
This is more than most cities do for their attorneys, Maloof said.
Although Denhardt served as city attorney in Treasure Island, he also worked for Pinellas Park and Redington Shores.
Commissioners decided it was time for a change after Denhardt was criticized for failing to stop them from adopting an ordinance allowing taller buildings that was later thrown out.
- Times Staff Writer Kathy Saunders contributed to this report.
