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City manager ends battle by leaving

John Coffey will work until the end of the month and take away $44,000 in severance pay.

By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA
Published July 17, 2005

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH - City Manager John Coffey resigned Thursday, ending months of controversy and turmoil at City Hall.

"It's the best we could have hoped for given the circumstances," Mayor Bill Ockunzzi said on Friday.

The special meeting had been called to begin the lengthy process of formally firing Coffey.

Commissioner Jim Palamara urged the commission to suspend Coffey during the firing process, but was opposed by several commissioners who called for the city to reach a "deal" with Coffey.

"It's a good way to end this for all parties," said Palamara after the meeting.

The monthslong public fight with its city manager ended when Coffey offered his resignation, providing the commission agreed to his terms.

It did. Unanimously.

As a result, Coffey will continue working until the end of July. On the first of August, he will receive a lump sum severance of about $44,000 - the equivalent of six months salary.

Under his contract, Coffey's normal severance would total about $17,000.

The city will also pay about $2,600 to cover Coffey's health insurance premiums for that six-month period.

And, in an obvious reference to some of the vehement comments made in recent months, the commission also agreed to Coffey's demand for the "immediate cessation of public name calling and negative comments toward the city manager."

Coffey said he decided to offer his resignation because of his concern for "the welfare of the city," adding that he hopes the City Commission "will stand by their commitment to act like adults in public settings."

As recently as Tuesday, bitter words between some commissioners and Coffey escalated as the commission voted 3-2 its "no confidence" in Coffey's leadership.

Only Mayor Ockunzzi and Commissioner R.B. Johnson opposed the move, arguing that Coffey should be given a chance to improve his job performance.

At one point Ockunzzi confirmed Coffey's charge that another employee, one of the city's charter officers, had instigated employee complaints against Coffey.

"I'm on the hit list, too," said Ockunzzi, saying that internal conflicts at City Hall "go back years" and will not be resolved when Coffey leaves.

The current conflict between Coffey and the City Commission began last February when the commission decided to conduct a public investigation of Coffey's firing of popular building official Steve Andrews.

The city manager was sharply criticized for the way he handled the matter and was eventually forced to rehire Andrews.

The controversies continued, leading to the resignations of three top city employees: the director of planning and development, his assistant, and most recently the city's finance and human resources director.

One of these posts might be filled soon, Coffey told the commission Thursday. A conditional offer has been made to Danny Taylor, who most recently worked as division director of economic development for Henry County in Georgia.

Taylor was offered a $60,000 salary to become the city's planning and zoning director, pending a background check. Taylor has some 20 years experience in city and county planning and has graduate degrees in planning and fine arts, as well as credits toward a doctorate in applied economics.

The commission hopes to hire an interim city manager from a list provided by the City Manager's Association. An outside consultant is expected to help the city find a permanent replacement for Coffey.

Coffey said Friday he is satisfied with the commission's decisions and will continue to help in the transition.

"The welfare of the city is always at the heart of being a public servant. Hopefully the City Commission will stand by their commitment to act like adults," Coffey said.

[Last modified July 17, 2005, 01:06:14]