He ended his speech with: “And with that I wish you purpose and meaning, love and respect, good health, and above all, the joy of service to others.”Ĭopyright 2020 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. Ann Arbor is settling a lawsuit stemming from last years firing of the citys recycling plant operator. Paying our top appointed official $275,000 to leave without public input is an egregious violation of public trust and a corruption of process.įor his part, Lazarus made remarks at the beginning of the meeting thanking city staff and expressing his love for public service. This absence of public discussion - about timing, circumstances, and cost - is irresponsible governance and cowardly leadership. Ironically, council members who campaigned on improved transparency and public input worked through secretive channels to remove the City Administrator without cause. This backroom dealing violates every principle of transparency that we have worked so hard to foster over the years. In an open letter published on Tuesday night, council members Ackerman, Grand and Smith expressed their anger over the firing: Trained at West Point as a civil engineer, Lazarus also brought useful experience from Austin, where he was director of public works. At the time, he said he applied for the job following tensions with City Council, according to MLive. Last year, Lazarus applied to become city manager of Gainesville, Florida. One resident, Kai Petainen, called the firing a political move, citing known tensions between Lazarus and some council members. Several residents expressed their anger and frustration at the meeting, with some demanding a public hearing over the move. The resolution to fire Lazarus only appeared on council’s agenda on Tuesday morning and many residents are demanding transparency into the matter. He could also receive up to $50,000 for unused paid vacation time. ![]() 29 and he will receive $223,600 in severance pay - equivalent to one year’s salary. Outgoing Ann Arbor City Administrator Howard Lazarus has ordered Cox’s reinstatement, effective Monday, with conditions that include meeting with officers and union representatives to apologize. Lazarus’ employment will be terminated on Feb. Mayor Christopher Taylor, Zachary Ackerman, Julie Grand and Chip Smith voted against his removal. ![]() The seven council members who voted to fire Lazarus without cause were Anne Bannister, Jack Eaton, Kathy Griswold, Jeff Hayner, Jane Lumm, Elizabeth Nelson and Ali Ramlawi. ANN ARBOR – Ann Arbor City Council approved the firing of city administrator Howard Lazarus in a 7-4 vote on Tuesday night.
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