Politics & Government

Could Waukesha Learn What Happened Between City Administrator and Mayor?

Lori Luther says she does not oppose it if the Common Council decides to talk actions that lead to the July 2010 decision that changed city administrator reporting structure to answer strictly to the Common Council.

City Administrator Lori Luther is not objecting for Common Council members to share what happened in a summer 2010 closed session meeting that changed her employment contract to report to the Common Council instead of Mayor Jeff Scrima.

“In regard to the closed session relating to direct supervision of the city administrator, the reason for confidentiality of personnel matters is largely for the protection of the employee,” Luther states in her final memo to the Common Council.  “However, this clearly did not prevent retaliatory tactics from being pursued. That said, I believe that the time period for the need for confidentiality has expired based on my departure and I do not object to the council sharing any information about the events that led up to that decision.

“I am concerned about potential liability and/or litigation should the reporting structure be reverted. If you take the emotion out of the equation, the professional standard is for the chief administrative officer to report to the policy making body. It is that individual’s responsibility to implement the policies lawfully formulated and adopted by the Common Council. In situations where the elected officials area at odds with one another, it places the administrator in an impossible situation.”

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When Luther first announced that she was leaving to become the Peoria County administrator in Illinois, she thanked the Common Council for protecting her as their employee.

Then, Thursday morning during a phone interview, she said she believed the Common Council would need to take formal action in order to begin publicly speaking about the information that was discussed in that closed session meeting.

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“I am comfortable with that decision if the council thinks that is beneficial,” Luther said.

City Administrator Search

Meanwhile, Scrima has asked that the Common Council would like to replace the supervisory power over the city administrator position. The council has not yet discussed the parameters of that decision. Alderman Eric Payne joined him in requesting that change during a referral Thursday night.

However, the council did agree to hire an executive search firm to begin looking for the next city administrator. More details need to be finalized before requests for proposals and job descriptions can be sent out.

The plans to move forward in the search process were met with concerns from community members who frequently stand up for the mayor – many of who were on his campaign to get him elected ­– because the city had not addressed the job description, salary and reporting structure.

Others asked that the city find someone locally. Payne wanted the council to delay action on moving forward with finding an executive search firm to hire an internal candidate who he already had in mind. His request ultimately was shut down, which Payne claimed would save the city money.

“I don’t know how you can say no to that, but you know – whatever,” Payne said.

 Alderwoman Joan Francoeur said following the vote that an executive search firm would include the possibility for internal candidates and local candidates to apply. Those candidates “may have an advantage because of their knowledge of the city and their expertise,” she said.

Meanwhile, Alderman Roger Patton took issue with Payne’s statements about the city saving money. To start the search process out with an executive search firm would be a “real mess,” he said.

“I think that the local pressure would be too much with everyone wanting us to hire their brother-in-law,” Patton said.

Scrima did not speak during the discussion about hiring an executive search firm despite a request from a Waukesha resident at public comment who wanted to hear his thoughts on the issue. Scrima previously told Waukesha Patch he agreed with hiring an executive search firm.


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