As four new council members are seated today, Mayor John Sullivan won’t waste any time before he attempts to make changes to the administration.
Sullivan is planning on asking City Manager Terry Stewart to resign from his position, effective immediately.
Stewart has maintained he won’t tender his resignation, which might lead to Sullivan trying to fire him.
The question, then, will be if Stewart is terminated with, or without, cause.
With cause means Stewart would not receive any severance package, and could lead to a court battle between the city manager and thhe city.
Termination without cause means Stewart would receive at least six months salary and benefits.
Councilmember Eric Grill, thought to be the swing vote on the Stewart decision, said his vote might not even matter because Councilmember Derrick Donnell, a Stewart supporter, won’t be present at tonight’s meeting, asking to be excused because of an unspecified illness.
“It might come down to, it doesn’t matter where I stand,” Grill said. “If they choose to do it with or without cause, that’s what will effect my decision.”
Earlier today, Councilmember Bill Deile sent a memo to all members of council calling for Stewart’s resignation.
“I believe that to best effect the above objective all parties concerned would profit if the city manager would tender his resignation effective immediately with a severance package,” Deile wrote.
Deile suggest paying Stewart full medical benefits for a period of six months, or until employment is secured plus a cash payment consisting of two weeks base pay for each full year of employment.
Cape Coral city council meets today at 4:30 p.m. at city hall.
Sullivan supporters have urged a pre-meeting protest in support of Stewart’s resignation or termination.