Interim Dolores Town Manager David Stahl Sr. abruptly resigned this week after alleging that town board members violated Colorado’s Sunshine Law while preparing for an interview process for town positions.
Dolores Mayor Chad Wheelus said it was a misunderstanding that could have been resolved. He expressed disappointment in the resignation.
Stahl was hired in February as the interim manager under an 18-26 week contract and was interested in a long-term contract. He replaced Lana Hancock, who had been working double duty as town manager and town clerk, and now continues as clerk.
On Tuesday, he submitted a letter of resignation to the town board effective at 5 p.m. and claimed inappropriate email communication between board members regarding a procedure to interview candidates for town attorney and the planning and zoning board.
In his resignation letter, Stahl said agreement of a rating system for applicants of the vacant town attorney and planning board positions should have been done during a scheduled public meeting not via email.
He stated that it was improper “for three members of the (Board of Trustees) to discuss, much less agree, to a process ... without the participation and approval of the majority of the Board of Trustees in a posted meeting.”
“It’s a transparency issue,” Stahl said in a phone interview Wednesday. “It is a violation of the intent of the Sunshine Law.”
At the Tuesday board workshop, candidate interviews were held in public for the town attorney and planning and zoning position. Wheelus reported Stahl’s resignation, saying it was “unexpected and unfortunate” and was a misunderstanding.
Seeking and hiring a new town manager “will be a priority,” Wheelus said, and will be discussed at the next board meeting June 11.
Stahl hails from the Front Range, and has worked as a town manager for multiple Colorado towns. He also has a business background.
According to state Sunshine Laws governing public meetings, all meetings of a quorum or three or more members of any local public body, at which any public business is discussed or at which any formal action may be taken, are declared to be public meetings open to the public at all times. Under the law, all public meetings must be posted in advance.
The Sunshine Law also applies to elected officials’ use of emails to discuss public business among themselves.
The town board interviewed three candidates for town attorney – including Dave Lieberman, Jon Kelly and Paul Kosnik. For the open seat on the planning and zoning board, interviews were conducted with candidates James Neel, Jerry Whiting and Chris Holkestad.
The board expects to decide on the appointments at the regular town board meeting June 11.
