The future of Bayfield Town Manager Katie Sickles is up in the air after a call for her ouster.
Trustee Matthew Nyberg made a motion during the Aug. 6 meeting for the Bayfield Town Board to terminate Sickles’ contract on the grounds that she allegedly hasn’t been acting in the “best interest of the majority of the board” and was allegedly “unwilling to do so.”
The Town Board on Tuesday unanimously approved going into an executive session to discuss legal advice on specific questions about the possible termination of Sickles’ contract.
Community Development Director Nicol Killian put in her resignation letter Aug. 7, the day after the tense conclusion to that Aug. 6 meeting.
Killian’s resignation letter read in part, “ … I am proud of the work I have accomplished over the last 2.5 years, and when I originally took this position I was hoping it would be a long career for me, but unfortunately I believe it is time for me to leave.” She plans for her last day with the department to be Oct. 1, the letter says.
When The Durango Herald reached out to Killian, she declined to comment further about what prompted her resignation.
Planning Commission member Tish Nelson also put in her resignation letter, saying she is “planning to spend more time traveling.” Her resignation will be effective Sept. 1, the letter says.
The Herald’s efforts to contact Sickles were unsuccessful. However, she later told the Herald in an email that an attorney advised her “not to respond” further.
Multiple phone calls made to Bayfield Mayor Tom Au and Nyberg were unsuccessful, and emails sent to Au and Nyberg were not returned before deadline.
Former trustee Lori Zazzaro said in a letter to the board – which was included in the Aug. 20 meeting agenda packet – that she opposed the motion to oust Sickles. She noted the following items she claims contradict the allegations made against Sickles:
“Storm Water Enterprise Fund fee execution
- May 21 – SGM made a presentation and the Board gave direction to the Town Manager to prepare the Resolution for the storm water $10 fee.
- July 16 – The Town Manager presented resolution 623 for the storm water fee to be adopted that included a waiver for hardship – Trustee Katsos and Trustee Morlan voted yes on Resolution 623 as it would adopt the $10 storm water fee and protect those residences facing hardship. The rest of the board voted no on the resolution after giving directive to the Town Manager to produce it.
“There was further direction to bring back attorney Goldman to consider the legal implications of removing Dove Ranch and the detention pond, along with any storm water impact to the ditch companies.
- July 23 – Budget meeting occurred with line item to go over the Storm Water Enterprise fund. When Trustee Katsos tried to discuss the Storm Water Enterprise Fund, she was told by Mayor Au, “We are not doing this tonight.” It was tabled until the July 29th meeting for further discussion.
- July 29 – Town Manager invited back Attorney Goldman, SGM, Paul Black with Schroder Ditch Company and water professionals, Michael Kopp and Pete Foster, to answer any questions the Board may have. Attorney Goldman presented his thoughts on State of Colorado law on requirements for storm water. SGM presented for the 2nd time the entire master drainage plan that had been presented on May 21st. Paul Black was unable to attend and the Board was allowed to ask any questions of the water professionals. At that point Trustee Hartz and Mayor Au felt Dove Ranch and ponds shouldn’t be included so an executive session was scheduled with Attorney Goldman on next meeting to advise on any legal repercussions by not including Dove Ranch and ponds.
- August 6 – When the agenda was up for a vote to approve, Trustee Nyberg made a motion to remove the executive session to discuss the legalities on removing Dove Ranch and ponds and Trustee Snooks seconded this motion. The only Trustees that wanted to hear about the legalities were Trustee Katsos and Trustee Morlan.”
“As the above example shows, the Town Manager does act on the Board’s directive and there are certain members of the board that disregard their own directive making it difficult for staff to know what they are supposed to do,” Zazzaro said in the letter.
The Town Board’s next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 3.
mhollinshead@durangoherald.com
This article was republished on Aug. 23 to eliminate an unverified report that Katie Sickles might face a performance review.
