Eldridge council members fired city administrator Lisa Kotter on a 3-2 vote Monday following a four-hour meeting that drew praise and criticism from Eldridge and Geneseo elected officials.
Council members Brian Dockery, Bernie Peeters and Adrian Blackwell voted to terminate Kotter and pay her contracted severance of approximately $75,000.
Council members Frank King and Bruce Cheek voted against termination.
Both backed a motion to reinstate her, that failed on a 3-2 vote.
The council met before about 45 people at the Eldridge Community Center.
Kotter has been on paid leave two months following a harassment complaint by building inspector Ray Nees.
Nees is on paid leave during investigation of a harassment complaint against him.
Employment investigator Annette Snyder appeared at Monday’s council meeting and said Kotter created a toxic environment in the Eldridge city hall work place.
Snyder also said she found no merits in Kotter’s claims of sexual harassment by council member Brian Dockery.
Snyder said her report shows Kotter and Mayor Marty O’Boyle contributed to the poor work environment.
Snyder said her report shows Nees was insubordinate to Kotter, and rude to a city resident. Snyder recommended a one-day suspension and written warning for Nees.
Council members voted to table consideration of harassment complaints against Ray Nees.
The action against Kotter followed an hour-long closed session, and nearly three hours of statements from Eldridge residents, council members, and two former Geneseo mayors.
Former mayor Kathy Carroll-Duda commended Kotter’s performance as city administrator of that city. Her predecessor, former Geneseo mayor Nadine Palmgren, told Eldridge council members her experience with Kotter was similar to complaints raised in Eldridge. “I feel like this is Groundhog Day,” Palmgren said.
Kotter declined any comment after the meeting.
Peeters voted for the termination, then approached Kotter with an apology after the meeting.
Look to The NSP’s Oct. 6 edition for more detailed coverage.
