Port Angeles City Council vows public statement Tuesday; Madsen contract gives him $37,000 for quitting

Published 4:16 am Sunday, July 20, 2008

PORT ANGELES — The City Council promises to make a public statement after staying mum about conflicts that City Manager Mark Madsen said prompted his resignation when it meets in a special session on Tuesday.

At the same meeting, the Port Angeles City Council plans to accept Madsen’s resignation from his $148,000-a-year job, which he gave to the council on July 9.

Madsen’s contract gives him three months’ salary — or about $37,000 — if he quits.

Mayor Gary Braun said Friday that he couldn’t talk about Madsen’s severance package.

“That is something that has been talked about in executive session, and I can’t make any comments about it,” Braun said.

“Eventually that is something that would have to be handled in open session.”

Madsen left on a week’s vacation on Thursday, and was unavailable for comment.

The special meeting is set for 4:30 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall, 321 E. Fifth St.

The purpose of the meeting is to accept Madsen’s resignation and “formulation of a statement to the public,” according to a notice posted on the city’s Web site at www.cityofpa.us/citycouncil.htme.

The meeting will not include a public comment period, said city spokeswoman Teresa Pierce.