City Council extends city manager's administrative leave until July 31 for investigation

The City Council of Sunnyside, Washington, convened on June 28, 2025, to address significant administrative matters, primarily focusing on the ongoing situation regarding the city manager's administrative leave and the appointment of an interim city manager.

The council approved a resolution extending the city manager's non-disciplinary administrative leave until July 31, 2025, or until the completion of a pending internal investigation. This decision follows a previous action taken on June 2, 2025. During the discussion, Deputy Mayor proposed an amendment to the resolution, which included a provision that the city manager must refrain from contacting current or former city employees regarding city matters during the leave. This amendment was clarified as a standard practice to ensure confidentiality during the investigation and was not considered a violation of First Amendment rights.

The council voted on the amended resolution, which passed with a 5-2 majority. The councilors who voted in favor included Deputy Mayor and Councilors Hancock, Ripley, Vasquez, and Hart, while Councilors Fausto and Froudstone opposed the motion.

In a subsequent item, the council also approved an amendment to the agreement with interim city manager Jim Bridges, extending his term until July 31, 2025, or until the investigation concludes. This resolution was similarly passed with a majority vote.

The outcomes of this meeting highlight the council's commitment to addressing administrative issues while ensuring the integrity of the ongoing investigation. The next steps will involve monitoring the investigation's progress and the continued leadership of the interim city manager.