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Council rejects HR manager agreement for Jennifer Richardson after debate over termination clause
Summary
Council debated a termination/retention clause in a proposed two‑year agreement with HR manager Jennifer Richardson and voted down the contract, with four members opposing the motion.
The Lincoln Park City Council declined to approve an employment agreement with HR manager Jennifer Richardson after members raised concerns about a clause that would allow an employee to retain employment or return to a previous position if their position was eliminated.
The council considered a resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute the agreement for a two‑year term starting Jan. 1, 2025. Multiple councilors questioned language they described as outdated and inconsistent with other city agreements. One councilor said the clause appears to guarantee an alternative city position if a manager’s job is eliminated and called for the contract language to be reviewed and updated.
During discussion, other council members clarified the clause: it does not apply to termination for cause; rather, it would protect an employee in the event a position is eliminated so they would remain employed by the city in an equivalent position. Council debate focused on whether that clause should remain in a modern administrators’ agreement.
The clerk called the roll after discussion. The motion to approve the agreement failed on a 3–4 vote: Nichols, Ross and Baer voted yes; Salcedo, Zohr, Dupree and Mayor Tobin voted no. Mayor Tobin declared the motion failed.
