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Clawson council approves amended two-year extension of city manager's contract after contentious public comment
Summary
Clawson's city council voted 4'1 to approve a contract addendum extending City Manager Joseph Raker's term to March 2031, after an amendment clarifying that the addendum's termination payout remains subject to the original contract's for-cause provisions. The decision followed hours of public comment opposing action before the incoming council takes office.
Joseph Raker, Clawson's city manager, will remain under an amended contract through March 2031 after the City Council approved a two-year extension and related changes on a 4'1 vote. Raker told the council he sought the extension, parity in sick-leave payout and a change to termination language to ensure continuity: "Contract extension of 2 years, which will extend it to March 2031," he said during the meeting.
Residents packed the council chamber and repeatedly urged elected officials not to act in a hastily called special meeting. Julie Beatty, a Clawson resident, told the council the proposed clause guaranteeing "a full year salary with benefits, even in cases of termination with cause, is deeply troubling," and urged postponement until the incoming council is seated.
Why it matters: opponents said the addendum would create a de facto severance that shields the…
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