Forest Park council hears appeal from dismissed city clerk; appoints interim clerk

Forest Park’s city council convened a special appeal hearing after the interim city manager recommended termination of City Clerk Randy Rainey, citing a sustained pattern of performance deficiencies documented under multiple administrations.

The interim city manager presented a written justification that said Rainey’s personnel file showed recurring issues with operational efficiency, timely execution of council-related duties, follow-through on time-sensitive directives and attention to detail. The manager noted prior disciplinary steps in the administrative record, including a “last chance agreement” dated 10/10/2024, a final written reprimand (noted in the record as 11/03/2025) related to errors in council agenda packets and meeting minutes, and a suspension referenced on 01/05/2026. The manager told the council the recommendation was “based on sustained history of documented performance deficiencies” and cited City Charter Section 3.14 and city personnel rules as authority for corrective action.

Randy Rainey, the city clerk, filed a written appeal and spoke to the council, arguing the termination improperly bypassed the council’s role for an appointed official and denied her meaningful procedural protections. “Respectfully, the action exceeded the authority granted under the charter and bypassed the process required for a council appointed position,” Rainey said, adding that she was not given specific allegations tied to measurable standards, that no active performance-improvement plan was in place at the time of termination and that the day she was presented a severance agreement she had only about three hours to decide. Rainey also said she was undergoing cancer treatment during the period in question and said she was offered no reassignment or alternative support.

Legal counsel told the council the charter permits appointed officials to be terminated for cause or without cause and that a formal PIP or progressive discipline is not strictly required for an appointed position. The attorney stated an executive session was used to discuss personnel matters and said the city believes the process complied with the charter. The record also reflects disagreements among council members over whether the city manager or the governing body took the final step that led to the administrative action.

After public presentations and questioning, the council moved into executive session to discuss personnel, litigation and real estate matters. On returning from executive session, the council voted to appoint Director Shalonda Brown as interim city clerk while it continues deliberations on the interim city manager’s recommendation.

The council recorded several procedural votes during the special call, including approval of the meeting agenda and passage of the motion appointing Brown as interim clerk. The hearing record will be preserved and the council’s final decision about Rainey’s termination will become effective if and when the council votes to affirm or overturn the city manager’s action according to the charter’s requirements.