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Henderson council approves parental leave, broadens mayoral discretionary uses and elects new mayor pro tem
Summary
Council adopted multiple resolutions Feb. 10, including a six-week paid parental leave policy for new parents, an amendment broadening uses of the Mayor’s discretionary funds, a pledge to promote civility, and the removal and replacement of the Mayor Pro Tem (Michael Venable elected).
The Henderson City Council on Feb. 10 approved several resolutions affecting personnel policy, the Mayor’s discretionary budget and council leadership.
Council voted to adopt a parental leave policy (Resolution 25-10) that provides six weeks of paid leave for new-parent city employees. City Manager Hassan T. Kingsberry summarized the policy and said Finance Director Joey Fuqua had reviewed it and determined it would not create a fiscal issue for the city; Human Resources Director Jamie Dittmeyer told council that surrounding jurisdictions offer similar benefits. Councilmember Ola Thorpe-Cooper moved approval; the measure passed with absentees noted.
On the Mayor’s discretionary funds, City Manager Kingsberry explained he recommended broadening the use of the Mayor’s projects and programming budget to allow more flexibility for training and to address previously committed expenditures. Public commenter Melissa Lemmond asked that any expenditure be evaluated for citizen benefit and for transparency. Councilmember Thorpe-Cooper moved the amendment to the Mayor’s projects and programming budget (Resolution 25-57); the council approved the amendment with recorded votes of YES: Michael Venable, Ola Thorpe-Cooper, Tami Walker and Geraldine Champion; NO: Sam Seifert; ABSENT: Sara M. Coffey, Lamont Noel and Garry D. Daeke.
Council also adopted a pledge to participate in the North Carolina League of Municipalities 'Commit to Civility' program (Resolution 25-11) aimed at promoting civil discourse among elected officials. Councilmember Tami Walker moved the resolution; the council approved it.
In leadership changes, Councilmember Geraldine Champion moved to remove Garry Daeke as Mayor Pro Tem; the motion passed 4–1 (Seifert opposed). Councilmember Ola Thorpe-Cooper then nominated Councilmember Michael Venable as Mayor Pro Tem; the council approved the nomination by the same 4–1 vote.
Public comments during the meeting included concerns about a City-issued cease-and-desist email that a downtown business owner said was copied to department heads, and requests for greater transparency and support for downtown events and pavilion completion. The meeting closed after a brief closed session and council adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 25-10 (Parental Leave) — approved; Resolution 25-56 (Establish Projects & Programming Budget for Mayor’s Office) — approved; Resolution 25-57 (Amend Mayor’s Projects & Programming Budget) — approved (YES: Venable, Thorpe-Cooper, Walker, Champion; NO: Seifert); Resolution 25-11 (Commit to Civility) — approved; Removal of Mayor Pro Tem Garry Daeke — approved 4–1; Nomination of Michael Venable as Mayor Pro Tem — approved 4–1.
