Glendale council approves three-year addendum raising City Administrator Carl Warwick’s pay to $205,000 amid process concerns

The Glendale Common Council voted to approve an addendum to City Administrator Carl Warwick’s employment agreement that raises his salary to $205,000 and establishes a three‑year term, the mayor announced.

Mayor Kennedy said the council moved quickly to negotiate because Warwick had become a finalist for an external municipal post. “The reason that the name and position was not disclosed to the public was because Mr. Warwick was involved in a search in another municipality,” the mayor said, describing a closed‑session negotiation to set parameters before the external process concluded.

Under the approved addendum, Warwick’s salary is increased to $205,000. The agreement limits a cost‑of‑living increase in the first year and restores the same COLA schedule for the final two years. It also contains a condition that would forfeit 75% of unused vacation time if Warwick voluntarily leaves during the term; the mayor described that clause as a retention device.

Council debate focused on process and transparency. Resident Robert Cromwell told the council he was “disappointed in the lack of transparency” and said agenda language and minutes from the prior special meeting were too vague. Several alderpeople raised concerns that the packet lacked a fiscal‑impact statement required by the council’s ordinance on introduction of business (Ordinance 2.216), and asked whether the line‑item and compensation‑reserve provisions cover the increase.

Mayor Kennedy responded that the council used its compensation‑reserve funding and that the rise would not require an amendment to the adopted budget line items; he said open‑records requests for the addendum would be fulfilled. Alderman Gellhardt and others sought additional detail about the mechanics of the vacation forfeiture and asked staff to confirm handbook language preventing employees from “running out” vacation prior to departure.

The council moved and seconded the addendum and approved it by voice vote; the mayor reported the measure passed by a 4–1 margin. Council members who spoke in favor cited recruitment costs and the difficulty of replacing an administrator midterm; dissenters raised transparency and process questions.

The mayor said he will sign the addendum and staff will follow up with the public‑records release and any required administration tasks. The council did not schedule further action on the item; implementation steps and benefits‑contribution details were not specified in the meeting discussion.