Draft contract would make police chief a "working chief" and include limited severance

Council members examined the draft contract’s substantive terms, focusing on the chief’s duties and severance for no-cause termination. The draft reiterates that the chief is a "working chief" and "shall be on patrol as time allows," language members said should align with the job description.

City Attorney Ruben Cleveland explained the severance structure and legal rationale: "the severance is ultimately a a good idea in that, it you do want some consideration for signing a full release of claims, and the severance is tied to that full release of claims." Josette also described the contract’s termination section and noted the prior contract allowed a return to union membership, which had undermined no-cause termination protection; the new draft removes that provision and limits severance to a modest duration tied to years of service.

Council discussed how evaluations, pay step increases and whether the chief’s managerial salary would be contingent on attaining certification. They agreed staff should add wording clarifying when a chief’s salary bump would take effect and that the contract and job description should be consistent on patrol and supervisory duties. No final contract was adopted; staff will return with amended language.