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Groves city building.
Nixing plans to investigate the city manager in the same meeting, councilors agreed on a separation plan to remove the longtime employee, city officials paid the man $130,000 in severance.
After arranging an array of agenda items ranging from taking “adverse employment action” against Groves’ longtime city manager D.E. Sosa to opening investigations into his conduct in office, city councilors decided to “skip” the issues and accept a severance package for the nearly ousted employee in a special December meeting.
Officially couched as a “resignation” on Sosa’s separation agreement, which was obtained by The Examiner, the four-page document details benefits and compensation “due” to the 20-year veteran.
“This seperation (sic) and release agreement is entered into this 3rd day of January 2023 by and between Groves City Manager D.E. Sosa and the City of Groves,” reads the document.
According to the agreement, Groves will pay Sosa $130,000 in severance and move him into a consultancy role for the interim city manager until Sept. 31. Sosa and Groves Mayor Chris Borne failed to return requests for comment by press time.
“On the first regularly scheduled payday following the final day of employment, (Groves) will make a lump sum severance payment to Employee of $130,000,” reads the fourth of 16 items listed in the agreement dated Jan. 3. “(Sosa) shall also be permitted to continue to receive all medical and life insurance benefits provided by the City for a period not to exceed ten (10) months following the final day of employment.”
The agreement’s next contingency includes a promise by Mayor Borne to offer a letter of recommendation at Sosa’s request. Sosa and Groves further signed that each has “no pending claims, lawsuits or charges filed” against the other.
However, “Nothing in this agreement, including but not limited to the release of claims and non-defamation provisions, prevents (Sosa) from filing a charge or complaint with or from participation in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) NLRB (National Labor Relations Board), or any other federal, state or local agency charged with the enforcement of any laws, although by signing this release (Sosa) is waiving rights to individual relief based on claims asserted in such a charge or complain, except where such a waiver of individual relief is prohibited.”
After originally scheduling a special meeting Dec. 22, 2022, which included two agenda items proposing investigations into Sosa’s tenure, the former city manager and councilors agreed to the severance script reading, “It is the intention of the parties that Employee’s separation be on an amicable basis. Employer and Employee mutually agree that they will not disparage the other party hereto.”
For the agreement’s full text, look for this story online at theexaminer.com.