The Montesano City Council on Tuesday, Feb. 28, gave the mayor permission to place the public works director on administrative leave pending his resignation.

The council and Mayor Vini Samuel had recessed into an executive session that lasted about 20 minutes before reconvening and approving a motion.

“I have put Rocky Howard on administrative leave and I’m asking for council approval for allowing me to enter into agreement to accept his resignation effective May 15 under terms described to the council,” Samuel said.

Few details were available at the meeting and before The Vidette went to press.

Samuel did however note that an agreement would be signed regarding the decision.

“As part of the terms of agreement that I provided to the council for approval, would include executing an agreement that he will waive any and all claims… and he will execute a non-disparagement clause, and he will be available until the very last date for anything the city deems necessary,” Samuel said during the meeting.

The motion was unanimously approved.

The mayor noted her decision was based on Howard’s performance regarding two large projects — the East Pioneer project and McBryde project.

“Some projects were at risk, and that was a concern,” Samuel told The Vidette after the meeting.

The city may have heightened sensitivity regarding large construction projects. In the past, the city had faced a lawsuit with a contractor while undergoing the Main Street Phase II project. The lawsuit, which alleged errors in city documents led to project delays, was filed in December 2013 and the city paid $225,000 in July 2016 to settle.

A Public Records Act request filed by The Vidette was partially filled by the city on on March 6. While those records show that both the East Pioneer and McBryde projects were missing information or incomplete when filed with the Council of Governments and other agencies, those records do not specifically cast blame on any one individual.

Additional information has been requested from the city.

Howard was contacted by The Vidette on March 6 but declined comment.