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Councilors were tight-lipped tonight as they emerged from a nearly two-hour closed door meeting called to evaluated the performance of City Manager James Jimenez
The outcome of the behind doors meeting will likely be discussed at the next city council meeting on July 11.
“It will all become clear,” said City Attorney James Babin who attended the closed door session.
The meeting was scheduled at 6 p.m. at the request of Councilors Chuck Wilkins, Mark Scott and Lonnie Clayton who were all elected in the spring, replacing incumbents in council districts 1, 4 and 6 respectively.
About half a dozen residents who believe the councilors called the meeting in an attempt to fire Jimenez, staged a rally outside city hall before the meeting. The group carried signs urging residents to support the city manager.
Councilors Patty Thomas and Tamara Gutierrez and Mayor Thomas Swisstack looked grim when they emerged from the meeting at 7:45 p.m. but all declined to comment about what went on behind closed doors.
Clayton, Scott and Wilkins, who emerged moments later also kept mum. Councilor Tim Crum participated in the meeting by telephone.
If a majority of the council votes to terminate Jimenez contract it could be expensive for the cash-strapped city. Under the terms of his employment contract, Jimenez would be due six months severance pay plus benefits plus a month’s salary for every year he has worked for the city.
Jimenez was hired as city manager in October 2008 at a salary of $150,000. His salary is now $151,507.
Michael Walker and Cheryl Ganch hold signs protesting the city council’s closed door meeting and supporting City Manager James Jimenez.
-- Email the reporter at rrayburn@abqjournal.com. Call the reporter at 505-823-3831
