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City Administrator Kennie Downing explains how the newly drafted employee policy will work during a special Baraboo Common Council meeting in mid-March. On Thursday, the council announced Downing was no longer employed by the city.
Baraboo Common Council members sit at the dais Tuesday with former City Administrator Kennie Downing, middle left, who the city announced had resigned immediately Thursday after a closed session discussion regarding her performance evaluation ended in council members agreeing to seek out her interim replacement. The discussion Thursday was a continuation of closed session talks about her evaluation at the end of Tuesday's meeting.
After only six months in the position, Baraboo City Administrator Kennie Downing is no longer employed by the city.
A press release from Mayor Mike Palm dated Thursday, the same day the Baraboo Common Council held a special, closed session meeting to discuss Downing’s performance over the last six months, announced “effective today,” Downing had resigned from her position.
City Attorney Emily Truman wrote in an email Friday that Downing did not submit a resignation letter. In response to whether that was “standard or non-standard,” Truman replied that it couldn’t be categorized either way.
Council President Joel Petty deferred comment Friday to Truman and Palm, as did council member John Ellington. Palm was unavailable for comment Friday.
Council members initially discussed Downing’s performance evaluation during a closed session at the end of their regular Tuesday meeting.
A subsequent special meeting was held Thursday, after which Truman said the council agreed to authorize Palm and Petty to enter negotiations with people who may be appointed as an interim administrator.
Downing’s annual salary was $110,000.
Palm’s release indicates the city plans to install a temporary administrator until the city can go through the process of hiring a new one.
Downing had just completed that process in late 2019. The city announced Oct. 4 she would replace retiring administrator Ed Geick, who left in early December after finishing in-progress projects.
Before moving to Baraboo with her husband and in-laws, Downing had been the county manager of Baker County, Florida, for three years. The Los Angeles native had previously served as purchasing agent for El Paso (Texas) County. Downing has a master’s degree in public administration from California State University-Long Beach and a bachelor’s degree in political science from California State University Polytechnic-Pomona.
Downing was selected from 56 initial applicants who applied when the city began seeking Geick’s replacement in May 2019. Geick said at the time that the city received assistance from GovHR of Northbrook, Illinois, in selecting its candidates.
Five finalists were interviewed by council members, a citizens committee and city department heads. Three of the finalists came from Wisconsin: Kronenwetter Village Administrator Richard Downey, former Verona City Administrator Jeff Mikorski and former Monroe City Administrator Phil Rath. St. John Town Manager Steve Kil of Cedar Lake, Indiana, was the other finalist.
Downing said at the time she was “overwhelmed and thrilled to be chosen.”
About one year ago, Downing was dealing with county commissioners who almost denied her a one-year contract extension in Baker County. According to news reports from The Baker County Press from July 4, Downing was granted an extension after her three-year contract was set to expire and a commissioner, citing complaints about Downing’s management style, recommended the contract not be renewed.
Downing was granted one year by a 3-2 vote, and the three who voted in her favor said that her performance had been adequate, if not outstanding, according to the Press. In a subsequent story, Press writer Mike Anderson reported that several people spoke in favor of Downing’s leadership skills, urging the board to keep her in the position.
Baraboo officials announced the city would hire her Oct. 4, about three months after that extension was granted.
A special council meeting to discuss the appointment of an interim administrator and the recruitment process for a new, permanent one will be held Tuesday.
Council adjusts to pandemic rules
Baraboo Common Council members and residents attending a special council meeting March 17 at City Hall practice social distancing, which is meant to keep people separated by 6 feet or more, as they listen to officials talk about plans in the face of the global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus COVID-19.
City Administrator Kennie Downing
Assistant Fire Chief Mark Willer, right, helps City Administrator Kennie Downing with her laptop Thursday while testing software to host telecommunication meetings for the Baraboo Common Council. Mayor Mike Palm, also pictured, said the city plans to conduct meetings over the internet until the threat of COVID-19 disappates enough to cancel his emergency order. The meetings will remain accessible to the public via the local television channel or by calling into the meeting by following instructions posted with the council agenda.
Tom Kolb
Baraboo Common Council member Tom Kolb asks a question as fellow member Phil Wedekind listens during the last council meeting held in person at City Hall on March 17.
Mayor Mike Palm
Mayor Mike Palm attempts to log into the online Baraboo Common Council meeting with his phone while Baraboo Fire Assistant Chief Mark Willer offers help Thursday at City Hall. Willer, who serves as the fire department training coordinator, was on hand to help troubleshoot connection problems.
Laura Walczak, SSM Health St. Clare Hospital
Laura Walczak, president of SSM Health St. Clare Hospital-Baraboo, tells attendees and Baraboo Common Council members Tuesday that the facility's priorities are keeping people away from COVID-19 and maintaining good health for the public.
Baraboo Police Chief Mark Schauf
Baraboo Police Chief Mark Schauf speaks to Baraboo Common Council members and the public about the department's three main priorities in the age of a pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus during a special meeting Tuesday at City Hall.
Baraboo Fire Chief Kevin Stieve (copy)
Baraboo Fire Chief Kevin Stieve talks about the city plan for disasters and citywide COVID-19 procedures during a special Baraboo Common Council meeting in March.
Baraboo Mayor Mike Palm (copy)
Mayor Mike Palm talks about city plans as Baraboo Common Council members Jason Kent and Joel Petty listen during a special March 18 meeting. All six council members present sat in a circle taking up half of the room, each at least two chairs apart, as a way to practice social distancing.
Baraboo City Administrator Kennie Downing
City Administrator Kennie Downing explains how the newly drafted employee policy will work during a special Baraboo Common Council meeting Tuesday.
Follow Bridget on Twitter @cookebridget or contact her at 608-745-3513.
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Bridget Cooke
Reporter
