Council approves separation agreement with assistant police chief

By PHIL MONSON
After meeting in closed session Monday night (July 15) during their regular meeting, the Humboldt City Council voted unanimously to approve a separation agreement with assistant police chief John Rodriguez, who had been placed on administrative leave three weeks ago.
The action took place after the council met for 35 minutes in closed session. The agreement states that Rodriguez, who joined the department six months ago, is resigning from his position effective July 9, 2024. The city agrees to provide separation pay and the employee (Rodriguez) agrees to release and waive all actual or potential claims against the City.
Rodriguez will receive a check for $6,666.67 for gross wages with all payroll taxes deducted. He will also receive $20,000 as compensation for any non-wage damages he allegedly sustained, for which the city will issue a 1099-MISC in accordance with IRS rules and regulations.
A check in the amount of $13,333.33 will be made payable to the employee’s attorneys, Timmer, Judkins and Borland, PLLC, to compensate for any claims he has for attorneys’ fees, expenses and costs, for which the city will issue a 1099-MISC.
The separation pay shall constitute a full, final and complete resolution of any claims the employee may have or any obligations the city may have.
Rodriguez agreed to participate in good faith in an exit interview on July 11 at city hall, conducted by Jon Thomas. The notes from the exit interview will remain confidential and part of the employee’s personnel file and not subject to any records request under Iowa Code Chapter 22.
The agreement is not an admission by employee or the city, or any of. Its officers, agents, employees or representatives that employee or the city violated any federal, state or local law with respect to employee.
Shortly after approving the agreement and right before the council adjourned for the night, three council members stated issues and concerns at the law enforcement center involve the public safety commission more than it does the police department, itself.
To see the full story see this weeks issue of the Humboldt Independent

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