Major Developments at Village Ryley Council Meeting

Major Developments at Village Ryley Council Meeting

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

It was standing room only inside council chambers in the Village of Ryley administration office Feb. 21 as more than 30 residents crammed into the space to witness several major developments at the pivotal meeting that will most certainly affect the future of the community and the people who live there.

The first order of business was to allow for the recording of the proceedings and livestreaming of the council meeting.

Noticeably absent from the meeting were Mayor Nik Lee and Deputy Mayor Nola Wood Herrick.

Councillors Sheldon Reid, Brian Ducherer and Lyndie Nickel went into closed session to discuss potential candidates for the Chief Administrative Officer, (CAO) position. Six minutes later they emerged from the closed session to appoint Julie Brownridge as interim CAO.

They went back into closed session to allow sufficient time to prepare and coordinate the agenda, and the meeting reconvened around 15 minutes later. Councilor Nickel was appointed Chair of the meeting.

Following the adoption of the agenda a motion was passed with council directing Mayor Lee to deliver immediately to the CAO all originals and all drafts, electronic and hard copies in his possession or in his control of any council meeting minutes that have not been adopted by resolution of council.

If found in violation of that order of council that he would be automatically be in violation of the Village Code of Conduct. Council also authorized spending of $1,000 for CAO to procure overdue draft meeting minutes to council.

The floor was opened to any delegations. Resident Christilee Rodgers told council, “I believe I speak for many residents when I say this: I cannot express how happy I am to see your choice for our interim CAO.

Appointing someone who is local to the area, someone who will not cost a fortune in travel reimbursements, who can be here on the ground and in the office instead of managing from afar is very important.

Ms. Brownridge was our acting CAO many years ago and she worked for the Village for many years. She is hitting the ground running because she understands the dynamics of Ryley and the relationships between Ryley and our regional partners. This will save so much time and money to getting the Village back on track quicker.

Julie has Ryley, the community and the people at heart. She was a wonderful member of the staff who respected residents and we always felt like she cared. I am very excited and confident that the Village has finally started on the road to a good recovery. Well done council.”

L-R: Coun. Lyndie Nickel, Coun. Sheldon Reid and Coun. Brian Ducherer.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Coun. Ducherer was appointed Mayor and Coun. Nickel was appointed Deputy Mayor.

Other motions of note:

• Council suspend Coun. Lee from attending any meetings of or representing Ryley at all council and inter-municipal committees, boards or commissions. An alternate will be named at a later date to serve in his place. Lee has been accused by municipal partners of Ryley as acting irregular, improper and improvident at meetings.

• Direct administration to investigate legal costs against resolutions and to investigate expenditures without resolutions dating back to Oct. 26, 2021 to determine violations of MGA section 248 and 249.

• Direct all councillors to immediately cease and desist all illegal practice of exercising the power of council or taking actions not authorized by resolutions or bylaws of council.

• Council must not exercise a power of function or perform a duty that by law or bylaw specifically assigned to CAO as well as immediately cease and desist the illegal practice of directing any member of staff.

• Direct all councillors to immediately vacate any work space and discontinue all official activity within village building, equipment and services except for access to official mailboxes, attendance for council meetings or when their presence requested by CAO.

• Direct CAO to review the circumstances of the two employment terminations on or about Jan. 12, 2023 and confirm to council whether any councillor influenced or directed the decisions to terminate employment.

Former employees Tracy Abel and Lorraine Williams both said they will not pursue any legal action for wrongful dismissal. Williams stated, “Even if we don’t get our jobs back, we’re happy to just see justice done for all the residents and taxpayers of Ryley.”

Brownridge served as interim CAO for five months in 2014 and also worked for the Village of Ryley for 10 years in administration in finance, taxes, utilities, grants and budgets.