The Town Manager for the Town of Yucca Valley, Mark Nuaimi, was placed on administrative leave at a special meeting of the Town Council last night. Managing Editor Tami Roleff explains what that means, and what it could lead to…
In a unanimous, closed-session vote, the Yucca Valley Town Council placed Town Manager Mark Nuaimi on administrative leave during a special meeting last night. The action was read by Town attorney Lona Laymon. “The Town Council has determined to place the Town Manager upon administrative leave pending further consideration of an employee release from that position at a regularly scheduled meeting.” The Town Council was in closed session for nearly two hours. Town staff refused to discuss any details of what the administrative leave means or when his dismissal will come up in a regular meeting. But, according to the Town’s municipal code, the Town Manager can be removed by majority vote of the Council during a regular council meeting, and, it goes on to state, the Town Manager must be furnished with written notice of the Council’s intention to remove him and the reason therefore, at least 30 days before the effective date of his removal. The municipal code also states that after giving the town manager written notice of his intended removal, he can be suspended from his duties, but he will continue to receive his compensation until his dismissal. If his contract is terminated “without cause,” Nuaimi will be entitled to severance pay of eight months salary, and health benefits for one year or until he finds other employment (whichever comes first).
