Politics & Government

Arnold Council Approves $55,000 Settlement in Susie Boone Case

As part of the agreement, the parks and recreation director will be guaranteed a five-year contract and all future council communications to her will come through the city administrator.

The Arnold City Council has approved a $55,000 settlement agreement in the Susie Boone discrimination case. 

In October, Boone, the city's parks and recreation director, went public alleging Ward 4 Councilman Ken Moss had harassed her for more than two years. Boone claims the harassment began after Moss' sister was fired from the Parks Department in 2010. 

The council voted 3-to-3 on the agreement. Mayor Ron Counts broke the tie by voting in favor of the motion. Councilmembers Doris Borgelt, Ward 1, Michelle Hohmeier, Ward 2, and Sandra Kownacki, Ward 4, voted against the settlement. Councilmembers Bill Moritz, Ward 2, and Phil Amato and Paul Freese, both of Ward 3, voted in favor of it.

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City Attorney Bob Sweeney said since Moss was specifically charged and named as a respondent in the case, he could not vote because as a councilmember, he had a special interest in it.

As part of the agreement, Boone will be guaranteed a contract that renews on an annual basis until Dec. 31, 2018. Additionally, all future communications to her by council members must come through the city administrator.

Find out what's happening in Arnoldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Prior to the vote, Bob Krehbiel, the attorney representing the city in the case, recommended the city approve the settlement, and said the city's insurance company had signed off on it. The insurance company will pay for the settlement less a 10 percent or up to $10,000 deductible.

"In return for the settlement, Susie Boone will grant full and complete release of any and all claims she has regarding the matter," Krehbiel said. "By approving the settlement, you avoid the risk of going to trial."

Dan Kroupa, the city's treasurer, also recommended that the council approve the agreement. He said the city's insurance company would cap the settlement at $55,000.

"If you reject the settlement and Susie continues on (with a lawsuit in which the settlement could be greater), it's the city's finances on the line," he said. "Limit your losses and take this." 

Borgelt said she couldn't reward someone for what she felt was something that did not occur.

"If we award this, why don't the rest of the city employees line up, so they can get it, too?" she asked.

Kownacki said, "If nothing's been proven, why are we handing over $55,000?"

Moss declined an interview after the meeting, referring Patch to his attorney. He has  regarding the matter.

See previous articles: 

 

  • Arnold Police Chief Files Harassment Claim With State
  • Arnold Council Refuses to Pay for Independent Investigation
  • Cricky Lang: 'We Just Need to Get Past This' 
  • Arnold Park Director's Lawyer Files Second Complaint With State 
  • Ken Moss: 'I Didn't Do Anything' 
  • Moss Says He Was Asked to Resign in September 
  • Arnold Councilman to Call for Impeachment of Ken Moss? 
  • Arnold Council Votes Down Acceptance of Harassment Investigation
  • Arnold Employee Files Harassment Complaint Against Councilman

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified Dan Kroupa. It has since been updated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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