Sammamish’s separation with longtime city manager draws council criticism

The city of Sammamish is no longer employing former city manager Lyman Howard after the council approved a separation agreement between the two parties on July 17.

After an executive session held at the beginning of the meeting, the City Council approved a separation agreement between the city and Howard with an official separation date of Aug. 1.

Howard has been with the city for more than 18 years and has worked as a finance director, deputy city manager and city manager in that time.

Not much detail was given as to the reason behind the separation, but Sammamish Mayor Christie Malchow said that it was time for a change in direction for the city and, in a press release from the city, thanked Howard for his years of service.

In discussion of the motion, council members were very critical of the process that advanced the separation agreement. Council member Jason Ritchie said he would support the motion, but was angry about his departure.

“I absolutely oppose the process and the fact that Lyman Howard is leaving. I think he has done an outstanding job for this city, I regret that he will be leaving but I will be supporting the agreement that allows him to leave on terms that he approves,” Ritchie said.

Council member Pamela Stuart was extremely critical of the process that led to this separation, calling out the behavior that lead to the separation as unprofessional.

“I can only second what council member Ritchie has said in terms of the process that’s happening here and that it’s been wholly unprofessional and I’ve worked at Microsoft for 15 years, I was a consultant before that, I went into some pretty screwed up clients and this is the most unprofessional thing I’ve ever seen in my career,” Stuart said. “It saddens me what’s happening today.”

The council approved the separation agreement in a 5-2 vote with council members Ramiro Valderrama and Tom Hornish voting against, both stating that the agreement went over and above the compensation necessary to Howard.

“I believe he had a contract in place that settled terms and I don’t believe it is fiduciarily responsible to exceed those terms so I will be opposing it,” Valderrama said.

In a press release from the city, Howard thanked the staff he has worked with over the years.

“I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with a talented and dedicated team of staff, and to serve a community that I love and call home,” Howard said. “I will miss serving Sammamish residents, but I understand that the City Council is seeking a new direction in a changed political climate.”

The council also appointed Glenn Akramoff as the acting city manager, a temporary position until an interim city manager can be hired. Akramoff has worked as an infrastructure maintenance manager for the city of Sammamish from 2002-2006. Since then he has worked as Public Works director for the city of Covington and city manager for Normandy Park.

He was contracted to work with the city on maintenance and operations and has been working on an reorganization of the city’s IT Department and infrastructure.

Mayor Malchow stated that the city wants to involve citizens in the process to looking for a longer term city manager.

“There would likely be some public element to that process,” she said. “It’s not uncommon to have a community panel-like discussion with candidates we might consider.”

Malchow echoed this sentiment in a press release from the city as well, stating that the council wants to assure the community that they will be able to engage with them in the search for a candidate to take the role.