Sisters council leaning toward releasing Gorayeb report

Sisters city councilors discussed Thursday night how to respond to the district attorney’s order that they release the investigation report that led to former city manager Andrew Gorayeb’s resignation.

But while several members spoke of their desire to comply with DA John Hummel’s order, the council decided to meet privately with the city attorney next Monday before a final decision.

After receiving harassment complaints from three fellow city employees, Gorayeb, who had been on paid leave, chose late last month to resign and accept a $120,000 severance package rather than return to work and face disciplinary actions.

On Tuesday, Hummel ordered the city to release the investigation records that contain a description of the harassment complaints, after the city rejected three public records request, saying the information was a private personnel matter.

“I think the DA did a good job at saying why the records should be released. The government’s business is the people’s business,” council President Nancy Connolly said Thursday night.

City officials had said they would not release the records because they will be embarrassing and destructive to the city.

Meanwhile, several Sisters residents showed up at Thursday ‘s night’s meeting to voice their concerns about the hefty severance package — over $100,000 — and the burden it places on taxpayers.

“Was it hush money? Are you afraid of being sued? It’s very important for the public to have those facts,” said one resident.

Another resident questioned the city’s hiring process and said the people should have a voice.

Mayor Chris Frye said a majority of the councilors were not in their current roles when Gorayeb was hired and that the city is working to develop a more detailed hiring process.

Sisters is planning to hire former Madras and La Pine City Manager Rick Allen to be the interim city manager, until it is able to recruit a replacement. Allen’s contract and pay still must be negotiated before Allen signs on.

After much debate, a majority of councilors said they are ready to release the records.

“By not releasing (them), it looks like we’re hiding something and that’s not the case,” Connolly said.

Councilor David Asson said, “I want stuff released, so we can avoid more trauma and grief.”

The mayor said he is also leaning toward releasing the report, but that he wants to have a closed-door executive session with the council and city attorney Monday morning at 8 a.m., to evaluate the risks to the city.

“I want to make sure we aren’t doing something that has unintended consequences we aren’t going to be OK with,” he said. “So waiting three days is definitely the safer way to go.”

The city has until Tuesday to release the records or appeal Hummel’s order in court.