"Terminated NM airport manager to receive full year's salary"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Terminated airport manager to receive full year's salary
By Dianne Stallings
The Ruidoso (NM) News


The village's former airport manager will continue at its helm on a
consulting basis, while the man bumped from the job will receive a
full-year's pay under a settlement agreement.

Ruidoso village councilors Tuesday approved an extension of the village
contract with Tim Morris through Sept. 30, at $14,300. 

Morris, who retired as manager at the municipal airport in 2005, previously
signed a six-month consulting contract that expires March 30.

Tom Wylam, who replaced Morris at Sierra Blanca Regional Airport, was
terminated in October after 16 months on the job, but he protested the
action.

Reviewing policy

Thursday after a closed executive session, councilors came back into open
session and approved a settlement agreement with Wylam, and in a second
motion, councilors directed Village Attorney Dan Bryant to review the
village's policy on termination of employees and report back within 45 days.

Under the approved agreement, Wylam will be paid $51,702, equal to
one-year's salary as airport director, through his attorney Freda McSwane. 

Insurance paid...

He will receive $6,144 as the value of insurance coverage that he would have
benefited from as airport director for one year. 

Other provisions include 

that all records related to his employment will be sealed by the village.

Responses to future inquiries about his employment with the village will be
limited to the dates of his service, his salary and his position.

...attorney fees, too

The village also will pay $3,900 in attorney fees to McSwane.

In return Wylam waives any claims against the village related to his
employment as airport director.

Councilors also approved an amendment to the agreement with Molzen-Corbin &
Associates to provide specialty engineering services at the airport. 

Deputy Village Manager Bill Morris said requests for proposals or bids were
not required, as it is a continuation of an existing agreement.

Grants may land

Councilors approved a $5,000 task order for the firm to create a
disadvantaged business enterprise program maintenance at the airport. Mayor
L. Ray Nunley said the program will allow the village to receive about
$400,000 in grants.

Another task order with Molzen-Corbin for $31,506 was approved for
engineering of gate improvements, pavement maintenance, runway
rehabilitation and guidance signs under a $304,000 Federal Aviation
Administration Grant. 

An expected state grant will cover the village's $9,000 match and a state
match of the same amount, Morris said.

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