Politics & Government
City Council Releases Resolution Censuring Councilman D.J. Wilson
Among the recommendations is that Wilson be removed from committee assignments for 60 days.
The Edmonds City Council has adopted Resolution No. 1261, which censures Councilman D.J. Wilson in what it says was his attempt to mediate a personnel dispute between the City of Edmonds and , the former executive assistant to Mayor Mike Cooper.
In this case, a censure acts as a public reprimand.
Cole resigned her position with the City of Edmonds in September after she claimed she . The hostility, she claims, was brought about by an inquiry into her work habits and time records by Human Resources director Debi Humann. Humann was fired by Cooper , while . An investigation into the matter is now being conducted by Kirkland lawyer Jim Webber.
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You can read the full resolution in the attached PDF file. Also included is a copy of the agreement that was signed by both Cooper and Cole.
The resolution, which was the subject of numerous closed-door City Council meetings, was signed by Council President Strom Peterson on Tuesday, Nov. 1, when the council voted for censure, but not released to the media until Friday, Nov. 4.
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The resolution adds, numerous times, that Wilson had a "personal, political and professional relationship" with Cole. It says Wilson, with the council's approval, attempted to craft a "contract obligating the City of Edmonds to pay his personal, political and professional colleague Kimberly Cole $65,000 and a year of health insurance."
The resolution also states that Wilson misled Edmonds residents by concealing his role in the mediation.
The separation agreement signed by Cooper and Cole was not in the city's best interest, the resolution says, because it obligated the city to pay the settlement fee and provide the health benefits. The agreement also gave Cole right to pursue "legal remedy" and that the City would not contest unemployment benefits submitted by Cole.
The resolution says that, because of Wilson's actions, the City of Edmonds is at a "greater financial risk than if he had not become involved," and his actions "have brought disrepute to the City Council."
The resolution concluded that City Council President Peterson "remove Councilman DJ Wilson from all committee assignments for a period of 60 days."
, saying he did nothing wrong and that the move is politically motivated in advance of the Nov. 8 election. Incumbent Wilson is competing against Joan Bloom for council seat No. 5, a four-year term.