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The City of North Branch has announced an agreement was adopted by city council permitting City Administrator Renae Fry to no longer be an employee as of December 15.  The city will name an “interim” administrator by that last day— to serve until a search locates “chief administrative officer’ candidates.  The search will get underway as soon as possible but there were no details provided in the e-mailed announcement November 29.

The vote to accept the agreement is not on record.  Council last week closed its session and there is no record of the reconvening action or the vote in open session.

Mayor Kevin Scheiber said in the written statement November 29 the city recognizes the work Fry accomplished while serving the city and wishes her well.  

The Press e-mailed and left a voicemail for the mayor, but through e-mail, Scheiber responded that he prefers to talk by phone.  No call came through Thursday or Friday last week.

The Chisago County Press requested a copy of the severance agreement; but has been told a formal data request must be filed, but the person designated as the information authority for the city was not in their office on Friday. 

The Press also requested from the mayor, a summary (or full copy) of the investigative report submitted from a third party.  Council action from early in 2023 authorized a process to look into an unidentified complaint about the administrator.  This report is also unavailable pending the formal data request process. 

Fry started in 2017.  She responded to the Press, explaining she plans to work until December 15, but communications on other issues needed to be cleared through the city legal firm.

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