Sunnyside Council fires City Manager Mike Gonzalez after 3 months leave
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Sunnyside Council voted 4-2 to terminate City Manager Mike Gonzalez's contract.
- An investigation cited Gonzalez's hiring practices and disciplinary failures.
- Gonzalez may receive severance pay if he signs a release following his dismissal.
The Sunnyside City Council moved to terminate its contract with City Manager Mike Gonzalez, just over three months after placing him on paid, non-disciplinary administrative leave while an outside law firm investigated his actions as manager.
On Monday, a motion to terminate his contract without cause was approved by four of seven council members. Mayor Dean Broersma, Jorge Galvan, Vicki Ripley, and Keren Vazquez voted in favor. Julia Hart and Vicky Frausto voted no. Hancock abstained. There was no debate on the motion.
Broersma said that the investigation revealed deficiencies in Gonzalez’s management, including improper hiring and failure to take proper disciplinary action against an employee.
Gonzalez was hired as city manager in Sunnyside in July 2024 after serving as Franklin County administrator.
Theresa Hancock, a former city council member and liquor store owner, was appointed to fill a vacancy on council in March. Gonzalez and Hancock quickly became at odds with each other, with Gonzalez accusing Hancock of harassment and discrimination and Hancock accusing Gonzalez of misconduct.
Broersma said Monday that Gonzalez’s claims of harassment and interference by Hancock were “not sustained” by the investigation.
“In addition, during the course of the investigation, Mr. Gonzalez engaged in conduct that further raises concerns regarding his ability to effectively continue and manage personnel and operations in the city,” Broersma said.
The city opted to pursue the termination without cause, allowing Gonzalez to receive severance benefits if he signs a release agreement.
Gonzalez filed a tort claim against the city in August, alleging harassment, retaliation, and discrimination by some members of the council.
The Yakima Herald-Republic has requested a copy of the investigation findings.
Interim City Manager Jim Bridges’ contract is slated to end at the end of the month.
Public comment
During 40 minutes of public comment, people spoke both for and against reinstating Gonzalez.
Cus Arteaga, who led public works under Gonzalez for five months and resigned shortly after his leave, said that finding a good city manager is not an easy task and asked for Gonzalez to return.
“In that short time, I found him to truly care about Sunnyside and its citizens,” Arteaga said.
He said that Gonzalez worked to improve the city’s infrastructure and promoted its economic development.
David Cortinas, publisher of La Voz Hispanic News, said that the city had no justifiable grounds to fire Gonzalez and pointed to his successes including securing grants for the city and saving the swimming pool from closure.
Four people spoke with concerns regarding Gonzalez.
Attempts to reach Gonzalez by phone on Tuesday were unsuccessful.
Questen Inghram is a Murrow News Fellow at the Yakima Herald-Republic whose beat focuses on government in Central Washington communities. Email qinghram@yakimaherald.com or call 509-577-7674.