City Council members decline comment; sources say Galli was asked to resign.

Pueblo City Manager David Galli has taken an unexplained leave of absence amid unofficial reports that the Pueblo City Council has asked for his resignation.

In a brief memorandum to City Clerk Gina Dutcher dated Tuesday, Galli said he would be out of the office indefinitely and appointed current Planning Director Jerry Pacheco as acting city manager.

The entire memo reads:

"I will be out of the office for an indefinite period of time. In accordance with (the Pueblo City Charter), I appoint Jerry Pacheco, director of planning and community development, as acting city manager as of today." Council has not taken any public action against Galli, but several highly placed city sources told The Pueblo Chieftain that on Monday Galli was given a week to submit his resignation. Galli uncharacteristically was absent from council's work session Monday night after being at City Hall most of the day.

The memo arrived at the city Tuesday afternoon and Galli had not been to the office at any time since about 3 p.m. Monday.

On Monday night, City Council President Barbara Vidmar said only that Galli had received a call that kept him from the meeting.

When asked if Galli had been asked to resign, Vidmar said she could neither confirm nor deny those reports.

Vidmar did not comment further Tuesday.

Other council members were equally quiet and calls to Galli's home and cell phone were not returned.

Councilman Mike Occhiato said Tuesday that he knew only that Galli received a phone call that kept him from Monday's meeting and that any discussion about Galli's performance or condition of employment with the city was a personnel matter.

"I don't know what to tell you other than what I've told you," Occhiato said Tuesday. "To say anything more would jeopardize Dave's reputation."

Councilman Randy Thurston said much the same thing.

"It was just a phone call," Thurston said. "I don't know any of the reasons. I know I kept looking up (Monday night) expecting to see Dave come in. I can't divulge any more information than that."

With Galli's absence, there are three leadership positions in the city that are open.

Last month, Airport Director Jerry Brienza took a job at an airport in West Virginia. And in October, Public Works Director Dan Centa retired and took over the helm of the Pueblo Economic Development Corp.

Tom Martinez is serving as interim director of the airport and Mike Beyer is serving as interim director of public works.

Council has held a number of closed-door sessions about Galli's performance evaluation and even called a special meeting Nov. 19 for the sole purpose of going behind closed doors to discuss Galli's performance.

According to Galli's contract, his performance evaluation should have been done by Nov. 1.

There have been differences recently between Galli and the council.

During council's budget deliberations, Galli came under fire by Thurston, who criticized Galli for not providing an adequate report on how to make changes and improve efficiency in the city manager's office.

Galli also recommended that council hold off hiring 12 new police officers next year until the city can be sure that sales tax revenues will be healthy enough to afford the new positions. However, council has dismissed that suggestion and is proceeding toward hiring the officers.

Galli's parks director, Rich Zajac, also was grilled by Vidmar regarding a consultant's evaluation of the parks department.

Galli also had asked to create a deputy city manager position to free up some of his time to deal with long-term planning issues, but the request eventually was pulled from the table.

Council members, other than Councilmen Ray Aguilera and Larry Atencio, were upset with Galli's unilateral decision last month to close down Union Avenue for a rally for Democratic President-elect Barack Obama.

Galli has said he did not have time to consult with council or force the Obama campaign to go through the normal channels to shut down the street.

He said the city would have extended the same courtesy to Obama's Republican challenger at the time, John McCain. McCain did make a stop in Pueblo, but chose Massari Arena as a location.

Galli was hired in November 2004 to replace outgoing City Manager Lee Evett.

His current salary is $150,496 per year, plus a $500 monthly car allowance.

According to Galli's contract, in the event he is removed from his position without cause, he would be entitled to severance pay equal to six months of salary, or $75,248.

The city also would pay six months of Galli's health insurance premium.

Under the contract, "cause" is defined as conduct or behavior injurious to the best interests of the city, material breach of the contract, insubordination, felony conviction, nonfeasance, malfeasance or misfeasance in the performance of his duties or misuse of city properties, funds or privileges.

The contract states that a resignation must come with at least 60 days written notice. Galli would not be entitled to any salary or benefits beyond a resignation date.

Prior to his promotion to the top job in the city, Galli worked for 10 years as assistant city manager and also served seven years prior to that in the city's finance department.

Galli is a lifelong Puebloan, a graduate of Pueblo Central High School and the former University of Southern Colorado. For the full story, please visit http://www.chieftain.com/articles/2008/12/03/news/local/doc4936385f3b885562...