Langley’s planning director was placed on paid administrative leave Oct. 22.
Mayor Fred McCarthy confirmed that he made the decision last week, but declined to say why Community Planning Director Michael Davolio is not allowed to come to work this week and if the move was a precursor to termination of employment.
McCarthy responded to an inquiry about the personnel decision by reading from a prepared statement.
“The City of Langley is involved in a personnel matter that is actively in process. I prefer not to comment out of respect for the individual’s privacy at this time. And to not adversely affect the outcome of the process. I’ll be in a position to comment in a few days when I know more.”
McCarthy said a legal challenge to his decision was “always possible.”
Reached on his personal phone, Davolio declined to comment on why he was placed on administrative leave.
“At this point I can’t because I don’t know,” he said Tuesday morning.
“All I can tell you is that I’m actively looking forward to getting back to work,” he added.
Responding to a question if there was any criminal involvement, the mayor said nothing criminal occurred that prompted his decision.
Langley has a bumpy history for planning directors. Former mayor Larry Kwarsick was forced out of office in 2013 by the Island County prosecutor for falsifying a public document while he was the city’s planner. His successor, Jeff Arango, was the whistle blower who spurred the council to take action, and left last year.
Davolio would be the fifth department leader to depart under McCarthy since he was appointed as Kwarsick’s replacement in February 2013. Former chief of police Randy Heston retired and moved, former public works director Challis Stringer stepped down and took a different job in another city, Arango left for another job in the private sector, and past public works director Maria Cablao resigned after five months in 2013.
Davolio was hired in December 2014. Since he joined the city’s ranks, his office has been beset by controversy.
The rollout of the food truck ordinance earlier this year was rife with problems, many of which stemmed from work previously done before he took over the office.
He and the city’s planning advisory board clashed over the recommendation for the urban growth area. At first, he wanted to shrink it but not as much as the planning board. Davolio eventually agreed with the board.
His work on the city’s waterfront access projects also drew ire. After a large workshop on the issue of improving connection between the downtown commercial core and parking with the marina, one of his ideas was to create a smaller funicular from Seawall Park to First Street. Another was the long-term pursuit of a project to create a waterfront walkway from the park to the marina, which was already in the city’s comprehensive plan but had been largely criticized by waterfront property owners whose land would require an easement or use of eminent domain for such construction.
Davolio said he thought the leave may last up to a few weeks.
