By EDWARD HUSAR
Herald-Whig Staff Writer
The city of Quincy has released a copy of its severance agreement with former Central Services Director Mike Beebe in response to a Freedom of Information Act request filed by The Quincy Herald-Whig.
The agreement, released Monday night by Mayor John Spring, shows Beebe was given $19,822.76 -- the equivalent of three months' pay, minus payroll taxes -- in exchange for agreeing to certain conditions, including a confidentiality clause.
In addition, Beebe was paid $10,368.83 as compensation for 50 percent of the sick days he had accumulated while employed with the city. He also was paid $3,406.47 for his accumulated vacation hours. It's standard procedure for the city to compensate employees for these accumulated benefits whenever they leave the city's service.
The total severance package was $33,598.06
Beebe, who became director of the Central Services Department in May 2005, had been on unpaid suspension since Sept. 9 for unspecified reasons. According to the severance agreement, that's the date his employer-employee relationship with the city ended.
Beebe was arrested Sept. 14 on a charge of disorderly conduct stemming from an incident at the Central Services Department at 2020 Jennifer Road. He pleaded not guilty Oct. 28 to the misdemeanor charge. Judge Thomas Ortbal scheduled a December jury trial for Beebe, who is being represented by Quincy attorney Don Heck.
The Herald-Whig last month filed a Freedom of Information Act request for a copy of the severance agreement, but the request was denied by City Attorney Anthony B. Cameron on privacy grounds because the severance agreement contained a confidentiality clause.
After The Herald-Whig appealed Cameron's decision, Spring instructed the city's legal staff to recontact Beebe and his attorney and ask if they would be willing to waive the confidentiality clause. After reviewing the request, Beebe and his counsel said they had no objection.
The severance agreement noted that Beebe was given three months' of extra pay in exchange for the release of all claims cited in the agreement, including "any and all causes of action, actions, damages, accountings and claims which he may have now or in the future."
The agreement prohibited Beebe from participating in "any activities which would adversely affect or be detrimental to the employer or any of its affiliates, projects or interests."
The agreement also stipulated that Beebe and the city would agree "never to disclose or discuss the terms or existence of this agreement or any discussions and negotiations that preceded it, except to his (Beebe's) family, or to his attorney and financial advisor as necessary for them to assist him..."
"Employee will not disparage the employer or any affiliate, benefit plan, foundation, joint venture or other entity related to or of the employer, or any of its aldermen, officers, employees, attorneys, affiliates, assigns or agents," the agreement says.
"Employee further agrees that he shall not at any time engage in any form of conduct, or make any statements or representations, which impair the reputation, goodwill or interest of City of Quincy."
The agreement also stipulated the Beebe "not divulge any confidential information" he obtained while in a supervisory role for the city, including any of the city's contractor lists.
The agreement stipulated that Beebe agree not to apply for any unemployment compensation until Dec. 9 or later.
"Employer will not protest his drawing unemployment," the agreement says. "If contacted by the Illinois Department of Employment Security, employer will answer questions truthfully but will not protest."
The agreement also stipulated that any breach of the severance agreement by Beebe would give the city "the right to seek injunctive relief and damages for said breach," including the city's legal fees.
-- ehusar@whig.com/221-3378
