Because of rumors circulating through the community—the move does not come as a surprise. LaSala's leave, however, was a surprise because of a grace period in LaSala's contract that prohibited the council from removing him from office for 90 days after an election that brings new members to the city council. That 90-day period, which started Nov. 4, ended at the beginning of February.

Around that same time, Mayor John Howe confirmed that LaSala had turned in his city-owned vehicle.

Howe said the agreement that ended LaSala's contract was a unanimous decision between the former city manager and the seven-member city council. He also added that the agreement was voluntarily entered into by both sides.

As rumors began circulating in December, several former council members—including Santa Clara County Tax Assessor Larry Stone—voiced their concern over what they perceived as the council working around the 90 days in an attempt to get rid of LaSala by putting him on paid administrative leave.

Pat Vorreiter—who left her council seat this past year after eight years on the dais—said she had encouraged the new council members to at least give LaSala the 90 days, as an adjustment phase. She said she is both disappointed and saddened by the way things ended.

"I'm disappointed because I think Bob was good for the city, and he had the support of his staff," Vorreiter said. "What I'm saddened by is that the process did not allow everyone to go their separate ways in what you might call an 'amicable divorce.'"

Vorreiter said she is also concerned for the future of the city manager's office, in regards to potential replacements for LaSala.

"City managers are a small family, and if there is some gossip that there is not a healthy relationship with the council, that can jeopardize having top notch candidates come to Sunnyvale," Vorreiter said.

Public Safety Officers Association President Dave Pitts said he hopes that any potential candidates will look at the whole of Sunnyvale and decide for themselves whether they want to apply. Pitt also said he is glad the city can move on from this and look forward, a sentiment shared by many in the community—including Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Suzi Blackman.

"We're relieved that this situation has resolved, and it sounds like both parties are relieved," Blackman said. "Now the council and the city staff are freed up to focus on budget issues and other economic vitality concerns."

While details of the agreement are confidential, LaSala's lawyer Sally E. Mitchell—a former San Carlos city council member—said negotiations had been going on for some time, and that this is not an unprecedented event.

"In 24 years of practicing law, and 16 years of serving on a city council, I have found that new councils typically want to make their own selection for city manager," Mitchell said. "I don't think anyone was surprised, and I think everyone is satisfied."