City Attorney Valerie Armento signed a separation agreement with the city council—to whom she and the city manager answer—on Sept. 28.

As part of the agreement—to resolve a contractual dispute that neither side can comment on—Armento will stay on the city's payroll for another year, making "no less than her fiscal year 03­04 salary," according to the separation agreement. She will also continue receiving benefits including life insurance, medical coverage and use of paid time-off days.

On Oct. 15—when Armento is relieved of responsibilities and authority by the city—she is expected to turn in a letter of resignation, and her status will change to "On leave with pay."

Armento said she intends to turn the letter in, to comply with the provisions of the agreement.

Armento began her time as city attorney in January 1991 and served as the council's legal adviser at city meetings, answering questions on city policy and ensuring that all actions taken complied with existing laws. After she leaves, Mayor John Howe said the council will appoint an acting city attorney to fill the void during the search for a permanent replacement.

Howe said he wishes Armento well and that the agreement was signed without much discussion. Since February, the council has held a number of closed-session meetings regarding the city attorney, many of them before regularly scheduled council meetings. On Sept. 21, the council held two immediately following the council meeting. The first of those meetings was held in the normal conference room meeting place, but the second was in the mayor's office. Because they are closed sessions, the public was not admitted, nor are public discussions of the proceedings required. At many council meetings, the vice mayor simply announced that a closed session had been held and whether or not directions or actions were taken.