City, Cape public works director, part ways
Cape Coral Public Works Director Chuck Pavlos has stepped down from his position.
His resignation was effective Thursday according to city spokeswoman Connie Barron.
Rumors about Pavlos’s resignation or possible termination began circulating on news blogs and online forums Thursday afternoon, but was not officially confirmed by the city until a release was sent to media outlets late Thursday.
Barron wrote that Pavlos had served as the Public Works director since 1997.
City Manager Gary King named Transportation Director Steve Neff as interim Public Works Director, according to the release.
Neff has been with the city since 1984.
Barron also indicated the King had no timetable in place to fill the position on a permanent basis.
Councilmember Kevin McGrail said Thursday that he would not challenge the decision.
“It’s an administrative decision. By the city charter, it’s not my position to mettle in that. It is the city manager’s decision,” McGrail said.
Pavlos is set to receive four months severance pay, a provision called for in the city charter for “at will” employees released from city employment without cause.
His annual salary was $134,139, which means he’ll receive nearly $45,000 in severance pay.
Having worked for the city for 13 years, Pavlos also is vested in the city’s pension fund, though the exact details of that benefit or other accrued benefits could not be determined by press time Friday.
Other city officials did not return calls for comment.