SITKA — Sitka’s city attorney Robin Schmid has resigned, effective June 1.
The City and Borough of Sitka Assembly announced the resignation Tuesday night at the conclusion of the annual meeting at which the Assembly rates the performances of the city administrator and the city attorney. The administrator and the attorney are the only city employees who answer directly to the Assembly.
Schmid said after the meeting that she was surprised she had been asked to resign.
“They just said they wanted a change,” she said. “I’m disappointed but I’ll continue to work until June 1 and try to assist any attorney who will come next. I liked working with everybody here.”
Emerging from a three-hour executive session on Schmid’s performance, the Assembly voted unanimously in favor of a motion to “accept the attorney’s resignation with 90-day severance package, effective June 1.”
The evaluation of the two officials was the only item on the agenda of the special meeting. Both Schmid and City Administrator Mark Gorman are finishing their third year of employment with the city.
Gorman’s evaluation was conducted in public at his request. He received mostly positive reviews, along with a few suggestions for improvements.
Schmid chose the option of having her evaluation done in executive session. Participants aren’t allowed to disclose what occurs in the executive session, so no information was available to the public afterward.
Schmid had a private law practice in Wasilla before coming to work for the city three years ago. She had previously worked as assistant attorney general in the state office of special prosecution, and as a district attorney in Barrow. She also worked in the legal department of the North Slope Borough.
“I really loved Sitka and expected to make this my home,” Schmid told the Sentinel on Wednesday. “I came here expecting that. But in a political appointee job there’s always that risk.”
Schmid said she’s committed to working hard through June 1 “to make sure I leave the office in great shape.”
Assembly members went into executive session for Schmid’s evaluation at 6:15 p.m. At 7:35 p.m. they invited the attorney to join the closed-door meeting. After 45 minutes she was excused and the Assembly continued in executive session for another 20 minutes before inviting her back in at 8:40 p.m. The Assembly returned to open session at 9 p.m. to pass the motion accepting her resignation.
In a prepared statement Wednesday, Mayor Mim McConnell said, “We thank Robin for her service to our community and wish her the best of success as she moves forward with her career.”
