City Administrator Gabriel steps down

COEUR d'ALENE - City Administrator Wendy Gabriel has resigned her post, effective immediately, under terms of a mutual agreement reached Wednesday between Gabriel and the city.

Finance director Troy Tymesen has been named acting city administrator.

"I have had the honor to serve my community for 25 amazing years," Gabriel said in a press release. "I look around our great city and can't help but feel proud of all that this city team and this community have accomplished."

Gabriel started her career with the city in May 1989 as a legal intern in the city attorney's office. She worked her way through the ranks, serving as a claims manager and research assistant, interim city administrator and deputy city administrator. Gabriel was named city administrator in June 2002.

"I would like to thank Wendy for her 25 years of dedicated service to the city," Mayor Steve Widmyer said in press release. "I wish her all the best."

Gabriel will receive $41,828 in severance pay, which is the equivalent of four months of her gross salary.

City Spokesman Keith Erickson said the mayor and Gabriel have been discussing the separation for a couple of months, and decided now is the time to do it.

"It was not a disciplinary action though," Erickson said.