AURORA — Despite allegations of sexism toward some female City Council members, Aurora City Manager Skip Noe will retain his job, it was decided Monday afternoon.
After a third closed-door meeting in recent months regarding Noe’s behavior, there was not enough support by the majority of the council to oust him, and members have closed the issue.
“Over and done,” Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan said after the executive session meeting. “I’m comfortable. Things in the city are going well.”
Five female City Council members have said Noe treats them differently compared to their male counterparts. They have said he talks down to them, yells at them and treats them with a condescending attitude. They no longer wanted him as city manager.
Noe, who didn’t attend Monday’s meeting, has denied those claims.
Those who have come out publicly to voice their displeasure with Noe are councilwomen Barb Cleland, Sally Mounier, Marsha Berzins, Renie Peterson and Molly Markert, who has filed paperwork to run for mayor.
“We gave it our best but convinced no one,” Mounier said. “Each of us were able to speak from the heart.”
Noe, 64, came under fire in January when five councilwomen tried to place a vote of no confidence against him on a council agenda. The measure failed to garner enough support, but an executive session on the issue was held Feb. 23.
On March 30, a second closed-door meeting took place. And after more than four hours, several of the women walked out. Some have called for Noe’s resignation.
“He’s staying and we have a fractured council,” Cleland said Monday. “He treats us with disdain.”
Noe declined comment Monday night, but previously said he would work with the council going forward.
“I truly see my role here is to take action based on the direction of the majority of City Council and to manage the day-to-day operations of the city in a professional manner,” Noe said in a statement last week. “I should also be clear that I want to have a positive relationship with all the members of the City Council.”
Berzins issued a written statement, expressing disappointment with Hogan and council members who didn’t support the women. But she said it was time to move on.
“We have much work to do and this problem lingers on,” she said.
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175, cillescas@denverpost.com or twitter.com/cillescasdp
