Osseo Council Votes To ‘Part Ways’ with City Administrator

The Osseo City Council voted Friday to approve a separation agreement with City Administrator Riley Grams, a decision described as a mutual parting of ways.

The decision followed an April 22 performance evaluation review by the city council of Grams. The closed-door meeting lasted more than two hours before the city council reconvened in public.

“The summary is that after discussion between the city council and the city administrator, they determined it was in the best interests of both parties to part ways,” read Osseo Mayor Duane Poppe before Friday’s vote.

The separation agreement was approved in a 4-1 vote with Osseo City Council Member Juliana Hultstrom the lone person against.

According to the resolution approved Friday, Grams’ resignation will be effective May 22.

CCX News reached out to obtain the separation agreement but was told it’s not public at this time.

“There is now a 15-day waiting period where there is a legal right to rescind and therefore it is still not public until the waiting period is over,” said City Clerk Katrina Jones in an email.

The decision comes at a key time for the city as council members decide what to do next about its aging city hall and public safety building. The city council meets tonight to go over building options in a work session.

Osseo City Administrator Riley Grams at an April 1 work session.

CCX News reached out to city leaders, including Mayor Duane Poppe, for further comment on the separation agreement, but did not hear back.

Grams was hired as city administrator in 2015 after working in Osseo for three years as a city planner, then assistant city administrator.

The Osseo City Council voted to appoint Police Chief Shane Mikkelson as interim city administrator until further notice while the city determines next steps.

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