CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
Cape Coral City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn will have his contract terminated at 11:59 p.m. on Monday after a city council meeting vote.
There were four yea votes coming from Mayor John Gunter, William E. (Bill) Steinke, Dr. Derrick Donnell and Joe Kilraine. The only nay vote came from Laurie Lehmann.
Keith Long and Rachel Kaduk walked out before the vote but during the discussion. Jennifer Nelson-Lastra left the meeting before the topic came up.
Nelson-Lastra told Gulf Coast News she told Gunter that she needed to leave for medical reasons, and she had no idea this was going to happen. She also said she would not have supported the motion. She shared the following statement:
“I am appalled by what happened after I left tonight’s City Council meeting. I had cataract surgery Thursday and left after council reports because I was in pain.
“Firing the city manager without cause to secure his buyout looks like a backroom favor. Several council members doing this at their final meeting makes it that much more suspicious.
“I would have strongly objected. I want an investigation into whether this was coordinated and whether Sunshine laws were broken. The residents of Cape Coral deserve answers. They deserve better.”
Maureen Buice is now the interim city manager.
Ilczyszyn will receive a severance package. No cause was mentioned during the discussions or decision.
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