Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard said that Les Olds, the embattled former executive director of the Carmel Redevelopment Commission, has resigned from city service effective Oct. 17.
“We should thank him for his many contributions to the planning and beautiful architecture in the Arts and Design District and City Center,” Brainard said.
In a 4-3 vote at the Aug. 5 city council meeting, the council effectively fired Olds by refusing to renew his contract, citing inconsistent record keeping.
In its September meeting, the Carmel City Center Community Development Corp. could have approved a contract to hire Olds and loan him back to the CRC.
Instead city councilor and 4CDC board member Ron Carter recommended postponing the contract pending advice from a lawyer.
“I think it’s best that Les is not a department head,” said City Councilor Luci Snyder, citing the findings of a recent audit report on the CRC that was conducted by the State Board of Accounts.
“But I think he might have been valuable as an architectural consultant,” Snyder said.
Les Olds declined to comment for this story.