RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - Two new developments have emerged in the ongoing rift between the general manager and the board president of the Rancho Murieta Community Services District. Still, they seem to cancel each other out in resolving the conflict.

General Manager Mimi Morris, on paid leave since Jan. 6, returned to work on March 24. However, on the same day, Board President Steve Booth notified the district that he would be unable to attend any committee or board meetings for the time being.

Attorney Katherine Read of the law firm Richards, Watson & Gershon confirmed both developments in an April 4 email. 

Read is handling both an internal grievance that Morris has filed against Booth and a government claim she has brought against the district. While her claim primarily concerns Booth, it also names Directors John Merchant and Linda Butler, as well as District Counsel Patrick Enright, as district employees responsible for causing harm. However, it does not name Directors Randy Jenco or Tim Maybee.

Morris has alleged that Booth discriminated against her, a claim he has adamantly denied. Reid also confirmed that the investigation into her grievance is ongoing.

When the River Valley Times contacted Morris on April 4, Morris confirmed that she had returned to work on March 24 and expressed surprise that the matter wasn’t mentioned at the March 19 board meeting. When asked if she had any thoughts about returning, Morris said she had none to share.

The River Valley Times also contacted Booth for comment, asking him to explain his decision and what needs to happen for him to return. Booth responded by email on April 4:

“I plan to be in attendance for the April 16 board meeting,” Booth said. “Beyond that, I think it best if I do not comment.”

The rift between Morris and Booth became public on Jan. 6 when the board held a special meeting to evaluate her performance. Before the board moved into closed session, without Booth, Morris publicly accused him of retaliation, discrimination and harassment. Morris also disclosed that she had filed an internal complaint against Booth following the Nov. 20 board meeting.

Morris’ primary complaints center on Booth’s alleged insistence that she return to the office some months after being allowed to work from home due to a medical condition. Morris has also claimed that Booth harmed her reputation by discussing her performance during the November board meeting’s open session.

Booth responded on Jan. 7 to the River Valley Times, stating, “I categorically deny that there has been any discrimination against her for any reason.”

During the Jan. 6 closed session, the board voted 4-0 to place Morris on administrative leave pending an investigation of her grievance. Two days later, Morris’ attorney filed a government claim against the district, elaborating on her allegations against Booth. Under California law, employees are required to file a government claim before initiating a lawsuit against a governmental entity, allowing time for potential resolution before litigation.

In an executive session at the Feb. 19 board meeting, the board voted 4-0 to deny her government claim. That action enabled Morris to move forward with a lawsuit.

The board also held a special meeting on March 14 to address two agenda items: “Conference with legal counsel – anticipated litigation” and “Public employee discipline/dismissal/release, administrative leave status.”

Booth was excluded from the closed session. The remaining board members conferred by phone with Read, a colleague of district counsel Patrick Enright, and an attorney representing the Golden State Risk Management Authority, the district’s insurer.

After the closed session, Board Vice President John Merchant announced that Morris would be returning from administrative leave.