The Madison Tenant Resource Center will enter mediation with former executive director Brenda Konkel. Konkel was fired from her position in October after being accused of “financial mismanagement.” The mediation comes at the urging of the center’s employees and volunteers.

The board recently rejected Konkel’s appeal contesting her termination. However, at the meeting a board member made a motion to attempt mediation. The motion came as a surprise to many in attendance.

According to board member Jim White, paying for mediation could be difficult. He explained, "The problem here about keeping TRC afloat is big, and unless the people in this room want to get together and decide on an amount they want to fundraise among themselves, I do not see how TRC can take on any of the burden.”

The board did OK the mediation and said it would be overseen by a volunteer, which would reduce the cost by not needing to pay for an outside mediator. Board members and Konkel both agreed to stop speaking publicly in a negative manner about the issues – something that is likely necessary in order to have successful good faith mediation.

Konkel announced plans to run for mayor in 2019 early this year. She had been working with the center since 1991 and served as the executive director since 1995.

The board explained its decision to fire Konkel and took questions from her supporters prior to agreeing to mediation. In general, the people who attended the Q&A were critical of the board’s decision to fire Konkel.