By TREY PUGA
Special to the NEWS
RIO HONDO – A special meeting was held at Rio Hondo City Hall on Wednesday to discuss City Administrator Hipolito Cabrera in an executive session item.
The item on the agenda read that commissioners would “deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal” of Cabrera.
The item eventually ended up being discussed in open session, but not after a few citizens of Rio Hondo spoke out against Mayor Alonzo Garza.
The meeting soon became heated as Linda Chullino, who serves the city in utilities and human resources, showed Garza a complaint about allegations that the mayor was micromanaging city staff, including Cabrera.
During public comment, Chullino said, “I don’t see a problem with City Administrator Hipolito Cabrera but with Mayor Alonzo Garza. Mayor Garza was shown Ordinance 200836 and stormed out.”
The ordinance was shown to Garza about a week before the meeting to remind him that an elected official could not oversee any city employee, Chullino said.
After Chullino, former Precinct 4 Constable Hoss Lozano spoke and expressed concern with the cause for the executive session, calling it “unnecessary.” Lozano added, “Mr. Cabrera should have asked for an open meeting. He has nothing to hide.”
City Attorney Eddie Lucio III obliged Lozano’s suggestion, along with Cabrera’s OK, to having an open session.
The meeting would still go into executive session, but only for legal advice matters that remain unknown as of presstime.
Once open session started, Lucio pointed out that the ordinance presented to Garza does not pertain to city officials. Lucio also stated that another ordinance gives authority to elected officials the supervisory powers over city officials, in which Lucio cleared that Cabrera is considered a city official.
Accusations were then being exchanged between Garza and Cabrera with the former expressing complaint about problems with a generator being moved, an electrician doing an incomplete job on said generator, an open trench used for training, safety measures, and the workers being directed by the mayor.
“I’m worried about the safety of my employees,” Garza said, addressing Cabrera. “You’re putting them in danger.”
“My workers tell me that they were told to complete other duties that weren’t assigned by me,” Cabrera responded. “I don’t understand. I’m the one that should be in charge of them and yet they are being told by Mayor Garza to perform other tasks. I’m concerned and aware of the dangers and precautions that must be taken. That’s my priority. But these workers have not been issued any safety goggles, hard hats, or any other such materials, and we’re the ones providing them with that.”
In the end, Commissioner Place 1 Gustavo Olivares had the last word before the issue was tabled, stating, “I see a difference in the city and community. You (Cabrera) are doing a great job and moving the city forward.”
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