City Council Terminates City Manager Donald Jaramillo’s Contract

GRANTS, NM – On July 26, a Regular City Council Meeting was held. During this meeting the council went into a closed session to discuss the City Manager’s Contract. When the council returned to an executive session a motion was made by Councilwoman Beverly Michael to terminate the contract of City Manager Donald Jaramillo. The motion passed with Councilman George Garcia and Councilman Fred Rodarte voting in favor of the termination and Councilman Zachery Gutierrez voting in opposition.

There was already a lot of tension during this meeting, with a lot of back-and-forth comments from Mayor Erik Garcia and Michael. To start off the meeting began with a change in the agenda motioned by Councilman Garcia and Michael to move the 1.1 City Council Manager Appreciation Day to the end of the meeting following the closed session which was a discussion regarding the city manager’s contract. Mayor Garcia asked why they are choosing to change the agenda to which Michael replied, “We have a lot of business to attend to on the agenda so it just seems that would be a better order of things.”

Councilman Garcia said, “We are not removing it, we are just moving it to the end where it will consolidate discussion. To cap off discussion, Mayor Garcia said, “I’m sorry Don.” and the agenda was voted on and passed with a 3 to 1 vote with Councilman Gutierrez in opposition.

The council entered a closed session to discuss the city manager’s contract. Following the closed session, the council voted to return to an executive session. Michael began the council discussion by saying “I have nothing further to discuss and I would like to make a motion.” All other council members said they have nothing further to discuss. Michael than proceeds to make a motion “for termination of the city manager’s contract as an at-will employee of the city without cause.” Rodarte seconded the motion.

The contract for Jaramillo was terminated, and the chamber reacted with shock. Following the votes, the room was completely silent, community members really knew how to react to what had occurred. Both Gutierrez and Mayor Garcia were visibly upset regarding the decision. Jaramillo began sorting his things to leave but the final discussion was on City Manager Appreciation Day, so he was unable to leave. During the comments from the council following the decision Gutierrez said “I’m just in awe. I don’t even know what to say. Donald thank you… I don’t know what we are doing here, I really don’t.”

Mayor Garcia went forward with the City Manager Appreciation Day speech he had prepared which included praise for all the work that Donald has done for the city. Mayor Garcia said that despite the termination they are still going to read the speech and he made some comments towards Michael about what Jaramillo has done “And the city is looking good because of good leadership… The city is doing better on their finances… Your ugly faces aren’t doing anything for him.” Mayor Garcia praised Jaramillo for overseeing the largest budget the city has seen, his working relationship with the legislators, his work with the NMDOT to get projects started and completed, and many others.

There was no explanation regarding why they terminated the contract, but according to Mayor Garcia and Councilman Garcia the reasoning was due to financial issues particularly the tax lien with the community pantry. The timing for the termination was also seen in poor taste by community members due to it being City Manager Appreciation Day. The mayor even brought a cake for the appreciation day for Jaramillo. Mayor Garcia made the following comment right after the meeting was adjourned “You guys are awful people.”

Councilwoman Beverly Michael was unable to give information regarding what was stated in the closed session but made the following statement regarding the matter, “People should go back and watch the city council meetings and form their own opinion. It’s unfortunate when something comes to this, but we need to feel safe as a council.”

Councilman George Garcia made the following statement regarding the matter, “People have to be held accountable, especially in the area of finances. It wasn’t personal and it was a very hard decision. People should look at past meetings, especially the ones regarding the pantry and the memorial. It was not an easy decision, but someone had to be held accountable.”

Mayor Erik Garcia had a lot to say regarding the matter. He began by speaking about how, at first, he didn’t agree with Donald Jaramillo being city manager because he didn’t want him to be in the political ring. He then went on to speak about how about three months ago the council brought the city manager’s contract up to review then later said they wanted to change the six months’ payout that Jaramillo would receive if he was removed without cause to a three months’ payout. Mayor Garcia said “They said that this should not be held over the citizens heads… Why does it matter? Are you guys wanting to get rid of him?”

Mayor Garcia continued on, “I went to Don [who told me], ‘well I don’t feel threatened.’ So be it… Then two months later, here we are, [the] contract is on the line, crazy right?” Mayor Garcia went further on to talk about wanting to recognize Donald for what he has done for the City of Grants and the Community Pantry situation. Mayor Garcia said “[Donald] is such a good manager… Don took care of the city. I hope there is a good showing [to the town hall].”

As press time approached, Jaramillo responded to the Cibola Citizen’s request for comment. He wrote in a statement, “It’s unfortunate. I know [the city council] wanted someone to pay the price… If someone was going to take the hit, it would be me. One council member was in favor of suspension, unfortunately politics got in the way. At the end of the day with a new manager it takes time. We were just getting going and had good momentum… There was not one department head that wanted me gone, but when you work in a municipality – unfortunately – politics are involved. I’m okay with [the decision] and I won’t be begging for my job back. I think it was the wrong decision and it’s going to cost the city. I feel for the staff… [they] pay the price at the end of the day. I hope that they find someone that can work with the staff and the city. The council signed off on the purchase Beverly motioned. Maybe she should be removed from office. That won’t happen.”

Councilman Fred Rodarte and Councilman Zachery Gutierrez refused to comment on the situation.

There will be a Town Hall and City Council Meeting on Thursday, August 3 at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Senior Citizen Center located at 550 Jurassic Court. The agenda is available on the City of Grants website: cityofgrants. net

City of Grants Council Meetings are recorded, and their videos are available to rewatch on the City of Grants Facebook page as well as on their YouTube Channel City of Grants N.M.