At about 10:15 p.m. this evening, two minutes after their return from meeting in executive session, the Laredo City Council heard City Manager Jesus (Chuy) Olivares announce his “retirement” from the City of Laredo.
Asked by Mayor Pete Saenz if he wanted to elaborate on the details of that decision, Olivares answered swiftly, “No” and then walked out of Council chambers holding a single manila folder.
After earlier hearing the public comments of numerous Laredoans on whether Olivares — whose name appeared as one of 17 “Target Subjects” on the FBI warrant for the April 26 search of four City buildings — should be placed on administrative leave with pay, the Council moved to executive session.
Returning to executive session, the Council came back to chambers to announce that Assistant City Manager Horacio De Leon would be the acting City Manager. They also voted to hire outside legal counsel for how to navigate through City business while the FBI investigation into City dealings with Dannenbaum Engineering is underway, and to “if necessary make recommendations on changes to the City’s rules, procedures, and ordinances to avoid any ethical and/or legal pitfalls.”
The Council postponed decisions on naming a Chief of Police, a City Attorney, and the Clerk for Municipal Court.
Stay tuned for more.
Some things never change.