Council votes to reprimand Estrada

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After an investigation into two formal grievances against him, Dilley City Administrator Juan Estrada will keep his job but face discipline from the council.
During a closed-door meeting Tuesday, November 24, the mayor and council met with Attorney Molly Solis to discuss the findings in the grievances filed by Jimmy Ornaday and Juanita Fonseca.
Oranday, public works director, filed a grievance on Estrada after he allegedly made derogatory comments.
Shortly after the public works director’s complaints, Fonseca filed an official complaint against Estrada, alleging he created a hostile work environment. Her claim prompted the council to put the city administrator on administrative leave with pay.
Estrada addressed the council Tuesday night before a decision was rendered.
“Since I took office one year and four months ago, I took a pledge to bring back integrity, honesty and excellence to the city of Dilley and to commit to the service of the citizens of Dilley,” Estrada said.
The city administrator said he has implemented policies, aided in the repair of antiquated infrastructure and increased the safety of the community. Estrada noted he took pride in his push to integrate prayer into council meetings and took credit for the hiring of a grant writer that has secured the city a large grant to repair aging infrastructure.
“I will continue to advocate for live streaming on Facebook to continue to improve transparency for the community,” the administrator said. “You can drop everything, reprimand me, [or] terminate me as a result of these false grievances; as far as I am concerned, as God gives me health, I

can go find a job with less stress and drama. But I feel I am the man for the job.”
Councilor Joanne Rodriguez made the motion for Estrada to receive a progressive discipline, citing a violation of Section 7.12 of the city’s personnel policies.
“Did violate city personnel policy 7.01, specifically unsatisfactory performance or conduct disrespectful, conduct violation of personnel policy,” Rodriguez said. “Mr. Estrada is to be given disciplinary action, a final written reprimand for violations stated above.”
In her motion, Rodriguez said Estrada would resume his duties as city administrator beginning Nov. 25 and that he was to address the issues filed in the grievances.
Rodriguez’ motion was seconded by Councilor Joe Garcia and garnered the support of Councilor Alicia Machado. Councilors Everado Castillo and Alexandria Incoencio voted against the motion.
This is the second time Estrada has found himself in the hot seat; he received a verbal reprimand in late October for four violations of the city’s policies and procedures.
An open records request for the grievances has not been answered by City Hall as of presstime.