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Cibolo council gives 30‑day notice to city attorney, appoints interim counsel and receives opinion limiting mayor's vote
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Summary
After a dispute over a post‑meeting email and possible Open Meetings Act concerns, the Cibolo City Council voted to issue a 30‑day termination notice to City Attorney Hyde, appointed Denton Navarro as interim counsel and obtained a written opinion concluding the charter limits the mayor to voting only in a tie.
The Cibolo City Council voted to issue a 30‑day termination notice to the city attorney and appointed Denton Navarro as interim counsel after an executive‑session review prompted by an email from the city attorney about a potential Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA) violation.
Council members said the city attorney's email, which warned the council that off‑dais conversation could void later actions, escalated long‑running tensions and prompted the executive session. Councilwoman Norma Sanchez Stevens said the message felt like an attempt at intimidation and described the post‑meeting interaction at issue as brief and non‑substantive: "I was gathering my items. I turned to Donetta. She had made a personal comment... I was like, I hope that you don't think that and it was a personal nature."
The council also waived attorney‑client privilege to allow release of a written legal opinion prepared by outside counsel (Messer Law Firm). The opinion concluded that, under the city charter, the mayor may vote only to break a tie. A Messer Law Firm attorney noted the opinion could be revised if new facts or law appear. The council debated whether adopting the written interpretation required a separate formal agenda item.
Following the privilege waiver and discussion, the council moved forward with administrative action. Councilmembers directed staff to notify City Attorney Hyde with a 30‑day termination notice and to secure city property and access (including fobs). They also appointed Denton Navarro as interim city attorney and instructed staff to prepare a timeline and request for proposals for a new legal services contract.
Council members who spoke during the public discussion emphasized differing impressions of the off‑dais exchange that triggered the email. Councilwoman Katie Cunningham said she had a brief, two‑person exchange about whether the charter‑review work fell under an existing flat fee and immediately sought written clarification from the city manager. Councilman Mahoney and others described the email as part of a pattern of provocative messages some council members have received.
City Manager George Reid and other staff assisted with the transition planning; council asked staff to return quickly with an RFP timeline so a full search for outside counsel could begin while Denton Navarro serves as interim.
Next steps: staff will produce a timeline for an RFP for legal services and return to council with implementation details and any recommended transitional actions.
