Odessa Public Works Director Tom Kerr abruptly announced his resignation and started to walk out of the city council’s work session Tuesday afternoon. Two council members asked him to reconsider and after the meeting Kerr said he hopes to stay on.
When asked if he would allow Kerr to rescind his resignation, Mayor Javier Joven, said, “Oh, God yes. I don’t know how we got to that point.”
Kerr’s outburst came in the middle of a discussion over his proposed list of future roadway projects that he and his staff have prioritized. His first list consists of 23 reconstruction projects with a project price tag of more than $91 million.
The city’s annual roads budget is about $6 million. The city would have to figure out how to pay the extra millions for the proposed projects.
Portions of 23rd Street, 52nd Street, Billy Hext, 8th Street, 16th Street, Harless, University, Grandview and Eastridge are amongst the top priorities.
During Kerr’s presentation, Joven asked Kerr about bidding out road projects separately from the utility projects that go hand-in-hand with them, saying he thought that bidding them together automatically makes the project more expensive. He also said he thought bidding the projects together limits the number of companies that can compete for projects.
Kerr told the mayor sometimes bidding the projects works out well, other times not so much.
Kerr told the mayor he thought a Crane Avenue project should be bid as a single project because the road crews wold have to wait until the utilities are completely done and then the city would have to go out to bid again.
Joven said the crews would have to wait anyway and the project would cost an extra 25%. Kerr disputed that, but could not say how much the city would pay. Joven persisted and used Faudree Road as an example.
The two men then started talking over each other.
“I’m asking is it possible to look at…,” Joven said.
“It’s always,” Kerr started to say.
“I’m just trying to see if we can save some money here,” Joven interrupted.
“Yes, sir. I understand,” Kerr said. “I’m sorry sir. I’m just trying to tell you what my perspective is.”
Seconds later, Councilmember Chris Hanie started to complain about West County Road.
“You’re just doing the intersections,” Hanie complained.
“That’s the state,” Kerr pointed out.
Hanie said he knew that, but continued to complain about the road “disintegrating.”
“I want to tell all of you all right now. You have my immediate notification of retirement. I’ve been through enough stress. I thank you all very much. I give you two weeks notice as a matter,” Kerr said.
As Kerr reached the door, Joven remarked “I guess we can’t ask questions” and said it was like “pulling teeth” with Kerr.
That prompted Kerr to return to podium.
“You can ask all of the questions you want. If it’s like pulling teeth from me, it’s because I’m just trying to give you answers,” Kerr said.
“I understand,” Joven said.
“All I’m trying to do is give you want you want. I’ve been trying to do that for years,” Kerr said.
“I have not been here years. I was just asking about one question. Is it a possibility to pull utilities,” Joven said.
“And I told you it was,” Kerr said.
Moments later, Kerr said again he’s seen projects bid both ways.
“Ya’ll may not recognize it, but we are under a great amount of stress,” Kerr said as Joven tried to placate Kerr, telling him he’s the expert and they need his help to understand.
Kerr went on to explain that he lives in Midland out of necessity, but he loves Odessa and has worked hard for the city for years. He also said he grew up appreciating the importance of governments and said his grandfather was a county judge who helped establish Terrell County.
Joven repeatedly told Kerr they understood his frustration and were sorry for making him upset. However, he explained the council has to answer to residents who often think the council makes decisions for “nefarious” reasons.
They continued to talk about the different ways to bid projects before Councilmembers Gilbert Vasquez and Greg Connell asked Kerr to rescind his resignation.
Interim City Manager Agapito Bernal then jumped in.
“I appreciate all of your concerns and infrastructure is very important. Tom is very important to the organization, very important. I appreciate everything you do, Tom. I just want everyone to know how important Tom is,” Bernal said.
“I think we recognize that City Manager. The thing is, if we are really serious about engaging into this $91 million….we have to do something,” Joven said.
The city has to have a solid plan, Joven said.
Kerr then went on to talk about another set of needed road projects with a $263 million price tag.
The meeting then adjourned.
Kerr’s outburst came less than three months after the city council fired City Manager Michael Marrero and City Attorney Natasha Brooks. Since that time, most of the city’s top fire administrators have left and Assistant City Manager Cindy Muncy retired.
