The City of Odessa is losing another long-time employee.
Hal Feldman, traffic operations superintendent, turned in his resignation papers Tuesday afternoon, Odessa City Councilmember Steve Thompson confirmed.
Feldman will be taking a job in Tucson after finishing up his last two weeks, Thompson said, adding Feldman had been with the city more than 20 years.
Feldman’s decision comes on the heels of Parks and Recreation Director Steve Patton’s unexpected retirement Monday.
More than a dozen city employees have retired since November, including Assistant City Manager Cindy Muncy, Odessa Fire Chief John Alvarez, OFR Assistant Chiefs Rodd Huber and Saul Ortega, Director of Development Randy Brinlee and OFR Training Chief Martin Moya. OFR Assistant Chief Joey White retired in September.
Since the city council voted 5-2 to terminate City Manager Michael Marrero and City Attorney Natasha Brooks on Dec. 13, the city has also lost three of its five city attorneys and Randi Pineda, who spent 21 years as the assistant to the city manager.
In addition, the city also fired Assistant City Manager Aaron Smith earlier this month.
Feldman did not respond to a voice mail and text seeking a comment.
Interim City Manager Agapito Bernal, Mayor Javier Joven and council members Mark Matta, Denise Swanner, Chris Hanie and Greg Connell did not immediately respond to a text or email, either.
Council members Gilbert Vasquez and Thompson both expressed dismay at the number of long-term people who have left the city in recent months, noting the city has lost a lot of experience and knowledge.
