City Hall News

Aftermath of the resignation of Dallas' city manager: a timeline

Crazy doings down at Dallas City Hall.

Courtesy photo

Dallas City Hall is enjoying waves of personnel upheaval, following the February resignation of Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax.

Broadnax resigned after seven years in the office, originally framed as concern from six members of the Dallas City Council - Zarin Gracey, Jaime Resendez, Omar Narvaez, Adam Bazaldua, Jaynie Schultz, and Gay Donnell Willis - that Broadnax was unable to be effective.

Broadnax first "secretly" approached Resendez, asking him to find the eight majority votes he needed that would allow him to resign, get severance, and take a job with another city.

Following his resignation, Broadnax fortuitously conveniently quickly received a job offer from the city of Austin, who hired him as their city manager.

Deputy City Manager Kimberly Tolbert was appointed as Interim City Manager, until a permanent hire is made. Since her May 2 start date, she has been on a carraaazy hiring spree, making promotions one might not expect someone in an interim position to do.

Here's some of the frenzied high points that have elapsed in the aftemath:

May 7: Tolbert promotions
According to a memo to the Dallas City Council, Tolbert promoted interim Dallas Water Utilities director Sarah Standifer to permanent director. Standifer was the city official in charge during debacles such as the Margaret McDermott Bridge failure and the drained wetland pond in the Trinity Forest.

In the same memo, Tolbert appointed two interim assistant city managers: Robin Bentley, former director for economic development, and Donzell Gipson, former assistant director for the Dallas Police Department.

May 16: Tolbert promotions
According to a release from the city, Interim City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert appointed former Sanger city manager Alina Ciocan to lead the "Livable" portfolio, which includes Dallas Animal Services, Sanitation Services, Code Compliance, 311, and the Office of Homeless Solutions. Ciocan replaces Robert Perez, who was hired as city manager for Topeka, Kansas. Ciocan begins on May 30.

May 20: Dallas City Hall departures
According to a memo to the Dallas City Council, two other City Hall employees are joining Broadnax in Austin: Deputy City Manager Jon Fortune will become a deputy city manager and Chief of Staff Genesis Gavino will be a special assistant to Broadnax.

May 21: Dallas City Hall departures
According to a Facebook post, Dallas assistant city manager Majed Al-Ghafry was hired by the DeSoto City Council to serve as DeSoto’s next City Manager.

May 22: Dallas City Hall departures
The Dallas City Council approved a $134,374 contract with Baker Tilly to conduct a search for a new city manager.

May 23: Dallas City Hall departures
According to a memo, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson has asked the Dallas City Council ad hoc committee on administrative affairs to consider denying severance to former City Manager T.C. Broadnax. Broadnax’s contract allowed for him to receive a lump sum payment equal to his $423,247 salary upon the end of his employment with the city. When asked about it by KVUE in Austin, Broadnax referred to himself in third person and said he wouldn't comment.

May 23: Tolbert promotions
According to a release from the city, Tolbert created a new role in her interim administration: Chief of Strategy, Engagement, and Alignment (CSEA). "This first-of-its-kind position for the City strengthens ICM Tolbert’s commitment to streamlining the City’s organizational structure and delivering Service First with the urgency of Now! It will replace the City Manager’s Office Chief of Staff position. Tolbert has tapped Elizabeth Saab as the inaugural Interim CSEA. Her first day in the office will be Tuesday, May 28."

politics

RIP Kelly

Beloved Dallas public relations maven Kelly Hunter dies at 58

Photo courtesy of Sunwest PR.

Kelly Hunter passed away on June 12.

A beloved Dallas media figure has died: Kelly Hunter, a public relations maven who helped restaurants and other small businesses thrive, passed away on June 12, following a brief illness; she was 58.

Hunter spent 35 years in the field of public relations, first at Shiroma Southwest, then at Sunwest Communications, where she served as Vice President, Lifestyle, Hospitality & Tech.

She played a key role in a creative alliance with the City of Addison, particularly its annual Kaboom Town 4th of July event. Other notable clients she promoted over the years include Galleria Dallas; the Statler Dallas hotel in downtown Dallas; Hotel Dax, the Statler sibling that recently opened in Addison; and the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Dallas Love Field.

A statement from Sunwest said that "Kelly’s unparalleled work ethic and encyclopedic knowledge of countless subjects were exceeded only by the passion she had for her job. She made an incredible impact on all she met. Kelly was a good friend, a great mom, and an even better wife to her husband, John."

Hunter was the consummate PR pro, embodying both the detail-oriented precision and the 24/7 responsiveness that the job calls for, along with a doting personal touch that was felt by her coworkers, clients, and members of the media. Hunter was beloved by her peers, as well — no small feat in the cut-throat world of Dallas media.

Chuck Steelman called her "amazing — one of the best public relations professionals I’ve ever worked with." Patricia Valderrama described her as "the warmest and kindest soul. Never saw her angry or upset ever." Allison Golden Tucker posted, "It always seemed like Kelly had more hours in the day than most. Her storytelling ability was second to none and she always had time for a quick word of advice."

Barbara Kovacevich highlighted Kelly's effectiveness, noting that "she elevated Addison events to national recognition. It’s hard to not link Kelly with Addison Kaboom Town. Kelly was driven to success and had a great heart for others."

Kelly was born in Dallas on June 28, 1967. Her parents were Joanne Washburn and John Alexander Jr., and she had a younger sister, Amy. She graduated from Plano Senior High School, going on to earn degrees in marketing and finance from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA in marketing from the University of North Texas.

She and her husband, John, had two children, Chandler and Reagan, and the four were frequent travelers.

She was also a lifelong volunteer, from the PTA at her children’s elementary school, to Junior League of Collin County, Women’s Auxiliary for Children’s Health, Chamberlain Ballet, and the National Charity League. A culinary enthusiast in work and life, she was recently inducted into Les Dames d’Escoffier.

"Kelly did everything in life with a cheerful attitude and a warmth that made everyone feel special," the statement from Sunwest said. "Her network reaches every corner of the DFW metroplex and beyond as a talented storyteller, fabulous home chef, and a dedicated friend. She was loved and admired by all who knew her."

Services will be held on Saturday, June 27 at 11 am at Christ United Methodist Church in Plano. The service will be live-streamed at cumc.com/memorial.

deaths