Del Toro Correspondence re Retention Resolution
Kevin Firnstahl
From:Luis Del Toro <deltoro_luis@hotmail.com>
Sent:Monday, May 4, 2020 1:36 PM
To:Brad Cavanagh; Danny Sprank; Brett Shaw; Laura Roussell; David T. Resnick; Ric W.
Jones; Roy D. Buol
Cc:Kevin Firnstahl
Subject:City Manager Resolution
Good Afternoon,
This item tonight may already be decided on but I wanted to urge this council to reconsider. Though the effort may be
to reassure the City Manager of your support, doing so this quickly, and in this unequivocal manner before you’ve even
given time for new policies and procedures to prove their success, is premature. Respectfully, I don’t believe citizens will
buy what your selling on this one. You by now hopefully have reviewed pages of information and communications
related to concerns expressed last year. Much of which has been public and no, not all was due to a council member or
inappropriate actions by anyone on council. The Captain Simon complaint is a 20 page document that detailed alleged
claims of departmental discrimination, racism and sexual harassment. It can easy be found in historical TH stories run
and citizens are well aware of those claims. You also can easily review the document submitted by a prior council of
concerns that also is public and obtained via a FOA request by the TH. I’m sure all other archived documents you’ve
also had access to and have reviewed expressing other organizational concerns.
What I’m getting at is, if you’ve reviewed all the documents and alleged claims that we’re made, you would be well
aware that some concerns spanned years not months. Do we really think they’ve been fixed in 4 short months or so
you just not believe they have merit? These claims were individual claims as well as departmental/work environment
focused. Are you really prepared to make this resolution/proclamation that says nothing to see here, move along after
only 4 months of any changes being implemented?
Like it or not, that’s what this resolution would be doing as the city manager oversees the day to day, its departments, is
responsible for the city staff work environments and also should be taking appropriate actions when and if concerns
arise. Many times upper leadership may not be directly responsible for shortcomings but as the leaders of
organizations, they bear responsibility just as would any individual under their direction for the outcomes and also any
issues that may or may have existed under their watch. No one is taking anything away from the City Manager and his
role in prior city successes detailed in this resolution. But you also can’t turn a blind eye to organizational concerns
because of prior contributions or not allow time to fully analyze results of recent changes implemented to see if things
truly have been addressed and improved.
I also ask that you consider the statement this sends to city staff. To me, this sends the message that we don’t believe
you. As Mr Jones believes and stated, the prior claims made were garbage. Is that the message you want to send to
city staff who may have expressed concerns? Do we feel the same as Mr Jones or feel confident that any and all
organizational concerns have been properly reviewed and proper actions taken as a result? Let’s not forget the old
saying, good people don’t leave good jobs, they leave bad management and toxic work environments.
Your resolution and proclaimation to one person, has unintended consequences that I hope you consider. Do the right
thing. Allow any changes implemented to prove out over time...not just 4 months ...to further support this resolution if
you still find it warranted at a later time. Some may want to rush this in order to make a statement with this
resolution.......but I urge you to be careful what ‘statement’ you truly would be making with this and to whom.
Respectfully,
Luis Del Toro
1
901 Gilliam St
Dubuque, IA 52001
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