Update 4:24 pm: An earlier version of this story included language from a now-recalled version of a city press release. The following story now includes language from the most recent version of the release:
The City of Amarillo announced today that a recent shakeup of senior-level city staff have been rescinded.
The announcement follows a specially-called executive session held by Amarillo City Council yesterday, where the council discussed Interim City Manager Andrew Freeman’s employment behind closed doors.
According to a press release, “The Amarillo City Council was not given opportunity to advise and consider consent on the changes per the Amarillo City Charter.”
The changes included moving Chief of Police Martin Birkenfeld to a newly created Managing Director role, where he would oversee several public safety related departments. Also included among the changes were promotions of various other department heads to Managing Director roles and Animal Management & Welfare Director Victoria Medley being moved to a newly created position within the Office of Engagement & Innovation.
The changes are expected to be discussed during the upcoming regularly scheduled February 27th meeting of Amarillo City Council.
Another city program that has been put on hold will also be brought up at the February 27th meeting. Implementation of a recently passed massage establishment ordinance is being delayed, according to a separate press release. Originally, the city was set to begin surprise inspections of massage establishments on March 1st. Instead, that has been put on hold so the council can “discuss possible revisions.”