The city of Loveland lost two of its municipal leaders Tuesday during a special meeting called by the City Council.

City Attorney Moses Garcia and Municipal Court Judge Geri Joneson separated from the city. Garcia’s departure was an expected part of the meeting, but Joneson’s departure appeared to be a bombshell to the council. 

After coming out of executive session with Joneson, Loveland City Council member Troy Kenning announced that the judge was exiting “for personal reasons and entirely unrelated to her performance.” The panel voted 9-0 to approve her resignation, many of whom expressed “great sadness.” 

Joneson’s and Garcia’s resignations are the third and fourth such departures for the city this month, according to the Loveland Reporter-Herald.  City Manager Steve Adams left on Feb. 2 after 30 years with the city.

Economic Development Director Kelly Jones-Sage’s last day came a week later.

The council approved City Attorney Garcia’s departure with a vote of 6-3. The agreement was described as an “amicable separation,” but ended with some uncomfortable criticism for Garcia. 

“With my work with you, you omit, you don’t follow procedure and you put this city in liability risk.” said council member Erin Black. 

Garcia’s resignation takes effect April 2.

“I do love working for the city. I have loved it for 18 years,” he told councilmembers. “But this council wants a change in leadership. That change and leadership is at a cost.”

His approved separation agreement gives 12 months of pay and benefits, including all earned entitlements like unused time off, as per the City’s policy for any employee leaving. In total, the package is $274,114.59. 

That amount was a subject of discussion during Tuesday’s meeting.

“It’s a classic case of stare down and we find ourselves in a very difficult position,” said Kenning, who remarked that the city could do a lot of work with an extra $200,000. 

“This is not for cause. But voting to ask you to leave goes against every aspect of my leadership and my business experience,” said council member Patrick McFall. “We’re not paid to be liked. There’s nothing that you have done that you didn’t do without council direction.”

The Denver Gazette attempted to get comments from Garcia and Joneson, but there was no response as of press time.