Just a month after the chaos surrounding former city manager Peter Grant’s departure from City Hall in Cypress, others close to the former city manager have also resigned.A Council member and two key players, the public learned Monday, are moving on.
Former Mayor and Council member Scott Minikus, who was appointed to the Council in August of 2021 after the resignation of Stacy Berry, announced his surprise resignation on Monday.
In addition, two-decade city clerk Alisha Farnell and her assistant Christina Dizol, also announced their surprising resignations, which amounts to a significant loss of institutional knowledge to the city.
Minikus has been embroiled in several controversies since his appointment to the Council in 2021, especially during the run-up to the redistricting plan that was ultimately adopted by the city.
Minikus, who won a full term to the Council in 2024, and said he was planning to run again in the new district in 2026 when he received an unexpected phone call.
“Not long after I submitted my papers to run in 2026, I got a phone call and was presented with an opportunity that was too good to pass up,” said Minikus. He did not disclose the job nor the organization but said the new opportunity will “allow me to continue to do what I do best…serve my country.”
Minikus, a close ally of former City Manager Peter Grant, said the opportunity will require him to move out of the city, and in fact, out of the state. He will leave office effective Oct. 1.
His resignation, ironically, leaves open a city council seat in which former Council member Frances Marquez currently resides.
Still, Mayor David Burke said that with the sudden news, there has been no discussion about how the vacancy will be dealt with. The mayor said he was surprised like everyone else by Minikus’ emotional announcement.
Farnell, who also served as an effective executive under Grant, will leave her position next week. Dizol has reportedly already left.
Farnell, who began as a management analyst in the city nearly two decades ago, worked her way up to the position of city clerk, a role for which she has received praise from city officials.
“Her contributions to the Cypress community are many,” said Matt Burton, Director of Finance, who touted the many projects handled and roles filled by Farnell.
The ENE will have full coverage of Monday’s eventful meeting in next week’s edition.