HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2013-04-08 Special 04/08/13 4126
' STATE OF TEXAS
CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD
COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )(
APRIL 08, 2013 )(
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL THAT WAS HELD ON
MONDAY, APRIL 08, 2013, AT 6:00 PM AT FRIENDSWOOD CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 916
S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, WITH THE FOLLOWING PRESENT
CONSTITUTING A QUORUM:
MAYOR KEVIN HOLLAND
MAYOR PRO-TEM JIM HILL
COUNCILMEMER STEVE ROCKEY
COUNCILMEMBER BILLY ENOCHS (Arrived at 6:14 PM)
COUNCILMEMBER PAT MCGINNIS
COUNCILMEMBER JOHN SCOTT
COUNCILMEMBER DEIRDRE BROWN
CITY ATTORNEY STEVE WEATHERED
CITY MANAGER ROGER ROECKER
CITY SECRETARY MELINDA WELSH
SPECIAL SESSION
Mayor Holland called the meeting to order.
The invocation was given by Public Works Director Kaz Hamidian.
' Mayor Holland led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and to the State of Texas.
COMMUNICATION FROM THE PUBLIC
Janis Lowe, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated she had asked the Council of 2008-
2009 to not sue the citizens of Friendswood, currently advising Council to allow this lawsuit to go to trial, if
Council is thinking of settling please allow to go to trial.
Leslie Roque, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated she is here again four years later,
issue has brought a lot of legal expenses and excessive Staff time, as a member of the Friendswood Five
she is aware of some of the decisions made, could have never bought the land in Brazoria County, could
not do Certificates of Obligation, was not legal for the Council to purchase City parkland without funding.
She further stated that Councilmember Hill and City Manager Roger Roecker should be considered as a
possible conflict of interest issue, is possible they could be held personally liable per the City Charter.
John Maisel, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated Friendswood is a model City for the
United States, thinks it is important that as a leader that we set a precedent, elected officials that defy the
will of the people should be held financially responsible in a personal way, should be held liable, should
protect dollars of the City, encourages the current Council to have the City Attorneys investigate the
people responsible, having them repay the citizens of Friendswood for the actions taken which were
illegal.
Fred Krch, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and asked why did this happen, conducted behind
closed doors and with a handshake, was verified when he requested records. The City Secretary told
him there were no documents, if the City of Friendswood had conducted business in an open door
' meeting then misguided situations would not have developed. If the City of Houston can operate in an
open manner then City of Friendswood can too. The City of Friendswood should shut the door on this
situation, make an open door deal with Mr. Wight and stop making lawyers the winner instead of the
loser, some members sitting on Council currently were part of this blunder.
04/08/13 4127
Mayor Holland and Council adjourned into Executive Session. '
CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION
Council convened into Executive Session in accordance with the Texas Government Code, pursuant to
Section 551.071 —Consultation with attorney regarding pending litigation. (Wight Realty Interests, Ltd. vs.
City of Friendswood, in the 4051h Judicial District Court, Galveston County, Texas)
RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
Council reconvened into Open Session with action taken later in the meeting.
`"Councilmember Rockey moved to advise the City Attorney to file a petition of Writ of Error on the
Appeals Court judgment and appeal it to the Texas Supreme Court.
Seconded by Councilmember McGinnis. The motion was approved 6-1 with Councilmember Brown
opposed.
The Mayor, Council, and City Attorney held a discussion regarding having the City Attorney file a petition
of Writ of Error on the Appeals Court judgment and appeal it to the Texas Supreme Court, would be the
shortest and least expensive path at this point, suggestion was made to have the Appeals Court rehear
the case, and concern was voiced by Councilmember Brown regarding misrepresentations that were
made to prior Council regarding correspondence for litigation.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:54 PM.
Mayor Kevi (land
Attest:
Melinda Welsh, TRMC :* :0
City Secretary • N;
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