City Council Regular Meeting

Minutes of Regular Meeting The City Council City of Richwood A Regular Meeting of the City Council of City of Richwood was held Monday, October 27, 2014, beginning at 6:00 PM in the Richwood City Hall, 1800 N. Brazosport Blvd. Richwood, Texas. I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Clint Kocurek, Mayor and presiding officer. II. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Glenn Patton, City Manager. III. PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance & Texas Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance. IV. ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS Roll call showed the following members present: Clint Kocurek, Mayor and presiding officer Paul Raymond, Council, Position #1 and Mayor Pro Tem John Pitts, Council, Position #2 Chris Hardison, Council, Position #5 Absent: Jarrod Beaty, Council, Position #3 Sarah Harris, Council, Position #4 A quorum was declared. Others present included Glenn Patton, City Manager, Karen B. Schrom, City Secretary, Kenny Williams, Public Works Director, Brittany Hardison, Ron Fuqua, Molly Caudle, Mary Groth, Brad Caudle, Fawncyne Worley, Martha Floyd, Ali Smith, Dylan Caudle, Taylor Caudle, Edgar Floyd, James Perry, Lauren LaCount, and Stephen Bailey.  V. CONSENT AGENDA On motion by Councilman Raymond, seconded by Councilman Pitts, with all members present voting aye, the items on the Consent Agenda were approved as presented. A. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings B. Payment of bills VI. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS A. Adopt Certified Tax Roll According to the Certified Tax Report 502C, the total levy is $1,345,054.78. On motion by Councilman Raymond, seconded by Councilman Pitts, with all members present voting aye, the Certified Tax Roll was adopted as presented. B. Replat of a portion of Lots 3 & 4 of Richwood Subdivision and a portion of Lots 9 & 10 of Stratton Subdivision Mr. Fuqua and his sister are currently joint owners of the property described above. They are asking the properties be replatted too separate the properties between the owners. On motion by Councilman Hardison, seconded by Councilman Pitts, with all members present voting aye, the replat was approved as presented. C. Executive Session pursuant to Chapter 551.0745, Personnel Matters to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee or to hear a complaint or charge against an officer or employee. 1. Hiring of Police Chief Council entered executive session at 6:05 p.m. Council exited executive session at 6:48 p.m. D. Action as a result of Executive Session There was no action taken. VII. REPORTS  A. Finance Reports Unaudited reports for FY 14 indicate the City’s two major funds ended the year with a surplus. VIII. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Patton reported that 210 Developers were working with Velasco Drainage District and are still considering a November 15th closing date on the property and have been approved for a 308 unit complex. IX. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Consider meeting once a month Closing a portion of Bayou Bend Road X. COMMITTEE REPORTS The City’s first annual Halloween Trunk or Treat was a much larger success than anyone anticipated. XI. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS & REPORTS There were no reports. XII. MAYOR’S REPORT The Mayor had no report. XIII. PUBLIC COMMENTS Molly Caudle was the first speaker. She stated that in 1986, Glenn Patton was fired for misuse of city funds and city vehicles. In 2010, Brad Caudle came to work for the city. At that time she claimed that morale was at it’s lowest ever and every officer was looking for work elsewhere as well as joining police organizations which provide attorneys. Nothing noted in Mr. Pattons’ file despite Mr. Patton telling Brad in a recorded conversation that he told Council about that. She further claimed that a complaint was filed by Mr. Caudle and officers Brett Schilhab and Dan Mathes in 2012 with the Mayor regarding an illicit affair between Mr. Patton and the Court Supervisor. She further claimed that at the end of the investigation, the recommendation of Mayor Kocurek and Jason Cordoba that either Mr. Patton or the Court Supervisor resign. Nothing happen and no record of that in Mr. Patton’s file. Complaints were filed by Brad Caudle and Jessica Bailey were filed against Mr.  Patton about sex discrimination and there is no written response in his file. She claims that Brad had a spotless 23 year career in law enforcement. She told Council to take a look at the man with his head down (meaning Mr. Patton). That is the look of a guilty man if she’d ever seen one. Mary Groth asked what they are looking for in a new chief. If they are looking for someone who is honest, ethical and works with employees, then they terminated the man who fit that. When Council states that Mr. Caudle wasn’t the right fit, they are turning their backs on morale and ethics. She questioned why his appeal was put on the back burner. It’s because Brad will not bow down to pressure. Brad Caudle then stood up to speak. He told Council that he has continued to ask himself what he could have done or what could have been done to his reputation in the 3 weeks he was on administrative leave that would have cost him his job. He claimed that Mr. Patton was a maestro that orchestrated his downfall. He continued to claim that citizens in Richwood have a problem with the current administration but that Council can’t see it. This government cannot continue to be run with jealousy and personal goals. It has gone on for over 36 years. He stated that he had has always been a leader in his life and will continue to be a leader despite what Council may believe. Hundreds and hundreds of people would step forward and tell them that. He would love to have his job back but he will not work for that man, indicating Mr. Patton. He would come back to work for Council. He claimed to have proof that Council had been lied to by Mr. Patton. He can’t understand why Council couldn’t listen to him and his supporters. Then he realized they didn’t want to listen. He stated that Councilmen Beaty and Pitts knew all this. The Council chambers are full of Richwood residents, not just his family and friends and that Council is not listening to them. He could fill up the Council room with supporters but that Mr. Patton could not. When he left, Officers Nutt and Bailey left. These were the only ones who worked for the City and Council lost them. It’s the City’s loss. They were the only ones who worked on the new jail or the new building and were the only ones taking this department to a new level. Lauren LaCount stated that the City had a problem with their reputation. Last meeting the Council chambers were full of supporters for Brad and she showed Council stacks of letters in support of Brad and only 2 who stated his firing was a good thing and they came from officers. There is a reputation problem in town. It does not take long to shatter trust. To grow as a city, it will take a large amount of trust moving forward and businesses should be involved. She claimed there are a lot of businesses shutting down and she has pictures of code enforcement in front of those businesses. She stated she appreciated Councils’ work but feels perhaps they aren’t paying enough attention to the City. She has addressed this with Mr. Patton and is currently working with him on a project. She hoped Council will consider this moving forward. XIV. ADJOURNMENT  With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:04 p.m. APPROVED BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 10, 2014. ____________________________________ Clint Kocurek, Mayor ATTEST: ____________________________________ Karen B. Schrom, City Secretary