Special City Council Meeting

MINUTES OF CITY OF WHARTON SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 29, 2025 I Mayor Tim Barker declared a Special Meeting duly open for the transaction of business at 12: 00 P. M. Councilmember Russell Machann led the opening devotion, and Mayor Tim Barker led the pledge of allegiance. Councilmembers present were: Mayor Tim Barker and Councilmembers Terry Freese, Burnell Neal, Russell Machann, Larry Pittman, and Steve Schneider. Councilmembers absent were: David Voulgaris. Staff members present were: City Manager Joseph R. Pace; Finance Director, Joan Andel; Assistant City Manager/ City Secretary, Paula Favors; Assistant to the City Manager, Brandi Jimenez; Police Chief, Terry David Lynch; Code Enforcement Officer, Destiny Sless; Code Enforcement Officer, Melinda Mejorad; and Human Resource Generalist, Selena Rios. Visitors present were: Stephaine Konvicka, Amelia Cleveland, Steve Wisnieski, Caitlyn Holt, Christina Holt, Bill Holt, JoAnn Van Horn, Michael Becky Limas, Leon Sanchez, Sammy Limas, Wisnieski, Kevin Bannert, Mayra Celedon, Tammy Rome, Barbara Hawes Morris, Linda Pittman, Roxane Sanchez, Roland Gomez, Tammy Dotson, Keith Wittig, Gary Wilson, Clint Kalina, Larry Kalina, Allen M. Grosser, Meghan Garcia, Marshal Mostowitz, Garland Novosad, Karen Novosad, Sheila Hoffman, Patty Lopez, Kelly Utecht, Carol Erant, Chad Faucett, Rachel Roberson, Joe Roberson, Debbi Dimmick, Russell Hill, Michelle Solomon, Claire Nugent, Amy Morales, Gina Wilson, Becky Burnell, Tony Berry, Larissa Kulak, Perry McDaniel, Michael McDaniel, Leonard Lopez, Jr., Terri Aerco, Arnold Amaro, Susan Harbaugh, Mike Harbaugh, Bryce Abke, Sarah Shimek, Carol Lynch, Melody Sikes, Broderick Sanford, Charles Sterns, Cindi Hernandez, Tammy Stephenson, Patsy Coblentz, Thomas Coblentz, Susan Franklin, Harold Franklin, Curtis Edwards, Luis Ortiz, Steve Kuhn, David Lynch, Ashley Spano-Reitz, Makayla Mund, Alan Mund, Robert Mund, Camille Mund, Jeanie Gunter, Andy P. Gunter, Corey Ephran, JoAnn Taylor, Sherri Ephran, Heather Corey, Melissa Miller, Abby City of Wharton Special City Council Meeting Minutes- September 29, 2025 Page 2 of 5 King, Cody Boatwright, Kelli Lynch Martinez, Charles Ziffer, Anthony Rome, Charity Robinson, Jeff Leikeig, Greg Hippel, Susie Carlson, Samuel Quintana, Donna Guanjuato, Sharon Dorsak, Karen Schulz, Sarah Beth Popp, Nichole Snow, Adraylle Watson, Eugena Gardner, Becky Samuelson, David Samuelson, Rachel Scranton, Gerard Scranton, Chris Reina, Ben Guanajuato, Martha Johnson, Paster Christopher Dwayne Ellis, Maria Garna French, C. J. Y Ed Meek, L Kearney, Sitka, Dann Y Moses, Paula Prince, Hilda Quintan, Don Mueller, Karen Smith, Jess Howell, Debbie Cenko, Bridgette Bealge, Attorney with Olson and Olson, and Colby Primeaux with the Wharton Journal Spectator. Roll Call and Excused Absences. Councilmember Terry Freese moved to excuse Councilmember David Voulgaris. Councilmember Russell Machann seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Mayor Tim Barker stated Councilmember Burnell Neal would be excluding himself from the discussion, due to pending charges through the Wharton Police Department. Public Comments. Mayor Tim Barker called for Public Comments. The following comments were given: 1. Michelle Solomon stated that she has known Police Chief Terry David Lynch for over fifty years, and her father taught him in school. She remembers her father always saying, he' s a good man." Ms. Solomon said that we are blessed to have him in Wharton. 2. Amy Morlas stated she was a small business owner and was blessed to call Wharton home. She was taken aback when she heard news of the City Council agenda. Ms. Morales stated that Police Chief Terry David Lynch has been a steady presence and a " net positive" for our community. 3. Claire Nugent stated she met Police Chief Terry David Lynch in 1983, and he has always wanted to be a Policeman. She said she feels safe because Chief Lynch takes care of his community. 4. Larissa Kulak stated she has known Police Chief Terry David Lynch for over twenty years. Ms. Kulak said that she has been friends with his family over the years, and he is always witty and approachable. She said that Police Chief Lynch treats people as people and has helped all walks of life. Ms. Kulak stated that she felt he was a pillar of the community. 5. Arnold Amaro stated he used to come to City Council meetings to complain and that he has known Police Chief Terry David Lynch for a long time. He said he will always shake his hand, and he was present to support him because he' s a good man. Mr. Amaro said Wharton is the best town to live in. 6. Terri Aerco stated he was present to speak on behalf of Police Chief Terry David Lynch. She said that he is the most caring, supportive, and kind Police Chief that she has ever known. Ms. Aerco said Police Chief Lynch is a very charitable man who shows up at City of Wharton Special City Council Meeting Minutes- September 29, 2025 Page 3 of 5 community events and supports the community. She said that we need more leadership like Chief Lynch. 7. JoAnn Taylor stated that she worked with Police Chief Terry David Lynch at Wharton County Junior College. She said that he was an excellent department head. Ms. Taylor said Police Chief Lynch just an instructor; he was wasn' t She said that he an educator. loves the people of Wharton, and he makes our City friendlier and safer because he is here. Ms. Taylor asked the City Council to consider fairness when making the decision. 8. Cynthia Wilson stated that she met Police Chief Terry David Lynch over forty years ago. She said that he was a man of integrity, and he was a constant man. Ms. Wilson said that she knew that if she called Police Chief Lynch with an issue that he would take care of it, and he had an door policy. open- She said that he was a man of honesty and prayed the right decision would be made. 9. Jess Howell stated he hired Police Chief Terry David Lynch as a patrol officer. Mr. Howell said Police Chief Lynch was one of the finest men that he' s ever met, and he was proud when he was hired as Police Chief. He said that he loves him like a son, people love him, and he is proud to call him a friend. 10. Michael Limas stated Why have the meeting at lunch time? He wanted to know why there is only one name on the agenda, and others aren' t on the list. He asked Councilmember Russell Machann and Mayor Tim Barker how they were going to vote. 11. Ben Mulahusen stated he was an 86- year-old veteran, and he knew Police Chief Terry David Lynch' s father when he was a highway patrolman. He asked if this was a one- time situation, and he stated he appreciated Police Chief Lynch. Wharton Moment. Mayor Tim Barker called for the Wharton Moment. No comments were given. Executive Session 1. City Council may adjourn into an Executive Session in accordance with Section 551. 071 551. 074 of the Local Government Code, Revised Civil Statutes of Texas. Final action, decision, or vote, if any with regard to any matter considered in Executive Session shall be made in Open Meeting. Discussion: A. Sec. 551. 071. CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY; CLOSED MEETING. A governmental body may not conduct a private consultation with its attorney except: 1) when the governmental body seeks the advice of its attorney about: A) pending or contemplated litigation; or B) a settlement offer; or 2) on a matter in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with this chapter. City of Wharton Special City Council Meeting Minutes- September 29, 2025 Page 4 of 5 B. Sec. 551. 074. PERSONNEL MATTERS; CLOSED MEETING. To deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee: 1. Chief of Police. Mayor Tim Barker moved the meeting into Closed Session at 12: 27 p. m. Return to Open Session 1. Action on items discussed in Executive Session: C. Sec. 551. 071. CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY; CLOSED MEETING. A governmental body may not conduct a private consultation with its attorney except: 1) when the governmental body seeks the advice of its attorney about: A) pending or contemplated litigation; or B) a settlement offer; or 2) on a matter in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with this chapter. D. Sec. 551. 074. PERSONNEL MATTERS; CLOSED MEETING. To deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee: 1. Chief of Police. Mayor Tim Barker returned the meeting to Open Session at 2: 35 p.m. Mayor Barker called for a motion three times. No motion was made. There being no further discussion, Mayor Tim Baker adjourned the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 2: 36 p. m. CITY OF WHARTON, TEXAS 1 By: TIM BARKER Mayor ATTEST: I City of Wharton Special City Council Meeting Minutes- September 29, 2025 Page 5 of 5 PAU FAVORS City Secretary 0001, 01 I I