Council News

August 13, 2008

Council Meeting – August 12, 2008

Item 2008-303 – Consider and act upon authorizing PALCO Engineering to contract and oversee the replacement of the roofing material at the Midlothian Justice Center (Police Department), to prevent further structural and equipment damage, in an amount not to exceed $91K.

The item was approved by council (6-0) to replace the roof allowing PALCO Engineering, Desoto, TX, to oversee the bidding process and replacement of the roof.  I questioned Chief Smith in several areas regarding the process and replacement of the roof.  See “Personal Comments.”

☺ Other Items presented to the council were approved with no action.

July 25, 2008

Council Meeting – July 22, 2008

Item 2008-280 – Public hearing to consider and act upon an Ordinance regarding a Specific Use Permit for Midwest Industrial Park to allow a trucking terminal facility on property currently zoned Light Industrial.

The City Council approved unanimously the Specific Use Permit for Ruan Transport Corporation, an interstate trucking company.  The new trucking company will be located on Highway 67, approximately 2050 feet south of Dove Lane, Midlothian, TX.  The new business will stimulate the city economy.

Item 2008-281 – Consider and act upon awarding employee insurance contract for medical, dental, group insurance, accidental death/dismemberment, long-term disability and flexible spending account for Fiscal Year 2008-2009.

The City Council approved unanimously to renew the current carrier, Blue Cross Blue Shield, for the next Fiscal Year. The city was able to keep the overall cost down, but the employee annual out-of-pocket maximums and annual deductible amount increased slightly.  Under the current economy and the loss ratio for the previous policy for the city, the increase for city employees was reasonable.

Item 2008-282 – Consider and take action on an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Ft. Worth and the City of Midlothian, in order to provide for the disposal of unused household hazardous chemicals.

The City Council approved unanimously for Carl Smith, Police Chief, to work with the City of Ft. Worth to establish a program where the Midlothian Community citizens can dispose of unused hazardous products for a small service charge.  Details are not complete regarding types of products, amounts, drop locations, etc., but this program will permit people to clear their property of unused hazardous products.

July 10, 2008

Council Meeting – July 8, 2008

Item 2008-270 – Consider recommendations to the City Council of Council Relations and Governance Subcommittee report on Councilmember Ken Chambers.

The subcommittee, consisting of Mayor Boyce Whatley and Council Members Massey and Frizzell submitted their final report to the entire City Council regarding ethics violations allegedly committed by me.

Mayor Pro-tem Fryer read portions of the final report in open council.  The report indicated the following:

“Rather than the City Council proceed with this process to determine whether Council Member Chambers violated any of the adopted policies of the city, we recommend that the City council take no further action in this matter and that this report be adopted.“

In summary, the accusations from Mayor Whatley and the alleged violations I supposedly had committed could not be substantiated;  thus, all were dismissed.

See “Personal Comments” for additional information contained in this report.

June 21, 2008

Special Council Meeting – June 19, 2008

Item 2008-239 – Receive a report from the City of Midlothian Council Relations and Governance Subcommittee regarding possible violations of the adopted City of Midlothian Policy on Governance Process by Councilman Ken Chambers, and take action as desired.

The purpose of this Special Council Meeting was to introduce the Subcommittee “Findings and Recommendations” report.  Prior to the report being introduced, my attorney, Mr. David LaBrec, presented to the City Council my written response to the alleged allegations.  Council briefly reviewed the fourteen page response, and Council Frizzell moved to table the findings and recommendations report until council could review and discuss my written response with the city attorney regarding the allegations.  The motion passed.

The agenda item will be re-introduced at the July 8, 2008, council meeting.  Hopefully, there will be a resolution to this conflict between Mayor Whatley and me at the July 8, 2008 meeting.

End….