MINUTES OF THE
SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING AND WORK SESSION
COPPER CANYON TOWN COUNCIL
September 29, 2008
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Sue Tejml called the special meeting and work session of the Copper Canyon Town Council to order at 7:00 p.m. on the 29th day of September 2008, in the Council Chambers at Copper Canyon Town Hall, 400 Woodland Drive, Copper Canyon, Texas.
Council present:
Sue Tejml Mayor
Jeff Mangum Mayor Pro Tem
Steve Hill Deputy Mayor Pro Tem
John Brothers Council Member
Dan Christy Council Member
Chris Franks Council Member
Council absent and excused:
None
Staff present:
Alan Lathrom Acting Town Attorney
Quentin Hix Town Administrator
Jean Dwinnell Town Secretary
Jason Quigley Deputy Constable
Mac Hohenberger Fire Chief
II. PUBLIC INPUT
Citizens can make comments to the Town Council during this section of the meeting agenda. We ask citizens who wish to speak on agenda items to sign in on the sheet provided on the table at the back of the Council Chambers. There is a 3 minute time limit for each citizen who wishes to make a presentation. Pursuant to State Open Meetings law, the Town Council cannot discuss or take action on items not posted on the Agenda. Therefore, the Council cannot take action on or discuss any issues or items brought up during public input.
Mr. Will Travis, 575 Orchid Hill Lane, Mr. Mark Pape, 12050 Meadow Lake, and Ms. Deb Valencia, 10 High Meadow, spoke in opposition to the recent attempt to create a dirt bike track on the property at Orchid Hill Lane and Lake Trail. They expressed concerns regarding the noise level of the bikes and the dust that would be created. They further expressed their desire to keep the Town equestrian friendly and advised that horses are especially spooked by the sound of dirt bikes.
Ms. June Tyler reported on the FM 2499 construction and the affect it will have on the equestrian trails.
III. ACTION & DISCUSSION ITEMS
Discuss, consider and take action regarding an Interlocal Agreement with Denton County for provision of police services.
Mayor Tejml advised that the proposed Interlocal Agreement with the Sheriff’s Department is the same as the one currently in place with the Constable’s Office. She introduced Captain Caley and Chief Lee Howell, Assistant to Sheriff Parkey who were in the audience.
Chief Howell advised that the handling of investigations won’t change, citations coming through the Town’s Municipal Court won’t change, there is no anticipated changes in personnel (Officers Quigley and Carroll), that there would be a transition to digital audio/video equipment, but that the transition should be somewhat seamless.
Chief Howell explained that the Sheriff’s Office vehicles are white and will provide a visible presence, each vehicle has GPS and a MDT, that uniforms and badges would be provided in the next week, training for the officers will continue, schedule flexibility will remain in place, that the officers will spend the first week in field training and paperwork training, but that coverage would be provided during this time as well as during vacation and sick leave taken by Officers Quigley and Carroll. Chief Howell advised that any tickets written in the absence of officers Quigley and Carroll would be handled by JP Court. He further advised that there is an annual racial profiling report mandated by state law that would be required.
Discussion ensued regarding the cost of the current contract versus the proposed contract, equipment previously provided by the Town, and specialized equipment purchased by the Town.
Chief Howell explained that there would be no cost difference in the contract and that any equipment purchased by the Town would remain the Town’s property at such time as the contract ends.
Chief Burch from Denton County Constable’s office was present and thanked the Council for allowing the Constable’s office to patrol Copper Canyon, advised that Officer’s Quigley and Carroll are fine officers and have done a good job, and that the Constable’s office has a good relationship with the Sheriff’s department.
Mayor Tejml thanked Chief Deputy Tim Burch and Constable John Hatzenbuhler for all their cooperation during the time the Town of Copper Canyon was associated with the Precinct Four Constable’s Office; and reiterated that the change in supervisory relationship with Denton County had not been sought by the town.
IV. EXECUTIVE SESSION – The Town Council shall convene in closed executive session in accordance with the Texas Government Code, Sections 551.071 and 551.074, consultation with Town Attorney and personnel, to discuss the following:
1. Personnel.
2. Consultation with Town Attorney regarding legal issues associated with Interlocal agreement with Denton County for provision of police services.
After Mayor Tejml read the items to be discussed, the Council convened into executive session at 7:48 p.m.
V. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
The Council reconvened at 9:40 p.m.
There was no action taken in executive session.
VI. CONSIDERATION OF EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS – The Town Council will reconvene into open session pursuant to Texas Government Code, Sections 551.071 and 551.074, to take any action necessary regarding consultation with Town Attorney and personnel, as follows:
1. Personnel.
There was no action taken on this item.
2. Consultation with Town Attorney regarding legal issues associated with interlocal agreement with Denton County for provision of police services.
Mayor Pro Tem Mangum moved to approve the Interlocal Agreement with Denton County for provision of police services.
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Hill seconded the motion.
There was no discussion and the vote on the motion was as follows:
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Mangum, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Hill, and Council Members Brothers, Christy, and Franks
Nays: None
Mayor Tejml declared the motion carried unanimously.
VII. ADJOURN SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Pro Tem Mangum moved to adjourn.
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Hill seconded the motion.
Mayor Tejml declared the motion carried unanimously and the special called meeting adjourned at 7:42 p. m.
VIII. CONVENE WORK SESSION
Mayor Tejml convened the Council work session at 7:42 p.m.
IX. DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Discuss job descriptions and performance metrics for Town Administrator, Town Secretary, Court Clerk, Project Manager, and Municipal Clerk.
There was no discussion or action regarding this item.
2. Discuss budget amendments to the fiscal year 2008/2009 Operating Budget for personnel.
There was no discussion or action regarding this item.
3. Discuss Agreement with Steve Koehler for Building Inspection and Code Enforcement Services.
There was no discussion or action regarding this item.
X. ADJOURN
Council Member Christy moved to adjourn.
Mayor Pro Tem seconded the motion.
Mayor Tejml declared the motion carried unanimously and the work session adjourned at 9:43 p. m.
APPROVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 10, 2008.
APPROVED:
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Sue Tejml, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Jean Dwinnell, TRMC, CMC
Town Secretary