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RECORDING IN PROGRESS.[I. INVOCATION, PLEDGE & ROLL CALL]
GOOD EVENING.GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL EXECUTIVE MEETING FOR TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16TH, 2025 AT 4:00 PM THE CITY.
UM, OF COURSE WE'LL BE CONDUCTING OUR SPECIAL EXECUTIVE MEETING, UM, ON THIS DAY, UM, DECEMBER 16TH AT FOUR O'CLOCK BY TELEPHONIC AND BY VIDEO CONFERENCE.
YOU CAN JOIN US BY CALLING 8 7 7 8 5 3 5 2 4 7, OR 8 8 8 7 8 8 0 0 9 9.
YOU CAN DIAL THE MEETING ID OF 8 1 1 1 7 5 3 2 0 5 4, AND ENTERING THE PASSCODE 4 9 4 0 3 2.
YOU'RE ALSO ABLE, UM, WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT YOU WE'RE IN COMPLIANCE WITH AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT, AND YOU CAN JOIN OUR MEETINGS BY CALLING OUR CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE.
YOU CAN DIAL HER NU THE NUMBER AT 4 0 9 9 8 3 8 1 1 5.
AT THIS TIME, WE'RE GOING TO ASK EVERYONE TO PLEASE MUTE OR TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONES, OUR MOBILE DEVICES, AND WE'RE GONNA HAVE OUR INVOCATION, OUR PLEDGE, AND OUR ROLL CALL AT THIS TIME.
PASTOR FRANK, WOULD YOU LEAD US IN A WORD OF PRAYER? YES.
LISTEN, BOW, ALWAYS IN ETERNAL GOD, OUR FATHER, YET AGAIN, WE COME BEFORE YOU RECOGNIZING THAT YOU ARE GOD ALL BY YOURSELF, THAT YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO RULE.
AND SO AS WE COME BEFORE YOU, WE COME PRAYING FOR YOUR WISDOM, FOR YOUR GUIDANCE, FOR YOUR PEACE.
WE ASK FATHER FOR THE, THAT YOU WOULD WATCH OVER THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, AND THAT YOU WOULD KEEP, UH, THIS CITY GOD, AND THAT YOU WOULD GUIDE US IN ALL OF OUR DELIBERATIONS.
IN JESUS' NAME, WE PRAY, AMEN OF PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
CITY SECRETARY, TO ESTABLISH A QUORUM, PLEASE, A ROLL CALL.
COUNCIL MEMBER HAMILTON, EVER FIELD COUNCIL MEMBER BECKHAM.
COUNCIL MEMBER FRANK, PRESENT.
COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS, DO I CALL COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS? COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS? YES.
[II. *CLOSED MEETING (EXECUTIVE SESSION)]
YOU.AT THIS TIME, WE'RE GOING TO, UH, ENTERTAIN A MOTION, UM, AS WE GO INTO OUR, UM, CLOSED SESSIONS.
WE WILL HAVE THE, I'M SORRY, WE'RE GONNA HAVE THE FOLLOWING THINGS IN OUR EXECUTIVE CLOSED SESSION, AND THEN I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO GO IN TO, UM, CLOSED SESSION.
UM, WE WILL HAVE, UM, AT THIS TIME THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 5 5, 1, TEXAS GOVERNMENT, CODE NUMBER ONE, SECTION 5 5 1 0 7 4, PERSONNEL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MAYOR AND APPOINTEES, EXCLUDING THE MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE REQUESTED BY MAYOR PRO TEM ETT, SECTION 5 5 1 0 7 1, LEGAL ADVICE, EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICES, SECTION 5 5 1 0 7 1, LEGAL ADVICE AND SECTION 5 5 1 0 8 7, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT, CAROL CANNELL.
UH, NUMBER FOUR, SECTION 5 5 1 0 7 1, LEGAL ADVICE AND SECTION 5 5 1 0 7 2, VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY, 1919 AUSTIN AVENUE AND 1637 SIXTH STREET, PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS, NUMBER FIVE, SECTION 5 5 1 0 7 1.
LITIGATION, STEVE BENJAMIN VERSUS CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
CALLS NUMBER TWO FIVE DCCV AS IN VICTOR, 1 0 0 9 IN THE 58TH DISTRICT COURT OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS.
NUMBER SIX, SECTION 5 5 1 0 7, 1.
LEGAL ADVICE CONTRACT FOR THE STUDY DESIGN PERMIT, CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE A FACILITY THAT WILL RECEIVE WASTE THAT IS NOT PERMITTED UNDER THE CURRENT CITY OF PORT ARTHUR LANDFILL PERMIT REQUESTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER, FRANK.
AND NUMBER SEVEN, SECTION 5 5 1 0 7 1.
LEGAL ADVICE AND THREAT OF LITIGATION GROUND LEASE AGREEMENT LOCATED ON THE PLEASURE ISLAND WITH DILIGENCE OFFSHORE SERVICES, LLC.
MAY I GET A MOTION QUESTION? CAN I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL QUESTION? I'M GONNA TAKE A, I'LL HAVE TO GET A MOTION AND GET ON THE FLOOR AND THEN A SECOND, THEN I'LL QUESTION OH, OH, OH, YOU DID? OKAY.
CAN I GET A SECOND? A SECOND? OKAY.
THE QUESTION ON NUMBER FOUR, WHAT? YEAH, WHAT'S THAT ABOUT
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NUMBER FOUR WE HAVE ON THERE FOR LEGAL, FOR REAL PROPERTY? YES, SIR.THE CITY ATTORNEY SEEKS TO GO INTO CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION WITH THE CITY COUNCIL TO DELIBERATE THE PURCHASE EXCHANGE, LEASE OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY, BECAUSE IF IT'S DISCUSSED IN AN OPEN MEETING, IT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON THE POSITION OF THE CITY IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH A THIRD PARTY.
THE REASON I ASKED THAT CITY ATTORNEY, BECAUSE LAST TIME I ASKED THIS QUESTION, YOU GAVE ME THE SAME RESPONSE AND AFTER THE, I WASN'T PRESENT, SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT TRANSACTION, BUT I'LL BE THERE THIS TIME.
BUT THE LAST TIME YOU CAME UP FROM THE EXECUTIVE SESSION AND THERE WAS A MOTION, THE MOTION WAS TO, UH, CONTRACT A REALTOR THAT WOULD HANDLE THIS, THE, THE SALE OF THE PROPERTY, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN.
SO THAT IN ITSELF, UH, EXPLAINS WHAT I'VE BEEN TRYING TO SAY IS THAT WE USE RELATIVES SO WE DON'T NEGOTIATE.
SO I STILL CAN'T FIND OUT WHY IT'S A CONFLICT WITH ANY FUTURE NEGOTIATION WITH A THIRD PARTY IF WE DO NOT NEGOTIATE THE SALE PURCHASE OR LAND.
AND YOU CAME UP WITH THE SAME, UH, MOTION.
SO UNLESS, UNLESS IT'S SOMETHING WHEREBY WE TALK ABOUT NEGOTIATION AND SOMETHING, I CAN'T SEE IT, IT BEING A, UH, IMPACTING ON NEGOTIATION FOR A THIRD PARTY.
IF WE GONNA USE A RELATIVE, WE'RE NOW DEALING WITH THIRD PARTIES AND THE, UM, ACT IS VERY CLEAR.
WE CAN ONLY DO IT IF IT'S GOING TO IMPACT ON NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE THIRD PARTY.
OTHER THAN THAT, IT'S DISCUSSING OPEN SESSION.
I HAVE NOTHING FURTHER TO SAY.
WELL, I, I, I, I WANT AN ANSWER.
WE, WE, YOU, WE WANT A LEGAL ADVICE HERE, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WHEN WE USE FIVE, UH, OH 0 1 7, 1 IS SPECIFICALLY FOR LEGAL MATTERS.
OUR PROCEDURE AND THE POLICY, OUR PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING SALE, LEASE, OR PURCHASE PROPERTY IS BY USE OF REALTOR COUNCIL MEMBER MAYOR PROAM.
I'LL BE DISCUSSING THE VALUE OF THE REAL PROPERTY AND HOW THE CITY WOULD SEEKS TO PROCEED IN THE POSSIBLE NEGOTIATIONS OF THE SALE OF THE PROPERTY WITH THIRD PARTIES.
WE DON'T NEGOTIATE UNTIL WE HAVE SOMEBODY WITH THE, UH, WITH THE, UH, THAT'S GONNA SELL IT.
YOU KNOW, WE GET THREE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM A REALTOR.
THREE, THEY GIVE US THREE PEOPLE WE CHOOSE FROM THOSE THREE.
ONCE WE HAVE SELECTED SOMEONE, THE, THAT'S THE PERSON WE NEGOTIATE ON SALE OF IT.
BUT THE WAY WE DO IT IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR IS WE DO NOT EVEN GET INVOLVED WITH THE REALTORS.
WE, WE, WE, WE JUST DEAL WITH THAT.
YOU, YOU GUYS HAVE TO BEAR WITH ME.
I DON'T HAVE ANY LIGHTS, BUT, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER FRANK, UM, UM, I'M SORRY.
COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, MAYOR PROTE, ARE YOU DONE WITH YOUR COMMENT OR WHAT DO YOU WELL, I JUST, I, I JUST, OKAY.
I'M GONNA ASK ONE QUESTION, THEN WE CAN GET IT.
CITY, CITY SECRETARY, PLEASE PUT THE RESPONSE ON THE RECORD.
US USING RELATIVES IS WHEREBY WE HAVE A CONFLICT OF A THIRD, IT MAY IMPACT ON THE THIRD PERSON, CITY OF TOWN.
SO THAT'S, THAT'S BASICALLY WHAT YOU'RE TELLING ME, RIGHT? I'VE MADE MYSELF VERY CLEAR.
I CAN REPEAT WHAT I'VE SAID, BUT I'VE MADE MYSELF CLEAR ON WHERE REPEAT, UNDERSTAND, REPEAT, BECAUSE THIS GONNA GO INTO RECORDS.
JUST REPEAT IT AND I'M GONNA BE FINE.
THE CITY ATTORNEY SEEKS TO GO INTO CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION DURING TODAY'S COUNCIL MEETING FOR THE SPECIFIC ITEMS RELATED TO 1919 AUSTIN AVENUE AND 1637 SIXTH STREET TO DISCUSS LEGAL ADVICE.
AND TO DELIBERATE THE VALUE OF REAL
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PROPERTY, IF DELIBERATIONS IN THE OPEN MEETING WOULD HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON THE POSITION OF THE CITY AND NEGOTIATING WITH THIRD PARTIES, I WILL BE DISCUSSING THE VALUE OF THE REAL PROPERTY AND HOW THE CITY COUNCIL WANTS TO PROCEED FORWARD WITH THE, WITH THE PROPERTY.I DO HAVE A QUESTION ON NUMBER ONE AND, AND ASKING THAT, UM, THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MAYOR BE REMOVED AND, UH, CONTINUE WITH THE, JUST THE APPOINTEES.
SO I'D LIKE TO, UM, MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO THAT PARTICULAR ITEM FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION BEFORE WE GO DOWN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, BECAUSE WE ARE VOTING ON WHAT WE'RE GOING TO HEAR IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MAYOR REMOVED FROM ITEM ONE.
NUMBER ONE, I'M NOT GONNA REMOVE THE MOTION.
I'M ASKING THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO VOTE.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW.
WE'RE UNDER DISCUSSIONS, AND WE MADE A MOTION, MAYOR, AND WE, WE MADE A MOTION.
AND WE COUNCIL, DON'T DECIDE WHAT I PUT ON THIS, ON THIS AGENDA, BUT WE CAN'T VOTE ON THOSE THINGS THAT WE'RE GONNA SEE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO AMEND NUMBER ONE, REMOVING THE MAYOR'S RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES, AND WE CAN VOTE ON THAT.
WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR.
AND SO WE CAN MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO THAT DISCUSS.
YOU CANNOT AMEND WHAT I REQUEST ON MAYOR.
I PUT THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA, RIGHT? THIS COUNCIL, WE HAVE TO, NO, THE COUNCIL DOES NOT STOP ME FROM PLACING AN ITEM.
THAT'S WHY I PLACE IT ON THE AGENDA TO DISCUSS IT WITH, WELL, WITH, WITH ALL DUE, DUE RESPECT, THE COUNCIL HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON ANY ITEM, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, OR SEVEN AND AMEND IT WHETHER WE WANT TO NO, NO, NO.
MAYOR, YOU ARE NOT, WE ARE NOT GOING TO DO THAT.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO START TRYING TO TAKE WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER PUT OFF ON THE AGENDA.
AND, AND YOU HAVE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MAYOR POINT.
I, I'LL CONSIDER YOUR POINT OF ORDER, BUT WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE FLOOR.
WE HAVE DISCUSSIONS AND THEN WE VOTE.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE, AND THAT'S WHAT I CALLED OUT AND READ EACH ONE OF THESE SO THAT WE CAN VOTE ON THEM.
YEAH, BUT WE DON'T, WE DON'T DO CENSUS
YOU CAN'T CENSOR A COUNCILMAN.
THAT'S HIS ITEM YOU WERE TRYING TO REMOVE.
TALK ABOUT HIS APPOINTEES, BUT NOT THE MAYOR.
CAN I GET A LEGAL OPINION AT THIS TIME? I, YOUR ATTORNEY NO LEGAL, NO ONE ME.
CAN I MOVE THAT PLAN OUTTA THE WAY? I'M SORRY, I CAN'T SEE THAT.
IT LOOKS GOOD, BUT I CAN'T, WE ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO PLACE ITEMS ON AGENDA, WHETHER IT IS FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION OR OPEN SESSION.
NO COUNSEL HAS THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ME FROM PLACING ITEMS TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL.
IT'S, IT'S ON HERE, BUT IT'S ON FOR AN AMENDMENT.
I'M ASKING FOR AN AMENDMENT TO REMOVE THE MAYOR AS FAR THE DISCUSSION.
BUT THEN YOU CAN I DO THAT? NO.
BUT I'M, I'M ASKING LIKE ANYBODY ELSE WOULD ASKED.
YOU WERE NOT DENIED THE RIGHT TO PLACE SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA.
MAYOR PROAM, IT IS ON THE AGENDA, BUT NOW THE COUNCIL'S MAKING A DECISION.
THE COUNCIL'S NOT MAKING A DECISION.
THE MAYOR'S MAKING A DECISION.
THE FACT IS, LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS ITEM BEING PLACED ON THE AGENDA.
I PLACED THE ITEM ON ITEM ON AGENDA.
WE HAVE NEVER HAD ANYBODY TO TALK ABOUT AMENDING.
WHEN YOU SAY AMENDING, YOU TRYING TO TELL ME THAT YOU GONNA CHANGE OR YOU WANT TO AMEND WHAT I PUT ON THE, ON THE AGENDA.
IT'S, SO IT'S ON THE AGENDA, BUT I'M ASKING FOR AN AMEND.
AND I'M TELLING YOU, YOU DON'T AMEND WHAT I PUT ON.
VOTING IS NO VOTER IS AN AMENDMENT.
ON EVERYTHING THAT'S ON VOTING IS AN AMENDMENT.
THAT'S, THAT'S BASIC WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
TRYING TO TELL HIM WHAT I CAN'T DISCUSS.
THAT'S WHY YOU CAN'T, YOU CAN'T MAYOR.
THAT'S WHY I HAVE IT ON THE AGENDA TO, FOR DISCUSSING THE CLOSED SESSION BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING TO THE POINT NOW, AND THERE IS A PLACE THAT WE, THAT SEAT THAT YOU OCCUPY IS FOR THE PERSON WHO PRESIDES OVER THE MEETING.
OKAY? YOU HAVE MAYOR AND, AND DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MAYOR.
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TO CONSIDER REMOVING, JUST AS WE HAVE, WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR.WE HAVE A SECOND? NO, WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO SAY, SAY IS THAT THE COUNCIL A VOTE, A DISCUSSION, AND THEN WE VOTE ON ANY OF THESE ITEMS THAT ARE ON HERE TO REMOVE THEM.
WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO SAY OR AMEND THEM? NO, WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO SAY, MAYOR, IS THAT IF I WANT TO TAKE SOMETHING OFF OF WHAT HE REQUESTED, I JUST GOT TO GET THE VOTES OF THE COUNCIL AND THEN IT'S ON ANYTHING, ALL THESE SEVEN ITEMS, AND THEN YOU CAN'T, AND I JUST WANNA KNOW IF WE CAN LEGALLY DO THAT.
NOBODY ELSE PUT ANY, THE REST OF THEM ARE ITEMS THAT COME IN BEFORE CO THAT'S BUSINESS.
YOU'D BE ABLE TO VOTE, DO ONE OR TWO, BUT NOT ALL TO MAKE SOME NO, NO, NO.
TAKE SOME ACTION ON ONE OR TWO.
WE NEVER ACT ON WHAT COUNCIL MEMBERS PLACED ON THE AGENDA.
MAYOR, WHAT'S UNDER THE OPEN MEETING? WHAT'S, WHAT'S THE LAW? YOU KNOW? I'M SORRY, I HAVE TO GO THE ATTORNEY TRUTH.
WELL, WELL, WE HAVE, WELL, I'M NOT SORRY.
YOUR, FOR ALL SEVEN ITEMS. TELL YOU WHAT, WE ARE NOT GONNA CONDUCT NO MEETINGS UNLESS WE CAN DISCUSS IT.
DON'T SHUT DON'T TRY TO LIMIT ME FROM SPEAKING YOU.
YOU'RE NOT GONNA SPEAK ON THE MAYOR? NO.
THE, UM, IF, IF THE VOTE GOES, IT'S GOING DO, IF THE VOTE DOESN'T GO THAT WAY, THEN WE TALK ABOUT IT.
YOU, IF THE VOTE GOES THAT WAY, YOU TALK ABOUT IT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
MAYOR, IF I PUT DOWN THE DUTY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MAYOR TO BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION BY THIS COUNCIL, THAT IS THE WAY I PUT IT ON THERE.
SO THAT, SO THAT WE COULD DISCUSS TO THE COUNCIL AND CAN VOTE.
AND THAT'S WHY I TAKE A MOTION.
BUT NO COUNSEL, AND I GET A SECOND, BUT A COUNCIL CAN'T TELL ME, I CAN'T PUT YOUR DUTIES IN RESPONSIBILITY TO BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION.
BECAUSE IF I CAN'T DO IT IN CLOSED SESSION, THEN I CAN'T DO IT UP HERE.
BUT THE LAW DISCUSSIONS LAW, THE LAW SAYS IF I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT INDIVIDUALS, IT MUST BE IN CLOSED SESSION.
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
NOW NO COUNCIL MEMBER CAN TELL ME THAT I CAN'T DO IT.
I THINK WE CAN VOTE ON THIS ITEM.
WE ARE NOT HAVING NO MEETING TODAY.
WHAT YOU MEAN? YOU CAN'T STOP THE MEETING, SIR? YES, I CAN.
YOU BETTER LOOK AROUND AT YOUR, UH, UH, NUMBER OF PEOPLE YOU GOT HERE, MAYOR.
WE CAN GET 'EM WHILE, HUH? I SAID YOU CAN BREAK THE QUORUM ABOUT IT IS THE MAYOR NEED TO UNDERSTAND WE HAVE THE ACT, THE ACCESS.
IF YOU, I'M ASKING FOR A LEGAL OPINION, SIR.
YOU'RE NOT THE LEGAL AUTHORITY HERE.
FIRST OF ALL, THAT'S GIVEN ME FIRST OF ATTORNEY.
START OUT WITH IF THE COUNSEL CHOOSE.
THAT'S WHY I HAVE HER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITY ON HERE ALSO.
OKAY? BECAUSE YOU SAID APPOINTEE.
I AM PART OF READING THINGS VERBATIM.
AND THEN HAVE SOMEBODY COME UP HERE WITH, HAVE DISCUSSED THINGS THAT I WANT TO DISCUSS ALL THINGS THAT'S ON THIS AGENDA.
SO WHEN IT'S DONE, WE, WE, WE VIOLATE MORE DOGGONE S OKAY? WE'RE GONNA, NO, I'M TELLING YOU.
WELL, WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR AND WE HAVE A DISCUSSION.
NO, WHAT MOTION, THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE CLOSED MEETING EXECUTIVE SESSION.
GET, BUT AIN'T NOBODY GOING TAKE OFF SECOND RESPONSIBILITY.
WE HAVE, WE WERE IN DISCUSSIONS TO HEAR YOUR DISCUSSION ON ITEM FOUR.
AND THEN I HAVE I DISCUSSION ON ITEM ONE.
SO WE'RE STILL IN DISCUSSIONS.
WHAT, SO WE'RE WE, ITEM ONE IS DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MAYOR AND APPOINTEES EXCLUDING THIS MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE.
RIGHT? AND I'M, YOU DISCUSSED FOUR.
I'M ASKING TO REMOVE THE MAYOR FROM BEING DISCUSSED AND TO TALK ABOUT YOUR APPOINTEES.
AND I SAID THAT THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN BECAUSE I'M REQUESTING THAT.
AND I'M, AND IT'S NOT NOTHING THAT YOU OR THIS COUNCIL COULD DO TO CENSOR ME LIKE THAT.
WHAT YOU DOING? REMOVING THE MAYOR.
SO THE THING IS, I PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR THE CLOSED SESSION, YOUR MIC AND MIKE SI PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR THE CLOSED SESSION.
I WANT TO DISCUSS DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MAYOR AND APPOINTEES, EXCLUDING THE MUNICIPAL JUDGE.
NOW I'VE PLACED THIS ON AGENDAS.
I'VE PLACED THE MAYOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ON AGENDA TWO TIMES.
I'VE SEEN US DISCUSS DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CERTAIN APPOINTEES OVER TIME.
NEVER ONCE HAS ANYBODY SAID THAT THE COUNCIL HAS TO VOTE ON WHETHER THIS COUNCIL MEMBER
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CAN DISCUSS THIS ENCLO SESSION.WELL, WELL, WE ARE IS WE HAVE TO SAY, WELL, LET ME EXPLAIN.
WE ARE IN A, WE TOOK A MOTION ON, AND I READ EACH ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT WE'RE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION BECAUSE WE, WE STARTED TO REVERSE, UM, AND TAKING A MOTION SO THAT WE CAN VOTE ON ITEMS THAT ARE GONNA BE HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
COUNCIL MEMBER DOUCETTE POLL NUMBER FOUR AND HAD HIS DISCUSSION.
AND WE HAVE A, FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE A MOTION, WE HAVE A SECOND.
THAT'S WHERE WE ARE ON THESE ITEMS TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSIONS.
YOU DISCUSSED NUMBER FOUR AT GREAT LENGTH.
WE'VE DECIDED YOU SAID I'M DONE.
I ASKED FOR NUMBER ONE TO BE AMENDED.
WELL, IT WOULD ONLY REFLECT THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE APPOINTEES AND REMOVING THE MAYOR.
SO THAT, AND YOU'RE SAYING WE CAN'T DO THAT.
I WAS ASKING FOR A LEGAL OPINION FROM OUR CITY ATTORNEY TO TELL US IF WE CAN DO THAT.
I'M GONNA GO ON WITH OUR, SO WE CAN GET THROUGH OUR MEETING, BUT I DO WANT TO, UM, ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE DID A MOTION.
WE DID A SECOND, WE END DISCUSSION.
AND I'M ASKING FOR THE MAYOR TO BE REMOVED FROM NUMBER ONE.
WE DIDN'T STOP COUNCIL MEMBER DOUCE AND PUT IT ON THE AGENDA.
ANYBODY CAN PUT ANYTHING ON THE AGENDA.
I'M ASKING THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO TAKE A VOTE.
NOW TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION WITH NUMBER ONE BEING AMENDED, REMOVING THE MAYOR.
HE DOES HAVE THE RIGHT TO PLACE SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA AND HE HAS DONE THAT.
THE AUTHORITY THOUGH, HOWEVER, TO GO INTO A CLOSED MEETING OR TO DISCUSS IN AN OPEN SESSION OR CLOSED SESSION LIES WITH THE GOVERNING BODY AS AN ENTITY.
WE, WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE GOVERNING BODY.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ME PLACING AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WHAT I PLACED ON THE AGENDA.
AND WHAT YOU ARE TELLING ME IS THAT THE COUNCIL HAS THE RIGHT TO VOTE TO NOT HAVE THAT DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION.
AND I'M, YOU, YOU TELL ME WHERE YOU GETTING THIS INFORMATION THAT YOU CAN MAKE THAT RULING.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FLOOR.
NO, MAYOR, THIS IS DISCUSSION RIGHT NOW.
AND I WANT ALL THIS ON THE RECORD, WHAT EVERYBODY SAYS.
OH, I DON'T KNOW IF MY LIGHTS AREN'T WORKING, BUT I CAN ASK.
COUNCIL MEMBER KEN LAW HAS SOMETHING TO, I HAD TOO MANY PUT MAYOR PRO.
UH, JUST, JUST MY OPINION THAT, UH, READING MY BACKGROUND AND HAVING THE INFORMATION AT HAND, UH, I JUST DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE HAVING THEM TOGETHER BECAUSE THOSE APPOINTEES WORK FOR THE WILL OF THE COUNCIL.
SO IF WE GONNA DISCUSS THOSE, WE CAN OBVIOUSLY GO DOWN AND, AND TALK ABOUT THOSE THINGS.
HOWEVER, HAVING THE MAYOR ON THERE, NO ONE IN THAT ROOM SHOULD OTHER, OTHER THAN COUNCIL MEMBERS.
SO IF WE GONNA DO IT THAT WAY, I'M OKAY.
BUT IF WE ARE GONNA HAVE PEOPLE THAT'S IN THE ROOM, AND WE'RE GONNA BE DISCUSSING ARM AIR, UH, ALONG WITH APPOINTEES IN THE ROOM, BECAUSE THAT'S HOW I READ IT, THEN THAT'S HOW IT READS.
IT SAYS ALL PORT, YOU KNOW, BASICALLY YOU'RE SAYING YOU WANTED TO DISCUSS APPOINTEES EXCLUDING THE MUNICIPAL JUDGE AND THE MAYOR'S DUTIES.
I'M NOT, I'M NOT GOING TO DISCUSS ANY WITH ANY APPOINTEE THAT'S IN THE ROOM.
IF WE WANT TO TALK AS COLLECTIVELY AS A COUNCIL, THAT'S ALL SHOULD BE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
AND I THINK I'M A HUNDRED PERCENT.
'CAUSE WHEN I CALLED IT IN, THAT'S WHAT I SAID.
I SAID I'D LIKE TO DISCUSS THE MAYOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITY AND WE AND APPOINTEES EXCLUDING THE MUNICIPAL JUDGE.
NOW WHAT I SAW HERE, I SAW IT LIKE THIS.
WE'RE NOT GONNA DISCUSS ANYTHING PERTAINING TO COUNCIL MEMBER OR THE MAYOR IN FRONT OF APPOINTEES.
I'M ALL IN LINE WITH THAT WITH YOU.
BUT THE FACT IS, IF I PUT DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MAYOR ON THIS AGENDA, THEN THAT'S WHAT I WON SPEAK.
AND I HAVE TO DO IT IN CLOSED SESSION.
SO IF WE ARE GONNA DIVIDE IT, THAT'S FINE.
I'M PERFECTLY, THAT'S THE WAY I THINK IT SHOULD BE DONE.
BUT TO SAY WE ARE NOT GOING TO DISCUSS THE MAYOR NO.
ASKED DO THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES.
I ASKED YOU TO AMEND IT BY REMOVING THE MAYOR FROM THE DISCUSSION.
WELL, IF YOU SEPARATED, I'M MAYOR.
IF WE HAVE SAID SEPARATED OUT, WE'D HAVE HAD THIS.
BUT I SAID REMOVING THE MAYOR, THAT'S WHAT I ASKED FOR TO BE REMOVED FROM THIS DISCUSSION.
NOT ALONG WITH THE APPOINTEES.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY, WHAT, UM, THERE'S A WAY TO DO THAT.
ARE WE GONNA SEPARATE IT? ARE WE GONNA SEPARATE IT? I'M GONNA MOVE ON AND WE CAN SEPARATE IT.
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I MEAN, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.WE WILL NOW MOVE INTO OUR CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION.
I NEED ONE MORE COUNCIL MEMBER.
CITY SECRETARY JUST ESTABLISHED A QUORUM FOR ME, PLEASE.
COUNCIL MEMBER HAMILTON, EVER FIELD COUNCIL MEMBER BECKHAM.
COUNCIL MEMBER FRANK, PRESENT.
WE HAVE, UH, ONE MOTION COMING OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ENTER TO AN ENGAGEMENT LETTER, UH, WITH THE LAW FIRM LLOYD GOLINK, TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES REGARDING CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE STUDY DESIGN PERMIT, CONSTRUCTION, AND OPERATION OF A FACILITY THAT WILL RECEIVE WASTE THAT IS NOT CURRENTLY PERMITTED UNDER THE CURRENT CITY'S LANDFILL PERMIT.
SECOND MAYOR, IT'S BEEN MOVED.
AND SECOND, WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
AT THIS TIME, WE'RE GOING TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOIN ADJOIN.
AT THIS TIME, COUNCIL MEMBER EVERFI MAY, I'D LIKE TO MOTION FOR 1919 AUSTIN AVENUE AND 1637 SIXTH STREET.
A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY ATTORNEY TO LIST FOR SALE.
TWO CITY OWNED VACANT TRACKS OF LAND, KNOWN AS 1919 AUSTIN AVENUE AND 1637 SIXTH STREET, PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS, WITH A LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER.
PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 2 53 OF THE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE.
SECOND, I'VE GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ANY DISCUSSIONS? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
AT THIS TIME, I'M GONNA ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION.
ANY DISCUSSIONS? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
WE ARE NOW ADJOURNED AT 5 57 FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION.