Council agrees to change meeting policy

COLLEGE STATION — The College Station City Council appeared before a district judge and agreed to policy changes for violating the Texas Open Meetings Act, The Eagle reported.

The council met July 14 and voted 4-3 to fire City Manager Tom Brymer. The posted meeting agenda listed personnel matters under an executive session discussion but did not specifically list Brymer’s name, the newspaper reported.

Council members said City Attorney Harvey Cargili advised them they won’t be charged criminally, but could be found in contempt of court if they do not adhere to and sign the requests issued by Brazos County District Attorney Bill Turner, the newspaper reported.

The requests from Turner are specified in a petition for injunction sent to the council, according to several council members who said the document states:

· The city council cannot discuss its four appointed positions — city manager, city secretary, city attorney or municipal judge — without a specific posting.

· The council must audio record executive sessions to ensure compliance with the Open Meetings Act and have the city attorney or his representative present during executive sessions.

· Council members must refrain from participating in a meeting that is not properly posted.

· Council members must attend mandatory training on the Open Meetings Act each year

Taft group says mayor used poll

TAFT — The Taft Community Association has asked the San Patricio County district attorney to look into allegations that the mayor and city council violated the Texas Open Meetings Act, the Corpus Christi Caller-Times reported.

The association, which has 31 members, alleges that Mayor Jerry King and former and current members of the city council violated the act on a number of occasions.

According to the association’s letter, the mayor called individual council members to his private business office to discuss a vote at a coming council meeting, took action without council approval at regular or special meetings, circumvented the selection process for an open position along with two council members, and called a special meeting and addressed matters not on the agenda.

King said he denies all the allegations.

San Angelo school board failed to keep minutes

SAN ANGELO — The San Angelo school board did not record or keep minutes from public meetings it held in October.

A school district spokesman told the San Angelo Standard-Times that the board held workshops that were properly posted with an agenda, but no minutes or recordings were made since no action was taken.

But a Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas hotline attorney told the newspaper that officials must either audio record or take minutes of all meetings.

Records show tax incentives for stores

AUSTIN — Documents released by the governor’s and comptroller’s offices provide a clearer look at some of what Cabela’s outdoor store requested and in many cases received as incentives to build huge outdoor sporting goods stores in Buda and Fort Worth.

The Austin American-Statesman obtained the letters through the Texas Public Information Act.

Cabela’s had sued to block their release after Attorney General Greg Abbott ruled in May that the documents didn’t include trade secrets. The company dropped its opposition last month.

The documents show the store asked for $15 million from the Texas Enterprise Fund but ultimately received just $400,000, with a chance to earn another $200,000 if it maintains certain employment levels.

TV producers sue city over KKK rules

AUSTIN — Three independent television producers have filed a federal lawsuit against the city, alleging it placed unconstitutional restrictions on media covering a Ku Klux Klan rally, the Associated Press reported.

The lawsuit filed in October by the Texas Civil Rights Project says the city censored the media by giving credentials to cross a police line only to outlets that had applied and were approved.

Klan members staged the rally to support a proposed constitutional amendment on the Nov. 8 ballot that would ban same-sex marriages in Texas.

Assistant City Manager Rudy Garza said the city modeled its credential process after policies in New York City and was intended to ensure public safety. The policy required that media representatives either work full time for a news organization or have references from two outlets confirming they work as freelancers. The city approved 68 of the 71 credential applications it received, Garza said.

County posts joint meeting to be safe

SNYDER — Scurry County commissioners court met with the Cogdell Memorial Hospital board during an executive session to evaluate chief executive officer Carol Hanes, the Snyder Daily News reported.

The unusual agenda posted by the county was done in an effort to stay in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, according to commissioner Jerry House, who said interest in the meeting was high among the commissioners court.