Travis County Commssioners Court
February 11, 2003
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Executive Session
That brings us to the executive session.
>> judge, it's up to you -- [inaudible] one of the executive session items that there is -- [multiple voices]
>> I just want -- just interject that when I call out the item. 29. Approve final version of the lease with tiaa, including consideration of waiver of ethics policy language or take other appropriate action regarding lease space for cscd at southpark building f. . That's the real property exception to the open meetings act. Do we need 30? We have been carrying that item just in case we do need it. Do you know? Let's call it anyway. 30. Receive briefing from county attorney and authorize county attorney to retain necessary experts and take appropriate action in the matter of merlin "spanky" handley v. Travis County, Texas; city of Austin, Texas, dinah dinwiddie, individually, and in her official capacity; casey ping, individually, and in his official capacity; gordon bergh, kevin mcdonald and richard herrington, cause no. A02 ca 606 jn, in the united states district court, western district of Texas, Austin division. That's the consultation with attorney exception to the open meetings act. 31 posted just in case we need it is to discuss person personnel issues regarding merlin "spanky" handley, receive legal advice, and take appropriate action. Legal consultation, personally matters. 32 receive briefing authorize county attorney to retain necessary experts and accept, reject or counter offer of settlement and take appropriate action in the matter of tinna beldin v. Travis County, Texas; and stephen l. Williams in his official capacity; cause no. A02 ca 572 ss, in the united states district court, western district of Texas, Austin division, that will be the consultation with attorney exception to the open meetings act. 33. Receive briefing from county attorney and give direction and/or take appropriate action regarding former tnr department employee james young (subrogation case) that's the consultation with attorney exception to the open meetings act. 34. Discuss pending notice of violation from the Texas commission for environmental quality regarding leachate seepage at the us 290 east landfill, and take appropriate action. That's the consultation with attorney exception to the open meetings act. 35. Take at 1:00 p. 35, which -- 35 we will take up at -- at 1:00, actually no reason to call it at this time, but commissioner Davis has comments on this one right now, do you want to do it at 1:00.
>> no, we can start up -- [inaudible], my concern is that I need to dpiend out, number 1, have we taken an action to add another person to the list of those to be interviewed. I can't recall us doing that. If it's necessarily something, so I may need some legal advice, especially on the qualifications, things like that. Before we go into there, into that disposition, I think -- I need some legal advice on that. Because of the fact that I cannot recall us -- us having a court approve the -- approved action to add another person to the following certification list. The only thing that i've had, basically have come from the selection committee that recommended four persons. Of course on item 14 a and b, on last week, we geared ourselves, prepared ours for four interviews, not five. I need to find out where we are on that.
>> what I can do, [inaudible] listing, she may help with this. I did get an e-mail from barbara wilson yesterday. And additional e-mail from linda Moore smith where I asked questions after our conversation.
>> yeah.
>> and if I can get barbara to e-mail you, the e-mail she sent me, it would be faster than I can get to my office and share it with you. That will be helpful. And linda Moore smith, barbara's response to another question that I need information from -- from human resources on. I asked linda that question, she send me back an e-mail, too. We can share those with you before 1:00, that may help some.
>> okay.
>> but barbara if you are listening if you can send commissioner Davis's office a copy of the e-mail that you sent me in response to my question, it would help.
>> does that also include an action that was taken by the court, too? To include another person? To the list?
>> we have tentatively scheduled a -- one more person, right, [inaudible] who was not short listed by the committee.
>> directed by who? In other words -- I can't recall the court ever having taking an action to actually do just that.
>> well, we were in court two or three members asked about the matter as a matter of scheduling. And in response to different e-mails, looked like a majority wanted to do that.
>> but I guess my question is did we officially take an action?
>> I scheduled the interview. If we need to take official action at 1:00 about who we interview we can do that.
>> I think so.
>> in my view it's justified because this person worked with the county in a manager capacity 10 or 12 years. Some years ago. So here history was a little different but she was not short listed by the committee. So -- so why don't we think about that some at 1:00 if we need to take action one way or the other we can do it.
>> oh, thank you, judge.
>> we will discuss these items in executive session, all except 35 and we will return to open court before taking any action.
>> we just returned from executive session. We discussed item no. 29. Involving -- space at south park building f for the community supervision and corrections department. Based on that discussion on legal counsel and staff, I move that we waive the county's ethics policy as to this contract.
>> second.
>> any more discussion? All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. On number 30 involving the lawsuit filed by handedly against Travis County and others, I move that we authorize the county attorney to retain the necessary experts.
>> so move.
>> I know more discussion.
>> all in favor that passes by unanimous vote.
>> I an obtain abstained, judge.
>> show commissioner Gomez abstaining, the rest of the court voting in favor. 31 we did not -- voting in favor. 31 we did not discuss. We do not need that item today. This item will be pulled until further notice from the county attorney's office or other county staff. Item 32 involving the lawsuit from tina belding against Travis County and others, I move that we reject the offer to settle and authorize the county attorney to retain necessary experts as appropriate.
>> second.
>> any or discussion? All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. Number 33 involves the -- the former county employee james young in a subrogation matter. I move that we authorize the county attorney to obtain an appropriate judgment mr. Young. In response to mr. Young's offer, that we reject the offer, but suggest that he keep -- [inaudible] out for vacancies posted by t.n.r. And place an appropriate application as should other individual working with Travis County. Any more discussion?
>> second.
>> all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. On 34 we did receive a briefing. From legal counsel. As far as I know, no action is necessary today. We will call up item no. 35 at 1:00 this afternoon. As indicated by the posting. And that will do it for -- for the executive session discussion.
Last Modified: Wednesday, April 2, 2003 10:25 AM