Travis County Commssioners Court
April 29, 2003
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Executive Session
In the event there is legal advice we need from mr. Knuckles it is to consider the Texas turnpike authority to design and contract and to interchange at the proposed howard lane to the initial construction of state highway 130 and take appropriate action. That will be consultation with attorney exception to the opening meetings act and now posted for executive session are number 47. Receive briefing from county attorney and take appropriate action on the legal issues regarding the acquisition of necessary right of way on the anderson mill road. 48, receive briefing from county attorney and take appropriate action on legal issues regarding the construction contract on the Travis County northeast metro park project. Consultation with attorney. 49, receive briefing from county attorney and take appropriate action on legal issues regarding the engineering design contract on the moya park to mckinney falls trail project. Consultation with attorney exception. Number 50, receive briefing from -- and take appropriate action and/or consider settlement offer in frederick pluett deceased versus margo frasier et al, 51 receive briefing from county attorney, discuss proposed settlement and take appropriate action regarding claim of Travis County an j.c. Evans construction kro company, inc. 52 receive briefing from county attorney regarding selma hughes park and development of panther hello subdivision, and probably red cross matters exception. 53, consider, discuss and take appropriate action regarding real estate and due diligence issues on the building located at 5501 airport boulevard under consideration for purchase to house various county departments. Real estate exception to the open meetings act and also announce that under the consultation with attorney exception to open meetings act. 54, receive briefing from county attorney and/or take appropriate action in civil docket case number 03-cv, 74, Texas association of business versus earl, consultation with attorney exception to the open meeting act. 55 receive briefing from county attorney and take appropriate action regarding barbara oakley as legal guardian for richard danzinger versus city of Austin hector polanco, et al, consultation with attorney exception to the open meetings act, and our final discussion is executive session today will be item number 56, receive briefin from county attorney and authorize county attorney to accept, reject or counter offer for settlement and take appropriate action in the matter of eeoc complaint number 31 ca 300381 of sylvia garcia, consultation with attorney exception to the open meetings act. We will discuss these matters in executive session.
>> did you mention item 8? You open court before taking any action. That's the first one.
>> just returning from executive session where we discussed the following item, number 8, the state highway 130 project. Let's just basically direct the county attorney's office to keep on keeping on, preparing the necessary legal document in response to the state's request. We probably ought to have this back on the agenda next week just in case we need it.
>> I think so.
>> okay.
>> and that will be may 6th. Going over to anderson neal project. We did not discuss that one, we'll have it on next week. 48, the northeast metro project. Any action for today.
>> no, sir, just a briefing for the court.
>> have that back on next week.
>> we'll go ahead and post that when necessary. I don't believe next week will be necessary.
>> and on 49, moya park, we've got a briefing on that one. No action required today. Put it back on at appropriate time in the future, he will let us know. Number 50 we did not scurks have that back on next week. Number 51, the evans construction company, we did get a legal briefing, we need another one next week. 52 selma hughes park and development of the panther hollow subdivision.
>> bring that back.
>> yes, sir, just authorize you to work with county staff should we just leave it off...
>> and i'll let you know when to put it back on.
>> that will be fine, go over all of our options to get a resolution.
>> okay, 53, we are doing some due diligence work there, no action required today. We did tell staff basically what direction to take. We will have that back on next week in the event that we need it. Number 54 involving the Texas association of business versus d.a. Earle, I move that we authorize the county attorney to hire a local attorney, jim george, and that we authorize payment of up to $10,000 and that the matter be brought back to court before that amount is exceeded.
>> and that will be [inaudible]
>> yeah... Source of funding and this is for the appeal of this matter. Mr. Jorm has represented d.a. Earle up to this point so it makes sense to keep him on it. Anymore discussion. We did get a second for that one, didn't we? That passes by unanimous vote that passes by union motor with Commissioner Gomez away. 55 involves the danzinger versus city of Austin and hector polanco and others case. I move that authorize the county attorney to extend an offer in the amount of $100,000 to get the county and all county employees out of this legal matter.
>> second.
>> the appropriate be executed and be submitted to us at appropriate time in the future for approval by us should the settlement offer be accepted. Do we need it back on next week no, sir.
>> okay. That was seconded by Commissioner.
>> I’m sorry. You might.
>> we don't need it, we just don't take it. Anymore discussion? All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote number 56, involving the eeoc complaint of sylvia garcia, I move that we authorize full settlement of this matter for the amount of $19,500. That was acceptable after mediation. That we congratulate our new assistant county attorney who did an outstanding job for us in this matter, her name is...
>> alicia...
>> alicia, that we extend also an apology to mr. Garcia in this matter and...
>> ms. Garcia.
>> ms. Garcia. Sorry. I think we ought to ask the county sheriff to keep an eye on this person and make sure that the counseling that he has been compelled to undergo actually is beneficial. This is one of those unfortunate matters that come to the Commissioner's court from time to time. We never liked them in the past. Always try do the right thing but they're not good especially in public service. Mrs. Sonleitner may have a comment.
>> just very brief. This is the settlement of a sexual harassment case, and it is the -- that is not to be tolerate and I just want everybody to, you know, it's like hello, this is 2003, be aware what the laws are related to this very, very volatile issue 0.
>> we are all greatly disappointed, shocked and amazed this could occur in 2002. This was last year.
>> yes.
>> do we have a second yet?
>> second.
>> second by Commissioner Davis. Anymore discussion? All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. For the Commissioner's court, I think that's it.
>> we're adjourned.
Last Modified: Wednesday, April 30, 2003 1:52 PM