Texas Open Meetings Act

In whistleblower lawsuit, ex-Donna city manager claims council members cut bills for friends

FOIFT2014-07-01T16:07:12-05:00

By Elizabeth Findell The Monitor Originally published July 1, 2014 Donna city leaders ordered their ex-city manager to waive city fees for friends and fired him after he notified authorities, according to claims in a lawsuit brought under the Texas Whistleblower Act this month. City Council members fired City Manager Oscar Ramirez March 31, giving no specific reasons for the dismissal. On June 12, he sued the five council members who had voted to fire him. He also sued bridge consultant Ernesto Silva. The lawsuit claims Mayor David Simmons, Councilmen Joey Garza and Simon Sauceda and ex-Councilwoman Irene Muñoz had given [...]

In whistleblower lawsuit, ex-Donna city manager claims council members cut bills for friendsFOIFT2014-07-01T16:07:12-05:00

Editorial: In Longview ISD secret process, board must get its job done

FOIFT2014-06-23T14:42:58-05:00

By Longview News-Journal Originally published June 22, 2014 So let’s get this straight: Longview ISD School Board President Troy Simmons says the ongoing string of closed-door meetings about lone superintendent finalist Horace Williams is not because of difficulty agreeing on a contract or because the board is reconsidering whether Williams is appropriate for the job. We wonder what trustees could be talking about — the color of carpet for Williams’ office? Which parking space he will get? Actually, if the board is discussing something other than the contract or Williams’ employment, then it is probably meeting in violation of the Texas [...]

Editorial: In Longview ISD secret process, board must get its job doneFOIFT2014-06-23T14:42:58-05:00

Judge orders mediation for Duncanville officials in Open Meetings Act feud

FOIFT2014-06-20T16:57:49-05:00

By Lloyd Brumfield The Dallas Morning News Originally published June 17, 2014 A Dallas County district judge has ordered two feuding factions of the Duncanville City Council into mediation — the latest development in the long-running political turmoil in the city. District Judge Emily Tobolowsky on June 6 called for a mandatory but nonbinding settlement conference for District 5 council member Johnette Jameson and council members Stan Smith, Cliff Boyd, Mark Cooks and Patrick Harvey. Jameson sued the city and the four council members on March 28, alleging violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act. The four filed a counterclaim on [...]

Judge orders mediation for Duncanville officials in Open Meetings Act feudFOIFT2014-06-20T16:57:49-05:00

Commentary: Know Texas’ open records laws

FOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:47-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Guest Columnist The Monitor Originally published June 9, 2014 Picture yourself attending a local government meeting because you’re curious about the hiring of a new city manager. Suddenly, city commissioners go into a closed-door session to talk secretly. Can they do that? Is it legal? Or, let’s say, you’ve requested information from your school district about its classroom curriculum. You are told obtaining those documents will cost hundreds of dollars. What can you do? Conversely, if you are a public official, what does the law allow you to charge for a large and time-consuming public records request? These [...]

Commentary: Know Texas’ open records lawsFOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:47-05:00

City Council looks at videoconferencing in meetings

FOIFT2014-05-15T14:46:47-05:00

By Stephen Burnett Community Impact Newspaper Originally published May 14, 2014 Cedar Park City Council on May 8 discussed how to address legal requirements and technical challenges that would impede City Council members from joining special-called meetings remotely by video. Place 3 Councilman Lyle Grimes said he supports Cedar Park pursuing the idea once the city has an estimate for equipment costs. Place 5 Councilman Jon Lux said City Council may want to wait until another government tries the method first. “Being on the leading edge is always expensive,” Lux said. Assistant City Manager Josh Selleck said that if City Council wants to explore the concept, city [...]

City Council looks at videoconferencing in meetingsFOIFT2014-05-15T14:46:47-05:00

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