In a nearly four-hour Fairfield City Council Meeting, three and a half hours were spent in executive session and ‘No Action’ was taken on most of the items discussed behind closed doors.
The meeting opened at 6:00 p.m. with the usual prayer and pledges, followed by a request from the Texas State Coonhunters for a contract update for their twice yearly event.
As there is not enough time before their September 7th event to update the contract, Council approved the contract ‘as is’ and asked the group to come back in the future if they still wish to make amendments for future events.
At 6:10 p.m., Council entered into the first executive session to discuss Possible Financing for Pending Property Purchase. Forty minutes later, at 6:50 p.m., they came back into open session, voted to take ‘no action’ and then entered back into executive session by 6:52 p.m.
This second session was to receive a report from Mike Alexander of Contract Services Innovations, LLC on the Operational Performance Audit and Internal Affairs Audit of the Fairfield Police Department. After one hour and eighteen minutes, at 8:10 p.m., Council returned to open session and again to ‘no action’ from executive session.
It has been brought to our attention that the Police Department audit has been completed. The ‘Times’ has requested a copy of the report and will follow up with the results when received.
Next, Council approved lifting the moratorium on personnel investigations, probationary reviews, or other actions of any nature regarding police department personnel.
By 8:12 p.m., they were back in executive session to consult with the City’s attorney on legal issues pertaining to TDCJ. At 8:50 p.m., they rejoined the public and voted to appoint David Tuckfield, an attorney out of Austin, as additional legal counsel for any and all matters related to TDCJ; but declined to appoint a financial consultant.
When addressing Agenda Item #9, discussion and possible action on seeking qualifications and hiring a new law firm and attorney, no discussion was had. However, all councilmen, with the exception of James Tyus, voted in favor of approval.
At 8:55 p.m., Council entered into their final executive session of the evening to discuss with David Fowler, FEDC President, regarding his duties and responsibilities. After forty-five minutes, at 9:40 p.m. Council was back in open session, and again took ‘no action.’
The meeting was adjourned at 9:41 p.m.
