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1993-06-21 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTESm MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON JUNE 21, 1993, AT 7:00 P. M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS The meeting was called to order with the following present: Mayor Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember City Manager City Attorney City Secretary C. V. Coppinger D. A. Miller Benny Frank Randy Weber David Smith Paul Grohman Lester Rorick Pat Jones Absent from the meeting: Councilmember Joy Colson Mayor Coppinger asked Councilmember Smith to offer an invocation and called upon Councilmember Weber to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. OTHER BUSINESS EXECUTIVE SESSION UNDER ARTICLE 6252-17, TEXAS REVISED CIVIL STATUTES, SECTION 2 SUBSECTION (g) PERSONNEL - Performance evaluation of Police Chief. Mayor Coppinger announced, an executive session would not be held as a request has been made by Police Chief Hogg for a public hearing. Mayor Coppinger made some opening comments and called upon Councilmember Weber who had requested the meeting. Councilmember Weber stated he wanted to assure everyone present that the intent of this meeting was not to fire the Police Chief which had apparently been spread by rumor throughout the City. Mr. Weber said he was disappointed in the unsubstantiated hearsay which had gone throughout the community. Councilmember Weber stated the intent of the meeting was to discuss with Chief Hogg areas of constructive criticism regarding his handling of the bu(?get, classification of officers, the DARE program and gra::t applications. Closing his remarks, Mr. Weber again requested that this discussion be held in Executive Session. Chief of Police Mike Hogg stated he wished matters could have been cleared up before hand, but the City has a history of terminat.i.rg its Chief every 2 to 2 1/2 years, Mr. Hogg said, and stated he felt the citizens should be able to evaluate him too. Chief Hogg stated that if there were any areas to be discussed beyond evaluation he would enter into Executive Session after the open hearing. Councilmember Smith gave some opening remarks and encouraged all to work together. Councilmember Miller stated he was not here to evaluate the Chief but attended because it is a called meeting. This responsibility belongs to the City Manager, Mr. Miller stated. Mr. Miller said he was willing to listen to all those present who are here in support of the Chief and that he, himself, has 37 years of law enforcement and is very supportive of law enforcement. W Councilmember Frank stated it was never the Council's intent to evaluate or fire Police Chief Hogg. Councilmember Weber suggested, in light of the comments by Council, it would have been better phrased to have Mr. Grohman evaluate Chief Hogg and bring this evaluation to Council on a future agenda. City Manager Grohman stated his tenure with the City has been about a year and he had informed the department heads that he would give them about a year before evaluating them. His evaluations of employees have never been made public as this is not the Council's job, Mr. Grohman stated, but he will provide them copies if they wish. Councilmember Miller asked if the Chief had ever been evaluated and Mr. Grohman stated Interim City Manager Glen Erwin had evaluated him once. Methods of evaluations of employees were discussed. Councilmember Weber stated that since an evaluation was not to occur that this portion of the meeting not be held but rather listen to the citizens' comments. Mayor Coppinger read from the 1992 annual report published by the Police Department and commended its employees. Chief Hogg read from a prepared statement which covered the following topics: introduction, changes and accomplishments which included needs assessment, under utilization of existing personnel, legal liabilities, improving police services, and conclusion. Mayor Coppinger asked if there was anyone present from the School Board who wanted to speak. Mr. Dick Wagoner came to the podium and stated he was speaking as a private citizen and encouraged all to work together for the sake of the children. City Manager Grohman announced there will be a joint workshop with the School District on June 29 to discuss topics of mutual interest. The following people, among others, spoke in behalf of Chief Hogg's performance: 1. Keith Anderson 2 Rob Harding 3. Jim Benson 4. G. David Fleming 5. Robert Williams 6. Bill Frascino 7. Bill Todd 8. Phil Cessac Mayor Coppinger announced that he felt the meeting and the testimony of the above individuals had served its purpose and called upon one of the area ministers to offer a prayer of dismissal. The meeting adjourned at 8:31 P. M. Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this day of A. D., 1993. ATTEST: Pat Jones, City Secretary C. V. Coppinger, Mayor (MOTION TO APPROVE THESE MINUTES FAILED BY A VOTE OF 3-2. SEE MINUTES OF JULY 12, 1993 FOR EXPLANATION.) d°