CM 1991-02-25 MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 25, 1991
The City Council of the City of Coppell met in Special Called Session on Monday, February 25,
1991 at 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium at Coppell High School, 185 Cowboy Drive, Coppell,
Texas. The following members were present:
Mark Wolfe, Mayor
Bill Smothermon, Mayor Pro Tern
Peyton Weaver, Councilman
David Thomas, Councilman
Tom Morton, Councilman
Ron Robertson, Councilman
John Nelson, Councilman
Councilman Jim Cowman was absent from the meeting. Also present were City Manager Alan
D. Rafliff, City Secretary Dorothy Timmons and City Attorney Lawrence Jackson. Other Staff
members who were present were: Deputy City Manager/Finance Director Frank Trando,
Assistant City Manager/Personnel Director Vivyon Bowman, Fire Chief Wesley Kilcrease and
Police Chief Nell McKinney.
SPECIAL CALLED SESSION (Open to the Public)
Item 1 Call to order
Mayor Wolfe called the meeting to order.
Item 2 Invocation
Couocilman Thomas led those present in the invocation.
Item 3 Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Wolfe asked those present to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 4 Mayor Wolfe's address to the Council and audience concerning what Texas State
Civil Service is today
Mayor Wolfe addressed those present on the subject of the attributes of Texas State Civil
Service. He gave a brief sketch of The Home Rule Charter adopted by the voters of Coppell
in January of 1986. No further action was required on this item.
Item 5 City's response to previous questions that have been raised (Council members and
staff will address the Council and audience on these questions)
A) Councilman Nelson - the involvement of the AFL-CIO and/or its affiliates
Councilman John Nelson presented some letters which had been received
by the City from various personnel in the fire fighter/police association
which had the AFL/CI0 emblem on the letterhead.
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B) Mayor Pro Tem Smothermon:- the cost of implementing Texas State Civil
Service in the City
Mayor Pro Tem Bill Smothermon detailed the possible costs which would
be entailed by the City should the Civil Service Law be passed by the
voters of Coppell.
C) Councilman Morton - comparison of local control with state control
Councilman Tom Morton compared the difference between local and state
control, going over the grievance procedure of Civil Service employees
and gave some examples from the Civil Service manual.
D) Assistant City Manager/Personnel Director - comparison of present City
policy with Texas State Civil Service
Assistant City Manager/Personnel Director Vivyon Bowman gave a brief
sketch of the personnel policy which was adopted by City Council in
October of 1990. He stated that, among other things, there is an
evaluation process in place, along with procedures for hiring and
grievances. City Manager Alan D. Ratliff also spoke under this section,
stating his qualification and experience in dealing with Civil Service.
No further action was required on this item.
Item 6 Mayor Wolfe's address to the Council and audience concerning an overview of
Texas State Civil Service
Mayor Wolfe gave his closing statements, including pointing out the crime statistics for Coppell
in comparison to neighboring cities. No further action was required on this item.
Item 7 Discussion of the issues by the City Council and Council discussion of issues
raised by questions received from citizens attending the meeting. It will be
necessary that persons wishing to address questions to the Council do so in
writing on the "questions form" which has been provided.
Mayor Wolfe asked those who had questions to ask write them on the forms provided and pass
them to the middle of the aisle to be picked up. The various questions were answered by Mayor
Wolfe, Council Members and Staff. Mayor Wolfe announced that those questions which had
not been answered during this item would receive an answer in the form of a letter.
At the conclusion of the written questions, Mayor Wolfe asked that those who wished to address
Council sign the Citizen's Appearances sheet. Those citizens who wished to speak were:
A) Jeff Boggess of 217 Heartz Road, Coppell stated that he had not heard any of the Council
address the problem of low morale in the Fire Department.
B) Walter Pettijohn of 525 Oak Grove Lane, Coppell voiced his concern about certification
of the present Fire Chief.
C) ~ Ann McLaughlin of 126 Creekside of with the fire
spoke
working
department
personnel and seeing a gradual decline in the general morale of the fire fighters over the
last year or so.
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D) David Parker of 230 South MacArthur #1113, Coppell stated that he is concerned with
the promotion policy of the City.
There being no further business to come before Council, the meeting was adjourned.
lfe, Mayor/ ) i
ATrEST:
Do~-othy Timmo~, ~yy Secretary