Our public service board met Friday, August 1, 2014 at 4:30 P.M. to discuss city council’s proposed creation of a franchise tax that the water utility would have to pay the city. We know that any expense the utility has will be passed on to the water customers.
There was one item on the agenda. It was “The Chair will entertain a motion to move into Executive Session”. The purpose of the executive session was to consult with it’s attorney which of course is legal in Texas.
Smoke filled room
Why did they need to discuss the item with their attorney? They could have, and should have, discussed the item and their potential actions in open session where members of the public could see how the board members stood on the issue and where members of the public could express their thoughts. If they needed help from their attorney once potential courses of action were ready to be explored, they could then have moved to executive session.
The board ultimately passed a resolution against the imposition of the franchise fee 6 to 0. Our mayor abstained.
This was a straight forward matter that should have been handled in public. Unfortunately their ability to go into executive session to consult with their attorney was used as an excuse to keep the public out of the discussion.
We deserve better
Brutus
elpasospeak 
Speaking about not mentioning to the public. City Council and the Mayor are still keeping the plans for Northpark Mall area from getting released widely till 2 weeks from now. Since when is it the job the Mayor to not inform the public on what is actually going on?
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