2020_03.24 Minutes_CC_SpecialKENNEDALE
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KENNEDALE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020 AT 5:00 PM
SPECIAL MEETING VIA TELECONFERENCE
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAYJOIN
BY DIALING 1-877-568-4106 (TOLL -FREE)
AND USING ACCESS CODE 162-956-797
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Brian Johnson called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m., noting that this was the first meeting held by
the Kennedale City Council under new rules allowing for public meetings via teleconference, which were
proclaimed by Governor Greg Abbott in response to the public health emergency of COVID-19.
Mayor Johnson then announced several ground rules including participating in the call in a quiet location and
keeping phones on mute unless actively speaking. He stated that the public was invited to email questions to
gcampbell@cityofkennedale.com before the Council voted, if they desired. He asked that the
Councilmembers wait to be recognized before offering their comments or questions and to state those as
clearly and concisely as possible, noting that he would attempt to repeat a summary of those comments or
questions so that they could be heard clearly by the audience and, when it was time for a vote, would ask
each Councilmember individually to state 'yea' or `nay'.
II. REGULAR SESSION
A. ROLL CALL
Present in Council Chambers: Mayor Brian Johnson; Participating via TeleConference: Josh Altom,
Place 1; Chris Pugh, Place 2; Mayor Pro Tem Lee, Place 3; Linda Rhodes, Place 4; Chad Wandel, Place
5. Staff Present in Council Chambers: City Manager George Campbell and City Secretary and Communications
Coordinator Leslie E. Galloway; Staff Participating via TeleConference: City Attorney Drew Larkin, Director of HR
and Administrative Services Danielle Clarke, Director of Finance and Information Technology Lakeita Sutton, Library
Director Amanda King, Director of Planning and Economic Development Melissa Dailey, Public Works Director Larry
Hoover, Fire Chief James Brown, and Police Chief Tommy Williams.
Also present in the Council Chambers was Jeff Nevarez, owner of the Kennedale News.
B. ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION
1. Consider Resolution 570, supporting a grant application for a police firearms simulator
system
City Manager George Campbell stated that this was a resolution supporting a grant application by the
Police Department to the Criminal Justice Division of the Governor's Office for a fire arm simulator
system, noting that staff recommend approval.
In response to questions from Council, Campbell stated that he was not aware of any matching funds
that would be required of the City in relation to this grant.
Motion Approve. Action Approve Resolution 570, supporting a grant application for a police firearms
simulator system, Moved By Altom, Seconded By Mayor Pro Tem Lee. Motion passed
405 Municipal Drive, Kennedale, TX 76060 I Telephone: 817-985-2100 I Fax: 817-478-7169
unanimously.
2. Consider Resolution 571, postponing the May 2, 2020 General Election, pursuant to
authorization granted via a proclamation issued by Governor Greg Abbott on March 18,
2020
City Manager George Campbell stated that this Resolution would postpone the May 2, 2020 Election to
November 3, unless the Governor were to provide another alternative date that fell within the window
of after May 2, but before November 3. Mayor Johnson stated that some Mayors are advocating for a
date earlier than November 3 for various reasons. There was no additional discussion.
Motion Approve. Action Approve Resolution 571 (as amended and received by the Council today),
postponing the May 2, 2020 General Election, pursuant to authorization granted via a proclamation
issued by Governor Greg Abbott on March 18, 2020, Moved By Rhodes, Seconded By Mayor Pro
Tem Lee. Motion passed unanimously.
3. Consider Ordinance 695 to renew the Mayor's Local Disaster Declaration in relation to
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
City Manager George Campbell stated that Mayor Johnson had first issued a Declaration of Local
Public Health Emergency on March 20, following Declarations by both Governor Greg Abbott and by
Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley. He added that the Mayor's Declaration had since been amended
twice — first on March 22 and again on the date of this meeting, March 24, 2020, and that this second
amendment mirrors the County Judge's Executive Order issued earlier today, and that staff would
recommend approval by the Council of this Ordinance, which would serve to extend the local
declaration through April 30. Campbell also noted that the declaration was drafted in a way that, if and
when the County or State were to issue any further or amended orders or declarations, the City of
Kennedale would recognize the restrictions within.
In response to a question from Mayor Johnson, Campbell stated that Cities could be more restrictive
than the State or County orders, but could not be more lenient. Mayor Johnson then urged the public to
follow the rules set out by this and any future orders.
Motion Approve. Action Approve Ordinance 695 to renew the Mayor's Local Disaster Declaration in
relation to Coronavirus (COVID-19), Moved By Mayor Pro Tem Lee, Seconded By Rhodes. Motion
passed unanimously.
III. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Johnson stated that he had directed staff to post meetings regularly for Tuesdays, in case they were
needed. Campbell added that, under the current circumstances, Council could post an emergency meeting
with one hour's notice, if needed.
Motion Adjourn. Action Adjourn, Moved By Altom, Seconded By Pugh. Motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 5:18 p.m.
APPROVED:
BRIAN JIHNSON, MAY
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LESLIE E. GALLOWAY, CITY SECRETARY
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES I MARCH 24, 2020