MINUTES OF THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING
NOVEMBER 12, 2021
NOVEMBER 12, 2021
STATE OF TEXAS )(
COUNTY OF WILLIAMSON )(
BE IT REMEMBERED that at 11:01 A.M. on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2021, a SPECIAL SESSION of the Commissioners Court of Williamson County, Texas, was held with the following being present, to-wit:
- Present:
-
- County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
- Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
- Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
- Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
- County Clerk Nancy E. Rister
- Absent:
-
- Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
- Others Present:
-
- Hal C. Hawes, General Counsel to Williamson County Commissioners Court
- Amanda Brown, Executive Assistant to County Clerk
1.
Public Comment Period.
There were no comments.
REGULAR AGENDA
2.
Discuss and take appropriate action to conduct local canvass of election returns for the Constitutional Amendment and Special Elections held on November 2, 2021 and to approve all documents related to the canvass of election returns.
Elections Administrator Christopher Davis addressed the Court.
Motion by: Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Second by: Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Motion: To accept the election results for the Constitutional Amendment and Special Elections held on November 2, 2021 and to approve all documents related to the canvass of election returns.
- Aye:
-
County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
- Other:
-
Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook (Absent)
3.
Discuss, consider and take appropriate action regarding one or more alternative plans for the redistricting of Williamson County Election, Justices of the Peace, Constables and Commissioners Court Precincts, as well as take any and all appropriate actions regarding the redistricting of Williamson County Political Boundaries, including, but not limited to the acceptance of new political boundaries for the Williamson County Election, Justices of the Peace, Constables and Commissioners Court Precincts, modification of any such boundaries, and/or tabling the pending proposals for later consideration and/or action.
Those who addressed the Court:
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) District VII Representative Jose Orta of Taylor
Elections Administrator Christopher Davis
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) District VII Representative Jose Orta of Taylor
Elections Administrator Christopher Davis
Motion by: County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
Second by: Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Motion: To adopt a resolution approving the proposed redistricting map and new boundaries for Williamson County Commissioner, Constable and Justice of the Peace precincts to be effective for office terms beginning January 1, 2023 and later, for elections to be held in 2022 for those offices, all being a part of the 2021 Williamson County, Texas redistricting process.
- Aye:
-
County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
- Other:
-
Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook (Absent)
Attachments:
NO EXECUTIVE SESSION WAS HELD ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2021.
4.
Discuss pending or contemplated litigation, settlement matters and other confidential attorney-client legal matters (EXECUTIVE SESSION as per VTCA Govt. Code sec. 551.071 consultation with attorney.), including the following:
a) Litigation or claims or potential litigation or claims against the County or by the County
b) Status Update-Pending Cases or Claims;
c) Employee/personnel related matters
d) Other confidential attorney-client matters, including contracts and certain matters related to county defense issues in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body within the attorney/client relationship clearly conflicts with Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code.
e) Civil Action No. 1:18-CV-49, Troy Mansfield v. Williamson County, In The United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
f) Cause No. 19-0850-C368; County of Williamson vs. Purdue Pharma, LP et al., In the District Court of Williamson County, Texas.
g) Claim of Regina Wright.
h) Case Number 1:20-cv-01068-LY; Javier Ambler, Sr., et al. v. Williamson County, Texas, , In the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
i) Case No. 1:20-CV-00842; SonWest Co. v. J. TERRON EVERSTON, in his official capacity as Williamson County Engineer, et al.; In the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
j) Civil Action No. 1:20-cv-836; Elizabeth Firey v. Williamson County, In The United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas Austin Division.
k) Civil Action No. 1:21-CV-74; Scott Phillip Lewis v. Williamson County, Texas; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
l) Shamona Harris - EEOC Charge #451-2021-00812.
m) Legal matters and claims relating to the City of Austin purchasing property in Williamson County for purposes of operating temporary or permanent housing of homeless in Williamson County.
n) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-00172-LY; Charles William Thornburg v. Williamson County, Texas; Robert Chody, et al.; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
o) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-00275; Big Fish Entertainment LLC v. Williamson County Sheriff’s Office et al.; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
p) EEOC Charge of Discrimination #451-2021-01357 – Jesse Gomez.
q) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-00350; Imani Nembhard v. Williamson County, Robert Chody and Christopher Pisa; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
r) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-00350; Gary Watsky v. Williamson County, Robert Chody, Mark Luera, Steve Deaton, et al.; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
s) Kelli Bomer - EEOC Charge #451-2021-00920.
t) Gary Haston - EEOC Charge #451-2021-01145.
u) Civil Action No. 1:21-CV-480; Gloria Cowin, Individually and on behalf of the Estate Of Patrick Dupre, v. Williamson County; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
v) Civil Action No. Civil Action No. 21-481; Marquina Gilliam-Hicks v. Sean Feldman, In his individual capacity, and Williamson County; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
w) EEOC Charge of Discrimination #450-2021-00854 - Donald L. Foiles, Jr.
x) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-615; Bernardo Acosta v. Williamson County; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
y) Jacqueline Robinson - EEOC Charge # 451-2021-01742.
z) Williamson County Landfill Operation Agreement Terms and Conditions.
aa) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-00834; Skylar Leal vs Williamson County and Lorenzo Hernandez; In The United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
a) Litigation or claims or potential litigation or claims against the County or by the County
b) Status Update-Pending Cases or Claims;
c) Employee/personnel related matters
d) Other confidential attorney-client matters, including contracts and certain matters related to county defense issues in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body within the attorney/client relationship clearly conflicts with Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code.
e) Civil Action No. 1:18-CV-49, Troy Mansfield v. Williamson County, In The United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
f) Cause No. 19-0850-C368; County of Williamson vs. Purdue Pharma, LP et al., In the District Court of Williamson County, Texas.
g) Claim of Regina Wright.
h) Case Number 1:20-cv-01068-LY; Javier Ambler, Sr., et al. v. Williamson County, Texas, , In the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
i) Case No. 1:20-CV-00842; SonWest Co. v. J. TERRON EVERSTON, in his official capacity as Williamson County Engineer, et al.; In the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
j) Civil Action No. 1:20-cv-836; Elizabeth Firey v. Williamson County, In The United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas Austin Division.
k) Civil Action No. 1:21-CV-74; Scott Phillip Lewis v. Williamson County, Texas; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
l) Shamona Harris - EEOC Charge #451-2021-00812.
m) Legal matters and claims relating to the City of Austin purchasing property in Williamson County for purposes of operating temporary or permanent housing of homeless in Williamson County.
n) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-00172-LY; Charles William Thornburg v. Williamson County, Texas; Robert Chody, et al.; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
o) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-00275; Big Fish Entertainment LLC v. Williamson County Sheriff’s Office et al.; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
p) EEOC Charge of Discrimination #451-2021-01357 – Jesse Gomez.
q) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-00350; Imani Nembhard v. Williamson County, Robert Chody and Christopher Pisa; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
r) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-00350; Gary Watsky v. Williamson County, Robert Chody, Mark Luera, Steve Deaton, et al.; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
s) Kelli Bomer - EEOC Charge #451-2021-00920.
t) Gary Haston - EEOC Charge #451-2021-01145.
u) Civil Action No. 1:21-CV-480; Gloria Cowin, Individually and on behalf of the Estate Of Patrick Dupre, v. Williamson County; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
v) Civil Action No. Civil Action No. 21-481; Marquina Gilliam-Hicks v. Sean Feldman, In his individual capacity, and Williamson County; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
w) EEOC Charge of Discrimination #450-2021-00854 - Donald L. Foiles, Jr.
x) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-615; Bernardo Acosta v. Williamson County; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
y) Jacqueline Robinson - EEOC Charge # 451-2021-01742.
z) Williamson County Landfill Operation Agreement Terms and Conditions.
aa) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-00834; Skylar Leal vs Williamson County and Lorenzo Hernandez; In The United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
No action was taken in Executive Session.
5.
Deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline and/or dismissal of Williamson County officers, directors, employees and/or positions, including but not limited to conducting deliberation and discussion pertaining to annual reviews of department heads and appointed officials (Executive Session as per Tex. Gov. Code Section 551.074 – Personnel Matters).
No action was taken in Executive Session.
NO EXECUTIVE SESSION WAS HELD ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2021.
6.
Discuss pending or contemplated litigation, settlement matters and other confidential attorney-client legal matters (EXECUTIVE SESSION as per VTCA Govt. Code sec. 551.071 consultation with attorney.), including the following:
a) Litigation or claims or potential litigation or claims against the County or by the County
b) Status Update-Pending Cases or Claims;
c) Employee/personnel related matters
d) Other confidential attorney-client matters, including contracts and certain matters related to county defense issues in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body within the attorney/client relationship clearly conflicts with Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code.
e) Civil Action No. 1:18-CV-49, Troy Mansfield v. Williamson County, In The United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
f) Cause No. 19-0850-C368; County of Williamson vs. Purdue Pharma, LP et al., In the District Court of Williamson County, Texas.
g) Claim of Regina Wright.
h) Case Number 1:20-cv-01068-LY; Javier Ambler, Sr., et al. v. Williamson County, Texas, , In the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
i) Case No. 1:20-CV-00842; SonWest Co. v. J. TERRON EVERSTON, in his official capacity as Williamson County Engineer, et al.; In the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
j) Civil Action No. 1:20-cv-836; Elizabeth Firey v. Williamson County, In The United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas Austin Division.
k) Civil Action No. 1:21-CV-74; Scott Phillip Lewis v. Williamson County, Texas; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
l) Shamona Harris - EEOC Charge #451-2021-00812.
m) Legal matters and claims relating to the City of Austin purchasing property in Williamson County for purposes of operating temporary or permanent housing of homeless in Williamson County.
n) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-00172-LY; Charles William Thornburg v. Williamson County, Texas; Robert Chody, et al.; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
o) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-00275; Big Fish Entertainment LLC v. Williamson County Sheriff’s Office et al.; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
p) EEOC Charge of Discrimination #451-2021-01357 – Jesse Gomez.
q) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-00350; Imani Nembhard v. Williamson County, Robert Chody and Christopher Pisa; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
r) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-00350; Gary Watsky v. Williamson County, Robert Chody, Mark Luera, Steve Deaton, et al.; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
s) Kelli Bomer - EEOC Charge #451-2021-00920.
t) Gary Haston - EEOC Charge #451-2021-01145.
u) Civil Action No. 1:21-CV-480; Gloria Cowin, Individually and on behalf of the Estate Of Patrick Dupre, v. Williamson County; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
v) Civil Action No. Civil Action No. 21-481; Marquina Gilliam-Hicks v. Sean Feldman, In his individual capacity, and Williamson County; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
w) EEOC Charge of Discrimination #450-2021-00854 - Donald L. Foiles, Jr.
x) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-615; Bernardo Acosta v. Williamson County; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
y) Jacqueline Robinson - EEOC Charge # 451-2021-01742.
z) Williamson County Landfill Operation Agreement Terms and Conditions.
aa) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-00834; Skylar Leal vs Williamson County and Lorenzo Hernandez; In The United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
a) Litigation or claims or potential litigation or claims against the County or by the County
b) Status Update-Pending Cases or Claims;
c) Employee/personnel related matters
d) Other confidential attorney-client matters, including contracts and certain matters related to county defense issues in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body within the attorney/client relationship clearly conflicts with Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code.
e) Civil Action No. 1:18-CV-49, Troy Mansfield v. Williamson County, In The United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
f) Cause No. 19-0850-C368; County of Williamson vs. Purdue Pharma, LP et al., In the District Court of Williamson County, Texas.
g) Claim of Regina Wright.
h) Case Number 1:20-cv-01068-LY; Javier Ambler, Sr., et al. v. Williamson County, Texas, , In the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
i) Case No. 1:20-CV-00842; SonWest Co. v. J. TERRON EVERSTON, in his official capacity as Williamson County Engineer, et al.; In the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
j) Civil Action No. 1:20-cv-836; Elizabeth Firey v. Williamson County, In The United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas Austin Division.
k) Civil Action No. 1:21-CV-74; Scott Phillip Lewis v. Williamson County, Texas; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
l) Shamona Harris - EEOC Charge #451-2021-00812.
m) Legal matters and claims relating to the City of Austin purchasing property in Williamson County for purposes of operating temporary or permanent housing of homeless in Williamson County.
n) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-00172-LY; Charles William Thornburg v. Williamson County, Texas; Robert Chody, et al.; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
o) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-00275; Big Fish Entertainment LLC v. Williamson County Sheriff’s Office et al.; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
p) EEOC Charge of Discrimination #451-2021-01357 – Jesse Gomez.
q) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-00350; Imani Nembhard v. Williamson County, Robert Chody and Christopher Pisa; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
r) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-00350; Gary Watsky v. Williamson County, Robert Chody, Mark Luera, Steve Deaton, et al.; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
s) Kelli Bomer - EEOC Charge #451-2021-00920.
t) Gary Haston - EEOC Charge #451-2021-01145.
u) Civil Action No. 1:21-CV-480; Gloria Cowin, Individually and on behalf of the Estate Of Patrick Dupre, v. Williamson County; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
v) Civil Action No. Civil Action No. 21-481; Marquina Gilliam-Hicks v. Sean Feldman, In his individual capacity, and Williamson County; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
w) EEOC Charge of Discrimination #450-2021-00854 - Donald L. Foiles, Jr.
x) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-615; Bernardo Acosta v. Williamson County; In the United States District Court for the Western District Of Texas, Austin Division.
y) Jacqueline Robinson - EEOC Charge # 451-2021-01742.
z) Williamson County Landfill Operation Agreement Terms and Conditions.
aa) Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-00834; Skylar Leal vs Williamson County and Lorenzo Hernandez; In The United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
No action was taken on this item.
7.
Discuss, consider and take appropriate action regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline and/or dismissal of Williamson County officers, directors or employees, including but not limited to any necessary action pertaining to conducting annual reviews of department heads and appointed officials.
No action was taken on this item.
8.
Comments from Commissioners.
There were no comments.
COMMISSIONERS COURT ADJOURNED AT 11:18 A.M. ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2021.
THE FOREGOING MINUTES had at a Regular Session of Commissioners Court of Williamson County, Texas, having been read are hereby approved this 16th day of November, 2021.
ATTEST: Nancy E. Rister, Clerk of Commissioners Court, Williamson County, Texas
By: Amanda Brown, Deputy/Executive Assistant to County Clerk
THE FOREGOING MINUTES had at a Regular Session of Commissioners Court of Williamson County, Texas, having been read are hereby approved this 16th day of November, 2021.
ATTEST: Nancy E. Rister, Clerk of Commissioners Court, Williamson County, Texas
By: Amanda Brown, Deputy/Executive Assistant to County Clerk