January 27, 2018 Minutes
CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
January 27, 2018
After determining that a quorum was present, the City Council convened in a Work Session on
Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Work Session Room at City Hall.
PRESENT: Council Member Hudspeth, Council Member Briggs, Council Member Duff,
Council Member Ryan, Council Member Gregory, Mayor Pro Tem Bagheri, and
Mayor Watts.
ABSENT: None.
1. Citizen Comments on Ethics Related Work Session Report Items
There were no citizen comments.
2. Work Session Reports
A. ID 18-099 Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction regarding the
development of an ethics ordinance including, but not limited to, a discussion on
conflicts of interest, gifts, honoraria, travel, meals, entertainment, outside
employment, representation of others, and improper influence, from attorney Alan
Bojorquez.
Alan Bojorquez stated that the topics for discussion would include conflicts of interest; gifts,
honoraria, travel, meals & entertainment; outside employment; representation of others; and
improper influence.
Conflicts of interest included the amount of business interest that would trigger the Code of Ethics,
whether exceptions or exclusions would apply, what level of membership in a nonprofit entity
would trigger the Code of Ethics, what degree of familial relationships would be covered, and what
would be required if there was a prohibited interest.
Council discussion on the amount of business interest to trigger the Code:
Not having any amount of interest to allow Council to vote on item
Not being so limited that it would prohibit multiple members from voting on certain
items
Not assume that everyone would vote in their self-interest.
Balance the amount of interest with the ability to consider items
Consider the amount of income versus the entity involved
Whether a percentage should be used or a dollar amount
Exclude managed mutual funds
Consider including spouses
Council discussion on membership in nonprofit organizations:
Applicable if dealing with a contract or some kind of impact on that organization
Whether there was a distinction between board member versus a member of the Board
of Directors; distinction between a dues paying member or a volunteer
Whether Council would be able to vote on nominations to a city board/commission if
a member of an organizations that the City dealt with
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January 27, 2018
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Council discussion regarding degree of familial relationships was to consider third degree on both
affinity/consanguinity when there was a knowing aspect of the potential conflict.
Council discussion on a what would be required if there was a prohibited interest centered on in
addition to the current practice of disclosure and abstention, Council would not have any
discussion with staff or other council members on the topic. If the prohibition was cured, the
conflict would be gone. A clear definition of lobbying should be included.
Council discussion on gifts:
Whether to defer to state law which was to not to exceed $50 in value
Consider adding vendors not gifting to Council and employees
Include the $50 limit to include vendors and employees with a void provision for vendors
if violated
Not include vendors due to potential single source vendors
Consider a tiered approach
Consensus was to apply the provisions to employees; prohibition of vendors would be
subject to ethics violation complaints; include steps if there was a repeated vendor violation
or a large violation with the vendor contract subject to being voided upon consideration by
Council including single source
Consider an annual maximum of $50 regardless of the source
Add the El Paso wording regarding tickets/parking, etc.
Include a definition of gift in terms of a tangible item; not allow cash but gift cards would
be allowed
Consider donating the gift to a non-profit organization
In terms of a speaker’s fee, state law allow the acceptance if it was based on an individual’s
profession or educational background. It was not allowed if based on membership on council.
Council was in agreement with that provision.
Regarding travel/transportation/lodging, Council discussed:
That the rules would apply even if vendor was present
An individual should pay his/her own way even if the vendor was present
Travel/entertainment should be defined as a gift and if over $50 not be allowed
Consider $200 per year; one gift per vendor
Meals should have the same standards apply as to other gifts $200 total for all categories.
Council discussion on outside employment
Normally applied to staff
City Manager Hileman noted that there was a disclosure to a department head for outside
employment and signed by the City Manager. Any conflicts or revenue from vendors was
not allowed.
Council consensus was to complete the policy by the City Manager and then adopt it as
part of the ethics ordinance.
Council discussion on representation of others
Involved advocating on behalf of another person before city boards or commissions.
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January 27, 2018
Page 3
Consider not allowing if being paid by a client
Council members would not advocate to other board members
Provision would only apply if there was a personal interest in the item, if not coming to
Council
Consensus was to consider whether the member was receiving compensation
Council agreed to include improper influence in the ethics ordinance with good definitions of
providing a benefit or imposing a harm.
Bojorquez stated that he would note the Council’s suggestions/directions and incorporate them
into the draft ordinance for Council consideration.
3. Concluding Items
A. Under Section 551.042 of the Texas Open Meetings Act, respond to inquiries from
the City Council or the public with specific factual information or recitation of policy,
or accept a proposal to place the matter on the agenda for an upcoming
meeting AND Under Section 551.0415 of the Texas Open Meetings Act, provide
reports about items of community interest regarding which no action will be taken, to
include: expressions of thanks, congratulations, or condolence; information regarding
holiday schedules; an honorary or salutary recognition of a public official, public
employee, or other citizen; a reminder about an upcoming event organized or
sponsored by the governing body; information regarding a social, ceremonial, or
community event organized or sponsored by an entity other than the governing body
that was attended or is scheduled to be attended by a member of the governing body
or an official or employee of the municipality; or an announcement involving an
imminent threat to the public health and safety of people in the municipality that has
arisen after the posting of the agenda.
Council Member Briggs requested a Work Session on the recent head count of homeless point-in-
time count.
Council Member Duff requested information on large residential developments south of Denton
(near Argyle) regarding how infrastructure was funded and/or any incentives.
Council Member Hudspeth requested a proclamation in honor of Mr. Gohlke and his retirement.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:55 p.m.
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CHRIS WATTS JENNIFER WALTERS
MAYOR CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS