August 27, 2020 MinutesCITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 27, 2020
After determining that a quorum was present, the City Council of the City of Denton, Texas
convened in a Special Called Meeting on Thursday, August 27, 2020, at 11:39 a.m. in the Council
Work Session Room at City Hall, 215 E. McKinney Street, Denton, Texas.
PRESENT: Mayor Chris Watts, Mayor Pro Tem Gerard Hudspeth and Council Members Keely
Briggs, Jesse Davis, John Ryan, Deb Armintor, and Paul Meltzer
ABSENT: None
Also present were City Manager Todd Hileman and City Attorney Aaron Leal.
Note: Mayor Chris Watts, Mayor Pro Tem Gerard Hudspeth, and Council Members Keely
Briggs, Jesse Davis, John Ryan, Deb Armintor and Paul Meltzer participated in the work
session, closed meeting, and regular meeting via video/teleconference under the provisions
allowed by the Texas Government Code Section 551.127.
The posted agenda noted the registration process for public participation at this virtual
meeting. While citizen commentary received via the online registration process was not read,
each member of the City Council received each registration as it was submitted. However,
there were no online registrations/commentary received.
CLOSED MEETING – NOT HELD
The item was a placeholder in the event any member of the City Council requested discussion in
a Closed Meeting. None indicated the need to hold the Closed Meeting.
1. A. ID 20-1711 Deliberations regarding Personnel Matters - Under Texas Government Code
Section 551.074; Consultation with Attorneys - Under Texas Government Code Section
551.071. Discuss and deliberate Mayor Chris Watts’ resignation from City Council Place
7. Consult with the City’s attorneys regarding legal issues associated with Mayor Chris
Watts’ resignation where a public discussion of these legal matters would conflict with the
duty of the City’s attorneys to the City of Denton and the Denton City Council under the
Texas Rules of Disciplinary Conduct of the State Bar of Texas or would jeopardize the City’s
legal position in any administrative proceeding or potential litigation.
NOT DELIBERATED
The Closed Meeting was not held.
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING
1. ITEM FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION
A. ID 20-1709 Consider approval of a resolution to formally accept Mayor Chris Watts’
resignation from City Council Place 7, with said resolution being effective Thursday, August
27 20209
ASSIGNED RESOLUTION NO. 20-1709
City of Denton City Council Minutes
August 27, 2020
Page 2
Mayor Watts had a conflict of interest on the item and was removed from the video
conference for this item, thereby not participating in its discussion/consideration.
Mayor Pro Tem Hudspeth served as Presiding Officer.
There were no online registrations or call-ins on the item.
Citizen comments received are noted in Exhibit A.
The item was presented and discussion followed.
City Attorney Lea:I advised Mayor Watts would continue to serve until the November 3, 2020
election was canvassed, there would be no need to call a special election as the seat was
already on the November 3, 2020 ballot, and in the event Mayor Watts was unable to serve
as presiding officer, Mayor Pro Tem Hudspeth would serve in that capacity.
Following discussion, Council Member Meltzer moved to adopt the item as presented.
Motion seconded by Council Member Briggs. Motion carried.
AYES (5): Mayor Pro Tem Hudspeth and Council Members Davis, Ryan, Briggs, and
Meltzer
NAYS (1): Council Member Armintor
ABSTAIN (1): Mayor Watts
business, the meetir]ad owned at 12:03 p.m.
CHRIS WATTS
MAYOR
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
ROSA RIOS
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CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
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