May 1, 2020 - The Tenaha City Council amended a previous ordinance establishing Tenaha as a "Sanctuary City fot the Unborn" and considered going back to in person meetings in the near future during their April 27, 2020 meeting held via phone conference.
Mark Lee Dickson and Rebecca Parms, both with Right for Life, were on the phone for the meeting to speak with the council about the suggestion of an amendment to the wording of an ordinance the council approved on September 23, 2019. This ordinance was to establish Tenaha as a "Sanctuary City for the Unborn."
Dickson offered that the city has legal representation available to defend their establishment of the ordinance.
"Jonathan Mitchell, who is the former solicitor general for the state of Texas, he is the one that has offered to represent the City of Tenaha at no cost to the city or the city's tax payers," said Dickson.
Dickson stated Mitchell is very knowledgable of such issues and he has presented the wording which was being suggested for the amendment of the city's ordinance.
"Not because the previous ordinance was faulty, but because that you guys were the fifth city to have passed this ordinance and we're at 13 cities to pass this ordinance now, and there's some things that are in the later ordinances that were not in y'alls ordinance, and to really unite the cities that have different ordinances we need to bring them all and unite the seven that were sued," said Dickson.
According to Dickson the cities of Waskom, Joaquin, Wells, Gary, and Rusk all amended their ordinances previous to the Tenaha meeting, and the only two remaining to make the suggested amendment were Tenaha and Naples.
"What it looks like is, it really streamlines things and gets at the heart of the issue," said Dickson. "It removes some statements that are a little bit redundant in parts."
Dickson said the amendment gives clarity on how the ordinance is not prohibiting the free speech of anyone, and clearly is directed at an abortion facility as something not allowed in Tenaha.
A motion carried by the council to amend the original ordinance with the suggested wording.
Aldermen Craig Gray and Durand Steadman abstained from the vote while mayor Michael Baker provided the final vote to carry the motion.
The council heard Department Head reports and Amanda Treat, City Secretary, shared the reports from Municipal Court for February and March.
For February there were a total of 179 traffic, five penal, three city ordinances, nine other for a total of 196.
Total state fees were $17,429.62 with total court costs of $6,552, and fines collected of $18,435.99, tech fund $709.81, and building security $773.73. Total collections of $43,849.67.
For March there were a total of 91 traffic, three penal, two city ordinance, 24 other for a total of 120.
Total state fees $14,771.43 with total court costs of $5,438.48, and fines collected of $18,666.51 in fines collected, $630.30 to the tech fund, and building security $629.60. Total collections of $40,126.35.
Tenaha Police Department report included 179 traffic citations, seven arrests, and 17 warrants issued.
It was suggested during the meeting the council could possibly meet in person next time, and that July 4 events usually sponsored by the Businessman's Club may have to be cancelled this year.
Discussion also considered how a swearing in situation would occur. The positions of mayor and two city council members were unopposed and they will be sworn in during May. Council members retaining their positions are Linda Vickery and Florence Adams. Mike Ramsey will be the new mayor as he was the only candidate running for the position.
A vote will be held in November for consideration of a 1% sales tax.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:31pm.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. February 2020 City Council Meeting Minutes 2. February 2020 Financials. 3. March 2020 Financials. 4. Pineywoods Telephone and Intelligent Concepts proposal for telephone and internet service. Expectation of tripling internet speed. Cost up front is $3,301 saving $600 a mo. Cost of round $550 a mo for internet. 5. Designate Chief Jeremy Pope as the Local Rabies Control Authority (LRCA) according to the Texas Health and Safety Code 6. Amend Sanctuary City Ordinance. 7. Renew of Texas Municipal League (TML) membership for 06/01/2020 – 05/31/2021. 8. Compensation/Reimbursement for Mayor Michael Baker’s fuel cost for the years May 2018 – May 2020 in the amount of $212.28. 9. Resolution authorizing the submission of a BG21 PY21 Rifle-Resistant Body Armor Grant Program. 10. Adjourn 6:31pm.
