[0:08] Time is now 6.32 p.m. I call the godly city council meeting to order. Present tonight we have Mayor Pro Tem Cornelson, Council Member Maytos, Council Member Monkrieve, Council Member Hodges, Council Member Shannon. A quorum is present.

[0:24] Tonight the indication will be given by the Baptist Youth Minister, Pastor Ethan Smith. If you could please rise for that and stay standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

[0:36] Let's pray. Lord, we thank you for today. God we thank you for our city, our community, and our leaders.

[0:43] and we pray in this time now that it would be something that honors and glorifies you.

[0:49] It's for our good, may we be with each of the councilmembers who are blessed them, bless our town,

[0:55] the civilians, and Lord, I pray that out of this meeting today, God that the good of this town

[1:02] would be on the forefront, God ultimately, for the good of you. When we love you, we thank you.

[1:08] in your name.

[1:09] The man who

[1:14] is the lead, the man who has the second step of America and to the Republic

[1:19] for which it stands one nation and under God, the individual with the liberty and justice

[1:25] are all.

[1:30] Thank you, Pastor.

[1:36] Moving on to public input.

[1:44] First, the person I have is, please forgive me, Jamie Jones and Tommy Dixon.

[1:50] for the Johnson County reunion, if I could get you to come up here and turn on the

[1:57] mic and announce who you're with there for the record place.

[2:02] Is it ready?

[2:03] Okay.

[2:04] My name is Jamie Jones.

[2:06] I'm the Vice President of the Johnson County Pioneer No Settlers Association.

[2:09] And we are getting ready to kick off our 134th year this year.

[2:15] I'd like to hand these out to you all if you want them.

[2:18] Yes ma'am. Yes ma'am. This year we actually got to push it to October instead of Saturday

[2:25] weekend. Thank you ma'am. And we'll kick off the parade on October the 7th. We'll carry on the

[2:42] same tradition we always have with the parade. The queen contest looking for scholarships for the young

[2:47] ladies to go to vote tech or college. They don't have to live in Johnson County, but the

[2:52] sponsor needs to live in Johnson County. So it's a great privilege for them. Baby contest

[2:57] will be on Thursday. We always have a blast with that one. So bring your kids your grandkids

[3:02] if put them in there and we'll walk them across. And then on Friday night we used to do the

[3:08] Piddler contest this year. We've added it to make it strings. So this year we'll have banjos

[3:14] and get tires and anything that has strings, so we've added some extra stuff in

[3:20] there. Saturday we will have our first responder tributes. Again, this will

[3:26] make our six-year that we've done that. I look forward to being able to go

[3:31] whoever you choose up on stage and credit them and appreciate them for what

[3:36] they do and what they serve us for. Then we're going to have an actual gun fighter

[3:44] shoot out. He's going to do that twice. Tommy Dixon is going to reenact the

[3:50] Vickers staff Thompson, so he'll be doing that twice on Saturday. So look for

[3:55] this guy back there in the in the old cabins and just duck if you see him

[4:01] coming.

[4:03] And then of course we have Sonny and Joey Burgess will be our opening

[4:07] act. We're working with two different bands right now. So right now we're not

[4:11] absolutely positively sure who the band will be but we can tell you it's

[4:15] going to be somebody great there's a wonderful sponsorship level package at

[4:19] the back so if you know anyone a business anyone that would like to get some

[4:23] front row seating with some things please be sure and reach out my card is on

[4:28] the front if you have any questions you can reach out to me or you can reach out

[4:33] to anyone that's listed on any of the flyers inside the packet any questions all

[4:42] All right. Thank you, Mayor.

[4:44] Thank you.

[4:46] Our

[4:54] next speaker is Ronda Miller speaking on executive session.

[5:02] Yes, good evening, Council. I'm here to read a statement from Kayla Lane, who was not able to make it tonight.

[5:07] Good evening, Council. On behalf of myself, Kayla Lane, I would like to thank Ronda Miller for reading my public comments.

[5:12] Tonight is, I am unable to attend.

[5:14] I hope that the Council makes the right decision tonight to make Jen Thompson whole.

[5:19] Jyn has waited a long time for justice.

[5:21] We need to put public officials on notice that this type of public corruption will not be tolerated in our town.

[5:27] As someone who is also targeted and silenced by public officials, I understand all too well,

[5:32] the threat public corruption is to our free society.

[5:35] A little history for those who do not know.

[5:37] According to Arbathnott's very public arrest warrant around March 2022,

[5:42] Jyn Thompson sent an email requesting public assistance or police assistance.

[5:46] Mathieu-Cantrell, Jeremy Arbathnot, and Solomon Amitoya were against Jen Thompson and conspired to retaliate against her.

[5:54] At this time, these three officers also conspired to have Jason Jordan terminated through embellished complaints.

[6:00] Around December 12, 2022, Jen Thompson expressed concerns about interactions with Cantrell and Arbathnot during meetings regarding issues in the blue folder.

[6:09] She stated, Cantrell and Arbathnot attempted to influence how she cast votes on the city matters and she feared retaliation from the officers.

[6:18] She filed a formal complaint on December 22, 22, against Cantrell and Arbathnot.

[6:25] Jen Thompson attempted to have 12 agenda items added to the agenda for a special meeting set for December 22, 2022.

[6:33] Jessica Hilf posted a final agenda omitting Jen's items.

[6:37] Jen sent the working agenda to Jessica Hil with the missing agenda items for her correct.

[6:43] A criminal complaint against Jen was filed the same day without her knowledge.

[6:47] On December 29th, 2022, Jen received an email from Arbithnott stating she was named in a criminal investigation and

[6:53] requesting to speak with her.

[6:55] Arbithnott attempted to get a forgery warrant signed against Jen but it was rejected by the district attorney's office for lack of probable cause.

[7:02] On or around February 2, 7, 2023 prior to a scheduled council meeting are with

[7:08] not obtained an arrest warrant for Jen Thompson for tampering with a government record and

[7:13] judge shopped to find a magistrate who would sign the warrant.

[7:17] The text messages between Amatoia and Control explicitly confirm the conspiracy to

[7:22] arrest Jen Thompson.

[7:24] Investigators later determined the arrest was unlawful and constituted unlawful

[7:28] restraint of a public servant and retaliation for her exercise of official duties.

[7:34] The arrest warrant continues describing this racketeering enterprise, further criminal acts,

[7:39] retaliation, and targeting of public officials in a broader conspiracy of public corruption.

[7:44] Jen Thompson was victimized and greatly harmed due to these acts and deserves justice to be made whole.

[7:50] Please vote in favor of her lawsuit and make the decision right.

[7:53] Thank you.

[7:54] I

[8:13] have something that is a little bit lighter, we're going to introduce to you our employee

[8:22] of the quarter for the second quarter of 2026.

[8:26] This person was nominated several times and what was really impressive about the nominations

[8:32] where he was pointed out by some directors that are at the city and within a different

[8:43] department, and that always means a lot to me because that means they're doing

[8:47] something that somebody else is seeing that they feel like they need to be

[8:52] nominated for. And so just a couple of things, he is always willing to help, he

[8:59] has a great attitude and takes the job seriously, he's a good person to be

[9:03] around, he's always has a great attitude, always smiling, willing to help no

[9:09] matter what it is and such a pleasure to be around and then finally his dedication and

[9:15] service to the city of godly and the police department is outstanding so with that said

[9:24] I want to introduce to you officer rojo who is our second our second I can't even talk

[9:31] Our Employee of the Quarter for the Second Quarter, 2026.

[9:50] You did it.

[9:52] She was trying to practice it.

[9:54] She was practicing it.

[9:56] I'm

[9:58] so proud of you.

[10:00] Oh, OK.

[10:01] Oh, OK.

[10:04] Do you want to go take a picture?

[10:08] Do you want to go?

[10:09] Yeah.

[10:10] Doctor, is that your mom?

[10:14] That's my mother.

[10:15] You're a good one.

[10:16] You're a good one.

[10:17] It's a little wedding.

[10:18] I love it.

[10:20] Thank you so much.

[10:21] Very good.

[10:22] That was a good one.

[10:25] You're a good friend.

[10:27] Yeah, I can get it with all of you.

[10:28] I can get it with the two of you.

[10:30] Oh, okay.

[10:30] Yeah, you all want to get it?

[10:32] Okay, thank you.

[10:32] Thank you.

[10:33] Let me put my eyeballs back on that.

[10:35] It's not going to be good.

[10:37] Thank you.

[10:42] I got to give it to you.

[10:44] Where's Danielle?

[10:45] I don't know.

[10:46] You guys are really good.

[10:49] Okay.

[10:53] Thank you.

[10:55] Thank you.

[10:56] Thank you so much.

[10:57] Oh, you want to do it with your face?

[10:59] Come on.

[11:02] Come on.

[11:04] Oh, now you're quiet.

[11:08] Come on.

[11:13] Are you going to work?

[11:15] Are you going to stay back?

[11:18] Thank you guys, that was funny.

[11:23] Oh, I almost had eyes.

[11:26] Okay, we got it.

[11:28] Congratulations.

[11:46] Thank you guys.

[11:49] Next time, Chief Disco will be swearing at a new officer.

[12:04] This is Officer Chris Wharton.

[12:10] This is once that a son,

[12:15] the officer of Hoyer comes to us after 20 years out of Phoenix

[12:21] and we're just thrilled to have him and if you'll raise your right hand for me, you can

[12:26] stand out your right hand for me.

[12:32] Repeat that for me in the name and by the authority of the State of Texas, the name and by the

[12:39] authority of state of Texas. I, Chris Hoyer. I, Chris Hoyer. We solemnly swear our firm that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of police officer, the office of police officer, city of Godly, city of Godly, of the state of Texas, of the state of Texas, and will to the best of my ability, and will the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution, and defend the Constitution, and the laws of the United States,

[13:08] And this day, and this day, so let me go, so let me go.

[13:23] Hi, God.

[13:31] Perfect.

[13:32] Whoa.

[13:44] Put it on your thumb.

[13:46] No, I can do it on your finger.

[13:47] Yeah.

[13:48] Okay.

[13:49] I'm going to do it in the back.

[13:51] I'll lay it.

[13:54] You want to do it?

[13:55] Okay.

[13:57] I don't want to do that.

[13:59] I'm not going to do that.

[14:04] I'm going to get one on my finger.

[14:06] I'm going to

[14:17] get one on my finger.

[14:29] Moving on to the consent agenda, item A, discussed possible action on approval of the Godly City Council minutes from the regular meeting held on July 21, 20, 20, 20, 6, discussed possible action on approval of the Godly City Council minutes from the special meeting held on July 30, 20, 20, 6, and discussed and take possible action on approving the quarterly investment report for the second quarter of 20, 20, 6.

[14:51] Motion

[14:58] to approve the...

[15:00] Considered the agenda as presented. Second.

[15:07] Have a motion by Mayor for Tom Cornelson and a second by Council Member Matos to approve the consent agenda, consent agenda as written. Is there further discussion?

[15:20] Council Member Matos. Aye. Aye. Motion passes 5-0. Moving on to new business, item A. Discuss and take hospital action to approve an interlocal co-operation contract with the Texas Department of Public Safety driver's license division.

[15:38] and the Godly Municipal Court of Record,

[15:40] the new Texas Conviction Reporting TXER Interface Portal

[15:44] for Submission of the Required Conviction Reports

[15:46] and Authorizes City Administrator

[15:48] to Execute, Said Interlocal Agreement.

[15:52] Ms. Cross,

[15:56] maybe I jumped.

[15:59] Ms. Winkle.

[16:02] This is just a new interlocal agreement

[16:06] with the Texas Department of Public Safety

[16:09] because they haven't now have a electronic filing through a portal. So basically

[16:15] that's all it is. It'll be real time. So no one has to wait for it to go down and

[16:20] be entered. Nothing like that. It's all gonna be real time. So pay your tickets.

[16:27] Because your commission will go down pretty quick this time. Mayor, I make a motion

[16:32] to approve new business agenda item A as written.

[16:38] Second.

[16:42] I have a motion by Council Member Matos and second by Council Member Hodges to approve item

[16:46] A as written.

[16:47] Is there further discussion?

[16:52] Council Member Matos?

[16:53] Aye.

[16:54] Aye.

[16:55] Aye.

[16:56] Aye.

[16:57] Motion passes 5-0.

[17:00] Moving on to item B. Discuss and take possible action on approving the interlocal agreement

[17:04] for housing the city's class C, Mr. Meena prisoners, for budget year 2026, 2027 with Johnson County, Chief Vincent.

[17:20] This is absolutely the same as what we've had last year and every year.

[17:23] It's seldom used, but it's a contract we haven't placed it just for class C, Mr. Meena.

[17:28] There's been a slight increase in what they charge, but we seldom ever arrest class C, Mr. Meena, it's just too expensive.

[17:37] For the longest time, our court wasn't even nation-warned for it.

[17:39] I think they've gone back to now, looking into doing that.

[17:44] It just costs more money than what's worth on tickets to house them down there.

[17:49] But that's just our standard agreement that we had, it's the same as last year.

[17:55] Make a motion to approve new business item D, every second.

[18:03] It just might as well stay there, your next one's yours too.

[18:06] Have a motion by Mayor Patel Nielsen and seconded by Council Member Matos to approve item B as written.

[18:12] Is there further discussion?

[18:13] Just to make sure, legally speaking, we're good here.

[18:16] I know it's like last year copy paste, we're good.

[18:19] But-

[18:20] I don't believe I specifically reviewed it, but I think it's all good to go, yeah.

[18:24] Nothing up there.

[18:27] Councillor Mayter?

[18:28] Aye.

[18:30] Aye.

[18:31] Aye.

[18:32] Motion passes five to zero.

[18:35] Item C. Discuss and take possible action on proving the amendment to the communication system agreement with Johnson County effective October 1st, 2026.

[18:43] Next, Chief, this is going to be the same with the dispatch system as it is what it is.

[18:50] It's the same thing we have applied this system before as well.

[18:53] I don't think there's any changes.

[19:02] I don't want to fly away.

[19:05] But it's not like we have a choice because we don't have a different system.

[19:07] We made all the upgrades, which are upgraded.

[19:12] We've had to deal with that a couple of years.

[19:14] That's still ongoing with the county.

[19:16] That's something that we're still kind of putting a little money away for and waiting for.

[19:20] because eventually that whole system that they put in and all these radios, they have shelf life.

[19:26] And so, you know, they're already talking about Angie myself went to a meeting last year about it.

[19:32] It's gonna go away at some point.

[19:34] And they're gonna say, hey, you got to upgrade this stuff to antiquated.

[19:38] But that had been done yet.

[19:39] It's still several years down the road.

[19:42] But like the Mayor commented, we can't get out and shop for this type of services.

[19:46] That's all we got.

[19:53] I have a

[19:58] motion by Mayor Pattene Cronilson and seconded by Council Member Matos to approve

[20:02] item C is written.

[20:03] Is there further discussion?

[20:07] Thank you.

[20:08] Council Member Matos.

[20:09] Aye.

[20:10] Aye.

[20:11] Aye.

[20:12] Motion passes 5-0.

[20:19] Item D.

[20:19] Discuss the take possible action on the appointment of one opening on the Capitol Improvement

[20:23] Committee.

[20:25] Mr. Ross.

[20:30] Good evening, Council.

[20:31] Well, I have sent out the requirements for our capital improvement committee member for a new one because we had one turn in a resignation and council did accept it.

[20:41] We would just need to add one new member if you had any recommendations today, if not, we can postpone it till the next meeting.

[20:52] And I also listed the requirements on the communicator just in case.

[20:58] We're going to make recommendations right now for Mr. Scott, your row.

[21:07] Just now or before.

[21:16] Make a motion to, or we're not approving it, make a motion to make Scott, your, or the new

[21:24] member of the capital improvements committee

[21:31] that's full of motion, man, that's full of motion.

[21:34] Okay, I will second that motion have

[21:41] a motion by a pair for a 10 per meal so the second by council

[21:48] I made this to point Scott Yarbrough to the vacant position on the captain improvement committee. So further discussion

[21:59] Does he ever does he actually does he want it?

[22:28] Now that you're ready to require a reading of fire, so you're going to go to the sheriff's office.

[22:32] Reel

[22:37] of state development, normal veil, sort of building, actually, and sort of development.

[22:41] Mother, I guess I, I guess I, I guess I.

[22:45] All right.

[22:50] Thank you.

[22:51] Councilmember Maites.

[22:52] Aye.

[22:53] Aye.

[22:54] Aye.

[22:55] Motion passes, five to zero.

[22:59] Welcome.

[23:00] Welcome.

[23:01] Continue service.

[23:07] Item E. Discuss and take hospital action on approving and authorizing the City Secretary

[23:11] to execute an election agreement for Johnson County to conduct a special election to be held

[23:16] on November 3, 2026. I talked with Ms. Gross, and this is a no-action item.

[23:23] That is correct. After we receive the tax rate and everything, we do not need to have a special

[23:31] election. This was only going to be for the tax rate, and we no longer have to have it.

[23:36] If we hit the voter approval rate.

[23:37] Yes.

[23:38] If we went above the voter approval rate,

[23:39] we would have to have an election.

[23:42] So this is a no-action item, please.

[23:45] I could just continue on, right?

[23:47] That's what I thought.

[23:49] Ms. Gross, do you have my executive session sheet?

[23:54] We move on to items of community interest.

[24:02] Mandy,

[24:05] is Wakewood, do you have anything to add?

[24:08] Don't have anything around now.

[24:10] Everything's in the planning stages.

[24:11] So we'll be back here next Tuesday and try to get this finished up and hopefully we'll have the budget adopted by the 15th of September.

[24:31] I can't hear you nod to microphone.

[24:34] August 22nd is the Academy's graduation.

[24:49] What was that date again?

[24:51] What date date?

[24:52] August 22nd.

[24:55] You're worried you're having enough?

[24:56] That's community.

[24:58] Okay.

[25:05] All right, executive session.

[25:07] Close meeting in the city of Godly, Texas will now be held pursuant

[25:10] to the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Section 551.071.

[25:15] Constitutions with attorney, Jennifer Thompson, versus City of Godly Case Number 25-10196.

[25:23] And Pupilov-5-4 at gmail.com, notice the claim.

[25:30] The regular session is now temporarily closed.

[25:34] City Council is convening an executive session at 6.57 p.m., on August 4th, 2026.

[25:39] Next.

[44:11] The Godly City Council adjourned its executive session at 7.15 p.m. and reconvened into open session at 7.16 p.m.

[44:21] We have no, there is no action being taken from executive session. As there is no further business for tonight's council, I adjourn a meeting at 7.16 p.m.

City Council Meeting

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