ELLIS–Despite two votes and two executive sessions Friday, the city of Ellis still has not hired a police officer candidate recommended by Police Chief Taft Yates and the hiring committee.

The minutes of the Feb. 19, 2016, Special Meeting follow.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Minutes February 19, 2016

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present were Council members Holly Aschenbrenner, Gary Luea, Heather Luea, Jolene Niernberger, Bob Redger, and John Walz. Also present were Assistant City Clerk Charlene Weber, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler. City Clerk Amy Burton and City Attorney Olavee Raub were absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
None
PURPOSE OF SPECIAL MEETING
Mayor David McDaniel stated the purpose of the special meeting is to consider approval of Police Department hire, including any executive sessions, if necessary.
Personnel: Entry
Police Chief Taft Yates stated that his investigation, as requested by Council, leads him to request approval of the candidate presented for hire. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Gary Luea seconded a motion to approve the hiring of the Police Department candidate. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner questioned the need for an executive session prior to consideration of a vote. Upon a call for the vote, the motion failed 3-4, with Council members Jolene Niernberger, Bob Redger, and John Walz voting in favor of the motion, and Council members Holly Aschenbrenner, Gary Luea, and Heather Luea voting opposed. Mayor David McDaniel broke the tie by voting against the motion to allow for an executive session.
Executive Session
Mayor David McDaniel called for an executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel. A 10-minute executive session was proposed starting at 6:03 p.m. Mayor David McDaniel asked for a motion to recess. Council member Gary Luea moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to recess to executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel with Police Chief Taft Yates and City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler present. The motion carried 6-0. The Council returned to open session at 6:13 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
Post Executive Session
Council member Gary Luea asked Chief Yates why the candidate chosen was the best candidate for the position. Chief Yates responded the interview board consisted of six individuals including an officer, the Mayor, a Sheriff’s deputy, a Highway Patrol officer, and two teachers. Chief Yates was present during the interviews but was not involved in the decision on which candidate to select. Mr. Luea then re-directed his question to Mayor McDaniel. Mayor McDaniel explained the interview process which involves a written test, a physical fitness test and then an interview before the hiring committee. Council member Heather Luea stated she didn’t have confidence in the process.
Executive Session
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to recess to executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel for 15-minutes with the Police Chief and City Prosecutor present. The motion failed 2-4, with Council members Holly Aschenbrenner and Bob Redger voting in favor of the motion, and Council members Gary Luea, Heather Luea, Jolene Niernberger, and John Walz voting opposed.
Personnel: Entry
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to approve the hiring of the Police Department candidate. Council member Heather Luea stated she would like more discussion before consideration of a vote. Upon a call for the vote, the motion failed 3-4, with Council members Jolene Niernberger, Bob Redger, and John Walz voting in favor of the motion, and Council members Holly Aschenbrenner, Gary Luea, and Heather Luea voting opposed. Mayor McDaniel broke the tie by voting opposed to the motion for purposes of further discussion.
Executive Session
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Heather Luea seconded a motion to recess for 15-minutes for personnel matters of non-elected personnel with the Police Chief and City Prosecutor present. The motion carried 5-1, with Council member Gary Luea opposed. The executive session started at 6:19 p.m. The Council returned to open session at 6:34 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member John Walz moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.