City Council - Special Meeting

Welcome to the City of Farmers Branch special called meeting for Saturday, July 11th. Our first order of business this evening will be public comments. I have a number of people that have signed up to speak. First up, when I call your name, come to the podium. Please state your name and address. You'll have three minutes to speak. When the light turns red and the tone goes off, that is your cue to stop. So our first speaker is Jaime Rivas.

Jaime Rivas, 2808 Millwood Drive. Thank you. Good evening, Mayor and Council. My name is Jaime Rivas. I live at 2808, which I just said that. I'm here tonight as a resident of Farmers Branson as a friend of Council Member Lupo Gonzalez. I didn't come tonight to defend every word that was spoken on June 2nd. None of us are perfect, especially in moments of frustration. I came because I believe that this council has the opportunity to demonstrate what leadership looks like. The question is, can you get out of your own way long enough to do it? Over the past several weeks, our city has invested time, attention, and taxpayer resources into this process. That decision has already been made to further investigate this accusation. The question before you now is not whether emotions ran high that evening. The question is whether the facts support further action and whether your decision today is consistent with the standards you have applied to anyone else sitting on the dais. Consistency matters. Fairness matters. Public trust depends on knowing that same standards apply equally regardless of personalities, politics, or past disagreements. I've had the opportunity to know Lupin, not as a council member, but as a friend. I've watched her serve her community with passion, conviction, and sincere desire to represent her district. She's a mom. She serves her family selflessly. She's a preschool teacher and beloved by her school, community, students, and parents. She is funny, thoughtful, honest, dedicated. She is really the best of us. And like us, she's human. but I've also watched her show kindness, generosity, and courage in the face of intense criticism. As leaders, we have a responsibility to hold one another accountable. We also have a responsibility to not let accountability become a weapon. Our residents are looking to council for leadership. They want you focused on improving their neighborhoods, maintaining infrastructure, being good stewards of their tax dollars, and solving the issues that affect their daily lives. They deserve a council that can disagree without becoming divided, a unified body elected by people for the people. My hope is that tonight's decision reflects not only the facts before you, but also the kind of culture we want to create in City Hall. One marked by fairness, consistency, respect, and humility to move forward together. Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Next up, we have Sarah Rivas.

My name's Sarah Rivas. I live at 2808 Millwood Drive. I'm here tonight to share a little about someone I feel fortunate to call my friend. I met Lupe through PTA. We were simply two moms trying to make our school and our community a little better. From the very beginning, one thing that stood out to me is that Lupe has been someone who never waits to be asked. If something needs to be done, she does it. If there's a problem, she looks for a solution. If someone needs help, she shows up. She stays late. She gives more than she ever takes. Over the years, I've watched her pour countless hours into serving others, often behind the scenes and without recognition. As a matter of fact, she hates the spotlight. She would rather be doing the work than getting her picture taken or posting her accomplishments on social media. She and I both believe that communities are built by people who are willing to roll up their sleeves and do the work, not just pay it lip service. Last fall, I had the privilege of managing her campaign for city council. I remember how nervous she was in the beginning, like many people stepping into public service for the first time. She questioned whether she was ready, whether she could do the job. What I saw then is the same thing I see today. Someone who is committed to learning, willing to listen, and determined to represent the neighbors that she grew up with. I told her, you are exactly who should be doing this job. You're a regular person. You're living your life, raising your family. We all deserve a community with leaders that look like us, that live a life like us. This is a chance to show Farmer's Branch that you don't have to be white, wealthy, or a man to do this job. The part that means the most to me is that Lube isn't representing a place she recently discovered. She's representing the streets that shaped her childhood, the neighbors who watched her grow up, and a community that she has called home for nearly her entire life. There's something deeply meaningful about that. As a wife and a mother of four, I spend a lot of time thinking about character. I tell my children that your reputation isn't built in one good day or one bad day. It's built by thousands of ordinary moments, by how you treat people when no one is watching, by whether your actions consistently reflect your values. That's how I've come to know Lupe, not through headlines or meetings, but through friendship, service and shared experiences. I've seen her celebrate people, cry with people, work alongside people, and give more of herself than most people ever really realize. Public service is difficult. It asks people to put themselves in situations where they will be criticized, misunderstood, and judged. Regardless of the challenges, I hope we never lose sight of the importance of seeing one another as human beings first. I'm grateful to call Lupe my friend, and I wanted to take a few moments tonight to share the person that I have had the privilege of knowing. Thank you.

Excuse me. Next up is Nancy Williams.

Good evening. Thanks everybody for coming in. My name is Nancy Williams and I live at 2959 Amber. When I helped block walk for Lupe Gonzalez's campaign for council and met people in her district, I was amazed and pleased at how many people already knew her. Many people talked about her involvement in PTA, including her role as PTA president. Even for families who homeschool or choose to have their kids attend private school, having a strong public education system is vital to having a community that thrives. Yes, I know it's not directly related to city business or council positions, but it meant a lot to me to learn how involved she is, and it made me feel that she will work to help children, families, and our city to be successful. Since her election, Lupe has consistently demonstrated her desire to be informed about her role and about each topic on the agenda. She often reaches out to her constituents for their input and views. When I was block walking, many people in her district told me that they felt that the city ignored or didn't care about District 1. Some even expressed that they felt that the city leaders didn't think District 1 was as important as other districts. This was sad to hear that they felt this way. And I'm so glad that they have Lupe who grew up in District 1, is raising her family in District 1, and shows in countless ways that she respects and cares for the residents. And I want to add that during her campaign and since election, I have never heard her criticize the mayor or any other council member. Of course, council members won't always vote the same. I'm sure there is frustration about the votes of others at times. among all the council members. Yet all this time, including when I've seen her at events around the community, I have never heard Lupe refer to any of them by name calling or by cruel remarks about them. I greatly respect and appreciate Lupe and the job that she is doing. Thank you.

Thank you. Next up is Kelsey Root.

Can you all hear me OK? Hi, I'm Kelsey Root, 3650 Janlyn Lane. Thank you for allowing me to speak today. My family has been part of the Farmers Branch community for more than 50 years. I attended Mary Immaculate School and my daughters attend there now. My husband attended McLaughlin, Field, and Turner. My mother-in-law served as PTA president at both McLaughlin and at Field. My father-in-law served on the Parks and Rec Board. and I've had the privilege of serving on both the redistricting committee and the library board. Being involved in this community is part of who our family is, and we are proud to call Farmer's Branch home. I'm here today to speak about someone who has also become an extension of our family, Councilwoman Lupe Gonzalez, or as my family knows her, Miss Lupe. She's my three-year-old son's teacher. As any parent knows, Choosing who will care for your child when you're at work is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make. You look for someone who is trustworthy, accountable, compassionate, and committed to partnering with your family. Ms. Lupe embodies all of those qualities. She cares deeply about the children she teaches, the residents she represents, and the future of the city. That same commitment is what she brings to her role on this council. Serving on the city council is not easy. There are difficult decisions, differing opinions, and competing priorities. I believe that each of you accepted this responsibility because you genuinely want what's best for Farmer's Branch. That brings me to my second point. I watched the video. I heard what you said, Ms. Lupe. And I heard you, Elizabeth. And you're my council representative, hi. And today I'm asking you to hear me. Ms. Lupe has openly shared that she feels bullied So that caused me to reflect on what bullying actually looks like. At its core, it's repeated unwanted behavior that makes it harder for someone to do their job or feel respected. Elizabeth, Lupe asked to be included on the emails. And your response was, that's just what I do. Regardless of intent, when a colleague asks for a simple change that could improve communication and strengthen a working relationship, dismissing that request does not move this council forward. To be completely honest, I also struggled with your decision to host a celebratory event for the political opponent of a sitting council member. Whether intended that way or not, actions like that make it more difficult to build the trust in working relationships that effective governance requires. I would ask you all to consider whether these actions are what's best for the residents of Farmer's Branch. Do they strengthen your ability to work together? Or do they create unnecessary division, consume taxpayer resources through repeated complaints, and make it harder to focus on the work that people elected you to do?

Thank you. Next up is Esmer Sepulveda. Yes.

Good evening, Mayor and Council Members. My name is Esmer Sepulveda, and I'm going on 20 years work as the Secretary of Farmers Branch Elementary. My address, 1425 Tanglewood Lane. Thank you. And I am here to speak about a wonderful lady. Her name is Guadalupe Gonzalez. I've had the privilege of knowing Guadalupe for many years. And I can honestly say she's one of the kindest, most genuine people you will ever meet. She has a caring heart, a positive attitude, and is always willing to help others. Guadalupe is an amazing mother who is deeply involved in her children's lives. She doesn't just support them. She encourages them, cheers them on, and is always there for them. She is the kind of parent every child deserves. Her dedication doesn't stop with her family. As the PTA president at Farmers Branch Elementary, she works tirelessly to support students, teachers, and families. She is incredibly proactive and always looking for ways to make a positive difference in our school and our community. If you don't know Lupe yet, I encourage you to take the time to meet her. You will quickly see why so many people respect and appreciate her. She leads with kindness, serves with humility, and inspires those around her. I'm very proud that Lupe is also serving as a member of our city council. I know she will continue to bring that same compassion, dedication, and commitment to serving our community. Thank you so much, Lupe. Gracias. Thank you.

Thank you. Next up is Robin Rose.

Robin Rose, 2979 Meadow Green Drive, District 2. First, my thanks to each of you for being willing to serve the citizens of Farmers Branch. I have lived in Farmers Branch for 70 years and have known Lupe Gonzalez many years, most recently as our PTA president at Farmers Branch Elementary. When a teacher knows of a family needing any kind of help, we let Lupe know. She quietly, with great respect and no recognition for herself, gets that family the help they need. In fact, the first thing always said for an unexpected need at the school, any kind of need, is, tell Lupe. Lupe Gonzalez always puts the safety and the welfare of others first. Lupe is calm and cooperative, even in difficult situations. She has gained the trust of the citizens because she represents honesty and integrity. We know she will stand up for what is good, what is fair and what is right. Her character is above reproach. Thank you.

Next up is Jill Hayden.

Hello, my name is Jill Hayden. I live at 3320 Rolling Knoll Drive. I have lived in Farmer's Branch 37 years. I am from Mayor Bob Phelps' era. I can see his head shaking over all of this. He was a mayor who lived by example. He would help our elected officials get to common ground to understand each other's passion for our city, not let it get to this point that we are here now on Saturday. I'm here to speak on Lupe's behalf. I've known Lupe for almost three years now. I work with her five days a week, eight hour shifts. She is a teacher at our preschool. Her work ethics are top notch. Lupe's compassion, love, and joy show through the children she teaches. Our parents can't say enough positive things about her. I can't say enough positive things about her. She puts her heart and soul in everything she does. I watch her with her own children. Her husband and her have taught them well. They are respectful, caring, and kind. They're a great family. If anything at work needs to be repaired, she will call her husband and he comes no questions asked. Now that's love. They are truly a team. She's there for her. mom and her brother's kids when they need her. I could go on and on. To top it off, she's there for her friends, she listens to our stories and our needs, helps where she can. She gets her children to the activities, takes care of PTA, At her children's school, works on city council, does our Facebook page, the list goes on. Not one of her responsibilities in life suffers. She's amazing to watch. Please sit down together and talk to each other. Keep your voices calm, your attention in check. Do the job we elected you to do. In other words, stop being childish. I hope you all move on from this and no one loses their jobs. Thank you.

Next up is Cindy Parrott.

Hi, my name is Cindy Parrott. I put down my Carrollton address, but I've been employed in Farmer's Ranch at 2807 Valwood Parkway. Good evening, honorable mayor and council members. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak on behalf of Guadalupe Lopez's character. I'd like to start first with the definition of character. Character, the combination of mental characteristics and behavior that distinguishes a person or group. The distinguishing nature of something, moral strength, integrity. When Ms. Gonzalez asked me to speak on her behalf tonight, my first thought was, I'm going to have to get up in front of people and speak. No sooner did that thought pop into my head, another one did as well. Equally important that if she asked, if I asked her to do this for me, she would do that as well. I first met Lupe in October of 25. She was going to help us out at work and was referred to by another colleague. She didn't know what she was doing, what she was stepping into, but she stepped in and she stepped up. She has done a wonderful job. She had done a wonderful job and was soon offered a position. A few weeks after joining our team, a co-worker's daughter was being baptized and we were all invited. I attended because it was a special occasion and I wanted to be there to celebrate my co-worker and with her family. When I walked into the sanctuary, I immediately saw Lupe with her daughters. I was surprised to see her there because she had only known Veronica and Myla who was being baptized just a few weeks. Yet there she was taking pictures of this joyous occasion. I was very impressed and that made an impression on me. Here she was celebrating with a family she barely knew. As I talked with Lupe, I found out that she is a military wife, mother of four, PTA president of her younger children's school. She's active with her children in their sports and dance, and still has time to run for city council, and here she sits before us. I remember she came and told me she was thinking about doing this, and I was like, of course you're going to run for city council. PTA president is just not enough, and having active children. but she did say she wanted to really be a part of the community that she's raising her family in. Lupe is a kind and thoughtful person. I've seen her go out of her way to help a family in need of childcare and refuse to be paid. Lupe will help anyone with anything if she can, and if she can't, she will find a way to make it happen. I'm honored that she asked me to be here to speak on her character. I consider that- Thank you, thank you.

Next up is Belinda Bernal.

Good evening, my name is Belinda and I live at 3451 Rock Martin Drive in Farmers Branch. Before I speak about LUPE, I'd like to begin with the meaning of the word ethics. Ethics are the moral principles that guide how we treat others and how we conduct ourselves. They are rooted in honesty, integrity, fairness, respect, accountability, and doing what is right, even when it's difficult. When I think of ethics, I think of character. Character isn't just about how someone behaves when things are easy. It's about how they live their life every day. I have known Lupe both personally and professionally, and I can say with complete confidence that she is a woman of strong character and integrity. She knows the difference between right and wrong, between fairness and unfairness, and she has a strong moral compass. I have never known Lupe to treat anyone with anything other than kindness, respect, and courtesy. She believes people deserve to be treated with dignity, whether they agree with her or not. Now Lupe is also human, just like the rest of us. If she has ever spoken firmly because she felt personally attacked or bullied, I don't believe that reflects a lack of ethics. I believe it reflects someone standing up for herself. Every one of us has the right to defend ourselves when we feel we are being treated unfairly. Speaking up for yourself does not make you unethical. It makes you human. When Lupe decided to run for city council, she did so without prior experience in public service. She stepped forward because she loves Farmer's Branch and genuinely cares about the people who live here. Not just the residents of her district, but the entire community. I have the privilege of working with Lupe five days a week at Christ for Kids Preschool. Because of that, I don't just know Lupe, I see who she is every single day. She is generous with her time and always willing to help. She is also very funny. And when you work with tiny humans, there has to be lots of laughter. The person you see sitting here today is the same person I see every day at work. She isn't pretending to be someone she is not. Her kindness, honesty, and integrity are consistent. They are simply who she is. I know her to be honest, ethical, compassionate, and she sincerely wants to serve this community. Thank you for your time.

Thank you. Next up is Susan Herrera.

Good evening, Mayor and members of council. Thank you for allowing me to speak today. My name is Susana Herrera, 2572 Valwood Parkway. I'm here today because I feel it's important to share what I know about Guadalupe Gonzalez, not as a public official, but as a friend and a volunteer and a member of the community. When I first met Lupe, it was when my daughter was about three years old at the Old Motion Dance Studio in Carrollton. She worked in the front desk, and she was always helping families and assisting the owners, answering questions, and making every single little girl that walked in feel welcome. No matter how busy she was, she always had a smile on her face and treated everyone with kindness and respect. Little did I know that our friendship would grow and through our shared passion for PTAs, our schools, our students, together alongside administrator and teachers and volunteers, we helped rebuild the PTA at Farmers Branch Elementary. We worked to create a welcoming, inclusive environment where every child felt seen, safe, and valued. What has always stood out to me is that service isn't something that Lupe does when it's convenient, it's who she is. Whenever our school hosts events, she brings her entire family to volunteer. It's become a thing now. Her children serve along her and it actually started inspiring families to become involved in creating a culture where supporting our school became a family event. As a mother, there are very few people who I would trust with my own daughter without hesitation. Lupe is one of those people. I have witnessed her integrity, compassion, and genuine care for children, families, and our community. Character is revealed through consistent actions. The Lupe I know is honest, compassionate, hardworking, deeply committed to serving others, and it has been an honor to work with him. And as I do call you, my friend. So thank you for your time, your service and community for allowing me to speak to.

Next up is Cynthia Goodwin.

Hi, good afternoon. My name is Cynthia Godwin and I reside at 2128 Springwood in Carrollton and I have worked in Farmer's Branch for over seven years. I have known Guadalupe Gonzalez, known as Lupe, personally for more than 12 years and during that time I've had numerous opportunities to observe her character, excuse me, integrity and the way she interacts with others. In addition to our longstanding friendship, I had the privilege of employing Lupe at Motion the Studio, which allowed me to observe her in a professional setting. During her employment, she consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic, dependability, and a willingness to accept responsibility. She was never afraid of a challenge and routinely approached difficult situations with determination, resilience, and a positive attitude. Whether she was asked to learn a new skill, take on additional responsibilities, or address unexpected obstacles, she met those challenges with confidence and perseverance. Her commitment to doing her best and finding solutions earned my trust and respect as an employer. As a business owner of a dance studio, she did take it to where she knew all the parents, the students, the instructors, and was able to take care of any kind of situations that came up. Throughout the years, I have found Lupe to be a caring, dependable, and a compassionate individual. She has consistently demonstrated kindness toward others and has shown a genuine willingness to help those in need. She is someone who values her relationship and strives to treat people with respect. As a female entrepreneur owning two businesses myself, I understand the importance of honesty, accountability, and good character. Based on my personal experience, Lupe has earned my respect through her reliability, dedication, and concern for others. With that said, I wanted to share my firsthand knowledge of her character developed over more than a decade. I believe she possesses many admirable qualities, has demonstrated resilience throughout the years, and has the capability to continue making meaningful contributions to our family and this community. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Thank you, sorry I mispronounced your name. Next up is Carolyn Lang. Carolyn Lang. Delilah Torres.

Good evening, my name is Delilah Torres and I reside at 230 South MacArthur Boulevard in Coppell, but I have worked in the city within the City of Farmers Branch for the last couple of years. Good evening, my name is Delilah Torres. It is truly an honor to speak about the character of Councilwoman Lupe Gonzalez. I first met Lupe during the 24-25 school year at Farmers Branch Elementary. It was my daughter's first year after transferring from another school. To be honest, I was hesitant about getting involved. While I wasn't quite ready to join the PTA, I wanted to volunteer whenever I could. I remember introducing myself to Lupe, sharing a little about where we were coming from, and letting her know that I wanted to help however I was able to. As PTA president, she smiled and said something I'll never forget. Whatever you can do, we appreciate it. That simple statement perfectly reflects who Lupe is. She makes people feel seen. She makes people feel valued. She has an incredible gift for meeting people where they are, listening with compassion, and finding ways to help. She doesn't lead from a place of authority. She leads from a place of service. Throughout the school year, Emily and staff felt supported. She gave her time without expecting recognition, and she did it because she genuinely cares about people. Watching her lead inspired me so much so that during the 25-26 school year, I decided to join the PTA for my daughter's final year of elementary. From my very first meeting, I never once felt like an outsider. I felt like I belonged. That kind of environment doesn't happen by accident. It happens because of leaders like Lupe. What started as two people simply working together eventually became a genuine friendship, and I'm incredibly grateful for that. In the middle of that school year, I had the privilege of watching Lupe campaign for District One City Council. I saw firsthand the countless hours she invested, the sacrifices she made, and the unwavering support of her family, who stood faithfully beside her every step of the way. But what impressed me most wasn't the campaign, it was her heart. Her desire to serve never changed. Whether she was helping a parent at school, listening to a neighbor's concern, or speaking with members of the community, she treated everyone, person with kindness, dignity, and respect. Since she has taken office, I've had the privilege of attending her swearing-in ceremony, community events, and several city council meetings. Watching her serve has been nothing short of inspiring. She listens before she speaks. She seeks understanding before making decisions.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next up is Stacy Tibbetts.

Hi, my name is Stacey Tibbetts, and I live on 1472 Stardust. I've been in Farmer's Branch about 45 years. I probably don't look it, though. First and foremost, I want to thank each one of you for serving our city. I truly believe that each of you have Farmer's Branch interest. When you show up, you represent us at events, and you research how to make our city better, and you're sitting up there in the dais today. I firmly believe that each one of you are doing what is right and what's best for Farmers Branch. And for that, I appreciate you more than you know. From what I understand, that you're about to go behind closed doors and discuss a meeting that didn't go quite as planned. And I don't know any of you personally, but I am biased because I live in District 2. I feel like districts like mine are finally getting a voice that I haven't really heard in the past, at least not one that resonates with me. And maybe because I'm paying more attention, but that's just really how it feels at the moment. So when a vote doesn't go or follow a tradition, but it is within the law, that doesn't make it a conspiracy. It feels more like people like me are finally getting represented versus Brookhaven Country Club alone. And that doesn't mean something is being taken away. We all live in Farmer's Branch. My vote is one, just like yours. We all get a say, equally. We're all grown. Strong language while uncouth isn't a reason to involve police. They have better things to do. We need to stop putting city employees in the middle of this nonsense. Let them get back to work. We don't need to start this term being litigious. I feel like the litigious days of Tim O'Hare are behind us. I believe you can all find a way to humble yourselves and get beyond this. Don't let this be the defining moment for Farmer's Branch. We're better than this. You've all been voted in your positions by Farmers Branch citizens because we believe that you can represent us. And like I said before, I appreciate everything that you do for the city. And while we don't all agree on everything, I do believe you are here to make Farmers Branch a better place. And I think we all want to see you get back to doing that.

Thank you. Next up is Rick Johnson.

Rick Johnson, Harley Drive, Farmers Branch, Texas. Ladies, gentlemen, I'm here tonight because this isn't the first time somebody's been accused of doing something that they did not do. Unfortunately, it is that I know of the third time the same person who's doing it now did it before. Blamed a city council member a pastor, a well-known, wonderful person of our city, and a common citizen. But when you dive down into it and you look at it, what happened? Well, all of a sudden, no, no, no, I didn't really fill out that information. I didn't do that and stuff, especially since I found out at the time I accused them They were, each of them with their own church groups, having breakfast. And tons of people were there. Now we have it again. This is disgusting. You know, and you ask why people don't want to run for council, be a part of the city and stuff. Well, it's because you take a common person who you don't understand their job at what level and you smear them Into the ground. Oh, he's a forklift driver. He's a painter. He's this, he's that. Did you ever look at what our founding fathers did? They're sitting there looking at you guys, shaking their head going, what the? You know, and then you sit up there and you complain. The problem is, is you've got the people who think they're better than everybody else. They don't represent farmer's branch. You got people spending money on how to tell everybody they're Republicans when they're not anymore and they haven't been in quite a while. You have people that are sitting there, the same person having parties for Democrats telling them how he's allegiant to them, showing up in their ads, acting like he's one of them. You know? And this is what you get? No, they're only out for themselves. And if you want cooperation and input from the citizens, then don't kill them when they show up on your door.

Next up is, I think it's Rory Harrington.

Hello, everyone. Thank you all for everything that you do for the city and for being here tonight. I am proud to speak in support of Lupe and her character. As a devoted local mom and active PTA member, she consistently gives her time and energy to make our community a better place, often without seeking recognition. Many of her acts of kindness and service happen quietly behind the scenes simply because she genuinely cares about others, as you've heard from everybody else who's been speaking since I've been here. Lupe is trustworthy, dependable, and always willing to stand up for what is right, even when it isn't the easiest path. She leads with integrity, compassion, and grace, and her positive influence is felt by countless families. Our community is stronger because of her selfless dedication and her unwavering commitment to serving others. Thank you, Lupe, and thank all of you.

Thank you. Next up is Rebecca Jimenez.

Sorry, this is a first for me. My name is Rebecca Jimenez, 2524 Fielddale Drive. I don't know what district, but I wasn't really going to speak today, but I haven't spoken to Lupa in years, but I know she would show up for me. The roles were reversed. My mother had actually brought this to my attention. So I actually grew up with Lupe from elementary, Farmers Branch Elementary, from middle school to high school to Turner. We graduated in 2009 together. And we spent a lot of time together. I mean, slip sliding down the driveway, running around Turner, going to soccer games, football games, it was a lot of fun. And I always remembered that her dream was to get married, she did, to a lovely man. To have kids, she did, four wonderful, beautiful babies. to raise her kids in Farmer's Branch, she did, and to work and improve this city however way she felt was fit, and she did. I thought she was crazy to want to stay in the city that she was raised in, but she did, and I can see the roots that she has built. So she is who you see in public. She is who you see. She's very visible in the city. John Maxwell wrote a book called The Five Levels of Leadership, And if you've read it, it's a great read. If you haven't, I recommend it. But a true leader is someone who's transparent, honest, who is those things, even if it reflects badly on them, they still hold up. They sit quietly. They reflect. They ask the hard questions. And I do believe that all y'all are strong leaders. You wouldn't be here if you weren't. But I can also attest that Lupa is also a strong leader. I know that she is young, but We youngins, millennials, we want to improve the city some kind of way. I'm currently trying to get a school job here to work in the city and to grow my own roots here now that I live here. And so I just wanted to speak on Lupa's behalf because she is a great individual. She leads with her heart. Sometimes my coworker would tell me, being too honest can hurt you. I beg to differ. I think being too honest makes people relate to you, makes you vulnerable, and so I just really wanted to speak to Lupa's character. She is a wonderful person. She's a hard worker. She is very transparent, and I can attest that from when we were in fourth grade together all the way to now. Thank you so much. You have a great day.

Thank you. That is all the speakers that I have signed up for this evening. So I will move to read us into our executive session. City Council convening close executive session pursuant to Section five five one point zero seven four personnel in Section five five one point zero seven one consultation with attorney of state of the Texas government code. consider and deliberate and seek legal advice from the city attorney regarding a complaint alleging a violation of the city's code of ethics and in investigation in and and investigating i wrote that wrong i'm sorry and investigating attorney's report against council member for district one pursuant to section 2-284 of the city's code filed june 8th 2026 so uh We will recess to the city manager's conference room and then be back out.

Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to make this executive session public.

So for clarification, you don't need to make a motion. You have the authority because half the executive session is under 551.074 of the government code, which allows the implicated public official to request a public hearing. Um, but the agenda for the executive session is two parts. The first is for legal advice, and I think that we would convene an executive session, but it would only be limited to legal advice without discussion regarding the ethics complaint. If if you request a public hearing, it doesn't need to be by motion, second and vote. You have the authority to make that request. Our agenda tonight does not identify this as a public hearing. And so it may be that we would reschedule that matter for a future date. That makes sense.

I would like to do it publicly.

Okay. So in the meantime, we will still conduct the executive session, but it's only going to be limited for the purposes of legal advice.

So the city attorney will provide that guidance when we get in the conference room, but we will recess for executive session at this time.

Amen. Thank you.

Thank you very much for being patient with us. We do not have any action to take this evening out of executive session. However, we will be looking to schedule a public hearing on this item. And so that will be determined at a later date. So with that, there's no other business for this evening. We will adjourn at 6.54. Thank you very much.