Summary
Public Safety Commission Meeting
Wednesday, May 6, 2009, 5:00 p.m.
Criminal Law Enforcement Auditorium
6100 Guadalupe, Bldg. E
Austin, TX 78752
The Public Safety Commission convened as posted to consider and take formal action on the following agenda items:
CALL TO ORDER
In accordance with Texas Gov. Code Sec. 551.045, there exists an urgent public necessity sufficient to warrant an emergency meeting of the Public Safety Commission based on a reasonably unforeseeable situation. Specifically, the Commission must take action to appoint an interim director after the unforeseeable retirement of the current director.
Public Safety Committee Meeting, May 6, 2009
5:02 Chairman Polunsky called the meeting to order. In attendance: Chairman Alan Polunsky, Commissioners Tom Clowe, Carin Barth, Ada Brown, and John Steen. Also present were Lt. Col. Lamar Beckworth, General Counsel Stuart Platt. A quorum was present.
Chairman Polunsky asked if there was a motion.
Commissioner Clowe said that he felt that the purpose of the meeting should be laid out for the public. With the announced retirement of Director Col. Stan Clark, the Public Safety Commission sent notice to the Secretary of State Office on May 4, 2009, that an Emergency Meeting of the Public Safety Commission is necessary to name an immediate Interim Director for the Department of Public Safety. Commissioner Clowe moved to enter into the record that the need and purpose of the emergency meeting were documented and in compliance with statute. Comm. Steen seconded the motion.
The Commission voted unanimously to accept the motion.
III. Executive Session to consult with legal counsel regarding appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline or dismissal of director, assistant director, and persons appointed to management team positions. Gov. Code 551.074. (out of sequence)
Chairman Polunsky recessed the meeting to break to Executive Session at 5:08 pm.
Chairman Polunsky reconvened the regular session at 6:33
I. Discussion and possible action to appoint an interim director of the Department of Public Safety.
Chairman Polunsky asked if there was a motion.
Comm. Barth moved to name Lamar Beckworth as the Interim Director. The motion was seconded by Comm. Brown.
With no discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
Comm. Ada Brown Congratulates the New Director Beckworth
II. Discussion and possible action to provide advice and consent to the interim director of the Department of Public Safety regarding the appointment of an assistant director.
Col. Beckworth made a statement that he would do his very best to represent the Department with the utmost integrity, and he promised that the Commission would not be disappointed with their decision.
Chair Polunsky said that he was certain that they (the Commission) would not be disappointed.
Comm. Steen ask that the record reflect that the appointment of Col. Beckworth was met with a standing ovation from the audience.
ADJOURN
Chairman Polunsky adjourned the meeting at 6:39 pm.
President Hawthorne, Col. Beckworth, Vice-President Gary Chandler
(Note: All four Austin TV network affiliates were on hand to interview the new Colonel and Chairman Polunsky following the meeting.)
Lindsey
John Pike
brianhawthorne
