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Council debate over EDC decorum leads to failed motion to remove officers; public board members defend service
Summary
Councilmember Paul Garcia moved to remove two Tomball Economic Development Corporation officers citing alleged breaches of the city’s code of ethics and procedural concerns; the motion was seconded for discussion and later failed.
Councilmember Paul Garcia moved on Monday to immediately remove the president and secretary of the Tomball Economic Development Corporation (EDC), citing alleged violations of the city’s code of ethics and decorum; the motion was seconded for discussion and ultimately failed.
Garcia delivered a prepared statement recounting his concerns about conduct at an EDC meeting and citing sections of the Tomball Code of Ethics and the Texas Administrative Code. “It is truly disappointing that a city of 14,000, the two largest governing bodies have a difficult time working harmoniously together,” Garcia said during his remarks. He said a board member’s conduct toward an elected official at an EDC meeting was “inappropriate and should not be tolerated” and referenced city code provisions on mistreatment, recusal procedure and conflicts of interest.
The motion Garcia presented named EDC president Gretchen Fagan and secretary William E. Sumner for immediate removal; Garcia said replacements would be discussed at the next council meeting. The motion was seconded and discussed by councilmembers, who noted the seriousness of the allegations and the need to follow reappointment and appointment procedures.
Several members of the public who spoke during the meeting—current and prospective EDC members—urged continuity and defended board service. David Sumner (public comment) and Gretchen (Fagan, public comment earlier in the meeting) described a long partnership between the city and the EDC and asked for transparency and for the council to follow the regular reappointment timetable. One EDC member who said she appreciated the opportunity to serve asked for the council’s support during the reappointment process.
After discussion and a roll call sequence recorded in the minutes as “Motion failed,” the motion to remove the two EDC officers did not pass. The council did not take further removal action at the meeting; replacements and any personnel decisions were left for future agenda items. Council also continued a scheduled item later on the agenda about future EDC appointments and reappointments.
Key items raised in Garcia’s remarks include references to the Tomball Code of Ethics (sections he cited) and an administrative code provision about recusal; the council did not adopt any new ethics enforcement action at the meeting.
