Farmers Branch council recesses to executive session on ethics complaints; motions filed on three agenda items

The City of Farmers Branch City Council met in a special called session Sunday, Oct. 19, and recessed into a closed executive session under Texas Government Code §551.071 to consult with the city attorney about complaints alleging violations of the city’s code of ethics (City Code §2‑284).

The meeting opened with one public commenter, resident Al Mahesh of 3302 Water Oak Court, who said he supports the council’s work and urged civility and transparency. “People are watching. They watch these meetings,” Mahesh said, and described recent council events as a sign of “chaos” that he tied to earlier ethics complaints and the resignation of former Mayor Dai on 11/03/2022.

City staff read three executive-session agenda items — labeled C‑1, C‑2 and C‑3 — each described as consultation with the attorney under Texas Government Code §551.071 regarding complaints alleging violations of the city’s code of ethics (City Code §2‑284). The council recessed to the city manager’s conference room for the closed session.

After returning from the executive session late Sunday evening, council members made motions to "reject" agenda items C‑1, C‑2 and C‑3. Each motion was seconded on the record; the audio transcript records at least one council member saying they would vote “no” during the roll call, and Councilman Roman being called on during voting. The transcript does not record complete vote tallies or a formal spoken announcement of each motion’s final disposition.

Votes at a glance: C‑1 — Motion on the record: “I make a motion to reject C 1.” Mover: not specified. Second: recorded. Vote tally: not specified in the transcript. Outcome: not specified in the public transcript/record. C‑2 — Motion on the record: “I make a motion to reject C 2.” Mover: not specified. Second: recorded. Vote tally: not specified. Outcome: not specified in the public transcript/record. C‑3 — Motion on the record: “I make a motion to reject C 3.” Mover: not specified. Second: recorded. Vote tally: not specified. Outcome: not specified in the public transcript/record.

The meeting concluded shortly after the post‑session motions; no additional public business or formal statements about final vote counts were made on the audio transcript. The primary public comment at the meeting defended a local group called Branch Vision and urged fairness and accountability in how the city handles ethics complaints.