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Residents and attorney raise conflict-of-interest concerns at Kennedale City Council meeting
Summary
At the Oct. 15 Kennedale City Council meeting, residents and an attorney representing United Residential alleged a council member failed to recuse on a development vote and warned of potential litigation under Chapter 171 of the Local Government Code.
An attorney and several residents used the public‑comment period at the Kennedale City Council’s Oct. 15 meeting to accuse a council member of violating state conflict-of-interest rules and to warn the council of possible legal action.
Tyler Epstein, an attorney from Houston representing United Residential, told the council that he believes agenda item C4 raises recusal issues. "If you live within the 200 feet of the PD ... you're must recuse yourself because chapter 171, the local government code, makes it a conflict of interest," Epstein said, and added his client is preparing to file suit over the way votes were tallied.
Resident Garrison Lewis alleged Councilman Michaels cast a vote that created a personal financial interest tied to a proposed Enclave development, saying the outcome would have increased the councilman’s property value. "It is clear that councilman Michaels had a personal financial interest in the outcome of this vote, which should have required him to abstain," Lewis said.
Other residents used the public-comment period to criticize council conduct. Joe Palmer described a history of contentious local politics and cautioned the council against being intimidated by legal threats; Tamika Sargent said some council members had acted "undercover" and urged the body to "clean this mess up."
No council response or formal action on the conflict allegations appears in the meeting segments provided. The attorney’s remarks referenced Chapter 171 of the Texas Local Government Code and said United Residential is preparing litigation over the vote tally; the transcript does not show the council taking immediate procedural steps, nor does it record a motion or vote related to the complaints.
The public-comment claims center on whether a recusal was required and whether city officials properly recorded qualified votes. The meeting then proceeded to council reports, infrastructure and finance updates, and the ceremonial swearing-in of the new fire chief.
