BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL TO LOOK AT OPEN RECORDS RULING FOR FORMER POLICE CHIEF

  

The Brenham City Council is holding a special meeting on Monday to discuss a recent open records ruling from the Texas Attorney General.

Councilmembers could potentially vote on the ruling, which called for the release of documentation concerning the sudden resignation of former Brenham Police Chief Craig Goodman.  Goodman submitted his resignation in December 2017, citing personal reasons as the purpose for his departure.

However, KBTX-TV in Bryan reported earlier this year that the chief may have resigned amid controversy, referencing documents that stated his departure may have been forced due to misconduct.

KBTX stated that Goodman’s separation agreement with the city revealed “bonafide disputes and controversies”, and that the city had agreed to “destroy all administrative investigation documents and records” related to the chief’s conduct.

The city of Brenham is allowed to withhold some information about the resignation from the public, as long as it pertains to opinions and recommendations of city employees and officials regarding policymaking matters.

However, according to the ruling, the Attorney General states that the city failed to prove that remaining information at issue revealed opinions or recommendations.  By extension, the ruling states the city “may not withhold any portion of the remaining information at issue” under section 552.111 of Government Code, on the basis of deliberative process privilege.

Councilmembers will meet Monday at noon, on the second floor council chambers of City Hall.