Bertram police chief keeps job

In response to recent complaints from several residents against Caudle, the council evaluated his performance during an executive session that lasted more than an hour during the Oct. 28 meeting.

The council also considered a noise ordinance, limiting who gets to speak with the city attorney and swore in a new council member. But it was discussion of Caudle that took center stage.

Though Mayor Pro-Tem L.O. Pogue wanted to call for a no-confidence decision on Caudle, the council voted 4-1 in open session to let the chief keep his job. 

Pogue has claimed in the past Caudle uses strong-arm “John Wayne” tactics carrying out his duties.

Council members Kim Klose, Fidelia Salinas, Henry Snow, and newly appointed council member Mike Richardson Jr. supported Caudle.  

“Chief Caudle has acted within the law while performing his duties, and I have every confidence in him,” Mayor JoAnn Stephens said after the vote. 

Pogue said several residents have spoken to him about “many incidents of questionable conduct” pertaining to Caudle, and he believes his fellow council members have heard similar stories, Pogue told The Daily Tribune Wednesday. 

“The others have chosen to ignore them, and that is their prerogative,” Pogue said. “I am trying to serve the people of Bertram. In my opinion, the citizens of Bertram lose, the mayor wins, and I think that is shameful.” 

Several weeks before the meeting, some residents questioned whether the chief was justified in shooting a pit-bull terrier in August. Caudle said he shot the dog in self-defense, while the dog’s owners have claimed the animal was harmless.

Other residents brought up  the “John Wayne” tactics. 

“The matter (regarding Caudle) is closed,” Stephens said during the meeting this week. “I don’t have anything against him whatsoever.” 

The Daily Tribune recently submitted an open records request to view any record of complaint against Caudle during the past several months. The request has been forwarded from City Hall to the state attorney general, officials have said. 

The vote to support Caudle would not be the last time that evening Pogue had differences with the mayor.

City attorney

Turning to another matter, the council voted 4-1 to “establish limitations on who may contact the city attorney.” 

Stephens, City Secretary Polly Krenek and Utilities Superintendent Charles Shell may contact City Attorney Barney Knight, the council decided.

Klose, Salinas, Snow and Richardson Jr. voted for the limitation. 

Pogue dissented. 

If any council member wants to contact Knight, “We can discuss it,” Stephens said, adding the limit on who may contact the city attorney will help the city save money. 

“We are trying not to become too overwhelmed with attorney bills,” Stephens said. “There are other avenues we can use without cost to the city.” 

As an alternative to speaking with Knight, council members may visit the Texas Municipal League Web site, Snow pointed out. 

“You can get a lot of information from it,” Snow said. 

Knight said his lowest consultation rate is $140 an hour, and that is what he charges the city of Bertram. 

However, Pogue told The Daily Tribune concern over the city budget is a convenient “excuse to control who can see the city attorney.” 

“I think the mayor is restricting my right as a public servant to have access to the city attorney and a conversation about legal matters,” he said.

Also during the meeting, Richardson was sworn in as a new council member following the resignation of Janet Habermehl Oct. 23.  

Animal control

After much discussion, the council decided to continue working on a new comprehensive animal-control ordinance. The move could open the door to mandatory registration of pets, the council was told. 

“It’s just something to think about,” Caudle said. “It wouldn’t be a bad thing.” 

Richardson said he would support  affordable registration of pets. 

Other cities with animal ordinances that include mandatory registration of pets charge no more than $2, Caudle said. 

“We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel,” Caudle added. 

Noise ordinance

Also, the council unanimously supported an ordinance that regulates noise and sound levels within city limits. 

The ordinance resembles what has already been adopted by Fredericksburg and Georgetown, Snow said. 

Noisy vehicles, amplified sound, noisy animals and birds, maximum permissible sound levels, method of sound measurement, the permit required for use of outdoor sound amplification equipment and related matters are addressed by the ordinance. 

Last June, the council appointed Snow to chair a committee to work on the ordinance several northwest Bertram residents protested noise from the Bertram Smoke Haus restaurant at Iron Star Hall, which offered live music on weekends. 

Smoke Haus ceased operations earlier this month, Snow said. 

As it stands now, some may believe the ordinance is more strict on noise made by daytime construction crews, Snow added. 

raymond@thepicayune.com