03 City Council Mtg Min 3-12-07 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Regular City Council Meeting March 12, 2007 Page 6 Coalition. Mr. Hamilton said that homeschoolers had different hours than children attending public school. Mr. Hamilton expressed concern about citations being issued to homeschoolers. He stated there were unconstitutional provisions in the Ordinance and presented Council with a legal brief. In addition, he asked Council to either repeal the Ordinance or change it. Lee Crawford, 1202 CR 45520, asked Council to abolish the daytime curfew. Jean Schweers, 5005 Old Clarksville Road, stated that the daytime curfew hours were a burden for homeschoolers. She urged the Council the remove the daytime hours from the Ordinance. Chief Louis said the Ordinance contained affirmative defenses and exceptions for homeschoolers. He further stated the curfew helped curtail gang activity and keep children safe. Council Member Wilson inquired about the elimination of daytime hours with regard to consequences for kids on the street under the age of sixteen. Chief Louis informed Council if the daytime hours were eliminated and a child had been suspended from school, that there would not be anything law enforcement could do. Council Member Ray spoke in support of the Ordinance. Also, speaking against the daytime curfew hours was David Jones, 3850 FM 2648, Powderly, Texas. He stated that one of his children worked in the morning hours and was homeschooled in the evening hours. He asked Council to consider removing the morning curfew hours. William David, 3120 Laurel Lane, said that his children had been stopped by the police and asked where they were going. He asked Council to remove the daytime curfew hours. Dianna Manley, 3098 FM 3298, Powderly, Texas, she said she agreed with the comments regarding the daytime curfew hours. She asked that Council remove the daytime curfew hours or issue cards to homeschoolers. With no one else speaking, Mayor Manning closed the public hearing. Council Member Fendley recommended that the city attorney and police chief review the Ordinance and bring it back to Council. Council Member Wilson asked that Chief Louis provide statistics as to how many of the citations were written in violation of the daytime hours. Council Member Fisher stated there needed to be a curfew Ordinance, because of the problems with truancy. Council Member Freelen inquired about the possibility of registering homeschoolers with the City. 8. Consideration of and action on the following resolutions: A. RESOLUTION NO. 2007-034: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A TAX SALE DEED TO OLIVE BRANCH BAPTIST CHURCH FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 536 3RD ST. NE; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Wilson and seconded by Council Member Fisher. Motion carried, 7 ayes - 0 nays.