Board- The request for availability for a Special Session is related to JRE. We have had an informal policy of only holding Special Sessions when everyone is available. Or proceeding only with a voluntary absence. That, I feel, preserves our rights as individual elected officials, and as equals. So in the event that you cannot attend and you wish to participate, that’s ok. You have veto power. We can hold the topic for the regular meeting. I will be unable to attend a Special Session but am ok if it proceeds without me.

The morning after our meeting Chief Davis requested a meeting with me. And while I couldn’t attend, Patricia was able to do so. And Monday a larger group of stakeholders met to discuss the issues. The below agenda and minutes don’t entirely cover what was discussed. But it’s a start.

The highlights for us:

*Fire Marshals agreed to allow double-stacking the queue given that drivers are still in their vehicles and an emergency procedure will be put in place to clear the queue if a 911 call is made.

*There was a stated belief that the ISD Administration has the authority to make decisions on traffic flow on its property. I did object to that statement and cautioned that it is our stance that the authority to make traffic flow changes comes with the obligation to assess and potentially adapt Belmont District infrastructure to a different flow than what the ISD originally planned and built for. We did not continue to pull on this thread and no decisions about changing on-property traffic flow have been made. I simply wanted it stated.

*AISD PD and Northlake PD met and allegedly mutually agreed that Belmont District 1 and our police entity (Northlake PD) are responsible for roadway safety to include crossing guards and traffic control. The ISD PD and staff have no authority, responsibility or obligation beyond their curbs. Northlake PD was unable to attend and we are working to coordinate a separate meeting with them. Although I did send Mayor Montini and Drew Corn an email summarizing the findings and highlighting the change in stance from our police negotiations when the board was told they had no jurisdiction to provide crossing guard support to AISD schools. Based on that change in stance, AISD PD is respectfully and urgently looking for relief for their officers and staff to transition responsibility to us and Northlake PD.

My hope is that we’ll have that meeting with Northlake ahead of our Special Session or Regular Meeting as there are a number of things for us to consider.

Just in the last 24 hours I’ve taken a few notes on various potential discussion points and open questions based on this change. I’m sure more will come: