HomeMy WebLinkAboutPO 7438 SEPARATION OF POLICE CANINE "ATHENA" City of fr
ort rthurc
Texas
www.PortArthurTx.gov
•
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
Date: August 4,2026
To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council
Through: Ronald Burton, CPM, City Manage`� o1
From: Timothy W. Duriso, Chief of Police -/"
RE: PO 7438—Separation of Police canine"Athena"
Introduction:
Police Canine Athena is a two-year-old Belgian Malinois who faithfully served the Port Arthur
Police Department as a patrol canine while assigned to Tiffany Williams during her employment
with the City of Port Arthur.
Following Tiffany Williams' separation from the Port Arthur Police Department, the
Department's K-9 Coordinator and Command Staff evaluated whether Athena could be
reassigned to another handler. During this evaluation, it was determined that it is in the best
interest of all parties to separate"Athena"from the Department.Tiffany Williams has agreed to
assume full ownership of Athena and all future responsibility for her care, including veterinary
treatment, food, housing, maintenance, training, and any other expenses associated with
ownership.
Budget Impact:
The City of Port Arthur established a purchase price of$500.00 for the separation of"Athena."
Tiffany Williams has been separated from employment with the City since May 2026 and,
throughout that period, has maintained sole custody of Police Canine Athena and assumed full
responsibility for her care, including providing food, obtaining necessary veterinary treatment,
and bearing all financial obligations associated with Athena's health, maintenance, and well-
being. The value of these expenditures during the interim period constitutes full satisfaction of
the established $500.00 purchase price, and no additional monetary payment is required to
complete the transfer.
Recommendation:
Approval of the proposed ordinance will officially separate Police Canine Athena from service.
Upon the effective date of this Ordinance, all rights, title, and interest in Police Canine Athena
shall vest in Tiffany Williams, and the City of Port Arthur shall have no further responsibility or
liability for Athena's care, maintenance, veterinary treatment, or any other expenses associated
with her ownership.
"Remember,we are here to serve the Citizens of Port Arthur"
P.O.Box 1089 X Port Arthur,Texas 77641-1089 X 409.983.8101 X FAX 409.982.6743
P.O.7438
TNR-JLH 8/4/2026
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SEPARATION AND
TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF POLICE CANINE
ATHENA TO TIFFANY WILLIAMS, FINDING THAT THE
ESTABLISHED PURCHASE PRICE HAS BEEN SATISFIED.
WHEREAS, Police Canine Athena is a two-year-old Belgian Malinois who faithfully
served the City of Port Arthur Police Department as a patrol canine while assigned to Tiffany
Williams during her employment with the Port Arthur Police Department; and
WHEREAS, following Tiffany Williams' separation from the Port Arthur Police
Department, the Department's K-9 Coordinator and Command Staff evaluated whether Athena
could be reassigned to another handler. During this evaluation, it was determined that it is in the
best interest of all parties to separate"Athena"from the Department; and
WHEREAS, Tiffany Williams has agreed to assume full ownership of Athena and all
future responsibility for her care, including veterinary treatment, food, housing, maintenance,
training, and any other expenses associated with ownership; and
WHEREAS, the City of Port Arthur established a purchase price of $500.00 for the
separation and transfer of ownership of Police Canine"Athena"; and
WHEREAS, Tiffany Williams has been separated from employment with the City since
May 2026 and, throughout that period, has maintained sole custody of Police Canine "Athena"
and assumed full responsibility for her care, including providing food, obtaining necessary
veterinary treatment, and bearing all financial obligations associated with "Athena's" health,
maintenance, and well-being; and
WHEREAS,the City Council finds that the value of Tiffany Williams' expenditures and
care provided during this interim period equals or exceeds the established purchase price of
$500.00, and therefore determines that the purchase price has been fully satisfied and shall be
deemed paid in full; and
WHEREAS,based on that evaluation, the Port Arthur Police Department has determined
that the separation from service and transfer of ownership to Tiffany Williams are the most
appropriate dispositions of Police Canine"Athena".
NOW THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PORT ARTHUR,TEXAS:
Section 1. That the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct.
P.O.7438
TNR-JLH 8/4/2026
Section 2. The City Council hereby authorizes the separation of Police Canine Athena
from service with the Port Arthur Police Depattluent and approves the transfer of full ownership
of"Athena"to Tiffany Williams.
Section 3. The City Council finds and declares that the established purchase price of
$500.00 for the transfer of ownership has been fully satisfied by Tiffany Williams through her
assumption of Athena's care and maintenance during the interim period, including the provision
of food,veterinary care, and other necessary expenses incurred for"Athena's"health and welfare.
Accordingly,no additional monetary payment shall be required for the transfer authorized by this
Ordinance.
Section 4. Upon the effective date of this Ordinance, all rights,title,and interest in Police
Canine"Athena" shall vest in Tiffany Williams, and the City of Port Arthur shall have no further
responsibility or liability for Athena's care, maintenance, veterinary treatment, or any other
expenses associated with her ownership.
Section 5. That a copy of the Ordinance shall be spread upon the Minutes of the City
Council.
READ, ADOPTED AND APPROVED on this day of, August A.D., 2026, at a
Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas, by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor:
Councilmembers:
;NOES:
Charlotte M. Moses, Mayor
ATTEST:
Christie Ned,TMRC, City Secretary
P.O. 7438
TNR-JLH 8/4/2026
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Roxann Pais Cotroneo
City Attorney
APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION:
k*
Rona ! :urton, CPM
ity Manager
1 F-s-- )�.o7p
Tim by W. Duriso
Chief of Police
APPROVED FO INANCE:
k) IA-
Lynda Boswel
Director of Finance
bUdhd:
Clifton Williams
Purchasing Director