Texas councilmen reportedly cited after fistfight at City Hall

What began as a disagreement between two local Texas politicians reportedly ended in a scuffle — and misdemeanor citations.

The Houston Chronicle reports that League City councilmen Dan Becker and Dennis OKeeffe were cited for disorderly conduct-fighting by police following the altercation on Monday. The local lawmakers had been at City Hall to discuss the city’s planned $48 million budget for 2013-14 with Mayor Tim Paulissen, City Manager Mike Loftin and the city's financial officer.

Those officials had planned to meet with Becker and Councilwoman Heidi Thiess when two other council members — Joanna Sharp Dawson and OKeeffe — appeared .

"They showed up and we had a quorum," Paulissen told the newspaper. "All I can tell you is that an altercation did happen between Becker and OKeeffe. The police were called and citations for disorderly conduct were issued to both."

OKeeffe, when reached by phone on Thursday, said he had someone in his office and that he would call back. Becker, meanwhile, did not return a telephone message forwarded to him by City Hall staff.

Paulissen characterized the incident as unfortunate, saying it was time to move forward with city business.

"It's never pleasant and I certainly don't like things like that to happen," he told the newspaper. "It puts a negative light on the city. Unfortunately, I wish it hadn't happened but it is what it is. We need to move forward as a team to get better communication between our members of City Council."