Athens City Council

SPECIAL SESSION FEBRUARY 8, 2023 The City Council of the City of Athens met in a Special Session on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at 4:15 p.m. in the Civic Hall, Room 216 of the Cain Center, 915 S. Palestine Street, Athens, Texas, and immediately following convened in a Work Session with the following members present to- wit: Toni Clay, Mayor Robert Gross SyTanna Freeman Mark Carroll Elizabeth Borstad, City Manager Bonnie Hambrick, City Secretary Staff Present: John Densmore, Chief of Police; Mandie Quigg, Finance Director; Tim Perry, Public Works Director; Michael Hannigan, Tourism/Social Media Manager; Chris Baker, Cain Center Director; Schee Adams, Administrative Clerk; Jessica Dunn, Membership Specialist. Others present: Aaron Smith, Jackie and Traci Wilkes, and Deborah Deas. constituting a quorum at which time the following proceedings were enacted, to-wit: CALL TO ORDER Mayor Clay called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m. DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST No action was taken. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS There were no public comments. EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION 551.074 (PUBLIC OFFICER; CLOSED MEETING) TO DISCUSS THE APPOINTMENT TO ATHENS CITY COUNCIL, PLACE 2, TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM CREATED BY THE RESIGNATION The City Council adjourned to Executive Session at 4:15 p.m. The City Council returned to Special Session at 4:36 p.m. CONSIDER AND TAKE ACTION, AS NECESSARY, RESULTING FROM DELIBERATIONS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION 551.074 (PUBLIC OFFICER; CLOSED MEETING) TO DISCUSS THE APPOINTMENT TO ATHENS CITY COUNCIL, PLACE 2, TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM CREATED BY THE RESIGNATION No action was taken. ENTER INTO WORK SESSION The City Council convened in the Work Session at 4:36 p.m. City Council Special Session February 8, 2023 Page 2 DISCUSS CAIN CENTER OPERATIONS, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, AND FUTURE EVENTS Elizabeth Borstad, City Manager, explained that the following staff members would present:  Mandie Quigg - Cain Center Revenues and Expenses  Chris Baker - Cain Center events  Tim Perry - Capital Improvements Mandie Quigg, Finance Director, presented programs and events from October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2022. The presentation included revenue, expenses, and Net income (Loss). Chris Baker, Cain Center Director, presented information on the new software rollout, membership totals, and events planned for the year. Mr. Baker stated that the scheduled events are critical in getting diverse citizens to participate in the usage of the Cain Center facility. Throughout the presentation, discussion occurred between staff and Council, which included:  A plan to focus on memberships  City-sponsored events. Ms. Borstad asked if alcohol should be served at City-sponsored events?  A budgeted amount from HOT Funds to sponsored city city-sponsored events Traci Wilkes presented information regarding The Fiddler’s use of the Cain Center parking lot for the carnival and possibly a Bluegrass Bands workshop. There was discussion regarding Capital Improvements and associate costs: • Partition Wall between Meeting Rooms 1 and 2 • Acoustic Panels for the Multipurpose Hall • Kitchen for Event Customers • Front entrance Welcome Sign • Pool Surface • Handicap Entry Doors (upper and lower) • Bleachers Mayor Clay stated there could be a possibility of receiving funding from AEDC for the acoustic panels. To ensure there is an appropriate amount of noise reduction from the installation of the panels, Councilmember Gross requested to view the specifications for the acoustic panels. In an effort to improve the usage and memberships, Councilmember Gross recommended that staff engage with a consultant on the use of the Cain Center facility. Councilmember Carroll asked Mr. Baker to look at the Revenue Budget for FY 2023 and communicate with the City Manager if the Cain Center will meet its budgeted revenue goals or not. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. PASSED AND APPROVED THIS THE 13th DAY OF FEBRUARY 2023. City Council Special Session February 8, 2023 Page 3 ___________________________ Toni Clay, Mayor ATTEST: ______________________________ Bonnie Hambrick, City Secretary