City Council

Belton City Council Meeting December 14, 2021 – 5:30 P.M. The Belton City Council met in regular session in the Wright Room of the Harris Community Center. Members present included Mayor Wayne Carpenter, Mayor Pro Tem David K. Leigh and Councilmembers Craig Pearson, Dan Kirkley, John R. Holmes, Sr., Guy O’Banion and Daniel Bucher. Staff present included Sam Listi, John Messer, Gene Ellis, Amy Casey, Chris Brown, Mike Rodgers, Bob van Til, Matt Bates, Kim Kroll, Judy Garrett, Paul Romer, James Grant and Jo-Ell Guzman. The Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag was led by Councilmember Craig Pearson, and the pledge to the Texas Flag was led by Interim Director of Public Works Matt Bates. The Invocation was given by Councilmember Dan Kirkley. 1. Call to order. Mayor Carpenter called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. 2. Public Comments. (Audio 1:29) Bill Holmes, 505 Red River – appreciates the way City Council and City Staff handle business throughout the City. He provided accolades for things he feels are going well and provided information on things he feels could be improved. Mark Mahler, 1011 N. Main – spoke on behalf of Chet Dixon. Mr. Dixon appreciates the communication that the City of Belton has provided regarding the amendments to the Thoroughfare Plan. He also added that Mr. Dixon would be opposed to any road construction on his property. Consent Agenda Items 3-7 under this section are considered to be routine by the City Council and may be enacted by one motion. If discussion is desired by the Council, any item may be removed from the Consent Agenda prior to voting, at the request of any Councilmember, and it will be considered separately. (Audio 5:55) 3. Consider minutes of the November 23, 2021, City Council Meeting. 4. Conduct annual review and consider a resolution readopting the Fund Balance Policy for the City of Belton. 5. Conduct annual review and consider a resolution readopting the Debt Policy for the City of Belton. 6. Conduct annual review and consider a resolution readopting the Investment Policy for the City of Belton. 7. Consider approval of a software maintenance agreement with the City of Temple for a regional police records management system. Belton City Council Meeting December 14, 2021 – Page 2 Upon a motion by Councilmember Holmes, and a second by Councilmember Pearson, the Consent Agenda was unanimously approved upon a vote of 7-0. Miscellaneous 8. Hold a public hearing regarding the issuance of City of Belton, Texas, Combination Tax and Limited Revenue Certificates of Obligation, Series 2022, in a maximum principal amount not to exceed $7,000,000. (Audio 7:26) Director of Finance Mike Rodgers presented this item. Public Hearing: No one spoke for or against this item. No action was required of the Council at this time. 9. Hold a public hearing and consider approval of amendments to the City of Belton’s Thoroughfare Plan. (Audio 8:28) Councilmember Pearson recused himself and left the room. Director of Planning Bob van Til presented this item. Public Hearing: Jerry Gregory, 5558 Elm Grove Road – against the Thoroughfare Plan amendments in his area. Greg Trader, 6501 Toll Bridge Road – against the Thoroughfare Plan amendments in his area. Paul Neese, 6471 Toll Bridge Road – against the Thoroughfare Plan amendments in his area. Marvin Bell, 2027 Connell Street – wants to make sure there is good communication between the City and the property owners that may be affected by these amendments. No one else spoke for or against this item. Mayor Pro Tem Leigh made a motion to have a second public hearing and consider action at the January 11, 2022, City Council meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Holmes and was approved upon a vote of 6-0-1 with Councilmember Pearson abstaining. 10. Consider approval of resolutions authorizing submission of the following grants, in partnership with Mount Zion United Methodist Church located at 218 N. Alexander Street: (Audio 50:57) Belton City Council Meeting December 14, 2021 – Page 3 A. an application for the Preservation Texas – Texas Rural African American Heritage Grant; and B. an application for the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. Grants and Special Projects Coordinator Jo-Ell Guzman presented this item. Upon a motion by Councilmember Kirkley, and a second by Councilmember Pearson, the following captioned resolutions were unanimously approved upon a vote of 7-0. RESOLUTION NO. 2021-34-R A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELTON, TEXAS, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MOUNT ZION METHODIST CHURCH AND IN SUPPORT OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO PRESERVATION TEXAS – TEXAS RURAL AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE GRANT FOR MOUNT ZION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH RESTORATION; AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACT AS THE CITY’S AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IN ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE CITY’S PARTICIPATION IN THE GRANT PROGRAM. RESOLUTION NO. 2021-33-R A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELTON, TEXAS, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MOUNT ZION METHODIST CHURCH AND IN SUPPORT OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION’S AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL HERITAGE ACTION FUND FOR MOUNT ZION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH RESTORATION; AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACT AS THE CITY’S AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IN ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE CITY’S PARTICIPATION IN THE GRANT PROGRAM. 11. Consider adopting a resolution authorizing the submittal of an application for the Economic Development Administration (EDA), American Rescue Plan Act, Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Grant for the Standpipe renovation project and development of a community park to increase tourism and preserve the historic Standpipe landmark. (Audio 57:11) Grants and Special Projects Coordinator Jo-Ell Guzman presented this item. Upon a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Leigh, and a second by Councilmember Holmes, the following captioned resolution was unanimously approved upon a vote of 7-0. RESOLUTION NO. 2021-35-R A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BELTON, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION FOR AN