City of Canyon Commission Meetings

City Commission Meeting March 19, 2018 The City Commission of the City of Canyon met in regular session at 5:30 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers of the Civic Complex. Mayor Gary Hinders presided over the meeting with the following Commissioners in attendance, Cordell Jones, Roger Remlinger and Paul R. Lyons. Mayor Pro-Tem Justin Richardson was unable to attend. Also present were the following City Staff: City Manager Randy Criswell, Assistant City Manager Chris Sharp, City Secretary Gretchen Mercer, Assistant City Manager for Special Projects Jon Behrens, City Attorney Chuck Hester, Business and Community Development Director Evelyn Ecker, Parks Director Brian Noel, Safety Director Tony Lawson, and Water Superintendent Eric Whitten. Item 1. Call to Order. Mayor Hinders called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. Item 2. Invocation. Commissioner Jones gave the invocation. Item 3. Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Remlinger. Item 4. Approval of Minutes of the Special Meeting March 5, 2018. Commissioner Remlinger moved, duly seconded by Commissioner Jones, to approve the minutes of March 5, 2018 as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Item 5. Public Comment – Comments From Interested Citizens. There was no comment. Item 6. Consider and Take Appropriate Action on Resolution No. 09-2018 Requesting the Transfer of Spur 48 (Russell Long Boulevard) From TxDOT to the City of Canyon City Manager Criswell introduced this item. He reminded the Commission of a recent presentation by Dr. Wendler and Randy Rikel of WTAMU describing and visually demonstrating the University’s vision for Spur 48. That vision is much easier to attain if TxDOT no longer controls the roadway. Mr. Criswell stated that staff had met with TxDOT and WT officials, and they believe that if the roadway were a City street, there is much more flexibility for WT to accomplish their vision for the University. TxDOT has agreed to do some rehabilitation of the roadway, and Mr. Criswell stated he felt this would be a “win” for all involved. He stated that TxDOT would need a Resolution from the City stating a desire to possess the roadway to start the process. Mr. Criswell recommended adoption of Resolution No. 09-2018. Commissioner Jones moved, duly seconded by Commissioner Remlinger, to approve Resolution No. 09-2018 as presented. Motion carried unanimously. City Commission Meeting March 19, 2018 Page 2 of 3 Item 7. Consider and Take Appropriate Action on Possible Matching Funds for Arbor Day Tree Planting. Mayor Hinders stated that he had been discussing an Arbor Day in Canyon, and had visited with the Canyon Noon Lions Club and the Canyon Rotary Club about conducting an Arbor Day in Canyon. He said he felt that if the City would be willing to match private funds raised, a substantial project to plant trees could be possible. He had been involved in an Arbor Day event at WT last year and wanted to do something like that for the City. Mandy Williams, President of the Canyon Noon Lions Club, and James Barrington, President of the Canyon Rotary Club, were in attendance and stated that they believed money could be raised through private donations to further this effort. Mayor Hinders stated he felt a 3:1 match from the City would be a reasonable target and would incentivize the private sector to raise money. After further discussion, Commissioner Jones moved, duly seconded by Commissioner Lyons, to agree to match privately raised funds at a level of 3:1, with a cap of $25,000 by the City. Motion carried unanimously. Item 8. Consider and Take Appropriate Action on 2016-2017 Audit as Presented by Doshier, Pickens, & Francis. John Marris, representing Doshier, Pickens & Francis, presented the FY 2017 Audit. Mr. Marris stated the Audit was a “clean” audit, and was very complimentary of Finance Director Chris Sharp and his staff, and the work that had been done to prepare for the Audit as well as the work done during the audit process. Mr. Marris went over the highlights of the Audit and allowed for questions. After questions and discussion, Commissioner Remlinger moved, duly seconded by Commissioner Jones, to approve the Audit as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Item 9. Consider and Take Appropriate Action on Appointment of Auditor for City of Canyon’s Fiscal Year 2017-2018. Assistant City Manager Chris Sharp recommended that Doshier Pickens & Francis be appointed the City’s auditor for FY 2018. Commissioner Jones moved, duly seconded by Commissioner Remlinger, to appoint Doshier Pickens & Francis as auditor for FY 2018. Motion carried unanimously. Item 10. Executive Session Pursuant to §551.072 Real Property. Mayor Hinders indicated the Commission would adjourn into Executive Session at 6:36 p.m. Item 11. Consider and Take Appropriate Action on Items Discussed in Executive Session. Upon returning from Executive Session at 6:41 pm, no action was taken. City Commission Meeting March 19, 2018 Page 3 of 3 Item 12. Adjourn. There being no further business, Commissioner Lyons moved this meeting be adjourned. ______________________________ Gary Hinders, Mayor ATTEST: ________________________________ Gretchen Mercer, City Secretary