City of Canyon Commission Meetings

City Commission Meeting February 4, 2025 The City Commission of the City of Canyon met in regular session at 4:30 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers of the Civic Complex. Mayor Gary Hinders presided over the meeting with the following Commissioners in attendance: Mayor Pro-Tem Cody Jones, and Paul R. Lyons. Robyn Cranmer arrived at 5:15 pm. Danny Potter was unable to attend. Also present were the following City Staff: City Manager Joe Price, Assistant City Manager Jon Behrens, City Secretary Gretchen Mercer, HR Director Hector Mendoza, Police Chief Steve Brush, Police Lieutenant Matt Coggins, Fire Chief Dennis Gwyn, Director of Public Works Chris Enriquez, Assistant Public Works Director Tanner DeVenney, Water Superintendent Eric Whitten, Waste Water Superintendent John Poole, Canyon Economic Development Director Stephanie Tucker, Director of Planning and Development Lucas Raley, Communications Director Megan Nelson, Director of Finance Joel Wright, Purchasing Manager Beau Boyer, and City Attorney Chuck Hester. Item 1. Call to Order. Mayor Hinders called the meeting to order at 4:37 pm. Item 2. Invocation. Mayor Pro-Tem Jones gave the invocation. Item 3. Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Lyons. Item 4. Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of January 21, 2025. Mayor Pro-Tem Jones moved, duly seconded by Commissioner Lyons to approve the minutes of January 21, 2025. Motion carried unanimously. Item 5. Public Comment – Comments from Interested Citizens. No comments were made. Mayor Hinders moved to Item 12. Item 12. Consider and Take Appropriate Action on Designation of the City of Canyon as a Film Friendly City. Communications Director Megan Nelson presented information for the designation of Canyon as a Film Friendly City through the Film Friendly Texas (FFTX) program creating policy and permitting fees for filming in Canyon. Ms. Nelson said this is a certification and marketing program administered by the Texas Film Commission and certified communities receive ongoing training and guidance from the Texas Film Commission regarding media industry standards, best practices and how to accommodate media productions in the community. Ms. Nelson said this would be a great resource helping position Texas communities as premier destination for media productions. City Commission Meeting February 4, 2025 Page 2 of 7 Ms. Nelson introduced Sherman Bass, Film Commissioner for the Amarillo Area. Mr. Bass spoke to the attraction of the Texas Panhandle, highlighting the recent events of Taylor Sheridan bringing filming of 1923 and Yellowstone to the Panhandle and the benefits of the staff and cast bring utilizing local hotels, restaurants, and businesses in general. Mr. Bass said receiving the designation of a Film Friendly City establishes an elevated platform for community liaisons that work with the media industry and can hit the ground running when contacted about filming in the area. After discussion Mayor Pro-Tem Jones moved, duly seconded by Commission Lyons to approve the Guidelines and Permit for Filming in Canyon, Texas. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Hinders moved to Item 6. Item 6. Consider and Take Appropriate Action on Resolution No. 05-2025, A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Canyon, Texas, Ordering a General Election to be Held on the 3rd Day of May 2025, for the Purpose of Electing Five (5) Members of the Canyon City Commission (Mayor Place 1 and Places 2, 3, 4, and 5); Designating Polling Places; Ordering Notices of Election to be Given; Authorizing Execution of Joint Election Contract; Providing A Repealing Clause; Providing a Severability Clause; and Providing for an Effective Date. City Secretary Gretchen Mercer presented Resolution No. 05-2023 ordering the May 3, 2025 General Election for Mayor Place 1, and Commissioners 2, 3, 4, and 5. Mayor Pro-Tem Jones moved, duly seconded by Commissioner Lyons to adopt Resolution No. 05- 2025 as presented. Motion carried unanimously. RESOLUTION NO. 05-2025 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CANYON, TEXAS, ORDERING A GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE 3RD DAY OF MAY 2025, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING FIVE (5) MEMBERS OF THE CANYON CITY COMMISSION (MAYOR PLACE 1 AND PLACES 2, 3, 4 AND 5); DESIGNATING POLLING PLACES; ORDERING NOTICES OF ELECTION TO BE GIVEN; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF JOINT ELECTION CONTRACT; PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Item 7. Update on Public Safety Bond Committee Progress Communications Director Megan Nelson gave an update on public education and dissemination of information pertaining to the 2025 Public Safety Bond Election. City Secretary Gretchen presented the website pages for the Bond Election education piece with Ms. Nelson explaining the different pages and functionalities. Ms. Nelson provided “rack cards” that are being provided to the community that contain highlights of the Public Safety Bond Election. No action, informational only City Commission Meeting February 4, 2025 Page 3 of 7 Item 8. Consider and Take Appropriate Action on Ordinance No. 1222, An Ordinance Ordering a Bond Election to Be Held in the City of Canyon, Texas, Making Provisions for the Conduct of the Election and Resolving Other Matters Incident and Related to Such Election. Director of Finance Joel Wright presented Ordinance No. 1222 for consideration for ordering a Public Safety Bond Election for May 3, 2025. Mr. Wright said the $14,000,000 general obligation bonds, pending taxpayer approval would finance public safety facilities expansion and renovations. Mr. Wright said Kristen Savant of Norton Rose Fullbright, the City’s bond counsel, and Jason Hughes, Senior Managing Director with Hilltop Securities have worked with staff and are ready for the formal calling of the Bond Election. Mr. Wright said Ms. Savant worked closely with the Texas Attorney Generals office on the breakdown of the proposed proposition. Mr. Wright gave a brief re-cap of the proposed Bond. After discussion, Mayor Pro-Tem Jones moved, duly seconded by Commissioner Lyons to adopt Ordinance No. 1222 as presented. Motion carried unanimously. ORDINANCE NO. 1222 AN ORDINANCE ORDERING A BOND ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE CITY OF CANYON, TEXAS, MAKING PROVISIONS FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE ELECTION AND RESOLVING OTHER MATTERS INCIDENT AND RELATED TO SUCH ELECTION. Item 9. Consider and Take Appropriate Action on Resolution No. 06-2025, A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Canyon, Randall County, Texas, Authorizing the Submission and Acceptance of a Grant Application to the Office of the Governor for the DJ Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program for Year Two of a Police Officer Hiring Project for the City of Canyon Police Department, and Authorizing the Chief of Police to Represent the City in All Matters Pertaining to This Application. Chief of Police Steven Brush presented Resolution No. 06-2025 for consideration. Chief Brush said the Canyon Police Department is in the process of submitting the DJ Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant through the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission to the Office of the Governor for FY 2006 funding. Chief Brush said this is the second year of a five-year project to hire a police officer. Chief Brush said the grant funded the first year of the officers’ salary and benefits at one hundred percent. Chief Brush said the original grant is a progressive grant for five years with the City of Canyon taking on a greater percentage of the officer’s salary each year. Chief Brush said this grant application for this year is submitted for covering 80 percent of the officer’s salary and benefits. After discussion, Mayor Pro-Tem Jones moved, duly seconded by Commissioner Lyons to adopt Resolution No. 06-2025 authorizing the submission, acceptance and administration of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant for the Police Department police officer hiring project. Motion carried unanimously. City Commission Meeting February 4, 2025 Page 4 of 7 RESOLUTION NO. 06-2025 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CANYON, RANDALL COUNTY, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION AND ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR FOR THE DJ EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM FOR YEAR TWO OF A POLICE OFFICER HIRING PROJECT FOR THE CITY OF CANYON POLICE DEPARTMENT; AND AUTHORIZING THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO REPRESENT THE CITY IN ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO THIS APPLICATION. Item 10. Consider and Take Appropriate Action on Resolution No. 07-2025, A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Canyon, Randall County, Texas, Authorizing the Submission and Acceptance of a Grant Application to the Office of the Governor for the Criminal Justice Division Grant Program for the Purchase of Rifle-Resistant Vests for the City of Canyon Police Department; and Authorizing the Chief of Police to Represent the City in all Matters Pertaining to this Application. Chief of Police Steven Brush presented Resolution No. 07-2025 for consideration. Chief Brush said the Canyon Police Department is seeking authorization to submit a grant through the Criminal Justice Division from the Office of the Governor for FY 2026 to replace 6 rifle-resistant vests that have reached their recommended life of 10 years; and get 5 additional rifle vests that would be provided to school resource officers for a total of 11 rifle resistant vests. Chief Brush said this grant does not require a match from the City of Canyon, it’s a 100% grant. After discussion, Mayor Pro-Tem Jones moved, duly seconded by Commissioner Lyons to adopt Resolution No. 07-2025 authorizing the submission, acceptance and administration of the Criminal Justice Division Grant for the purchase of rifle-resistant vests. Motion carried unanimously. RESOLUTION NO. 07-2025 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CANYON, RANDALL COUNTY, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION AND ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE PURCHASE OF RIFLE-RESISTANT VESTS FOR THE CITY OF CANYON POLICE DEPARTMENT; AND AUTHORIZING THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO REPRESENT THE CITY IN ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO THIS APPLICATION. Item 11. Consider and Take Appropriate Action on Ordinance No. 1223, An Ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Canyon, Texas, Adding Part III to Chapter 12.03 Division 3 Adopting a Residential Liquid Waste Acceptance Policy; Establishing Procedures for the Acceptance of Residential Liquid Waste From Outside Sources; Implementing a Permit and Permitting Fee for Vehicles Transporting Residential Liquid Waste; in Compliance City Commission Meeting February 4, 2025 Page 5 of 7 with the Requirements of the Texas Water Code and the TCEQ and Providing a Penalty, for Severability and an Effective Date. Director of Public Work Chris Enriquez presented Ordinance No. 1223 for consideration. Mr. Enriquez said the Wastewater Utilities Division has been approached about the possibility of accepting residential liquid waste from sources outside of the City of Canyon. Mr. Enriquez said the adoption of Ordinance No. 1223 would establish a permitting process and fees for vehicles wishing to transport and fee for the disposal of residential only liquid waste from outside the city limits of Canyon, no commercial liquid waste would be accepted. Mayor Pro-Tem Jones asked if allowing this would place additional burden on the City Wastewater System. Mr. Enriquez and Wastewater Superintendent both confirmed it would not. Mr. Enriquez further explained that trucks wishing to dispose of liquid waste would be charged by truck size. Mr. Enriquez said at this time they would only accept liquid waste during normal business hours. Mayor Pro-Tem Jones asked where the fees would go for this service saying he would like to see them go towards to the future upgrades of the wastewater facilities. Finance Director Joel Wright said that was the plan and a fund could be designated in the CIP fund. Commissioners commented they would like to see a minimum charge set up. Discussion followed about minimum fees per vehicle and would make that change in the Master Fee Schedule. After discussion, Mayor Pro-Tem Jones moved, duly seconded by Commissioner Cranmer to adopt Ordinance No. 1223 establishing policy and procedure for transport vehicles who wish to dispose of residential liquid waste at the City of Canyon Wastewater Treatment Facility with revenues from the implementation of the Ordinance being designated for inclusion in the CIP Utility Fund to be used for future wastewater capital projects. Motion carried unanimously. ORDINANCE NO. 1223 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CANYON, TEXAS, ADDING PART Ⅲ TO CHAPTER 12.03 DIVISION 3 ADOPTING A RESIDENTIAL LIQUID WASTE ACCEPTANCE POLICY; ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF RESIDENTIAL LIQUID WASTE FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES; IMPLEMENTING A PERMIT AND PERMITTING FEE FOR VEHICLES TRANSPORTING RESIDENTIAL LIQUID WASTE; IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE TEXAS WATER CODE AND THE TCEQ AND PROVIDING A PENALTY, FOR SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Item 13. Consider and Take Appropriate Action on Ordinance No. 1224, An Ordinance Amending the City of Canyon, Texas (“City”) Code of Ordinances, Chapter 37, Master Fee Schedule of Charges and Fees; Providing for the Addition of a Film Permit Application Fee and a Liquid Waste Disposal Fee; Providing a Repealing Clause, Providing a Severability Clause; for Publication and an Effective Date. City Commission Meeting February 4, 2025 Page 6 of 7 Purchasing Manager Beau Boyer presented Ordinance No. 1224 for consideration. Mr. Boyer said the adoption of Ordinance No. 1224 would add the Liquid Waste Disposal Permit Fee, Liquid Waste Disposal Fee, and Film Permit Application Fee to the Master Fee Schedule for the City of Canyon. Mr. Boyer said as requested by the Commission, a minimum charge of $200 would be added for the Liquid Waste Disposal Fees. After discussion, Mayor Pro-Tem Jones moved, duly seconded by Commissioner Cranmer to adopt Ordinance No. 1224 amending the 2024-2025 Master Schedule of Charges and Fees to add a Film Permit Application Fee, and a Bulk Liquid Waste Disposal Permit Fee and a Disposal Fee with a minimum of $200 to be effective February 14, 2025. Motion carried unanimously. ORDINANCE NO. 1224 MASTER SCHEDULE OF CHARGES AND FEES AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF CANYON, TEXAS (“CITY”) CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 37, MASTER SCHEDULE OF CHARGES AND FEES; PROVIDING FOR THE ADDITION OF A FILM PERMIT APPLICATION FEE, A LIQUID WASTE DISPOSAL FEE AND LIQUID WASTE DISPOSAL ANNUAL PERMIT FEE; PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; FOR PUBLICATION AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE Item 14. Executive Session Pursuant to §551.071 Consultation with Attorney, §551.072 Deliberation About Real Property, §551.074 Personnel Matters (Board Appointment Canyon Main Street Board and Canyon Area Library Board) and 551.087 Deliberation Regarding Economic Development Negotiations. Mayor Hinders indicated the City Commission would adjourn into Executive Session at 6:05 pm. Item 15. Consider and Take Appropriate Action on Items Discussed in Executive Session. Upon Returning from Executive Session at 8:15 pm, the following action was taken. Commissioner Cranmer Moved, duly Seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Jones to appoint Erin Viermann to the expired seat of Jann Wartes. Motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Cranmer moved, duly seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Jones to appoint Laura Marshall to the vacant position on the Canyon Area Library Board. Motion carried unanimously. City Attorney Chuck Hester reported that he had received a Special Warranty Deed from Canyon Capital Group, LLC to convey the medians in Spring Canyon Subdivision described in the Conveyance and Maintenance Agreement signed on November 20, 2024 and made a recommendation that the conveyance be accepted. Mayor Pro-Tem Jones moved, duly seconded by Commission Cranmer to accept the conveyance of medians in Spring Canyon from Canyon Capital Group, LLC. Motion carried unanimously. City Commission Meeting February 4, 2025 Page 7 of 7 Item 16. Consider and Take Appropriate Action on Eminent Domain Authorization. No discussion held. No action. Item 17. Adjourn. There being no further business, Mayor Pro-Tem Jones moved this meeting be adjourned at 8:20 pm. ______________________________ Gary Hinders, Mayor ATTEST: ________________________________ Gretchen Mercer, City Secretary