City Council Regular Session

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION Monday, May 10, 2021 – 6:00 PM 109 North Kaufman Street, Mount Vernon, Texas 75457 Our mission: to provide effective and fiscally responsible municipal services in a manner which promotes our high standard of community life. MINUTES Call to order and announce a quorum is present. PRESENT Mayor Brad Hyman Mayor Pro Tem Michael Long Councilman Kris White Councilman Mark Huddleston ABSENT Councilman Steve Hammons Councilwoman Sherelyn Roberson Visitors: Danny Valdez, Rebecca Bailey, Johnny Newsom, Mark Sachse, Colin Clasby, Don Whiteman and family, Jennifer, Garrett and Gunner Tarver and Carolyn Teague Invocation and Pledges Consent Agenda Items on the Consent Agenda are approved by a single action of the Council, with such approval applicable to all items appearing on the Consent Agenda. A Council Member may request any item to be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered as a separate item. Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Long, Seconded by Councilman White. Voting Yea: Mayor Pro Tem Long, Councilman White, Councilman Huddleston 1. Minutes 4-12-2021 2. April, 2021 financial report 3. Arbor Day Proclamation proclaiming April 30th, 2021 as Arbor Day Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Long, Seconded by Councilman White. Voting Yea: Mayor Pro Tem Long, Councilman White, Councilman Huddleston Report on Items of Community Interest The City Council will have an opportunity to address items of community interest, including: expressions of thanks, congratulations, or condolence; information regarding holiday schedules; an honorary or salutary recognition of a public official, public employee, or other citizen; a reminder about an upcoming event organized or sponsored by the City of Mount Vernon; information regarding a social, ceremonial, or community event organized or sponsored by an entity other than the City of Mount Vernon that was attended or is scheduled to be attended by a member of the City Council or an official or employee of the City of Mount Vernon; and announcements involving an imminent threat to the public health and safety of people in the City of Mount Vernon that has arisen after posting the agenda. Former Mayor, J D Baumgardner's memorial service will be Saturday, May 15, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church. Presenting the flags for June will be the Girl Scouts, for July will be the Cub Scouts and for August will be the Boy Scouts. Citizen Participation (3 minutes) The Texas Open Meetings Act prohibits the Council from responding to any comments other than to refer the matter to a future agenda, to an existing policy, or to a staff person with specific information. Claims against the City, Council Members, or employees, as well as individual personnel appeals are not appropriate for citizens’ forum. No one spoke. Public Hearing The purpose of this hearing is to hear evidence for or against a request made by Donald P Whiteman to rezone from General Business (GB) to Local Retail (LR) their property located at 416 North Kaufman Street in Mt. Vernon, Texas. Mayor Hyman closed the Regular Session at 6:05 p.m. and opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Donald Whiteman spoke in favor of his request and explained the family wishes to build a new facility for the Bearded Collie Groomers and wishes to turn the current facility into a home. No one spoke against this request. Mayor Hyman closed the Public Hearing and re-opened the Regular Session at 6:07 p.m. Items to be Considered: 4. Consider and Act upon approval of Ordinance 2021-04 canvassing the returns of the 2021 General Election. SWEAR IN NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS Motion made by Councilman White, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Long. Voting Yea: Mayor Pro Tem Long, Councilman White, Councilman Huddleston. At this time City Secretary, Kathy Lovier, swore into office Mark Huddleston, Michael Long, Harold Cason and Rebecca Bailey. 5. Consider and Act upon approval of Ordinance 2021-03 re-zoning 416 N. Kaufman Street from General Business (GB) to Local Retail (LR).  Motion made by Councilman Huddleston, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Long. Voting Yea: Mayor Pro Tem Long, Councilman Huddleston, Councilman Cason, Councilwoman Bailey 6. Consider and Act upon appointment of Mayor Pro Tem (one year term). Motion made by Councilman Huddleston to re-appoint Michael Long as Mayor Pro Tem, Seconded by Councilwoman Bailey. Voting Yea: Councilman Huddleston, Councilman Cason, Councilwoman Bailey Voting Abstaining: Mayor Pro Tem Long 7. Consider and Act upon approval of 2021 City Board Appointments as presented. Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Long, Seconded by Councilman Huddleston. Voting Yea: Mayor Pro Tem Long, Councilman Huddleston, Councilman Cason, Councilwoman Bailey 8. Consider and Act upon appointment of the local Rabies Authority. Motion made by Councilman Huddleston to appoint Colin Clasby, Animal Control Officer as the Rabies Authority, Seconded by Councilwoman Bailey. Voting Yea: Mayor Pro Tem Long, Councilman Huddleston, Councilman Cason, Councilwoman Bailey 9. Consider and Act upon approval of new interlocal agreement between Franklin County and the City of Mount Vernon for tax collection Motion made by Councilman Cason, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Long. Voting Yea: Mayor Pro Tem Long, Councilman Huddleston, Councilman Cason Discussion Items and Mayor/Council/City Administrator Reports: 10. Water, Sewer, Streets, Park, Sidewalks, Grants (City Admin) Main Street Report (Carolyn Teague) EDC Report (City Admin/EDC president) City Administrator Rose reported the Houston and Jackson Streets project funded by EDC has been completed, the Courthouse sidewalk project is underway and the sidewalks and steps in the square have been completed, the American Rescue Plan Act has allotted the City approximately $600k that can be used for water and sewer infrastructure projects, this has not yet been funded but she is pursuing what the money can be used for to be ready to start the projects when the money is funded, the Police Department has received their first fully ready police unit, the others will be filtering in, she has supplied the Council with projected budget calendars and we will begin this process the first of June, and finally the Sherlock Homes Addition street projects will begin soon. Main Street-Ms. Teague report the Farmer's Market began May 1st, and Second Saturdays began May 8th. Some of the businesses around the square reported business is up and feel it is due to the Market being open again. Smokey Row update is that they are waiting on light poles to be delivered before they can start the project and there is no date set for delivery, things are just that backed up. Main Street is working with the MVISD 5th grade class for Preservation Day, the class will be taught the history of the downtown buildings then given a picture to figure out which building it is and then tell a little of the history of the building that they learned. Again, Ms. Teague explained to the new Council that Lindsey  Bliss owner of Diamonds and Dirt is working with Texas Historical Commission Architects, which is a service offered to us because we are a Main Street City, to design her sign for her new business. The Glove Factory was awarded the $20k facade grant and will be using it for the metal building on the side. Finally, a vendor from the Farmer's Market is looking for a small space to start a business because they have done so well at the Market. EDC- Mark Sachse reported he was very excited to work with the new council, proud of the street project EDC funded for the City, he feels the downtown area is really coming alive with all the improvements. He reported there will be a grand-opening finally for the splashpad, it will be June 5, 2021. Finally, he reported the employer appreciation luncheon for April was the Wafford family who own several business in town, the family and their employees were very appreciative of the lunch. Presiding Officer to Adjourn the City Council Meeting Motion made by Councilman Huddleston, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Long. Voting Yea: Mayor Pro Tem Long, Councilman Huddleston, Councilman Cason, Councilwoman Bailey ___/s/ Brad Hyman_____________ Brad Hyman – Mayor ATTEST: ___/s/ Kathy Lovier____________________ Kathy Lovier – City Secretary