City Council Regular Session

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION Monday, June 14, 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 1,058 At 5:30 p.m. a reception will be held to honor the Scout Troops whom will be presenting the flags in June, July and August. Call to order and announce a quorum is present. PRESENT Mayor Brad Hyman Councilman Mark Huddleston Councilwoman Sherelyn Roberson Councilman Harold Cason Councilwoman Rebecca Bailey City Administrator Tina Rose City Secretary Kathy Lovier ABSENT Mayor Pro Tem Michael Long VISITORS Ricky Jones, Leah Thomas, Lillie Bush Reves, Jon and Crystal Copeland, J Martin Sanchez, Mark Sachse, Kenneth Cupp, Scott Ragsdale, Colin Clasby, Jenny Wilkes, and the Mt Vernon Girl Scout Troup Invocation and Pledges Councilwoman Roberson lead the meeting with the invocation. The Mount Vernon Girl Scouts lead pledges for the meeting. 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. 1. Minutes 5-10-2021, May 2021 Financial, Proclamation for National Preservation Month Motion made by Councilwoman Roberson, Seconded by Councilman Huddleston. Voting Yea: Councilman Huddleston, Councilwoman Roberson, Councilman Cason, Councilwoman Bailey Report on Items of Community Interest Mayor Hyman reported this past Saturday, there were many activities in town, the grand opening for the splash pad with a live remote from KLAKE radio, Farmer's Markey, Second Saturday entertainment, the sidewalk project is more than half way complete and the Chamber of Commerce was sponsoring the Amazing Race. 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 Mayor Hyman closed the regular meeting and opened the public hearing at 6:07 p.m. 2. The purpose of this hearing is to hear evidence for or against a request made by Jon and Crystal Copeland to rezone from Intensive Industrial (II) to Local Retail (LR) and special exception Bed and Breakfast rentals at their property located at 201 and 203 Dallas Street, Mt. Vernon, Texas. Jon and Crystal Copeland gave a brief summary of their plans to build the B&B Cottages in stages, they are currently renovating the metal building and have already secured two tenants, The Glove Factory is solid booked for many months. They would like the rezoning request to be approved. Mayor Hyman closed the Public Hearing and re-opened the Regular Meeting at 6:10 p.m. Items to be Considered: 3. Consider and Act upon approval of Ordinance 2021-05 rezoning 201 and 203 Dallas Street from Intensive Industrial (II) to Local Retail and Special Exception of Bed and Breakfast Rentals, Motion made by Councilman Huddleston, Seconded by Councilman Cason. Voting Yea: Councilman Huddleston, Councilwoman Roberson, Councilman Cason, Councilwoman Bailey 4. Consider and Act upon approval of Resolution 21-10 contract with Texas BBQ Corral (Royce Dimsdle) and Mt Vernon EDC in the amount of $11,000.00 for Existing Business Structure Assistance. Motion made by Councilwoman Roberson, Seconded by Councilwoman Bailey. Voting Yea: Councilman Huddleston, Councilwoman Roberson, Councilman Cason, Councilwoman Bailey 5. Consider and Act up approval of recommendation of EDC Board to approve Martin Sanchez with Sanchez & Associates as the Consultant/Director for EDC. Motion made by Councilwoman Roberson, Seconded by Councilman Huddleston. Voting Yea: Councilman Huddleston, Councilwoman Roberson, Councilman Cason, Councilwoman Bailey  6. Consider and Act upon approval of EDC Consultant contract. Motion made by Councilwoman Roberson, Seconded by Councilman Cason. Voting Yea: Councilman Huddleston, Councilwoman Roberson, Councilman Cason, Councilwoman Bailey 7. Consider and Act upon resignation of Mayor Pro Tem, Michael Long. Motion made by Councilman Cason, Seconded by Councilwoman Bailey. Voting Yea: Councilman Huddleston, Councilwoman Roberson, Councilman Cason, Councilwoman Bailey 8. Consider and Act upon appointment of Mayor Pro Tem. Mayor Hyman recommended Mark Huddleston. Motion made by Councilman Cason, Seconded by Councilwoman Bailey. Voting Yea: Councilwoman Roberson, Councilman Cason, Councilwoman Bailey Voting Abstaining: Councilman Huddleston Discussion Items and Mayor/Council/City Administrator Reports 9. Water, Sewer, Streets, Park, Sidewalks, Grants (City Admin) 2021/2022 Budget: Fire and Police Department Main Street Report EDC Report (City Admin/EDC president) Administrator Rose informed the Council 11 new homes are currently being built, Will Radican has turned in his preliminary plans for a subdivision on SH37 with 14 lots, Andrews Street project could be up to six more houses, the police department has hired a new officer, Tim Martin, the Main Street Director, Carolyn Teague, retired 6/11/21, two trees have been taken down in the park and in lift station three, the sidewalk project is coming in under bid by about $45k, KSA Engineers will be looking at how much work could be done on the wall around the square, the departments have all turned in their wish lists for the budget, health insurance costs will increase $19 per employee and retirement costs are down slightly, the two should offset each other, HOT Fund applications are due July 1st and the applications for funding will be discussed at the July 12th meeting. No report will be made for Main Street other than what Mrs. Rose has reported. Mr. Sachse, EDC Board President, reported the business appreciation lunches are still in full swing, Sam Harvey Funeral Home was honored in May and Kinetic Energy will be honored tomorrow, June 15th, two scholarships in the amount of $1,000 were given to Ben Minter and Savannah Stanley, the grand opening for the splash pad was very successful, the Boy Scouts sold hotdogs and drinks donated by Brookshire's, and finally, Mr. Sachse will be meeting with Will Radican to see what help the EDC can bring to his project. Sheriff Jones and Fire Chief Cupp both made budget requests for needed equipment for the up coming budget cycle.  Mayor Hyman presented certificates to each Girl Scout participating in the meeting, this will help the girls to earn their government working badge. Presiding Officer to Adjourn the City Council Meeting At 7:39 p.m. a motion was made by Councilman Huddleston to close the meeting, Seconded by Councilwoman Roberson. Voting Yea: Councilman Huddleston, Councilwoman Roberson, Councilman Cason, Councilwoman Bailey _____/s/ Brad Hyman______________________ Brad Hyman – Mayor ATTEST: __/s/ Kathy Lovier__________________________ Kathy Lovier – City Secretary