City Council Regular Session

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION Monday, March 13, 2023 – 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. Vision Statement Mount Vernon is a caring community committed to excellence and quality of life, aspiring to be the community of choice for ourselves, our children, and future generations – beautiful, clean, vibrant, and safe. We will strive to preserve our heritage, our friendly hometown atmosphere, and celebrate the diversity of all our citizens. MINUTES 1,091 Mayor Hyman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and announced a quorum present. PRESENT Mayor Brad Hyman City Administrator Craig Lindholm City Secretary Kathy Lovier Councilwoman Sherelyn Roberson Councilman Harold Cason Councilwoman Rebecca Bailey Councilwoman Mary Keys ABSENT Mayor Pro Tem Mark Huddleston VISITORS Annetta Hamilton, Pam Barnard, Kathy Boyles, Gary Morrow, Mike Rambin, Lillie Bush-Reves, Gary & Kathy Boren, David Truesdale, Tom & Betty Austin, Jacqueline Miller, Joel & Laurie Dhile, B F Hicks, Cory Taylor, Colin Clasby and Lanny Buck Invocation and Pledges Consent Agenda 1. Minutes 2/13/2023 Workshop Meeting Minutes 2/27/2023 Motion made by Councilwoman Bailey, Seconded by Councilwoman Keys. Voting Yea: Councilwoman Roberson, Councilman Cason, Councilwoman Bailey, Councilwoman Keys Report on Items of Community Interest Councilwoman Roberson reported the Family Dollar Tree is clearing their lot to start construction, Duke's is working on their new facility and GR Steakhouse is now open. Citizen Participation (3 minutes) David Truesdale spoke against selling water to solar farm business and anyone who does business with them. He gave detailed information regarding the herbicides they were spraying and how they "filled up" at the City to spray in Cunningham, Texas. He wants the Council to pass a resolution to this effect at the next Council meeting. He gave each Council a map. B F Hicks spoke in support of Mr. Truesdale comments and does not want Korean companies coming into our County with these kind of businesses. He further reported a local family was made sick by the herbicides that were sprayed in Cunningham, Texas. Public Hearing The purpose of this hearing is to hear evidence for or against a request made by Michael Permerlee, Vice- President, GFC Leasing Corp., to reimburse construction permit fees and/or property tax abatement for business located at 410 W I-30, Mt. Vernon, Texas Mayor Hyman closed the Regular Session at 6:13 p.m. and opened the Public Hearing. No one spoke for or against this request. Mayor Hyman closed the Public Hearing at 6:14 p.m. and re-opened the Regular Session. Items to be Considered: 2. Consider and Act upon approval of awarding Cypress Creek Homes the bid for construction of two homes with the HOME program. Motion made by Councilwoman Bailey, Seconded by Councilman Cason. Voting Yea: Councilwoman Roberson, Councilman Cason, Councilwoman Bailey, Councilwoman Keys 3. Consider and act upon approval of recommendation of City Administrator for Chapter 380 Agreement with Golden Chick. Motion made by Councilwoman Roberson to refund the permitting fees of $2,400.00 once the business is open, Seconded by Councilman Cason. Voting Yea: Councilwoman Roberson, Councilman Cason, Councilwoman Bailey, Councilwoman Keys 4. Consider and act upon approval of Resolution 23-09 approving EDC Job Incentive agreement with Golden Chick. Motion made by Councilwoman Roberson, Seconded by Councilwoman Keys. Voting Yea: Councilwoman Roberson, Councilman Cason, Councilwoman Bailey, Councilwoman Keys 5. Consider and act upon approval of Franklin County Appraisal District 2023-2024 budget. Motion made by Councilwoman Roberson to postpone this item until a representative from FCAD could be present to answer questions, Seconded by Councilwoman Bailey. Voting Yea: Councilwoman Roberson, Councilman Cason, Councilwoman Bailey, Councilwoman Keys 6. Consider and act upon approval of Main Street Board recommendation of Pam Barnard to their board.  Motion made by Councilwoman Roberson, Seconded by Councilwoman Bailey. Voting Yea: Councilwoman Roberson, Councilman Cason, Councilwoman Bailey, Councilwoman Keys 7. Consider and act upon approval of Ordinance 2023-02 canceling 2023 Election. Motion made by Councilwoman Roberson, Seconded by Councilwoman Bailey. Voting Yea: Councilwoman Roberson, Councilman Cason, Councilwoman Bailey, Councilwoman Keys 8. Consider and Act upon approval of Ordinance 2023-03 contract fee schedule Motion made by Councilwoman Keys, Seconded by Councilwoman Roberson. Voting Yea: Councilwoman Roberson, Councilman Cason, Councilwoman Bailey, Councilwoman Keys Discussion Items and Mayor/Council/City Administrator Reports Administrator Lindholm advised the Council the Waste Water Treatment Plant is getting better every day, it is starting to come back, we have spent in excess of $30k removing sludge and will be pursuing different methods of removal to be more efficient. They are currently considering centrifuge or a press dewatering system. Lanny Buck with KSA Engineers reporting he is satisfied with progress, sometimes it does take a while to bring the race track back alive. He further stated he as heard of three other WWTP having this same problem. Administrator Lindholm further reported 15 gas leaks have been repaired at City Hall, at the April workshop meeting we will be discussing an RV Park ordinance, in the March workshop we will be discussing a pickleball court on the tennis court, A1 Roofing will present information regarding our roof and Craig Cunningham will be presenting city finance 101 for helping us as we move forward, Tom Wilkinson Estate gave approximately $30k to help with upkeep of the plaza, and Sgt. Jason Knox has received his master license. Chief Clasby asked the Council to consider repealing the open fires permit process and set into place a civil fine to be assessed when open fires become a nuisance or a violation of what is allowable being burned. He reported that there are 19 firemen, two new applications were handed out. Of those there are nine TCFP reported and four of those have 25+ years of service. Main Street Manager Hamilton reported the reinvestment summary for 2022 was $641k, 2021 was $156k, and 2020 was $755. Valentine bingo was a success and will probably become an annual event, MS handed out bags of candy to all workers in the MS district, April 1st will be the Wine Festival, there will be Easter in park that morning, a painting class and the Fire Station Museum will be opening a new exhibit. She further reported that Mt Pleasant Prom will also be at the Glove Factory on that same day. Adjourn Motion made by Councilman Cason at 7:10 p.m. to close the meeting, Seconded by Councilwoman Keys. Voting Yea: Councilwoman Roberson, Councilman Cason, Councilwoman Bailey, Councilwoman Keys _/s/ Brad Hyman ______ Brad Hyman – Mayor ATTEST: __/s/ Kathy Lovier__________ Kathy Lovier – City Secretary