City Council

November 3, 2020 Election Day (Reminder Governor's change re COVID-19) David Allen, Mayor Kendric Jones, Council Member Position 3 Brian Rowland, Council Member Position 1 Wendy Williams, Council Member Position 4 Jonathon Randle, Council Member Position 2 Xante’ Wallace, Council Member Position 5 CITY OF PRAIRIE VIEW www.prairieviewtexas.gov In accordance with order of the Office of the Governor issued March 16, 2020, the City Council of the City of Prairie View. Texas will conduct a telephonic meeting in order to advance the public health goal of limiting face-to-face meetings (also called “social distancing”) to slow the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This City Council Meeting will be held on Monday, July 13, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. The public may participate in this meeting by dialing in to the following toll-free number 1-866-899-4679_Access Code_843-620-053. Anyone wishing to offer public comments or speak during a public hearing may do so by notifying the City Secretary at least two hours prior to the meeting at abynum@prairieviewtexas.gov. A recording of the telephonic meeting will be made and will be available to the public in accordance with the Open Meetings Act upon written request. _____________________________________________________________________________ AGENDA Call to Order Roll Call/Certification of Quorum Invocation and Pledge Public Comments: Citizens who have signed up with the City Secretary, Allison Bynum at abynum@prairieviewtexas.gov at least 2 hours before the meeting will be recognized. Comments will be limited to three (3) minutes. City Council will listen to the comments but cannot discuss or respond to the comments during the meeting. The matter may be referred to a department head, Mayor or City Council may direct that the matter be placed on the next regular City Council Agenda. Minutes 1. Discuss and take action on the approval of City Council Meeting Minutes dated June 8, 2020. 2. Discuss and take action on the approval of City Council Meeting Minutes dated June 22, 2020. Items of Community Interest 3. Discuss updates on all grants that are in progress for the City of Prairie View. (CC Wallace) 1  November 3, 2020 Election Day (Reminder Governor's change re COVID-19) Presentations and Reports: City Council Reports Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 551.0415, City Council Members, without having provided notice, may make reports about items of community interest if no action is taken and possible action is not discussed regarding the information provided in the report. "Items of community interest" includes: (1) expressions of thanks, congratulations, or condolence; (2) information regarding holiday schedules; (3) an honorary or salutary recognition of a public official, public employee, or other citizen, except that a discussion regarding a change in the status of a person's public office or public employment is not an honorary or salutary recognition for purposes of this subdivision; (4) a reminder about an upcoming event organized or sponsored by the governing body; (5) information regarding a social, ceremonial, or community event organized or sponsored by an entity other than the governing body that was attended or is scheduled to be attended by a member of the governing body or an official or employee of the political subdivision; and (6) announcements involving an imminent threat to the public health and safety of people in the political subdivision that has arisen after the posting of the agenda. Mayor’s Report  Mayor’s Management Discussion & Activity; updated report attached  $742,000 Rosewood sewer lines upgrade (approved selecting contractor)  $1,400,000 James Muse Parkway; adding water and sewer (approved, contractor)  $2 million Smart City Grant (applying); $100,000 Research Grant (received)  Mellon Foundation: Spellman College/Atlanta; GSU/Grambling, Tuskegee/Tuskegee, Independence Heights/TSU, City of Prairie View/PVAMU  $334,536 FEMA Hurricane Harvey Grant to repair mold and leaks in City Hall (funds approved, contractor selected)  Telehealth/Telemedicine Grant: Allow residents to seek and obtain medical and health related assistance with medical professionals over cellphone, computer, smart tv.  $333,642 PVPD Neighbors Grant  Black Lives Matter Mural: Sponsors: Roy Perry PVAMF; President Ruth J Simmons PVAMU; Mayor David; Allen and Dr. Fred Bonner II, MACH III Alumni/other donors: Chandra Adams; Johnie Walker; Marie Herndon; Mr. Crawford; Latonya Schooling; Nire Barnes; Panther Hill Apts.; Trish  Mayor’s Neighborhood (90+) and Homebound Residents Meal Project (during COVID-19) 42 served weekly by volunteers Katheryn Reed, CC Wendy Williams, Marie Herndon, Johnie Walker and myself as a way of checking on our seniors during these stay at home times.  New Food Program (USDA): 1,536 fruits and vegetable boxes & 1,500 meat boxes, July 16, 2020  COVID-19: Emergency Declaration and Mayor’s Executive Orders (employee masks, etc.)  Rosewood subdivision $742,000.00 grant to upgrade sewer pipes for area residents  Fire hydrants (several added throughout City), manholes, new/increased water and sewer pipes in several areas including Marie Antoinette, Joan of Arc, Primrose, Santa Monica, Toulon Riviera, Oleander Streets, University Drive and more.  New Street Lights: 3 night rides with San Bernard Electric added lights in every area of the City as needed for improve visibility and safety and address resident concerns.  Established an NPO Officer (Neighborhood Officer); this office is a permanent community police officer who is well connected with the citizens, focusing on their immediate neighborhood concerns. 2  November 3, 2020 Election Day (Reminder Governor's change re COVID-19)  Hired 6 additional officers within 4 months to increase the Department to 13 officers, providing the City more patrols and visibility for crime prevention and community support programs.  Acquired 5 Utility, Military high-water vehicles for hurricane disasters to have immediate rescue missions deployed, rather than waiting for outside help, and a Mobile Command Center for emergencies.  The PVPD officers have 24/7 access to the Captain who is available for law enforcement guidance for any situation that its officers may encounter. The Captain, a former veteran Houston Police Homicide Supervisor/Detective, is capable of working the most serious of cases without necessity of calling in outside agencies to work those scenes.  City General Administration funding is also provided by the collection of franchise taxes and City building permits fees (Actual collected $500,423 vs Budgeted $433,000 and increase of $67,423). The increase over budget is due primarily to Fuelmaxx Shell Convenience Store Gas Station, Checkers Restaurant, Legacy of Prairie View, Gates of Prairie View Student Housing, Campus Edge Family Apartments and FlowChem’s Major Expansion.  The City Municipal Court System collects revenue from misdemeanor offenses that occur within the City (Actual collected $248,020 vs Budgeted $175,000 an increase of $73,020).  The Mayor is the Chief Administrative and Executive Officer of the City. The Mayor also serves as the Public Works Operations Manager, Emergency Management Director, Zoning Officer and Development Officer. The City Secretary and the City Treasurer have completed their first year and there are two Administrative Assistants. Department Reports 4. Report and approval of Emergency COVID-19 Funding Expenditures and possible action on using Emergency COVID-19 Funds to buy masks to be passed out to local businesses. 5. Discuss Bureau Veritas activities in the City since March. (Mayor Allen) 6. Discuss, consider, and take action on reports from Building Official- Bureau Veritas for February, March, and April. (CC Rowland) 7. Police Departments report on recent acquisition of military type vehicles; (CC Rowland) a. Description of the vehicle(s) and its intended use, b. Ownership of the vehicle(s), c. The authority for acquisition. d. Training e. Insurance and liability f. Policies in relation to vehicles Public Hearings Ordinances None at this time Resolutions 8. A Resolution of the City Council of Prairie View, Texas, Stating Policies in Relation to Use of Tear Gas, Use of Force, Chokehold Use, Use of Military Style Equipment; Use of No-Knock Warrants and Use of Facial Recognition 9. A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Prairie View, Texas, Replacing A Portion Of The City’s Personnel Manual As It Relates To Harassment, Retaliation And Whistleblower Complaint Procedures (CC Rowland, Mayor Allen) 3  November 3, 2020 Election Day (Reminder Governor's change re COVID-19) Other Action 10. Discuss and take action to enter into a debt settlement agreement with PVAMU for past due Wastewater amounts owed. Proposal includes with draft numbers showing a reduction of debt from $948,857 to $759,085, with a savings of 20% ($189,771) and a down payment of $159,085, leaving a debt balance due of $600,000, resulting in annual payments of $40,805. Documents previously distributed to Council (Past due Notices; Settlement Proposal by PVAMU; Amortization Schedule of debt proposed by Bookkeeper Johnson) a. Payment History from January 2015 to June 2020 b. Rate that the City charges the customers c. History of Rate Studies with USW d. History of Rate Changes – Month and Year e. History of Rate change Disputes – Month and Year f. Negotiation Repayment Possible Options g. Documentation concerning Wastewater bill (letters/emails) h. Process of disputing Water Rates by Dr. Finley i. Duties of Council as provided by Charter (Pg. 8, Sec. 9; h. & i.) 11. Discuss, consider, and take action on audit report – Erskine Payne. (CC Rowland) 12. Discuss and take action on Mayor Allen's recommendations for the Community Engagement Board. (CC Wallace) Recommended by Mayor Allen: 1. Ollie Witchet 2. Donnie Howard, Jr. Not recommended at this time: 3. Grace Brooks (Incomplete Application) 4. Jayven Jean-Louis (Incomplete Application) 5. Cameron Jackson (Waller, TX) 13. Discuss list of all current and active developments in the City of Prairie View and timeline. (CC Rowland) 14. Discuss and take action on Finance Committee Reports for the City. (CC Wallace) 15. Discuss and take action on Resolution designating Official City Traditions. (CC Wallace) 16. Discuss and take action on Code Enforcement practices throughout the City (CC Wallace) 17. Discuss, consider, and take action on Prairie View Police Department Organizational Chart. (CC Rowland) 18. Discuss and take action on Infrastructure Forums (CC Wallace) 19. Discuss and take action on Citizens Review Board (CC Wallace) 20. Discuss and take action on Memorandum of Understanding for Adopt A Block (CC Wallace) EXECUTIVE SESSION (Mayor Allen, City Secretary Bynum) Executive Session pursuant to: a. Texas Government Code, Section 551.074 (Personnel Matters) City Council will meet to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment duties, discipline or dismissal of a public officer or employee. – Durham. 4  November 3, 2020 Election Day (Reminder Governor's change re COVID-19) b. Texas Government Code, Section 551.071 (Consultation with Legal Counsel) when the governmental body seeks the advice of its attorney about pending or contemplated litigation; a settlement offer; or on a matter in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with the Open Meetings Act 1) Legal advice in relation to a (above); and 2) Legal advice in relation to recent complaints from Prairie View Police Officers both within the department and outside of the department. ACTION ARISING OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION  Consider action to consent to the termination of City Employee.  Consider any other action arising out of Executive Session. New Business (Future Agenda Items) • Requests by Mayor and Councilmembers that items are placed on a future City Council agenda. Adjournment I, the undersigned authority do hereby certify that the above Notice and Agenda of the Regular Meeting of the governing body of the City of Prairie View is a true and correct copy of said Notice and said Notice was posted on the City Hall front door, a place convenient and readily accessible to the general public at all times; said Notice was posted on Friday, July 10, 2020 by 5:00 p.m., and remained so posted continuously for at least 72 hours preceding the scheduled time for said meeting. The Notice and Agenda was also posted on the City’s website at http://www.prairieviewtexas.gov Dated this the day of July 10th, 2020 By: Allison Bynum Allison Bynum/City Secretary This facility is wheelchair accessible and accessible parking spaces are available. Requests for accommodations or interpretive services must be made 48 hours before this meeting. Please contact the City Secretary's Office at (936)857-3603. The City of Prairie View City Council reserves the right to adjourn into Executive Session at any time during the course of this meeting to discuss, as authorized by Texas Government Code Sections 551.071 (Consultation with Attorney), 551.072 (Deliberations about Real Property), 551.073 (Deliberations about Gifts and Donations), 551.074 (Personnel Matters), 551.076 (Deliberations about security Devices), and 551.086 (Economic Development). 5