City Council Meeting

MINUTES RICHWOOD CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 09, 2023 at 6:00 PM BE IT KNOWN THAT a City of Richwood City Council will meet Monday, January 9, 2023, beginning at 6:00 PM at Richwood City Hall, located at 1800 Brazosport Blvd. N., Richwood, Texas 77531 with the following agenda: I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. II. INVOCATION Tricia Ditto, Finance Director, led the invocation. III. PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Boykin led the pledges. IV. ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT Steve Boykin, Mayor Mike Johnson, Position 1 Melissa Strawn, Position 2 Matthew Yarborough, Position 3 Rory Escalante, Position 4 Jeremy Fountain, Position 5 Others present: Eric Foerster, City Manager; Kirsten Garcia, City Secretary; Patricia Ditto, Finance Director; Clif Custer; Public Works Director; Stephen Mayer, Chief of Police; Philip Knop, City Attorney V. SWEAR IN COUNCIL MEMBER A. Jeremy Fountain, Position 5 Kirsten Garcia, City Secretary, swore in Mr. Fountain. VI. PUBLIC COMMENTS William Yearsin - 244 Briarcreek - Mr. Yearsin addressed the Council regarding his civil rights being violated last City Council meeting by not being allowed to serve on the CCPD. Leslie Klug - 105 Hummingbird - Mrs. Klug addressed Council regarding current discouragement in committees and current city volunteers. She spoke regarding the fact that City Council decided not to allow someone to fill an open spot when we need volunteers. Lauren LaCount - Mrs. LaCount spoke regarding the volunteer being turned away from the committee. Requests that Council reach out to the affected committee before turning someone away. VII. CONSENT AGENDA A. Budget Report, November 2022 B. Appoint William Yearsin to the Crime Control and Prevention District Board. C. Approval of minutes from regular meeting held November 14, 2022. D. Approval of minutes from regular meeting held December 14, 2022.  Motion to remove Item B from consent agenda. Motion made by Mike Johnson, Seconded by Melissa Strawn. Voting Yea: Mike Johnson, Melissa Strawn, Matthew Yarborough, Rory Escalante Voting Nay: Jeremy Fountain Motion carried. Motion to approve remaining consent agenda. Motion made by Mike Johnson, Seconded by Melissa Strawn. Voting Yea: Mike Johnson, Melissa Strawn, Matthew Yarborough, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried. VIII. PRESENTATION A. 2022 Charter Review Commission Report Lauren LaCount presented the report. Mark Guthrie expressed appreciation to the committee for serving. Discussion held on how lowering the threshold for initiative could affect the City from a legal standpoint. IX. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS A. Discuss and consider Ordinance 23-501 calling the May 6, 2022 General Election and approving a joint election contract with Brazoria County. Motion to approve Ordinance 23-501 calling the May 6, 2023, General Election and approving a joint election contract with Brazoria County. Motion made by Mike Johnson, Seconded by Jeremy Fountain. Voting Yea: Mike Johnson, Melissa Strawn, Matthew Yarborough, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried. B. Discuss and consider Ordinance 23-502 calling a special election for May 6, 2023 for the consideration of proposed amendments to the Richwood City Charter. Motion to approve Ordinance 23-502 calling a special election for May 6, 2023, for the consideration of proposed amendments to the Richwood City Charter. Motion made by Jeremy Fountain, Seconded by Rory Escalante. Voting Yea: Mike Johnson, Melissa Strawn, Matthew Yarborough, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried.  C. Discuss and consider Ordinance 23-503 calling a special election for May 6, 2023, for the reauthorization of the local sales and use tax at the rate of one-fourth of one percent to continue providing revenue for the maintenance and repair of municipal streets. Motion to approve Ordinance 23-503 calling a special election for May 6, 2023 for the reauthorization of the local sales and use tax at the rate of one-fourth of one percent to continue providing revenue for the maintenance and repair of municipal streets. Motion made by Mike Johnson, Seconded by Matthew Yarborough. Voting Yea: Mike Johnson, Melissa Strawn, Matthew Yarborough, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried. D. Consider items removed from Consent Agenda. B. Appoint William Yearsin to the Crime Control and Prevention District Board. Motion to appoint William Yearsin to the Crime Control and Prevention District Board. Motion made by Jeremy Fountain, Seconded by Mike Johnson. Voting Yea: Mike Johnson, Matthew Yarborough, Jeremy Fountain Voting Nay: Melissa Strawn, Rory Escalante Motion carried. X. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS UPDATE Clif presented the update for Capital improvement. Discussion held on work to be done on the south water plant. XI. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Eric Foerster reported that he finished the post fire HMGP grant and it's been submitted. He added that we are waiting on crack sealing to begin also. Eric reported on our new Code Enforcement officer’s family emergency, requested everyone please keep him in your prayers. Discussion held on soil that was excavated after the spill. XII. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS & REPORTS Mike Johnson advised that he attended KRB meeting last month and went good. He expressed thanks to all volunteers. Melissa Strawn recognized law enforcement officers for law enforceent appreciation day. Jeremy Fountain expressed thanks to all volunteers and viewers of our meetings. He added that we always have things going on and would love to see people out. He expressed thanks to Clif and his team for all their hard work. XIII. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor recapped the previous year regarding weather. Reported on planning for the future regarding infrastructure and personnel. Reported on staff and volunteer efforts and he expressed appreciation to all. XIV. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS City Manager Review / hold a special meeting for this topic. 02/23/23 tentative City Council Policy Look at P&Z Ord After action on diesel spill BWA Representative Audit report Leslie Klug - stated she really hopes the actions of the Council members do not discourage people from applying for boards and commissions for the City. XV. ADJOURNMENT Being there no further business, the meeting was adjourned 7:15 p.m. These minutes were read and approved on this 13th day of February 2023. __________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: ______________________________________ City Secretary