City Council Meeting

MINUTES RICHWOOD CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, August 14, 2023 at 6:10 PM BE IT KNOWN THAT a City of Richwood City Council will meet Monday, August 14, 2023, beginning at 6:10 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 6:10 p.m. II. ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS Michael Durham, Mayor: Present Mike Johnson, Position 1: Absent Mike Challenger, Position 2: Present Amanda Reynolds, Position 3: Present Rory Escalante, Position 4: Present Jeremy Fountain, Position 5: Present Others present: Eric Foerster, City Manager; Kirsten Garcia, City Secretary; Nadia Nelson, Police Department; Tricia Ditto, Finance Director; Clif Custer, Public Works Director; Phillip Knop, City Attorney. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS Bob Page - 101 Hummingbird – Mr. Page would like Council to look into setting up a drop off point for sales and children exchanges at City Hall. He stated he would like to look into the discussion from public regarding speed bumps, this is harmful to low profile vehicles so, instead, he would like the city to allow cameras or signs to be posted by residents. Mr. Page also requested the City Secretary look into displaying the slides shown in person at meetings on the YouTube feed for the online viewers. IV. EMPLOYEE SERVICE AWARD A. Stacy Holmes, Police Department - 5 Years of Service Eric Foerster, City Manager, presented Detective Holmes with his service award. V. CONSENT AGENDA A. Budget Report, June 2023 B. Budget Report, July 2023. C. Investment Report, Q3 FY 2023 D. Approval of minutes from regular meeting held July 10, 2023. E. Approval of minutes from Budget Workshop meeting held July 17, 2023. Motion to approve consent agenda. Motion made by Amanda Reynolds, Seconded by Rory Escalante. Voting Yea: Mike Challenger, Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried. VI. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS A. Final review and action on re-plat of lots 30 & 31; block 1 of Oakwood Shores Subdivision section 1 also known as 31702 Bayou Bend. Motion to approve re-plat of lots 30 & 31; block 1 of Oakwood Shores Subdivision section 1 also known as 31702 Bayou Bend. Motion made by Amanda Reynolds, Seconded by Mike Challenger. Voting Yea: Mike Challenger, Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried. B. Finalreview and action on re-plat of lots 14, 15 & 16; block 2 of the Havenwood Subdivision also known as 15637 Edgewater. Motion to approve re-plat of lots 14, 15 & 16; block 2 of the Havenwood Subdivision also known as 15637 Edgewater. Motion made by Mike Challenger, Seconded by Amanda Reynolds. Voting Yea: Mike Challenger, Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried. C. Discuss and consider adoption of Ordinance 23-507, establishing a no parking zone along the north and south bound portions of Audubon Woods Drive between the north entrance/exit to Polk Elementary School and the intersection of Wisteria Street. Eric Foerster, City Manager, presented. Discussion held on marking the roadway and enforcement. Bob Page – 101 Hummingbird - stated in the past he believed the one way was the solution to the traffic problem. Discussion was held on the reasoning for the proposed ordinance. Motion to adopt Ordinance 23-507, establishing a no parking zone along the north and south bound portions of Audubon Woods Drive between the north entrance/exit to Polk Elementary School and the intersection of Wisteria Street. Motion made by Jeremy Fountain, Seconded by Amanda Reynolds. Voting Yea: Mike Challenger, Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried. D. Discuss and consider approving the sale of surplus equipment through Ritchie Brothers Gov Plant auction house located in Humble, Texas. Clif Custer, Public Works Director, presented. Discussion held on method of determining value of items. Discussion held on possibly hosting the public sale first and what doesn't sell then send to the auction house. Discussion held on benefits of using gov planet through costs and liability. Discussion held on transport of items to the auction house.  Motion to approve the sale of surplus equipment through Ritchie Brothers Gov Plant auction house located in Humble, Texas. Motion made by Amanda Reynolds, Seconded by Mike Challenger. Voting Yea: Mike Challenger, Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried. E. Discuss and consider authorizing the City Manager to engage in a contingency based contract for sales tax compliance and recovery for the City of Richwood and the Crime Control and Prevention District. Eric Foerster, City Manager presented. Discussion held on how the sales tax is reported to the comptroller. Discussion held on causing burden on small businesses. Motion to authorize the City Manager to engage in a contingency based contract for sales tax compliance and recovery for the City of Richwood and the Crime Control and Prevention District with Avenu Insights Motion made by Amanda Reynolds, Seconded by Jeremy Fountain. Voting Yea: Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Voting Nay: Mike Challenger Motion carried. F. Discuss and consider approving resolution 23-R-80, declaring property surplus and authorizing the sale of specified items. Eric Foerster, City Manager, presented. Discussion held on how this was purchased. Bob Page – 101 Hummingbird - spoke regarding oversight since so many members serve on multiple boards and have close ties to City Council. Leslie Klug – KRB Executive Director - equipment purchased well before the current board took over and no one knew until it was too late and already built. Jeremy Fountain spoke regarding the purchase of the equipment. Discussion held on how this can be prevented in the future. Discussion held on who is eligible to purchase the property. Motion to resolution 23-R-80, declaring property surplus and authorizing the sale of specified items with addendum that no employee, appointed, or elected official are allowed to bid on such property. Motion made by Jeremy Fountain, Seconded by Rory Escalante. Voting Yea: Mike Challenger, Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion Carried. G. Discuss and consider adopting ordinance 23-508, amending Appendix C - Fee Schedule of the Code of Ordinances to amend plumbing permit fees, utility rates and additional fees and voluntary donations.  Tricia Ditto, Finance Director, presented. Discussion held on application fee. Discussion held on water taps and fee. Discussion held on water rates and fees. Discussion held on outside effects on our rates. Bob Page – 101 Hummingbird - asked about those with two meters and being charged a base rate for both when their combined usage may be below the base rate minimum. Discussion held on swimming pool fill credit. Discussion held on ambulance service. Discussion held on looking at rate structure for future years. Discussion held on general fund to aid enterprise fund. Discussion held on ambulance fee. William Yearsin - spoke regarding the fees being voluntary or not. Discussion held on city service responsbility through tax dollars. Mr. Page requested clarification on the discounts and how they were initially enacted. Amanda Reynolds spoke regarding a citizen request for a voluntary fee for park equipment. Motion to ordinance 23-508, amending Appendix C - Fee Schedule of the Code of Ordinances to amend plumbing permit fees, utility rates and additional fees and voluntary donations with removal of ambulance fee. Motion made by Mike Challenger, Seconded by Jeremy Fountain. Voting Yea: Mike Challenger, Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried. H. Public hearing and action on the 2023-2024 fiscal year proposed budget of the Crime Control and Prevention District. Tricia Ditto, Finance Director, presented. Motion to approve 2023-2024 fiscal year proposed budget of the Crime Control and Prevention District. Motion made by Amanda Reynolds, Seconded by Jeremy Fountain. Voting Yea: Mike Challenger, Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried. I. Discuss and consider approving Resolution 23-R-79, setting the date and time for the Public Hearing for the 2023-2024 fiscal year Annual Budget for September 11, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Tricia Ditto, Finance Director, presented Motion to approve Resolution 23-R-79, setting the date and time for the Public Hearing for the 2023-2024 fiscal year Annual Budget for September 11, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.  Motion made by Jeremy Fountain, Seconded by Mike Challenger. Voting Yea: Mike Challenger, Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion Carried. J. Consider and record vote for proposed tax rate for the 2023-2024 fiscal year of $0.540587 which is a tax increase of up to 6.87% above the No New Revenue Tax Rate for the City of Richwood, to be adopted at a future meeting. Tricia Ditto, Finance Director, presented. Discussion held on how tax rates will affect small businesses. Motion to approve proposed tax rate for the 2023-2024 fiscal year of $0.540587 which is a tax increase of up to 6.87% above the No New Revenue Tax Rate for the City of Richwood, to be adopted at a future meeting. Motion made by Amanda Reynolds, Seconded by Jeremy Fountain. Voting Yea: Mike Challenger, Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried. K. Discuss and consider approving Resolution 23-R-78, setting the date and time for the Public Hearing for the 2023-2024 fiscal year proposed tax rate for September 11, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Tricia Ditto, Finance Director, presented. Motion to approve approving Resolution 23-R-78, setting the date and time for the Public Hearing for the 2023-2024 fiscal year proposed tax rate for September 11, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Motion made by Amanda Reynolds, Seconded by Jeremy Fountain. Voting Yea: Mike Challenger, Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried. L. Consider items removed from consent agenda No items. VII. EXECUTIVE SESSION The committee recessed into Executive Session at 8:05 p.m. Pursuant to Chapter 551.072, Deliberation regarding purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property: 1. Discussion and possible action on purchase of real property (Glenwood Bayou, Reserve H, 0.11 acres) VIII. ACTION AS A RESULT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION The board reconvened at 8:26 p.m. No action taken. IX. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS UPDATE Clif Custer, Public Works Director, presented. X. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Eric Foerster updated Council regarding the Undine TCEQ permit hearings. He also advised it’s looking more like we will enter stage two of drought contingency. XI. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS & REPORTS Mike Challenger reported about the the volunteer fire department and stated that he really appreciates them. Rory Escalante commented regarding the great discussion this evening, and stated he would like to bring up the water stage restrictions. He would like to keep the residents informed of the stages and how this affects them. He add that he would also like to incorporate fees into the tax rate and look into the water rates. Jeremy Fountain reminded everyone that school kicks off this week, please be aware and patient in the mornings. XII. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Durham expressed appreciation to Detective Holmes and the police department. Expressed appreciation to City staff. Expressed thanks to Eric for updates on the TCEQ meeting and encourages everyone to keep involved with it. XIII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Tax Rate Budget Adoption School Zone Ord Special Meeting - Monday 28th at 6 XIV. ADJOURNMENT Being there no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. The City Council may go into Executive Session on any item listed on the Agenda in accordance with Section 551-071 of the Government Code (attorney-client privilege). This facility is wheelchair accessible and accessible parking spaces are available. Requests for accommodations or interpretive services must be made 48 hours prior to this meeting. Please contact the City Secretary's Office at (979) 265-2082 or FAX (979) 265-7345 for further information. I, Kirsten Garcia, do hereby certify that I did, on August 10, 2023 at 12:00 PM post this notice of meeting on the bulletin board at 1800 N. Brazosport Blvd., Richwood, TX, in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Law.