City Council Meeting

MINUTES RICHWOOD CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, December 11, 2023 at 6:10 PM BE IT KNOWN THAT a City of Richwood City Council will meet Monday, December 11, 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: Present 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; Tricia Ditto, Finance Director; Clif Custer, Public Works Director; Police Chief, Stephen Mayer; Phillip Knop, City Attorney. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS There was no public comment. IV. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of minutes from regular meeting held November 13, 2023. B. Approval of minutes from special called meeting held November 17, 2023. C. Budget Report, October 2023 D. Budget Report, November 2023 Motion to approve consent agenda. Motion made by Amanda Reynolds, Seconded by Mike Johnson. Voting Yea: Mike Johnson, Mike Challenger, Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried. V. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS A. Final review and action on re-plat of lots 65 & 66; block 1 of Oakwood Shores Subdivision section 1 also known as 32234 Bayou Bend. Motion to approve re-plat of lots 65 & 66; block 1 of Oakwood Shores Subdivision section 1 also known as 32234 Bayou Bend. Motion made by Amanda Reynolds, Seconded by Mike Challenger. Voting Yea: Mike Johnson, Mike Challenger, Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried. B. Discussion, on-site inspection, and possible action regarding the City of Richwood service center and P.K. Forrest Building. (The City Council will travel to 720 N. Mahan to inspect the service center and community building.) Motion to move this item to after the executive session. Motion made by Mike Johnson, Seconded by Mike Challenger. Voting Yea: Mike Johnson, Mike Challenger, Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried. Motion to table. Motion made by Amanda Reynolds, Seconded by Mike Challenger. Voting Yea: Mike Johnson, Mike Challenger, Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried. C. Discuss and consider appointing Marcus Smith as the City of Richwood Fire Marshal. Eric Foerster, City Manager, presented information. Councilman Challenger is in opposition to hiring a new employee at this time. Motion to table this item. Motion made by Mike Challenger. Motion dies from lack of a second. Discussion was held on costs incurred and benefits of having someone in-house. Discussion was held on the status of inspections. Motion to appoint Marcus Smith City of Richwood Fire Marshal. Motion made by Mike Johnson, Seconded by Amanda Reynolds. Voting Yea: Mike Johnson, Mike Challenger, Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried. D. Discuss and consider adopting Ordinance 23-513, amending Chapter 4, Article 1, Section 4-2 (Referenced Codes) of the City of Richwood Code of Ordinances, establishing minimum standards for continued use and occupancy that apply to all buildings regardless of the date of construction. Kirsten Garcia, City Secretary, presented. Discussion was held on the possible financial burden on residents. Motion to adopt Ordinance 23-513, amending Chapter 4, Article 1, Section 4-2 (Referenced Codes) of the City of Richwood Code of Ordinances, establishing minimum standards for continued use and occupancy that apply to all buildings regardless of the date of construction. Motion made by Rory Escalante, Seconded by Mike Johnson. Voting Yea: Mike Johnson, Mike Challenger, Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried.  E. Consider items removed from the consent agenda No items were removed. VI. EXECUTIVE SESSION The City Council recessed into executive session at 6:29 p.m. Pursuant to Chapter 551.0745, Personnel Matters to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee, or to hear a complaint or charge against an officer or employee: 1. Stephen Mayer, Chief of Police 2. Eric Foerster, City Manager Pursuant to Chapter 551.071, Consultation with Counsel on legal matters: 1. Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool VII. ACTION AS A RESULT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION The City Council reconvened into regular session at 9:24 p.m. Pursuant to Chapter 551.0745, Personnel Matters to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee, or to hear a complaint or charge against an officer or employee: 1. Stephen Mayer, Chief of Police No action was taken. 2. Eric Foerster, City Manager No action was taken. Pursuant to Chapter 551.071, Consultation with Counsel on legal matters: 1. Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool No action was taken. VIII. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS UPDATE Clif Custer, Public Works Director, presented. IX. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Eric Foerster reported on the upcoming Shop with a Cop event. X. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS & REPORTS Mike Johnson reported that we had a great Christmas party and that he appreciates the work put into hosting it. Mike Challenger wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Amanda Reynolds echoed Councilman Challengers sentiments. Jeremy Fountain expressed thanks for hosting the party and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. XI. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Durham expressed thanks for the party, adding it was good to meet everyone. He also thanked the fire department for hosting their Christmas event, spoke regarding shop with a cop and wished everyone a Merry Christmas. XII. ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST No Report. XIII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Tabled field trip to the service center. Personnel policy updates Wastewater plant discussion/water discussion General election order XIV. ADJOURNMENT Being there no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m. These minutes were read and approved on the 08th day of January 2024. __________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: ______________________________________ City Secretary