City Council Meeting

MINUTES RICHWOOD CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 08, 2024 at 6:00 PM BE IT KNOWN THAT a City of Richwood City Council will meet Monday, April 8, 2024, 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 6:02 p.m. II. INVOCATION Tricia Ditto, Finance Director, led the invocation. III. PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Durham led the pledges. IV. 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; Police Chief Stephen Mayer; Philip Knop, City Attorney. V. PUBLIC COMMENTS There was no public comment. VI. PROCLAMATION A. VOW 22, April 13, 2024 Mayor Durham read the VOW 22 proclamation and presented it to the VOW 22 representative. VII. PRESENTATION A. Recognition of Outgoing Council Members 1. Mike Johnson, Position 1| 2018-2024 2. Rory Escalante, Position 4 | 2020-2024 Mayor Durham presented plaques recognizing the outgoing City Council Members.  B. Fire Department Report Mark Guthrie, Assistant Fire Chief, presented on behalf of the fire department. Discussion was held on funding to use for budgeting and planning. Discussion held on needs. Discussion held on recruitment and volunteer needs. No action, report only. VIII. CONSENT AGENDA A. Budget Report, February 2024 B. Appoint Steve Mesker to the Crime Control and Prevention District Board. C. Approval of minutes from regular meeting held March 11, 2024. Motion to approve consent agenda. Motion made by Amanda Reynolds, Seconded by Rory Escalante. Voting Yea: Mike Johnson, Mike Challenger, Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried. IX. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Motion to move item C to item A Motion made by Amanda Reynolds, Seconded by Mike Challenger. Voting Yea: Mike Johnson, Mike Challenger, Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried. A. Discuss and consider awarding bid #24-001Q, Request for Qualifications for Water & Wastewater Impact Fee Study Update. Clif Custer, Public Works Director, presented. Ryan Tinsley presented on behalf of Strand. Discussion held on previous study done. Discussion was held on Strand's familiarity with our infrastructure. Discussion held on staff recommendation. Discussion held on benefits of keeping fees. Discussions were held on timelines and required public hearings. Motion to award bid #24-001Q to Strand Associates. Motion made by Amanda Reynolds, Seconded by Jeremy Fountain. Voting Yea: Mike Johnson, Mike Challenger, Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried. B. Discuss and consider approving a recycling initiative facilitated by Keep Richwood Beautiful. Kai York, KRB Chairman, presented.  Discussions was held about the cleanliness of the area and what would be done if it began to be abused. Motion to approve a recycling initiative facilitated by Keep Richwood Beautiful. Motion made by Jeremy Fountain, Seconded by Mike Challenger. Voting Yea: Mike Johnson, Mike Challenger, Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried. C. Discuss and consider approval of the revised Inter local Agreement for the Collection of Taxes between Brazoria County and the City of Richwood. Tricia Ditto, Finance Director, presented. Discussion held on current appraisals. Motion to approve the revised Interlocal Agreement for the Collection of Taxes between Brazoria County and the City of Richwood. Motion made by Amanda Reynolds, Seconded by Rory Escalante. Voting Yea: Michael Durham, Mike Johnson, Mike Challenger, Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Motion carried. D. Discuss and consider appointing Mayor Pro-Tem. Mayor Durham recommended Council Member Reynolds for the position based on her experience. Motion to appoint Amanda Reynolds to mayor pro tem. 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 consent agenda Nothing removed. X. EXECUTIVE SESSION 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. 1. Eric Foerster, City Manager City Council recessed into executive session at 7:10 p.m. XI. ACTION AS A RESULT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion to approve renewing the City Managers contract from April 2024 to 2027 as written, amending section 2.5 to make the insurance provider generic instead of listing a company and approving a 5% pay increase.  Motion made by Amanda Reynolds, Seconded by Mike Johnson. Voting Yea: Mike Johnson, Amanda Reynolds, Rory Escalante, Jeremy Fountain Voting Nay: Mike Challenger Motion carried. XII. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS UPDATE Clif Custer, Public Works Director, presented. XIII. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Eric Foerster provided an update regarding the removal of the fuel tanks. XIV. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS & REPORTS Mike Johnson expressed thanks to KRB for hosting the cleanup. He also stated that it’s been six years, and it has been fun. Mike Challenger expressed gratitude to outgoing Councilmembers. Amanda Reynolds thanked KRB for the trash bash efforts, adding that the support and attendance were good to see. She also thanked Mike and Rory for their contributions and guidance. Rory Escalante expressed thanks for the past 4 years, with added thanks to Eric and the staff. Jeremy Fountain thanked Mike and Rory for their service and added that he hopes to continue to do good work. XV. MAYOR'S REPORT The mayor reported that his wife won secondary principal of the year. He also thanked Mike and Rory for their service to the city. Mayor congratulated Eric on his contract extension and also thanked the Chief of Police and Fire Department. XVI. ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST Ellis Park - Dedication 5/11 2 pm KRB clean up Thursday Friday Saturday - Mosquito. XVII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Training on techniques for difficult customers Workshop with staff to define roles of staff within the city BWA Appoint XVIII. ADJOURNMENT Being there no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:58 p.m. These minutes were read and approved on the 13th day of May 2024. __________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: ______________________________________ City Secretary