City Council Regular Meeting

Minutes of Regular Meeting The City Council City of Richwood A Regular Meeting of the City Council of City of Richwood was held Monday, February 8, 2016, beginning at 6:00 PM in the Richwood City Hall, 1800 N. Brazosport Blvd. Richwood, Texas. I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mark Guthrie, Mayor and presiding officer. II. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Glenn Patton, City Manager. III. PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge were recited by those in attendance. IV. ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS Roll call showed the following members present: Mark Guthrie, Mayor and presiding officer Paul Raymond, Council, Position #1 Melissa Blanks, Council, Position #2 Jarrod Beaty, Council, Position #3 Sarah Harris, Council, Position #4 Chris Hardison, Council, Position #5 A quorum was declared. Others present included Glenn Patton, City Manager, Karen B. Schrom, City Secretary, Bryan Corb, Police Chief, Linda Pace, Administrative Assistant, Jennifer Beaty, Code Enforcement, Lauren LaCount, Brad Caudle, Jason Pabey, Kevin Story, James Perry, Patti Guthrie, Clint Kocurek, Justin Gatlin, William Robertson, Alan Simon, and Michele Story. V. CONSENT AGENDA On motion by Councilman Beaty, seconded by Councilman Harris, with all members  present voting aye, the items on the Consent Agenda were approved as presented. A. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings B. Payment of bills C. Appoint Parks & Recreation Board Members D. Appoint Crime Control and Prevention District E. Request to close portion of Audubonwoods Drive for Barbeque Cookoff, March 25 and 26, 2016, in the event of rain VI. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS A. Order May 7, 2016 election On motion by Councilman Harris, seconded by Councilman Beaty, with all members present voting aye, it was duly adopted to order the May 7, 2016 election. B. Joint Election Agreement and Contract for Election Services On motion by Councilman Hardison, seconded by Councilman Harris, with all member present voting aye, it was duly adopted to approve the Joint Election Agreement and Contract for Election Services. C. Ordinance No. 403 - Setting a date, time, and place for a public hearing on the proposed annexation of 4907 Brazosport Blvd and Service Plan On motion by Councilman Harris, seconded by Councilman Raymond, with all members voting aye, to adopt Ordinance No. 403, setting the public hearing on the proposed annexation at the next regular Council meeting. D. Request for Equipment for the Police Department The Police Department is requesting the following equipment: 10 new Panasonic MDT computers $55,600.00 4 new Watch Guard in-car videos $19,280.00 Total requested amount $74,880.00 The new MDT’s will replace the ones we currently have and will allow for each vehicle to have a computer instead of the officers taking them out and putting them back in the cars at the beginning and end of each shift. The new in-car videos will allow us to standardize cameras and will allow for  cameras in new vehicles purchased through CCPD funds. On motion by Councilman Harris, seconded by Councilman Raymond, with all members present voting aye, the request for equipment for the Police Department was denied as there is not enough money at the time. E. Partial closure of Highway 288B on October 23, 2016 for Triathlon The Mammoth Lake Triathlon is scheduled for October 23, 2016. The event comes down Highway 288 B, so the inside lanes, both North and South bound will be blocked from the South City limits to the turn a around, which is in front of First Baptist Richwood and then back to the South City limits. The traffic is back to normal by 10 am. They will have warning signs out well in advance of the event, they will have cones, barricades, and officers at the intersections to ensure traffic flow as well as safety for all involved. The event is tentatively scheduled for October 23, 2016 this year. They need our approval as soon as possible to finalize the event. On motion by Councilman Harris, seconded by Councilman Beaty, with all members present voting aye, the request for partial closure of Highway 288B on October 23, 2016 is approved as presented. F. Resolution No. 16-01, annual review of the City's Investment Policy On motion by Councilman Harris, seconded by Councilman Hardison, with all members present voting aye, Resolution No. 16-01, annual review of the City’s Investment Policy was approved as presented. G. Personnel Policy Revisions - Whistleblower Act, City Health/Dental Plan, Firearms Prohibition On motion by Councilman Raymond, seconded by Councilman Beaty, with all members present voting aye, it was duly adopted to table this and separate the various Personnel Policy Revisions into separate agenda items on the next meeting. H. Retiree Health/Dental/Vision program Councilman Raymond would like to see more data and methodology on the program. He would also like to see what other cities are doing. Councilman Beaty stated there are other ways to maintain employees such as  work/life balance programs, additional means for vacation. On motion by Councilman Beaty, seconded by Councilman Raymond, with all members present voting aye, it was duly adopted to table this item. I. Approve items removed from Consent Agenda There were none. VII. REPORTS A. Finance Reports Par for the period ending January 31, 2016 is 66%. Revenues are exceeding expenditures. We have received the majority of our revenues for General Fund. VIII. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Crawford has signed the paperwork and they are on track with the 380 Agreement. Lift Station #4 was completed with 2 weeks. The inside of the wet well has been coated and should extend the lifespan of the lift station. There are plans to include electrical work in next year’s budget. We have received the results of the smoke testing and have a meeting with our engineer this week. IX. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Personnel Policy Revision – Whistleblower Act Personnel Policy Revision – Firearms Prohibition Personnel Policy Revision – City Health/Dental Plan Retiree Health/Dental/Vision progam Public Hearing on Annexation of Crawford’s Presentation from KRB on GCAA award X. COMMITTEE REPORTS Councilman Blanks reported Keep Richwood Beautiful met with the representative from TxDot on January 26th regarding the GCAA grant planting. Hopefully this program will be completed by August of this year.  XI. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS & REPORTS Councilman Harris stated she felt the discussion regarding the personnel policy revisions sounded to her like the employees were being told they couldn’t bring items to the Council. Councilman Blank thanked those in the audience for their emails. XII. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Guthrie stated it was great to be here and thanked Council for giving him the opportunity. He reiterated that Council do need to hear from the residents of the City. He also stated that we had a great turn out for his first official act as Mayor – BCCA. XIII. PUBLIC COMMENTS Brad Caudle addressed Council and said when he came to work for the City, he came with the understanding that he would not be a yes man. He upset some folks and lost his job. He has tried to explain. He also stated that when he was terminated, Jessica Bailey turned in her two weeks notice. Mr. Patton told her that he knew she’d be uncomfortable and encouraged her to resign immediately. They have filed a complaint with the EEOC and are still waiting for a response. He then played an audio for Council that appeared to be Mr. Patton and a female, possibly Ms. Bailey. Mr. Patton apologized for anything he may have done that made her feel uncomfortable. He stated he is having a hard time getting back into law enforcement. XIV. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m. APPROVED BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF COUNCIL ON MARCH 21, 2016. ___________________________________ Mark Guthrie, Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________________ Karen B. Schrom, City Secretary