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, August 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 Jarrod Beaty, Mayor Pro Tem and Presiding Officer. II. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Pastor Justin Gatlin. III. PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge of Allegiance 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 – arrived at 6:15 p.m. Paul Raymond, Council, Position #1 Jarrod Beaty, Council, Position #3 Lauren LaCount, Council, Position #4 Chris Hardison, Council, Position #5 Absent: Melissa Blanks, Council, Position #2 A quorum was declared. Others present included Karen B. Schrom, City Secretary, Bryan Corb, Police Chief, Clif Custer, Public Works Director, Kenny Williams, Director of Permitting and Inspections, Clint Kocurek, Fire Chief, James Perry, Justin Gatlin, Linda Pace. V. PUBLIC COMMENTS Justin Gatlin spoke to Council. He stated he is involved in the City in many  capacities, belonging to Keep Richwood Beautiful, Economic Development Committee, Lions Club, and is Chaplain to the Police Department. Unity Missionary Baptist Church has been holding quarterly prayer breakfasts for city staff. He was grieved at how discouraged the employees were at the most recent breakfast. He was also very saddened after the last Council meeting. VI. CONSENT AGENDA On motion by Councilman Raymond, seconded by Councilman Hardison, with all members present voting aye, the Consent Agenda was approved as presented. A. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings B. Payment of bills C. Appointment of Ovaldi Duarte for a two year term as the City's representative for Brazosport Water Authority D. Road and Bridge Interlocal Agreement with Brazoria County for Fiscal Year 2017 VII. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS A. Approve the Dispatching Agreement with the City of Lake Jackson On motion by Councilman Hardison, seconded by Councilman Raymond, with all members present voting aye, the Dispatching Agreement with the City of Lake Jackson was approved as presented. B. Create a Permitting and Inspection Department On motion by Councilman Hardison, seconded by Councilman Raymond, with all members present voting aye, the Permitting and Inspection Department. C. Request by Allen Williams, 116 Warbler Ct. to extend a fence on the City's right of way On motion by Councilman Raymond, seconded by Councilman Hardison, with all members present voting aye, the request by Allen Williams to extend a fence on the City’s right of way was approved with the understanding he assumes full responsibility for the fence. D. Appointment of Council Liaisons to Committees On motion by Councilman Raymond, seconded by Councilman Hardison, with all members present voting aye, it was duly adopted to strike this item from the agenda.  E. Executive Session pursuant to Chapter 551.074, Texas Government Code, 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. City Manager This item was no longer needed as Mr. Patton retired. F. Action as a result of executive session No action was needed. G. Executive Session pursuant to Chapter 551.074, Texas Government Code, 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. City Secretary/Finance Director Council entered executive session at 6:11 p.m. Council exited executive session at 6:25 p.m. H. Action as a result of executive session On motion by Councilman Hardison, seconded by Councilman Beaty, with all members present voting aye, it was duly adopted to direct the City Attorney to draft an agreement with Ms. Schrom to work as a consultant/contractor until a replacement can be found. I. Approve Items removed from Consent Agenda No items were removed from the Consent Agenda. VIII. FY 17 BUDGET WORKSHOP On motion by Councilman Hardison, seconded by Councilman Raymond, with all members present voting aye, it was duly adopted to direct staff to prepare documents needed to adopt the budget as it stands tonight with a tax rate of $0.67258. IX. REPORTS  A. Finance Reports Par for the period ending July, 2016 is 16% remaining. All departments were within par with the exception of Streets and Drainage. X. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT There was no report. XI. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS There were none. XII. COMMITTEE REPORTS There were no reports. XIII. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS & REPORTS Councilman Beaty thanked Ms. Schrom for her service stating she’d been a part of his life for 10 years. Councilman Raymond also thanked her for everything she’s done. Councilman Hardison apologized to the citizens of Richwood, city staff and to members of Council for what occurred at the July 25th meeting. He wanted them to know that not all the comments or actions were supported by the majority of City Council. While some of the points made were good, the way they were represented were not. Councilman LaCount stated she spoke for herself and never said she didn’t. She realizes now she could have been kind and she apologized for her tone. XIV. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Guthrie stated he takes full responsibility and apologized to those who were present. XV. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:42 p.m. APPROVED BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF COUNCIL ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2016. ______________________________ Mark Guthrie, Mayor ATTEST: ______________________________ Karen B. Schrom, City Secretary