City Council Regular Meeting

Minutes of City Council Special Meeting The City Council City of Richwood A City Council Special Meeting of the City Council of City of Richwood was held Tuesday, October 3, 2017, beginning at 6:30 PM in the Richwood City Hall, 1800 N. Brazosport Blvd. Richwood, Texas. CALL TO ORDER Mark Guthrie called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm INVOCATION Michael Coon led the invocation. PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE Pledge of Allegiance & Texas Pledge Mark Guthrie led the pledges. ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS Mark Guthrie, Mayor Lauren LaCount, Council member Frank Blanks, Council member Sarah Reed, Council member Chris Hardison, Council member Others present: Michael Coon – City Manager; Giani Cantu – City Secretary/Finance Director PUBLIC COMMENTS All public comments will be subject to the following rules: all speakers will be permitted to speak no longer than 3 minutes; all speakers will only be permitted to speak once; speakers cannot defer their 3 minutes to another speaker; the first five individuals who sign up for the public comment section will be permitted to speak Enrique Fernandez, 105 Audubon Woods Dr, requested council consider a communications plan for updates as to what studies have been done and the city’s efforts going forward. Michael Koziol, 247 Burkett, asked Mayor to consider celebrating constitution year round and asked for update or council to take a vote on the signage on the front doors. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Discuss and consider a flood and drainage advisory committee Michael Coon reported many residents have shown interest in creating a flood and drainage advisory committee to look at what can be done in the future and going forward. The Bond Task Force met and staff spoke with them on their ideas. As a committee they decided that a separate committee should be created to address short term and long term flood and drainage solutions. Sarah Reed asked how many members would be appointed to the subcommittee. Mr. Coon stated a smaller group of residents would work best. Sarah Reed asked if 5 to 7 would be right. Mr. Coon stated yes. Lauren LaCount asked if the committee would also not be an official board, which means they can discuss with other members of the public and are not subject to open meeting laws. However, a council liaison would be appointed. Mr. Coon stated that is correct and staff would also be available to support the committee. Chris Hardison stated he agrees it needs to be separate from the Bond Task Force committee. He asked if staff could put it out there and see what kind of feedback we get. Lauren LaCount asked if we can move forward and put the word out there without a set committee member number. Mr. Coon stated yes. Mark Guthrie stated he would like it to move at an accelerated rate. He stated they need to solidify a plan and set a date in the next few weeks. Mr. Coon stated staff will put out the dates for a special meeting. Chris Hardison stated that Council has a regular meeting already scheduled next week. He asked for staff to post the information and get it on that agenda. Mr. Coon stated staff would do that. INTRODUCTION OF COUNCIL POSITION 1 CANDIDATE APPLICANTS Mark Guthrie reported only three candidates applied. Therefore, Council would proceed into executive session for interviews. EXECUTIVE SESSION in accordance with Subchapter D of the Open Meetings Act, Texas Government code Section 551.001, et. Seq., to review and consider the following: Under authority of Section 551.071 for consultation with attorney regarding legal matters arising out City of Richwood Charter Section 3.06 Vacancies in City Council. Under authority of Section 551.074 to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee; or to hear a complaint or a charge against an officer or employee: Consider all applicants and choose 3 finalist for filling Position 1 of Richwood City Council RECONVENE FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION and take action on the following: Discussion and take action on finalists for filling Position 1 of Richwood City Council EXECUTIVE SESSION in accordance with Subchapter D of the Open Meetings Act, Texas Government code Section 551.001, et. Seq., to review and consider the following: Under authority of Section 551.074 to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee; or to hear a complaint or a charge against an officer or employee: Interviews of 3 finalists for filling Position 1 of Richwood City Council Mark Guthrie closed public meeting and entered into executive session at 6:43 p.m. RECONVENE FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION and take action on the following: Discuss and appoint an applicant to fill Position 1 of Richwood City Council Mark Guthrie reconvened open session at 7:47 p.m. On motion by Chris Hardison second by Lauren LaCount with all present members voting “aye” Mark Brown II was appointed to fill the Council position 1 vacancy. Lauren LaCount stated all the candidates were very well qualified and thanked all that applied and encouraged all others to stay involved. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT Michael Coon reported staff met with FEMA and has requested a flow chart for steps residents take to get assistance. At the meeting, they also discussed future funding for mitigation solutions. He reported he spoke with Commissioner Dude Payne and Mr. Payne is also not happy with the debris management in Richwood. Commissioner Payne has requested the County send a different company into Richwood to assist with cleanup. The bond task force met and has decided to push back any potential election from May 2018 to November 2018. They will be looking at drainage, sidewalks and street improvements. They hope to have something to council either in June or July to ensure action by November election. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS No future items were presented. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS & REPORTS Sarah Reed congratulated Mr. Brown and thanked the Police Department for patrolling the residential areas while those are away from their homes. Chris Hardison stated he would like to open discussion to potentially reviewing the public comments and time limits to possibly allow more open discussion on agenda items. Lauren LaCount stated it is unfortunate that a natural disaster happened but thanked the residents for staying involved and encourage everyone to keep doing so. MAYOR’S REPORT The Mayor thanked Mr. Burke and Mr. Tyler for applying and encouraged them to continue staying involved. He congratulated Mr. Brown. The mayor also asked staff to continue momentum on reports and communications with the public. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m. These minutes were read and approved on this day of , 20 . Mark Guthrie, Mayor Attest: Giani Cantu, City Secretary