City Council Regular Meeting

Minutes of City Council Regular Meeting The City Council City of Richwood A City Council Regular Meeting of the City Council of City of Richwood was held Monday, October 9, 2017, beginning at 6:00 PM in the Richwood City Hall, 1800 N. Brazosport Blvd. Richwood, Texas. I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Pro Tem Lauren LaCount called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. II. INVOCATION Michael Coon led the invocation. III. PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE Pledge of Allegiance & Texas Pledge Mayor Pro Tem Lauren LaCount led the pledges. IV. ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE AND STATEMENT OF APPOINTED OFFICER TO MARK BROWN POSITION 1 Ms. Cantu administered the statement of appointed officer and oath of office to Mark Brown. V. ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS Mark Guthrie, Mayor - ABSENT Lauren LaCount, Mayor Pro Tem Frank Blanks, Council member Sarah Reed, Council member Chris Hardison, Council member Mark Brown – Council member Others present: Michael Coon – City Manager; Giani Cantu – City Secretary/Finance Director; Bryan Corb – Police Chief; Clif Custer – Public Works Director; Kenny Williams – Building Official; Clint Kocurek – RVFD Fire Chief VI. 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 There were no public comments. VII. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings B. Payment of Bills C. Appoint Oscar "Buster" Primm Jr to Crime Control and Prevention District On motion by Sarah Reed second by Chris Hardison, with all present members voting “aye” the following consent agenda items were approved: A. Approval of the Minutes of Previous Meetings B. Payment of Bills C. Appoint Oscar “Buster” Primm Jr to Crime Control and Prevention District VIII. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS A. Discuss and consider a flood and drainage advisory committee and any other ways to investigate potential flooding and drainage improvements Michael Coon reported there are seven interested residents in serving as the flood and drainage advisory committee. Council member Brown Mayor Pro Tem LaCount asked that the City consider adopting a resolution, in conjunction with all cities in Brazoria County, to show that all agencies are united in finding a solution or solutions to the problems. Discussion was held on potential short term and long term solutions. Council member Hardison asked that a resolution in support of expedited permitting and funding processes for any and all issues related to the recovery of flooding as a result of Hurricane Harvey be drafted and brought back for review. Council member Hardison asked what the end goal for the flood and drainage advisory committee would be. Mr. Coon advised that the city would probably need to hire an engineer. The group would work with staff and engineers to look at all options and then they, as a group, would prioritize potential solutions and present them to City Council. Mayor Pro Tem LaCount stated that the City did continue to pursue after last year. However, a lot of the burden fell on staff and mayor. The committee would assist in speaking on these issues. Council member Hardison asked what the group is limited to. Mr. Coon advised the group would have no authority to make direct decisions. The group will research and investigate and bring ideas back to Council for any official decisions. Council member Reed asked if all the interested residents are in the flooded areas. Mr. Coon replied yes. One resident has worked as a civil engineer and has that experience. There are other engineers by trade, a former mayor, former President of HGAC and a former Vice President of Lower Brazos Coalition amongst the group. Mayor Pro Tem LaCount asked if it would be appropriate to appoint nine members in hopes of getting other area residents to join as well. As she is concerned that all residents interested are on one side of Hwy 2004. Mr. Coon stated he understands. However, any decision for areas south of 2004 require change on the North side of 2004. Also he believes a smaller group has more benefits. Council member Brown ask if it would be possible to advise the group to reach out to other flooded areas. Mr. Coon stated yes. They can definitely survey other areas and/or hold additional town hall meetings. On motion by Sarah Reed second Chris Hardison, with all present members voting “aye” the Flood and Drainage Advisory Committee was created and council appointed the following residents with the recommendation that they get community involvement from all areas of town : Blaque Burke, Benny Howard, Linda Kellogg, Eric Timaeus, Terry Coldwater, Enrique Fernandez, and Pat Wade. B. Discuss and consider public comment procedures at open meetings Mr. Coon advised that the open meeting laws do not allow open discussion on items not specifically listed on the agenda. Council member Brown stated the open meetings training stated certain individuals can respond with facts. Mayor Pro Tem LaCount stated she would like to see more open discussion, if we want public to feel welcome. Council member Brown suggested taking public questions in writing allows time to get factual information. Discussion was held on moving the public comments to the end of agenda near future agenda items and allow public comments during discussion of posted agenda items and not limiting the number of residents allowed to speak. Chris Hardison moved to revise the public comment agenda item to allow discussion on each agenda item, move the public comments to right before the future agenda items and remove the limitation of only five residents speaking. Sarah Reed seconded. Council member Brown asked if they needed to add an item that states answers to written questions. Ms. Cantu stated it could be added in description of public comments. With all members voting ‘aye’, the Council meeting public comments policy was revised to allow discussion on each agenda item, move the public comments to right before future agenda items and remove the limitation of only five residents speaking. C. Discuss and consider prohibiting scavenging through curbside debris Mr. Coon advised that there has been some residents complain of scavenging through the flood debris and they have asked council to consider regulating this. Council member Reed asked if residents are upset about the scavenging or the mess they are making when scavenging. Council member Brown stated both. Mayor Pro Tem LaCount advised she heard from a few residents who were upset that people were coming through prior to FEMA inspections. Mr. Coon asked Chief Corb to give an overview. Chief Corb stated the law states once it is on the curb its abandoned property. However, cities can be more restrictive. The only recommendation he would make would be to include an exemption for law enforcement investigative purposes. Mr. Coon asked what ordinances were individuals getting sited for during this most recent event. Chief Corb advised individuals were charged with theft of property. Discussion was held on the disaster declaration process and timeline and the period of time which would be reasonable for such anti-scavenging restrictions. Mr. Coon advised staff can bring back an ordinance reflecting ninety days following termination of a declared disaster with exceptions for permissions granted. Council member Brown asked that the exception for law enforcement also be included. D. Discuss and consider authorizing purchase of a Spartan 4 door Fire Pumper Truck from Metro Fire Apparatus through HGAC Buyboard in the amount of $493,354 Council member Brown asked if staff looked into lease options for fire trucks or tankers which may have lessened the financial burden. Clint Kocurek stated this particular vendor doesn’t offer leasing option. Most vendors stopped that option all together for the larger vehicles because it is not cost effective. Council member Brown asked that staff spend a day reaching out to other departments to see if there are other options. Clint Kocurek reported that a letter of intent was authorized at the last council meeting and the Volunteer Fire Department is also purchasing another engine that is contingent on this engine. Mayor Pro Tem LaCount asked for clarification on how the selection process was made. Clint Kocurek stated the department board looks at department needs. The department did look at other makes but they were more costly. They also test drove the trucks. The truck selected is definitely not the top of the line. It’s very basic with department add-ons to make it fully operable. The quote process also took almost a month. Further discussion was held on grant and/or other funding options; certification required on all fire engines; maintenance of the new engines. On motion by Chris Hardison, second by Sarah Reed, with Chris Hardison and Sarah voting “aye” and Mark Brown abstaining, the purchase of a Spartan 4 door Fire Pumper Truck from Metro Fire Apparatus through HGAC Buyboard in the amount of $493,354 was approved. E. Discuss and consider changes to Police Department holiday pay policy Chief Corb reported currently the city has 12 approved holidays. However, Police Officers are instead granted 12 additional days off to account for floating holidays throughout the year. This has caused scheduling issues. He is asking that the officers be paid straight time for all holidays and if they work it will be holiday pay at time and a half. This would align with current policy for all other city staff, excluding Directors and the changes would be effective January 1st. Mr. Coon stated that staff has had a lot of discussion on ways to assist officers and ensure they are well rested. Mayor Pro Tem LaCount asked if the officers were ok with this decision. Officer Munley reported that finding officers to swap days off can be trying for staff. Officers are tired. Council member Brown asked if the leave was considered vacation or personal time off. Chief Corb advised it was separate from and in addition to vacation. Council member Brown asked if the supervisor has to approve requested leave. Chief Corb advised yes. However, FLSA states if they have the time and we have staff to cover, the request cannot be denied. Further discussion was held on history of existing holiday pay policy for police officers and the option of funding an officer through the Crime Control Prevention District twenty five cent tax approved by the voters. On motion by Sarah Reed second by Chris Hardison, with all present members voting “aye” the changes to Police Department Holiday pay and schedule were approved. Personnel policy changes will be brought back at the next meeting. F. Approve items removed from Consent Agenda IX. REPORTS Reports that require no action. X. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Coon stated the City received debris clean up assistance from Angleton, Clute, Lake Jackson, and Freeport. Brazos Crossing clean up is complete. There is one crew working through Audubon until the end of the week and two crews and seven trucks total throughout the City. Texas Workforce Commission will be providing two employees for a year at 40 hours a week. They will work with streets, drainage and parks, essentially everything but utilities. In regards to heavy trash complaints, Waste Connections was in the city, however, the debris is high so they have only hit two streets. XI. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Council member Brown suggested discussion to review the waste collection contract. Council member Hardison asked for the personnel policy changes to police holiday schedule.  Mayor Pro Tem LaCount asked for a resolution for expediting funding to proceed with dredging of Bastrop Bayou. Mayor Pro Tem LaCount asked for the utility rate increase discussion and presentation to be brought back. Mr. Coon advised staff is still working on closing fiscal year and still working FEMA reimbursements and it could be closer to beginning of the next year before this was ready. Mayor Pro Tem LaCount asked for an update from animal ordinance review committee. XII. COMMITTEE REPORTS Mr. Coon reported that Keep Richwood Beautiful met. The group is looking at city wide cleanup to help with flood cleanup and recovery. Sarah Reed advised she was not on email list and is the liaison for the committee. XIII. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS & REPORTS Sarah Reed thanked the city and police department keeping her home safe, while she is unable to live in it. XIV. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Pro Tem LaCount stated she is glad to have Council member Brown and enjoys the feedback and resident participation. XV. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting adjourned 7:41 pm These minutes were read and approved on this day of , 20 . Mark Guthrie, Mayor Attest: Giani Cantu, City Secretary