City Council Regular Meeting

Minutes of Special Meeting The Special Meeting of Monday, September 23, 2019 BE IT KNOWN THAT, a Special Meeting of the Special Meeting of City of Richwood was held Monday, September 23, 2019, beginning at 6:05 PM in the Richwood City Hall, 1800 N. Brazosport Blvd. Richwood, Texas. I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:06 p.m. II. INVOCATION Lindsay Koskiniemi led the invocation. III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The pledges were led by Mayor Boykin. IV. ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS Present: Steve Boykin, Mayor Mike Johnson, Position 1 - Absent Melissa Strawn, Position 2 Matt Yarborough, Position 3 Mark Brown II, Position 4 Katie Johnson, Position 5 - Absent Others present: John Washburn, Interim Finance Director; Lindsay Koskiniemi, Interim City Manager; Stephen Mayer, Chief of Police; Kirsten Garcia, Court Administrator; Matthew Allen, City Attorney V. PUBLIC COMMENTS All commends 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. Discussion is not allowed on items no posted on the agenda. There was no public comment. VI. CONSENT AGENDA These items are considered routine and can be approved in one motion unless a Councilmembers asks for separate consideration of an item. It is recommended that the City Council approve the following items, which will grant the May or City Manager the authority to take all actions necessary for each approval: There were no items on consent agenda. VII. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION AND ACTION ITEMS A. Consideration and Possible Actions - Reading of Ordinance 2019-463 An Ordinance appropriating adopting a budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2019 and ending September 30, 2020. Staff requested the tax ordinance be address first. Matt Allen advised there was no need to discuss the budget as the tax rate passed. B. Consideration and Possible Action - Reading or Ordinance 2019-464 An Ordinance adopting a proposed tax rate of $0.670204 and levying taxes for the use and support of the Municipal Government of the City of Richwood, Texas and providing for the interest and sinking fund of the taxable year 2019. Mark Brown II requested Council adjourn to Executive Session to consult with the City Attorney regarding the vote on the proposed Tax Rate. Regular session adjourned at 6:12 p.m. to Executive Session. Regular session reconvened at 6:31 p.m. Matthew Yarborough motioned, “I move that the property tax rate be increased by the adoption of a tax rate of $0.670204, which is effectively a 6.23 percent increase in the tax rate.”, Second by Melissa Strawn , with Matthew Yarborough Melissa Strawn and Mark Brown II voting “aye”, the ordinance adopting a tax rate of $0.670204 and levying taxes for the use and support of the Municipal Government of the City of Richwood, Texas and providing for the interest and sinking fund of the taxable year 2019 was adopted. Mark Brown III advised he felt Council could’ve done more and tackled this head on, explaining that is why he abstained at the previous meeting. He added that we need to have a better plan in place for the future. IX. 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: Regular session adjourned at 6:34 p.m. to Executive Session. A. Interim City Manager/City Manager B. Interim Finance Director - Contract with Strategic Government Resources (SGR)  Regular session reconvened at 8:34 p.m. X. ACTION AS A RESULT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION No action was taken. XI. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Lindsay Koskiniemi reported she will be out for Women Leading Government Conference at the end of the week. She advised she also needs to check with tax assessor regarding this vote, she says we need 4 votes, but we have legal opinions stating otherwise. We have opinions from TML and our representation. Matt Allen reported that his firm as a whole looked at it, talked to TML and they all had the same opinion. He added we’ve been checked and rechecked and I feel confident that the vote is valid. XII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS No items requested for future agenda items. XIII. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS AND REPORTS No report XIV. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Boykin stated, no report other than a lot of rain meetings and we are working on identifying any personal property with damage. As of now, there is no disaster declaration forthcoming as of yet. Mark Brown II stated he would like to recognize the Mayor, Lindsay and Chief for their efforts during the storm and putting out updates. He added a thank you to John Washburn for all his work hopes we keep moving forward. XV. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. These minutes were read and approved on this 14th day of October, 2019. __________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: ______________________________________ City Secretary