City Council Regular Meeting

Minutes of City Council The City Council Regular Meeting of Monday, April 13, 2020 BE IT KNOWN THAT, a City Council Regular Meeting of the City Council of City of Richwood was held Monday, April 13, 2020, 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. II. ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS Steve Boykin, Mayor Mike Johnson, Position 1 Melissa Strawn, Position 2 Matthew Yarborough, Position 3 Mark Brown II, Position 4 Katie Johnson, Position 5 Others present Eric Foerster, City Manager; Kirsten Garcia, City Secretary; III. 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. Discussion is not allowed on items not posted on the agenda. There were no public comments. IV. RECOGNITIONS A. Recognition of the Keep Richwood Beautiful Committee Kirsten Garcia read memo regarding KRB. V. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings 1. Minutes from regular meeting held March 9, 2020 2. Minutes from Special Meeting held March 23, 2020 B. Payment of Bills Mark Brown II requested to table minutes from March 9, 2020 for revisions that he requested to be made. He added that he has forwarded his notes to the City Secretary.  On a motion by Mark Brown II, second by Mike Johnson, with all present members voting aye, Minutes from Regular Meeting held March 9 were tabled until May for revisions and minutes from March 23,2020 and payment of bills were approved. VI. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS A. Discuss and consider a resolution extending the disaster declaration issued on March 23,2020 in response to COVID-19, a public health emergency, an any matters related thereto. Eric Foerster presented. No discussion was held. On a motion by Mike Johnson, second by Mark Brown II, with all present voting members voting aye, Council approved extending the disaster declaration until May 30, 2020. B. Discuss and consider an ordinance postponing the general election to be held on May 2, 2020, to November 3, 2020, pursuant to proclamation from Governor Gregory Abbott. Matt Yarborough asked if those elected will have a shortened term that will still end in May 2022. Kirsten Garcia responded yes, current officers will hold over six months and the new/returning officers will have their terms shortened by six month. Mark Brown II asked if the following elections will still be held May 2021. Kirsten Garcia stated yes, we would hold an election in November 2020 and then again in May 2021. On a motion by Mark Brown II, second by Mike Johnson with all present members voting aye, an ordinance postponing the general election to be held on May 2, 2020, to November 3, 2020, pursuant to proclamation from Governor Gregory Abbott was approved. C. Discuss and consider a resolution amending the fiscal year 2019-2020 budget to increase budget of Richwood transportation fund to allocate voter-approved sales tax revenue received in FY 2016 through FY 2019. Mark Brown II motioned to table this so that our City Manager can review our budget and the funds, Katie Johnson seconded.  Mark Brown II stated his reason for the motion was that he feels we need to have this reviewed before we take this action. He feels that since we don’t have the finance director here to answer questions, it would be judicious to allow the City Manager to review these funds that are dating back three fiscal years to make sure that everything is done properly. Melissa Strawn asked Eric if he has had time to review this. Eric Foerster responded that he is comfortable with the numbers being correct, the only other action to take is to go back and review the historical documents for 2016- 2019. Mark Brown II asked how we made it through audit the last three years with out this getting flagged as an issue. Eric Foerster responded the he would have to ask the same questions, he added he believes there are several discrepancies in the books at this time. He stated that the revenues were accounted for accurately but not carried over to the receivable of the correct line item. Discussion held on historical knowledge of the transfers. Mark Brown II stated that he will withdraw his motion if the City Manager is comfortable with the numbers. Mike Johnson asked what kind of consequence will see by moving the funds out of general fund to the transportation fund. Eric Foerster responded that it was just an accounting entry and wouldn’t have any affect on other accounts. Discussion held on effects of making the transfer. Eric Foerster stated he would look into it further to ensure there wouldn’t be a negative effect on any other accounts by making the transfer. On a motion by Mark Brown, second by Katie Johnson, with all present members voting aye, the resolution amending the fiscal year 2019-2020 budget to increase budget of Richwood transportation fund to allocate voter-approved sales tax revenue received in FY 2016 through FY 2019 was tabled to a later date. VII. REPORTS Reports that require no action. A. Presentation of Quarterly Investment Report  1. Quarterly Investment Report - Second Quarter, FY 2019-2020 Presented by Eric Foerster Mark Brown II asked if Staff would have someone monitoring the Texpool prime account to ensure that we are getting the best rates possible. Eric Foerster stated yes, we would definitely do that. VIII CITY MANAGER’S REPORT . Eric Foerster reported that he didn’t have anything to add other than thanking everyone who attended the meeting tonight and Keep Richwood Beautiful for their efforts during the current times and always making the city look great. IX. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS & REPORTS Mark Brown II recognized Keep Richwood Beautiful and their efforts in the Easter egg swap, he stated his kids enjoyed it and it really brightened up their quarantine. He also recognized the Police Department for the job they are doing and being engaging with the community. Mike Johnson stated that he wanted to recognize the community coming together for the donation box outside and the daily updates posted online, it’s been a real positive. X. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Boykin reported that we are staying on the calls with the State and the County, keeping track of the issues surrounding COVID-19. To date, we have 1 confirmed case that is now reported as recovered. The health the department continues to work tirelessly and test as many people as they can. He also thanked the folks that have donated to the donation box outside of city hall. Mayor requested the community continue to be vigilant in maintaining your spaces. XI. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Mark Brown II requested a discussion item for the position of Finance Director. XII. ADJOURNMENT Being there no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:29 p.m. These minutes were read and approved on this 11th day of May, 2020. _____________________________ ATTEST: ______________________________________