City Council

City of West Point Council Regular Meeting Monday, June 14, 2021 @ 6:00 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers The regular meeting of the Mayor and Council was held in the Council room of West Point City Hall June 14, 2021, at 5:30 P.M. with Mayor Steven M. Tramell presiding Members Present: Members Absent: Mayor Pro-Tem Gloria R. Marshall Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III Councilmember Alanteo “Henry” Hutchinson Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter Councilmember Sandra Thornton Councilmember Deedee Williams Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter gave the opening prayer. Mayor Tramell led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Tramell called the meeting of the Council to order. MINUTES Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the April 12, 2021, and May 6, 2021, Regular Business Meeting. Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Sandra Thornton; During the discussion, Councilmember Deedee Williams stated the May 6, 2021, meeting was not a Regular meeting and there was some discussion about the date. The motion to accept the minutes with the correction the meeting was a regular work session meeting that took place on May 6, 2021. passed unanimously Agenda Reviewed Mayor Steve Tramell called the meeting to order. He reviewed the agenda and asked for a motion to approve the agenda. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion. Councilmember Sandra Thornton; seconded the motion. Councilmember Deedee Williams made a motion to amend the motion for the agenda to include an update on Average Monthly Billing and the Soul Program. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Henry Hutchinson; passed unanimously Public Comments on agenda items There were no public comments. New Business • City Council Salary Mayor Steve Tramell asked for a motion to increase the Mayor salary from $425.00 per month to $595.00 and Council salary from $250.00 to $420.00 per month. The new salaries will become effective in January 2022. Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Henry Hutchinson; passed unanimously. • Mural Ordinance Mayor Steve Tramell asked for a motion to amend the sign regulations of the City code of ordinance to define murals, authorize murals within certain guidelines within commercial and industrial districts and establish regulations and the application process for murals. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion. Seconded by Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall; passed unanimously. • Recreation Playground Mayor Steve Tramell asked for a motion to approve the purchase and installation of a playground for the 6th Avenue Park using the 500-2174 design with two benches and one trash can. The estimated cost is $32,632.85. Councilmember Henry Hutchinson made said motion. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall; passed unanimously. • Variance 1201 2nd Avenue Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to grant a variance to allow the property own by Mrs. June Barrington located 1201 2nd Avenue to be used for ground level residential. The property is zoned commercial, and the requested use is allowable with approval by the mayor and council under Section 11 Central Business District C-2 Downtown of the Code of Ordinance. The property is a historic residential structure, and the requested use will have no know negative impact on the neighboring properties. Councilmember Sandra Thornton made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall; passed unanimously. • SOUL PROJECT UPDATE City Manager Ed Moon stated a representative from the SOUL PROJECT called and asked some questions about the city’s electric system and the city have not had any other communication with the group. • Average Monthly Payment (Utility Billing) City Clerk Richard McCoy stated the Average Monthly Payment for utility billing has begun. There have been approximately twenty (20) customers who have signed up. The customer account must be current with no past due balance to enroll in this plan. They 2 must also have a utility account for at least a year. City Clerk Richard McCoy stressed the importance of citizens knowing the plan is not a reduction in the amount the customer pays for utilities, but the average of the total amount customers will pay over twelve months. The over or under amount will be adjusted after the twelve months ended. The Average Monthly Payment Plan is a good plan to use for budgeting purposes. Other Councilmember Sandra Thornton stated the Juneteenth Celebration festival will take place at the West Point River Park this Saturday beginning at 12:00 noon until 6:00 p.m. The City of Lanett will have fireworks display on Saturday in Lanett beginning a dust dark. Mayor Kyle McCoy invites the Mayor and Council of West Point to participate in the celebration. Councilmember Deedee Williams stated Harris County has issued a cease-and-desist order to the City. She stated she feels the Council should be informed when such orders are issued. City Planner Dennis Dutton stated no cease-and-desist order has been issued to the City. Harris County inquired about the proper permitting for the use of the property. Adjourn Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Sandra Thornton; passed unanimously. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. ________________________ ______________________ Richard McCoy Steven M. Tramell City Clerk Mayor 3