City Council Regular Meeting

MINUTES OF CITY OF WHARTON CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING JUNE 24, 2019 Mayor Pro- Tern Don Mueller declared a Regular Meeting duly open for the transaction of business at 7: 05 P. M at City Hall 120 E. Caney Street Wharton, TX. Councilmember Russell Machann led the opening devotion and Mayor Pro-Tem Don Mueller led the pledge of allegiance. Councilmember' s present were: Mayor Pro- Tern Don Mueller and Councilmembers Terry Freese, Russell Machann, Alice Heard- Roberts and Steve Schneider. Councilmembers absent were: Tim Barker and Clifford Jackson. Staff members present were: City Manager Andres Garza, Jr, Finance Director Joan Andel, City Attorney Paul Webb, City Secretary Paula Favors, TRMC, CPM, Assistant to the City Manager Brandi Jimenez, Community Development Director Gwyn Teves and Public Works Director John Plaia. Visitors present were: I.O. Coleman, Jr., Larry Pittman, Curtis W. Evans, Ann Witt and Albert Villegas with the Wharton Journal Spectator. Roll Call and Excused Absences. After some discussion, Councilmember Russell Machann moved to excuse Mayor Tim Barker and Councilmember Clifford Jackson. Councilmember Terry Freese seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Public Comments. Mr. I.O. Coleman, Jr. stated it was an outstanding James Simmons, Jr. Juneteenth Festival with a turnout of over 9, 000 people. Mr. Coleman addressed issues he had with potholes, culverts, tree limbs, mosquitos and the railway crossings. Wharton Moment. Councilmember Alice Heard- Roberts congratulated the James Simmons, Jr. Juneteenth Festival Committee on a successful event without any incidents. Councilmember Heard- Roberts stated she was looking forward to the 2020 event. The first item on the agenda was the City of Wharton Financial Report for May 2019. Finance Director Joan Andel presented the financial report for the month of May 2019. Mrs. Andel stated that the TexPool balance for May was $ 5, 985, 393. 03 with an average monthly yield of 2.40%. She said the Prosperity Bank balance for May 2019 was $3, 633, 665. 68 with an average monthly yield of. 25%. After some discussion, Councilmember Russell Machann moved to approve the City of Wharton Financial Report for the month of May 2019. Councilmember Steve Schneider seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The second item on the agenda was to review and consider a request by Ms. Ann Witt of Kingston Enterprises, Inc. to Re- Plat Greer Tract, Lot 8 & 9. City Manager Andres Garza, Jr. City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- June 24, 2019 Page 2 of 6 presented a copy of a request by Ms. Ann Witt of Kingston Enterprises, Inc. to Re-Plat Greer Tract, Lot 8 & 9. Community Development Director Gwyn Teves stated the request would be for a partial re-plat. City Manager Andres Garza, Jr. presented a copy of a request by Ms. Ann Witt of Kingston Enterprises, Inc. to Re- Plat Greer Tract, Lot 8 & 9. After some discussion, Councilmember Terry Freese moved to approve the request by Ms. Ann Witt of Kingston Enterprises, Inc. to Re- Plat Greer Tract, Lot 8 & 9. Councilmember Steve Schneider seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The third item on the agenda was to review and consider a resolution of the Wharton City Council approving an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Wharton and the City of El Campo for street, drainage and utility construction equipment and authorizing the Mayor of the City of Wharton to execute said agreement. City Manager Andres Garza, Jr. presented a memorandum from Public Works Director John Plaia regarding an Interlocal Agreement with the City of El Campo for street, drainage and utility construction equipment. Mr. Plaia stated the City of Wharton and El Campo had worked together for several years, to exchange equipment for construction and the agreement would formalize the arrangement between the two cities. After some discussion, Councilmember Russell Machann moved to approve City of Wharton Resolution No. 2019- 75, which read as follows: CITY OF WHARTON RESOLUTION NO. 2019- 75 A RESOLUTION OF THE WHARTON CITY COUNCIL APPROVING AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF WHARTON AND THE CITY OF EL CAMPO FOR STREET, DRAINAGE AND UTILITY CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WHARTON TO EXECUTE SAID AGREEMENT. WHEREAS, The City of Wharton and the City of El Campo have agreed to provide street, drainage and utility construction equipment for various public works improvements located within the corporate boundaries of the other party; and, WHEREAS, The City of Wharton and the City of Wharton have determined that street, drainage and utility construction equipment will serve the interests of the citizens of El Campo and Wharton; and, WHEREAS, The City of Wharton wishes to enter into an Interlocal Agreement with the City of El Campo for the use of street, drainage and utility construction equipment; and, WHEREAS, The Wharton City Council wishes to authorize the Mayor of the City of Wharton to execute the Interlocal Agreement between the City of Wharton and the City of El Campo for use of street, drainage and utility construction equipment. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHARTON, TEXAS hereby: Section I. The Wharton City Council hereby authorizes the Mayor of the City of Wharton to execute the Interlocal Agreement between the City of Wharton and the City of City of El Campo for use of street, drainage and utility construction equipment. City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- June 24, 2019 Page 3 of 6 Section II. That this resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage. Passed, Approved, and Adopted this 24th day of June 2019. CITY OF WHARTON, TEXAS By: DON MUELLER Mayor Pro- Tern ATTEST: PAULA FAVORS City Secretary Councilmember Terry Freese seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The fourth item on the agenda was to review and consider a resolution of the Wharton City Council awarding a contract for the 2019 Street Improvement Project and authorizing the Mayor of the City of Wharton to execute all documents related to said contract. City Manager Andres Garza, Jr. stated that no bids were received on Thursday, June 20, 2019 for the 2019 Street Improvement Project. Public Works Director John Plaia stated the City would be asking for an extension on the project through F. E.M.A. After some discussion, no action was taken. The fifth item on the agenda was to review and consider the Cloud Street Water Well Repair Project: A. Pay Request No. 3 from Weisinger Incorporated. a copy of Pay Request No. 3 from Weisinger City Manager Andres Garza, Jr. presented Incorporated for the Cloud Street Water Well Repair Project. Public Works Director John Plaia stated the recommendation was for the City Council to consider approving the pay request. After some discussion, Councilmember Russell Machann moved to approve Pay Request No. 3 from Weisinger Incorporated. Councilmember Terry Freese seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The sixth item of the agenda is to review and consider the City of Wharton Grant Programs. Community Development Coordinator Gwyn Teves presented an update on the City of Wharton Grant Programs. After some discussion, no action was taken. The seventh item on the agenda to review and consider the update of City of Wharton on-going Projects. City Manager Andres Garza, Jr. presented copy of his memorandum dated June 19, 2019 providing an update on the City of Wharton current projects as of May 31, 2019. FLOOD REDUCTION (LEVEE) PROJECT The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers ( USACE) Lower Colorado River Phase I Report- City of Wharton Flood Prevention Project and Recommended report is located at the Wharton City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- June 24, 2019 Page 4 of 6 County Library and the office of the City of Wharton City Secretary for viewing or the report may be viewed on line at http:// www.cityofwharton.com/ information- a- notices/ lcrb- feasibility-study. The Project Participation Agreement( PPA) has been executed. The City has begun the process to acquire the property necessary to construct the project. The City has hired HDR for Right- of-Way Acquisition and Jones & Carter for City and private company utility relocations. DRAINAGE: 1. Stavena Addition Drainage Project. The design and construction plans are complete. The challenge on this project is to find locations to place approximately 35, 000 cubic yards of soil. The ideal disposal site should be close to the project site to reduce the cost of construction. 2. Ahldag Ditch Improvement. The project was approved by the City Council. Public Works Director is currently working out the details. The ditch improvements will be proposed under the Texas General Land Office ( GLO) Infrastructure Grant Program. 3. On- going Drainage and Maintenance Program. The Public Works Department has continued working on cleaning residential draining ditches that have experienced poor drainage. 4. Pecan Acres ( Mahann, Kinkaid, Delmas) Drainage Project. Installation of the drainage pipes was completed. The City Public Works Department will be regrading ditches to improve the drainage in the area. WATER/ SEWER IMPROVEMENTS: 1. On-going Water and Sewer Maintenance Program. Water leaks and sewer failures are still being seen in the month of May . 2. Water Well Repair Project- Cloud Street. Jones& Carter is in the process of getting all the materials needed for the repair of the well. STREET IMPROVEMENTS 1. FM 1301 Extension and Overpass Project Progress Report. IDC Inc. has submitted to TxDOT Yoakum District Office all required plans for the project. The City Staff continues to coordinate with TxDOT to ensure the project continues to move forward. The City is awaiting TxDOT announcement of the project to be funded in Wharton County. 2. I-69 Project. The City submitted the comments as approved by the City Council to TxDOT. City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- June 24, 2019 Page 5 of 6 3. NanYa Exit Ramp Project. TxDOT has been coordinating with NanYa on the exit design. 4. 2019 City Street Improvement Project. The City has begun the planning process for the 2019 Street Improvement Project. Twice bids were received for the project, however they were higher than the funds available and only one bidder responded. The project has been rebid. After some discussion, no action is taken. The eighth item on the agenda was to review and consider resignations, appointments and vacancies to the City of Wharton Boards, Commissions and Committees: 1. Resignations: Mr. James Smith from the Mayor' s Committee on People with Disabilities. 2. Appointments: Ms. Cheryl Lavergne to the Mayor' s Committee on People with Disabilities. 3. Vacancies: a. Beautification Commission. b. Building Standards Commission. c. Plumbing and Mechanical Board. After some discussion, Councilmember Russell Machann moved to accept the resignation of Mr. James Smith from the Mayor' s Committee on People with Disabilities and appoint the following: Mayor' s Committee on People with Disabilities: Ms. Cheryl Lavergne June 30, 2021 Airport Board: Mr. Jimmy Gardner June 30, 2021 Mr. Randy Rodriguez June 30, 2021 Mr. Bill Kingrey June 30, 2021 Electrical Board: Councilmember Clifford Jackson June 30, 2021 Mr. Oscar Uribe June 30, 2021 Plumbing and Mechanical Board: Term Expiring Tom Faust June 30, 2021 Councilmember Terry Freese seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The ninth item on the agenda was to review and consider City Council Boards, Commissions and Committee Reports: A. Planning Commission meeting held June 3, 2019. B. Airport Board meeting held June 11, 2019. C. Planning Commission meeting held June 17, 2019. City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- June 24, 2019 Page 6 of 6 After some discussion, no action was taken. The tenth item on the agenda on the agenda was City Manager' s Reports: A. City Secretary/ Personnel. H. Fire Marshall. B. Code Enforcement. I. Legal Department. C. Community Services Department/ J. Municipal Court. Civic Center. K. Police Department. D. Emergency Management. L. Public Works Department. E. E.M. S. Department. M. Water/ Sewer Department. F. Facilities Maintenance Department/ N. Weedy Lots/ Sign Ordinance. Wharton Municipal Pool. O. Wharton Regional Airport. G. Fire Department. After some discussion, no action was taken. Adjournment. There being no further discussion, Councilmember Russell Machann moved to adjourn. Councilmember Terry Freese seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The meeting adjourned at 7: 31 p.m. CITY OF WHARTON, TEXAS BLI y: DON MUELLER 4( e.)6r6---- 2.. Mayor Pro- Tem ATTEST: PAU AFAVS ity Secretary E. i C4