City Council Regular Meeting

MINUTES OF CITY OF WHARTON CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 27, 2025 Mayor, Tim Barker, declared a Regular Meeting duly open for the transaction of business at 7: 02 P. M. at City Hall 120 E. Caney Street Wharton, TX. Mr. Ryan Salazar led the opening devotion, and Mayor, Tim Barker, led the pledge of allegiance. Councilmembers present were: Mayor, Tim Barker and Councilmembers, Terry Freese; Russell Machann; Burnell Neal; Steve Schneider; Larry Pittman, and David Voulgaris. Councilmember absent was: None. Staff members present were: City Manager, Joseph R. Pace; City Attorney, Paul Webb; Finance Director, Joan Andel; City Secretary, Paula Favors, TRMC, CPM, MMC; Director of Planning and Development, Gwyn Teves, CPM; Police Chief, Terry David Lynch; Crime Victim Officer, Jessica Dittrich; Building Official, Claudia Velasquez, and Detective, Justin Moran. Visitors present were: Ryan Salazar; Don Mueller; Karen Smith, Executive Director of the Wharton Chamber of Commerce; Karen Vannerson; Susie Carlson, and Colby Primeaux with the Wharton Journal Spectator. Roll Call and Excused Absences. All members were present. Public Comments. Mayor, Tim Barker, called for Public Comments. Wharton Moment. Mayor, Tim Barker, called for Wharton Moments. Review and Consider: The first item on the agenda was a presentation: Justin Moran for years of service to the City of Wharton Police Department. Mayor, Tim Barker, presented Justin Moran with a plaque for his years of service to the City of Wharton. Police Chief, Terry David Lynch, gave words of gratitude to the outgoing Detective. After some discussion, no action was taken. The second item on the agenda was to review and consider the City of Wharton Financial Report for December 2024. Finance Director, Joan Andel, presented a copy of the City of Wharton Financial Report for the month of December 2024. After some discussion, Councilmember,  City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- January 27, 2025 Page 2 of 18 Russell Machann, moved to approve the City of Wharton Financial Report for December 2024. Councilmember, Larry Pittman, seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The third item on the agenda was to review and consider the City of Wharton Municipal Election 2025: Ordinance: An Ordinance ordering a City officers election to be held as a joint election with Wharton County Elections Department for the purpose of electing positions of Councilmembers; providing for the date, time, and place of the election, notice of the election, filing applications, drawing for ballot positions, use of accessible voting system, appointment of election workers, early voting, and making election returns. Una ordenanza ordenando una eleccion de f incionarios de la ciudad a celebrarse de forma conjunta con el departamento de elecciones alcalde y del condado de Wharton con el proposito de elegir puestos de concejales; asignando la fecha, Horas, Y presentacion de solicitudes, sorteo para lugares en la balota, use de sistema de votacion accesible, Nombramiento de los trabaj adores de la eleccion, votacion anticipada, Y entrega de los resultados de la eleccion. City Secretary, Paula Favors, presented a draft copy of an ordinance, in English and Spanish versions as required by law, ordering a City Officer' s Election to be held as a joint election with the Wharton County Elections Department. Mrs. Favors stated the City Council positions that were up for election were three ( 3) City Council positions, which are District No.' s 1, 3, & 5 At- Large. After some discussion, Councilmember, Russell Machann, moved to approve City of Wharton Ordinance No. 2025- 01 and 2025- 01 B, which read as follows: CITY OF WHARTON, TEXAS ORDINANCE NO. 2025- 01 AN ORDINANCE ORDERING A CITY OFFICERS ELECTION TO BE HELD AS A JOINT ELECTION WITH WHARTON COUNTY ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING POSITIONS OF COUNCILMEMBERS; PROVIDING FOR THE DATE, TIME, AND PLACE OF THE ELECTION, NOTICE OF THE ELECTION, FILING APPLICATIONS, DRAWING FOR BALLOT POSITIONS, USE OF ACCESSIBLE VOTING SYSTEM, APPOINTMENT OF ELECTION WORKERS, EARLY VOTING, AND MAKING ELECTION RETURNS. BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Wharton, Texas: Section 32 of the City Charter provides that regular elections to elect members of the city council shall be held on the first Saturday of May each year. At the regular election in each even- numbered year, the voters shall elect a mayor and three councilmen. At the regular election in each odd- numbered year, the voters shall elect three( 3) councilmen. The mayor and councilmen shall serve for terms and numbered places as provided in Article II of this charter. The city council may, by ordinance or resolution, order special elections, fix the dates, give notice, and provide all means for holding such special elections." Joint Election II City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- January 27, 2025 Page 3 of 18 Wharton County Elections Department will be conducting the duties as described in the Joint Election Agreement. Position An election shall be held in the City of Wharton, Texas, for the purpose of electing the following officials for the City: Councilmember- District No. 1 Councilmember- District No. 3 Councilmember at Large- Place No. 5 Date An election shall be held in the City of Wharton, Texas, on May 3, 2025. Time The polls shall open for voting at 7: 00 a.m. and shall close at 7: 00 p. m. Location The election shall be held at the Wharton Civic Center— Duncan Auditorium, 1924 N. Fulton St., Wharton, Texas; Wharton County Library— El Campo Branch 200 W. Church. El Campo, Texas 77437 and Wharton CountyLibrary— ary East Bern and B ranch 746 Clubside Drive East Bernard, Texas 77435. Notice of City Officers' Election The Mayor shall cause a notice by publication of this election to be published at least once in a newspaper that is ppublished in the City of Wharton a Texas, as, and that is in the jurisdiction of the City of Wharton, Texas, which publication shall be not earlier that the 30th day nor later than the loth day before election day. The Mayor shall also give notice of the election by causing a copy of the notice of election to be posted not later than the 21st day before election day on the bulletin board located at the City Hall, 120 East Caney, Wharton, Texas, and used for posting notices of meetings of the Wharton City Council. The notice shall include the location of the polling place. Eligibility to Vote The election shall be held in accordance with the Election Code of the State of Texas. Only qualified resident voters of the City of Wharton, Texas, shall be eligible to vote in the election.  City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- January 27, 2025 Page 4 of 18 Candidate Names The City Secretary shall, in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Texas Election Code, order the candidate names to be printed on the ballots for said General Election. Filing Candidates must file applications for a place on the ballot with the City Secretary of the City of Wharton, Texas, beginning on January 15, 2025, and continuing through 5: 00 p. m. on February 14, 2025. A declaration of write- in candidacy must be filed not later than 5: 00 p. m. on February 18, 2025. Candidates for City Councilmember must designate the position filed for either Councilmember- District No. 1, Councilmember- District No. 3, or Councilmember at Large- Place No. 5. Drawing for Ballot Positions On February 20, 2025, at 10: 00 a. m., a drawing will take place in the office of the City Secretary for the purpose of determining the order of the candidates' names as they are to appear on the ballot. The City Secretary shall post a notice of the date, hour, and place of the drawing and this notice shall remain posted continuously for at least 72 hours immediately preceding the scheduled time of the drawing. Ballots Paper ballots shall be used for the purposes of provisional and mail- out for early voting and provisional for election day. Accessible Voting System Section 61. 012 of the Texas Election Code requires that the City of Wharton must provide at least one accessible voting system in each polling place used in a Texas election on or after January 1, 2006. This system must comply with state and federal laws setting the requirements for voting systems that permit voters with physical disabilities to cast a secret ballot. The Office of the Texas Secretary of State has certified that the ExpressVote BMD voting machines are an accessible voting system that may legally be used in Texas elections. Sections 123. 032 and 123. 035 of the Texas Election Code authorize the acquisition of voting systems by local political subdivisions and further mandate certain minimum requirements L City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- January 27, 2025 Page 5 of 18 for contracts relating to the acquisition of such voting systems. The City of Wharton shall lease or rent from the County of Wharton as authorized by Section 123. 032. The City of Wharton hereby adopts for use in Early Voting and Election Day Voting the ExpressVote BMD voting machines as approved by the Secretary of State to comply with HAVA requirements. Elections Recording Management Tabulation System The City of Wharton shall lease or rent from the County the ERM (Elections Recording Management) systems for tabulation purposes, if needed. Election Officers The Wharton County Elections Department( WCED) will be responsible for the appointment of the presiding judge and alternate judge. The following-named persons are appointed officers for the election: Early Voting Presiding Judge: To Be Determined Early Voting Alternate Presiding Judge: Bertha Abraham Election Day Presiding Judge: To Be Determined Election Day Alternate Judge: Bertha Abraham WCED shall arrange the training. WCED is responsible for notifying the election presiding and alternate judges of the eligibility requirements of Subchapter C of Chapter 32 of the Texas Election Code, and will take the necessary steps to insure that the presiding and alternate judges appointed are eligible to serve. The presiding judge, with the assistance from WCED, will be responsible for insuring the eligibility of each appointed clerk hired to assist the judge in the conduct of the election. Early Voting Wharton County Elections Administrator is Marsha Barbee, appointed early voting clerk and is authorized to appoint other deputies to serve as early voting clerks. The early voting by personal appearance for the above- designated election shall take place at the Wharton County Annex D, Suite 115, E. Milam, Wharton, Texas. The place for early voting shall remain open on each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or an official state holiday, between the hours of 8: 00 a. m. and 5: 00 p. m., beginning on April 22, 2025, and continuing through April 25, 2025; Monday, April 28, 2025, and continuing through April 29, 2025, between the hours of 7: 00 a. m. to 7: 00 p. m. Voters may send ballot applications and mailed ballots to the Wharton County Elections Administrator' s office at P. O. Box 390, Wharton, TX 77488. City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- January 27, 2025 Page 6 of 18 Early Voting Ballot Board An Early Voting Ballot Board is hereby established for the purpose of early voting results. Wharton County Elections Administrator shall appoint the Presiding Judge of the Early Voting Ballot Board. Wharton County Elections Administrator shall act as Early Voting Ballot Board Clerk. Compensation for Election Officials and Clerks The election officials and clerks shall be compensated in the following manner: The Election Judge for the May 3, 2025, General Election shall be paid $ 9. 25 per hour. The Election Judge shall also be paid $ 25. 00 for delivering the precinct records, keys to the ballot box or other election equipment, and unused election supplies after the election. The Alternate Judge for the May 3, 2025, General Election shall be paid $ 8. 75 per hour. The Election Clerk( s) for the May 3, 2025, General Election shall be paid $ 8. 75 per hour. Writ of Election Wharton County Elections Administrator shall deliver to the above-appointed presiding judge for the election not later than the 15th day before election day. Returns Section 41 of the City Charter provides that city elections shall be canvassed within one ( 1) week after the election; however, pursuant to changes in the Texas Election Code, Section 67.003, the local canvass shall convene not earlier than the third day or later than the 11th day after the election day." The period for official canvass shall be from May 6 - 14, 2025. The officers holding the election shall make returns of the results thereof to the Mayor of this City, as required by the Election Code of the State of Texas. Order The City Council of the City of Wharton, Texas, shall order the election, in accordance with the foregoing provisions. Severability If any court of competent jurisdiction rules that any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this ordinance is invalid or unconstitutional, any such portion shall be deemed to be a separate, distinct, and independent provision, and any such ruling shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions hereof. City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- January 27, 2025 Page 7 of 18 Passage and Approval PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Wharton, Texas, on this 27th day of January 2025. CITY OF WHARTON, TEXAS ATTEST: By: Tim Barker Paula Favors Mayor City Secretary APPROVED AS: Paul Webb City Attorney CIUDAD DE WHARTON, TEXAS ORDENANZA No 2025- OIB UNA ORDENANZA ORDENANDO UNA ELECCION DE FUNCIONARIOS DE LA CIUDAD A CELEBRARSE DE FORMA CONJUNTA CON EL DEPARTAMENTO DE ELECCIONES DEL CONDADO DE WHARTON CON EL PROPOSITO DE ELEGIR PUESTOS DE CONCEJALES; ASIGNANDO LA FECHA, HORAS, Y LUGAR DE LA ELECCION, EL AVISO DE LA ELECCION, PRESENTACION DE SOLICITUDES, SORTEO PARA LUGARES EN LA BALOTA, USO DE SISTEMA DE VOTACION ACCESIBLE, NOMBRAMIENTO DE LOS TRABAJADORES DE LA ELECCION, VOTACION ANTICIPADA, Y ENTREGA DE LOS RESULTADOS DE LA ELECCION. El Consejo Municipal de La Ciudad De Wharton, Texas, ORDENA: La Seccion 32 de la Carta Constitutiva establece que se realicen elecciones ordinarias para elegir concejales el primer sabado de mayo de cada ano. En la eleccion regular de cada ano par, los votantes elegiran un alcalde y tres concejales. En la eleccion regular de cada ano impar, los votantes elegiran tres ( 3) concejales. El alcalde y los concejales desempenaran sus puestos durante el periodo de tiempo y en los lugares numerados segun se establece en City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- January 27, 2025 Page 8 of 18 el Articulo II de esta carts. El consejo municipal puede, ya sea por medio de una ordenanza o de una resoluci6n, ordenar elecciones especiales, fijar las fechas, dar aviso, y ofrecer todos los medios para realizar tales elecciones especiales" Elecci6n conjunta El Departamento de elecciones del condado de Wharton realizara las obligaciones descritas en el Acuerdo de Elecci6n Conjunta. Puesto Se celebrara una elecci6n en la ciudad de Wharton, Texas, con el prop6sito de elegir a los siguientes oficiales de la Ciudad: Concejal - Distrito No. 1 Concejal— Distrito No. 3 Concejal de forma irrestricta— Posici6n No. 5 Fecha Se celebrara una elecci6n en la ciudad de Wharton, Texas, el 3 de mayo de 2025. Horas Los lugares de votaci6n abriran para votar a las 7: 00 a.m. y se cerraran a las 7: 00 p.m. Lugares La elecci6n se celebrara en el Auditorio Duncan del Centro Civico de Wharton, 1924 N. Fulton Street, Wharton, Texas; la Biblioteca del condado de Wharton — sucursal de El Campo 200 W. Church, El Campo, Texas 77437 y la Biblioteca del condado de Wharton — sucursal de East Bernard 746 Clubside Drive, East Bernard, Texas 77435. Aviso de elecci6n de oficiales municipales El Alcalde anunciara el aviso de la elecci6n mediante la publicaci6n del aviso por to menos una vez en un peri6dico publicado en la ciudad de Wharton, Texas, y que este en la jurisdicci6n de la ciudad de Wharton, Texas, cuya publicaci6n no sea anterior a 30 dias antes ni posterior a 10 dias antes de la fecha del dia de la elecci6n. City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- January 27, 2025 Page 9 of 18 El Alcalde tambidn anunciara el aviso de la eleccion mediante la publicacion del aviso en el tablero de anuncios ubicado en la Alcaldia, 120 East Caney, Wharton, Texas, utilizado para publicar los avisos de las reunions del Concejo Municipal de Wharton no despuds de 21 dias antes de la eleccion. El aviso contendra la ubicacion del lugar de la votacion. Elegibilidad para votar La eleccion se realizara de acuerdo con el Codigo de Elecciones del estado de Texas. Solamente los electores capacitados de la ciudad de Wharton, Texas, seran elegibles para votar en la eleccion. Nombres de los candidatos La Secretaria Municipal de acuerdo con los tdrminos y disposiciones del Codigo de Elecciones del estado de Texas ordenara que los nombres de los candidatos sean impresos en las balotas para dicha Eleccion General. Periodo de presentacion Los candidatos deben presentar sus solicitudes para un lugar en la balota a la Secretaria Municipal de la Ciudad de Wharton, Texas, a partir del 15 de enero de 2025 y continuando hasta las 5: 00 de la tarde del 14 de febrero de 2025. La declaracion de solicitud de candidato anotado se debe presentar no mds tarde de las 5: 00 de la tarde del 18 de febrero de 2025. Los candidatos para concejales municipales deben designar el puesto at que se estan postulando, ya sea para concejal- Distrito No. 1, concejal - Distrito No. 3, o concejal - Distrito No. 5 de forma irrestricta. Sorteo para los lugares en las balotas El 20 de febrero de 2025, a las 10: 00 de la manana se celebrara un sorteo en las oficinas de la Secretaria Municipal con el proposito de determinar el orden en que los nombres de los candidatos se imprimiran en la balota. La Secretaria Municipal publicara el aviso de la fecha, hora y lugar del sorteo y este aviso debera permanecer anunciado continuamente por to menos las 72 horas inmediatamente anteriores a la hora programada para tal sorteo Balotas City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- January 27, 2025 Page 10 of 18 Se usaran balotas de papel con los prop6sitos de los votos provisionales y por correo para la votaci6n anticipada y provisionales para el dia de la elecci6n. Sistema de votaci6n Accesible La secci6n 61. 012 del C6digo de Elecciones de Texas requiere que la Ciudad de Wharton debera ofrecer al menos un sistema de votaci6n accesible en cada lugar de votaci6n usado en cualquier elecci6n de Texas a partir del 1° de enero de 2006. Este sistema debe de cumplir con las leyes federales y estatales que establecen los requisitos para sistemas de votaciones pars que los votantes con discapacidades fisicas voten en una balota secreta. La oficina del Secretario de Texas ha certificado que las maquinas de votaci6n Express Vote BMD son un sistema de votaci6n accesible que puede ser usado legalmente en las elecciones de Texas. Las secciones 123. 032 y 123. 035 del C6digo de Elecciones de Texas autorizan a las subdivisiones politicas la adquisici6n de sistemas de votaci6n y ademas ordenan ciertos requisitos minimos para los contratos relacionados con la adquisici6n de tales sistemas de votaci6n. La Ciudad de Wharton arrendara o alquilara del condado de Wharton segun esta autorizado por la secci6n 123. 032. La Ciudad de Wharton por medio del presente adopta para su use en la votaci6n anticipada y en el dia de la elecci6n las maquinas de votaci6n Express Vote BMD segun esta aprobado por el Secretario del Estado para cumplir con los requisitos HAVA. Sistema de Administraci6n de la Tabulaci6n de los Registros La Ciudad de Wharton arrendara o alquilara del condado la( ERM) ( Administraci6n de Registros de Elecciones) con los prop6sitos de tabulaci6n, si fuera necesario. Oficiales de la elecci6n El Departamento de Elecciones del Condado de Wharton ( WCED) sera responsable del nombramiento del juez presidente y del juez presidente alterno. Las siguientes personas designadas son nombradas como oficiales para la elecci6n; Juez Presidente de la Votaci6n Anticipada: Sera determinado Juez Presidente Alterno de la Votaci6n Anticipada: Bertha Abraham Juez Presidents el Dia de la Elecci6n: Ser determinado Juez Presidente Alterno el Dia de la Elecci6n: Bertha Abraham City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- January 27, 2025 Page 11 of 18 El WCED dispondra el entrenamiento. El WCED es responsable de notificar al juez presidente y al juez presidente alterno de los requisitos del Subcapitulo C del Capitulo 32 del Codigo de Elecciones de Texas, y tomara las medidas necesarias pars asegurar que los jueces presidentes y los jueces presidentes alternos nombrados sean elegibles para desemperiar el cargo. El juez presidente, con la asistencia del WCED, sera responsable de asegurar la elegibilidad de cada secretaria nombrada para asistir al juez presidente a realizar la eleccion. Votacion anticipada La administradora de elecciones del Condado de Wharton es Marsha Barbee nombrada como secretaria de la votacion anticipada y queda autorizada a nombrar a otros asistentes para desempenarse como secretarias de la votacion anticipada. La votacion anticipada por comparecencia personal para la eleccion nombrada aqui arriba se realizara en el Anexo D del Condado de Wharton, Sala 115, E. Milam, Wharton, Texas. El lugar de votacion anticipada permanecera abierto cada dia que no sea sabado, domingo, o fiesta estatal oficial, desde las 8: 00 de la manana hasta las 5: 00 de la tarde, comenzando el 22 de abril de 2025 y continuando hasta abril 25 de 2025 inclusive; el lunes 28 de abril de 2025 y continuando el viernes 29 de abril de 2025 desde las 7: 00 de la manana a las 7: 00 de la noche. Los votantes deben enviar las solicitudes de balotas y las balotas votadas por correo a la oficina de la administradora de elecciones del Condado de Wharton: P. O. Box 390, Wharton, Texas 77488. Junta de Balotas de la Votacion Anticipada Por medio del presente se establece una Junta de Balotas de la Votacion Anticipada con el proposito de los resultados de la votacion anticipada. La administradora de elecciones del Condado de Wharton nombrara al juez presidente de la Junta de Balotas de la Votacion Anticipada. La administradora de elecciones del Condado de Wharton actuary como secretaria de de la Junta de Balotas de la Votacion Anticipada. Compensacion para los Oficiales y los Secretarios de la Eeeccion Los oficiales y los secretarios de la eleccion seran compensados de la siguiente forma: El juez de la eleccion de la eleccion general del 3 de mayo de 2025 sera remunerado a $ 9. 25 por hora. El juez de la eleccion tambien sera pagado $ 25. 00 por entregar los registros de los precintos, las Haves de la caja de las balotas u otro equipo electoral y los suministros electorales que no se hayan usado despues de la eleccion. City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- January 27, 2025 Page 12 of 18 El Juez alterno para la elecci6n general del 3 de mayo de 2025 sera remunerado a$ 8. 75 por hora. Los secretarios de la elecci6n para la elecci6n general del 3 de mayo de 2025 serdn remunerados a$ 8. 75 por hora. Oficio de Elecci6n La administradora de elecciones del Condado de Wharton entregard al arriba nombrado juez presidente para la elecci6n no mds tarde de 15 dias antes del dia de la elecci6n. Resultados La Secci6n 41 de la Carta Constitutiva dispone que las elecciones municipales seran escrutinadas durante una ( 1) semana despues de la elecci6n; sin embargo, de acuerdo con los cambios del C6digo de Elecciones de Texas, Secci6n 67. 003, el escrutinio local se congregara no antes del tercer dia ni mds tarde del onceavo ( 11) dia despues del dia de la elecci6n.". El periodo para los escrutinios oficiales sera desde el 6 hasta el 14 de mayo de 2025. Los oficiales que realicen la elecci6n deberdn entregar los resultados de ella al alcalde de esta Ciudad, segun to requiere el C6digo de Elecciones de Texas. Orden El Consejo Municipal de la Ciudad de Wharton, Texas, ordenara la elecci6n de acuerdo con las siguientes disposiciones. Divisibilidad Si algun tribunal de jurisdicci6n competente dicta que cualquier secci6n, subsecci6n, oraci6n, clansula, frase, o parte de esta orden sea invdlida o inconstitucional, dicha parte sera considerada como disposici6n separada, distinta a independiente, y dicho dictamen no afectara a la validez de las partes restantes de esta. Promulgaci6n y Aprobaci6n PASADO Y APROBADO por El Consejo Municipal de la Ciudad de Wharton, Texas, este dia 27 de enero de 2025. CIUDAD DE WHARTON, TEXAS AT ESTIGUACION: City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- January 27, 2025 Page 13 of 18 Por• Por• Tim Barker Paula Favors Alcalde Secretaria Municipal APROBADO: Paul Webb Abogado Municipal Councilmember, Larry Pittman, 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 approving a Joint Election Agreement with the Wharton County Elections Department for the City Election; and authorizing the Mayor of the City of Wharton to execute the agreement. City Secretary, Paula Favors, presented a copy of the Joint Election Agreement with the Wharton County Elections Department for the City Election, which was set to be held May 3, 2025. Mrs. Favors also presented a draft copy of a resolution approving the agreement. City Attorney, Paul Webb, stated he had reviewed the Joint Election Agreement and recommended that the City Council consider approving it. After some discussion, Councilmember, Terry Freese, moved to approve City of Wharton Resolution No. 2025- 06, which read as follows: CITY OF WHARTON RESOLUTION NO. 2025- 06 A RESOLUTION OF THE WHARTON CITY COUNCIL APPROVING A JOINT ELECTION AGREEMENT WITH THE WHARTON COUNTY ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT FOR THE CITY ELECTION; AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WHARTON TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT. WHEREAS, The Wharton City Council wishes to approve the joint agreement with the Wharton County Elections Department for the City election; and, WHEREAS, The City of Wharton and the Wharton County Elections Department wishes to be bound by the conditions set forth in the agreement; and, WHEREAS, The Wharton City Council wishes to authorize the Mayor of the City of Wharton to execute the agreement. City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- January 27, 2025 Page 14 of 18 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHARTON, TEXAS as follows: Section I. That the Wharton City Council hereby approves an agreement between the City of Wharton and the Wharton County Elections Department for the City election. Section II. That the City of Wharton and the Wharton County Elections Department are hereby bound by the conditions set forth in the agreement. Section III. That the Wharton City Council hereby authorizes the Mayor of the Wharton to execute the agreement. Section. IV. That this resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage. Passed, Approved, and Adopted this the 27th day of January 2025. CITY OF WHARTON By: TIM BARKER Mayor ATTEST: PAULA FAVORS City Secretary Councilmember, David Voulgaris, seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The fifth item on the agenda was to review and consider a resolution of the Wharton City Council approving the submission of a VOCA Grant- Victim' s Assistance Officer Application for the Wharton Police Department for one year and authorizing the Mayor of the City of Wharton to execute all documents related to said grant. City Manager, Joseph R. Pace, presented a copy of a memorandum from Chief Terry Lynch to him regarding the VOCA Grant- Victim' s Assistance Officer for the Wharton Police Department. Crime Victim Officer, Jessica Dittrich, stated the Wharton Police Department was reapplying for the Victim' s Assistance Officer Position through the H- GAC Governor' s Victim' s Assistance Grant Program. Ms. Dittrich said the department was approved for one year for the position and was currently operational. She said that beginning with the Grant Cycle, there was a 20% Match Contribution required for the City of Wharton and the grant term was for one year ( FY2026). After some discussion, Councilmember, Terry Freese, moved to approve City of Wharton Resolution No. 2025- 07, which read as follows: CITY OF WHARTON RESOLUTION NO. 2025- 07 I City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- January 27, 2025 Page 15 of 18 A RESOLUTION OF THE WHARTON CITY COUNCIL APPROVING THE SUBMISSION OF A VOCA GRANT- VICTIM' S ASSISTANCE OFFICER APPLICATION FOR THE WHARTON POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR ONE YEAR AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WHARTON TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS RELATED TO SAID GRANT. WHEREAS, The City of Wharton fmds it in the best interest of the citizens ofthe City of Wharton that the Victim Assistance Officer be operated for the 2026 Fiscal Year; and, WHEREAS, The Wharton City Council agrees to provide applicable matching funds for the said project as required by the Victims of Crime Act Formula Grant Program grant application; and, WHEREAS, The Wharton City Council agrees that in the event of loss or misuse of the Office of the Governor funds, the Wharton City Council assures that the funds will be returned to the Office of the Governor in full; and, WHEREAS, The Wharton City Council designates Mayor Tim Barker as the grantee' s authorized official. The authorized official is given the power to apply for, accept, reject, alter, or terminate the grant on behalf of the applicant agency. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHARTON, TEXAS as follows: Section I. That the Wharton City Council hereby authorizes the Mayor of the City of Wharton to execute, on behalf of the City of Wharton, all documents related to said grant. Section II. That this resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage. Passed, Approved, and Adopted this 27th day of January 2025. CITY OF WHARTON, TEXAS By: TIM BARKER Mayor ATTEST: PAULA FAVORS City Secretary Councilmember, Steve Schneider, seconded the motion. All voted in favor. I City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- January 27, 2025 Page 16 of 18 The sixth item on the agenda was to review and consider a resolution of the Wharton City Council accepting a donation from Nan Ya Plastics Corporation USA to the Wharton Police Department and authorizing the Mayor of the City of Wharton to execute all documents related to said donations. Chief of Police Terry David Lynch presented a copy of a memorandum regarding a donation from Nan Ya Plastics Corporation USA to the Wharton Police Department in the amount of $ 7, 000. 00 to be used towards equipment. After some discussion, Councilmember, Russell Machann, moved to approve City of Wharton Resolution No. 2025- 08, which read as follows: CITY OF WHARTON RESOLUTION NO. 2025- 08 A RESOLUTION OF THE WHARTON CITY COUNCIL ACCEPTING A DONATION FROM NAN YA PLASTICS CORPORATION USA TO THE WHARTON POLICE DEPARTMENT AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WHARTON TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS RELATED TO SAID DONATIONS. WHEREAS, The Wharton Police Department has received a donation from Nan Ya Plastics Corporation USA in the amount of$ 7, 000. 00 to be used for equipment; and, WHEREAS, The Cityof Wharton City h' Council wishes to accept said donation from Nan Ya Plastics Corporation USA; and, WHEREAS, The said donation will cover the cost of equipment; and, WHEREAS, The Wharton City Council wishes to authorize the Mayor of the City of Wharton to execute all documents relating to said donations. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHARTON, TEXAS: SECTION I. The Wharton City Council hereby accepts the donation from Nan Ya Plastics Corporation USA in the amount of$ 7, 000. 00. SECTION II. The Wharton City Council hereby authorizes the Mayor of the City of Wharton to execute all documents related to said donations. SECTION III. That this resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage. PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 27t' day of January 2025. CITY OF WHARTON, TEXAS By: TIM BARKER City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- January 27, 2025 Page 17 of 18 Mayor ATTEST: PAULA FAVORS City Secretary Councilmember, Larry Pittman, seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The seventh item on the agenda was to review and consider an update of the City of Wharton Grant Programs. Planning and Development Director Gwyn Teves presented the update. After some discussion, no action was taken. The eighth item on the agenda was to review and consider an update on the City of Wharton' s ongoing projects. City Manager, Joseph R. Pace, gave an update on the City of Wharton' s ongoing projects. After some discussion, no action was taken. The ninth item on the agenda was to review and consider appointments, resignations, and vacancies to the City of Wharton Boards, Commissions, and Committees: A. Resignations. B. Appointments. C. Vacancies. After some discussion, no action was taken. The tenth item on the agenda was to review and consider the Department Head Reports: A. City Secretary/ Personnel. B. Code Enforcement. C. Community Services Department/ Civic Center. D. Emergency Management. E. M. S. Department. F. Fire Department. G. Legal Department. H. Municipal Court. I. Police Department. J. Public Works Department. K. Water/ Sewer Department. L. Weedy Lots/ Sign Ordinance. M. Wharton Regional Airport. After some discussion, no action was taken. There being no further discussion, Councilmember David Voulgaris moved to adjourn. All voted in favor. City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- January 27, 2025 Page 18 of 18 The meeting adjourned at 7: 22 p.m. CITY OF WHARTON, TEXAS By: USSELL MACHANN Mayor Pro- Tem ST: P ULA FAVORS City Secretary