City Council Regular Meeting

MINUTES OF CITY OF WHARTON CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 13, 2025 Mayor Tim Barker declared a Regular Meeting duly open for the transaction of business at 7: 00 P. M. at City Hall, 120 E. Caney Street, Wharton, TX. Councilmember Russell Machann led the opening devotion, and Mayor Tim Barker led the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilmembers present were: Mayor Tim Barker, Councilmembers Terry Freese, Burnell Neal, Russell Machann, Larry Pittman, Steve Schneider, and David Voulgaris. Councilmember absent was: None. Staff members present were: City Manager, Joseph R. Pace; City Attorney, Paul Webb; Assistant to the City Manager, Brandi Jimenez; Police Chief Terry David Lynch; Finance Accountant, London Davis; Civic Center Manager, Makyla Monroe; and EMS Director Christy Gonzales. Visitors present were: David S. Lobpries, Linda Lins Pittman, Terri Lobpries, Sherry Smith, Louis Marshall, Jim Richardson, Linda Rolf, Joe Prasifka, and Susie Carlson. Roll Call and Excused Absences. All Councilmembers were present. Public Comments. Mayor Tim Barker called for Public Comments. 1. Ms. Terri Lobpries thanked the Wharton Emergency Medical Services ( EMS) for saving her life on October 51h, 2025, when she experienced a heart attack. Ms. Lobpries stated that off-duty Wharton Police Department Police Officer P. J. Villareal helped her while Wharton EMS arrived shortly after. She said that Paramedic Kevin Earomirski and EMT Devyn Flynn kept her very informed and saved her life. Ms. Lobpries stated that upon arriving at Methodist Hospital, the hospital staff said Wharton EMS was the best! Wharton Moment. Mayor Tim Barker called for the Wharton Moment. 1. Mayor Tim Barker wished City of Wharton Attorney Paul Webb a happy 801h birthday! 2. Mayor Tim Barker gave his condolences to the family of John Northington, who had passed away unexpectedly earlier that morning. City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- October 13, 2025 Page 2 of 6 3. City Manager Joseph R. Pace stated four roads would be chip- sealed within the City. 4. Mr. Joe T. Prasifka stated Attorney Paul Webb was his best friend and they had had many great times together, and he wished the greatest guy in the world a Happy 80th Birthday. 5. Ms. Linda Rolf stated that within the 39 years that she has worked for Attorney Paul Webb that he is the greatest guy and she has learned so much. 6. Ms. Sherry Smith stated that she had worked for Attorney Paul Webb for 46 years and talked about her years of working with him. Review and Consider: The first item on the agenda was to review and consider the reading of the minutes from the regular meetings held on September 8, 2025, and September 22, 2025. After some discussion, Councilmember Russell Machann moved to approve the reading of the minutes from the regular meetings held on September 8, 2025, and September 22, 2025. Councilmember Larry Pittman seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The second item on the agenda was to review and consider a request from Ms. Karen Smith, Executive Director of the Wharton Chamber of Commerce, for the following for the Fall Countywide Garage Sale on Friday, November 7, 2025, and Saturday, November 8, 2025: A. The use of Guffey Park. B. Placement of two trash cans with trash bags at Guffey Park. C. Allow placement of necessary signage if it is not placed in the right- of-way within the City. City Manager Joseph R. Pace stated that the request from Ms. Karen Smith for the above- mentioned items for the Fall Countywide Garage Sale was scheduled for Friday, November 7, 2025, and Saturday, November 8, 2025. After some discussion, Councilmember Terry Freese moved to approve a request from Ms. Karen Smith, Executive Director of the Wharton Chamber of Commerce, for the aforementioned items A. through C. for the Fall Countywide Garage Sale on Friday, November 7, 2025, and Saturday, November 8, 2025. Councilmember Steve Schneider seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The third item on the agenda was to review and consider a request from Ms. Amelia Dominguez Cleveland of Hesed House for the following for the Moonlight Market on November 22, 2025, at 421 West Colorado Street/ Dinosaur Park: A. Close Colorado Street between Richmond Road and Gallagher Street from 4: 00 p.m. until 10: 00 p. m. on Saturday, November 22, 2025. B. Two ( 2) or three ( 3) Police Officers for safety. C. Waiver to sell alcohol and allow alcohol consumption in the park. D. Waiver of the noise ordinance to allow music from 5: 00 p. m. to 9: 00 p. m. City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- October 13, 2025 Page 3 of 6 E. Provide 10- 15 trash containers and bags. F. Allow people movers/ golf carts to avoid heavy foot traffic crossing Richmond Road. City Manager Joseph R. Pace requested a representative from Hesed House present the item, but no one was present. City Manager Pace stated some questions needed to be answered before action could be taken. After some discussion, no action was taken. The fourth item on the agenda was to review and consider a resolution of the Wharton City Council approving Holistic Utility Solutions to serve as the contractor for the State Energy Conservation Office ( SECO) funding for the replacement of five ( 5) HVAC Systems and fourteen ( 14) Smart Controllers as Phase I for the Civic Center through the TIPS Cooperative Program and authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents related to said service. Finance Account, London Davis, stated that on October 14, 2024, the City Council approved an Interlocal Agreement for the Municipally Owned Building Energy Efficiency Retrofits Program through the State Energy Conservation Office ( SECO). Finance Accountant Davis said this program was for the replacement of five ( 5) HVAC units, smart controllers, window replacements, and weatherstripping. He said since then, the City Staff had been working closely with SECO to ensure compliance with all requirements and to secure the $ 250, 000 funding from SECO. Finance Accountant Davis stated that the City Staff had been given notice to proceed with the HVAC units and smart controllers as Phase I. He said that the remainder of the items and a second proposal would be submitted for approval as Phase II at a later date, when the staff receives the notice to proceed from SECO. Finance Accountant David said the City Staff recommended accepting the proposal from Holistic Utility Solutions as the contractor for Phase 1 of the project, in the amount of $218, 000, plus bonding and insurance, estimated to be an additional $ 6, 250. He said the estimated project cost for Phase 1 was $ 224, 250, and Holistic Utility Solutions was a member of the TIPS Cooperative Program. After some discussion, Councilmember Russell Machann moved to approve the City of Wharton Resolution No. 2025- 74, which read as follows: CITY OF WHARTON RESOLUTION NO. 2025- 74 A RESOLUTION OF THE WHARTON CITY COUNCIL APPROVING HOLISTIC UTILITY SOLUTIONS TO SERVE AS THE CONTRACTOR FOR THE STATE ENERGY CONSERVATION OFFICE ( SEGO) FUNDING FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF FIVE ( 5) HVAC SYSTEMS AND FOURTEEN ( 14) SMART CONTROLLERS AS PHASE I FOR THE CIVIC CENTER THROUGH THE TIPS COOPERATIVE PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS RELATED TO SAID SERVICE. WHEREAS, A proposal was received for the replacement of five( 5) HVAC units and fourteen( 14) smart controllers at the Civic Center as Phase 1; and, WHEREAS, Holistic Utility Solutions submitted a proposal in the amount of $218, 000 plus at $ 6, 250; and, bonding and insurance estimated City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- October 13, 2025 Page 4 of 6 WHEREAS, The City of Wharton is a member of and participates in the TIPS Cooperative Purchasing Program; and, WHEREAS, The Wharton City Council wishes to approve Holistic Utility Systems for the replacement of the HVAC units and smart controllers at the Civic Center; and, WHEREAS, The Wharton City Council wishes to authorize the City Manager of the City of Wharton to execute all documents related to said purchase. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHARTON, TEXAS: SECTION I. The Wharton City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to accept the proposal from Holistic Utility Solutions for the HVAC and smart controller replacements at the Civic Center through the TIPS Cooperative Purchasing Program, not to exceed the amount of$ 224, 250 for Phase 1. SECTION II. The Wharton City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to execute all documents related to said project. SECTION III. That this resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 13th day of October 2025. CITY OF WHARTON TIM BARKER Mayor ATTEST: PAULA FAVORS City Secretary Councilmember Larry Pittman seconded the motion. All voted in favor. City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- October 13, 2025 Page 5 of 6 The fifth item on the agenda was to review and consider a resolution of the Wharton City Council authorizing and ratifying the repairs on Ambulance Unit 1122 for the Emergency Medical Service Department from Frazer LTD, and authorizing the City Manager of the City of Wharton to execute all documents related to said ratification. EMS Director Christy Gonzales presented a copy of a quote from Frazer LTD for repair services on Ambulance Unit 1122. EMS Director Gonzales stated that due to the urgent nature of the situation, the ambulance service proceeded with a purchase order dated September 22, 2025. She said that Frazer LTD was the sole provider. After some discussion, Councilmember Terry Freese moved to approve City of Wharton Resolution No. 2025- 75, which read as follows: CITY OF WHARTON RESOLUTION NO. 2025- 75 A RESOLUTION OF THE WHARTON CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING AND RATIFYING THE REPAIRS ON AMBULANCE UNIT 1122 FOR THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT FROM FRAZER LTD, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF WHARTON TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS RELATED TO SAID RATIFICATION. WHEREAS, Unit 1122 for the Emergency Medical Service Department needed emergency repairs; and, WHEREAS, The total cost of the repairs was in the amount of$7, 931. 62; and, WHEREAS, The Wharton City Council ratifies and approves the repairs on Ambulance Unit 1122 for the Emergency Medical Service Department in the amount of $7, 931. 62 and wishes to authorize the City Manager of the City of Wharton to execute all documents related to said ratification. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHARTON, TEXAS as follows: Section I. The Wharton City Council hereby ratifies and authorizes the City Manager of the City of Wharton to execute all documents related to the repairs on Ambulance Unit 1122 for the Emergency Medical Service Department through Frazer LTD in the amount of$ 7, 931. 62. Section II. That this resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage. Passed, Approved, and Adopted this 13th day of October 2025. CITY OF WHARTON, TEXAS By: TIM BARKER City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- October 13, 2025 Page 6 of 6 Mayor ATTEST: PAULA FAVORS City Secretary Councilmember David Volgarius seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The sixth item on the agenda was to review and consider the City Council Boards, Commissions, and Committee Reports: A. Finance Committee Meeting held September 22, 2025. After some discussion, no action was taken. The seventh 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. Adjournment. Councilmember David Voulgaris moved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7: 19 p. m. CITY OF WHARTON, TEXAS By: TIM BARKER Mayor TTE T: iA ULA FAVORS ty Secretary L_-