City Council Regular Meeting

MINUTES OF CITY OF WHARTON CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 10, 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; Finance Director, Joan Andel; City Secretary/ Assistant City Manager, Paula Favors; Planning and Development Director, Gwyn Teves; Building Official, Claudia Velasquez; Code Enforcement Officer, Melinda MeJ and EMS Director Chris h' Gonzales. Visitors present were: Joan G. Hawes, Hawes Dickerson, and Susie Carlson. Roll Call and Excused Absences. All Councilmembers were present. Public Comments. No comments were given. Wharton Moment. Mayor Tim Barker called for Wharton Moments. 1. City Attorney Paul Webb wished Mayor Tim Barker a Happy Birthday. 2. City Manager Joseph R. Pace stated it was the Marine Corps' 2501h Birthday. 3. City Attorney Paul Webb stated that he and City Secretary Paula Favors attended the Wharton County Commissioners' Court meeting, and the County Attorney was worried they were there to monitor them! 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 October 13, 2025, and October 27, 2025. After some discussion, Councilmember Russell Machann moved to approve the reading of the minutes from the regular meetings held on October 13, 2025, and October 27, 2025. Councilmember Steve Schneider seconded the motion. All voted in favor. City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- November 10, 2025 Page 2 of 9 The second item on the agenda was to review and consider a request from Ms. Joan Hawes to address the Committee regarding a variance for a hay permit for multiple properties not registered under a single ownership. Building Official Claudia Velasquez presented a copy of Ms. Joan Hawes' request to address the Committee regarding a variance for a hay permit for multiple properties not registered under a single ownership. Building Official Velasquez stated that the Planning Commission met, approved the variance, and recommended this item to the City Council for consideration. City Attorney Paul Webb recommended to the City Council that it consider giving a variance for five (5) years. After some discussion, Councilmember Terry Freese moved to approve a five ( 5) year hay permit variance, ending on December 31, 2030, for multiple properties not registered under a single ownership. Councilmember Larry Pittman 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 the Annual Service Contract with Stryker Medical and authorizing the Mayor to execute all documents related to said contract. E. M. S. Director Christy Gonzales presented a copy of a memorandum from her regarding the Annual Service Contract with Stryker Medical. After some discussion, Councilmember Russell Machann moved to approve City of Wharton Resolution No. 2025- 78, which read as follows: CITY OF WHARTON RESOLUTION NO. 2025- 78 A RESOLUTION OF THE WHARTON CITY COUNCIL APPROVING THE ANNUAL SERVICE CONTRACT WITH STRYKER MEDICAL AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS RELATED TO SAID CONTRACT. WHEREAS, The Wharton Emergency Medical Services Department requests that the City Council approve the Annual Service Contract with Stryker Medical; and, WHEREAS, The Wharton City Council wishes to authorize the Mayor to execute all documents related to the Annual Service Contract. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHARTON, TEXAS as follows: SECTION I. The Wharton City Council hereby approves the Annual Service Contract with Stryker Medical. SECTION II. That this resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage. Passed, Approved, and Adopted this 1 Oth day of November 2025. City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- November 10, 2025 Page 3 of 9 CITY OF WHARTON TIM BARKER Mayor ATTEST: PAULA FAVORS City Secretary 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 the purchase of one ( 1) Physio Control LifePak 15, LifePak ProCare, and one ( 1) 4G Modem( Verizon Cellular) from Stryker Medical and authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents related to said purchase. EMS Director Christy Gonzales presented a quote from Stryker Medical for the purchase of one ( 1) Physio Control LifePak 15, one ( 1) LifePak ProCare, and one ( 1) 4G Modem ( Verizon Cellular). EMS Director Gonzales stated that Stryker was the sole- source provider and that the total amount was $ 31, 131. 00. After some discussion, Councilmember Russell Machann moved to approve the City of Wharton Resolution No. 2025- 79, which read as follows: CITY OF WHARTON RESOLUTION NO. 2025- 79 A RESOLUTION OF THE WHARTON CITY COUNCIL APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF ONE ( 1) PHYSIO CONTROL LIFEPAK 15, LIFEPAK PROCARE, AND ONE ( 1) 4G MODEM VERIZON CELLULAR) FROM STRYKER MEDICAL AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS RELATED TO SAID PURCHASE. WHEREAS, The Wharton Emergency Medical Services Department wishes to purchase one( 1) Physio Control LifePak 15, LifePak ProCare, and one ( 1) 4G Modem ( Verizon Cellular) from Stryker Medical; and, WHEREAS, Said purchase is in the amount of$ 31, 131. 00; and, WHEREAS, The Wharton City Council wishes to authorize the City Staff to purchase one ( 1) Physio Control LifePak 15, LifePak ProCare, and one ( 1) 4G Modem ( Verizon Cellular) from Stryker Medical; and,  City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- November 10, 2025 Page 4 of 9 WHEREAS, The Wharton City Council wishes to authorize the City Manager to execute all documents related to said purchase. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHARTON, TEXAS as follows: SECTION I. The Wharton City Council hereby approves the purchase of one( 1) Physio Control LifePak 15, LifePak ProCare, and one( 1) 4G Modem ( Verizon Cellular) from Stryker Medical. SECTION II. The Wharton City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to execute all documents related to said purchase. SECTION III. That this resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage. Passed, Approved, and Adopted this 1 Oth day of November 2025. CITY OF WHARTON TIM BARKER Mayor ATTEST: PAULA FAVORS City Secretary Councilmember Steve Schneider 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 authorizing the purchase of six ( 6) portable radios for the Wharton Emergency Medical Service Department and authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents related to said purchase. EMS Director Christy Gonzales presented a copy of a memorandum from her regarding the purchase of six( 6) portable radios for the Wharton Emergency Medical Service Department. EMS Director Gonzales stated the quotes were received for the purchase of the radios, and they were as follows: 1. Motorola Solutions-( 6) APX6000 portable two- way radios, base charger, and no programming in the amount of$28, 461. 48. 2. Northwest Communications-( 6) Kenwood portable two- way radios, chargers, including programming, and a 3- year warranty in the amount of$ 15, 927.60. After some discussion, Councilmember Russell Machann moved to approve City of Wharton Resolution No. 2025- 80, which read as follows: CITY OF WHARTON L City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- November 10, 2025 Page 5 of 9 RESOLUTION NO. 2025- 80 A RESOLUTION OF THE WHARTON CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF SIX ( 6) PORTABLE RADIOS FOR THE WHARTON EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS RELATED TO SAID PURCHASE. WHEREAS, Quotes were received for the purchase of six( 6) portable radios for the Wharton Emergency Medical Service Department; and, WHEREAS, Northwest Communications was deemed the best lowest qualified bidder in the amount of 15, 927. 60; and, WHEREAS, The Wharton City Council wishes to approve Northwest Communications for the purchase of six ( 6) portable radios in the amount of$ 15, 927. 60 for the Wharton Emergency Medical Service Department; 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 purchase six( 6) portable radios for the Wharton Emergency Medical Service Department from Northwest Communications in the amount of$ 15, 927. 60. SECTION II. The Wharton City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to execute all documents related to the purchase. SECTION III. That this resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage. PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 1 Oth day of November 2025. CITY OF WHARTON TIM BARKER Mayor ATTEST: PAULA FAVORS City Secretary Councilmember Steve Schneider seconded the motion. All voted in favor. City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- November 10, 2025 Page 6 of 9 The sixth item on the agenda was to review and consider a resolution of the Wharton City Council authorizing Holistic Utility Solutions to serve as the contractor for the State Energy Conservation Office ( SECO) funding for the replacement of fifteen ( 15) windows and weatherstripping at existing entrance doors for Phase II at the Civic Center through the TIPS Cooperative Program and authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents related to said service. Finance Director Joan Andel 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 Director Andel said the program was for the replacement of five ( 5) HVAC units, smart controllers, window replacements, and weatherstripping at the Civic Center. She said that on October 13, 2025, the City Council approved Phase I of the project, which included the HVAC units and smart controllers, and an additional proposal was received for Phase II of the project, which included weatherstripping and the replacement of fifteen ( 15) windows. Mrs. Andel stated that the City Staff recommended accepting the proposal from Holistic Utility Solutions as the contractor for Phase II of the project, in the amount of$ 44, 847. 00, plus bonding and insurance, estimated at an additional $ 2, 690. 00. She said the total estimated project cost for Phase II is $ 47, 537. 00, and Holistic Utility Solutions is a member of the TIPS Cooperative Program. After some discussion, Councilmember Terry Freese moved to approve the City of Wharton Resolution No. 2025- 81, which read as follows: CITY OF WHARTON RESOLUTION NO. 2025- 81 A RESOLUTION OF THE WHARTON CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING HOLISTIC UTILITY SOLUTIONS TO SERVE AS THE CONTRACTOR FOR THE STATE ENERGY CONSERVATION OFFICE ( SECO) FUNDING FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF FIFTEEN ( 15) WINDOWS AND WEATHERSTRIPPING AT EXISTING ENTRANCE DOORS FOR PHASE II AT 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 fifteen( 15) windows and the replacement of weatherstripping at the entrance of the doors at the Civic Center as Phase II; and, WHEREAS, Holistic Utility Solutions submitted a proposal for$ 44, 847. 00 plus bonding and insurance estimated at$ 2, 690. 00; and, 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 Solutions for the replacement of the windows and weatherstripping; and, WHEREAS, The Wharton City Council wishes to authorize the City Manager of the City of Wharton to execute al I 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 window replacement and at the Civic weatherstripping City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- November 10, 2025 Page 7 of 9 Center through the TIPS Cooperative Purchasing Program with an amount not to exceed 47, 537. 00 for Phase It. 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 1 Oth day of November 2025. CITY OF WHARTON TIM BARKER Mayor ATTEST: PAULA FAVORS City Secretary Councilmember David Voulgaris seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The seventh item on the agenda was to review and consider a resolution of the Wharton City Council approving to the City of Wharton Personnel Policy. amendments City Secretary Paula Favors stated the City Staff had been working to update the City of Wharton Personnel Policy. Mrs. Favors presented a copy of a memorandum dated October 24, 2025, from her providing the amendments ( updates) to the Personnel Policy. She said the proposed changes would ensure the policies are consistent and give some clarification. City Attorney Paul Webb stated he had reviewed the information and was recommending the City Council consider approving the amendments. After some discussion, Councilmember Russell Machann moved to approve the City of Wharton Resolution No. 2025- 82, which read as follows: CITY OF WHARTON RESOLUTION NO. 2025- 82 A RESOLUTION OF THE WHARTON CITY COUNCIL AMENDING THE CITY OF WHARTON PERSONNEL POLICY. WHEREAS, The Wharton City Council established the City of Wharton Personnel Policy effective December 1, 2025; and, WHEREAS, The Wharton City Council wishes to amend the City of Wharton Personnel Policy; and, WHEREAS, The Wharton City Council wishes to authorize the City Manager to enforce the policies and procedures as set forth in the policy. City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- November 10, 2025 Page 8 of 9 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 the amendment to the City of Wharton Personnel Policy. Section. II. That the Wharton City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to enforce the policies and procedures as set forth in the policy. Section IIL. That this resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage. Passed, Approved, and Adopted this the 101h day of November 2025. CITY OF WHARTON By: TIM BARKER Mayor ATTEST: PAULA FAVORS City Secretary Councilmember Larry Pittman seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The eighth item on the agenda was to review and consider the City Council Boards, Commissions, and Committee Reports: A. Wharton Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors Selection Committee meeting held on October 27, 2025. 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. Adjournment. City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- November 10, 2025 Page 9 of 9 Councilmember David Voulgaris moved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7: 13 p.m. CITY OF WHARTON, TEXAS By: _ Jz" A TIM BARK19R Mayor 7ST:' L PA i-- LA FAVORS City ecretary t as