City Council Regular Meeting

MINUTES OF CITY OF WHARTON CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 08, 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. Street, Wharton, TX. Councilmember Burnell Neal led the Caney 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; Assistant to the City Manager Brandi Jimenez; Code Enforcement Officer, Melinda Mejorado; Police Chief Terry David Lynch, Emergency Management Coordinator, Lt. Ben Guanajuato, and EMS Director, Christy Gonzales. Visitors present were: Jason Stavena and Honey Stavena. Roll Call and Excused Absenc es. All Councilmembers were present. Public Comments. Mayor Tim Barker called for Public Comments. No Public Comments were given. Wharton Moment. Mayor Tim Barker called for Wharton Moments. The following were given: 1. City Manager Joseph R. Pace congratulated Police Chief Terry David Lynch on earning his master' s degree from Texas A& M. 2. City Manager Joseph R. Pace stated Titus Carwash donated $ 10 for every customer who used their" free carwash to a customer" fundraiser, donating a total of$ 15, 000 to Blue Santa. 3. City Manager Joseph R. Pace stated an anonymous donor would be providing lunch for City Council and City Staff on Thursday, December 11, 2025. 4. City Attorney Paul Webb stated he had a medical episode on November 20, 2025, and spent six and a half days in the hospital. He wanted to thank, in jest, Paramedic Charles Herman, IV, for being the worst driver ever, for getting him to the hospital safely and City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- December 08, 2025 Page 2 of 4 securely, and Paramedic Josh Laslie for doing a great job placing his IV. He said both paramedics stayed with him upon arrival at the hospital, and he appreciated their support. Mr. Webb stated that the City of Wharton has an excellent EMS department. He presented EMS Director Christy Gonzales with a gift for the paramedics as a thank-you. 5. Police Chief Terry David Lynch stated that Paramedic Josh Laslie was also a State Trooper and an Army veteran, and Paramedic Charles Herman, IV was also a firefighter. 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 November 10, 2025, and November 24, 2025. After some discussion, Councilmember Russell Machann moved to approve the minutes from the regular meetings held on November 10, 2025, and November 24, 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 Mr. Jason Stavena regarding a variance for a hay permit for multiple properties not registered under a single ownership. Planning and Development Director Gwyn Teves presented a copy of the request from Mr. Jason Stavena regarding a variance for a hay permit for multiple properties not registered under a single ownership. Mrs. Teves stated that Mr. Stavena requested a variance to the hay permit for the multiple properties for a five- year term. After some discussion, Councilmember Burnell Neal moved to approve the request from Mr. Jason Stavena for a variance to a hay permit for multiple properties not registered under a sin gle ownership for five years, ending on December 31, 2030. Councilmember Larry Pittman seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The third item on the agenda was to review and consider a request from the Monterey Square Business Association for the following for the Snow on the Square Event being held on Friday, December 19, 2025: A. Post the event ( Snow on the Square) on the digital billboard on Hwy 59 by La Casona/ Walmart. B. Closing the 100 block of South Fulton Street from Burleson Street to Milam Street from 3: 00 p.m. to 9: 30 pm. C. Using the City' s own barricades for the street closures. D. Provide ten( 10) trash barrels and extra liners. E. Picking up, setting up, and returning two ( 2) generator-light plants that the Snow Committee will rent and pay for. F. Waive all fees that may apply to this event ( food vendors). G. Request a temporary variance or waive the City' s loud music ordinance. Emergency Management Coordinator Lt. Ben Guanajuato presented a request from the Monterey Square Business Association for the Snow on the Square Event, to be held on Friday, December 19, 2025, from 5: 00 p. m. to 8: 00 p. m. Lt. Guanajuato stated that the only requested change was to change the time to 2: 00 p. m. from 3: 00 p. m. After some discussion, Councilmember Russell Machann moved to approve the aforementioned items A. through G. with the change to 2: 00 p. m. City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- December 08, 2025 Page 3 of 4 Councilmember David Voulgaris seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Councilmember Burnell Neal thanked Lt. Ben Guanajuato for his hard work and stated he often saw him working before and after local events. The fourth item on the agenda was to review and consider a resolution of the Wharton City Council authorizing and ratifying the repairs on Ambulance Unit 1125 for the Emergency Medical Service Department from Don Davis Dealerships, and authorizing the City Manager of the City of Wharton to execute all documents related to said ratification. Emergency Medical Services Director Christy Gonzales presented a quote from Don Davis Dealerships for repair services on Ambulance Unit 1125. EMS Director Gonzales stated that, due to the urgency of the situation, the ambulance service proceeded with a purchase order dated August 26, 2025. After some discussion, Councilmember Terry Freese moved to approve City of Wharton Resolution No. 2025- 87, which read as follows: CITY OF WHARTON RESOLUTION NO. 2025- 87 A RESOLUTION OF THE WHARTON CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING AND RATIFYING THE REPAIRS ON AMBULANCE UNIT 1125 FOR THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT FROM DON DAVIS DEALERSHIPS, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF WHARTON TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS RELATED TO SAID RATIFICATION. WHEREAS, Unit 1125 for the Emergency Medical Service Department needed emergency repairs; and, WHEREAS, The total cost of the repairs was in the amount of$ 6, 550. 62; and, WHEREAS, The Wharton City Council ratifies and approves the repairs on Ambulance Unit 1125 for the Emergency Medical Service Department in the amount of $6, 550.62 and wishes to authorize the City Manager of the City of Wharton to execute all documents related to said ratification. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHARTON, TEXAS as follows: Section I. The Wharton City Council hereby ratifies and authorizes the City Manager of the City of Wharton to execute all documents related to the repairs on Ambulance Unit 1125 for the Emergency Medical Service Department through Don Davis Dealerships in the amount of$ 6, 550. 62. Section II. That this resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage. Passed, Approved, and Adopted this 8th day of December 2025. City of Wharton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes- December 08, 2025 Page 4 of 4 CITY OF WHARTON, TEXAS By: TIM BARKER Mayor ATTEST: PAULA FAVORS City Secretary Councilmember Russell Machann seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The fifth 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: 13 p.m. CITY OF WHARTON, TEXAS By: TIM BARKE A"-- Mayor TES PA LA FAVORS City Secretary i f tl 4S ti ^