City Council Special Meeting

SPECIAL CALLED JOINT MEETING MINUTES WHARTON CITY COUNCIL AND WHARTON ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES JULY 27, 2021 Opening the Meeting(s): Mayor, Tim Barker opened the Special Called City Council meeting at 7: 02pm. All members attended, including the City Manager, Joseph R. Pace and Director of Finance, Joan Andel. Wharton ISD Board President opened the Special Called School Board Meeting at 7: 03pm. All members attended, including ISD Superintendent, Dr. Michael O' Guin Introductions: Moderator, Debbie Cenko, gave her background information and surmised the Agenda. Wharton ISD School Superintendent, Dr. Michael O' Guin made a brief introduction and the School Board introduced themselves. City Manager, Joseph R. Pace, gave an opening statement and the City of Wharton City Council introduced themselves. Ice Breaker: All in all, a series of four scenarios were read aloud which led to forming groups. The point of the exercise was for different people to get into a group and discuss their answer and allow everyone to become comfortable with each other before any discussion of serious matters. The game appeared to be well received by all who participated. FEMA Project: Dr. O' Guin stated the FEMA " Dome" Project was short of funds by approximately $ 1. 5 million. Ultimately, the Mayor simply asked " What do you want from the City?" The School District responded that if the City could help financially to save the project. The City Manager stated the City, at this time, was not in a position to offer any funds of assistance due to the multiple major investment projects related to the levy acquisitions, 1- 69 easement/right of way, and the extension of 1301 just to name a few. The City made it clear, that the lack of funds committed by the City to the project in no way should hamper the relationship of the School Board and the City Council moving forward now and in the future. All agreed. How do we move forward? Dr. O' Guin stated the relationship between the Wharton ISD and the City of Wharton had improved since the time he arrived and began working with the former City Manager, Andres Garza. He was confident via the numerous phone calls and lunch meeting with the Wharton City Manager, Joseph R. Pace, that the School and the City could be allies and partners moving forward. 1 City of Wharton/ Wharton I.S. D. Special Joint Meeting July 27, 2021 City Manager of the Wharton, Joseph R. Pace, affirmed Dr. O' Guin' s statement about working together now and in the future. Mr. Pace also stated that one of City Council' s directive, during the hiring process, was for the new city manager to normalize and/ or improve relations with the School and the surrounding entities. He ended his statement by quoting Kevin Evans, " We are all in this together, we might as well act like it." Closing the Meeting(s): Mayor Barker, upon the recommendation of Councilmember Don Mueller, called the meeting to a close at 8: 27pm. Wharton ISD followed suit and ended their meeting. CITY OF WHA TON, TEXAS By: G/ TIM BAKER Mayor AT EST: PA% A FAVORS City Stcretwy y N 2