CITY OF NATALIA 2078 State Hwy. 1321 N. . P.O. Box 270 . Natalia, TX 78059-0270 (830) 663-2926 . Metro (830)665-2206 e Fax (830)663-3806  REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 2078 STATE HWY 132 NORTH, NATALIA, TEXAS 20 MAY 2024 at 7:00 P.M. ROLLCALL:  Mayor Tommy Ortiz - Present Alderman Mike Fernandez Present Alderwoman Ruby Vera - Present CALL TO ORDER: Allegiance by Mayor Ortiz.  Mayor Pro-Tem Sam Smith - Present Alderman Darin Frazier- Present Alderman Selica Vera - Present  1.  Mayor Ortiz called the regular city council meeting to order at 7:00 pm; followed by the Pledge of  2. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD: No citizens to be heard.  3. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Alderwoman S. Vera thanked city staff for the continued effort on city clean-up. Alderman Fenandez thanked staff for the graffiti clean up on 4th Street. Alderman Frazier thanked staff for their continued hard work in keeping things running well throughout the city. Alderman Smith stated everything was looking good. Alderwoman R. Vera requested that the utility department spray mosquitos. Art Smith stated that he would speak with Jose and find out if the sprayer was functioning properly and if so, plan to spray or have the sprayer possibly repaired. Art stated the sprayer isv very old and parts may not be available, but he would check. Alderwoman R. Vera stated AACOG has funding for the police department available, and she wouid get with Chief Chavez sO they could explore  needs and options to apply for the funding.  4. CONSENT AGENDA:  All of the following items are considered to be routine by the City Council, there will be no separate discussion on these items and will be enacted with one motion; unless removed by any Council Member to discuss and consider separately by making such request prior to a motion and vote.  a) Approval of the Minutes:  15 April 2024 Regular Meeting  b) Approval oft the Financial Activity Report: April 2024 c) Approval oft the Utility Department. Activity Report: April 2024 d) Approval of the Municipal Court Activity Report: April 2024 seconded the motion. Vote: 5-0; motion carried  e) Approval of the Police Department/Code Enforcement Activity Report: April 2024  Action: Alderman Fernandez made the motion approving the consent agenda, and Alderman Smith  5. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:  a) City AdminstratorSecretaly Nichole Bermea reported that brush pick up will be on June 10th. Residents can start placing items curbside a week prior. Nichole reported that both utility vehicles have had the bodywork repairs completed. Nichole had an inquiry from a school representative expressing concerns that were brought tol his attention about a foul odor and smoke coming from the  1    Loves Tire Retread Warehouse. Nichole stated that there have been no complaints at city hall but she did contact Christopher Oberst, the director of operations at Loves and he stated that they are not burning anything on the premises and have never received any complaints at any of the other facilities but he will do research and get in touch with Nichole. Mr. Oberst stated that he wants to keep a great relationship with the city and will do whatever possible to find a solution. There will be an elected official's workshop at AACOG on May 31st, if anyone would like to attend let Nichole know and she will do the registration. The city offices will be closed on Monday May 27th for Memorial Day. The ESD #4 EMS station MOU has been signed by both parties. The crosswalk signs have been installed at the locations previously approved by the city council. Nichole completed the ISO inspection on Friday May 17"h. The results will take approximately 5-6 weeks. The inspector stated things went well. The county did testing on the emergency sirens throughout the county today. The City of Natalia's worked fine with no issues. Nichole stated that she included the most recent Go Medina meeting meetings and an invitation to an upcoming mixer in councils' packets. The T-Mobile representative came out and did a site visit at the towers for the possible antenna placement. They were pleased with the site and will be sending a lease agreement to be reviewed for approval to the city council hopefully by the June meeting. Nichole spoke to the Texas Rebuild/E3 representative, and he stated that the antennas will not affect the work projected to be completed at the tower and standpipe. Nichole did follow-up on the Hotel occupancy tax ordinance. There was an ordinance passed on October 17, 2011, however the ordinance was never codified or filed. Nichole will send the ordinance to the city attorney for review and updates to be brought back to the city council for b) NMDD - Ruby Vera reported that there will be a Memorial Day ceremony on Sunday May 26th at 7pm. All arei invited and Ruby requested that the city council be in attendance. The STRH mobile unit will be in Natalia on Tuesday May 21st. Ruby asked that everyone please spread the word to C) Chief of Police - Martin Chavez reported that the department has been working hard on code d) Utility Director - Art Smith requested that the police officers do periodic checks around at the water tower because there has been tires marks all over the property and Art is concerned there could be damage to the lines. Chief Chavez stated he will have the officers check the property. e) Mayor = Tommy Ortiz thanked city staff and stated things are going well for the city. Mayor Ortiz reminded everyone that the process for code violations starts with a warning and sometimes can take two to three months for the citation to be issued or the issue brought to compliance.  approval.  community members.  compliance and animal issues throughout the city.  DISCUSSIONICONSIDERATION OF ACTION ITEMS:  6. Discuss/Consider Medina County Appraisal District's Preliminary totals fort the City of Natalia. The council discussed the preliminary totals and obvious increases in property values. Many have 7. Discuss/Consider agreement establishing the Medina County Regional Water Alliance. Nichole explained that Mayor Ortiz and herself had a meeting with Scooter from Yancey Water and Judge Keith Lutz. The ASR is in the early stages and Nichole requested the council's concerns and questions, sO she is able to take them back to the next meeting scheduled for May 28h. Nichole invited council members to attend if they were able to, if not forward any questions or concerns to her or the mayor and they will address them at the meeting. Alderman Frazier has concerns with whether Edwards Aquifer would be able to come in later down the road and take water away from the city, and concerns of whether we would be sharing our allotted portion. Alderman Frazier questions how the city would benefit with aj joint membership toi the alliance. Alderman Fernandez also has concerns and hopes to attend the meeting on May 28th. No action was taken.  concerns about the continued increases. No action was taken.  EXECUTIVE SESSION:  2    8. The city council will meet in closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 551.074, personnel, to deliberate the position of City Administrator, pay rate and designation, if necessary. Alderwoman S. Vera made a motion to convene into executive session at 7:52 pm. Alderman Fernandez seconded the  motion. Motion carried; 5-0. REGULARS SESSION: Executive Session:  9. The City Council shall reconvene into Regular Session, and if necessary, may act on items discussed in a. $551.074 Personnel Matters: City Administrator, pay rate and designation, if necessary. The city council reconvened into regular session at 8:21 pm Alderwoman R. Vera made a motion for Mayor Ortiz to meet with the city administrator as soon as possible and go over what was discussed by the city council with a 90-day probation and pay rate increase. Alderman Frazier  seconded the motion. Motion carried; 5-0.  10.ADJOURNMENT Motion carried; 5-0.  Alderman Fernandez made a motion to adjourn at 8:22 pm. Alderwoman S. Vera seconded the motion.  Passed and approved this 17th day of June 2024.  Attest:  Approval: A Tommy Ortiz,  Sam Smith, Mayor Pro-Tem  Hellanu) ) Niobole M. Bérmea Admanstrator'secretalny City  E OF  @  3