City of Coldspring, Texas Minutes of the Regular Called Council Meeting Monday, November 6, 2023  1. Meeting called to order 7:00P PM  2. Roll call.  Present: Alderman. Jessica Sewell, Jennifer Manuel, Dianne Griffith, Nichole Gatewood, Kyle  Currie, and Mayor John Benestante  Absent: None  Visitors: Kris Eastham-TDEM, Greg Magee-City Attorney, Linda & Gerald Deeter, Linda Almaguer 3. Public Comment: Gerald Deeter spoke briefly to the council over research he has done on the responsibility the City! has for the safety and general welfare of the citizens inside the City of Coldspring. He is still disappointed ins some oft the council members for not coming to an agreement to put stop: signs up at Brookshire Brothers. The Hop, and Mid-Way to try and help 4. Agenda: Mayor Benestante presented the agenda for the meeting. Alderman Dianne Griffith made ar motion to adopt the agenda with a change to section. J with Resolution number being 2023-11 instead of 2023-10, Alderman. Jennifer Manuel seconded the motion. All in favor. 5. Minutes: Mayor Benestante presented the minutes from the regular called October 2, 2023, meeting. A motion to accept the minutes from the October 2, 2023, meeting was made by Alderman Jessica Sewell and seconded by Alderman Kyle Currie. All in favor. 6. Approval of Bills: The list of bills paid and to be paid were reviewed by the Council for approval. Amotion to pay the bills was made by Alderman Nichole Gatewood and seconded by Alderman  reduce accidents.  Dianne Griffith. All in favor.,  7. Reports:  A. Operation of Treatment Plant and Collections System -J Josh Taylor, the City'snew employee sewer operator, presented the report on the Operation of the Treatment Plant and Collections Systems. There were no excursions incurred for the month of October. The plant operated at 22 percent of capacity for the month of October and B. Financial Reports- - Mayor John Benestante briefed Council with the current financial profit and loss statements for the General account, Sewer & Maintenance, Hotel/Motel, Covid Fund, Capital Projects, Mit-Mod Grant Fund, Opioid Abatement Fund, Investments Funds Update including alli investment accounts currently owned byt the  flowed an average of. .045 MGD.    City, TML Legislative Update and Grant Update. Mayor Benestante asked fora any comments or questions regarding the profit and loss statements. The City Executive Administrator, Jody Barr, briefed Council on the sewer adjustments made to customer Briefing on sewer cut offs- City Executive Administrator, Jody Barr briefed Council that there were two customer accounts on cut off day for the month of October and one of  accounts in the month of October.  the customers has since paid and service has been restored.  8. OLD BUSINESS:  A. Briefing on City Park #1. Mayor John Benestante briefed Council on City Park #1 informing them that the construction is completed with the new park restrooms and  concession stand.  B. Briefing on Ordinance violations:  Ordinances 2021-3 (Public Nuisance), 88-4 (Junk and Salvage) violations at 301 Highway 150. Mayor. John Benestante briefed the council on the violations of Ordinance 2021-3 (Public Nuisance), and Ordinance 88-4 (Junk and Salvage) at 301 Highway 150. Owners are still not in compliance; the location still needs City Council approval for a fence and Ordinance 2007-08 violations of unauthorized signs within the City of Coldspring. The City will proceed with notifying those in violation of said ordinance and begin enforcement. Mayor Pro-Tem, Dianne Griffith, will get needed information on sign Discussion and possible action on off premise sign application for Stephen Parker with GW Wrecker. This item was tabled and willl be revisited when Mr. Stephen Parkeri is in D. Briefing on vacant building beside Paradise Grill. Mayor Benestante briefed the council on the vacant building beside Paradise Grill. The owner does not want to sell at this time  the ownerls)/operator still need to get a permit for salvage yard.  violators.  attendance.  and would only be willing to lease out a part of the space.  9. NEW BUSINESS:  A. RCAPPOVDhappDNe submission oft the completed application to the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) for the FEMA HMGP DR 4705 grant. After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Jessica Sewell, to approve submission of the completed application to the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM)    for the FEMA HMGP DR 4705 grant. The motion was seconded by Jennifer Manuel. Alli in B. sCugApPoVeDlappoNe Application Resolution 2023-08 for the FEMA HMGP DR 4705 Grant to submit the application, appointing the Mayor as an authorized official and committing to the 25% match. After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Kyle Currie, to approve Application Resolution 2023-08 for the FEMA HMGP DR 4705 Grant tos submit the application, appointing Mayor. John Benestante as an authorized official and committing to the 25% match. This motion was seconded by. Jessica Sewell. Alli in - Consideration, discussion, and possible action on the Award of Contract to Langford Community Management Services for grant management services to prepare FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) application and the subsequent project mangementAcminstaton of the grant ift the Cityi is awarded a State HMGP contract. After al brief discussion, ar motion was made by Nichole Gatewood to Award the Contract tol Langford Community Management Services for grant management services to prepare FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) application and the subsequent project angememfAdminstaton of the grant if the City is awarded a State HMGP contract as presented. This motion was seconded by Kyle Currie. Alli in D. Consideration, discussion, and possible action on the Award of Contract to Goodwin- Lasiter-Strong for engineering services related to the preparation of FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) application and the subsequent preliminary and final design plans and necessary inspections required by the City for thei implementation of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP project if the City is awarded a State HMGP Contract(s). Aftera a general discussion, a motion was made by Kyle Currie on the Award of Contract to Sodwin-laster-strong for engineering services related to the preparation of FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) application and the subsequent preliminary and final design plans and necessary inspections required by the City for the implementation of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP_ _project if the Cityi is awarded a State HMGP Contract(s) as presented. This motion was seconded . Discussion and possible action on Extreme Signs sign package proposal. Aftera a brief discussion, a motion was made by Jessica Sewell to accept the sign package proposal from Extreme Signs. This was seconded by Kyle Currie. All in favor. F. Briefing on response to U.S. Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) politicizing of the Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) funding. Mayor Benestante briefed Council members on the response to U.S. Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) politicizing of the Community Development Block Grant  favor.  favor.  favor.  by Jennifer Manuel. All in favor.  Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) funding.    G. Discussion and possible action on City Policies 2023-01, 2023-02, 2023-03. Aftera a brief discussion, a motion was made by Nichole Gatewood to approve City Policies 2023-01/ TCEQ Response, 2023-02/Employee Cost of Living Adjustment, and 2023.03/Investment H. Discussion and possible action on City of Coldspring's: 2024 City Holiday Schedule. After abrief discussion, a motion was made by Jessica Sewell to approve the City of Coldspring's 2024 Holiday Schedule. This motion was seconded by. Jennifer Manuel. All Discussion and possible action to amend 2023 General Budget item "Sewer Project" to ber renamed as "Sewer Service Truck". After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Kyle Currie to amend the 2023 General Budget item "Sewer Project" to be renamed as "Sewer Service Truck". This motion was seconded by. Jessica Sewell. All in favor. Discussion and possible action on adopting City of Coldspring Resolution 2023-11to recognize the Coldspring Methodist Church 175-year anniversary for the spiritual support and service oft the citizens of Coldspring and local community. After a general discussion, a motion was made by Kyle Currie, to adopt the City of Coldspring Resolution 2023-11 to recognize the Coldspring Methodist Church 175-year anniversary for the spiritual support and service of the citizens of Coldspring and local community. This K. Discuss, consider, and take action to approve the ratification of the GLO Community Development Block Grant-Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Method of Distribution (MOD) Program Contract Number #24-065-001-E158 as executed through DocuSign by the City Mayor. After a general discussion, a motion was made by Nichole Gatewood, to approve the ratification of the GLO Community Development Block Grant-Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Method of Distribution (MOD) Program Contract Number #24-065-001-E158 as executed through DocuSign by the City Mayor. This motion was seconded by Kyle Currie. Discuss, consider, and take action to Adopt the Resolution 2023-09 Regarding the Civil Rights Policies for the GLO Community Development Block Grant - Mitigation (CDBG- MIT) Method of Distribution (MOD) Program, Contract #24-065-001-E158. Aftera general discussion, a motion was made by. Jennifer Manuel to Adopt the Resolution 2023-09 Regarding the Civil Rights Policies for the GLO Community Development Block Grant - Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Method of Distribution (MOD) Program, Contract #24- 065-001-E158 as presented. This motion was seconded by Jessica Sewell. All in favor. M. Discuss, consider, and take action to Approve the Resolution 2023-10 Designating Authorized Signatories for Contractual and Financial Documents pertaining to the GLO Community Development Block Grant - Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Method of Distribution (MOD) Program, Contract #24-065-001-E158. After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Kyle Currie to Approve the Resolution 2023-10 Designating Authorized  Policy. This motion was seconded by. Jessica Sewell. All int favor.  inf favor.  motion was seconded by Jennifer Manuel. All in favor.  All ini favor.    Signatories for Contractual and Financial Documents pertaining to the GLO Community Development Block Grant- - Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Method of Distribution (MOD) Program, Contract #24-065-001-E158. This motion was seconded by Jessica Sewell. Alli in N. Proclamation declaring December as the City of Coldspring - Fair Housing Month. A motion was made by Jennifer Manuel, approving the Proclamation declaring December as the City of Coldspring-Fair Housing Month. This motion was seconded by. Jessica 0. Discuss, consider, and take action to approve. Amendment #1 for the Grant Administration Services contract for the Community Development Block Grant- Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Method of Distribution (MOD) Program Contract Number: #24- 065-001-E158. After a general discussion, a motion made by. Jennifer Manuel to approve. Amendment #1 for the Grant Administration Services contract for the Community Development Block Grant- - Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Method of Distribution (MOD) Program Contract Number: #24-065-001-E158. This motion was seconded by. Jessica P. Discuss, consider, and adopt Local Procurement Policies & Procedures pertaining to the GLO Community Development Block Grant - Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Method of Distribution (MOD). Program, Infrastructure Contract Number 24-065-001-E158. Aftera general discussion, a motion was made by Kyle Currie to adopt Local Procurement Policies & Procedures pertaining to the GLO Community Development Block Grant- Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Method of Distribution (MOD) Program, Infrastructure Contract Number 24-065-001-E158. This motion was seconded by Dianne Griffith. Alli in favor. Q. Discuss, consider, and adopt Local Financial Policy & Procedures pertaining to the GLO Community Development Block Grant - Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Method of Distribution (MOD) Program, Infrastructure Contract Number 24-065-001-E158. After al brief discussion, a motion was made by. Jennifer Manuel, to adopt Local Financial Policy & Procedures pertaining to the GLO Community Development Block Grant - Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Method of Distribution (MOD) Program, Infrastructure Contract Number 24-065-001-E158. This motion was seconded by. Jessica Sewell. All in favor. R. Discussion and possible action on new maintenance agreement with the Department of Transportation for state rights-of-way. After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Kyle Currie, authorizing Mayor Benestante to: sign the new maintenance agreement with the Department of Transportation for state rights-of-way. This motion was seconded by S. Briefing on 2023 TxDot TAI Project Awarded for the City of Coldspring. The project will construct a! 5-foot-wide sidewalk along SH: 1501 from SH 1561 to the Coldspring-Oakhurst High School campus. The sidewalk will be constructed on the east side of the highway  favor.  Sewell. All in favor.  Sewell. Alli in favor.  Jessica Sewell. Alli in favor.  and will connect to an existing sidewalk east of Live Oak Street.    10. ADJOURN  A motion to adjourn was made by Alderman Jessica Sewell at 8:16PM and was seconded by  Alderman Jennifer Manuel. Alli in favor.  Mayor  Attest:  PLE  GMEE