MINUTES OF Al REGULAR: MEETING OF THE CITY COUNÇIL  On the 23rd day of April 2024, the City Council of Taft, Texas, çonvened for a regular meeting at 230  Green Avenue, Taft, Texas, Taft City Hall at 6:301 P.M. 1. CALLM MEETING TO ORDER  There being a quorum, Mayor Vasquez called the meeting to order at 6:301 P.M. 2.CALL ROLL AND ESTABLISH. A QUORUM IS PRESENT  Councilman Molina Councilman Garza Mayor Pro-tem Keeney Mayor Vasquez  M present M present M present M present  absent absent absent absent  Others Present: Andrea Gomez, Kandi Hubert, others present listed on sign in sheet  3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilman Garza led the Pledge of Allegiance.  4. PRAYER  Rev. Steve Boettcher led the prayer. 5. CITIZEN COMMENTS  ) Manuel Espinosa expressed to the Council that there was a misunderstanding and would like the 2) Glen Searcy expressed to the Council that he would like to remain on1 the TQIC committee. 3) Felipe Rodriguez wanted to thank Mayor Vasquez and Rikki Medina for attending the grand 4) Shanda Hartnett wanted to introduce herself. Ms. Hartnett is the general manager for Sparklight. 6.PUBLICHEARING: The City Council: and 4B Economic Development Corporation (EDC)Board invite the public to comment on a proposed expenditure of $50,000.00 (Fifty thousand dollars) to secure a Downtown revitalization grant. This grant will be utilized to enhance the infrastructure of downtown, including improvements to roads, sidewalks, and other essential projects aimed at  resignation from the' TQIC board members be rescinded.  opening of! his new business.  revitalizing our community's core.  THE: MAYOR OPENDED THE PUBLIC HEARING: Time: 6:37 pm  David Smith stated the purpose of this hearing is to provide information and answer any questions the Council might have. Mr. Smith presented a visual aid to help the Council and residents understand thei idea oft the improvements for the Downtown Revitalization Grant. Mr. Smith also explained the process of what ist toi take place regarding the expenditures proposed to assist the City in obtaining the Grant. There are no  comments for or against thei item oft thej public hearing. THE MAYOR CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING: Time: 6:55 pm    7.CONSENT AGENDA  A. CITY SECRETARY REPORT  Approval of Minutes for 04/09/2024 Regular council meeting.  Councilman Keeney moved to approve the minutes for the 04/09/2024 Regular council meeting, the  motion was seconded. The following Votes were polled: Councilman Molina Councilman Garza Mayor Pro-tem Keeney Mayor Vasquez The motion carried.  M for  against Da abstain D absent E for against D abstain D a absent E for Dagainst Da abstain D absent M for Ja against D abstain D absent  B. PUBLIC WORKSI REPORT  Public Works Director David Furzer reported that he and the Public Works department have been working with the Code Enforcement officer to assist in clean up. Mr. Furzer also stated  there is currently 150 non - working meters. C. LIBRARYE REPORT  Kelly Bregoon stated the new hours oft the Library will go into effect as of. June 1, 2024. The new schedule will show a 401 hour work week to include Saturday. There willnot be any changes ini the structure of hours per day for Monday and Wednesday. The library will be closed 1 hour for lunch daily. Changes will occur for the days ofTuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Once an assistant librarian is hired, then the schedule will be adjusted.  D. TOIC YEARLY REPORT  Brooke Banda presented the council with aj paper report explaining the funds, expenses and board members currently on the TQIC committee. This report reflected the year 2023.  E. CITY MANAGER REPORT  Kandi Hubert informed the Council ofthe Community Clean up taking place on April 26h from 8 am to3 pm and April 27th from 8 am to 12 pm. Ms. Hubert also reminded the Council and residents oft the EDC workshop on May 16th for both type A and type B. Ms. Hubert explained that the audit will be coming to the facility at the end of the month. Ms. Hubert also stated that an has also been placed in the paper for the City Manager Position as shel had previously informed the Council that she would remain int the Ryan Smith assistant City Manager reported that the Fire Department has been issued a gear grant. The grant will assist in 90% oft the funds for the gear of new and past members. Mr. Smith also informed the Council that the City will soon be switching the phone systems to assist in saving city funds. Lastly, Mr. Smith stated that the water bills will possibly be switched over to a paper format in the future.  position until the audit has been completed this ad will run for 1 month.    8. DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND NECESSARY ACTION REGARDING THE PROCESS OF Councilman Molina inquired on what the procedures for citations are, and asked ifit was common practice to send the citations to1 the. Justice oft the Peace instead oft thel Municipal Court at City Hall. Mayor Vasquez spoke on the Chief's behalf and stated that due to certain situations taking place at City Hall ChiefLandreth would provide Ordinance Citations to City Hall but would send the traffic citations Councilman Molina and Councilman Keeney both stated that the citations issued within the city limits should be taken to City Hall. Councilman Keeney stated ChiefLandreth has stripped them away from the  CITATIONS ROMTANTIPIOCTYTAI  to the Justice oft the Peace.  City for not a very good reason. The following Votes were polled: Councilman Molina Councilman Garza Mayor Pro-tem Keeney Mayor Vasquez No Action taken.  Ofor Ja against Da abstain Dabsent D for against Da abstain Dabsent Ofor J against abstain D absent Ofor J against Da abstain D labsent  9.DISCUSS, CONSIDER ANDI NECESSARY, ACTION REGARDING THE AMBULANCE Ryan Smith informed the Council that the' Taft ambulance has been assisting in covering for the Gregory location although there is al Portland ambulance/station. In the past Portland has covered the Gregory calls. Mr. Smith stated he did contact the Portland department prior to the meeting toi inquire of any recent events that have taken place. Councilman Keeney asked Mr. Smith to look into this matter further.  COVERING GREGORY AND LEAVING TAFT.  Councilman Garza moved to table item number 9, the motion was seconded.  The following Votes were polled: Councilman Molina Councilman Garza Mayor Pro-tem Keeney Mayor Vasquez The motion carried. Item is tabled.  Mi for a against D abstain Da absent M for Ja against D abstain D absent M for J against abstain D absent M for J against Da abstain Da absent  10.) DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND NECESSARY ACTIONTO ACCITINEONIPATONOT MARCUS. ADAMS, FELIPE RODRIGUEZ AND ISAIAH GARZA FOR THE TAFTOUALITY Councilman Garza stated he would not like to be aj part oft the' TQIC committee at this time. Councilman Molina requested to be able to look further into this item due tot the previous individuals who were on1 the  IMPROVEMENT CORPORTATION (TOIC).  board not wanting toi resign.  Councilman Keeney motioned to table item number 10, the motion was seconded.  The following Votes were polled: Councilman Molina  M for Dagainst Da abstain D absent    Councilman Garza Mayor Pro-tem! Keeney Mayor Vasquez The motion carried. Item is tabled.  Hi for J against Dabstain LJ absent M for against Dabstain J absent M: for J against DJabstain - absent  11.DISCUSS, CONSDIER ANDI NECESSARY ACTIONTOPOST ANADI FORACITY  ATTORNEY ON TML.  Councilman Molina stated it would be beneficial tol hire a local attorney.  Councilman Molina moved toj post an ad fora City Attorney on TML, the motion was seconded.  The following Votes were polled: Councilman Molina Councilman Garza Mayor Pro-tem Keeney Mayor Vasquez The motion carried.  M for D against D abstain Da absent M: for against Da abstain Dabsent M: for against abstain D absent M for against Da abstain D labsent  12.] DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND NECESSARY ACTION REGARDING ANU UPDATEON Hector Castaneda with. Ardurra stated that the structural engineer has informed him the bridge is usable. It no longer needs to be barricaded, the only damage on the bridge is cosmetic. The bridge is safe to drive Councilman Keeney moved toi instruct the City Manager to instruct the public works to open up Retama  RETAMA BRIDGE.  over.  Bridge, the motion was seconded. The following Votes were polled: Councilman Molina Councilman Garza Mayor Pro-tem Keeney Mayor Vasquez The motion carried.  M for against D abstain absent E for against D abstain Da absent M: for a against D abstain Dabsent M for J against D a abstain Dabsent  13.DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND NECESSARY ACTION REGARDING' THE ABANDONED Mayor Vasquez stated residents have asked questions about certain alleyways. Kandi Hubert stated there isan easement inj place. Residents are. responsible for maintaining the alleyways, any alley's not in compliance or not drivable should be subject to a citation or a bill ift the city ends up cleaning it up. Councilman Keeney expressed that would be a job to be looked at by the Codel Enforcement.  ALLEYWAYS. AND ACTIVE. ALLEYWAYS.  Mayor Vasquez stated The following Votes were polled: Councilman Molina Councilman Garza Mayor Pro-tem Keeney  Of for J against Da abstain D absent D: for against abstain Da absent Ofor Ja against abstain absent    Mayor Vasquez No action taken.  Ofor Da against D abstain D absent  14. DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND NECESSARY ACTIONI RUSARDINGARISOLITON REQUESTING COASTAL BEND COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTTOI HOLDAN AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHERING FAIR HOUSING TRAINING. Ryan Smith stated this is one oft the Resolutions needed to be able to obtain a grant.  Councilman Keeney moved to request the Coastal Bend Council of Government tol hold a fair housing  training, the motion was seconded. The following Votes were polled: Councilman Molina Councilman Garza Mayor Pro-tem Keeney Mayor Vasquez The motion carried.  M for against  abstain D absent M for J against Da abstain Dabsent M: for against abstain D absent M for Ja against D abstain D absent  15. DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND NECESSARY ACTIONTOI REMOVE MICHAEL VASQUEZ FROMT THE FIREMANS PENSION AND REPLACE HIM WITH JOSE MORENO. Ryan Smith stated that Michael Vasquez has taken another position at work which has caused him to not be available for meetings. Mr. Vasquez has requested to be removed, the fire department voted to have Councilman Garza moved to remove Michael Vasquez from the Fireman pension and replace him with  Mr. Moreno take his place.  Jose Moreno, the motion was seconded. The following Votes were polled: Councilman Molina Councilman Garza Mayor Pro-tem Keeney Mayor Vasquez The motion carried.  M for D against Da abstain Dabsent M for against D abstain Dabsent M for against D abstain Dabsent M: for J against D abstain Da absent  16. DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND NECESSARY ACTION REGARDING A $50,000 EXPENDITURE BY THE EDOECONOMIC.DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.2-) VOTE) David Smith stated this is the second meeting requesting the expenditure by the EDC and would like to  request the Council move: forward with the motion.  Councilman Keeney moved to approve the motion, the motion was seconded.  The following Votes were polled: Councilman Molina Councilman Garza Mayor Pro-tem Keeney Mayor Vasquez The motion carried.   for  against Dabstain D absent M: for J against D abstain Dabsent M for J against J abstain Dabsent M for against D abstain Dabsent    I/COUNCILANDSTATE COMMENTS: COMMENTS MAYBE MADE BY STAFF OR Andrea Gomez informed the Council that the Budget Workshop for April 24th has been cancelled. There Councilman Molina Trash Cans sitting out longer than the day of pick up seems to be an issue. Councilman Garza - Asked Ryan Smith to contact grant writers to see if there may be more grants the Councilman Keeney - Would likel Ryan Smith to check on the reclaimed material for the Recycle area. Councilman Keeney - Would like tol look att the contract between the City and the Little League 19.A ANNOUNCEMENTS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST AND/OR UPCOMING EVENTS Councilman Garza- = Announçed to get educated regarding the bond election for the school asi itis a great Andrea Gomez- -1 Reminded the Council and Public oft the Community Clean up taking place April 26lh  COUNCIL BUT NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN will not be enough members for a quorum.  city can utilize.  18.I ITEMST TO CONSIDER FOR PLACEMENT ON FUTURE AGENDAS  thing for the students and the community.  and April 27h.  20. ADJOURN - TIME 7:58 P.M. The following Votes were polled: Councilman Molina Councilman Garza Mayor Pro-tem Keeney Mayor Vasquez The motion carried.  Councilman Keeney motioned to. Adjourn, the motion was seconded.  M for J against D abstain Dabsent M for Jagainst D abstain Dabsent E for a against D abstain absent for J a against D abstain Da absent  Passed and Approved this HPbyd of May 2024  CITY OFTAFT   LA4a  ATTEST:  City Secretary  hlfn