City of Richland Springs Minutes of City Council Meeting on. June 10, 2024 Meeting: Discussion of the ongoing projects and regular business of the city Council Members: Mayor Frank Pearce, Aaron Bessett, Jessica Scales, Larry Crump, Dale McKinnerney Council Attendees: Mayor Frank Pearce, Aaron Bessett, Larry Crump, Dale Mckinnerney, and. Johnie and. Johnie Reeves Reeves Absent:. Jessica. Scales Note Taker: Chris Perry Called to Order/Location: 7:02 pm at City Hall City Officials Present: City Water Manager Chris Perry Lazaro. Jr., Deana Sealy and Peggy Daniels (arrived at 7:47). 7:02pm 1. Dale Mckinnerney opened the meeting with a prayer. Guests/Citizens Present: Dell Sagebiel, Dee Crump, Craig and Ann Christian, George Lazaro, George 7:02pm 2. Dee Crump informed the Council that the roads were in bad shape and needed to be worked on. Craig Christian stated some community members had issues come up and are paying for network and speed along with buying TV packages. He was requesting to use the Community Building to do some free basic computer and networking classes. He stated that he had some other people to assist him with this. 7:10pm Aaron Bessett entered the meeting. 7:11pm 3. Aaron Bessett read the minutes of the May 13, May 22, and May 30 meetings. Motion by Johnie Reeves to accept minutes as read. 2nd by Dale Mckinnerney. Motion carried unanimously. 7:23pm 4. Bills were read and discussed. Motion by Aaron Bessett to pay bills. 2nd by Larry Crump. Motion carried unanimously. 7:28pm 6. No Sheriff Office Report. 7:28pm 7. Chris Perry stated that Sheriff David. Jenkins requested for the City to consider changing deputy pay to $45 per hour. Motion by. Johnie Reeves. 2nd by Dale Mckinnerney. Motion carried unanimously. 7:29pm 8. Chris Perry shared the proposed budget for 2024-25. Chris Perry stated that the only way to raise revenue was by property tax. For each additional penny levied, it would raise an additional approximately: $1680. Chris Perry stated that each year the City sets the tax rate just below the ratei to not have to hold an election. After discussion, Aaron Bessett made a motion to adopt Budget for 2024- 25,2nd by. Johnie Reeves. Motion carried unanimously. 7:39pm 9. Frank stated that this item on Computer/Network Training was referred to by Craig Christian in Citizen Participation. This training is requesting to use the Community Center and will bet free of charge. Craig Christian stated that he had several volunteers willing to help him. He stated thata 7:41pm 10. Dale McKinnerney: asked that this agenda item be placed. Dale Mckinnerney wanted to know how properties was selected and discussed a property he was concerned about on clean-up. Aaron Bessett read the Ordinance. Frank will send certified letters and the owners have 14 days to respond. Chris Perry stated that. Judge Owens has heard a case involving the property being questioned and clean-up progressed had been made but since the case was closed, property cleanup has regressed. 7:50pm 11.. Jessica Scales had asked questions about putting up Neighborhood Watch Signs around town. There was discussion about where to place these signs. Chris Perry stated that he had looked into requirements about placing signs and discussed with Sheriff David. Jenkins. Sheriff. Jenkins stated that there was not any requirements before. placing signs that he was aware of. After discussion, Aaron Bessett made ar motion to spend up to $2501 for medium aluminum signs. 2nd by Dale Mckinnerney. 7:55pm 12. Discussion was held about what to do with the Old Bad Boyl lawnmower that had a cracked head. Several members expressed that they did not want to spend any more money on that mower. There was a discussion about taking offer for the mower. Aaron Bessett stated that he would pay the City $50 and pick up the mower. Motion by Dale Mckinnerney, 2nd by. Johnie Reeves to allow Aaroni to 8:00pm 13. Frank Pearce discussed the drought contingency plan with the Council. With the rainfall that we have received, Frank recommended that the City remove the Drought stage at this time. Motion by 8:00pm 14. Chris Perry discussed the old water office. Chris Perry stated that waiting on roofers to come as well as trenching and stubbing out plumbing. This will complete Phase lof the project. For Phase II, we are looking at local people that want to price out fore electrical, plumbing, drywall, etc. that needs to 8:02pm 15. Frank Pearce had received a price quote fori the electrical aspect oft the Old Water Office with some volunteer labor donated. Frank Pearce stated that Tex-Air had come by last Friday to look at 8:07pm 16. Deana Sealy gave a report on the Water/Wastewater Projects. Deana Sealy stated that Tru- clear has made zero progress on meeting standards that are expected to be set by TCEQ. Stated that Tru-clear has picked up their trailer due to it being clogged by the sludge in the bottom oft the sewer pond. The sludge has been removed now. Deana stated that Pat's plani is to bring the trailer back fora couple of days a week, run: some of the water and then take it back for testing. Deana stated that Pat wanted to send at trailer down and pick up the water and haul it back to Abilene but TCEQ said that was not acceptable. Deana Sealy stated that EJE Bible had come down and met with her. and Frank about putting a pump to aerate the pond. Deana stated that a company had Oregon had contacted her about a schedule would be made. Motion carried unanimously. buy the old mower. Motion carried unanimously with Aaron Bessett abstaining. Aaron Bessett, 2nd by. Johnie Reeves. Motion carried unanimously. be completed. Air Conditioning and was going to price electrical as well. No action was taken. machine to clean the sewer pond at a cost of $350,000. She stated that EJ Bible's quote for a pump was $8400 and then would have to get aeration supplies. She stated that this project would not cost any more than $15,000 and could get rid of the Lake Buchanan Watershed: Study that TCEQ was going to require, which could take at least 3 years. Frank Pearce was going to look into pump and aeration that was needed. 8:21pm Dell! Sagebiel left the meeting. Deana Sealy stated that PIP (Public Water Plan) was turned in. She stated that the City had been offered money by TWDB several times buti it was more in the loan aspect Vs. the grant aspect. She stated that she was contacted by TWDB on March: 1 about some money left from the 2021 State Revolving Fund. Stated that it was a 70% grant with $400,000 addition for very small community grant. Stated that there was a pre-application meeting by TEAMS that she, Frank Pearce and Chris Perry was involved in on March 14. Stated that all paperwork was turned in but 3 years of audits that are required and are currently at the CPA. Stated this was a savings of $800,000 over the USDA grant.. Audits were required by April 6 but she was given to. July 11 for the audits to be completed. Stated she has contacted 17 auditors andi found only one that was willing to do int this timeframe. Stated that she had taken some 8:40pm 17.18.. Johnie Reeves made motion to move items 17 & 18 to executive session. 2nd by Larry 8:41pm 19. Frank Pearce gave Mayor Report. Frank Pearce: stated that the old water office looks nice and has received compliments on it. Stated waiting on roofers and plumbers to stub in plumbing. Stated that Dell Sagebiel has done a good job cleaning up next door. Stated Council needed to looki into zoning 8:44pm Aaron Bessett made a motion to enter into executive session. 2nd by Larry Crump. Motion 9:49pm Aaron Bessett made a motion to come out of executive session. 2nd by. Johnie Reeves. Motion Johnie Reeves made a motion to enter into open session. 2nd by Dale Mckinnerney. Motion carried 9:50pm 18. Motion made by Aaron Bessett to retain Deana Sealy as Engineer. 2nd by Larry Crump. money out her engineering part to help the City pay for the audits. Crump. Motion carried. for business district VS. residential district. carried unanimously. carried unanimously. unanimously. Motion carried unanimously. 9:50pm 20. Aaron Bessett made a motion to adjourn. 2nd by Dale Mckinnerney. 9:1020M Motion to adjourn made by Johnie Reeves, 2nd by Aaron Bessett. Motion passed unanimously. Lis dcalser Jessica Scales, Secretary Frank Pearce RP