City of Richland Springs  $I  Minutes of City Council Meeting on March42th, 2024  Meeting: Discussion of the ongoing projects and regular business of the city Council Members: Aaron Bessett, Franky Soto, Jessica Scales, Larry Crump, and Jason Lewis  Council Attendees: Mayor Frank Pearce Called to Order/location: 07:03pm at City Hall Note Taker: Jessica Scales Absent: Jason Lewis  City Officials Present: Mayor, Frank Pearce; Treasurer, Franky Soto; Secretary, Jessica Scales; Aaron  Bessett; Larry Crump; City Water Manager, Chris Perry  Guests/Citizens Present: Dale Mckinnerney, Beatrice Soto, Troy Soto  7:03pm 1. We opened the meeting with a prayer. 7:03pm 2. Guest and Citizen Participation: no comments  7:04pm 3. We discussed and approved the previous minutes. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Franky Soto, 2nd by Larry Crump, passed by unanimous vote 3-0. *Aaron arrived after this 7:14pm 4/5. We discussed the payment of bills for the City, and the Water, Sewer, and Garbage Dept (WSGD) and covered the monthly reports. The city paid AMS "$60K for first half of SLWPLI Cleanup. RAoeyst Had to hire Juice's Septic for assistance with repair, higher cost. We had low amounts of sheriff patrols last month. Appraisal district quarterly payment made. Propane tank now in place and functional at community center. Troy Soto mentioned he would like to redo the two antique spring riders ini the city park. Discussed location and safety requirements. Jessica Scales made a motion to accept the bills and  vote.  reports, 2nd by Aaron Bessett, passed by unanimous vote 4-0. 7:24pm 6. Rolling Agenda Item: Sheriff's Office Report  No deputies in attendance for area wide report. No discussion at this time.  7:24pm 7. We discussed canceling the city election. We formally announced all candidates are running unopposed for all open slots, we will cancel. A motion was made to cancel the election because all candidates are running unopposed, no election needed. Motion was made by Aaron Bessett, 2nd by 7:26pm 8. We again discussed the streetlights in town, discussing places that need them, places that want them, and feedback so far, from anyone. Very little feedback from citizens, sheriffs office, or online poll. Costs associated would quickly rise for more than 3 or 41 lights a month. We discussed most important lights are the 3 lights on 1901 through town, all need to be updated to larger better  Franky Soto, passed by unanimous vote, 4-0.  light. Discussed one time fees associated, versus monthly fees.  7:33pm 9. We discussed the Oncor streetlight agreement and places that need better lighting versus    places we want lighting. Discussed how lights can only go where we already have meters on poles to avoid furtheri installation costs. Decided to table the agreement and take no action with it. Decided to repair the three lights on 190, increasing size and strength. A motion was made to repair and upgrade the three streetlights on Highway 190 through town at Hwy 190 and FM 45, and 190 and Oak St, and to get the cost of repairing the light at Hwy 190 and S. Hall St. by Brady Electric. Motion made by  Franky Soto, 2nd by Larry Crump, passed by unanimous vote 4-0. 7:36pm 10. Rolling Agenda Item: Drought Contingency Plan  We discussed the drought contingency plan and its current stage. Discussed definition of hand watering, in wording of plan and requirements needed if anything were to be changed. The well is still sitting around 20' with ongoing small showers. Decided to leave at current stage, Stage 2. No action 7:40pm 11. We discussed the old water office project. A contractor came out and stated price we were given was wrong and cannot be done. They state they looked over each step needing to be done and realized bid was not correct. The new bids were not received in time for this meeting, but we will need to review when received in next day or sO, lines being better itemized for our review. Scheduling special meeting to take place Thursday March 15th, 2024 at 7pm. to review and approve new bid. Insurance is aware and has already granted extension for redoing process. No action taken. 7:48pm 12. We did not receive the bids in time for discussion, no action taken. Special meeting  taken.  scheduled.  7:49pm 13. Rolling Agenda Item: Eclipse 2024  Discussed recent county town hall. Was basic review, no new information. Discussed final preparations. Port O Potties will be in place, law enforcment designated areas, first responder locations, state of emergency declarations, traffic congestion plans, and backup resources.  8:00pm 14. Mayor Reports:  -Sheriffs Office asked us about waste water disposal services for RVs and fees. Fee will remain the same for campers staying on grounds($35) and will be $40 for anyone passing through wanting to use -Wallace Controls upgraded our pee system to touchscreen, maingit easier to adjust settings and  services during eclipse weekend.pLe adjust pressures allowing us consistent water.  meking  Back flow preventer repair still in progress, waiting on parts. -TCEQ flagged issues are now all addressed, will bei fully compliant by April -We will bei testing the level of sludge to confirm level is at half of what it started. -Discussed pot holes and street repairs if able to cover with budget  Discussed repair for sewer department again, discussed specifically that towels and other items were found to be the main clog. The towels were field house towels, from the school. Mayor discussed with local children and it was admitted they are flushing anything and everything down toilets. Will discuss with school how this needs to be addressed immediately or they may be required by us to put in a rag trap at their expense and maintenance to avoid further costs to the taxpayers for costly repairs. *Dale mentioned the rag traps work well and usually no one wants to maintain them because of this.    8:11pm 15. No other discussions or topics at this time. No executive session needed. Motion to adjourn meeting made by Aaron Bessett, 2nd by Larry Crump, passed by unanimous vote 4-0.  dealis  Pearce  Snus Sedptary,Jessica Scales  AlRa