City of Richland Springs  Minutes of City Council Meeting on October 9th, 2023  Meeting: Discussion of the ongoing projects and regular business of the city Council Members: Aaron Bessett, Franky Soto, Larry Crump, Jessica! Scales, and. Jason Lewis Called to Order/Location: 7:00 PM: at thel RS Community Center  Council. Attendees: Mayor Frank Pearce Note Taker:. Jessica Scales Absent:. Jason Lewis Guests present: Paige Moats  City Officials present: Mayor, Frank Pearce; Mayor Protem, Aaron Bessett; Treasurer, Franky Soto; Secretary, Jessica Scales; Larry Crump; City' Water Manager, Chris Perry  7:00pm 1. We opened the meeting with a prayer.  7:01pm 2. We had Guest and Citizen Participation: Paige gave updates on ongoing local 7:05pm 3. We discussed and approved the previous meeting minutes. An edit to date was made. Amotion to approve the minutes was made by Aaron Bessett, 2nd by! Larry Crump, passed by 7:06pm 4. We discussed the payment of bills for the city and the water department. A motion to approve thel bills was made by Franky Soto, 2nd by Jessica Scales, passed by unanimous vote, 4-0. 7:11pm 5. We discussed the monthly reports for the city, andi the water sewer and garbage -TCEQ water improvement plans updates: They requested morei info on our city plan. Deena had to guess where existing water lines were per request by TCEQ to notate on engineer plan, soi it may bei incorrect come construction time, but best guesses were made. Still in approval stage Reminder, rates increase for water sewer and garbage will go into effect November 1*. -AMS came out to check sludge levels, but drought and heat caused it to harden, unable to measure, will check next week, will be checking weekly from now on, still on track.  fundraising.  unanimous vote, 4-0.  department.  but beingr reviewed one final time.  -Dump truck still waiting on repairs, waiting on parts. 7:21pm 6. Rolling Agenda Item: Sheriffs Office report  No sheriffs' deputies were ablei to makei itt tonight fort their report on1 the area and ongoing projects. We: still discussed status of new K9 and current ongoing deputy training, number of patrols and current number of deputies on patrol in county. The K91 temperature system we purchased. still shows in process, tol be shipped on schedule, hopefully before training ends. 7:24pm 7. We discussed the request from the Richland Springs Beautification Committee to close the portion of downtown Main Street from Carter St to Hall St, on November 25t, 2023 for the Christmas Market. Motion to approve request made by. Jessica Scales, 2nd by Aaron Bessett,  passed by unanimous vote, 4-0.    7:25pm 8. We discussed the speed limit on city streets within city limits. It was not stated who made the request ori ifany complaints were made, but the city! has looked intol hiring at traffic engineer to do as street survey and evaluate allt the roads to determine what speed should be posted, in an effort to reduce speeding. Costs unknown at this time. We will also need a city ordinance in place. We contacted our TML attorneys, they advised ust the state transportation code applies to our streets, and we will need more than an ordinance to enforce, we will need too contact the state to find out what process needs to bet taken for them to accept our engineering survey forr request for speed change. No action taken at this time. Further 7:29pm 9. We discussed the drought contingency plan and its current stage. Discussed rainfall amounts locally. Well level now: sits around 13-14'. Dropping an average of 2ft per month. Will keep at current stage. Reiterated water schedule. Expecting lots of rain this next few weeks, will Wel had al bid from Franky Soto's crew for demo and cleanup. Approximately $3000, with dumpster rental included. Withs status of building, and extensive work needed, no other contractors have placed bids, discussed, decided to take bid and get area as clean as possible and to the next point off fixing roof, at the very least. Ar motion was made to accept thel bid for demo and cleanup from Frankys crew, to continue progress., Aaron Bessett madei the motion, 2nd byl Larrry Crump, Jessica Scales voted yay, and Franky Soto abstained from vote. Motion passed  investigation required.  check again next month.  7:31pm 10. We discussed the old water office.  3-0.  7:38pm 11. Rolling Agenda Item: Eclipse 2024  No further information at this time, no new information. No action taken. -Discussed hiring help for large projects for Mando to have assistance ifr needed -Looked where meter would be installed for Jody Lewis property, Dolores Mask granted him -No new, progress on the possible purchase of the Hammett property downtown.  7:39pm 12. Mayor Reports: permission for easement for pipe.  -Hydrants flushed as required, air and dirt out of all lines No executive session needed, no further items or discussions.  7:45pm 13. Motion made to adjourn meeting by Aaron Bessett, 2nd by. Jessica Scales, passed by  unanimous vote, 4-0.  dalr Secretary, Jessica Scales  lbe Se