City of Richland Springs Minutes of City Council Meeting on September 12th, 2022  Meeting: Discussion of the regular business of the city Council Attendees: Mayor. Johnie Reeves  Council Members: Aaron Bessett, Franky Soto, Frank Pearce, Larry Crump, and. Jessica  Scales  Called to Order: 7:00 PM Note Taker: Jessica Scales Absent: Aaron Bessett  City officials present: Mayor, Johnie Reeves; Mayor Protem, Frank Pearce; Treasurer, Franky Soto; Secretary, Jessica Scales; Larry Crump; City Water Manager, Chris Perry Guests present: Michael Suber, Paige Moats, Jill Mask, Michelle Mckinnerney  7:00pm 1. Opened meeting with a prayer. 7:01pm 2. Citizen and Guest Participation:  Paige(personal) - questions about street signs and Richland Street being mislabeled on the west end as' 'Richland Ave', needs to be corrected. Would also like cityt to update the maps at the county court house. Advised city will look into both issues. Paige(RSBC update) - provided detailed budget for fiscal year 2021 through present.  Advised city of future projects. Jill and Michelle - no comments  7:07pm 3. We discussed and approved previous minutes. Motion to approve made by 7:10pm 4. We discussed and approved payment of bills for the city and the water sewer and garbage. Extra expenses due to large water leaks(now fixed) and electrical work for sewer pond. Motion to approve made by. Jessica Scales, 2nd by Franky Soto, passed by 7:14pm 5. Discussed and approved the monthly reports for the city and the water sewer and garbage. Garbage took al loss due to mechanical repairs. Discussed water restrictions, averaging daily use of about 50,000 gallons per day, will continue restrictions to be safe. Motion to approve reports made by. Jessica Scales, 2nd by Franky 7:20m 6. Held public hearing for citizens to set the city tax ratei for the 2022-2023 year. Discussed the proposed tax rate for the coming year, would be 0.4300 cents. Would be lowered seven cents from last years 0.5000 cents to keep taxi income amounts around Discussion- - Paige wondered why we didn'traise the rate higher than last years or at least keep it the same. She states without higher taxes the city might stagnate and not prosper. Advised that we cannot raise it morei than a certain percentage and the state  Franky Soto, 2nd by Larry Crump, passed by unanimous vote.  unanimous vote.  Soto, passed by unanimous vote.  the same, due to property taxi increases from the state.    uses formula to provide us with the range we can set for at tax rate. Range this year only went as high as. .4316 cents. Advised trying to keep lows sO all citizens can pay1 taxes without financial struggle during a tough economic year considering the city water grant project has forced the city to raise water bills, to go into effect as soon as project starts in fall, and to avoid costly elections to raise taxes. Advised city finances in order at this Noi further questions, commentary, or opinions from other guests. Hearing closed. 7:26pm 7. We approved the tax rate for the 2022-2023 year, to be set at .4300 cents. Motion to approve tax rate made by Larry Crump, 2nd by. Jessica Scales, passed by 7:28pm 8. We reviewed the drawings for the renovation of the old city hall as done up by Michael Suber for the council. Discussed size of space, number of rooms, restroom, kitchenette space, wiring for electric andi internet, location of wiring, outlets, and switches, plumbing, choices in materials, roofing types, and meeting all handicap requirements and fire codes. Discussed pricing different materials first, tos see how much more high-quality materials will cost, with the price of lower quality also being high at this time. No action taken at this time until prices are verified, then further 7:58pm 9. We discussed the removal of the excessive buildup ofs solids in the sewer pond. There is currently only one foot of water on top of pond, not allowing proper water flow for TruClear system, pulling straight sludge. Contacted San Saba, was referred to Durk's Farm Service. Reasonable bid. Decided to take action. Motion made to contact company and approve bids and start removal of drainage and necessary burm building. Motion to approve made by Frank Pearce, 2nd by Franky Soto and Larry 8:14pm 10. Discussed the prices for replacing the shed for thet tractor and dump truck. Eagle Carports in Brady, lowest bid with good wind rating, secure sides and better ground anchors. Motion to go forward and accept bid from Eagle Carports to begin construction of new: shed. Motion to approve made by Frank Pearce, 2nd by Franky Soto, 8:19pm 11. Discussed closing city streets, Selma St. and Park St., near the school campus during school hours as requested. RSISD requested city streets be closed permanently, alternately claiming these two street blocks belonged toi the school and they would like to fence them off. City advised streets belong to the city, and will not be closed nor fenced off. After much discussion about giving citizen property toi the: school, overstepping of boundaries, and safety precautions, suggested the only alternative of temporary barricades, to only be used during scheduled school days fori that calendar year, as set yearly by RSISD. Barricades will be barrier gates only, in the style of state park entrance barrier gates for example. They will bei installed on school property only,  time, no need to raise.  unanimous vote.  choices can be made.  Crump simultaneously, passed by unanimous vote.  passed by unanimous vote.    on1 the sides oft the above mentioned streets, sO when open, the gates rest entirely on school property only and not any neighboring properties or city property. Should the gates not be opened when school is noti in session, or all of the above requirements not be met, the city will open the streets, as required, by any means, for citizens to use. Council agrees on all requirements above listed needing to be meti in order for RSISD to 'Motion to allow RSISD campus to temporarily close one and al half city blocks on Selma St.(between the school entrance and Firestation St.only) and Park St.(between the school entrance and Marion St. only), the blocks where the campus is located, during scheduled school days for that calendar year, as set yearly by RSISD. Barricades will be barrier gates only, int the style of state park entrance barrier gates for example. They will be installed on school property only, ont the sides oft the above-mentioned streets, sO when open, the gates rest entirely on school property only and not any neighboring properties or city property. Should the gates not be opened when school is noti in session, or all oft the above requirements not be met, the city will open the streets, as Motion made by Franky Soto, 2nd by Frank Pearce, Larry Crump in favor, opposed by Jessica Scales. Motion passed with a vote of 3-1. The school will be notified of the No executive session needed at this time. Final discussion, Jessica gave current status of siren project. Council brought up to speed on status ofi funds, still in progress. No further 8:38pm 12. Motion to adjourn meeting made by Frank Pearce, 2nd by Franky Soto,  be allowed to put up temporary barricades.  required, by any means, for citizens to use.  decision and all requirements.  discussions at this time.  passed by unanimous vote. End of meeting.  Reeves  Scales  Adal  %s