City of Richland Springs Minutes of Public Hearing and Regularly Scheduled City Council  Meeting on February 14th, 2022  Council Attendees: Mayor Johnie Reeves Called to Order: 06:45 PM Note Taker: Jessica Scales a new city work truck.  Council Members: Aaron Bessett, Franky Soto, Frank Pearce, Larry Crump, and. Jessica  Scales  Scheduled public hearing followed immediately by regularly scheduled city council meeting: Discussion on the proposed USDA grant for purchase of a new pickup truck as City Officials present tonight: Mayor, Johnie Reeves; Treasurer, Franky Soto; Secretary, Jessica Scales; Larry Crump; Aaron Bessett; City Water Manager, Chris Perry. Guests present for public meeting: Frank Griffin, John Scales, David Burnett (arrived at  Absent: Mayor Protem, Frank Pearce  6:50pm)  6:45pm. 1. Opened meeting with a prayer.  6:45pm Opened public hearing and discussion. Went over all grant information. Discussed the cost to the city. Submitting for this grant, and it being approved, would allow us to purchase at fully basic, standard 2022 Ford F250 with tow package. This grant would have USDA pay 75%, and city of RS would pay 25%, should we get full grant. The cost of the truck would be approx. $38,000, leaving us to pay about $9,500. We would use this truck to reliably and dependably tow our heavy machinery, landscaping equipment and sewer hardware, and other tasks as needed for city maintenance. There would bei fewer costs for maintenance and upkeep on a new vehicle, as current truck runs but is old and has frequent repairs needed. We would clean up oldi truck as well and sell, to offset costs as much as possible. Advised we are required by law to publicly announce our intentions and get approval from public first. Have also published notice in paper to make citizens aware. Asked for commentary from guests. Everyone in agreement that new work truck necessary and that cost is best available option to the  city at this time, no other commentary. End of public hearing. 6:55pm Regular City Council Meeting begins  6:55pm 2. Citizen Participation: same guests. David had questions about the recent fire downtown (1/10/22) that destroyed a building and the RS city water office (a complete loss). Advised no more info known at this time, fire still under investigation. John had no commentary. Frank wanted to advise us that due to requirements and other issues associated with being a volunteer judge, he would no longer be able to serve as city judge. Toi further assist us, he has already spoken with Bangs area judge Gigi Chastain, who would be glad to assist us and work in place of Frank, and is similar in costs associated. City officials all thanked Frank for the information and his service to city.    7:00pm 3. We reviewed and approved previous meeting minutes. Motion to approve the minutes made by Larry Crump, 2nd by Franky Soto, passed by unanimous vote. 7:03pm 4. We reviewed and approved the bills for payment for the city andi for the city water, sewer, and garbage dept. Costs were al bit higher this month due to sewer pump repairs, truck repairs, construction, and maintenance fees. Community Center repairs and renovations completed now as well. Motion to approve bills made by Franky Soto, 7:10pm Vicki Oubre arrived. She owns building connected via wall to recently burned down city water office. She wanted to know city plans for the lot/building and when it would be demolished. Advised we have to wait on fire investigation completion and also TML, city insurer, to also complete claim process before any other information can be provided. Advised wall between buildings would be inspected for safety and that her building could be affected. Shel has no insurance on her building. Advised first priority is to replace alll lost citys sewer hardware and tools that were in building, totaling hundreds oft thousands of dollars. Advised reconstruction of building on lot currently not needed or necessary, but would still be discussed int future when more information known. 7:20pm 5. We discussed and reviewed the reports for the city and the city water, sewer, and garbage dept. We discussed new costs associated with street signs, approved as necessary. City has already begun purchasing new stock of hardware for water and sewer emergency repairs, but only ai fraction of what was lost. With the fire, due to recent upgrades and digital archiving, the city water dept. lost very little information or data. The main losses were tools and hardware of all sorts being stored in storeroom. Motion to approve reports made by Larry Crump, 2nd by Aaron Bessett, passed by 7:28pm 6. We decided to order a city election to be held on May 7th, 2022 for the purpose of electing two council positions. We will hold joint election with Richland Springs ISD. The school voting reps could cover thei two 12-hr days we are required to have for early voting. The RSISD school board has already voted and approved the joint election at their meeting on. January 26th, 2022. Motion made to approve order of election to be held jointly with RSISD on May 7th, 2022. Motion made by Aaron Bessett, 7:32pm 7. We discussed and approved resolution 2022-1 authorizing the city to pursue a grant to help pay for a new work truck fori the city, and approved authorizing a person to sign all grant forms. The mayor, Johnie Reeves, was chosen as signer. Motion to approve resolution 2022-1 made by Larry Crump, 2nd by Franky Soto, passed by  2nd by Aaron Bessett, passed by unanimous vote.  unanimous vote.  2nd by Larry Crump, passed by unanimous vote.  unanimous vote. See attached form.    7:35pm 8. We discussed an agreement between the San Saba Sheriff's Department and the City of Richland Springs, TXf for the Sheriff's Dept. to make health and safety inspections for the city, in compliance with the Texas Health and Safety Code Nuisance and Solid Waste regulations, found in section 341 and 342, of the health and: safety code. Discussed how outside assistance may be necessary at times and closer inspections may be necessary and this would assist us in cleaning up further as sheriffs can travel onto property, without warrants, int the case of possible public safety concerns, to further investigate, unlike city officials. Motion made to approve the agreement between the City of Richland Springs and the San Saba Sheriff's Dept. for health and safetyi inspections. Motion made by Aaron Bessett, 2nd by Larry Crump, 7:42pm 9. We discussed reviewing the process for obtaining software required by the state for the city judge to report to the state of Texas and possibly hiring a cityj judge to assist the city as needed. Discussed Judge Frank Griffin's suggestion of hiring Gigi Chastain. She was unable to make tonight's meeting to discuss hiring her and obtaining software. Will reschedule for next meeting. Motion made to table discussion until next council meeting in March when morei information necessary. Motion made by Franky 7:45pm 10. We discussed setting up a committee to investigate and bring back to the council cost and alli information associated with purchasing a new emergency warning siren system for the city. It has been previously discussed that the City of RS could share the cost of the siren with RSVFD, RSISD, and The Howlers Club, with each group covering 25% oft the cost. Decided committee should have five members total, one from each group and a respected citizen to provide citizen commentary. Jessica Scales chosen as city council representative to setup committee and discuss siren, price, and each organization's ability to assist in cost.. Jason Lewis mentioned as either: school rep or respected citizen, will ask for him toj join committee. Will also look into possible grants ora assistance funds. More information to be provided at later meeting. Motion made to approve formation of committee to research purchase of new siren system. Motion made by Franky Soto, 2nd by Aaron Bessett, passed by unanimous vote.  passed by unanimous vote.  Soto, 2nd by Aaron Bessett, passed by unanimous vote.  7:52pm 11. Mayor Reports:  Pat Doggett, has rescheduled us for 2/171 for complete setup for TruClear system Sewer pond pump damaged during the freeze, getting pump repaired. Bringing int tech tot fix our army generator, problems with unexpected shutoff Firei issue: Will need storage spot for our city sewer hardware and tools that we bought for emergency repairs after loss inr recent fire. Priced at fewi in area, went with lowest price. 40' container for $5750, 8 'wide, 9' tall, including delivery and setup. Council agrees the city will need secure spot for storage.  when pump shuts off, shouldn't happen    Motion made to purchase sea storage container for cityt to store all city and sewer hardware securely. Motion made by Franky Soto, 2nd by Aaron Bessett, 8:06pm 12. The council entered into executive session under section 551-074 of the 8:22pm 13. Motion to reconvene into open session made by Franky Soto, 2nd by Larry 8:27pm 14. No further action or discussion needed at this time, no other commentary. Motion made to adjourn meeting by Aaron Bessett, 2nd by. Jessica Scales, passed by  passed by unanimous vote.  Texas Government Code.  Crump, passed by unanimous vote.  unanimous vote.  Reeves  Shc  Mayorohnie  Scales  4hah