ERTY  CITYCOUNCIL REGULARMEETINGMINUTES Wednesday, January 10, 2024- - 6:00 PM Municipal Court Room/Council Chamber 2801 Ranch Road 1869 Liberty Hill, Texas 78642  1. CALLTOORDER  The meeting was called to order by Mayor Branigan at 6:00. PM  City Council Members Present: Mayor Liz Branigan Councilmember Amanda Young Councilmember Chris Pezold Council Member Angela Jones Mayor Pro-Tem Crystal Mancilla Councilmember Michael Helbing City Council Members Absent: City Staff Members Present: Paul Brandenburg, City Manager Marianella 'Nella' Joseph, City Attorney Rebecca Harness, Executive Assistant - Administration Royce Graeter, Police Chief James Herrera, Public Works Project Manager McKenzi Hicks, Interim Planning Director Mary Poche, Exec. Director OfLHEDC Sidney Smith, Director of Finance Trey Evans, Water Superintendent Elias Carrasco, Building Official  Katie Amsler, Director ofCommunications and Community Involvement  Liberty Hill Police Department Chaplin Joiner gave the invocation and Mayor Branigan led the  Pledge of Allegiance to the flags ofthe US and ofTexas.  Page1/11  Liberty Hill City Council Regular Called Meeting minutes January 10, 2024    PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS OR ACKNOWIEDGEMENTS FROM MAYOR  BRANIGAN  Mayor Branigan had no Proclamations.  3) REPORTS  City Departments, Committees or other groups may submit reports to the City Council. There is a) Municipal Court ofRecord # 1 October and November Monthly Report. (T. Ventura) b) Building Official/Code Enforcement Services Department Report, November 2023 (E.  no official action required by the City Council to accept these reports.  Carrasco)  ) Communications and Community Engagement Department Monthly Report. (K.  Amsler)  d) Liberty Hill Economic Development Corporation Executive Director monthly report.  (M. Poche')  e) Finance Department Monthly Staff Report. (S. Smith)  Finance Director, Sidney Smith fielded questions from the Council Members and  Mayor regarding the Financials.  f) Planning Department Monthly Report, November 2023. (M. Hicks)  g) Police Department Monthly Report. (R. Graeter)  Council Member Jones asked Chief Graeter to include. 3 years of data on his next  report.  h) Public Works Department Monthly Report. (D. Thomison)  City Secretary Department November 2023 Staff Report. (E. Simpson)  Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding LUE report(s). (D. Thomison)  Page2/11  Liberty Hill City Council Regular Called Meeting minutes January 10, 2024    4) PUBLIC COMMENTS  Regarding items not on this agenda/Public Comments: Those desiring to. speak on a topic not listed on the agenda, please complete a speaker) form and present it to the City. Secretary before the meeting. Speakers will have three minutes each to. speak, this time cannot be transferred ors shared. Council members may not take action during this item and any responses will be limited to) factual. statements, recitation ofe existing policy, or Regarding topics listed as an agenda item/During specific agenda item: Council requests that speakers complete as speaker form, indicate which agenda item they are interested. in speaking about, and: submit form to the City. Secretary before the agenda item is addressed. Speaker, forms may be emailed to the City Secretary  request) for the topic to be placed on af future agenda. before the meeting at mpongiberpnlagons  No Public Comments. 5)CONSENT. AGENDA  Consent Agenda items are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no.s separate discussion of those items unless requested by the Council, in which event the item(s) will  be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered under Regular Agenda.  Approve December 13, 2023, City Council Regular Called Meeting minutes. (E. b) December 27, 2023, City Council Joint Special Called Meeting with Planning and c) Approval of Resolution 2024-R-001 Amending Res. 2023-R-012 and modifying the Motion: Motion by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Helbing, to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented. Vote on the motion: Motion carried unanimously by a vote of  Simpson)  Zoning Commission Meeting minutes. (D. Williams)  schedule for the Home Rule Charter Commission. (E. Simpson)  5-0.Ayes: Jones, Pezold, Young, Helbing, and Mancilla. Nays: None.  6) DEFAKIMENIAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES REVIEW PROJECT-  FINANCE  a) Review and possible action regarding Financial Policies and Procedures Review. (S. This is a standing item report on the progress oft the comprehensive review of policies for each Introduction to this project by Paul Brandenburg, City Manager, and explained to Council that staffwill be bringing policies to update and review to each Council Meeting. Council Members expressed concern why they werej just now seeing the Financial Policy and why it was not done  Smith/P. Brandenburg)  Department oft the City.  before and why has not the policies been followed.  Page3/11  Liberty Hill City Council Regular Called Meeting minutes January 10, 2024    Council Member Pezold asked fora a list ofwhat has not been done and where the deficiencies are. Council Member Pezold suggested having a workshop before the next City Council meeting to go overt the policy. Council Member Pezold would also like for Council Member Helbing suggested that the first step should be for the directors to meet and go through thej policy and bring itl back to Council with review and updates at the Motion: Motion by Council Member Helbing, seconded by Council Member Young, giving directions to all directors to review thel Financial Policy and provide comments and bring back to the February 14, 2024, City Council Meeting. Vote on the motion: Motion carried unanimously by a vote of5-0. Ayes: Jones, Pezold, Young, Helbing, and  every director to read the Financial Policy and sign off.  first City Council meeting in February.  Mancilla. Nays: None. 7) REGULAR AGENDA  a) Discussion and possible action to approve solicitation #S2023-025 for action on the selection ofLiberty Civil Construction and their proposal for Lift Station #1 Improvements for two million six hundred: forty-four thousand one hundred thirty-three dollars thirty-two cents $2,644,133.32); and authorize the City Manager to execute any James Herrera, Project Manager, introduced thei item and presented the staff report. James informed the Council that this project moved up higher on the priority list andi is Motion: Motion by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Mancilla, authorizing City Manager, Paul Brandenburg to sign for selection ofLiberty Civil Construction LLC for the South Fork Wastewater Treatment Plant Ancillary Improvements Phase 2-Lift Station 1 Improvements for two million six hundred forty- four thousand one. hundred thirty-three dollars thirty-two cents $2,644,133.32. Vote on the motion: Motion carried unanimously by a vote of5-0.. Ayes: Jones, Pezold, Young,  and all necessary documents. (D. Thomison/J. Herrera)  funded by the Phase 21 bond.  Helbing, and Mancilla. Nays: None.  b) Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding proposed Resolution #2024-R- 0021 Reimbursement Resolution related to Water and Sewer Capital projects. (S. Smith) Finance Director, Sidney Smith Introduced the item and presented the staff report. Sidney informed the Council that there is a possibility ofissuing bonds for water/sewer projects that may be needed up to $20,000,000. Council Member Pezold informed the rest of Council that this has been discussed in the AHOD meetings and direction was given to staff to move forward. Council Member Jones asked for clarification that before spending  Page.4/11  Liberty Hill City Council Regular Called Meeting minutes. January 10, 2024    it will come to Council for approval. Sidney Smith responded that anything over $50,000 Motion: Motion by Council Member Young, seconded by Council Member Helbing, made a motion to approve a "Resolution declaring intention to reimburse project expenditures from thej proceeds ofTax-exempt obligations. Vote on the motion: Motion carried unanimously by a vote of5-0. Ayes: Jones, Pezold, Young, Helbing, and  will need to come to the Council for approval.  Mancilla. Nays: None.  Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding proposed Resolution #2024-R- 003 Reimbursement Resolution related to. Advanced Water Purification Facility Project  (S. Smith)  Finance Director Sidney Smith introduced the agenda item and presented the staff report. Motion: Motion by Council Member Young, seconded by Council Member Mancilla, made a motion to approve a "Resolution declaring intention to reimburse project expenditures from thej proceeds ofTax-exempt obligations. Vote on the motion: Motion carried unanimously by a vote of5-0. Ayes: Jones, Pezold, Young, Helbing, and d) Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding Ordinance #2023-0-034 Trey Evans, Water Superintendent Introduced the item and presented the staffi report. Mayor Branigan asked for clarification that citizens will still be able to water their vegetable gardens when needed. It was confirmed that citizens could hand water anytime. Motion: Motion by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Helbing, made ai motion to approve Ordinance No. 2023-0-034, New Drought Contingency Plan as drafted. Vote on the motion: Motion carried unanimously by a vote of5 5-0. Ayes:  Mancilla. Nays: None.  Drought Contingency Plan, in final format. (Trey Evans)  Jones, Pezold, Young, Helbing, and Mancilla. Nays: None.  Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding Ordinance #2023-0-058 Final Budget amendment for City ofI Liberty Hill budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023. (S. Smith) Finance Director, Sidney Smith Introduced the item and provided the staff report for the Final Budget Amendment for FY 2023. Sidney fielded questions from Council Members regarding the different amounts. Council Member Pezold had concerns about Motion: Motion by Council Member Jones, seconded by Council Member Mancilla, made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2023-0-058, Fourth Budget Amendment and to  expenditures being more than revenue.  Page5/11  Liberty Hill City Council Regular Called Meeting minutes January 10, 2024    remove the indirect cost allocation. Vote on the motion: Motion carried by a vote of4-1.  Ayes: Jones, Young, Helbing, and Mancilla. Nays: Pezold.  Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding Ordinance #2023-0-051 to repeal and replace Articles A3.000 and. A16.000 and repeal Articles A17.000 and A19.000 within the City ofL Liberty Hill Code of Ordinances to change certain fees, rates, and other services provided by the City to update the fee schedules for the Development Interim Planning Director, McKenzie Hicks Introduced the item and presented the staff report and informed Council that she had made their suggested edits. Council Member Motion: Motion by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Jones, moved, to approve and to adopt, as presented (or with modifications, as appropriate) Ordinance #2023-0-051 to repeal and replace Articles A3.000 and A16.000 and repeal Articles A17.000 and. A19.000 within Appendix A oft the City ofLiberty Hill Code of Ordinances to change certain fees, rates, and other services provided by the City to update the fee schedules for the Development Services Department. Vote on the motion: Motion carried by a vote of5-0.. Ayes: Jones, Young, Helbing, Pezold and Mancilla.  Services Department. (M. Hicks/E. Carrasco)  Pezold commented that it looked great.  Nays: 0.  g) Discussion, consideration and possible action regarding application forms, and application period for Community Grants. (S. Smith, P. Brandenburg) The council will review and advise regarding any desired updates to the Community Finance Director, Sidney Smith, Introduced the item and provided the  Service Grant program.  staffreport. Sidney informed the Council that this was a clean-up item. The policy stays thes same and shej just took out the Fiscal Year, sO Council did not have to approve every year. The council discussed what amount should bei in the policy - should it be per capita oraset amount? City Attorney, Marianella Joseph informed Council they will need a Motion: Motion by Council Member Jones, seconded by Council Member Pezold, moved, to approve the City ofLiberty Hill Community Services Grant Funding Policies and Guidelines as presented. Vote on the motion: Motion carried by a vote of5-0. Ayes:  Resolution that funds are: forj public purpose.  Jones, Young, Helbing, Pezold and Mancilla. Nays: 0.  Page6/11  Liberty! Hill City Council Regular Called Meeting minutes. January 10, 2024    h) Update /1 Report on City ofLiberty Hill, Texas 25th. Anniversary. (K. Amsler)  Director ofCommunications and Community Involvement, Katie Amsler, Introduced the item and provided Council with a sample oft the invitation. Katie informed Council that the time capsule will be buried on March 23, 2024. Katie asked Council for suggestions on where to bury the Time Capsule. Suggestions were made for Central Park and maybe Veterans Park. Katie has ordered 300 commemorative glasses with the 25-year logo and has teamed up with local restaurants to use the glasses and have drink specials. A hashtag will also be created SO citizens can post a picture toasting Liberty Hill. Katie informed the Council that the time capsule will be scheduled to be opened in the year 2040.  No action was taken on this item. Adjustments. (S. Smith)  Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding possible Utility Rate  Finance Director, Sidney Smith, Introduced the item and provided the staff report. Sidney informed the Council that there was ai rate study performed and adopted at the end of 2018 and was implemented in 2019. In April 2019, the rates went into effect. In September 2023 Council approved to increase the rates for the 2021 rates and were implemented on September 26, 2023. At that time, the Council asked staff to bring back the possibility of raising the rates to. January 2023 rates for FY 2024. Council Member Pezold asked Sidney ift this would catch the City up and Sidney responded "yes." Sidney informed the Council that a new rate study is being performed and should be ready by late fall and at that time staffv will bel bringing back ai new recommendation. Sidney informed Council that the. January 2023 rate increase will need tol be approved by ordinance and suggested bringing it back to Council on March 26, 2024. Motion: Motion by Council Member Young, seconded by Council Member Helbing, moved, to direct stafft to bring back an ordinance to raise utility rates to January 2023 rates with an effected date ofMarch 26, 2024. Vote on the motion: Motion carried by a vote of5 5-0. Ayes: Jones, Young, Helbing, Pezold and Mancilla. Nays: 0. Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding establishment of Capital Improvements Advisory Committee (aka: Impact Fee Advisory Committee). (P. Paul Brandenburg, City Manager, Introduced the item and provided the staff report and recommended using the City's current Planning & Zoning Commission members to sit on this Committee. Council Member Pezold asked where the Committee's purpose came from that is referenced int the staff report. City attorney, Marianella Joseph responded that it came from the Local Government Code. Council Member Pezold asked Marianella to research ifany oft this can be amended. Council Member Jones commented that this should be looked at annually. Council Member Pezold commented that he would like to  Brandenburg)  raise the fees to the maximum amount the board allows $5,260.  Page7/11  Liberty Hill City Council Regular Called Meeting minutes January 10, 2024    Motion: Motion by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Mancilla, moved, to direct staff to bring to the next City Council meeting a resolution to raise rates for the wastewater impact fee to thel highest rate allowed ini the amount of $5,260 from the 2019 rate study that was adopted. Vote on the motion: Motion carried by a vote of5-  O.Ayes: Jones, Young, Helbing, Pezold and Mancilla. Nays: 0.  Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding hiring an Assistant City Paul Brandenburg, City Manager, Introduced the item and provided some examples as to why an. Assistant City Manager was needed. Paul went over some of the challenges for this position. Council Member Mancilla asked for Paul to add some more details to the job description to include what he is specifically looking for in an Assistant City Manager. Council Member Mancilla asked for Paul to look at what areas his strengths were in. Council Member Jones commented she is in favor of an Assistant City Manager, would like to use a recruiting firm, make an office space at City Hall, and put more key words in the job description. Council Member Jones asked Paul to send City Council an email about what Paul see's himself doing and what he sees the Assistant City Manager doing. Council Member Mancilla asked what the salary range would be, and Council Member Jones commented that she thinks it should be between the Director level and  Manager. (P. Brandenburg)  City Manager Level. No action was taken.  Discussion, consideration, and possible action related toj purchase of fifteen (15) Panasonic Toughbook computers, respective Public Safety extended warranty packages, corresponding Havis vehicle docks, and car chargers for the Liberty Hill Police Chief Graeter introduced the item and commented that the Police Department will use part oft the $128,000 cops grant to purchase 15 new upgraded computers for the vehicles Motion: Motion by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Mancilla, moved, to authorize the purchase of fifteen (15) Panasonic Toughbook computers, respective Public Safety extended warranty packages, corresponding Havis vehicle docks, and car chargers for the Liberty Hill Police Department in an amount not to exceed $69,453.90. Vote on the motion: Motion carried by a vote of5-0.. Ayes: Jones,  Department, to be paid for with grant money. (R. Graeter)  along with docks and power units.  Young, Helbing, Pezold and Mancilla. Nays: 0.  m) Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding formal purchase oftwo replacement Police vehicles, as were included in the current budget, Dodge Durango  units, estimated purchase price ofS144,509.98. (R. Graeter)  Page8/11  Liberty Hill City Council Regular Called Meeting minutes January 10, 2024    ChiefGraeter introduced the item and commented they were having trouble getting Tahoes and are asking for Dodge Durango'si instead. Chiefinformed Council that the Durango is comparable to the Tahoe and is a little less expensive. Chiefinformed Council that the Police Department had budgeted $160,000 for 2 new Tahoes and the 2 Motion: Motion by Council Member Mancilla, seconded by Council Member Helbing, moved, to authorize the purchase of two replacement Police vehicles, Dodge Durango units, estimated purchase price of$144,509.98. Vote on the motion: Motion carried by a vote of5-0.. Ayes: Jones, Young, Helbing, Pezold and Mancilla. Nays: 0.  new Durango's will be $144,509.98.  8) CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS  a) Report regarding Additional Outside Legal Services and Areas of Expertise. Paul Brandenburg, City Manager, informed Council that he did not have any comments and would like to discuss the Legal Services matter in Executive Session.  9) CONVENE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION  City Council will convene into Executive Session, for discussion of thej following items pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071 (Consultation with. Attorney), Section 551.072/Deliberations about Real Property), Section 551.073 (Deliberations about Gifls and. Donations), Section 551.074 (Personnel. Matters), Section 551.076 (Deliberations about Security Devices), and Section 551.087 (Economic Development). a) Pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071 (Consultation with Attorney) to b) Pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.087 (Economic Development Negotiations) and Texas Government Code Section 551.071 (Consultation With Attorney) to discuss approval ofLiberty Hill Economic Development Corporation c) Pursuant to Texas Government Code Sec. 551.087 (Economic Development) and Texas Government Code Section 551.071 (Consultation with Attorney) to discuss in executive session - Deliberations with MA Partners/Butler Farms regarding water/wastewater d) Pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071 (Consultation with. Attorney) regarding easements including agreement with Patrick and Lisa Harlow regarding wastewater easements, and Classic Bank regarding Road right-of-way and easement(s). Pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071 (Consultation with Attorney) Interlocal Agreement between the City ofLiberty Hill and the Liberty Hill Independent School District for Right-of-Way and Access Easements.  discuss ongoing legal matters, legal issues, and litigation issues.  (LHEDC) incentives related to 'Project Bake'. (M. Poche)  issues.  Page9/11  Liberty Hill City Council Regular Called Meeting minutes January 10, 2024    f) Pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071 (Consultation with Attorney) to  discuss Core Spaces Project and Development Agreement.  Rebecca Harness read the Open Meetings exceptions into the record (agenda items) at 7:43PM  Mayor B recessed the Open Session of the meeting at 7:43 PM. Mayor B convened thel Executive / Closed section of the meeting at 7:50F PM Mayor B adjourned the Executive/ / Closed section of the meeting at 10:581 PM Mayor B reconvened the Open Session oft the meeting at 10:58 PM  10) RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION  City Council will: reconvene into Regular Session for deliberation oft the following items pursuant to' Texas Government Code Section 551.071 (Consultation with Attorney), Section 51.07Delberations about Real Property), Section 551.073 (Deliberations about Gifts and Donations), Section 551.074 (Personnel Matters), Section 551.076 (Deliberations about Security a) Pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071 (Consultation with Attorney) to b) Pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.087 (Economic Development Negotiations) and Texas Government Code Section 551.071 (Consultation With Attorney) to discuss approval ofLiberty Hilll Economic Development Corporation C) Pursuant to Texas Government Code Sec. 551.087 (Economic Development) and' Texas Government Code Section 551.071 (Consultation with Attorney) to discuss in executive session - Deliberations with MA Partners/Butler Farms regarding water/wastewater Pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071 (Consultation with Attorney) regarding easements including agreement with Patrick and Lisa Harlow regarding wastewater easements, and Classic Bank regarding Road right-of-way and easement(s). Pursuant to' Texas Government Code Section 551.071 (Consultation with Attorney) Interlocal Agreement between the City ofLiberty Hill and the Liberty Hill Independent School District for Right-of-Way and Access Easements. Pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071 (Consultation with Attorney) to discuss Core Spaces Project and Development Agreement.  Devices), and Section 551.087 (Economic Development).  discuss ongoing legal matters, legal issues, and litigation issues.  (LHEDC) incentives related to' Project Bake'. (M. Poche)  issues.  Page 10/11  Liberty Hill City Council Regular Called Meeting minutes. January 10, 2024    No. Action was taken in thel Executive Session on any of thei items.  11) ADJOURNMENT adjourned the meeting at 10:58 PM  With no further items on the agenda, and no objections from the Council, Mayor Branigan PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE City Council oft the CityofLiberty! Hill,Texas on January  24, 2024, on vote of ayes, Cnays,ando abstentions.  Mayor  R Sus  2  Elaine Simpson, City Secretary  E  LIBERT   Page: 11/11  Liberty Hill City Council Regular Called Meeting minutes January 10, 2024