CITY OF SCHULENBURG SCHULENBURG, TX May 1, 2023  The City Council of the City of Schulenburg met in regular session on Monday, May 1, 2023, at 6:30 P.M. int the Council Chambers located at 607 Upton Avenue, Schulenburg, Texas. The elected officials present included Mayor, Elaine Kocian, Alderwoman, Wendy Fietsam, Aldermen, Larry Veselka, and Clarence Ahlschlager (Alderman Thomas tried to call in via Zoom but was absent due to technical difficulties). City Staff present were City Administrator, Tami Walker, Operations Manager, Darryl Moeller, Police Sergeant, Tobey McFadden, and City Visitors included, Darrell Vyvjala of the Schulenburg Sticker, Tim Sanders of BEFCO, Daniel Heber with Belt Harris Pechacek, Karen Kokes, Armen Herzik, Loretta Baumgarten, and Irene Mayor Kocian called role, Mason Florus said a prayer over the meeting and its members, led Under Presentations by Citizens, Karen Kokes handed out packets to Council and expressed concerns about the cellphone tower located on the East side oft town on BWI's property. She claims that there are high EMF readings around the Library, St. Rose, and the Sports Complex. Under Presentations by Citizens, Irene Handley complained about lack of communication from Mrs. Walker read a proclamation for Municipal Clerks Week designated for April 30-May 6, 2023. Mrs. Walker recognized the City Hall Staff, Megan Bartos, Julie Cernosek, Mason Florus, Alderman Veselka made a motion, seconded by Alderwoman Fietsam, to accept the Consent A. Minutes from the Regular Scheduled Council Meeting held on April 17, 2023 Mrs. Walker invited Daniel Heber of Belt Harris Pechacek tot the podium to present the Audit Mr. Heber stated that his firm presented an unmodified opinion which is the highest level of assurance that they can bestow upon a client. Mr. Heber passed out the report to Council while Mrs. Walker thanked City Hall staff for at team effort in preparing for the audits and stated that the decreasing items on the management letter year after year is a testament that the City is complying with the auditors' recommendations and following the best accounting and record  Secretary, Mason Florus.  Handley.  the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Texas Pledge.  She is asking Council to address the issue.  the Police Department.  and Kenny Schramek for their hard work.  Agenda Items A and B. The motion passed unanimously.  B. Payment of Current Bills  Financial Report for the Fiscal Year ending September 30, 2022.  elaborating on a few items stating that the City earned a clean opinion."  keeping practices.    Alderwoman Fietsam made a motion, seconded by Alderman Veselka, to accept the Audit's Mrs. Walker welcomed Tim Sanders of BEFCO to address Council with awarding a Bid fori the Russek Street and FM 957 Water Line Replacement and Russek Street Rebuild. Mr. Sanders stated that the bid consists of a new waterline on 957 from Simpson to Kallus Streets, a new waterline on Russek from West Ave. to just West of Henderson Hill, and a street rebuild and improved drainage from West Ave. toj just west of Henderson Hill. Mr. Sanders said 11 contactors inquired and 3 submitted bids. He continued that the project was bid with two paving options for the Russek rebuild portion. With both options accounting for a 28-foot-wide street, option 1 would require an 8-inch base of limestone and a 2-inch layer of "hot mix" asphalt on top. Option 2 requires a 10-inch layer of limestone with a chip seal coating The bids for option 1 varied from $1,134,912.51 to $1,559,986.70. Option 2's bids ranged between $1,130,198.37 to $1,521,049.20. Mr. Sanders announced that WJC Constructors out of Smithville were the lowest responsible bidders. BEFCO has a history with WJC having Iti is Mr. Sanders opinion that the City go with option one paving because going with asphalt will be more durable and a better investment for the City especially since there is only a little over Alderman Ahlschlager asked if this is the same contractor from Smithville the City worked with int the past. Mrs. Walker answered no. Mrs. Walker added that the City budgeted $1,138,000 for the project, and the asphalt would be a great option for the street which experiences high traffic Alderman Veselka made a motion, seconded by Alderwoman Fietsam, to accept BEFCO's Municipal Court Judge, Kayla Peters, Chief of Police, Troy Brenek, Library Director, Thadious  final draft. The motion passed unanimously.  on top.  worked on four projects in the past.  $4,700 difference between the hot mix and chip rock.  including 18 wheelers.  recommendation and hire WJC. The motion passed unanimously. Polasek's reports were included in Council's Packets.  Operations Manager, Darryl Moeller, reported the following to Council:  Water Department conducted chlorine maintenance at the Main Pump House, Henderson Hill, and Well 9. Allied Electric assisted with a burnt panel on the SCADA System, and while DFA was down for maintenance, the water department installed a Street Department cleaned out ditches, patched the street from a pervious water leak in Meadow Creek, conducted modifications on DFA's compactors, and removed trees and Electric Department changed out a bad pot on 77, replaced lights and two motors at Babylon, completed onpaymen-discomeds, and did some up and downs for DFA so Sewer Department drained sludge, continue to execute plant maintenance, tomorrow  new 6-inch water meter.  cleaned out the alley off of Hiljie between 90 and Anderson.  they could perform maintenance. they are replacing a whole rotor at Babylon.    Alderman Veselka asked ift the Compactor at the Texan is up and running. Moeller replied that the compactor has been sitting at the Warehouse for 5 weeks. The City is waiting on the Texan  to provide electricity to the location tot feed power for the compactor. City Administrator, Tami Walker, reported the following to Council: April 18-20, gathered last minute documents for auditors  April 24, Conducted a staff meeting with department heads and HR about upcoming budget. Also met with Mayor Kocian and Stephanie Shroyer about painting down at the April 25, Darryl, Chief, and I met with Enterprise for possible fleet management services April 26, Megan, and r met with attorneys over franchise fees and pole attachment agreements. Also met with the personnel attorney finalizing the new Personnel April 28 the bid opening was held for the James Ave. and Russek St. projects  Sports Complex  Handbook.  April 24-28 worked on records retention  Mrs. Walker announced that the City Hired Josh Cooper for the Water. department and Richard Karstedt int the Sewer Department. Mrs. Walker stated that the City is now fully staffed in the Mrs. Walker also professed to Council that she and Darryl are finalizing the mapi to place the Alderman Ahlschlager made a motion, seconded by Alderwoman Fietsam, to adjourn the  Water/Wastewater Departments. generators at the plants around town.  meeting at 7:04. The motion passed unanimously.