CITY OF PALACIOS,TEXAS  REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING  MINUTES January 25,2024  REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING  AI regular City Council meeting was held by the City Council of the City of Palacios on. January 25,2024,  at 6:00 p.m., in Council Chambers located at311 Henderson, Palacios, Texas 77465. Mayor. Jim Gardner called the regular City Council meeting to order at 6:01PM.  CALLTOORDER  CERTIFICATION OF AQUORUM Mayor. Jim Gardner certified a quorum was present. ATTENDANCE ROLLCALL Mayor, Jim Gardner, Present Coumcilmember Place 6, Donna Schulman, Present Coumcilmember Place. 5, Jason Hink, Present Councilmember, Place 4, Margie Wier, Present Councilmember Place. 3, Chip Woolf, Present Councilmember, Place 2, Sharon Trainor, Present Councilmember Place 1, Lary Glenn, Present CITY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Amne Marie Odefey, City Attorney Cynthia Raleigh, City Manager Tobie Bias, Palacios Police Chief Aleigha Galvan, City Secretary Tammy McDonald, HR/ Grant Manager Manuel Guevara, Public Works Superintendent Li. Santos Gonzalez Sgt. Jose. Diaz ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Mayor's Announcements None Council Members Amouncements none CITIZEN COMMUNICATION FORUM:  Cara Herlin spoke about her concerns regarding a land swap, of park property between the Palacios Economic Development Corporation and the Ed Rachal Foundation. Ms. Herlin stated she is a resident of Palacios for over 50 years, and was afraid for the future of Palacios. Herlin was also concerned about Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) not working with the City ini the future ifthe land swap were to take place. Herlin listed many projects the TPWD has helped accomplish Ben Flores, Bay City Councilmember, Position 1, came to introduce himself and encouraged Mayor Gardner asked Council and staff to respond to any untruth that may have been spoken during  within the city.  Council to reach out to the Bay City Council ifthey ever need anything.  Citizen's Forum. PRESENTATIONS  Palacios Paddlers Update Barb Shepler and Dr. Bonnie Benson displayed a PowerPoint presentation with all the information for the new paddling trail kiosks that will be installed at multiple points throughout the city and surrounding areas. The two explained the issues they are  CITY OF PALACIOS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 11, 2024    still working out, and how the City can help. Palacios Paddlers plan to have a ribbon cutting Palacios Police Department Annual Report Palacios Police Chief, Tobie Bias went through his Annual. Department Report and explained statistics. from the past) year to Council ands staff Meter Project Update Greg Smith with. Performance Services updated Council and. staff on the status of the new water meter project. Smith stated the weather has put them behind, but they are on track. Smith alsos spoke about the online portal and) how customers can check their usage online. Councilmember Glenn asked about leaks that occur during installation. Smith reassured Glenn Performance Services would repair them ifpossible, during the time ofi installation. Ed) Rachal Foundation (ERF) Plans for thel Future. John Wallace with the ERF spoke about the oyster hatchery and how itwould) help the city ini many ways. Wallace: said the hatchery was dreamt up over 10) years ago to help stabilize the oyster business. Wallace described what the building would look like on the inside and explained its many potential uses. Councilmembers Schulman, Hink, and Wier voiced their support for the idea of the hatchery and what it could bring to the city. City Manager Update City Manager, Cynthia Raleigh updated Council and staff on current projects within the city and asked. John Wallce with ERF to give an update on the public pool  ceremony once everything has been completed.  remodel, andi the new pilot's lounge at the Palacios Airport.  DISCUSSION ACTION ITEMS  1. Minutes Discuss and approve the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of January 11, 2024. Presented by Mayor Jim Gardner. Coumcilmember Hink made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 11" regular Council Meeting. Councilmember Wier. seconded the motion. 2. Housing Authority Appointments Discuss and appoint new members to the Palacios Housing Authority. City Attorney, Anne Marie Odefey, explained the Housing Authority was created by statute, and the City only appoints its members, and has no other obligations. Comcilmember Glenn motionedi to approve. Jan. Hunter's suggestion ofappointing Eartha Lee and. Rebecca Piatek tot the Palacios Housing Authority. Councilmember Schulman seconded the motion.. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Gardner will swear in new members at the regularly scheduled Housing 3. Agreement with White Trash Services Discuss and approve agreement with White Trash Services for trash and refuse disposal for the City of Palacios. City Manager, Cynthia Raleigh introduced. Scott and. B.J. Nelson, owners of White Trash Services (WTS). Raleigh explained the Wate Connection contract ends in. April, and would like to allow WTS to start getting ready to service our city. Raleighe explained. this wouldbec afranchise agreement, and an ordinance to create the franchise will be brought forward for Council's approval in February. Shej further explained the City and) WTS will meet quarterly to discuss any changes that needto be made to the agreement, such as once a week pickup being changed to twice a week. Mayor Garder explained the damage the large trash trucks cause on the streets would be lessened by once-a-week trash pick-up, anda lower cost to the city. He also encouragedi recycling. Councilmember Glenn asked who negotiated the contract, and who came upi witht the 7% retainage fee. Raleigh explained the contract was done by bid, and the city came up with the 7% fee. Raleigh asked Council to approve the contact with the changes emailedtot theme earlier int the week. Mayor Pro-Tem Woolf made ai motion toc authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with White Trash Services omitting the 7% and adding the other corrections discussed. Councilmember Schulman seconded the motion. Motion passed  Motion) passed unanimously.  Authority Meeting.  unanimously. ADJOURNMENT  Meeting Adjourned by. Mayor Gardner at 7:5lpm.  im Gardner, EI &)  ATTEST:    leigha jalvan, CIYSECRETARY Aesl  TEXAS  CITY OF PALACIOSI REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGI MINUTES JANUARY 11,2024