OF  City of Alton City Commission Special Meeting 7:30 pm August 26, 2024 Minutes Members Present Mayor Salvador Vela Mayor Pro Tem Arturo Galvan Jr. Commissioner Emilio Cantu. Jr. Commissioner Ricardo Garza Commissioner Richard Arevalo City Staff Present JeffUnderwood Baudelia Rojas Ricardo Gonzalez (via Zoom) Janie Flores Rosie' Tello Gus Ramirez Mark Perez Janie Gaytan Mauro Sandoval Tavo. Alonzo  I. CALLTOORDER AND ANNOUNCE A QUORUM IS PRESENT  With a quorum of the Alton City Commission present, Mayor Salvador Vela called the  meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  II. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TOTHE U.S. FLAG  Mayor Salvador Vela led the group inj prayer. Commissioner Ricardo Garza led in the Pledge  of Allegiance.  III. CERTIFICATION OF POSTING IV. PUBLIC: HEARING  1. Solicit input from the public on proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. At7:31 p.m., Mayor Salvador Vela opened the public hearing.  JefUnderwood, City Manager stated that no oney was present and signed int to speak during  the public hearing regarding the budget.  At7:32 p.m., Mayor Salvador Vela closed the public hearing. 2. Solicit input from the public on proposed tax rate for the 2024 year. At 7:32 p.m., Mayor Salvador Vela opened the public hearing.    Alton City Commission Minutes Special Meeting  August 26, 2024  JeffUnderwood, City Manager stated that no one was] present and signed ini to speak during this public hearing. Mr. Underwood pointed out that at the last meeting the consensus seemed tol be that the tax rate remain the same as it has for the last two years at 0.4367.  At7:33 p.m., Mayor Salvador Vela closed the public hearing.  V. PUBLIC COMMENT  Taylor Cramer, with Citizens Against Sexualization of Children (CASC) stated that this organization addresses sexually inappropriate content situation, which children are being exposed to and advocate for common sense and zero tolerance. Mr. Cramer commented on an all ages drag show LUPE hosted on June 8 at their San Juan office. Mr. Cramer  continued regarding LUPE's partners and sponsors.  VI. MINUTES  1. Approve the minutes of the City Commission Meeting of August 13, 2024. Motion to approve the minutes was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Arturo Galvan Jr. and seconded by Commissioner Richard Arevalo. Motion carried 5-0.  VII.NEW BUSINESS  1. Discuss and consider adoption of City of Alton Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. JeffUnderwood, City Manager stated that Ms. Tello finalized the budget and thanked her and all staff for their hard work. Mr. Underwood reviewed the Summary page for the, various funds. First was the General Fund summary where the proposed ending amount is $85,404. Mr. Underwood stated that the proposed GF revenues was $9.7 million and expenditures at $9.6 million, he added that as explained during the budget presentation only 30% of revenue come from property taxes, almost 60% goes to public safety like Fire, Police and) EMS services and only 7% goes toj personnel. Mr. Underwood continued reviewing the Sewer, Solid Waste, Storm Water Drainage, Municipal Roads Maintenance and Development Corporation 4B Fund Summaries. Staffrecommends: approval. Motion to approve was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Arturo Galvan Jr. and seconded by 2. Discuss and consider approving Ordinance 2024-08, fixing the rate and tax levy for the City of Alton, Texas for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024 and ending September 30, 2025, upon all taxable property in said City of Alton, Texas in conformity with the laws of the State ofTexas and the Ordinances of said City; and providing for a waiver of second and third reading; and repealing all ordinances or Jeff Underwood, City Manager stated that at the last meeting during the Tax Assessors' presentation, he is proposing to keep the tax rate exactly as it has been for the last two Commissioner Ricardo Garza made a motion as "I move that the property tax rate be increased by the adoption of a tax rate of 0.4367, which is effectively a 4.05 percent increase in the tax rate, same rate as last year." Motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Arturo Galvan Jr. A roll call vote was taken with Mayor Salvador Vela, Commissioner  Commissioner Richard Arevalo. Motion carried 5-0.  parts of ordinances in conflict therewith.  years at 0.4367 that brings in a bit more revenue for the City.  Page 2 of4    Alton City Commission Minutes -Special Meeting  August 26, 2024  Ricardo Garza, Commissioner Emilio Cantu Jr, Commissioner Richard Arevalo and 3. Discuss and consider approving a post-retirement health benefits policy for Jeff Underwood, City Manager stated that this policy was to help employees that are retiring. Ifapproved, this policy would allow the City to pay up to twelve months of the retiring employee's health insurance. Mr. Underwood stated that the budget impact on the City is minimal but for the retiring employee the benefit is quite good. Staff recommends approval. Motion to approve was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Arturo Galvan Jr. and seconded by Commissioner Ricardo Garza. Motion carried 5-0. 4. Discuss and consider approving a Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of State Health Services designated Coastal Bend Regional Advisory Gus Ramirez, Fire Chief stated that this MOA would allow the department to be part of the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force. Firefighters can deploy to areas in the state impacted by hurricanes and various other events. Firefighters would gain experience and Alton would take part in helping during these events. State would reimburse expenses. Staff recommends approval. Motion to approve was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Arturo Galvan Jr. and seconded by Commissioner Ricardo Garza. Motion carried 5-0. 5. Discuss and consider approving a quote for repair to a sewer line on West Saint Mauro Sandoval, Public Works Director stated that the proposed repair is due tot this sewer line getting a lot of water from the canal. The repair would save the City money in the end. JeffUnderwood, City Manager stated that the sewer pipe would be lined to: seal the cracks instead of taking the pipe out which will save. the City a substantial amount of money and cause no real disruption of service to the residents. Staff recommends approval. Motion to approve was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Arturo Galvan Jr. and  Mayor Pro Tem Arturo Galvan Jr. all voting aye. Motion carried 5-0.  employees.  Council and the City of Alton.  Francis Avenue, west of South New Jersey.  seconded by Commissioner Richard Arevalo. Motion carried 5-0.  VIILEXECUTIVE SESSION: Pursuant to Government Code Section 551.071 & 551.072  a) Pending and/or potential litigation  b) Personnel c) Real Estate  IX. RETURN' TO OPEN SESSION FOR POSSIBLE ACTION  a) Pending and/or potential litigation  b) Personnel c) Real Estate X. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT No report was available.  Page 3 of4    Alton City Commission Minutes- -Special Meeting XI. ADJOURNMENT  August 26, 2024  Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:47p.m. was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Arturo GalvanJr.  and seconded by Commissioner Ricardo Garza. Motion carried 5-0.  CITYOF ALTON  aal Kal Salvador Vela, Mayor  ATTEST:  Cpui Here Janie/Flores, CPM City Secretary  APPROVED BY CITY COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2024.  Page 4 of4