City of Coldspring, Texas Minutes of the Regular Called Council Meeting Monday, August 5, 2024  1. Meeting called to order 7:02 PM  2. Roll call.  Present: Alderman Jennifer Manuel, Dianne Griffith, Nichole Gatewood, Kyle Currie and  Mayor John Benestante Absent: Alderman Jessica Sewell  Visitors: Riley Holman, DJ & Amanda Helpenstill, Summer & Robert Lee, Leroy Tafoya- Hot City Auto Paint & Body, Jerri Conrado-Langtord, Marsha & TJ Strickland, Kraig Erwin-CSYSA, Judi Benestante, Charlotte Brown, Barbara Justice, Linda & Gerald: Deeter, Greg Magee-City Attorney, Jillian Foderaro & Josuah Quebedeaux, Missi 3. Public Comment: DJ Helpenstill spoke over his concerns for Bar Park Loop. He is asking for help from the city to see about getting cars that are parked in the Right-of-way blocking access on roads moved. He would like to ask if the city can mow, do road maintenance, clean up trash/concrete left behind. Mr. Helpenstill also is concerned about dogs being a nuisance roaming the streets, and about the drug activities that are Summer Lee spoke over her concerns for her community in Bar Park Loop. Summer has the same concerns as her neighbors. She has had a group of dogs that has come on her property and killed her goats and ai family dog. Summer would like something to be done over the pack of dogs running around the streets before they could possibly Leroy Tafoya introduced himself as the new owner of Hot City Automotive Paint & Body located at the old Britrim Building at 1155 St Hwy 150. He works on alignments, brakes, tune-ups, classic restoration and more. He has another shop in Conroe that is very successful. Leroy would like anyone who needs Automotive care to stop by. Kraig Erwin with Coldspring Sports Youth Association expressed his gratitude toward the city for all they have done at the ballpark. Kraig said they had a great year and were able to get score boards added to two of the girl's fields. Kraig said there is a need to expand the parking in the future. The Coldspring and Lovelady ballparks were able to honor Madeline Crawford in a Memorial Tournament. The Tournament brought in $31,000 for the scholarship fund. Kraig informed the city that Hurricane Beryl created 4. Agenda: Mayor Benestante presented the agenda for the meeting. Alderman Kyle Currie made a motion to adopt the agenda, Alderman Nichole Gatewood seconded the  Thomas  occurring.  attack a child.  some fence damage but has since been repaired.  motion. All in favor.    5. Minutes: Mayor Benestante presented the minutes from the regular called July 1, 2024, meeting, and the Special called July 23, 2024, meeting. Amotion to accept the minutes from the regular called July 1, 2024, meeting and the special called July 23, 2024, meeting was made by Alderman Nichole Gatewood and seconded by Alderman Dianne 6. Approval of Bills: The list of bills paid and to be paid were reviewed by the Council for approval. Amotion to pay the bills was made by Alderman Jennifer Manuel and  Griffith. All in favor.  seconded by Alderman Kyle Currie. All in favor.  7. Reports:  A. Operation of Treatment Plant and Collections System - Josh Taylor, the city's sewer operator, presented the report on the Operation of the Treatment Plant and Collections Systems. There were no excursions incurred for the month of July. The plant operated at 47 percent of capacity for the month of July and Introduction of new city employee John Rogers as assistant wastewater  flowed an average of .095 MGD. operator/public works. Fixed Assets Information- ongoing  B. Financial & Legislative Reports - Mayor John Benestante briefed Council with the current financial profit and loss statements for the General account, Sewer & Maintenance, Hotel/Motel, Capital Projects, Opioid Abatement Fund, Legislative Updates, and Investment Report. Mayor Benestante asked for any comments or questions regarding the profit and loss statements. There were none. C. GRANT/FUND Reports: Mayor John Benestante briefed Council with the current Grant/Fund Reports for the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act-COVID-TDEM), CDBG-MITMOD GLO-5631,000-Sewer Expansion), Texas CDBG (TDA 5500,000-Sewer), RCP-(GLO-5300000 Flood Mitgation/Mapping Studies), Transportation Alternatives Set Aside (TXDOT $3,000,000-Sidewaks) Mayor Benestante asked for any comments or questions regarding reports. There were  none.  D. City Attorney Reports- none at this time  E. Sewer Reports: Briefing on sewer adjustments & sewer cut offs - Assistant City Executive Administrator, Amanda Villa briefed Council on the sewer adjustments made to customer accounts in the month of July. Amanda also briefed Council that there were three customer accounts that were locked in the month of July, however, the accounts have since been paid and services restored.  F. Coldspring Community Center Report- Barbara Justice: Mayor John Benestante briefed council over the Coldspring Community Center. The City of Coldspring    took over on July 1, 2024. The mayor informed the council that some changes need to be made to the rental contract along with some. concerns with the building. Overall, the center will remain a community meeting place for a low  fee.  8. OLD BUSINESS:  A. Briefing on City storm damage and clean up- Mayor Benestante briefed council on City storm damage and clean up, he is working with FEMA on the Coldspring B. Discussion and possible action proposed Entergy Texas transmission line- Mayor Benestante briefly discussed the proposed Entergy Texas transmission line. No action was taken at this time. Attorney Greg Magee will create a resolution with respect to the potential impacts on the city and its community.  Firehouse flooding that occurred from street flooding.  9. NEW BUSINESS:  A. Receive presentation: First Public Meeting- General Land Office (GLO-CDBG- MIT) Resilient Communities Program Grant- Presentation by Lanford Community B. Briefing on Texas Municipal League Rate Changes-Mayor Benestante briefed council on Texas Municipal League Rate Changes. The increase is because the C. Discussion and possible action Tex Pool Investments-Alter a brief discussion, Kyle Currie made a motion for the city to invest in the Tex Pool Investments. This  Management Services, Inc.  city now has everything insured.  was seconded by Jennifer Manuel. All ini favor. D. Briefing on Mission Statement/Tourism  E. Discussion and possible action on establishing a City Municipal Court- Dianne Griffith made a motion to appoint Marsha Strickland as the City Municipal Court  Judge. This was seconded by Jennifer Manuel. All in favor.  10. ADJOURN  Amotion to adjourn was made by Alderman Nichole Gatewood at 8:30PM and was  seconded by Alderman Jennifer Manuel. All in favor.  Mayor  9B4    Attest:  Barr, City Secretary  GES