STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF POLK CITY OF LIVINGSTON  S S S  MINUTES REGULAR MEETING CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 13, 2024 5:00 P.M.  The City Council of the City of Livingston, Texas convened in regular session in Council Chambers at City Hall at 5:00 P.M., August 13, 2024, with the following  members present:  Judy B. Cochran Raymond Luna Elgin Davis Bobby Jackson, Sr. Billy S. Wiggins Ellie Monteaux Jim Wright Scott Ferguson  ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )  Mayor Councimembers  City Manager City Attorney City Attorney  City Secretary/Assistant City Manager  and the following others present: Lt. Marty Drake Sgt. David Mitchell Jeff Hunter Dalton Brown Henry O. Ager, III Ricky Taylor Corey Dickerson  ) ) ) ) ) ) )  Livingston Police Department  Community Development Coordinator The Brannon Corporation  Self Texas EMS Self    Page 2, City Council Meeting Minutes of 08/13/2024  Joshua Grant Brandon White Melanie Trimble Dustin Lowery Kim Lowery Jennifer Andjelic Dustin Andreas Jessica Andreas Simon Gellar Chelsea Greve Emily Banks Wooten  ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )  Self  Blue American News.com  Self Self Self Self Self  Life Vine Church  Life Vine Church/Our Father's House Polk County Enterprise  Mayor Cochran called the meeting to order at 5:11 P.M. and opened the meeting  with prayer and the pledges. (Alderman Davis entered the meeting.)  Itwas moved by Alderman Jackson and seconded by Alderman Davis that the minutes of the regular meeting of July 9, 2024, be approved. All present voted aye. The City Manager recognized City Attorney Scott Ferguson who introduced an appeal of the denial of a sign permit and request for variance for off-premise signage at 220 FM 350 North as submitted by Henry O. Ager III/IDK LLC/Dewayne Vickery. Mayor Cochran recognized Henry Ager who provided a 4-page handout to Council including a request that a variance to the sign ordinance be approved by Council. Discussion ensued relatedi toi the current sign ordinance, off-premise signs inother locations, TXDOT sign regulations, and request for variance. It was moved by Alderman Luna and seconded by Alderman Jackson that the appeal of denial of sign permit and the request for variance be denied concerning the off-premise signage located at 220 FM 350 North as submitted by Henry O. Ager III/IDK  LLC/Dewayne Vickery. All present voted aye.    Page 3, City Council Meeting Minutes of 08/13/2024  (Jeff Hunter and Henry Ager retired from the meeting.)  The City Manager advised Council that bids had been opened on August 6, 2024 for storm related debris removal, site management, reduction and disposal. Included in the request for proposals was the ability of the City to award contracts to multiple contractors in case of a disaster. It was moved by Alderman Davis and seconded by Alderman Jackson that the 5-year term proposals from CTC Disaster Response, TFR Enterprises and Looks Great Services be accepted as being deemed most advantageous to the City and that the contract for removal, site management, reduction and disposal of storm-related debris be awarded in the following order basedonavailablity tof fully respond within the contractual time limits required upon being given notice to provide services: (1) CTC Disaster Response, (2) TFR Enterprises and (3) Looks Great Services, per bid opening of August 6, 2024. Discussion ensued relative to the current agreement with Polk County for collection of household and construction debris from recent flood events and the collection of vegetative debris by City crews from the recent flooding. All present voted aye. The City Manager advised Council that bids were opened August 8, 2024 for downtown drainage improvements to remove and replace a failed storm sewer line that spans two blocks from East Milam Street to East Polk Street. The City Manager recognized Dalton Brown, engineer with The Brannon Corporation, who provided Council with an overview of the scope of the project and a review of the bid tabulation. The following two bids were received: 5-T Utilities $967,522.64 and Doughtie Construction $1,282,319.50. Discussion ensued relative to the bids received, the time line for completion of the project, easements required for the project, the use of reinforced concrete boxed culverts, use of the area following completion of the project, inspections to be completed during the project, and Mr. Brown's employment history with The Brannon Corporation. It was moved by Alderman Davis and seconded by Alderman Luna that the bid received from 5-T Utilities be accepted as being deemed most advantageous to the City and that the contract for the downtown drainage improvements project be awarded to 5-T The City Manager presented three proposals that were received for lease of the Livingston Municipal Golf Course and reviewed by the Golf Course Committee. Each oft the proposals and scoring sheets were provided to Council. As recommended by the Golf Course Committee, it was moved by Alderman Luna and seconded by Alderman Jackson that the 5-year lease of the Livingston Municipal Golf Course be awarded to Dustin Lowery, subject to a formal lease agreement being prepared. All  Utilities for the base bid of $967,522.64. All present voted aye.  present voted aye.    Page 4, City Council Meeting Minutes of 08/13/2024  The City Manager presented the Accounts Over $500 for approval. Discussion ensued relative to the upgrade of the City's radio system and estimated amount of expenses related to recent flooding events and related to Hurricane Beryl. It was moved by Alderman Luna and seconded by Alderman Davis that the accounts over $500.00, as submitted, be approved for payment. All present voted aye.  The City Manager reported on the following items:  A) Events  Ribbon Cutting - Texas State University System at Polk County Center 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at the Polk County Commerce Center GyatligsenCommn, Cleanup - Saturday, August 17, 2024 from 8:00 City of Livingston November 5, 2024 General Election Drawing for Order of Nameso on Ballot- - Monday, August 26, 2024 at: 2:00 P.M. at City Hall the City secretary/Assistant City Manager will conductthed drawing for order of names 9/11 Prayer and Remembrance Ceremony-V Wednesday, September11,2024 B) Sales Tax - The August sales taxr report from the State Comptroller for the month of June 2024 reflects $480,136.05, a decrease of 2.47% from June 2023. The average year-to-date maintains an increase of 3.88%. C) Update of Development The City Manager provided an update of commercial D) City of Livingston November 5, 2024 General Election - Candidate Packets are available from the City Secretary. The deadline to file an application for a place on the ballot is Monday, August 19, 2024. The last day for a write-in E)CityofL Livingston Official Facebook Page The official City ofl Livingston Facebook page was launched on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 and is administered by F)CityofLvingston Pickleball Courts - The pickleball courts atl Matthews Street Park G)! Disaster Recovery The City Manager provided a review of the disaster recovery efforts underway including collection of vegetative debris, hauling of vegetative debris to Pedigo Park, drainage issue and washout in Enchanted Forest, repairs at Matthews Street Park, and repairs at wastewater treatment plant. Discussion ensued relative to the update of the UV system at the wastewater treatment plant and thet time line to have the repairs completed. The City Manager advised Council that FEMA and SBA are set up at the Livingston Municipal Library to assist citizens with disaster recovery.  AM to 12:00 Noon at Pedigo Park  on the ballot.  at 9:00 A.M. at Livingston City Hall  development and residential development.  candidate to declare candidacy is Friday, August 23, 2024. City Secretary/Assistant City Manager Ellie Monteaux.  will be opening soon.    Page 5, City Council Meeting Minutes of 08/13/2024  The City Manager presented the preliminary budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year and requested that Council continue its review oft the preliminary budget prior to the September meeting SO that any questions can be discussed prior to its scheduled Mayor Cochran called a public hearing for Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 5:00 The City Manager recognized Lt. Marty Drake who announced his retirement as of August 31, 2024. Lt. Drake expressed his appreciation to City Council for their support throughout his 23 years of employment with the City and shared his plans following retirement. Mayor Cochran expressed appreciation for Lt. Drake's years The City Manager recognized City Attorney Jim Wright who announced his retirement as of August 31, 2024. Mr. Wright reviewed his service to the City of Livingston, both part-time and full time, thatincluded a total of22 years over which he worked with four mayors, five city managers and 21 council members. Mr. Wright expressed his appreciation for the respect and courtesy shown and wished the Mayor and City Council continued prosperity. Mayor Cochran expressed Mayor Cochran advised Council that there is a need for Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code, Section 551.074 - Performance Evaluation of City (Jim Wright, Scott Ferguson, Marty Drake, David Mitchell, Dalton Brown, Ricky Taylor, Joshua Grant, Brandon White, Melanie Trimble, Dustin Lowery, Kim Lowery, Jennifer Andjelic, Dustin Andreas, Jessica Andreas, Simon Gellar, Chelsea Greve, Mayor Cochran called the Council into executive session at 7:05 P.M., pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.074 (Personnel - Performance Evaluation of (City Manager Bill Wiggins and City Secretary/Assistant City Manager Ellie Monteaux  adoption on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.  p.m. on the budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025.  ofs service.  appreciation for Mr. Wright's service to the City.  Manager.  and Emily Wooten retired from the meeting.)  City Manager.)  left the meeting room.)  Council reconvened in open session at 7:38 P.M.    Page 6, City Council Meeting Minutes of 08/13/2024  Itwas moved by Alderman Jackson and seconded by Alderman Davis that City Manager Bill Wiggins shall receive the 3.3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to his There being no further business to come before the City Council, it was moved by Alderman Luna and seconded by Alderman Davis that the meeting be adjourned at  salary to be effective October 1, 2024. All present voted aye.  7:43 P.M. All present voted aye.  SIGNED:  Cehe JudyE B. Cochran, Mayor  ATTEST:  eeMerauy Ellie Monteaux, TRMC, MMC,'CPM City secretary/Assistant City Manager  TCAA SEAL