CITY OF TATUM REGULAR MEETING MINUTES August 12, 2024  Mayor - Michael Henry  CITY COUNCIL Tate Smith Pro-Tem JR Smith Wendell Moore Robin Palmer Greggory Cole  City Secretary - J. Muckleroy  CALL TO ORDER: Prayer:  Mayor Henry led the meeting, which was called to order  promptly at 5:30 PM. Mayor Henry offered prayer.  Pledge of Allegiance: Citizen Comments:  All in attendance respectfully observed the Pledge of Citizen Jack York discussed an issue with standing water at Highway 43 and Winona St. and a drainage issue on Davis and Hood. For Highway 43, he requested we contact the TXDOT guy from Henderson about repairing it. He wants the city to install a culvert and fill the hole for the drainage issue Citizen Justin Smith came in regarding his water account bill. After a thorough discussion, the City Council agreed to a resolution. Mr. Smith's account was charged for the unpaid bills and late fees, but all late fees were dismissed. He was allowed to divide the balance of $880 over an 11-month period in addition to his current month's bill. The customer was instructed to come to the water office the next morning to set arrangements, starting with the bill due 8/15/24.  Allegiance.  on Davis Street.  UNFINISHED BUSINESS (formerly old business):  Discussion and Motion to review and approve bids for cleaning:  Wendell Moore made a motion to review and approve bids for cleaning.  JR Smith seconded the motion. The Council reviewed bids.    Wendell Moore made a motion to accept the cleaning bid from Rebekah Tatum.  Robin Palmer seconded the motion. All in Favor.  Discussion and motion to adjust rental rates for the Sherman R. Smith Center.  Wendell Moore moved to discuss adjusting the rental rate for Sherman R. Smith Effective October 1, 2024, the new suggested rates are $400 Deposit and $600 Reception area/Board Room: 300 sq ft. $200 deposit/$200 per day Reception area/Board Room w/kitchen access: $200 deposit; $300 rental. JR Smith motioned to adopt rate increases for Sherman Center. Wendell Moore  Center, which JR Smith seconded.  rental.  seconded it. All in Favor.  Information Only:  Small Business Administration: Overview of Disaster Loan Assistance Program- Ms. Raenada Mason, SBA's Public Information Officer, provided updates on current low-interest loans available to the city for damage caused by Hurricane Beryl. She also offered packets with information for the council to review. Police Department: Chief James Smith - provided monthly stats. Public Works: Mr. Mike Morton - provided monthly stats.  Volunteer Fire Department: Chief Rayford Gibson - provided monthly stats. Economic Development Corp: Mr. Nakia Smith - provided updates on TEDCO business ventures. Discussed the need for broadband to entice new businesses. CityA Administration: City Secretary Jackie Muckleroy- -provided updates on current  city administrative and financial progress.  NEW BUSINESS:  Discussion and Motion on approval of minutes from the following meetings:  June 26, 2024 (Budget - Day 1) June 27,2024 (Budget- - Day 2) July 08, 2024 (Regular Council Meeting)  Minutes include approved fee increases in the budget that will be effective September  2024 as follows:  Increased late fee from $30.00 to $50.00 (after the 25th) Increased the reconnect fee from $30.00 to $50.00 Weekend or after-hours reconnect fee - $150.00  $10 increase to all customers on the water system for minimum used    Increased water tap fee to $2000 Increased Sewer tap fee to $1500 bores across state highways  Normal Road Bore fee increased to $2500. Additional fees are required for Meter installations requiring a tap larger than an 34 inch normal tap will require the customer to pay the difference between the price for parts and labor. Wendell Moore motioned to approve minutes from the above-listed meetings and the above rate increases, effective 10/1/2024. Tate Smith seconded the motion. All  Will require revision to Ordinance No. 2012-01.  inF Favor.  Discussion and Motion on offering comp time to city employees.  Wendell Moore made a motion to discuss. JR Smith seconded the motion. JR Smith made a motion to postpone this item. Wendell Moore seconded the Discussion and Motion on closing City Hall from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm or 12:30 pm to  motion. All in Favor  1:30 pm, Monday - Friday.  Robin Palmer made a motion to discuss. Tate Smith seconded the motion.  All in Favor  The City Secretary expressed the need for the office to close for one hour daily to allow staff to have lunch and make bank deposits. This practice is offered at various other  city/federal offices.  Wendell Moore motioned to approve office closing from 11:30 - 12:30. The new hours will be effective 9/1/2024. Tate Smith seconded the motion. All in Favor. Discussion and Motion to offer free water service for City Council members at one service  address.  Robin Palmer made a motion to discuss. Tate Smith seconded the motion. Citizens Randy Randolph and John Miller objected to this motion. Mr. Randolph suggested that the Council seek guidance from TML before approving it. Tate Smith made a motion to postpone. JR Smith seconded the motion. Alli in Favor  Discussion and Motion of Upcoming TXHB Annual Webinars & Renewal Notice  Annual Enrollment for insurance for employees and  Review, update, and approval of insurance coverage for Elected Officials. Wendell Moore made a motion to discuss. Tate Smith seconded the motion.    Annual enrollment fori insurance rate adjustments increased. The city contribution will now be $987.54 per employee, representing a $261.20 increase per individual.  Approval is required for elected officials to have the option to purchase city benefits ati full cost to the council member, with the rate being the same as the coverage on the employer plan. The city will not incur the cost, but the elected official will pay  for coverage out of pocket.  City Council members will have access to the city benefit plan.  Wendell Moore motioned to approve it, and Tate Smith seconded it. All in Favor  Discussion and Motion on IT Awareness and. Acceptance Use Policy. JR Smith motioned to discuss it, and Wendell seconded it.  JR Smith motioned to adopt and Wendell Moore seconded it. All in favor.  Discussion and Review of Amended General Employee Policy.  Tate Smith made a motion to discuss. JR Smith seconded the motion.  Mayor Henry suggested that the Council take time to read and review the policy and postpone the discussion and approval until September's City Council meeting. JR Smith moved to postpone this item until the September meeting. Wendell  Moore seconded the motion. All were in Favor.  Wendell Moore motioned to adjourn. JR Smith seconded it; all in favor.  The meeting adjourneda at6:40 pm. HD4  Date:  49a9  Michael  Mayor:  A. Henry