City of East Bernard Board of Alderman Minutes of Regular Meeting 20 August 2024  Present: Lance Rejsek, Mayor David Tomchesson, Alderman Pos 1 Richie Domel, Alderman Pos 2 Andrew Webster, Alderman Pos 3 Ryan' Woodward, Alderman Pos 4 Renee Norton, City Secretary Absent: Jonathon Szymanski, Alderman Pos 5 CALL TO ORDER INVOCATION Joel Torres gave thei invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Rejsek led the pledge of allegiance. PUBLIC COMMENTS  With a quorum oft the Board members present, Mayor Lance Rejsek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.on Tuesday, August  20, 2024 in the Union Room of the Prosperity Bank Building.  Linda Leveridge spoke on the drainage around her house, lights, trash, and fireworks.  Paul Manley spoke on the permit process int the city. He would like to see it be more black and white as to what is needed.  MAYORSREPORT Mayor Rejsek reported as follows:  Update on garbage: Communication has increased. Ifissues continue, a demand letter will be sent to Texas Pride Explored the possibility of prohibiting specific types of businesses from operating within city limits. Observed that Sugar Land has banned vape shops, hookah bars, and similar establishments. Legal counsel indicated that these bans are possible due to their zoning regulations. While attending the Chamber of Commerce meeting, they discussed looking into Attended a meeting with the mayors and city secretaries of EI Campo and' Wharton, alongside Phillip Spenrath. Learned about a loan opportunity for water and sewer infrastructure at the industrial park. We need to decide how to move forward. Will focus on streamlining the permitting process by clarifying the documentation requirements based on the type of work Spoke to Eric Scheibe with Scheibe Consulting LLC. They have conducted a drainage study for thei industrial park and Spoke to Baker and Stogner, the auditors. They are currently int the office and are completing the 2022 audit and hope to  requesting the city be released from the contract.  zoning for the city.  being performed.  applied for al FEMA grant back in January and expect to hear back from them any day now.  start the 2023 audit later this month.  Our phones will be switched to' VoicelP on September gth.  CITY SECRETARY'S REPORT  Craig Pietzsch has invited the Alderman to celebrate the Masonry's 100th anniversary on October 5th 12:301 to 3:30. Ineed a  head count of who will attend by September 11th. Budget is completed and presented.    Hurricane Bery!: attended ther recovery scope meeting yesterday with FEMA. This meeting started the clock, and have 60  days to complete all ther necessary paperwork tot turn in for reimbursement consideration.  CONSTABLE'S REPORT  Constable Szymanski reported that Hurricane Beryl is behind us. School has started. The school should be getting the new bleachers soon and have asked for security for the games. Alderman Woodward asked how many stops have been made this DISCUSS AND CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 15, 2024 REGULAR MEETING AND AUGUST Mayor Rejsek asked if there were any corrections or concerns about the minutes as read. There was no discussion of the minutes. Alderman Webster made a motion, seconded by Alderman Tomchesson to approve the July 15, 2024 minutes and Susan Tomchesson discussed the need for a community survey presentation. She explained that the city should do something like this every fivey years to get an idea of what citizens are looking for as the city continues to grow. No action was taken. The Mayor Rejsek presented the 2025 Holiday Schedule. Alderman Webster made a motion to approve, seconded by Alderman Mayor Rejsek presented the proposed tax rate of. 16449 for 2025. Alderman Woodward made ar motion to approve, seconded Mayor Rejsek presented the proposed budget. Alderman Woodward made a motion to approve, seconded by Alderman Domel. Mayor Rejsek asked to reject the previous road bids for Pietzsch Street. Alderman Woodward made a motion to approve, DISCUSS ANDTAKE, All APPROPRIATE ACTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE OF TWO 2024 FORD F-150 REGULARCAB Mayor Rejsek brought a bid to purchase two new F-150s. Alderman Woodward asked if there was warranty included. Mayor Rejsek said he would double check but was certain that it did. Alderman Tomchesson made ar motion to approve, seconded by Mayor Rejsek discussed the ARPA grant. We willif find out how much it will cost to move forward with the project and present  pastr month. Constable Szymanski said! he did not havet that information available.  5,2024 BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING.  August 5, 2024 budget meeting minutes. The motion carried by unanimous vote. DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE, ACTION ON A COMMUNITY OUTREACH: SURVEY.  motion was tabled.  DISCUSS, AND CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL 2025 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE.  Woodward. The motion carried by unanimous vote.  DISCUSS AND TAKE ALL APPROPRIATE ACTION TO SET THE PROPOSED 2025 TAXI RATE.  by Alderman Webster. Ther motion carried by unanimous vote. DISCUSS AND REVIEW 2024-2025 PROPOSED BUDGET. DISCUSS AND TAKE ANY POSSIBLE. ACTION ON THE ROAD BIDS. seconded by Alderman Tomchesson. The motion carried by unanimous vote.  TRUCKS FOR APPROXIMATLEY: $73,000.  Alderman Woodward. The motion carried by unanimous vote. options atr next meeting. No action taken, motion tabled.  DISCUSS AND TAKE ANY POSSIBLE ACTION ON ARPA GRANT ALLOCATION.  EXECUTIVE SESSION  The Regular Meeting was adjourned into Executive Session at6 6:48 p.m. ADJOURN EXECUTIVE SESSION, RECONVENE REGULAR SESSION  The Executive Session was adjourned, and the Regular Session was reconvened at 7:34 p.m. The motion was tabled. Alderman Domel made ar motion, seconded by Alderman Tomchesson to adjourn the Regular session. The motion carried by  ADJOURNMENT  unanimous vote. The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. These minutes are approved ont the 23  day of APPROVED:  ATTEST: RENEEN NORION alak CITY SECRETARY  LANCE/REJSEK MAYOR  A