COUNCIL MEETING  CITY COUNCIL  SEPTEMBER 9, 2024  A regular meeting of the Groves City Council was held September 9, 2024, in the Groves City Council Chamber with Mayor Chris Borne, Mayor Pro Tem Mark McAdams, Councilmember Paul Oliver, Councimember Pete Konidis, and Councimember Rhonda Dugas in attendance. Mayor Borne called the meeting to order and welcomed the attendees. A representative from VFW 4820 then led the Mayor Borne then asked for reports and Chief Billeaud then gave an update on Tropical Storm Francine. Chief Billeaud stated that the storm has moved a little west and they are expecting landfall near Vermilion Bay, Louisiana, as a possible category 2 hurricane. Chief Billeaud also updated council on a pretty bad house fire Sunday afternoon; however the homeowners were not home at the time but there were some Mr. Ken Lofton from VFW 4820 then gave a report regarding 9/11. Mr. Lofton stated that they had the pleasure of speaking at the Val Verde Baptist Church yesterday. Mr. Lofton then went over the history of 9/11 and how actor and former firefighter Steve Buscemi put his old gear back on and helped search for survivors for five days. Mayor Borne declared that before he goes to citizen comments he would like to remind everyone that there will be no back and forth discussion, no campaigning, and no bashing of city staff or Counciimembers both in citizen comments and Councilmember comments. Mayor Borne then asked for citizen comments and there DELIBERATE AND ACT TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 19, 2024, SPECIAL MEETINGPUBLIC HEARING: Mayor Pro Tem McAdams made a motion to deliberate and act to approve the minutes of the August 19, 2024, Special Meeting/Public Hearing and Councilmember Konidis seconded. There were no  prayer and pledge of allegiance.  pets that did not make it.  There were no further reports.  were none.  questions and the motion passed unanimously.  RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 19, 2024, PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING: Mayor Borne stated that all of Council has received the minutes from the DELIBERATE AND ACT ON HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX FUNDING REQUEST BY GROVES PECAN FESTIVAL: Councimember Oliver made a motion to deliberate  August 19, 2024, Planning and Zoning Meeting.    City Council Meeting September 9, 2024 Page 2  and act on Hotel Occupancy Tax funding request by Groves Pecan Festival and Mayor Pro Tem McAdams seconded. Councilmember Dugas asked about the different artist that were going to perform at the festival. Councilmember Dugas then asked if the beer garden made enough money to cover the expenses. Letha Knaus Groves Pecan Festival Executive Director stated that it did make enough to cover the expenses the first time. Mayor Borne asked if Finance Director Lamar Ozley and City Attorney Brandon P. Monk have looked to see if all of these items are available for this money. Mr. Ozley and Mr. Monk both stated that they do qualify. Mayor Borne then asked Mr. Monk if the stipulations needed to be included in the motion and Mr. Monk stated they do. Councilmember Paul Oliver amended his previous motion to approve the request contingent upon the following conditions: ()Anotto-exceed total of $25,062; (2) Reimbursement using receipts; and (3) Compliance with the Texas Tax Code Chapter 351 eligible expenses and Mayor Pro Tem McAdams seconded. There were no further questions and the motion passed unanimously. DELIBERATE AND ACT ON CASTING THE CITY'S BALLOT FOR TEXAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGION 16 DIRECTOR ELECTION: Councilmember Konidis made a motion to deliberate and act on casting the City's ballot for Texas Municipal League Board of Directors Region 16 Director Election and Councilmember Dugas seconded. City Manager Kevin Carruth gave Council an update on all of the candidates. Council agreed to vote for Mrs. Burchfield and Councimember Konidis amended his motion to include Mrs. Burchfield as the Groves City Council vote for the Region 16 Director Election. Councilmember Dugas seconded. There was no further discussion and the motion passed unanimously. DELIBERATE AND ACT ON CASTING THE CITY'S BALLOT FOR TEXAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE NTERGOVERMMENAL RISK POOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES ELECTION FOR PLACES 11-14: Mayor Pro Tem McAdams made a motion to deliberate and act on casting the City's ballot for Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool Board of Trustees Election for Places 11-14 and Councilmember Oliver seconded. Mr. Carruth stated that he personally knows the candidates for places 11, 13, and 14 but does not know the candidate for place 12. Mr. Carruth also stated that he believes the candidate for place 12 is the current incumbent and is the TML President. Mayor Borne stated that he recommends to accept the staff recommendations for the 4 places. Mayor Pro Tem McAdams amended his previous motion to include the staff recommendations and Councilmember Oliver seconded. Motion passed unanimously.    City Council Meeting September 9, 2024 Page 3  INVOICES: City Manager Kevin Carruth presented invoices for payment totaling  $57,287.76 as follows: 1. ASCO Equipment 2--C CDW Government, 3. City of Port Arthur 4. Kevin Carruth  Parts for 2 bucket replacements for  $7,510.34 $12,457.43 $17,665.00 $9,705.48 $9,949.51  Gradall.  City Hall security. Landfill & disposal: CM Contract.  INC.  Moving expenses authorized by July 2024 dumpster service.  5. Republic Services  Counciimember Dugas made a motion to approve the invoice list for September 9, 2024and Mayor Pro Tem McAdams seconded. Councilmember Dugas asked about the seçuritysupplies for City Hall and Councilmember Konidis asked if this is from the lasth budget-and Chief Billeaud stated that this is from last year's budget. Councilmember Dugas asked if that is the last payment for Mr. Carruth's moving expenses and Mr. Carruth stated that is the only payment. There were no further Mayor Borne asked for Council comments. Mayor Borne thanked the Fire Department on behalf of the Broussard family for the firefighters helping them salvage everything they could. Mayor Pro Tem McAdams stated that to see the firefighters in action was unbelievable and they did a great job. Councilmember Dugas asked if the Chamber financials were up to date and they are except for the August financials which are currently in progress. Councilmember Konidis stated that anyone that wants to use his name for political gain or defame his name and is  questions and the motion passed unanimously.  ongoing then he will take legal action if continued.    City Council Meeting September 9, 2024 Page 4  There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.  CAS  Mayor Borne  ATTEST: - - City Clerk