CITY OF NATALIA 2078 State Hwy. 132N.. P.O. Box 270 . Natalia, TX 78059-0270 (830)663-2926 - Metro (830) 665-2206 . Fax (830) 663-3806  REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 2078 STATE HWY 132 NORTH, NATALIA, TEXAS 19 AUGUST 2024 at 7:00 P.M  MINUTES  ROLL CALL: Mayor Tommy Ortiz - Present  Mayor Pro-Tem Sam Smith = Present Alderman Darin Frazier Present Alderman Selica Vera - Present  Alderman Mike Fernandez - Present Alderman Ruby Vera = Present  1. CALL TO ORDER: Allegiance by Mayor Ortiz. 2. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD: There were no citizens to be heard.  Mayor Ortiz called the regular city council meeting to order at 7:00 pm; followed by the Pledge of  3. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Alderwoman Selica Vera stated that it was nice to see sO many in attendance at tonight's meeting and congratulations to the minor girls' softball team. Alderman Fernandez, Alderman Frazier and Alderman Smith also reiterated the congratulations as well. Alderwoman Ruby Vera stated that there were many compliments on the team and their respectfulness and sportsmanship sO "Kudos" for a job well done and representing Natalia sO well. Mayor Ortiz says 4. PRESENTATIONSICEREMONIAL ITEMS: Mayor Ortiz presented recognition certificates to the Natalia All of the following items are considered to be routine by the City Counci, there will be no separate discussion on these items and will be enacted with one motion; unless removed by any Council Member to discuss and consider separately by making such request prior to a motion and vote.  thank you and the City of Natalia recognizes your job well done. Little League Board and Natalia Little League Minor Girls Softball Team.  5. CONSENT AGENDA:  a) Approval oft the Minutes:  17 June 2024 Regular Meeting  b) Approval oft the Financial Activity Report: July 2024 c) Approval oft the Utility Department Activity Report: July 2024 d) Approval oft the Municipal Court Activity Report: July 2024  e) Approval oft the Police Department/Code Enforcement Activity Report: July 2024  Action: Alderman Smithmade the motion approving the consent agenda, and Alderman Frazier seconded  the motion. Vote: 5-0; motion carried 6. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:  a) City Adminsratorsecretary Nichole Bermea reported the last day to file an application for a place on the ballot was today at 5:00 pm. We had (4) four applications filed and (3) three seats open sowe will be having an election. The bulk/brush pick up will begin on September 9th until completed. Nichole asked that everyone spread the word and remind residents that the piles must be separated. The summer splash bash school supply event was a huge success. We gave out over 200 back packs and had a great turn out. The internet has been installed at the library and the little league complex. Nichole is waiting on a quote for repairs to city hall. Nichole will be having a meeting with USDA-RD  1    on August 26th regarding the steps for the CPF funding. Nichole also reminded everyone that E3 will have a videographerworking int the city on August 26"takingf footage of various locations fort the EPA grant submission. Medina County issued al burn ban as oftoday and the information has been posted  at city hall and on the city website.  b) Utility Director - Art Smith reported that the hydrant and valve repair on highway 132 went well. The utility department has been focusing on potholes and maintaining the city. Alderman Fernandez stated that it may bet time to considering investing in al bore machine for projects like this in the future. Chief Chavez - Chief Chavez thanked everyone for helping at the summer splash bash and reported that several of the officers are completing ALERT and crisis intervention training. Officer Chavez has d) Mayor Ortiz stated that he volunteered at the summer splash bash, and it was a great job by all and lots of fun. Mayor Ortiz asked Chief Chavez have the officers request residents to move basketball  officers focusing on code compliance.  goals from the roadways sO that cars and buses are able to safely pass.  DISCUSSION/CONSIDERATION OF ACTIONITEMS:  7. Discuss/Consider ordering the General Election for the City of Natalia, Texas to be held on November 5, 2024 for the purpose of electing two (3). Aldermen. Alderman Smith made a motion to order the general election for the City of Natalia. Alderwoman Selica Vera seconded the motion. Motion carried; 5-0. 8. Discuss/Consider agreement establishing the Medina County Regional Water Alliance. Scooter Mangold from Yancey Water explained the interlocal agreement establishing the Medina County Regional Water Alliance and what the goals oft the alliance are. Alderman Frazier expressed his concerns regarding the alliance and feels it's unnecessary for the City of Natalia to be involved as we are fine with our water rights. This type of alliance has been attempted in the past and failed. Alderman Frazier just doesn't see Natalia having a need for this anytime soon. Alderwoman Ruby Vera stated that if she understands correctly the county is going to footi the bill fort the studies tol be completed and Scooter responded, "thati is correct". Att the end oft that we still have the option to withdrawal from the alliance and Scooter responded, "that is correct". Scooter stated that they are hopefully going to have the study completed in December. At which point they will apply to the Texas Water Board. Alderman Fernandez stated he is not 100% convinced on this. He feels the alliance part is great but everyone giving up water rights for the ASR is not.. Alderwoman Ruby Vera made al motion to approve thei interlocal cooperation agreement establishing Medina County Water Alliance. Alderman Fernandez seconded the motion. Motion carried; 5-0. 9. Discuss/Consider a resolution suspending for 45 days the effective date proposed by West Texas Gas Utility, LLC from July 16, 2024, to August 30, 2024, regarding its application filed on or about May 17, 2024, pursuant to section 104.301 oft the Gas Utility Regulatory Act. Alderman Fernandez made a motion to approve the resolution suspending for 45 days the effective date proposed by' West Texas Gas Utility from July 16, 2024 to August 30, 2024. Alderwoman Ruby' Vera seconded the motion. Motion carried; 5- 10. Discuss/Consider a resolution that denies an increase in revenue and a change in rates proposed by West Texas Gas Utility, LLC (WTG); authorizes continued participation in the Alliance of WTG Municipalities; representation oft the city by special counsel intervention in proceedings related to WTG's Statement of Intent; and requires the reimbursement of municipal rate case expenses. Alderman Fernandez made a motion to approve the resolution that denies an increase in revenue and a change in rates proposed by' West Texas Gas Utility, LLC (WTG); authorizes continued participation in the Alliance of WTG Municipalities; representation of the city by special counsel intervention in proceedings related  0.  2    to WTG's Statement of Intent; and requires the reimbursement of municipal rate case expenses. 11. Discuss/Consider AOKA consulting agreement for building/fire plan review and inspections. Nichole discussed current fees with Bureau Veritas and introduced Stephen Encino from AOKA consulting. Stephen discussed the inspection and plan review process. Alderman Fernandez made a motion to approve the agreement with AOKA consulting. Alderwoman Selica Vera seconded the motion. Motion 12.Discuss/Consider First Baptist Church request to use the Little League fields for a Christian gathering. Nichole reported that Pastor Dossey had requested to use the fields for a gathering in October. Alderman Fernandez made a motion to allow First Baptist Church to utilize the complex for a Christian gathering. Alderwoman Ruby' Vera seconded the motion. Alderman Smith abstained from voting. Motion carried; 4- 13. Discuss/Consider Texas Rebuild/E3 update on the infrastructure study, and an introduction to the Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program. Larry Jones gave an update on the infrastructure study being completed and what areas needed to be addressed urgently. Larry introduced the Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change grants program and explained 14. Discuss/Consider Request for Qualification for selection of a construction management for the Multi- purpose Center Project. Nichole explained that we have to start taking the necessary steps to meet the USDA-RD requirements to receive the CPF funding for the multi-purpose center. Nichole presented a request for qualifications for selection of construction management for the project. Historical and environmental testing and research are the first items that need tol be completed. Alderwoman Ruby' Vera made a motion to have City Administrator Nichole Bermea issue the RFQ. Alderman Fernandez 15. Discuss/Consider utilizing the city chipper/mulcher for residential brush. Alderman Frazier requested at a previous meeting that the council consider utilizing the chipper for residential brush in between quarterly pick ups from STRD. A discussion was held and it was decided that Nichole will coordinate with Art and set something up in the new fiscal year to see if residents would use this service. No action. 16. Discuss/Consider setting a date and time for a Special meeting to discuss Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget and Tax Rate. Alderman Ruby Vera made a motion to set a special meeting on September 4, 2024 at 17. Discuss/Consider Natalia Police Department Medical and Psychological Examination ofa a Licensee Policy. Nichole explained that TCOLE has now made it mandatory that all departments have a Medical and Psychological Examination Policy. Chief Chavez explained the policy. Alderwoman Ruby' Veramade a motion to adopt the Natalia Police Department Medical and Psychological Examination Policy. 18. Discuss/Consider temporarily closing streets being a portion of Kearny St. between 4th St. and 5th St., and a portion of 5th St. between Kearny and Cresson St., for St. John Bosco Catholic Church annual church festival scheduled on September 1, 2024, from 8:00am to Midnight. Alderman Smith made a motion to approve the street closure. Alderwoman Ruby Vera seconded the motion. Motion carried; 5-0.  Alderwoman Ruby' Vera seconded the motion. Motion carried; 5-0.  carried; 5-0.  0.  where are ini the application process. No action.  seconded the motion. Motion carried; 5-0.  4:00 pm. Alderman Fernandez seconded the motion. Motion carried; 5-0.  Alderwoman Selica Vera seconded the motion. Motion carried; 5-0.  EXECUTIVE SESSION:  3    19. The city council will meet in closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 551.074, personnel, matters: City Administrator, 90-day review (July) and pay rate. Alderman Smith made ar motion to convene into executive session at 8:46pm. Alderwoman Selica Vera seconded the motion. Motion carried; 5-0. 20. The City Council shall reconvene into Regular Session, and if necessary, may act on items discussed in  REGULAR SESSION: Executive Session:  a) $551.074 Personnel Matters: City Administrator, 90-day review (July) and pay rate. The city council reconvened into regular session at 9:19 pm. Alderman Frazier made a motion toi increase the city administrator salary by $5,000. Alderman Fernandez seconded the motion. Motion carried; 5-0. Alderman Frazier made a motion to adjourn at 9:20 pm, Alderman Fernandez seconded the motion.  21.A ADJOURNMENT Motion carried; 5-0.  Passed and Approved this 23rd day of September, 2024.  Approval:  lon  - Tommy Ortiz, Mayor Sam Smith, Mayor Pro-Tem  Attest:  L Vhoner Nichole M. Bermea City Adminstrator/Secrelaly  OF NAT 2 PR TEL  4