MINUTES CITY OF AMES 304 MARTIN: DR. - AMES, TEXAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 11,2024 6:00PM  The City Council for the City of Ames, Texas held a meeting at the Ames City Hall at 6:07 p.m. Mayor Barbara Domain called the meeting to order at that time. Mayor Domain conducted the roll call, at this time the members of the City Council who were present were: Mayor Barbara Domain, Michael Trahan II, Elizabeth (Liz) Hardy, and Councilman Alfred Freeman Jr. Councilman Eddie White arrived late at 6:12 p.m. and Councilwoman Audrey Harrison was absent. Councilman Michael Trahan led the prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  CITIZEN, APPREARANCE  Mayor Domain asked ifthere were any citizens present who would like to speak to the council. Luke Kretschmer, Client Services Manager from Grant Works was) present at this meeting. He came to explain that the City of Ames is currently eligible for a Community Development Block Grant for the 2025-2026 cycle. This grant is from TDA and can be used for wastewater, water facilities, and roads. He explained that the City of Ames isi in the HGCA region, and they have picked their priority tiers. Any tier group marked with the number 50 would be the projects that we should pursue, becausei the approval rates are higher for those projects. Mr. Kretschmer stated that he spoke with Councilman Trahan prior to the meeting and there were some questions that he would provide answers to later. Mayor Doman stated that she would set up a meeting withl Mr. Kretschmer later to discuss the grantopportunities in detail. Councilman Trahan asked when the deadline for the grants is. Mr. Kretschmer stated that they are trying to get authorization for the RFP and RFQ process by September 30, 2024. The final deadline has been extended to December 30,  2024, to select an organization toj proceed with the grant process.  REGULAR. AGENDAJ ITEMS:  1. CONSIDER AND IF APPROPRIATE. TAKE ACTIONTOAPPROVELAND USE VARIANCE OF APFSDEMM. INC (HWY 901 RV RESORT). Mayor Domain explained that Marivious has been in contact with the owners oft the RV Park, sO she gave him the floor to discuss the details. Marivious stated that he spoke with Craig and. Janice Pettit who are the current owners oft the RV Park. They are planning to sell the RV Park, and the new owners had concerns with ORDINANCENO. 2024-001 which requires the RV Park to do more than they have had to do in the past. Marivious explained that as ofnow the owners would not need a variance if they were maintaining the RV: Park as it is now or if they plan to sell it. A variance will be required if there are any new developments or new construction to the site moving forward. As ofr now the RV: Park isi in compliance with the use ofthe facility becausei it isi in a general zoning area. The new ordinance has requirements for setbacks, sanitary facilities, paved roads, etc., to bei in compliance with the current guidelines. The owners of the RV Park submitted the variance application, requesting an exemption from the current requirements outline in the ordinance because they existed prior to the passing    ofthe ordinance. Marivious directed the council tol Exhibit C that was submitted by the RV: Park owners requesting tol be permanently exempt from the regulations outlined in ORDINANCE NO. 2024-001. Marivious explained that after meeting with Mayor Domain and the RV: Park owners, he amended Exhibit C to reflect what the law states about this issue. Per the amended exhibit (certificate of legal non-conforming use), any new construction, updates to the property, or remodeling will have to comply with the regulations stated in ORDINANCEI NO.2024-001. There wasi no more discussion. Mayor Domain asked for ai motion. A motion was made to approve the Certificate of Legal Nonconforming Use as amended, reflecting Highway 90 RV Resort's lawful operation under Ordinance 2024-001 as of September 11,2024. All were in favor.  Passed unanimously.  Motion to made by: Councilman Michael Trahan II Seconded by: Councilwoman Elizabeth "Liz Hardy" All in favor: 4 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0  2. CONSIDER AND IF APPROPRIATE. TAKE ACTION TO APPROVE THE REMBURSEMENT TO KAREN VILLAREAL FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF PASSENGER SIDE REAR QUARTER PANEL  GLASS IN THE AMOUNTOFS4328.  Mayor Domain explained that Karen Villareal was at1 the City Hall getting a permit and called back to the office 3 hours later to report that here window was broken due to a rock hitting the window by a city employee cutting the grass. Mayor Domain viewed the camera footage and did not see any debris coming from the lawn mower at the time it passed through. At this time, it was determined that the burden of proof in on Ms. Villareal to substantiate the claim. Marivious asked ifMs. Villareal was available to come and present her case to the council? Mayor Domain stated that she would contact Ms. Villareal tol have her come in to present her case. There was no further discussion. This item was tabled until the next  meeting.  3. CONSIDER AND APPROVE AUTHORIZATON TO ISSUE REQUESTS FOR PROPOSAL FOR ADMINISTRATVESERVICISRIPAND REQUESTSFOR QUALIICATIONS FOR ENGINEERING: SERVICES/REODFOFORGRANTPRE- APPLICATION (PHASE ). APPLICATION (PHASE I). AND MPLEMENTATION SERVICES PORIEXASCOMMINITDEVEOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM FOR 2025/2026 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND (AND ALL ELIGIBLE. ACTIVITIES PER THE ATTLCATONGUDANCDAS ADMINISTERED BY THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.  Mayor Domain explained that this item is to get approval to move forward and submit an application for the block grants that are currently available. Councilman Trahan asked ift the city could have multiple grant writers working for them. Mayor Domain explained that it is possible for the city to have multiple grant writers. Councilman Trahan's concern with working with multiple grant writers was the possibility of receiving a hefty bill. Mayor Domain and Luke Kretschmer, from Grant Works explained that the City of Ames will only have toj pay anything if they are awarded a grant. Ifthe granti isi not approved, the only cost that the city wouldi incur would be the cost to run an ad ini the newspaper. There was no further discussion. Mayor Domain asked    for a motion. There was no discussion. A motion was made. All were in favor. Passed  unanimously.  Motion made by: Councilwoman Elizabeth "Liz" Hardy Seconded by: Councilman Eddie White All in favor: 4 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0  4. CONSIDER AND IF APPROPRIATE. TAKE. ACTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2HQSARENOLUTONO: THECITY COUNCILOPTHE CITYOF AMES, TEXAS, APPROVING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF AMES AND PUBLIC MANAGEMENT. INC. FOR PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND GENERAL Mayor Domain explained that as previously stated, the city can have more than one grant writer applying for grants. She stated that it would bei in the best interest ofthe City of Ames to have as many grant writers on board applying for grants that are available, which is why she would like to add Public Management as a grant writer for the City of Ames. Councilman Trahan asked what the purpose of adopting this resolution. Marivious explained that we are currently not in contract with Public Management. To have Public Management seek grants for the city, the resolution is necessary to enter into a new contract. There was no further discussion. Mayor Domain askedi if she could have ar motion. There wasi no discussion. Amotion was made. All were ini favor. Passed  ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES.  unanimously.  Motion made by: Councilman Michael Trahan II Seconded by: Councilman Alfred Freeman Jr. All in favor: 4 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0  5. CONSIDER ANDIF APPROPRIATE. TAKE ACTION TO ADOPTRESOLITIONNO. 2024-006, AI RESOLUTIONOF THE CITY COUNCILOFTHE CITYOF AMES.TEXAS. APPROVING A STANDARD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF AMES AND BUREAU VERITASI NORTH AMERICA, INC.  Mayor Domain explained that Bureau Veritas is a company that provides inspection services. We would like to enter contract with them to perform the pre and post inspections on the new. homes that are being built and toj prepare: for future growth. The city will still issue the permits and Bureau Veritas will be available to offer peace of mind certifying that the properties are in compliance with the codes that we adopted. A rate sheet was provided to the council members detailing the charges associated with the inspections. The same information willl bej posted ont the website fort the residents tos see: as well. Councilman Trahan asked how we: found this company. Mayor Domain initially met Bureau Veritas at the TML Conference in Dallas, and since then Marivious was able to connect us with his contact person at the company. Marivious explained that the company, in addition to code compliance, has the capacity to assist they city with zoning, fires services, and reading and understanding the compliance codes that we adopted. Bureau Veritas will also be beneficial tol help get the court up and running correctly. The cost ofs services will be recuperated with the cost of the permits issued to the customers. There was no further discussion. The mayor asked for a motion. There was no discussion. The motion passed unanimously.    Motion made by: Councilman Eddie White Seconded by: Councilman Alfred Freeman Jr. All in favor: 4 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0  6. EDC REPORT-1 EMMETT ALBRO  At this time, Emmett Albro stood to discuss any updates to the City of Ames Economic Development Board. Mr. Albro began to discuss the CDC (Community Development Committee), whichi is a'non-profit that he created back in 2019. There were questions about the CDC solely because this was the first anyone. had been made aware ofthis organization. Mr. Albro informed the council members that they hold the ultimate authority when it comes to making final decisions regarding projects, much likei the important role played by the Economic Development Committee (EDC). Councilwoman Hardy stated that she would appreciate some clarification regarding whether our discussion is centered around a new board that have recently been approved, or if we are indeed addressing an entirely different board altogether. Emmett stated that itl he is actively in the process ofi forming this new board with individuals who offerinnovative and fresh perspectives, some of whom have no prior affiliations with the EDC. Mr. Albro asked ifthere were any questions or concerns at this time. He stated that the CDC would be operating the same as the EDC. Marivious stated that at this time he would not be able to properly advise on this matter until hel had more information to review. He asked Mr. Albro to bring in all documentation related to the CDC so that he could review it and advise at al later date. There was no further discussion at  this time.  MAYOR'S REPORT  Mayor Domain stated that wel have a significant opportunity to acquire playground equipment for our local community, which could we have potentially pave the way for the creation ofas small park that features a variety of activities tailored specifically for children and their families. John Bennett from the EDC has direct access to this equipment, and we should seriously deliberate on the most effective and responsible placement ofthis equipment, ensuring that our approach is thoughtful to mitigate any potential safety concerns that might arise. Engaging with the community in this initiative and concentrating oni improvements are essential, and the prospect ofsecuring this valuable equipment at no cost could greatly enhance our public spaces while providing worthwhile recreational Mayor Domain also stated that John Bennett works for the Food Bank in Houston, and he would be able to have them deliver food to the city if we had a place to store it. This would allow us to effectively distribute food to individuals and families in need within our community. This initiative is focused on guaranteeing that surplus food reaches those who are: most in need, particularly as the local demand for food assistance continues to: rise Mayor Domain shared some important updates, which include Comçast's ongoing installation oft telecommunication nodes that ares specifically designed to significantly enhance internet access throughout our entire area. We are diligently working with FEMA to secure disaster reimbursements, particularly concerning infrastructures that urgently require repairs, such as damaged pumps and roofs that are integral to our community's  opportunities for everyone.  steadily and significantly over time.    well-being. Our efforts are progressing well as we strive tos secure vital support for our police and fire departments, which includes the acquisition ofnecessary vehicles to ensure  that their operations can function smoothly and efficiently.  7. ADJOURNMENT  Mayor Domain asked for ai motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:33) PM. Motion made by: Councilman Michael Trahan II Seconded by: Councilwoman Elizabeth "Liz" Hardy All in favor: 4 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0  Mayor Wllmn Wellona Godfrey City Secretary  B