Haboz  MINUTES  Aransas Pass City Council Regular Meeting Monday, September 16, 2024 at 5:30 pm City Hall - Council Chambers 600 W. Cleveland Blvd., Aransas Pass, Texas 78336  1.  Call to Order and Certification of a Quorum  Mayor Ram Gomez called the Aransas Pass City Council Regular Meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Council Members present: Mayor Pro-Tem Carrie Scruggs, Jason Knight, J. R. Haskins, Joe Staff present: City Manager Gary Edwards, City Secretary Kandice Garrett, City Attorney Thomas A. Gwosdz, Finance Director Sandra Garcia, Planning Director Brenda Joyas, Public Works Director David Flores, Assistant Police Chief Aaron Jones, Interim Fire Chief Jason Padron, Municipal Court. Judge Henrie Morales, and Director of Community Enrichment Kaylynn  With Council Members present, a quorum was established.  Dominguez, and Mayor Gomez.  Paxson. Invocation Pledges  2. 3. 4.  City Manager Gary Edwards delivered the invocation.  Mayor Gomez led the Pledge of Allegiance tot the U.S.A. flag and the Texas flag.  Announcements  a) MayorsAnnouncements There were no announcements. b) City WanagersAnnouncements  i. Sparklight rate adjustments on billing statements effective September 27, 2024.  c) City Council Member Announcements  5.  Citizen Communication  Will Garner spoke about alleged corruption.  Dennis Peacock spoke about Conn Brown Harbor and proposed improvement on 222 acres of Victoria Pereida reminded the public about the upcoming election and announced the early Richard Titus discussed a business' outside appearance and offered his assistance to Public  undeveloped land. voting schedule.  Works on underground utilities.  Regular City Council Meeting Minutes - September 16, 2024  Page 1of7    7.  Staff Reports and other Discussion Items  b. Charter Review Commission recommendations for amendments to the City Charter Elise Chacon, chairperson of the Charter Review Committee, thanked the Charter Review Committee, City Attorney Gwosdz, his paralegal Ashley, and the citizens fort theiri input. She also encouraged the council to review and approve all the amendments the committee recommends City Attorney Gwosdz expressed his appreciation tot the committee. He explained to the council that there are fifteen propositions the Charter Review Committee is recommending. In the next four months, he will present the council with the propositions, and the council will then vote on  to be placed on the ballot for the May 2025 election.  which propositions will be on the ballot.  6.  Public Hearings a.  Aransas Pass Municipal Development District Budget  Public Hearing ont the Aransas Pass Municipal Development District Budget for Fiscal  Year 2024-2025  Mayor Gomez opened the public hearing at 5:54 p.m.  Sandra Garcia, Finance Director, stated that the Aransas Pass Municipal Development District board met on August 13, 2024 and unanimously approved the budget. The board budgeted $3,750 for auditing services, $200,000 for capital outlay, $75,000 for building maintenance, $715,000 for debt service, and $240,000 for Civic Center deficit. Budget revenue of $1,420,000 and expenditures of $1,233,750 will increase the fund balance to $186,250 by the next fiscal With no other comments from the public, Mayor Gomez declared the public hearing closed at  year. 5:56 p.m.  ii. Approve Resolution No. 2024-1059 adopting the Aransas Pass Municipal Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2024-1059, and Council Member Knight seconded. The motion passed with the following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight,  Development District Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.  Dominguez, and Haskins voted Aye.  b.  Aransas Pass Crime Control and Prevention District Budget  Public Hearing ont the Aransas Pass Crime Control and Prevention District Budget  for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.  Mayor Gomez opened the opened the public hearing at 5:56 p.m.  Ms. Garcia stated that the Aransas Pass Crime Control and Prevention District board met on August 8, 2024, and unanimously approved the budget. The board budgeted $3,7501 for auditing services, $1,106,000 to supplement the Police Department budget, $55,640 for e911 service, $50,000 under equipment, and $140,000 for patrol vehicles. Budget revenue of $1,360,000 and expenditures of $1,355,390 will increase the fund balance to $4,610 by the next fiscal year. With no other comments from the public, Mayor Gomez declared the public hearing closed at  5:57 p.m.  Regular City Council Meeting Minutes - September 16, 2024  Page 2 of7    ii. Approve Resolution No. 2024-1060 adopting the Aransas Pass Crime Control  and Prevention District Budget for Fiscal Year 2024- 2025.  Council Member Knight made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2024-1060, and Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs seconded. The motion passed with the following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight,  Dominguez, and Haskins voted Aye. 2024 Property Tax Rate  C.  i. Public Hearing on the Tax Year 2024 Property Tax Rate of $0.735171.  Mayor Gomez declared the public hearing open at 5:58 p.m.  Ms. Garcia stated that the current tax rate is $0.759365 and will decrease from $0.24194 to Hector Rios asked what thet tax amount would be on a $100,000 home inAransas Pass and Ms. With no other comments from the public, Mayor Gomez declared the public hearing closed at  $0.735171.  Garcia responded that it would be $24.19.  5:59 p.m.  ii. Public Hearing on the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2024- 2025.  Mayor Gomez declared the public hearing open at 6:00 p.m.  Mr. Edwards expressed his appreciation to the city council, staff, and the public for their participation and summarized the process of putting together the operating budget fort fiscal year With no other comments from the public, Mayor Gomez declared the public hearing meeting  2024-2025. Mr. Edwards stated to the council that this is a strong budget.  closed at 6:02 p.m.  ii. Approve Ordinance No. 2024-4464 Adopting the Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 beginning October 1, 2024, and authorizing the Mayor to execute any  related documents.  Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2024-4464 and Council Member Knight seconded. The motion passed with the following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight,  Dominguez, and Haskins voted Aye. Staff Reports and other Discussion Items a. Citizen recognition for heroic actions  7.  Police Chief Eric Blanchard explained tot the council the events that happened ont the evening of September 7, 2024. He stated that a female and her children were leaving Harbor Point Park and followed the GPS directions, which led to her driving into the water. Five individuals immediately jumped into the water and swam toward the vehicle and were able to get the Chief Blanchard showed a video of the rescue. Mr. Edwards thanked Council Member Chief Blanchard then recognized Troy Bennet, Joseph Bennet, Gilbert Moreno and Captain  female and her two children out of the vehicle and get them to shore.  Haskins on finding the video of the rescue. Michael Moes for their efforts.  Regular City Council Meeting Minutes - September 16, 2024  Page 3of7    d. Aransas Pass Health Insurance Renewal insurance renewal to the council.  Roland Barrera, agency owner of Roland Barrera Insurance, presented the city's health  e. Monthly Department Reports submitted and provided in the Agenda Packet.  8.  Consent. Agenda  a. Approve the September 3, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes  Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs made a motion to approve the September 3, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes and Council Member Knight seconded. The motion passed with the following vote:  Gomez, Scruggs, Knight, Dominguez, and Haskins voted. Aye.  9.  Action Items  a. Approve Ordinance No. 2024-4465 levying the Ad Valorem Rate of $0.735171 per $100 valuation for Fiscal Year 2024-2025, which is a 3.19% reduction in the tax rate from last year's adopted tax rate of $0.759365 per $100 valuation for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 but is called a "tax rate increase" under state law because ite exceeds the state-calculated no-new- revenue tax rate; and authorizing the Mayor to execute any related documents. Ms. Garcia presented this item. She stated that the proposed tax rate is lower than last year's tax rate, however it is called a' "tax rate increase" because under state law, it exceeds the state- Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs moved that the property tax rate be increased by the adoption of ai tax rate of 0.735171, which is effectively a 2.48 percent increase in the tax rate as compared to the No-New Revenue rate. Council Member Knight seconded the motion. City Secretary Garrett polled the council for their vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight, Dominguez, and Haskins voted Aye. B-APprove-OrdimanceN6-2024-4851nces-om-neel8)onseewivemeetings GUFng-servce-Derore-teFmience8-WIMR-the-Fseal-year-wi#h-absences XeuSed-by-Ciy-CownepeloresuspensiOn-OFine-PlanningandZening-COmisSIOn,Zening  calculated no-new revenue tax rate.  TABLED  Beard-eHAdpusimenE:aRAHPPERMrOmmealysenstiveAreas-Beard:  TABLED  G--APPrVe-OrdinaneN6.202+-446/046/pupdale/newCHyMpslorzonng.theEnvronmentaly SEnSHIVe-Areas4ESA/andReEKFateFIOMa-WRSIcHORETJOFtne-CHyOFAransas-Pass. 4-Appove-Admense.N--MEcswsmyadnwsaedland aAd-BWHdH9S,10-390-DeHAOR-ARd-EXPIanaHPnS-APpMeable-te-use-lable,DePIO8-224 0-aHew-one-tRV-Perresidenta-0tand22240-HoW-OReRV-perbwsiness-for-sterage. e--Appreve-Ordimane-6-2024-469.6P1p-emove-Comdiona-Use-PemCuirement oR-Genera-Busiess.zenngares'ori90-RemaBneSS-RZONing-Ordinance: Approve Resolution No. 2024-1061 an Emergency Medical Services Contract with Tri- County Emergency Medical Services beginning October 1, 2024 through September 30,  TABLED  TABLED  2027.  Regular City Council Meeting Minutes - September 16, 2024  Page 4 of7    Carrie Deleon, with Tri County EMS, stated that this would renew the contract for three years Council Member Haskins asked how much the contract would be with the extension, and Ms. Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2024-1061, seconded by Council Member Knight and the motion passed with the following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight, g. Award the design of Water Line Upgrades 2024 to Ardurra and authorize city staff to begin David Flores, Public Works Director, presented this item. He gave a brief explanation of the process and stated that Ardurra scored high. He stated that this would bei for waterline upgrades Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs made a motion to approve Item 9.g., seconded by Council Member Knight and the motion passed with the following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight, Dominguez, and h. Award the design of Yoakum Lift Station Upgrade to K. Friese & Associates and authorize Director Flores presented this item. He gave a brief explanation of the process and stated that K. Friese & Associates scored high. He stated that this would be for the design of the Yoakum Council Member Knight made a motion to approve Item 9.h., seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs and the motion passed with the following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight, Dominguez, Award the engineering contract to International Consulting Engineers (ICE) for $627,322.00 for Community Development Block Grant Regional Mitigation Program's Method of Director Flores presented this item. Mr. Flores stated that this is for the Euclid Pump Station. Mr. Flores explained the process and would like for ICE Engineering to quickly begin engineering Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs made a motion to approve Item 9.i, seconded by Council Member Knight and the motion passed with the following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight, Dominguez, and Approve the extending bank depository contract with Prosperity Bank for one year for Finance Director Sandra Garcia presented this item. She stated that the contract will be extended for one year and will go out for bids for depositories once it expires. Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs made a motion to approve Item 9.j., seconded by Council Member Knight and the motion passed with the following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight, Dominguez, and  with a five percent decrease.  Deleon stated that this is a three-year contract for $286,800 per year.  Dominguez, and Haskins voted Aye.  negotiations on a contract for engineering services.  for the southwest side of town.  Haskins voted Aye.  city staff to begin negotiations on a contract for engineering services.  Lift Station upgrades.  and Haskins voted. Aye.  Distribution CDBG-MIT-MOD),  services on the project. Haskins voted Aye.  October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025.  Haskins voted. Aye.  k. Appoint twelve members to serve on the Conn Brown Harbor Committee.  Regular City Council Meeting Minutes - September 16, 2024  Page 5 of7    Brenda Joyas, City Planner, presented this item. She stated that 21 people applied to serve on the Conn Brown Harbor Committee. She explained that 12 people were recommended to serve on the committee. Ai few were honorable mentions, and a few lived outside the city limits. She added that Carol Salinas has asked tol be removed from the list, and the council can recommend The purpose oft the committee was discussed. Council Member Knight stated that he was against Jack Chaney, Aransas County Commissioner, offered his assistance regarding Conn Brown Harbor. He said he would like to see growth and development in the harbor. Council Member Haskins asked Ms. Joyas about those not living ini the city limits.  a person from the honorable mentions to replace her on the committee.  forming the committee.  Ms. Joyas stated that the 12 people recommended for the committee are LuAna Martin, Oscar Medina, Rosemary Vega, Misty Wyatt, Justin Chandler, David Deckert, Green Hill IV, Myron Schroeder, Sandy Kubeck, Mark Lunski, Herb Lancaster, and Captain Rod Spivey. Honorable mentions are Donald Volz, Karl Kirkman, David Schade, and Librado Ramos. Carol Salinas  withdrew her name from this list. Will Garner spoke about doing the right thing. ins serving on the committee, and Ms. Joyas stated no.  Council Member Haskins askedi ifi it had been verified that the people ont the list are still interested Elise Chacon asked Ms. Joyas what the committee's purpose was. Ms. Joyas responded that the committee would determine the development at Conn Brown Harbor and how to put it together. The committee would then make recommendations to the council. There was After further discussion, a motion was made by Council Member Haskins to scrap the committee altogether, seconded by Council Member Knight and motion failed with the following vote: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs to table this item until the next workshop meeting, seconded by Council Member Dominguez and the motion passed with the following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Dominguez and Haskins voted Aye, Knight voted No. - Appoint/reappoint members to serve on the Municipal Development District.  discussion as to whether the committee was needed.  Haskins and Knight vote. Aye, Gomez, Scruggs and Dominguez voted No.  i. Terry Stansberry ii. Elizabeth Dorris iii. Rene Thakor iv. Donald Volz  Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs made a motion to reappoint Terry Stansberry, Elizabeth Dorris, Rene Thakor and Donald Volz to the Municipal Development District board, seconded by Council Member Knight and the motion passed with the following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight,  Dominguez, and Haskins voted Aye.  10. Executive Session  The meeting was recessed into Executive Session at 6:56 p.m., under the provision of Section a. Texas Government Code $551.071, consultation with attorney on matter involving pending or contemplated litigation or other matter in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental  551, Texas Government Code to discuss the authority of:  Regular City Council Meeting Minutes - September 16, 2024  Page 6of7    body under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas b. Texas Government Code $551.072, to deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property interests, due to the fact that deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position oft the City in negotiations with ai third party.  clearly conflicts with the Texas Open Meetings Act.  11. Action on Executive Session Items  Mayor Ram Gomez left the meeting at 6:59 p.m. The council reconvened the meeting at 7:54 p.m.  There was no action taken.  12. Adjournment  There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs adjourned  the meeting at 7:54 p.m. Ramiro Gomez hk Mayor  handi Joatt - Kandice Garrett City Secretary  Approved on: folglanz!  ARANSAS  PASS  Regular City Council Meeting Minutes - September 16, 2024  Page 7of7