COUNCIL MEETING  CITY COUNCIL  SEPTEMBER 23, 2024  Ar regular meeting of the Groves City Council was held September 23, 2024, in the Groves City Council Chamber with Mayor Chris Borne, Mayor Pro Tem Mark McAdams, Councimember Pete Konidis, Councimember Rhonda Dugas, and Councimember Paul Oliver in attendance. Mayor Borne called the meeting to order and welcomed the attendees. The prayer and pledge of allegiance was then held by Mayor Borne then asked for reports and there were none. Mayor then called for  the local VFW.  citizen comments and there were none.  Mayor Borne then started the Joint Public Hearing at 5:02 p.m.  Reconvened from the Joint Public Hearing to the regularly scheduled City Council APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 26, 2024 AND SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS: Councimember Konidis moved to approve the minutes Councimember Oliver seconded. Mayor Borne asked for discussion and there was HEAR. AND DELIBERATE ON A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE 2024 GROVES PECAN FESTIVAL ROYALTY: Mayor Borne then presented the PRESENTATION OF RESPONSE VIDEO AND A LIFE SAVING AWARD TO DETECTIVE STEVEN BOUDREAUX IN RECOGNITION OF HIS HEROIC ACTIONS ON AUGUST 21, 2024: Interim City Marshal Christopher Robin then thanked everyone for being here to recognize the bravery and quick thinking of Detective Steven Boudreaux. Interim Marshal Robin then stated that in just a moment you will see a video demonstrating Detective Boudreaux's response to a critical incident. This is an important reminder of the impact our officers have in our community. Interim Marshal Robin then stated that on August 21, 2024, central dispatch reported an apartment fire at the Beverly Place Apartments and Detective Boudreaux who was working patrol heard the fire call and immediately reacted. The approximately 5 minute response video was then played for all to see. Interim Marshal Robin then stated that what was just observed is the definition of heroism. Detective Boudreaux acted swiftly, acted with courage when faced with chaos, and with risk to his own health and safety ultimately saved a life. Interim Marshal Robin then stated that it is his honor and privilege to present Detective Steven Boudreaux with a life saving  meeting at 6:00 p.m.  of the August 26, 2024 and September 9, 2024 City Council meetings.  none. Motion passed unanimously.  proclamations to the 2024 Groves Pecan Festival Royalty.  award.    City Council Meeting September 23, 2024 Page 2  Fire Chief Lance Billeaud stated that Detective Boudreaux did a tremendous job and he appreciates it. Chief Billeaud then stated that they had a team effort that night because three different departments came together and worked as one. Chief Billeaud wanted to also present a certificate of merit to Haden Grove and Conner Stevens. Chief Billeaud stated that he has more for the firefighters that will be DELIBERATE AND ACT ON THE SELECTION OF A PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FIRM AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS: Councilmember Konidis made a motion to deliberate and act on the selection of a professional Community Development Block Grant administrative services firm and authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute all necessary documents and Mayor Pro Tem McAdams seconded. Finance Director Lamar Ozley stated that a few months ago Council authorized a search issuing an RFP for a grant administrator related to the upcoming CDBG grant applications. Mr. Ozley then stated that the City received three different responses and one of which was ineligible because it was incomplete. Mr. Ozley then informed Council that the other two were eligible and were reviewed by a committee including himself, Public Works Director Troy Foxworth, and Mayor Chris Borne. Mr. Ozley then stated that their findings and recommendations are in the Council packets. Mayor Borne stated that in his opinion there were two distinct differences in these firms. The first being the size of the firms and the amount of manpower that could be provided and the second was the price. Mayor Borne stated that the price was significantly lower for more manpower. Councilmember Konidis amended his previous motion to add GrantWorks as the administrative service firm based on staf's recommendation and Mayor Pro Tem McAdams seconded. There were no further  presented at their banquet.  questions and the motion passed unanimously.  DELIBERATE AND ACT ON AWARDING THE BID FOR THE ARPA WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT, INCLUDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MECHANICAL BAR SCREEN AND GRIT CLASSIFIER AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS: Counciimember Dugas made a motion to deliberate and act on awarding the bid for the ARPA Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Project, including the replacement of the mechanical bar screen and grit classifier and authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute all  documents. Councilmember Oliver seconded. City Manager Kevin  necessary    City Council Meeting September 23, 2024 Page 3  Carruth then introduced Jason Martinez from GrantWorks is here to discuss the process and give an update to where he is with this process. Mr. Carruth reminded Council that a few months ago the City was moving full steam ahead with the Wastewater project and we decided to take a step back to make sure we were following all of the federal procurement guidelines. Mr. Martinez from GrantWorks then addressed Council stating that he is the ARPA Project Manager with GrantWorks. Mr. Martinez then informed Council that he has been working with the engineer for this project and did a full review of the procurement for this bid and will continue to work with Mr. Carruth and staff. Mr. Martinez then updated Council on what has already been spent from this ARPA fund and that after this project at the Wastewater Plant is awarded and executed there will be about $109,000 remaining. Mr. Martinez then stated that the remaining funds will need to be obligated before the end of the year. Mr. Martinez informed Council that Soutex is recommending Allco, Inc. in the amount of $947,500 and the other bid was from MK Construction in the amount of $997,440. Mayor Borne stated that all scopes were covered by both bidders but one was just cheaper than the other one. Councimember Dugas asked if there is any intellectual property that is going to be involved and Mr. Martinez stated that he would have to look into that. Councimember Dugas amended her previous motion to include awarding the bid to Allco, Inc. and Councilmember Oliver  seconded. Motion passed unanimously.  DELIBERATE AND ACT ON REQUEST BY BURRITO BAR AND TORTILLA FACTORY FOR PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF AN ALCOHOL SALES PERMIT APPLICATION: Councimember Konidis made a motion to deliberate and act on request by Burrito Bar and Tortilla Factory for preliminary approval of an alcohol sales permit application and Mayor Pro Tem McAdams seconded. Councimember Konidis asked who is actually making the request and it is Mrs. Craven. City Manager Kevin Carruth stated that the applicant doesn't want to go through the expense of paying to get a metes and bounds survey without indication that Council will approve the application. Mr. Carruth then explained that is why the agenda item is termed as preliminary. Mr. Carruth also explained that metes and bounds is the surveyed boundaries of a piece of property. Mayor Borne asked City Attorney Brandon P. Monk if there is anything to his knowledge that would prevent a preliminary agreeance on this and Mr. Monk stated there is not. There were no further questions  9  and the motion passed unanimously.    City Council Meeting September 23, 2024 Page 4  DELIBERATE AND ACT ON APPROVAL FOR THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH THE GROVES PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS: Mayor Pro Tem McAdams made a motion to deliberate and act on approval for the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Groves Professional Firefighters Association and authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to execute all necessary documents and Councilmember Dugas seconded. Fire Chief Lance Billeaud stated that they did come up with a compromise with the Firefighters Association and it will be a 5-year contract. Chief Billeaud stated they updated the pay structure and education pay. There were no further questions and INVOICES: City Manager Kevin Carruth presented invoices for payment totaling  the motion passed unanimously.  $137,566.21 as follows: 1. B&L Cremation Systems, 2. Blue Iron Technologies 3. City of Port Arthur  Repairs to cremation unit.  $5,767.90 $10,138 $5,200.00 $20,785.01 $5,850.00 $24,750.00 $6,861.60  Inc.  Anti-virus and backup software. Landfill sludge & disposal August Gas and diesel for August 2024. Rotator motor rebuild. Raw water purchased. Chlorine for water plant.  2024.  4. Fuelman 5. Heil of Texas 6. Lower Neches Valley Authority 7. PVS DX, INC 8. PVS DX, INC 9. Republic Services 10. Republic Services  CL2 and SO2 for wastewater plant. $11,577.00  Collection of commercial dumpsters August 2024. Sludge disposal August 2024.  $10,109.37 $12,527    City Council Meeting September 23, 2024 Page 5 11. Revize LLC 12. U.S. Underwater CONSOR Engineers,  Website design.  $5,850.00 $18,150.00  Sonnier Lane water tower, new vent fabricated and installed.  LLC  Mayor Pro Tem McAdams moved to approve payment of the invoices totaling $137,566.21 and Councilmember Konidis seconded. Mayor Borne asked if the cost of the repair for the cremation system is split three ways and Chief Billeaud stated it is. Chief Billeaud stated that the emergency repair took 3 weeks and non-emergency would have taken at least 3 months. Councilmember Dugas asked about the anti- virus software and it is an update to existing software. There was no further  discussion and the motion passed unanimously.  DELIBERATE AND ACT ON AN ORDINANCE DENYING THE STATEMENT OF INTENT OF TEXAS GAS SERVICE COMPANY TO INCREASE RATES IN THE INCORPORATED AREAS OF THE CENTRAL-GULF SERVICE AREA REQUIRING REIMBURSEMENT OF MUNICIPAL RATE CASE EXPENSES: Counciimember Konidis made a motion to deliberate and act on an ordinance denying the statement of intent of Texas Gas Service Company to increase rates in the incorporated areas of the Central-Gulf service area requiring reimbursement of municipal rate case expenses and Councilmember Oliver seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Borne asked for Councilmember comments and Councimember Dugas stated that she had a great time at the parade and thanked Mr. Oliver for making the EDC sign. Mayor Borne congratulated all of the pageant winners and also congratulated Mrs. Olivia for being the Parade Ambassador. Mayor Borne also congratulated Officer Boudreaux and the firefighters for the rescue. There were no further  Councilmember comments.  There was no further business and Mayor Borne adjourned the meeting at 6:48 p.m.  A  Mayor  ATTEST: ACE  City Clerk