Minutes of September 16, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting at Heritage Hall, 7:00  PM.  The Merkel City Council met for a Regular City Council Meeting on September 16, 2024, at Heritage Hall, 7:00 PM. Mayor Schrampfer called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and announced: a quorum present. Council members present were Brady Rutledge, Collin, Jacobs and Elaine Chaney. Matthew  Riggan and Rode McElreath were absent. Prayer led by Brady Rutledge.  Mayor Schrampfer led the Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge. Citizens were given an opportunity to comment.  Brady Rutledge motioned to approve the minutes oft the August 19, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting and August 26, 2024, Called City Council Meeting. Elaine Chaney seconded the motion. The council discussed the staff reports. City Manager Weaver stated he had a meeting with possible hotel investor and will have a hotel feasibility study that would aiso help bringing in new local businesses, met with Government Capital and Chief Harris regarding the Bond Election and will set up townhall meetings on Oct. 14th and 22nd, demolition of Locker Plant started on Monday, and discussed with Chief Conklin possible stipend contract fora academy students toi increase personnel in The council discussed Ordinance 09162024-A that would adopt regulations regarding substandard buildings. City Manager Weaver spoke on the dilapidated. structures, hearing/appeal process, abatement process and guidance on details needed in the ordinance. Council discussed thei financial burden that could affect the citizens, fairness of ordinance, and possibly reworking ordinance. Elaine Chaney motioned to rework Ordinance 09162024-A sO it will not be sO invasive. Brady Mayor Schrampfer opened al Public Hearing to allow public input on proposed Budget Ordinance 09162024 fixing and establishing a Budget for the Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2024, and ending  Approved 3-0.  police department.  Rutledge seconded the motion. Approved 3-0.  September 30, 2025, at 8:02PM. No citizens spoke during the publichearing. The public hearing closed at 8:02 PM.  Motion to approve 2nd reading of Ordinance No. 09162024 an Ordinance of the City of Merkel, Taylor County, Texas fixing and establishing a Budget for the Fiscal Yearl beginning October 1, 2024, and ending September 30, 2025 (FY2025) was made by Brady Rutledge and seçonded by Collin. Jacobs.  Approved 3-0.    Mayor Schrampfer opened al Public Hearing at 8:04 PM1 to allow publici input on the proposed taxi rate of $0.5600 per one hundred dollars ($100.00) valuation fort the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year. The proposed  rate is an increase in taxes above the established no-new-revenue. rate.  No citizens spoke during the public hearing. The public hearing closed at 8:05 PM.  Motion to approve 2nd reading of Ordinance No. 09162024-1 an Ordinance of the City of Merkel, Taylor County, Texas fixing and establishing a taxi rate for thet fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024, and ending September 30, 2025 (FY2025) was made by Collin. Jacobs and seconded by Brady The Council discussed the Façade Grant approved by the EDC Board, roll-off projects, EDC Director, Motion to approve the Merkel Economic Development Corporation's Budget for the Fiscal Year 2024- 2025 was made by Collin. Jacobs. Elaine Chaney seconded the motion. Approved 3-0. Brady Rutledge motioned to adjourn and was seconded by Collin. Jacobs. Approved 3-0.  Rutledge. Approved 3-0. and the FY25 budget.  Meeting Adjourned at 8:15 PM. BekAe Evelyn Morse/Citys Secretary  Mary Sghrahngpfer, Mayor