MINUTES OF THE CITY OF WILMER CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 3, 2024  Present:  Mayor Sheila Petta Mayor Pro Tem Linda Diane Nelon Councilmember Phyllis Slough Councilmember Jeff Steele Councilmember Laura Jacobs Councilmember Sergio Campos David Gifford, Fire Chief Debbie Miley, Finance Director Michael B. Halla, City Attorney Mayra A. Rios, City Secretary  Staff Present: Rona Stringfellow, City Administrator  Haley Alsabrook, Assistant to the City Administrator  CALL TO ORDER  With a quorum present, the Regular Meeting of the' Wilmer City Council was called to order by  Mayor Petta at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, 2024.  INVOCATION:  Minister Dale Jackson, Full Gospel Church, gave the invocation. Laura Jacobs, City Councilmember, led the pledge of allegiance.  PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: PROCLAMATION:  Mayor Petta presented a proclamation to the Wilmer Fire Department proclaiming October 6th through October 12, 2024, as "Fire Prevention Week." City Secretary Rios read the proclamation urging all residents to install smoke detectors, learn and practice available ways out in the event of at fire when the smoke alarm sounds, by exiting the building immediately, going to their meeting  point and calling 911.  COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS:  City Secretary Rios announced that with Election Day only 32 days away, election deadlines were  fast approaching for the November 5, 2024 General and Joint Election.  CITIZENS' COMMENTS:  Roger Anderson, of 301 First Street, recommends creating a public relations position to keep the  public informed about the city's developments as it continues to grow.    CONSENT AGENDA: City Secretary Rios read the agenda.  1. Consider approval of minutes from the City Council Special Meeting held on  September 18, 2024.  MOTION: Councilmember Campos made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Nelon to approve consent item 1. The vote was cast 5 for, 0 against. The motion carried  unanimously.  ACTION:  2. Discuss and consider adoption of an ordinance authorizing the defeasance and redemption of a portion of City of Wilmer, Texas General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2020 and all matters incident or related thereto. City Administrator Stringfellow reported that the City of Wilmer has al balance in its debt service fund, which can only be used to pay down outstanding obligations. Hilltop Securities recommended that the City utilize a portion oft this balance to defease certain obligations, which would generate interest savings and reduce the City's debt. Although the City's General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2020, are not callable until September 1, 2030, they can be defeased at any time. Hilltop Securities has identified the Series 2020 bonds, specifically those carrying a 5% interest rate, as prime candidates for defeasance to maximize savings. A defeasance allows the City to retire these bonds before their call date, effectively removing the City's obligation to pay them. Staff recommended the approval oft the ordinance authorizing the defeasance and redemption of a portion oft the General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2020. Councimember Slough asked for confirmation that item 2 is from the work session presentation made by Hilltop Securities Inc. City Administrator Stringfellow confirmed. MOTION: Councimember Jacobs made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Campos toa approve item 2. The vote was cast 51 for, 0 against. The motion carried unanimously. 3. Discuss and consider approving a resolution updating the City's Master Fee Schedule for the deployment of emergency and non-emergency services provided Fire Chief Gifford presented the staff report, noting that at the May 16, 2024, City Council meeting, the Council approved Ordinance 2024-0516A, which allows for billing in accordance with the City's updated Master Fee Schedule. This includes charges for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provided by the Fire Department. The Fire Department now seeks to contract with a third-party billing company to handle billing for responses based on the approved fee schedule outlined below. The purpose of this agenda item is to add the necessary fees to the Master Fee Schedule so they can be collected during the current budget year. The proposal includes an increase in cost recovery rates, covering treatment and transport for EMS calls, fire response calls, and Councilmember Slough asked if the numerous fees collected are allocated to a separate fund. Chief Gifford clarified that all the collected fees go into the General Fund.  by the Wilmer Fire Department.  future fire inspection fees.    Councilmember Jacobs asked whether the $1,400 ambulance fee includes mileage or ifit is charged separately. Fire Chief Gifford confirmed that the mileage is an additional charge and explained that the fee would be billed to the individual's insurance provider, unless they are nonresidents or uninsured. The fees are determined based on what the MOTION: Councilmember Steele made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Campos to approve item 3. The vote was cast 5 for, 0 against. The motion carried unanimously. 4. Discuss and consider annual appointments to the City of Wilmer's Boards and  city is permitted to charge.  Commissions.  City Secretary Rios stated that the attached documents were provided to help facilitate reappointments and fill the vacancies. She went over the appointment sheet and spoke on each board that are seeking for reappointment and shared the new individuals that seek to be appointed. Also, she stated that at the City Council Regular Meeting on May 16, 2024, the Council deferred action on the annual appointments to allow for more recruitment opportunities. Since then, staff has received seven (7) applications, in which two (2) of the applicants did not meet the qualifications. For at total of nine (9) qualified applications Mayor Petta facilitated the annual appointments and directed City Council to start with Mayor Petta informed Mayor Pro Tem Nelon of her interest in an appointment to the WCDC but acknowledged that two City Council members are already serving. Councilmember Jacobs, on the other hand, requested consideration for the Parks Advisory Board instead oft the WCDC, commending the enthusiastic response from MOTION: Councilmember Steele made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Campos, tor reappoint Rhonda Henry and Pamela Wash and appoint Linda Diane Nelon and Ebony Lane to the Wilmer Community Development Corp. (4B). The vote was cast 51 for, 0  for consideration.  Wilmer Community Development Corporation, Type B( (WCDC).  individuals eager to serve the community.  against. The motion carried unanimously.  Wilmer Community Development Corp. (4B) Appointed Board Members  Term 2026 2026 2026 2026  Rhonda Henry Linda Diane Nelon Ebony Lane Pamela Wash  MOTION: Councimember Campos made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steele, to appoint Apryl Karpuk-Dabbs to the Parks Advisory Board. The vote was cast 5 for, 0 MOTION: Councimember Steele made a motion, seconded by Councimember Campos, toa appoint Laura Jacobs to the Parks Advisory Board. The vote was cast 51 for, 0 against.  against. The motion carried unanimously.  The motion carried unanimously.  Councimember Jacobs nominated LaToya Coutee.    MOTION: Councilmember Steele made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Campos, toa appointL LaToya Coutee to the Parks Advisory Board. The vote was cast 5 for, 0  against. The motion carried unanimously.  Parks Advisory Board  Appointed Board Members  Term 2026 2026 2026  Apryl Karpuk-Dabbs Laura Jacobs LaToya Coutee  Mayor Petta suggested Wayne Thomas to the Wilmer Economic Development Corp. (4A). Councimember Steele inquired if there was any opposition to reappointing the members, emphasizing the importance of experience in serving on the Wilmer Economic Councilmember Slough asked if there had previously been a term limit for serving on a board, noting her belief that it was six years. Mayor Petta responded, sharing that she had recently attended a class where it was clarified that there are no term limits for board members, as long as they are reappointed to their respective boards. MOTION: Councilmember Steele made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Campos, tor reappoint Candy Madrigal and Emmanuel Wealthy-Maylield, and to appoint Jennifer Jones to the vacant seat on the Wilmer Economic Development Corp. (4A). The vote was  Development Corp. (4A).  cast 5 for, 0 against. The motion carried unanimously.  Wilmer Economic Development Corp. (4A) Appointed Board Members  Term 2026 2026 2025  Candy Madrigal Emmanuel Wealthy-Mayleld Jennifer Jones  Councimember Slough nominated Gina Slagle and Mayor Pro Tem Nelon nominated MOTION: Councilmember Steele made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Campos, tor reappoint Katanya Anderson and John F. Phinney, and to appoint Gina Slagle and Trudy Vandeventer to the vacant seats on the Library Advisory Board. The vote was cast  Trudy Vandeventer to the Library Advisory Board.  5f for, 0 against. The motion carried unanimously.  Library Advisory Board  Appointed Board Members  Term 2026 2026 2026 2025  Katanya Anderson John F. Phinney Gina Slagle Trudy Vandeventer  Mayor Pro Tem Nelon recommended reappointing the members and Mayor Petta MOTION: Councilmember Steele made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Nelon, to reappoint Patty Havard, George P. Leverett, Jr., and Lorrie McDonald to the Planning and  recommended removing Lorrie McDonald.    Zoning Commission. The vote was cast 51 for, 0 against. The motion carried unanimously.  Planning and Zoning Commission Appointed Commission Members  Term 2026 2026 2026  Patty Havard George P. Leverett, Jr. Lorrie McDonald  City Secretary Rios informed the members who were not selected that the City will keep their applications on file for a year and encouraged them to stay tuned, as there may be Councimember Jacobs asked if this was the first time to have all positions to each board  additional positions opening up in 2025.  and commission have been filled. City Secretary Rios confirmed.  ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business, Mayor Petta adjourned the regular session at 7:45 p.m.  ATTEST: Mamalies Mayra ARios, City Secretary  APPROVED:  ShStta Sheila Petta, Mayor