MINUTES CITY OF AMES, TEXAS 304 MARTIN DR. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING June 13, 2022 6:00 p.m.  The City Council for the City of Ames, Texas met in a regular meeting in council chambers at the Ames City Hall at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Cornelius Gilmore call the meeting to order at that time. Mayor Gilmore led the prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Mayor Gilmore did the roll call, at that time the members of the City Council who were present are: Mayor Cornelius Gilmore, Michael Trahan, Eddie White, Audrey Harrison, Alfred Freeman, Jr., and Liz Hardy.  SWEARINGIN  Before the Regular City Council begin, Mayor Gilmore swore in two new city council members, Elizabeth Hardy and AlfredL. Freeman, Jr. and one incumbent council member MichaelJ. Trahan,  II. All took the oath and were pronounced as City Council Members.  CITIZEN APPREARANCE attending citizens is attached.  Mayor Gilmore thanked the citizens for being here and to please silence your phones. A listof  MINUTES  Mayor Gilmore asked for the reading ofthe minutes. The minutes for May 9, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting minutes were read, motioned on, and approved unanimously.  Motioned by: Councilman Eddie White Seconded by: Councilwoman Liz Hardy All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0  REGULAR SESSION  2022-01-SPEAKER-RUDYCOLEANDSHAVON WICKLIFF-WANTSTO ADDRESS MAYOR AND COUNCIL REGARDING PROPERTY LOCATED ON EAST CORMIER. The speakers did not show up, however, Ms. Betty Redmon addressed the Council regarding Brazos Transport Bus system not stopping toj pick up the elderly at the local convenient store. She stated the bus will not stop and do not allow people to bring a bottle of water on the bus even if    people who are standing in the 100-degree heat. She also mentioned that the mail lady want stop at her house, the City needs a post office to address this issue. Mayor Gilmore told Ms. Redmon that he would certainly speak with Brazos Transport, but the mail was a federal issue and would  need tol be addressed with the local post office. Motioned was made by: NONE NEEDED All in favor: 0 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0  Seconded by:  2022-12-CONSIDER. AND APPROVE! MICHAELTRAHAN,IIASMAYOR PRO-TEMP. Mayor Gilmore asked if there were any discussions regarding considering Michael Trahan as Mayor pro-temp. Michael Trahan stated that he was learning a lot and would be happy to serve as mayor pro-temp. There was no discussion from City Council Members. All Council Members in attendance voted, motion was made, and seconded. The vote was unanimous to select Michael  Trahan as Mayor Pro-Temp for the City of Ames Motioned by: Councilman Eddie White Seconded by: Councilman Al Freeman, Jr. All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0  2022-03 = CONSIDER AND APPROVE BUYING A GRADING BUCKET FOR THE EXCAVATOR FOR THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT - TO BE PAID OUT OF Mayor Gilmore stated that the excavator needs tol have a detachable grading bucket for the purpose ofclearing out ditches without risking bursting any unseen pipes buried under ground. Discussion was made that there needs to be a dollar amount associated with this purchase. Mayor Gilmore gave the quote of$1,170.00 for the John Deere grading bucket to Council members. Councilman Trahan asked to amend this line item for the purchase to come out of the Utility Fund Account, not the Government Fund Account. A motion was made to amend for the funds to come out of the Utility Fund Account. All were in favor, seconded and passed unanimously.  GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT.  Motioned by: Councilman Michael Trahan Seconded by: Councilwoman Audrey Harris All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0  Amotion was then made to approve the purchase of the John Deere grading bucket in the amount  of$1,170.00. All were in favor, seconded and passed unanimously.  Motioned by: Councilman Eddie White Seconded by: Councilwoman Liz Hardy All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0    2022-04 - CONSIDER AND APPROVE TO USE MR. LARRY STANLEY TO REPAIR ROAD BYTEBO: ST.-TO BE PAID OUT OF GOVERNMENT FUNDSACCOUNT. Mayor Gilmore started the discussion by stating that the County would use crushed concrete, but the real fix would be to use asphalt; other considerations were to not spend the money right now but tol have better way to use money; limestone would be better and could be placed in the budget for next year; the mayor'ss suggestion is to let the County fix it. Further discussions are needed to get more quotes. Motion was made to postpone this item until more quotes were gotten. All were  ini favor, seconded and passed unanimously. Motioned by: Councilman Michael Trahan Seconded by: Councilwoman Liz Hardy All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 2022-05- CONSIDER AND DISCUSSA A CPA.  Discussion was made to get bids from several cpa firms. No further discussion.  Motioned by: NONE NEEDED ATTHIS TIME All in favor: 0 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0  Seconded by:  2022-06 - CONSIDER AND APPROVE TO PAY EICHELBAUM WARDELL INVOICE IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,279.00 - TO BE PAID OUT OF GOVERNMENT FUND Mayor Gilmore stated that these are the attorneys who help the City of Ames with the City of Liberty suit. He also discussed that these attorneys arel helping us with the mediation with the City ofLiberty and they are also helping us to establish our ETJ. Councilman Trahan also mentioned the meeting with Liberty County regarding contract selection for the project regarding the $2 million dollars from the County; currently he is waiting to hear back from the County; he also mentioned amending the budget to pay this invoice for Eichelbaum Wardell. Motion was made  ACCOUNT.  toj pay this invoice, second, all were in favor and passed unanimously.  Motioned by: Councilman Eddie White Seconded by: Councilman Michael Trahan All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0  2022-07 - CONSIDER AND APPROVE TO PURCHASE MATERIALS FROM THE COUNIYTOREPAIR SYLPHEME RD.-7 TOBE PAIDOUTOF GOVERNMENT FUND  ACCOUNT.    Discussion was made to repair this road with asphalt because it was messed up when a hole collapsed and needed repair. Motion was made toj postpone this item until additional information about the cost of material is decided upon. All were in favor, seconded and passed unanimously.  Motioned by: Councilman Michael Trahan Seconded by: Councilwoman Liz Hardy Alli in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0  2022-08 - CONSIDER AND APPROVE $2,500 BUDGET FOR THE TML QUARTERLY MEETING FOR FOOD AND DECORATIONS- TO BE PAID OUT OF GOVERNMENT Mayor Gilmore stated that Liberty and other surrounding cities have hosted the TML quarterly meeting and Ames has been asked to do SO. Discussion was made if the Mayor could cater the event, he stated that he spoke with the TML attorneys and he said that it should not be problem because hel has a catering business. Discussion was made to have a breakdown of the actual cost of each item. Motion was made to postpone this item until additional information about the cost ofmaterial is decided upon. All were in favor, seconded and passed unanimously.  FUND ACCOUNT.  Motioned by: Councilman Michael Trahan Seconded by: Councilman Eddie White All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0  2022-09 - CONSIDER AND TAKE ACTION TO CONSIDER A FINE FOR DILAPIDATED AND HAZARDOUS HOMES IN THE CITY OF AMES (SEE Mayor Gilmore read this item and discussion was made to consider amending Ordinance No. 4- 83:2010-4; he mentioned that there are over 17 homes in our area that are in bad shape, one. home in particular allows people to dump trash on his property; discussion was then included to a fine of$ $250.00 for dilapidated and hazardous homes; after a certified letter and has been mailed to the homeowner, at which time homeowner has 60 days to respond; ifno response after 60 days, the homeowner will be fined an additional $100.00 per month for six (6) months; after such sufficient Motion was made to amend the ordinance to include the fine. All were in favor, seconded and  ORDINANCE# #4-83-2010-04).  time, a lien will be place on the property.  passed unanimously.  Motioned by: Councilman Alfred Freeman,Jr. Seconded by: Councilwoman Audrey Harrison All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0    2022-10- CONSIDER AND APPROVE TOINCREASING THE FINE FROM $200.00TO $400.00 FOR ABANDONED VEHICLES IN YARDS IN THE CITY OF AMES AND AMEND THE ORDIMANCETOSAVTIE: SAME (SEE ORDINANCE #2010-02). Mayor Gilmore read this item and discussion was made that the ordinance should be amended to raise the fine from $200.00 to $400.00 and to stipulate that there should be no more than three (3) cars in the yard; a certified letter will be sent to the homeowner stating the dollar amount of the fine at which time the homeowner has sixty (60) days to remove the remaining cars; an additional Motion was made to increase the fine from $200.00 to $400.00 and add $50.00 every 40 days to  fine of $50.00 every forty (40) days will be added to owner oft the property. owner ofthe property. All were in favor, seconded and passed unanimously.  Motioned by: Councilwoman Audrey Harrison Seconded by: Councilman MichaelTrahan All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0  MAYOR'S REPORT  Keep the Rainer family in your prayers; spoke on the mass shootings.  ADJOURNMENT  All Council Members were in favor of adjourning the meeting at 7:45 p.m.  Cayunelin JSiumune Cornelius Gilmore Mayor Attested: ER Jénfifer Purnell City Secretary  a    Page to Approve Minutes for. June 13, Regular City Council Meeting  Maodl Michael Trahan, Councilman, Position 1  Liz] Hardy, Councilwoman, Position 2  B2AL  Eddie White, Councilman, Position 3 AL  AlffedI Freeman,r., Councilman, Position 4  Audrey Harrison, Councilwoman, Position 5