MINUTES CITY OF AMES, TEXAS 304 MARTIN DR. - AMES, TEXAS CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING AUGUST 12, 2023 9:30AM  The City Council for the City of Ames, Texas met in a workshop in council chambers at the Ames City Hall at 9:30am. Mayor Barbara Domain called the meeting to order at 9:36am. Councilman Eddie White led the prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Mayor Domain made the roll call, at that time the members of the City Council who were present were: Mayor Barbara Domain, Michael Trahan, Lizl Hardy, Eddie White and Audrey Harrison. Absent: Alfred Freeman Mayor Domain thanked the citizens for being here, asked them to silence their phones, and ifany of the citizens would like to take three (3) minutes to speak to the council. A list of attending  CITIZEN APPREARANCE citizens is attached. Workshop Agenda Items  1.CONSIDER AND IF APPROPRIATETAKE ACTIONTOHIRE EMMIT ALBRO FOR $500 MONTHLYTOI BE CITY JUDGE, CREATE Al PERMIT DEPARTMENT Mayor Domain addressed the council with the idea of hiring Emmit Albro to represent the as the municipal judge sO that we could enforce some oft the current ordinances that wel have in place. She also stressed the importance of an economic development board and how it would help with the growth ofthe city. As well as the permitting department would help generate revenue as the city has approve the county toi issue several permits on in the past few weeks. Mr. Albro addressed the council with aj presentation ofhowl he would be an asset to the City of Ames. Council deliberated an agreed to move: forward with the city, judge but make sure all proper guidelines were: inj place before any amount of payment could be agreed upon. Also to move forward with the economic development board and to follow the same guidelines as the municipal judge. Councilman Michael Trahan suggested that the permitting department be 2.CONSIDER AND DISCUSS TO AMEND SOME OF THE ORDINANCES WE HAVE Mayor Domain called out the names oft the ordinances that she thought needed to reconsidered for amendment. As she read off each the council stated which ones that they wanted to amend and which ones that wanted to remain as is. Thel lawyer(Melody Carrier) advised that we make a good clean list ofc ordinances we would also like to add to our current ones and she would create 3.CONSIDER AND DISCUSS TO INCREASE PROPERTYTAXI FOR 2024. Mayor Domain relayed to the council the information that she had received from talking to Chrissy at the local Tax Office. She told them that we would need the current debt that we are paying and the amount oft the debt. Councilman Trahan advised that the Mayor should reach out  AND SETUP ANJ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD.  operated by the city secretary.  INPLACE.  the ordinances for us.    to the USDA to get the information and geti it to the tax office sO that we could move forward 4.CONSIDER AND DISCUSSTOI INCREASE SEWER RATES FOR JANUARY2024. Mayor Domain reminded the council oft the case study that wel had done on the sewer system. She asked if we were going to increase it to $44.00 or $56.00. Councilwoman Audrey Harrison suggested that we wait to see how much the tax rate would increase before setting a number to  and adopt a rate before the deadline.  increase the sewer rate.  3.CONSIDER, AND DISCUSSTHE BUDGET FOR2024.  Mayor Domain expressed to the council that the current information that was in the QuickBooks system was incorrect and that they were working diligently to get things correct and caught up. The lawyer(Melody Carrier) advised that we could get the past 2 months of debits and credits, multiply it by 4 and get a ballpark figure together for our budget and when everything was up to  date amend the budget sO that it is accurate. 4. MAYOR'S REPORT.  The Mayor gave the council and update about the repairs/cost of Friend St. and Organ St. The repairs would cost $25,000 for limestone and $40,000 for chipseal. The work could began in The Mayor told the council she was trying to get the. Ames Volunteer Fire Dept back in operation.  October.  She would keep them posted on updates.  A few members on the council suggested we get the following in place:  1. Get word out to the community that there will be an increase in sewer starting in January. 2. Let the county know that we will be formulating our own permit department. 4. Check to see if we could get a few days designated for heavy trash pickup. 3. With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:05 p.m.  3. Check for a building code inspector.  B0 - Barbara Domain Mayor Nillma Wellona Godfrey Secretary  4