MINUTES CITY OF AMES 304 MARTIN DR.- AMES, TEXAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 08, 2024 6:00 PM  The City Council for the City of Ames, Texas held a meeting at the. Ames City Hall at 6:05 p.m. Mayor Barbara Domain called the meeting to order at that time. Mayor Domain conducted the roll call, at this time the members of the City Council who were present were: Mayor Barbara Domain, Michael Trahan II, Councilman Eddie White, Councilman Alfred Freeman Jr., and Council Woman Audrey Harrison. Councilwoman Elizabeth "Liz" Hardy was absent. Councilman Eddie White led the prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  CITIZEN APPREARANCE There was no public participation.  APPROVALOF MINUTES FOR AUGUST 12, 2024, REGULAR MEETING, BVTEMBPRIIN2U24, REGULAR! MESINGSEPTEMIK 16, WORKSHOP AND SPECIALCALLED MEETING.AND: SEPTEMEMBER 23,2024 SPECIALCALLED The council took a few minutes to look over the minutes. There was no discussion. Amotion  MEETING  was made. All were in favor. Passed unanimously.  Motion made by: Councilman Michael Trahan II Seconded by: Councilwoman Audrey Harrison All in favor: 4 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0  REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS:  1. CONSIDER AND IF APPROPRIATE. TAKE ACTION TO APPROVE THE REIMBURSEMENT TO KAREN VILLAREAL FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF PASSENGER SIDE REAR QUARTER PANEL Mayor Domain asked for a motion. Councilwoman Harrison asked if we had determined ifthe window was broken at the City Hall. Mayor Domain explained that from what she saw on the video, when LJ passed by on the mower, the blade was not engaged and there was no debris coming from the deck oft the mower. She stated that LJ was cutting grass further up the road, sO she checked the cameras to: see ifhe may have passed while cutting across from the City Hall and she did not see him pass by. From what was recorded on the cameras, Mayor Domain stated that she did not find any evidence to show that the window was broken at the City Hall. Moises Villareal stated that he understands that accidents do happen and that hei is not the type of! person to make a claim before verifying his information. Councilwoman Harrison stated that she understood what he was saying but there is no proof that the window was broken at the City Hall. There was no motion made. Mayor Domain asked the city's lawyer Marivious Allen how to proceed when there is no motion made. Marivious explained that ifthere is no motion made, that agenda  GLASS IN THE AMOUNT Of$543.28.  item becomes dead on the floor.    Mayor Domian stated that no Motion was made at this time, sO the agenda item is dead. 2. CONSIDER, AND IF APPROPRIATE, TAKE ACTION TO APPROVE THE CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION OF THE AMES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT  CORPORATION.  At this time Marivious Allen explained that the original application submitted to the Secretary of State (SOS) was denied. The reason for denial was that the form submitted (Form 202) would not suffice for a Type B Economic Development Corporation. He has worked withl Emmett to create the certificate off formation toj provide the SOS with everything that they needed to approve the application. Councilman Trahan asked if we would have to take action to resubmit the form. Marivious explained that yes, we must take action to resubmit it because the certificate offormation reflects what is already ini the articles and bylaws and it meets the other requirements that the SOS sent back on the denial letter. There was no further discussion. Mayor Domain asked for a motion. A motion was made. All were in favor. Passed  unanimously.  Motion made by: Councilman Michael Trahan II Seconded by: Councilman Eddie White All in favor: 4 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0  3. CONSIDER, AND IF APPROPRIATE. TAKE ACTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION FOR THE LIBERTY COUNTY CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT, NOMINATING CANDIDATES FOR THE LIBERTY COUNTY  APPRAISALI DISTRICT BOARDOF DIRECTORS.  Mayor Domain explained that the Resolution for thel Liberty County Appraisal District has to be turned in by October 15th. She stated that she wanted to nominate Councilman Michael Trahan I;however, hel had too much on his plate to consider the nomination. At this time, Mayor Domain read the list of the current nominees for the Appraisal District Board of] Directors. She asked the council members ift there were any names they would like to add to the nominations. At this time no one had anyone to add to the nominations. There was no: further discussion. Mayor Domain asked for ai motion. A motion was made. All were in favor. Passed  unanimously.  Motion made by: Councilman Eddie White Seconded by: Councilman Alfred Freeman. Jr. Alli in favor: 4 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0  4. EDC REPORT - EMMET ALBRO  Mr. Albro stated that he will resubmit the application for the EDC tomorrow since the Certificate offormation has been approved. He stated that thel EDCis currently facing issues moving forward. The purpose oft the EDCis to bring businesses to the city, but that can't happen with the condition that current infrastructure is in. Mr. Albro stated that the EDC is apprehensive about starting any projects without a road mapi from the council explaining their vision for the city. Hej proposed that there be ai round table meeting with the council and the EDC Board members to discuss the vision for the city and develop a plan to execute the plan. Marivious explained that iti is good to have the reports from the EDC because it is an opportunity to highlight problems and solutions that may present themselves. Itisalsoa a way for the city and the EDC1 to come together to resolve the issues.    Marivious also stated that the community should be able to come and voice their opinions as well, which is why it is important to publicize the EDC's meetings. Marivious stated that there wasa a member oft the community that showed up and was not aware oft the meeting happening. We eneed toj push everyone to sign up: for the alerts because they are effective. Mr. Albro stated that he still thinks that we need to have a round table meeting and that we need to have a town hall meeting. Mayor Domain stated that the town hall meeting will bel held at the Catholic Hall. Marivious also stated that Public Management and Bureau Veritas offers assignments/projects tol help a solidified 5, 10, 15, year plan for the city. Mayor Domain explained that she spoke with a representative from) Public Management and therei is a grant available that we can apply for to assist with creating the long-term plans for the city based on what the city would like to move forward on. Mayor Domain agreed that it would be a good idea tol have a workshop with the EDC to discuss the future oft the city and provide that information to Public Management SO that they can update the city's current plans. Councilman Trahan asked ift the EDC translate to businesses only. He also stated that the issues with the infrastructure are valid, and they will probably take some time to correct them. At this time everyone agreed to have a workshop tentatively scheduled for November 16th from 9am - 1lam. Mr. Albro stated that he has an application for a grant from Exxon Mobile that hei is currently working on. Mayor Domain instructed Mr. Albro to submit the grant applications tol Marivious sO that he can determine ifit needs to be an agenda item to be voted on. Councilman Trahan stated that ifthe application for the Exxon Mobile grant has tol be approved by the council, that he would have to recuse himselffrom that vote. This concluded the EDC Report.  5. MAYOR'S REPORT  Wea are almost complete with FEMA. We have an additional site inspection scheduled this week. Berotte and Johnson streets have been repaired. She will have Erwin to dig the drainage that carries the water a little bit deeper SO that the water can flow away from the road to prevent flooding. Councilman Trahan asked ifa all of the pumps are currently working. Mayor Domain stated that she is trying to claim the pumps on. FEMA as well. When we. had the flooding, all the additional water caused the pumps to run too long and ended up burning out. We had to use the trash pump which eventually burned up as well. FEMA covers 75%1 for reimbursement and any volunteer work willl helpt to offset the 25%. We are trying to use 4041 Hazard Mitigation to replace the generators at the lift stations and to provide portable generators for the grinder pumps. This  concluded the Mayor's Report. 6. ADJOURNMENT  Mayor Domain asked for amotion to adjourn the meeting at 6:501 PM. Motion made by: Councilman Michael Trahan II Seconded by: Councilwoman Audrey Harrison All in favor: 4 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0  -  Barbara Domain Mayor  Wellona Godfrey City Secretary  Walmachdyy