MAY 23, 2024    Notice ofal Regular Meeting CITY OF BEVIL OAKS, TEXAS  May 23,2024  1. Call to Order @ 5:30 pm  2. Pledge of Alegance/lnyocation- pledge given by the cub scouts 3. Roll Call- Everyone present except Councilman Wright. Conflict ofInterest Statement- None observea3 3-minute time limit  a. The United States Flag  b. The Texas state flag: "Honor the Texas flag; Ipledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one  state under God, one and indivisible."  Citizen Comments (3 minutes each) - An opportunity for the citizens to address Council on agenda items or concerns not on the agenda - those wishing to speak must complete the comment card, present the comment card to the City Secretary prior to the beginning of the meeting, and Doug Clark- States that he is present in support ofhis Councilman, Councilman Merendino. States that ifthey are going to bring stuff up about Councilman Merendino, then Councilman Emmons needs tol be brought up as well. States that Councilman Emmons has lied to the citizens about the rock that the City would be getting to repair the ReviewlApprove Consent Items- M/M/2/C- Councilman Emmons/Counciman Thibodeaux-  roads.  Councilman Clayton- calls Mr. Clark to order Approved- Councilman Merendino opposed Financial Reports City of Bevil Oaks Financial Report Public Works Utility Innovations Report  7. Review/Action Items  a. Comsideration/Diseussion/Approval of Rate Schedule Amendment to Water Ordinancei #: 252.1-M/M2/C- Councilman Claylon/Counciman Merendino-  Unanimously. Approved with revision  Councilman Merendino- suggests adding a fixed rate for the sewer taps. States that ifv we were to get aj price in the middle of the most recent taps, that would work for the best. States that there isn't many properties left that needa sewer tap. States that the City could lose or gain money on a tap. Councilman Clayton- states that the price varies on how deep the sewer line Councilman Merendino- States that ifwe realize that the City is losing money on the taps, then we could come back and change the price. States that the Councilman Thibodeaux- States that we could give them a range and that might help them know how much they could possibly be charged. Councilman Watson- Asks if the customer could go directly to the utility Councilman Merendino- States that he thinks it needs to go through the City. Sabrenna- States that ifit were left between the utility contractor and the residents, then if there is an issue it may cause issues with our contractor.  is.  average is around $2,500.  company    Councilman Emmons- states that the City isn'tt trying to make money offt the Councilman Merendino- states that the City does need to make some money Councilman Clayton- asks ifti the utility company can give an average Councilman Thibodeaux- asks how the other providers, i.e. gas, electrical, Councilman Merendino- States that the reason in setting aj pricei is to eliminate the confusion 50 one person isn't being charged more than the other. b. Consideration/Diseussion/Approyal ofresolution: authorizing Jefferson County to install an additional culvert at ai residence on Riverbend. M/M/2/C- Councilman  citizens  on1 taps or the City won't have money to operate Councilman Merendino-) yes charge fort their services.  Watson/Counctliman Merendino- Approved- Unanimous  Councilman Clayton- states that the resident wants to install an additional culvert in addition tot the 401 that the County allows. States that thei resident has spoken to the County and the County stated that the County said thati installing the culvert would not cause an issue with the drainage. Does the underground  drainage count as part of the 40' ofdriveway.  8. Discussion  a. Discussion of the actions ofC Councilman Bud Merendino and whether it will be necessary to consideraresolution confirming a' "loss ofconfidence" based on Councilman Merendino'srecent actions. (requested by Councilman Thibodeaux) Councilman Thibodeaux- States he would like to rebuke the statements made by Councilman Merendino. States that the issues at hand are ordinances 216 and 266. States that ordinance 266 was voted on in. January oft this year by the current Council. States that over thel last 7j years abandoned properties have been ani issue. States that the Councilman Merendino has undermined the Council by the statement that was made. States that the fact that each Council member was not personally notified before the violations werei issued. : the validity of the ordinance, States that citizens for each ward were representedi in the Council meeting in. January. If the actions continue by this Council member, the Council will need to vote fora al loss ofconfidence in this Council member. States that thisi isi in no way an attack to Councilman Merendino. States that Councilman Merendino was in agreeance with the ordinance. Councilman Watson- States that there was a: failure to communicate fort the violation notices. States that the current Council is passionate about getting things fixed throughout the community. States that we need to focus on the positive rather than the negative. States that he doesn't have an issues with anyone that is on Council. States that he wants Council to be aware that the battles that the Council faces are not against flesh and blood. Councilman Merendino- States he voted against the financials because the City paid the attorney $3,300 to put the ordinance into layman'st terms. States that the Mayor wouldn'ta allow the charge for the attorey to be puti in the Council packet. States that in the ordinance it states that you have tol have water    at your residence. States that you will get a violation for not having water at the residence. States that all he asks is to be kept in the loop. States that if hei isn't Councilman Clayton- asks Councilman Watson if he was notified about the Councilman Clayton- States that 5 out of the 6 Council were not notified about the signs being placed. States that the Council now have job duties. States that being that the Mayor and himself were not able to fulfill their duty of ordinance enforcement, so they passed the job onto Councilman Thibodeaux and the CAB team. States that the Councilman needs to separate their personal business as citizens and as councilmen. States that the CAB team was efficiently told how to place the notices on the properties before they took the Councilman Emmons- States that Councilman Merendino has been on and off of the Council for several years. States that the Council has been made aware that the use ofFacebook for City officials do not need to use. States that the Council members are held to a higher standard than the people that they represent. States that the citizens should be able to trust the Council with the decisions that they make. States that the Council can not depend on what Councilman Merendino says or for him to follow the oath that he was sworn in under. States that the people that act like Councilman Merendino in other places are being called two-faced. States that Councilman Merendino's actions are counterproductive. States that Councilman Merendino decides on an item and then he changes his mind and doesn'tsupport the item he voted on. Councilman Merendino- States that he just wants the Council to  kept in the loop then he will tell the people the truth.  signs being put out? Councilman Watson- no  task over.  communicate better.  b. Discussion of installing water fountains at the basketball court and at the City park. c. Discussion of placement and design of the flood gates on Riverbend. No discussion  Councilman Merendino- States that the kids that play basketball are drinking out of the hose bib at the office and there needs to be one installed.  9. Adjourn Meeting @ 6:20 A  -  Mayor Cheri Mitchell  -AuB  Approved this 19 day of Seprember  2024.