Habazy  MINUTES  Aransas Pass City Council Regular Meeting Monday, November 18, 2024 at 6:00 pm City Hall - Council Chambers 600 W. Cleveland Blvd., Aransas Pass, Texas 78336  1.  Call to Order and Certification of a Quorum  Mayor Ram Gomez called the Aransas Pass City Council Regular Meeting to order at 6:00 Council Members present: Mayor Pro-Tem Carrie Scruggs, Council Members Jason Knight, Staff present: Interim City Manager Mary Juarez, City Secretary Kandice Garrett, Finance Director Sandra Garcia, Planning Director Brenda Joyas, Fire Chief Michael Neujahr, Public Works Director David Flores, Assistant Police Chief Aaron Jones, IT Director Jeff Martin, Community Enrichment Director Kaylynn Paxson, and Municipal Court Judge Henrie  p.m. With Council Members present, a quorum was established. Joe Dominguez, J. R. Haskins, and Mayor Gomez.  Morales. Invocation  2.  Interim City Manager Mary Juarez delivered the invocation.  3.  Pledges  Mayor Gomez led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S.A. flag and the Texas flag.  4.  Presentation  a. Update on New Fire Station and Police Department Renovation Chris Brzozowski, Weaver & Jacobs Constructors, Justin Myers, Martinez Architects, and Jodi Smith, Chris Brzozowski, Vice President with Weaver & Jacobs Constructors, presented this item and updated Council ont thel budget estimate, bid schedule, andi the anticipation tol bring back to Council the formal Guaranteed Maximum Price in early February, 2025.  Turner-Ramirez Architects  5.  Announcements  a. City Manager'sA Announcements  i. November 21, 2024 - 11th Annual Fall Feast 5 pm-7 pm at the Civic Center  ii. Workshop Meeting - December 14, 2024 a. Proposed Charter Amendments b. HOT Funds C. Sale of City property  Interim City Manager Mary Juarez informed the council of the announcements.  Regular City Council Meeting Minutes - November 18, 2024  Page 1of6    Community Enrichment Director Kaylynn Paxson informed the council of the planned activities for the Fall Feast with the expectation of possibly around nine hundred people in  attendance and invited all to come. Citizen Comments  6.  Mayor Gomez called on the following citizens who signed up to address Council: George Coleman spoke about acquiring property for the establishment of more affordable Richard Titus spoke about Buck's Tire Shop, feral cats, and the need for stop signs in Josh McCann spoke about installing a sidewalk on Avenue A1 from the high school to Hogan  housing with the development of five hundred tiny homes.  residential neighborhoods.  Homes.  Will Garner spoke about nepotism.  LuAna Martin spoke in support oft the Salsa Fest and the appearance of barricades blocking  businesses on the map and wanting them moved to alternate locations.  7. Staff Reports and other Discussion Items  a. Monthly Departmental Reports submitted and provided in the Agenda Packet. Interim City Manager Mary Juarez stated that the monthly reports were in the Agenda  Packet.  8.  Consent Agenda  a. Consideration of approving the November 4, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs made a motion to approve Item 8.a., seconded by Council Member Knight and the motion passed with the following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight, Dominguez,  (City Secretary)  and Haskins voted Aye. Public Hearing  9.  a. Navigate 2044, Comprehensive Plan  i.  Public Hearing on a request to approve Navigate 2044, Comprehensive Plan for the City of Aransas Pass - a guide for development that establishes a policy framework to achieve desired outcomes.  Mayor Gomez declared the public hearing open at 6:22 p.m.  Andrew Knuppel, Project Manager with Asakura Robinson in Houston, presented this item and briefly went over the timeline noting the kickoff for this project began in August 2023t to  Regular City Council Meeting Minutes - November 18, 2024  Page 2 of6    include public engaged workshops held the same year, additional feedback opportunities through mailers in early 2024 provided with utility water bills, as well as additional engagement with the downtown community, and a parks and recreation focus group. Mr. Knuppel also noted that following some transitions last spring he has been working with Planning Director Brenda Joyas and stafft toi fine tune ongoing initiatives and with the Council to move things forward. The Comprehensive plan incorporates land use, housing, Brenda Joyas, Planning Director, also presented this item and discussed achievements that have already been made such as the demolition of over two hundred deteriorated homes and structures, infill with local developers, more housing development types were pursued, addition of more multi-family buildings, the construction of hike and bike trail at Conn Brown Harbor, improvements on infrastructure with Harvey grants, and maintenance and improvements to facilities such as the restrooms at the playgrounds. She further explained what Navigate 2044 has to offer. There was further discussion regarding residential housing  transportation, and development for the City of Aransas Pass.  and harbor development.  Mayor Gomez declared the public hearing closed at 6:35 p.m.  ii. Consideration ofapproving Ordinance No. 2024-4468 adopting Navigate Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs made a motion to approve Item 9.a.i., seconded by Council Member Knight and the motion passed with the following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight,  2044, Comprehensive Plan.  Dominguez, and Haskins voted Aye.  10. Action Items  a. Consideration of approving the refurbishing oft the fish cleaning stations at Conn Brown Harbor to be funded by the Aransas Pass Leadership Class No. 9. Myron Schroeder, representing the Aransas Pass Leadership Class 9, presented this item and briefly described an overview to include the scope andi fundraising for this year's project. Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs made ar motion to approve Item 10.a., seconded by Council Member Dominguez and the motion passed with the following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight, b. Consideration of approving second reading of Ordinance No. 2024-4467 granting CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. DBA CenterPoint Energy Texas Gas Operations, the right, privilege and franchise to construct, install, extend, remove, replace, abandon, operate and maintain its facilities within the public rights-of-way oft the City OfAransas Pass, Texas fori the transportation, delivery, sale and distribution of natural gas; containing other provisions relating to the foregoing subject; providing for severability and providing an effective date.  (Interim City Manager)  Dominguez, and Haskins voted. Aye.  (Interim City Manager)  Interim City Manager Mary Juarez provided a summary for this item.  Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs made ar motion to approve Item 10.b., seconded by Council Member Knight and the motion passed with thei following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight, Dominguez,  Regular City Council Meeting Minutes - November 18, 2024  Page 3of6    and Haskins voted Aye.  C. Consideration of approving a Funding Agreement between the City of Aransas Pass and the Port of Corpus Christi Authority of Nueces County for development funds granted to assist with the Lighthouse Lakes Trails Park Enhancement Project in the amount of $226,830.00. (Interim City Manager) Marcy Gandara, Community Development & Grant' Writing with the Chamber presented this item and noted the grant is for improvements at the Lighthouse Lakes Trails Park for enhancements to repave all the roadways and parking areas and a full repavement of the Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs made a motion to approve Item 10.c., seconded by Council Member Knight and the motion passed with the following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight, Dominguez, d. Consideration of approving emergency repairs for HVAC at the VFW building located at 620 W Wheeler Ave in the amount of $13,347 to Staff Contracting, LLC utilizing $8,048.45 from ARPA Funds and $7,791.55 from HOT Funds. Finance Director Sandra Garcia presented thisi item, and members oft the VFWwere present Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs made a motion to approve Item 10.d., seconded by Council Member Knight and the motion passed with thet following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight, Dominguez, e. Consideration of approving emergency repairs to Conn Brown Harbor Fishing Pier and Finger Docks to "Coastal Piers and Docks" in the amount of $82,915.00 utilizing $43,757.52 from HOT Funds and $39,157.48 from the Harbor Safety and Enforcement Officer. Jim Hollister presented this item noting the structures were approximately sixty-five years old and in need ofi immediate repairs. After going out for three bids for emergency repairs, Coastal Piers and Docks was selected being the lowest bid. They will be using sure step decking supplies on hand to save on cost. Project Manager Decker addressed the Council concerning their qualifications and the repairs fori the project. There was discussion regarding having divers or inspectors to assess the underwater structures to help determine a more accurate cost. Assistant Police Chief Aaron Jones further explained the scope of repairs. Finance Director Sandra Garcia provided an explanation why the City went out for emergency bids rather than the normal Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs made a motion to approve Item 10.e. and being there was not a Councilmember Haskins made a motion to hold off until the bottom part is checked out on Item 10.e., seconded by Council Member Knight and the motion passed with the following  Kayak launch.  and Haskins voted Aye.  (Interim City Manager)  and thanked the Council for their support and consideration.  and Haskins voted Aye.  Harbor Fund. (Interim City Manager)  bid process since being that it is a safety issue.  second, the motion failed.  vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight, Dominguez, and Haskins voted Aye.  Regular City Council Meeting Minutes - November 18, 2024  Page 4 of6    f. Consideration of approving the Chief of Police to renew the Training Provider Contract with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). (Interim Assistant Police Chief Aaron Jones presented this item fort the annual renewal of the TCOLE Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs made ar motion to approve Item 10.f., seconded by. Council Member Knight and the motion passed with thet following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight, Dominguez, g. Consideration of approving the Chief of Police to enter into an agreement with DATAPILOT 10 Mobile Digital Forensics Device for training, support and Captain Frank Kent with the CID presented this item noting this is a grant proposal that covers the device with an annual licensing fee of $1,095.00 and the initial start-up cost of $2,445.00. Currently devices are sent to Houston police which can take upi toi three months Council Member Haskins made a motion to approve Item 10.g., seconded by Council Member Knight and the motion passed with the following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight, h. Consideration of approving Resolution No. 2024-1068 adopting a policy prohibiting the installation or use ofTikTok and other prohibited technologies on City devices pursuant to Texas Senate Bill 1893. (Interim City Manager)  City Manager)  contract.  and Haskins voted. Aye.  licensing. (Interim City Manager)  and is a more costly process, he explained. Dominguez, and Haskins voted Aye.  Interim City Manager Mary Juarez provided a summary for this item.  Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs made ar motion to approve Item 10.h., seconded by Council Member Knight and the motion passed with thei following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight, Dominguez,  and Haskins voted Aye.  11. Executive Session  The meeting was recessed into Executive Session at 7:16 p.m., under the provision of Section a. Texas Government Code S 551.071, consultation with attorney on matter involving pending or contemplated litigation or other matter in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with the Texas  551, Texas Government Code to discuss the authority of:  Open Meetings Act. (Epi Ysassi, Interim City Attorney).  i.  Investigation audit conducted by law offices of Ryan Henry.  The council reconvened the meeting at 7:35 p.m. There was no action taken.  12. Adjournment  There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Gomez adjourned the  Regular City Council Meeting Minutes - November 18, 2024  Page 5 of6    meeting at 7:35p p.m.y Ramiro Gomez 23 Mayor  handis Hanct Kandice Garrett City Secretary  Approved on: 12.2.24  ARAN - 1S PASS,  Regular City Council Meeting Minutes - November 18, 2024  Page 6 of6