Habaz l MINUTES Aransas Pass City Council Regular Meeting Monday, January 6, 2025 at 6:00 pm City Hall - Council Chambers 600 W. Cleveland Blvd., Aransas Pass, Texas 78336 Mena he 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 p.m. With Council Members present, a quorum was established. Council Members present: Mayor Pro-Tem Carrie Scruggs, Council Members Jason Knight, Joe Dominguez, J. R. Haskins, and Mayor Gomez. Staff present: Interim City Manager Mary Juarez, City Secretary Kandice Garrett, Finance Director Sandra Garcia, Planning Director Brenda Joyas, Public Works Director David Flores, Interim Police Chief Aaron Jones, and Fire Chief Michael Neujahr. Also present was Interim City Attorney Epimenio Ysassi. 2. Invocation 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. Presentations and Proclamations There were no presentations and proclamations. 5. Announcements a. City Manager's Announcements i. January 8, 2025 = Special Council Meeting @ 1 PM ii. January 9, 2025 = Special Council Meeting @ 3 PM Interim City Manager Mary Juarez informed the council of the announcements. 6. Citizen Comments Mayor Gomez called on the following citizens who signed up to address Council: Realtor Maylinda Williams presented a photo to the council and thanked them for their steadfast efforts over the years and congratulated them for the sale of the LWR Property. Regular City Council Meeting Minutes - January 6, 2025 Page 1 of 5 William Gilner thanked the council for moving forward with repairs to the finger docks and fishing pier at Conn Brown Harbor. William Garner spoke regarding the alleged improper use of hotel tax funds. Andy Davilla spoke regarding the improvements to the water tower and caring about the schools and good leadership in Aransas Pass. Alex Tan spoke regarding favorable interactions with the Planning Department, Code Enforcement and Animal Control and requested for items to be placed on a future agenda such as mowing and a basketball court at the community park. Finance Director Sandra Garcia stated that the Municipal Development District Board is already looking at implementing a basketball pavilion in the area where the Shrimporee is held and has hired an engineer for the design. 7. Staff Reports and other Discussion Items a. CUP Tool Rental Zoning Ordinance Amendment Planning Director Brenda Joyas presented this item and explained the proposed ordinance would amend Section 10-Use of Land and Buildings to remove a conditional use permit requirement and to be allowed in GB-General Business at the request of a tool rental business owner. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the text amendment and there was consensus from the Council to move forward on the item. b. Peddlers (Solicitors, Vendors, Pop-Ups/Amendment to Chapter 21 Code of Ordinances Planning Director Brenda Joyas presented this item and explained that the proposed ordinance is the result of a collaboration of departmental recommendations and noted the changes. Mayor Gomez called on the following citizen who signed up to address Council on this item: Olivia Hill spoke in favor of defining aggressive solicitors and panhandlers because she has a property management company with downtown tenants and also owns property in the downtown and the problem of solicitors setting up camp in the downtown areas. She stated that it is problematic to the downtown owners and a deterrent for development and beautification as well as the economic standings. There was further discussion and a consensus from the Council to move forward on the item. C. Mobile Food Establishment Zoning Ordinance Amendment Planning Director Brenda Joyas presented this item and noted that the purpose of this amendment was to redefine some terms with better definitions and other changes. d. RV Storage Zoning Ordinance Amendment Planning Director Brenda Joyas presented this item and informed council this amendment is to deter persons storing or living in their RV's on residential or commercial property more than one per property type as approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission. It was discussed there is already an ordinance that disallows persons living in RV's within the city limits. Regular City Council Meeting Minutes - January 6, 2025 Page 2 of 5 Alex Tan spoke in favor of the ordinance and against the city allowing Aransas Pass to become an RV town. William Garner asked a question regarding placing a portable building on a lot. There was further discussion. 8. Consent Agenda a. Consideration of approving the December 16, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes (City Secretary) b. Consideration of approving the December 17, 2024 Workshop Meeting Minutes (City Secretary) 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, and Haskins voted Aye. 9. Action Items a. Consideration of approving the revised TCEQ Notice of Intent to Operate a Citizen's Collection Station. (Interim City Manager) Public Works Director David Flores presented this item and stated that the current application with TCEQ is to accept yard waste and furniture and in working with TCEQ and updating our permit it will allow for the City to accept additional items such as brush, commercial waste in small quantities, recyclable materials such as metal, household waste and tires. Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs made a motion to approve Item 9.a., seconded by Council Member Knight and the motion passed with the following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight, Dominguez, and Haskins voted Aye. b. Consideration of approving Resolution No. 2025-1070 establishing guidelines for the expenditure of Hotel/Motel Tax Funds. (Interim City Manager) Interim City Manager Mary Juarez presented this item and explained this resolution would establish a formal application process for groups and businesses to request HOT funds, set a deadline for application submissions, and require that a post event report be filed. She reminded the council of previous discussion of the intent to open up applications every odd number year to allow the fund to grow. Mrs. Juarez also mentioned that the funds the city awards to the Chamber of Commerce and Visitor's Center each year is outlined in our Code of Ordinances in Chapter 27 which states the amount allocated is determined in the annual budget process through a separate publicity and tourism agreement between the City and the Chamber and Visitor's Center and therefore they are excluded from this process. Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs made a motion to approve Item 9.b., seconded by Council Member Knight and the motion passed with the following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight, Dominguez, and Haskins voted Aye. C. Consideration of approving Ordinance No. 2025-4479 amending City Code of Ordinances, Chapter 27 = Taxation and Licenses, Article II = Hotel Occupancy Regular City Council Meeting Minutes - January 6, 2025 Page 3 of 5 Tax, Section 27-21 (d) Levy of Tax Rate; Exception; Use of Proceeds. (Interim City Manager) Interim City Manager Mary Juarez presented this item and informed council state law dictates how we spend these funds and that is to directly promote tourism and to promote the convention and hotel industry as defined by nine different categories. This ordinance removes the category of civic center and corrects what is in our City Code to comply to State Law. Council Member Knight made a motion to approve Item 9.c., seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs and the motion passed with the following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight, Dominguez, and Haskins voted. Aye. d. Consideration of approving to reschedule the January 20, 2025 City Council Meeting due to a City Holiday to Tuesday, January 21, 2025. (City Secretary) Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs made a motion to approve Item 9.d., seconded by Council Member Knight and the motion passed with the following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight, Dominguez, and Haskins voted Aye. e. Consideration of approval Ordinance No. 2025-4480 providing for an automatic increase in water rates pursuant to Section 29-27(C) and Section 29-28 (A), (B), and (C) of the City Code of Ordinances as a result of an increase in rates by the City's water vendor(s); and providing for an effective date. (Interim City Manager) Finance Director Sandra Garcia presented this item explaining the San Patricio Water District has increased the water rate usage for five thousand gallons this year to five dollars and thirty-three cents ($5.33) and looking at the water loss report the city is proposing an increase of5.8 percent to five dollars sixty-four cents ($5.64) across the board for customers. There was not a rate increase last year. Council Member Knight made a motion to approve Item 9.e., seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Scruggs and the motion passed with the following vote: Gomez, Scruggs, Knight, Dominguez, and Haskins voted Aye. 10. Executive Session The meeting was recessed into Executive Session at 6:45 p.m., under the provision of Section 551, Texas Government Code to discuss the authority of: a. Texas Government Code Section 551.071 = To meet with its attorney to seek legal advice on a matter in which the duty of the attorney to the city council under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the state bar of Texas clearly conflicts with the Texas Open Meetings Act, and Section 551.087 Deliberation Regarding Economic Development Negotiations Relating To: i. Conn Brown Harbor Lease Aransas Pass Seafood Packers The council reconvened the meeting at 7:11 p.m. There was no action taken. 11. Adjournment Regular City Council Meeting Minutes - January 6, 2025 Page 4 of 5 There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Gomez adjourned the meeting at 7:11 p.m. - Samdinithntt Ramiro Gomez Kandice Garrett Mayor City Secretary Approved on: 1/24/25 9 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes January 6, 2025 Page 5 of 5