Minutes of November 18, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting at Heritage Hall, 7:00 PM. The Merkel City Council met for a Regular City Council Meeting on November 18, 2024, at Heritage Hall, 7:00 PM. Mayor Schrampfer called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and announced a quorum present. Council members present were Matthew Riggan, Collin. Jacobs, Brady Rutledge and Elaine Chaney. Rode McElreath was absent. Prayer led by Brady Rutledge. Mayor Schrampfer led the Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge. Citizens were given an opportunity to comment. Elaine Chaney motioned to approve the minutes of October 17, 2024, and November 4, 2024, Called City Council Meetings. Matthew Riggan seconded the motion. Approved 4-0. The council discussed the staff reports. Chief Conklin stated that the historical data for code enforcement is being imported into the new software and this will generate the new reports. Discussion of the water utility report showing leaks and flushing issues. City Manager Weaver reported issues with water coming in from Abilene since they switched planes, and had attended a meeting about oans/grants through TWDB. The council discussed the EDC approval of Mellinger Park project costs, and the demolition expenditures. The Chamber explained the 1st phase of the project, time delays, inspection of electric, updates to design and possible pledged donations. The council discussed the initial design and presentation for the park, possible scale back of design/costs, and changes from the original design to current design. Discussion of the cost of labor became quite heated. Elaine Chaney motioned to approve the Mellinger Park project budget funded by the Merkel EDC. The motion was not seconded. Matthew Riggan motioned to not approve the Mellinger Park project budget funded by the Merkel EDC and was seconded by Brady Rutledge. Approved 2-1 with 1 abstaining. A discussion of the right of way between Edwards and Lamar in the alleyway and the design provided by Pearl Pony LLC. Collin Jacobs motioned to approve the Encroachment Agreement between the City and Pearl Pony LLC and was seconded by Matthew Riggan. Approved 4-0. Mayor Schrampfer opened a Public Hearing at 8:27 PM to allow public input on the Ordinance No. 11-18-2024, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Merkel, Texas, amending Ordinance No. 07-15-2024; adopting amendments to the 2021 edition of the International Building Code and the 2021 edition of the International Residential Code; Adopting a Global Amendment for all codes adopted by Ordinance No. 07-15-2024 to require that property owners arrange for any required inspection and to require permits for new builds and extensions; providing for a penalty for any violation of this ordinance not to exceed $2,000 per violation; providing for savings, severability, and repealing clauses; providing for an effective date; and providing for the publication of the caption hereof. Discussion of the changes to the permitting, inspections, Certificate of Occupancy and city services. The public hearing closed at 8:35 PM. Motion to approve Ordinance No. 11-18-2024 An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Merkel, Texas, amending Ordinance No. 07-15-2024;a adopting amendments to the 2021 edition of the International Building Code and the 2021 edition of the International Residential Code; Adopting a Global Amendment for all codes adopted by Ordinance No. 07-15-2024 to require that property owners arrange for any required inspection and to require permits for new builds and extensions; providing for a penalty for any violation of this ordinance not to exceed $2,000 per violation; providing for savings, severability, and repealing clauses; providing for an effective date; and providing for the publication of the caption hereof was made by Matthew Riggan. Elaine Chaney seconded the motion. Approve 4-0. Motion to approve 2nd reading of Resolution 10172024 A Resolution of the City of Merkel, Texas authorizing the Merkel Economic Development Corporation to undertake a Façade Grant Program; allowing the Merkel Economic Development Corporation to provide individual grants to business owners not to exceed $10,000 each was made by Collin Jacobs and Brady Rutledge seconded the motion. Approved 4-0. Canvass Election Results: Elaine Chaney motioned to adopt an Ordinance No 11182024-1 an ordinance canvassing the returns and declaring the results of a bond election of November 5, 2024. The motion was seconded by Collin Jacobs. Approved 4-0. The Council discussed the nomination for the CAD Board of Directors, and reaching out to the cities in the small district to combine votes. Elaine Chaney motioned to cast the votes for the Central Appraisal District of Taylor County Board of Directors by splitting the votes equally between the nominees and giving Cecil Davis the extra vote. The motion was seconded by Matthew Riggan. Approved 4-0. City Manager Weaver presented the proposal for a sign project fort the Scottish Inn to be paid for by the Hotel/Motel Tax revenue. The sign will attract and announce events, increase traffic for hotel and restaurant. Elaine Chaney motioned to approve the sign project for the Scottish Inn pending TxDot approval for LED sign. Matthew Riggan seconded. Approved 4-0. The council discussed the updated Employee Policy Handbook. Elaine Chaney motioned to approve the Employee Policy Handbook and Brady Rutledge seconded the motion. Approved 4-0. The council discussed the 4th quarter FY 2023-24 Budget numbers. Motion to approve the 4th quarter FY 2023-24 Quarterly Investment Report was made Brady Rutledge. Collin Jacobs seconded the motion. Approved 4-0. The motion made by Brady Rutledge to appoint Evelyn Morse as Interim City Manager was seconded by Collin Jacobs. Approved 4-0. Brady Rutledge's motion to adjourn and seconded by Elaine Chaney. Approved 4-0. Meeting Adjourned at 9:31 PM. Cebh Wnas Yans Evelyn Morsé, City. Secretary Schanay May Scbrampfer, Mayor