CITY OF NATALIA 2078 State Hwy. 132 N.. P.O. Box 270 . Natalia, TX 78059-0270 (830) 663-2926 . Metro (830) 665-2206 . Fax (830) 663-3806 PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED ANNUAL BUDGET PUBLIC MEETING ON PROPOSED TAX RATE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 2078 STATE HWY 132 NORTH, NATALIA, TEXAS 23 SEPTEMBER 2024 at 6.45 P.M. MINUTES ROLL CALL: Mayor Tommy Ortiz Present Mayor Pro-Tem Sam Smith - Present Alderman Mike Fernandez - Present Alderman Darin Frazier - Present Alderman Ruby Vera = Present Alderman Selica Vera = Present 1. CALL TO ORDER: i. Alderman Sam Smith was running late and not in attendance for roll call. 2. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Mayor Ortiz called the Public hearing to order 6:45 pm to receive citizens' comments on the proposed 2024-2025 Annual Budget. There were no citizen comments. Mayor Ortiz closed the Public Hearing at 6:48 pm. i. Mayor Ortiz called the Public hearing to order to receive citizens' comments on the proposed 2024-2025 Tax Rate at 6:48 pm and announced "The City Council will vote on the tax rate on Monday, September 23, 2024 at 6:45pm, at City Hall Council Chambers, 2078 State Hwy 132, Natalia, Texas." There were no citizen comments. Mayor Ortiz closed the Public Hearing at 6:50 pm. 3. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD: There were no citizens to be heard. 4. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Alderwoman Selica Vera stated that the bulk and brush clean up went well and the city was looking good. Alderwoman Ruby Vera stated that there are several piles of items on the easement on Miller Street that were put out after the pickup and need to be addressed. 5. CONSENT AGENDA: All of the following items are considered to be routine by the City Council, there will be no separate discussion on these items and will be enacted with one motion; unless removed by any Council Member to discuss and consider. separately by making such request prior to a motion and vote. a) Approval of the Minutes: 19 August 2024 Regular Meeting 4 September 2024 Special Meeting b) Approval of the Financial Activity Report: August 2024 c) Approval of the Utility Department Activity Report: August 2024 d) Approval of the Municipal Court Activity Report: August 2024 e) Approval of the Police Department/Code Enforcement Activity Report: August 2024 Action: Alderman Fernandez made the motion approving the consent agenda, and Alderman Frazier seconded the motion. Vote: 4-0; motion carried 6. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: 1 a) City AdminstratovSecretary Nichole Bermea reported bulk and brush pick up has been completed throughout the city. National Night Out will be on Tuesday October 1st from 6-8 pm. We are requesting donations of soda be dropped off at city hall. Nichole gave a short update on the Well #4 project. b) Utility Director - Art Smith reported that the contractors are here working on Depot Street. c) Chief Chavez = Nothing to report. d) NMDD, Ruby Vera - Ruby reported that STRH mobile unit will be in the city again for medical needs. They will also be giving COVID and Flu shots. The MDD now has a website, www.md@ctychatala com and a facebook page where they will be posting events and information. They will also be having the annual fall fest and market to be held in October. e) Mayor Ortiz thanked the staff and bulk/brush clean up went great. Let the record show that Mayor Pro-tem Sam Smith arrived at the meeting at 7:19pm. DISCUSSIONICONSIDERATION OF ACTION ITEMS: 7. Discuss/Consider annual renewal oft the Natalia Little League 2024-2025 Lease Agreement. Natalia Little League board president Jaime Gomez went over a detailed one-to-four-year plan for improvements to the grounds and building. Jaime explained that they would like to start a little league fall ball program. He stated it may happen this year but if not, the hope is to have the program established for next year. They will be seeding the fields in October to have the fields ready for spring season. Spring registration can begin by November 1st. They plan for the registration fees to be the lowest in our area like last year. Jaime is going to speak with Nikki and work on getting new field identification signs made and installed. Alderwoman Ruby Vera asked Jaime where the old signs are for the fields. Jaime explained they have two of the signs and he doesn't know where the third sign is as he's never seen it since he's been involved. The league plans to have a fall fest trunk or treat and costume contest again this year and he will let Nikki know the details for the event. Jaime stated the league is requesting an annual lease sO they may begin seeding the fields and do other projects. Alderman Fernandez stated he believes the property should be for little league purposes only and there should be no sub-leasing allowed. Alderman Frazier agreed. Marcos Esquibel asked to speak and explained that he was in attendance to speak about a school fall ball program. He stated that the school wants to keep the softball teams going throughout the year to better prep them for the spring season. Due to the current construction at the school fields, they are unable to practice there and would like to be able to use the little league property as a place to practice. Alderman Fernandez asked what the age group was of the program and Marcos stated it was 18U due to one of the players being a senior. Alderman Fernandez had concerns about the balls being hit across FM 471. Marcos and Jaime reminded him this is the same age group that plays on the field for Little League Jr and Sr's. Alderman Smith stated he believes the lease should be for at least (2) two years. Alderman Smith made a motion to give the Natalia League a two (2) year annual lease. Alderman Fernandez stated again he feels there should be no sub-leasing and Alderman Frazier agreed no sub- leasing and for Little League only. Anyone wishing to use the fields for practice purposes should speak to the Little League board, and work with them to get approval. Nikki asked Alderman Smith to repeat him motion. Alderman Smith made a motion to give the little league a (2) two-year contract with no sub- leasing. Alderman Frazier seconded the motion. Motion carried; 5-0. 8. Discuss/Consider request from Edward Castro to utilize the Natalia Veterans Memorial Sportsplex for Natalia Elite soccer and rental rates. Edward Castro explained that in the last four years he has used the little league property for the soccer program. For two of the years, he went through the little league board for use and two of the years he came to the city council. He stated that this year the games would be held on the school's football field, and he just needed to be able to practice maybe twice per week and use the lights once daylight savings time happens. He doesn't understand why he cant use the fields. Alderman Smith stated that at this point the council has given the little league the annual lease, SO all requests have to go through them. Alderman Frazier reminded him that the lease includes no sub-leasing and is for baseball and softball use. Alderman Smith asked if they practiced in the outfield and stated that's what he doesn't like because it tears up the outfield especially since the board is about to plant grass seed to prep the fields for spring ball. Alderwoman Ruby Vera stated at this point 2 she doesn't feel this topic is in the city's jurisdiction as the little league was given the annual lease and any and all requests need to go through them. Nikki reminded everyone there is to be no sub-leasing. Alderman Frazier stated that is correct, there is to be no sub-leasing for non-little league events. Edward stated he has over 100 kids registered to play and Aderman Frazier responded that is the problem. Every year you sign kids up before ever coming to the city council for approval of use of the fields. This has become an issue. Alderman Frazier stated he supports the kids playing however we've made too many exceptions and the same thing every year continues to happen. Edward asked where they are supposed to practice and Alderman Frazier suggested the park. Edward stated there are no lights there and Alderman Frazier suggested he purchase a portable light like the football program does. Edward explained that the little league board has never had an issue with him using the fields for practice. Alderman Smith stated that the discussion should be over as the little league has the contract. Theres nothing else to discuss, a decision has been made. No action. 9. Discuss/Consider request from Marcos Esquibel to utilize the Natalia Veterans Memorial Sportsplex for Natalia school Fall Ball program. No action. 10. Discuss/Consider a Resolution designating an official newspaper for all city publications for fiscal year 2024-2025. Alderwoman Selica Vera made a motion designating the Devine News as the official newspaper for the City of Natalia for all city publications. Alderman Fernandez seconded the motion. Motion carried; 5-0. 11. Discuss/Consider: a Resolution; Adopting the Natalia Municipal Development District Proposed Budgets for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. Alderman Fernandez made a motion to adopt the Natalia Municipal Development District fiscal year 2024-2025 budget. Alderman Smith seconded the motion. Alderwoman Ruby Vera abstained. Motion carried; 4-0. 12. Discuss/Consider Ordinance; postponement, or adoption of Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Final Budgets. Nikki explained the budget is presented with the proposed changes that were discussed at the September 4, 2024 meeting. Alderman Smith made a motion, "1 move that we adopt the budgets for the fiscal year 2024-2025", Alderman Fernandez seconded the motion. Motion carried; 5-0. Record Vote: Mayor Tommy Ortiz = No Vote Mayor Pro-Tem Sam Smith - Yes Alderman Mike ernandez - Yes Alderman Darin Frazier - Yes Alderwoman Ruby Vera - Yes Alderman Selica Vera = Yes 13. Discussion/Consider Ordinance, Ratifying the Adoption of the City of Natalia's Municipal Fund Budgets for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. Alderwoman Ruby Vera made a motion, "T move that we ratify the adoption of the 2024-2025 budget, this budget will raise more total property taxes than last year's budget. Alderwoman Selica Vera seconded the motion. Motion carried; 5-0. Record Vote: Mayor Tommy Ortiz 1 No Vote Mayor Pro-Tem Sam Smith = Yes Alderman Mike Fernandez - Yes Alderman Darin Frazier - Yes Alderman Ruby Vera - Yes Alderman Selica Vera = Yes 14. Discussion/Consider Ordinance; Levying Ad Valorem Taxes for Tax Year 2024-2025 of a Tax Rate of $0.4777 on each $100 valuation of property; apportioning tax to the specific purpose; establishing due and delinquency dates; assessment of penalties and interest; and providing for a record vote. Alderman Frazier made a motion, "I move that the property tax rate be increased by the adoption of a tax rate of $0.4777, which is effectively a 8.89% increase in the tax rate.' 3 Alderwoman Ruby Vera seconded the motion. Motion carried; 5-0. 3 Record Vote: Mayor Tommy Ortiz No Vote Mayor Pro-Tem Sam Smith - Yes Alderman Mike Fernandez = Yes Alderman Darin Frazier - Yes Alderwoman Ruby Vera = Yes Alderman Selica Vera - Yes 15. Discuss/Consider an Ordinance, amending the garbage rates and providing for an effective date. Nikki explained that the ordinance amends the previous garbage rate structure with the proposed rate increases for commercial accounts that were discussed at the September 4, 2024 meeting. Alderwoman Ruby Vera made a motion to approve the ordinance with an effective date of October 1, 2024. Alderman Smith seconded the motion. Motion carried; 5-0. 16. Discuss/Consider 2024-2025 Cyber Liability and Data Breach Response Interlocal Agreement. Alderwoman Ruby Vera made a motion to engage into the TML 2024-2025 Cyber liability and date breach response interlocal agreement. Alderwoman Selica Vera seconded the motion. Motion carried; 5-0. 17. Discuss/Consider appropriating ARPA funds for repair of Ball Field Lift Station with Texas Rebuild/E3 via the Buy Board Purchasing Co-Op. Nikki explained that the council appropriated ARPA funds not to exceed $350,000 for the Well #4 project, however after making changes to the scope per councils request the total cost was decreased allowing excess funds to be used towards the much-needed ball field lift station repairs. Nikki also reported updates on the new generator that will be installed at the lift station. Alderman Frazier made a motion to appropriate the ARPA funds for the repair of the ball field lift station with Texas Rebuild/E3 via the Buy Board Purchasing Co-Op. 18. Discuss/Consider reappropriating unassigned funds for the FY 23/24, Nikki discussed revenues for water and sewer consumer fees were down due to the amount of rain we received this year therefore causing a 1,809,786-gallon decrease thus far compared to last year. We also have a contractor doing an emergency repair on Depot Street and the additional cost difference from original quote for the ballfield lift station generator purchase and the new quote. ARPA funds were allocated for the purchase however the cost will likely exceed the funds appropriated with the price difference and installation fees. Alderman Frazier made a motion to reappropriate unassigned reserve funds not to exceed $40,000 for the fiscal year 2023/2024. Alderman Smith seconded the motion. Motion carried; 5-0. 19. Discuss/Consider an Ordinance; Budget amendments for FY 2023-2024. Nikki went over the budget amendments for fiscal year 2023/2024 and explained that we still have incoming revenues and expenses coming in and will likely have them until probably November. Alderwoman Ruby Vera made a motion to approve the ordinance budget amendments for fiscal year 2023/2024. Alderman Smith seconded the motion. Motion carried; 5-0. 20. ADJOURNMENT Alderman Smith made a motion to adjourn at 8:12 pm, Alderman Fernandez seconded the motion. Motion carried; 5-0. Passed and Approved this 21st day of October, 2024. Approval: 4 Tommy Ortiz, Mayor lor/ Sam Smith, Mayor Pro-Tem Attest: 9 ANNLA Nichole M. Bermea City AdminstratovSecretany 5