STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF POLK CITY OF LIVINGSTON MINUTES REGULAR MEETING CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 11, 2025 5:00 P.M. The City Council of the City of Livingston, Texas convened in regular session in Council Chambers at City Hall at 5:00 P.M., February 11, 2025, with the following members present: Judy B. Cochran / Mayor Alan Cook Councilmembers Raymond Luna Elgin Davis Bobby Jackson, Sr. Andy Evans Billy S. Wiggins City Manager Ellie Monteaux City Secretary/Assistant City Manager Scott Ferguson City Attorney and the following others present: Linnette Barker / City of Livingston Finance Director Stacy Edwards 1 / City of Livingston Human Resources Coordinator Dalton Brown - The Brannon Corporation Page 2, City Council Meeting Minutes of 02/11/2025 Chief Matt Parrish Livingston Police Department Lt. David Mitchell Guy Bratton / ) Camp Cho-Yeh Tracey Gaughan Self Otto Lyons ) / Self Pamela Jackson 1 Self Emily Banks Wooten Polk County Enterprise Mayor Cochran called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M. and called on Alderman Cook to open the meeting with prayer and the pledges. It was moved by Alderman Cook and seconded by Alderman Jackson that the minutes of the regular meeting of. January 14, 2025, be approved. All present voted aye. Mayor Cochran recognized Livingston Police Department Chief Matt Parrish and Lt. David Mitchell. Chief Parrish and Lt. Mitchell provided Council with the City of Livingston Police Department 2024 Racial Profiling Report in accordance with Article 2.314(b) of the Texas Criminal Code of Procedure. Discussion ensued relative to the traffic contact data, the distinction between a moving traffic violation and a vehicle violation, traffic stops, and traffic citations. Chief Matt Parrish and Lt. David Mitchell presented the City of Livingston Police Department policy and procedure additions and amendments for approval. Policy additions and amendments included Policy 344 - Generative Artificial Intelligence Use, Policy 435 - Body-Worn Cameras, Policy 609 - Forensic Genetic Genealogy, Policy 1000 - Recruitment and Selection, and Policy 1013 - Personnel Records. Discussion ensued relative to the proposed policy changes. It was moved by Alderman Davis and seconded by Alderman Evans that the City of Livingston Police Department policy and procedure changes be approved as presented. All present voted aye. (Chief Parrish and Lt. Mitchell retired from the meeting.) Page 3, City Council Meeting Minutes of 02/11/2025 Mayor Cochran recognized Dalton Brown, engineer with The Brannon Corporation. The City Manager reviewed the project and bids received for the South Washington Water Line Improvements per bid opening of February 4, 2025. Four (4) bids were received ranging from $452,812.00 to $562,563.00. Dalton Brown has reviewed the bids and recommended that the City award the bid to 5-T Utilities for the base bid of $452,812.00. Discussion ensued relative to the length the water line, possible plans for the existing 6" line, and the need to increase the City's water supply to accommodate growth and development in the area. It was moved by Alderman Davis and seconded by Alderman Jackson that the bid received from 5-T Utilities be deemed as most advantageous to the City and that the bid for South Washington Water Line Improvements be awarded to 5-T Utilities for the base bid of $452,812.00. All present voted aye. (Dalton Brown retired from the meeting.) The City Manager presented proposed amendments to the City of Livingston Investment Policy including replacement of Section 9 - Authorized Investments and the removal of Section 11 - Qualified Institutions. The City Manager advised that removal of Section 11 - Qualified Institutions would removed the specificity of the institutions listed therein. Discussion ensued relative to the term of Item E stated as "not to exceed 12 months to maturity" and the term of Item H stated as "maturity not to exceed 12 months" versus the maturity oft two years on other items included in the proposed amendments to Section 9. It was recommended by Alderman Evans that the length of investments in Item E, Item G and Item H be consistent with other items to include the term of two years. It was moved by Alderman Jackson that the policy amendments be approved with the maturity of Item E and Item H to be changed to 24 months. Discussion ensued that Item G also would need to be amended to be consistent with the maturity of 24 months. Alderman Jackson amended his motion to include that the maturity included in Item G be 24 months. Alderman Cook seconded the amended motion of Alderman Jackson. The motion prevailed by the following vote: AYES - Alderman Luna, Alderman Davis, Alderman Jackson and Alderman Cook; NOES - None; ABSTENTION: Alderman Evans. The City Manager will prepare the final version of the City of Livingston Investment Policy as amended and approved by City Council. The City Manager presented a request for authorization to negotiate group medical insurance per the Request for Proposals (RFP) received January 30, 2025 as prepared by Brinson Benefits on behalf of the City of Livingston. The City Manager advised City Council that Brinson Benefits representatives met with himself, Finance Page 4, City Council Meeting Minutes of 02/11/2025 Director Linnette Barker, Human Resources Clerk Stacy Edwards and City Secretary/Assistant City Manager Ellie Monteaux to review the services offered related to marketing of employee insurance benefits. Following this meeting, it was decided to execute a professional services agreement between the City of Livingston and Brinson Benefits for marketing of employee insurance benefits. On January 7, 2025, Brinson presented the Benefits Blueprint for the City of Livingston. A copy of the Benefits Blueprint was provided to Council for reference. A Request for Proposals (RFP) was prepared and published by Brinson Benefits. Legal notice of the RFP was published in the Polk County Enterprise newspaper on January 16, 2025 and on January 23, 2025, and published on the City's website. On. January 30, 2025, proposals were received and opened for review. The City Manager advised that currently the proposals are being reviewed by Brinson Benefits and that the tabulation results will be presented to the City on February 12, 2025. To maintain the schedule for an effective date of May 1, 2025, the City Manager requested that he be authorized to negotiate the group medical insurance on behalf of the City with the understanding that the proposals would be reviewed by additional City personnel involved in the process including Finance Director Linnette Barker, Human Resources Clerk Stacy Edwards, and City Secretary/Assistant City Manager Ellie Monteaux. Discussion ensued relative to the role of Brinson Benefits in the negotiations for group medical insurance for City of Livingston employees, the compensation that Brinson Benefits may receive for their role in this process, the lack of communication and customer service from the City's current insurance provider, the cost of dependent coverage currently available to City employees, the education for employees and dependants to be provided by Brinson Benefits throughout the process of changing insurance providers, the opportunity for employees to choose from multiple plans for their dependent coverage, and authorization for the City Manager to negotiate group medical insurance per the RFP as prepared by Brinson Benefits on behalf of the City of Livingston. It was moved by Alderman Luna and seconded by Alderman Jackson that the City Manager be authorized to negotiate and execute the contract for employee health benefits on behalf of the City of Livingston per Request for Proposals (RFP) received 1/30/2025 as prepared by Brinson Benefits. All present voted aye. (Linnette Barker and Stacy Edwards retired from the meeting.) The City Manager presented the Accounts Over $500 for approval. Discussion ensued relative to tractors and mowers owned by the City, rental of equipment Page 5, City Council Meeting Minutes of 02/11/2025 versus purchase of equipment, mowing of areas in the City, and sludge disposal from the wastewater treatment plant. It was moved by Alderman Davis and seconded by Alderman Cook that the accounts over $500.00, as submitted, be approved for payment. All present voted aye. The City Manager reported on the following items: A) Events: City ofLivingston. Annual Employee Appreciation Dinner - Thursday, February 20th at Public Works Building beginning at 5:30 P.M. Livingston Fire School - Friday, February 21st and Saturday, February 22nd = Opening Ceremony will be held at 8:00 A.M. Saturday at the LVFD Fire Training Field. Livingston Trade Days - Saturday, March 15th and Sunday, March 16th at Pedigo Park B) Sales Tax - The February sales tax report from the State Comptroller for the month of December 2024 will be available Friday, February 14, 2025. The City Manager will send the report to Council via email. C) Update of Development - The City Manager provided an update of commercial development, residential development, completed projects, and demolitions. The City Manager advised Council that there is a need for Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code 551.074 PERSONNEL - Deliberation of the Employment and/or Appointment of an Employee(s) and pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071 LEGAL - Consultation with Attorney. (Emily Wooten, Otto Lyons, Tracey Gaughan, Pamela Jackson and Guy Bratton retired from the meeting.) Mayor Cochran called the Council into executive session at 6:04 P.M., pursuant to Texas Government Code 551.074 PERSONNEL - Deliberation of the Employment and/or Appointment of an Employee(s), and pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071 LEGAL - Consultation with Attorney. Council reconvened in open session at 6:37 P.M. Page 6, City Council Meeting Minutes of 02/11/2025 There being no further business to come before the City Council, it was moved by Alderman Cook and seconded by Alderman Jackson that the meeting be adjourned at 6:37 P.M. All present voted aye. SIGNED: Cahe Judy B. Cochran, Mayor ATTEST: ePMotauy Ellie Monteaux, TRMC, MMC, CPM City Secretary/Assistant City Manager