MINUTES REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 24, 2025 The City Council of the City of Navasota, Grimes County, Texas met at the City Council Chambers, Room No. 161, located at 200 E. McAlpine Street at 6:00 p.m., Navasota, Texas on the above date with the following being present: Bernie Gessner, Mayor Pro-Tem, Place # 1 Kenneth Stevens, City Councilmember, Place # 2 Josh M. Fultz, Councilmember, Place # 3 Bert Miller, Mayor, Place # 4 James Harris, Councilmember, Place # 5 Thus, constituting a quorum. STAFF PRESENT: Kristin Gauthier, Assistant City Manager Susie M. Homeyer, City Secretary Jennifer Reyna, Public Works Director Cary Bovey, Legal Counsel Lupe Diosdado, Dev. Services Director Heaven Dominguez, Finance Director Mike Mize, Police Chief Tiffany Byers, Community Services Dir. Jason Katkoski, Fire Chief/EMC Judge Pat Gruner Michelle Savensky, Dep. City Secretary Charlie Stutts, EDC Coordinator Taylor Clark, Marketing & Comm Dir. Matt Julian, Project Manager Shannaya McFarland, Acct. Manager Swank Backhus, Investigator Chandler Holley, Heavy Equip. Op Robert Wilson, Sergeant CID Michael Lopez, Crew Leader Jose Coronilla, Asst. PW Director Travis Mullins, Investigator Edwin Sandoval, Project Manager Jay Chappell, Parks & Rec. Manager Chris Watson, Patrol Corporal Ernest Menefee, Utility Technician Janet Eaddy, Center Attendant VISITORS: Connie Clements Ana Mize Mac Vaughn Deborah Richardson Brian Stanley Taylor Perry Debra Fincher Heather Garcia Mike Garcia Michael Medeiros Steve Austin Danielle Evans R. Presley Kelley Austin Pricillo Davidson Kyle Zukowski John Walla Shannon Neal John Cleveland Linda Walicek Stephen Scheve Lisa Walsh James Walsh Kerry Osterhom Deb Cleveland Linda Haagensen Deborah Footz Geoffrey Gibson Sherry Gillespie Brenda Meekins Jon C. Fultz Stephanie Coultur Tiffany Vivaldi Trisha Lookadoo Wilbert Sargent Jennifer Wilson Phillip Cox Sharon Hudson Burt Bearden Chelsie Drews Nichole Herr Jennifer Ramirez Scotty McDonald Mia Overton Blayne Rhodes Michele Steinhauser Dell Martinez Zachary Votaw Linda Sims Kayla Tweedy Past. Henry Sanders Robin Witten O'Brien Barbara Walker Jeff Murrey Chelsea Murry Theo Melancon Donnie Tuggle Jeff Gibson Sharon McCauley Bettye Tompkins Floyd Johnson Pamela Johnson Richele Herr THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WERE TAKEN UP IN DUE ORDER AS FOLLOWS: 1. Mayor Bert Miller called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Invocation was given by Pastor Bettye Tompkins. The City Council, staff members and visitors then recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag and the Texas Flag. 3. Remarks of visitors: The following individuals spoke about the hiring of a new City Manager: John Cleveland, Kelley Austin, Debra Fincher, Richele Herr, Pastor Mac Vaughn, Burt Bearden, Kyle Zulkowski and Taylor Perry. 4. Staff report: a) Finance Director Heaven Dominguez introduced Shannaya McFarland as the new Accounting Manager. b) Mayor Bert Miller recognized Janet Eaddy, Navasota Center Attendant, for five years of service. c) Project Manager Matt Julian provided an update on the CIP. d) Boards and Commissions Update: Mayor Pro-Tem Bernie Gessner gave an update on the latest Planning and Zoning meeting. Councimember Stevens gave an update on the latest airport meeting. e) Councimembers and staff informed the audience about upcoming events. 5. A public hearing was held regarding a sign variance application submitted by Extreme Signs on behalf of O'Reilly Auto Enterprises, LLC for the installation of a freeway pole sign, a sign type not allowed along N. LaSalle/Business 6. The property affected is located at 700 N. LaSalle, Navasota, Grimes County, Texas 77868, legally described as H & TC, Block 9, Lot 1-R. Mayor Bert Miller opened the public hearing at 6:35 p.m. The following citizens addressed the City Council with their concerns: Jennifer Ramirez, John Walla and Sharon Hudson. With no other comments from the public, Mayor Bert Miller closed the public hearing at 7:03 p.m. Mayor Pro-Tem Bernie Gessner moved to deny the sign variance request submitted by Extreme Signs on behalf of O'Reilly Auto Enterprises, LLC for the installation of a freeway pole sign, a sign type not allowed along N. LaSalle/Business 6. The property affected is located at 700 N. LaSalle, Navasota, Grimes County, Texas 77868, legally described as H & TC, Block 9, Lot 1-R, seconded by Councimember Josh Fultz and with each Councilmember voting AYE, the motion carried. 6. A public hearing was held regarding a zoning ordinance amendment initiated by the City of Navasota, amending Chapter 14 Zoning, Exhibit A Zoning Ordinance, Article XI B-1: General Business, Article XIIICBD: Central Business District, and Article XXIV Definitions, of the code of ordinances of the City of Navasota, Texas, regarding adopting regulations governing tattoo studios and allowing tattoo studios in certain zoning districts. Mayor Bert Miller opened the public hearing at 7:06 p.m. The following citizens addressed the City Council concerning this zoning amendment: Deborah Richardson, Tiffany Vivaldi, Richele Herr, Steven and Taylor Perry. With no further comments from the public, Mayor Bert Miller closed the public hearing at 7:16 p.m. Councilmember Kenny Stevens moved to approve Ordinance No. 1067-25, regarding a zoning ordinance amendment initiated by the City of Navasota, amending Chapter 14 Zoning, Exhibit A Zoning Ordinance, Article XI B-1: General Business, Article XIIICBD: Central Business District, and Article XXIV Definitions, of the code of ordinances of the City of Navasota, Texas, regarding adopting regulations governing tattoo studios and allowing tattoo studios in certain zoning districts, seconded by Councilmember James Harris. Mayor Pro-Tem Bernie Gessner then suggested that the zoning change be permitted as a Conditional Use within B-1 and CBD zoning districts. Councilmember Kenny Stevens amended his motion to approve Ordinance No. 1067-25 as a Conditional Use Permit. The motion died from a lack of a second. The amendment failed. With each Councilmember voting AYE on the first original motion, the motion carried. 7. Mayor Pro-Tem Bernie Gessner moved to place the 2024 Racial Profiling report on file, seconded by Councilmember Josh Fultz and with each Councilmember voting AYE, the motion carried. 8. Chief of Police Mike Mize presented the City Council with the Police Department annual update for 2024. 9. Economic Development Coordinator Charlie Stutts made a presentation before the City Council on the 2024 Navasota Housing Report. 10.The City Council conducted an Executive Session in accordance with Section 551.074, Texas Government Code, Personnel Matters, (1) for the purpose of discussion and deliberation regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation, and duties of the City Manager; and (2) regarding the annual evaluation of the City Secretary. The time was 7:53 p.m. 11.The City Council reconvened in open session at 10:21 p.m. 12. The following residents addressed the City Council concerning the hiring of a new City Manager: Blayne Rhodes. Michael Medeiros declined his request to speak. There was not any action taken on the appointment, employment evaluation and duties of the City Manager. 13.The City Council evaluated the City Secretary, Susie M. Homeyer, and was very pleased with her service and tenure with the City and very appreciative of her services. 14.Mayor Bert Miller adjourned the meeting at 10:27 p.m. BERT MILLER, MAYOR ATTEST: - - / cese R hepe SUSIE M. HOMEYER, CITY SÉCRETARY DED 8 a