MINUTES CITY OF AMES, TEXAS 304 MARTIN DR. - AMES, TEXAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 16, 2023 6:00 p.m. The City Council for the City of Ames, Texas met in a special meeting in council chambers at the Ames City Hall at 6:04 p.m. Mayor Barbara Domain called the meeting to order at that time. Councilman Eddie White led the prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Mayor Domain conducted the roll call, at that time the members of the City Council who were present were: Mayor Barbara Domain, Michael Trahan, Elizabeth (Liz) Hardy, Eddie White, Alfred Freeman Jr., and Audrey Harrison. CITIZEN APPREARANCE Mayor Domain thanked the citizens for being present, asked them to silence their phones, and if any oft the citizens would like to take three (3) minutes to speak to the council. A list of attending citizens is attached. Moises Villareal = Had concerns about his road (Organ Road) being repaired. Mayor Domain informed Mr. Villareal that she would reach out to Randy from the County to find out a timeline on the repairs. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR SEPEMBER 25, 2023,SPECIAL CALLED MEETING The council took a few minutes to look over the minutes. A motion was made to approve minutes for September 25, 2023. Passed unanimously. Motion made by: Councilman Michael Trahan Seconded by: Councilman: Alfred Freeman Jr. All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 Regular Agenda Items 1. HYDROPRO SOLUTIONS WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL ABOUT SMARTCOVER FLOW METERS TO GAUGE WATER FLOW TO TREATMENT PLANT AND IDENTIFY TROUBLE AREAS. Two representatives from Hydropro Solutions were present and provided information about their SmartFLOE water meter system; that would automate the water, wastewater, and stormwater management process in a cost-effective manner. They presented a plan that would give the City of Ames an estimation oft the volume of flow sent to the City of Liberty. Mayor Domain and the council members decided to discuss the SmartFLOE system later to determine if the system would be beneficial to the City of Ames. 2. CONSIDER AND IF APPROPRIATE, TAKE ACTION TO APPROVE THE MOBILE HOME VARIANCE FOR SANDRA AND EUGILBER GONZALEZ. During this time information was provided as to why a variance was requested for Mr. & Mrs. Gonzalez. Council member Eddie White spoke on behalf of Mr. & Mrs. Gonzalez. A Roll Call vote was taken, and the motion did not pass. At this time Mayor Domain went into further explanation of the events that took place resulting in the request for the variance and why the council should reconsider. The vote was recalled at this time. A Roll Call vote was conducted again, and the motion did not pass. At this point Mr. Gonzalez requested to speak on his behalf with a translator. Council member Audry Harrison stated that there was no evidence to support the claim for variance. Mayor Domain explained that the proof was present because the couple received an address from the City of Ames. Council Member Audrey Harrison addressed Erwin Semien at this time, and it was confirmed that Mr. & Mrs. Gonzalez was told by the previous Mayor that they would be able to buy their mobile home and place it on their property. The vote was recalled for a second time. A Roll Call vote was conducted. The motion passed with an understanding that this was a one and done event. 1st Vote: Motion made by: Councilman Eddie White Seconded by: Councilwoman Elizabeth (Liz) Hardy All in favor: 3 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 2 1st Recall Vote: All in favor: 3 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 2 2nd Recall Vote: All in favor: 4 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 1 3. CONSIDER AND IF APPROPRIATE, TAKE ACTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL. A motion was made to adopt the resolution for membership in the Houston-Galveston Areas Council. All were in favor. Passed unanimously. Motion made by: Councilwoman Audrey Harrison Seconded by: Councilman Michael Trahan All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 4. CONSIDER AND IF APPROPRIATE, TAKE ACTION TO PURCHASE 2 ALL IN ONE COMPUTERS FOR THE CITY HALL FOR $1208.99 EACH. Mayor Domain explained that she reached out to Tommy Brent, who is our IT representative to inquire about the specifications of updated computers for the office. Per Mr. Brent, the computers were bought and installed more than 5 years ago and should be replaced. Council member Audrey Harrison asked if we had already purchased new computers, and it was explained that it was monitors that were purchased and not the computers. A motion was made to purchase 2 All-In- One computers. Passed unanimously. Motion made by: Councilman Alfred Freeman Jr. Seconded by: Councilwoman Audrey Harrison All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 5. CONSIDER AND IF APPROPRIATE, TAKE ACTION TO CONTRACT RECLAIM ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES LLC TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN LIFT STATIONS FOR $4,000.00 INITIAL CLEANING AND $2,000 FOR QUARTERLY MAINTENANCE. Mayor Domain explained that she did inquire, and according to TML, it would not be a conflict for Reclaim Environmental Services to clean and maintain the lift stations. It was also explained that currently the main lift station is currently operating on one pump and if the other one was to go down, it would cause major issues for the residents and the City of Ames. It was decided that we would move forward pending a contract being drawn up detailing the specifics of the services provided as well as specifying that work will be performed before or after work hours and that city equipment would not be used. A motion was made to contract Reclaim Environmental Services, LLC to clean and maintain lift stations. Passed unanimously. Motion made by: Councilman Michael Trahan Seconded by: Councilman Eddie White All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 6. CONSIDER AND IF APPROPRIATE, TAKE ACTION TO CONDUCT DSCOMAECIS/RECONNECS FOR THE AMES WATER SUPPLY. Mayor Domain and the council members discussed the proposal for the city employees to conduct disconnecty/ecomnects: It was explained that a representative from Ames Water Supply reached out to inquire about using the city employees as opposed to using the current company that they use. It was suggested that at this time, the vote should only involve allowing the city employees to conduct isconnects/econnects and table voting on the cost for the service for a later time. A motion was made to take action to conduct disconnecty/econnects for the Ames Water Supply. Passed unanimously. Motion made by: Councilman Eddie White Seconded by: Councilman Alfred Freeman Jr. All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 MAYOR'S REPORT. Mayor Domain informed the council members that the repairs to Donatto Street will begin on November 06, 2023. It was also discussed that we are beginning to have issues with homeless individuals squatting in abandoned homes and we have had several members of the community make complaints. 7. ADIOURNMENT. A motion was made to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:38 PM. Motioned was made by: Councilwoman Audrey Harrison Seconded by: Councilman Alfred Freeman Jr. 31 Barbara Domain Mayor hidlmackhd - Wellona Godfrey City Secretary