MINUTES CITY OF AMES, TEXAS 304 MARTIN DR. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 11, 2022 6:00 p.m. The City Council for the City of Ames, Texas met in a regular meeting in council chambers at the Ames City Hall at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Cornelius Gilmore call the meeting to order at that time. Mayor Gilmore led the prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Mayor Gilmore did the roll call, at that time the members of the City Council who were present are: Mayor Cornelius Gilmore, Michael Trahan, Carlton Rollins, and Eddie White, Audrey Harrison and Barbara Domain. CITIZEN APPREARANCE Mayor Gilmore thanked the citizens for being here and to please silence your phones. A list of attending citizens are attached. MINUTES Mayor Gilmore asked for the reading of the minutes. The minutes for March 14, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting minutes were read, motioned on, and approved unanimously. Motioned by: Councilman Michael Trahan Seconded by: Councilman Eddie White All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 OLD BUSINESS No old business to discuss. REGULAR SESSION 2022-01 - DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION - ENTERGY: TEXAS, INCSSTATEMENTOE INTENT AND APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF TWO VOLUNTARY RENEWABLE OPTION TARIFFS, RIDER SVRO AND RIDER LVRO AND PAY $1,175 FOR WORK ALREADY RENDERED - TO BE PAID OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT. Mr. Ron Fletcher from Entergy was present. He spoke about the renewable tariffs, the SVRO and LVRO and they were voluntary programs about green energy. Mr. Fletcher would like for the City Council to deny these proposals. Motioned was made by: Councilwoman Audrey Harrison to deny this request Seconded by: Councilman Michael Trahan All in favor: 3 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 2 Motion was made to pay the $1,175 for work already rendered on the lights by Entergy. Motioned by: Reggie Rollins Seconded by: Eddie White All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 Motioned passed unanimously 2022-02 - AGREE TO AMEND THE SEWER ACCOUNTS FOR HWY.90 RV PARK AND MODERN GROUP/DRAGON TO CONSIDER THEM COMMERCIAL ACCOUNTS. Discussion was made regarding the sewer accounts of the RV Park on Hwy. 90 and Dragon. Suggestion was made that there needs to be an ordinance passed first to adjust these rates. For the RV park: the bill needs to be adjusted and pay rate of$45.00 per slot. For Dragon, this discussion will be postponed until next meeting to get some numbers from the Ames Water Department. Motioned by: Councilwoman Barbara Domain Seconded by: Councilman Reggie Rollins All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 2022-03 - TAKE ACTION AND APPROVE TREY NESLONEY ATTORNEY FEES IN THE AMOUNT OF $21,948.00 FOR FEBRUARY THROUGH MARCH EXPENSES INCURRED WORKING WITHTHE CITYOF LIBERTYI LAWSUIT REGARDING THE SEWER SYSTEM - TO BE PAID OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT. Discussion was made about the dollar amount of the fees. Mayor Gilmore stated that this firm helped Ames with several issues, and this is a different bill. Motion was made to pay this fee and passed unanimously. Motioned by: Councilman Audrey Harrison Seconded by: Councilman Michael Trahan All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 2022-04 -APPROVE TO PAY AUTOMATIC PUMP $174.00 FOR PUMP FLOATS FOR LIFT STATION - TO BE PAID OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT. Discuss was made for this fee to come out of the Utility Account, not the Government account. Motion was made, all were in favor and passed unanimously. Motioned by: Councilman Eddie White Seconded by: Councilman Michael Trahan All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 2022-05 - APPROVE TO PAY R&R ENTERPRISES $160.00 FOR THE ANNUAL INSPECTION AND ADD ONE(I)NEW FIRE EXTINGUISHER - TO BE PAID OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT. Mayor Gilmore mentioned that this invoice was for the annual fire extinguishers inspection and to purchase an extra extinguisher for the workshop. Motion was made to pay this invoice, all were in favor and passed unanimously. Motioned by: Councilman Reggie Rollins Seconded by: Councilwoman Aubrey Harrison All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 2022-06 - APPROVE TO PAY' T-REXS1.355.00 TO DUMP MUD OFF SITE - TO BE PAID OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT. Mayor Gilmore stated that this was the work done on Sylpheme Lane and Teme St. T-Rex was responsible for hauling offt the mud that came out ofthe hole when it collapsed. Motion was made to pay this invoice, all in favor and passed unanimously. Motioned by: Councilman Michael Trahan Seconded by: Councilwoman Audrey Harrison All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 2022-07 - APPROVE TO PAY COWBOY ASPHALT SERVICES, LLC $10,850.00 FOR INSTALLING AND PAINTING SPEED BUMPS ON VARIOUS STREETS THROUGHOUTTHE CITY- TO BE PAID OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT. Discussion was made to wait to pay this invoice because there needs to be a break-down for the streets, also to adjust this invoice for streets that did not receive road bumps. Motion was made to wait to pay this invoice. Motioned by: Councilman Eddie White Seconded by: Councilman Michael Trahan All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 2022-08 = APPROVE TO PAY TML INTERGOVERNMENTAL RISK POOL $2,451.00 FOR WORKER'S COMP INSURANCE - TO BE PAID OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT. Discussion was made that this is the Worker's Comp. insurance. There was no further discussion on this item. Motion was made to pay this invoice; all were in favor and passed unanimously. Motioned by: Councilwoman Barbara Domain Seconded by: Councilman Eddie White All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 2022-09 - APPROVE TO PAY ECONO SIGNS $2,389.28 FOR VARIOUS STREETSIGNS THROUGHOUT THE CITY - TO BE PAID OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT. Discussion was made that these items and street signs should be shipped by regular freight in the future and not overnighted. The reason mentioned was that the overnight freight costjust as much as the items themselves. In order to save the City some money, these items should be shipped regularly. Motion was made to pay the invoice and to have regularly shipped items, all were in favor and passed unanimously. Motioned by: Councilman Michael Trahan Seconded by: Councilman Reggie Rollins All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 2022-10 = APPROVE TO PAY LIBERTY GAZETTE $62.50 AND THE LIBERTY VINDICATOR $43.50 FOR ADS RAN TO ADVERTISE JOB OPENING - TO BE PAID OUT OF GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT. Discussion was made that per the TML handbook, City Council members should do interviewing of any new employee; all new hires should be put into an interview pool. Mayor Gilmore stated that there was an interview process with about six to eight applicants with Council Member White, the Mayor and Erwin Semien. Council Member Trahan had an unexpected event and could not be there for the interviews, but yes, there was an interview process with Council Members on board. Motion was then made to pay the invoices for the Liberty Vindicator and Liberty Gazette. All were in favor and passed unanimously. Motioned by: Councilman Michael Trahan Seconded by: Councilwoman Audrey Harrison All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 2022-11 - APPROVE MONTHLY BILLS FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL - $5,802.88 OUT OF THE UTILITY ACCOUNT AND $7,631.88 OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT. Discussion was made that the monthly utility bills should be paid every month without Council having to approve every invoice/bill. Agreement was made that Ms. Purnell should pay the monthly bills and that anything out of the ordinary should be brought before Council. This agreement is in effect until December 2022. Motion was made to pay the monthly bills. All were in favor and passed unanimously. Motioned by: Councilman Michael Trahan Seconded by: Councilwoman Audrey Harrison All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 2022-12 - APPROVE TO PAY ERWIN SEMIEN OVERTIME FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH FOR 13 HOURS IN THE AMOUNT OF $429.00 OUT OF THE UTILITY ACCOUNT. Discussion was made that Mr. Semien gets pre-approval before he works overtime unless it's an emergency. Mayor Gilmore mentioned that this the only time he gets overtime when someone calls him out about a sewer issue. Motion was made to pay Mr. Semien overtime of $429.00 out of the Utility account. All were in favor and passed unanimously. Motioned by: Councilman Reggie Rollins Seconded by: Councilwoman Audrey Harrison All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 2022-13- - APPROVE FOR THE CITYTO USE THE JETTER TO DO SEWER WORK AT SOMEONE'S HOME FOR A CHARGE OF $100.00 PER USE. Discussion was made that the City should issue a Waiver to residents stating the City will not responsible for accidents in their homes when this machine is in operation. The Waiver should be given to the Customer up front SO that they can be aware ofthe dollar amount associated with this procedure before-hand. Suggestion was made to have Customer pay for services before a work order is issued. Motion was made to issue a Waiver to Customers if the Jetter machine is used on their property. All were in favor and passed unanimously. Motioned by: Councilman Michael Trahan Seconded by: Councilman Reggie Rollins All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 2022-14 - APPROVE TO REPLACE AND/OR EXTEND CLEAN-OUT FOR A COST OF $40.00. Discussion was made to approve the replacing or extending clean-outs and charging the Customer $40.00 to do SO. Ifit is a regular clean out the amount is $40.00 and ifit is the kind that screws on the amount is $50.00. The City has an Ordinance on replacing clean outs. Motion was made to agree to the charges of $40.00 for regular clean out and $50.00 for screw-on clean-out. All were in favor and motioned passed unanimously. Motioned by: Councilman Reggie Rollins Seconded by: Councilman Eddie White All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 2022-15 - APPROVE TO BUDGET $8,000.00 FOR AMES 50TH ANNIVERSARY ON MAY 7TH 9 2022 - TO BE PAID OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT. Discussion was made and City Council Members did not agree to the budget amount of $8,000. A vote was made on this item to disapprove this dollar amount and it was suggested to have a workshop for further discussion on this item. Motion was made to postpone this item. All were in favor to postpone this discussion and passed unanimously. Motioned by: Councilman Reggie Rollins Seconded by: Councilwoman Audrey Harrison All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 2022-16 - APPROVE TO PAVESIDESTREET OFF TEBO LANE OR SYLPHEME LANE - TO BE PAID OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT. Discussion was made as to which ofthe two streets needed paving the most. Suggestion was made to postpose this item to obtain bids. Motion was made to postpone this item until bids were received. All were in favor and passed unanimously. Motioned by: Councilman Michael Trahan Seconded by: Councilman Reggie Rollins All in favor: 5 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 MAYOR'S REPORT Questions from Audience: Ms. Wellona Robertson wanted to know how to get a septic backfield, also that she needs some asphalt for her driveway. After the roads had speed bumps put down, this caused a dip in her driveway. Ms. LaToya Scott asked if the fire station pad site could be used to hold a farmers' market once a month, this way people who have businesses could sale their products. She also wanted to know ifthe City would provide two (2) dumpers for the Community Clean up day on May 21. Mr. Joseph Victoria mentioned that he was having problems with trash pickup. Mayor Gilmore mentioned that most everyone on the North side will be getting Xfinity for their internet tie in, but you need to call them for services. ADJOURNMENT All Council Members were in favor of adjourning the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Comuin MJumane Cornelius Gilmore Mayor Attested: Guuslet Burseol Jénnfer Purnel Çity Secretary