MINUTES CITY OF AMES, TEXAS - 304 MARTIN DR. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING February 14, 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, Barbara Domain, Carlton Rollins, and Eddie White; Absent - Audrey Harrison. CITIZEN APPREARANCE Mayor Gilmore thanked the citizens for being here and to please silence your phones. MAYOR'S OPENING COMMENTS Mayor Gilmore opened the meeting by stating that the meeting last month was out of control. This City is about business not about drama. He stated that he wanted to apologize for the way the meeting went last month. Also, Mayor Gilmore spoke on how City Council Members should conduct themselves in the meeting. MINUTES Mayor Gilmore asked Council Members to read the minutes in silence; after reading the minutes, all were in favor to approve the minutes for January10, 2022, and January 21, 2022. Motion was made to approve the January 10, 2022, and January 21, 2022, Minutes. Motioned by: Councilman Michael Trahan Seconded by: Councilman Eddie White All in Favor: 4 Opposed: 0 OLD BUSINESS No old business to discuss. REGULAR SESSION 2021-01: DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING AN ADMINISTRATION SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE 2021-2022 TXCDBG COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND APPLICATION AND PROJECT IMPLEMENTATIONMI ADMINISTRERED BY THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (RESOLUTION AND PROPOSAL ATTACHED FROM GRANTWORKS. INC.). Stephanie Fontenot with GrantsWorks, Inc. introduced herself to the Council and to state the purpose of her visit and to implement a Resolution for GrantWorks, Inc. to be the designated administrator for grants and how GrantWorks will be able to assist the City of Ames with getting grants. Motion was made to accept the GrantWorks, Inc.'s Resolution. Motioned by: Councilman Reggie Rollins Seconded by: Councilman Eddie White All in Favor: 4 Opposed: 0 2022-02 - DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION REGARDING LAWSUIT WITH THE CITY OF LIBERTY. MATTHEW GOTT (POSSIBLE CLOSED SESSION FOR CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY). Matthew Gott requested City Council Members go into a closed executive session to discuss the lawsuit with the City ofLiberty. Mayor Gilmore made the motion to go into closed session. EXECUTIVE SESSION - Closed Executive Session Motioned by: Councilman Reggie Rollins Seconded by: Councilman Michael Trahan All in Favor: 4 Opposed: 0 Motion was made to end executive session and return to regular session approximately 20 minutes later. Motioned by: Councilman Reggie Rollins Seconded by: Councilman Eddie White All in Favor: 4 Opposed: 0 2022-03 - DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION TO APPROVE REPAIRS TO THE SEWER MAIN ATTACHED TO THE MANHOLE LOCATED AT 1010 SYLPHEME ROAD (QUOTES ATTACHED). Mayor Gilmore mentioned that the 6-inch line going to the pump has collapsed and it needs to be prepared as soon as possible. Erwin Semien mentioned that he has received four (4) quotes. He stated that Aberlee Plumbing conducted a camera inspection and discovered that ditch water as getting into the sewer line. He then suggested using Legacy Plumbing for the job. Motion was made to accept Legacy Plumbing for the job. Motioned by: Councilman Eddie White Seconded by: Councilman Michael Trahan All in Favor: 3 Opposed: 1 2022-04 - DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION TO APPROVE FINISH DIGGING DITCHES AROUND THE CITY OF AMES. Mayor Gilmore made the Council Members aware that Texas Drainage has started digging ditches around the City and they have yet to be paid. Councilwoman Domain calculated the total at $176,486 and stated that the grant was $148,000 which means the City would have to pay $28,486. She suggested that the City get a price for how much it would cost to finish thej job. Mayor Gilmore suggested finishing the City ditches and we pay ourselves with the other half ofthe grant money that is coming. Council Members agreed that it would be best to pay Texas Drainage what is owed to them and get a quote on the dollar amount for finishing the rest of the City. Once a quote is given then action will be taken at the next regular City council meeting. Motion was unanimously made to pay Texas Drainage what is owed them. Motioned by: Councilman Reggie Rollins Seconded by: Councilman Eddie White All in Favor: 4 Opposed: 0 2022-05 - DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION TO APPROVE THE MAINTENANCE WORKER JOB DESCRIPTION FOR THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT (DESCRIPTION ATTACHED). Councilman Rollins suggested adding a description for the position to be a spotter, someone to assist when heavy equipment or the excavator is being used. There was no further discussion on this matter. Motion was made and all were in favor to make the change to the job description. Motioned by: Councilman Reggie Rolllins Seconded by: Councilman Michael Trahan All in Favor: 4 Opposed: 0 2022-06 = DISCUSS AND APPROVE REIMBURSING JENNIFER PURNELL FOR THE TML CONFERENCE IN DENTON,TX) INT THE AMOUNT OF $516.93 (ATTACHED). There was no discussion. Motion was made and all were in favor to reimburse Ms. Purnell for the TML conference in the amount of$516.93. Motioned by: Councilman Eddie White Seconded by: Councilman Reggie Rollins All in Favor: 4 Opposed: 0 2022-07 - TAKE ACTIONTO APPROVE THE BILLS FOR. JANUARYFEBRUARY 2022 (BILLS ATTACHED). Ms. Purnell discussed the importance of getting the bills approved and paid as soon as possible. Erwin Semien discussed the Loftin quote and how TML insurance will cover the cost after he City pays a $250.00 deductible. Motion was made to pay the anuary/February 2022 bills. Motioned by: Councilman Michael Trahan Seconded by: Councilman Eddie White All in Favor: 3 Opposed: 0 2022-08 - DISCUSS BRINGING A NEW BUS SYSTEM TO THE CITY OF AMES (MR. CLAXTONTO SPEAK ON THIS SUBJECT) ESEE ATTACHED FLYERI Mr. Claxton presented to the Mayor and Council Members that he believes the City of Ames can get money for a transit system based in Ames. He wanted to be hired on as a city employee as a Transportation Director SO he can work in the transportation department and represent the City of Ames to get grant funding for a transit system to support electric buses and set up charging stations for anyone that has electric vehicles. Councilman Trahan suggested that a feasibility study be conducted first before any action is taken. Mayor Gilmore stated that 95% of Ames population has vehicles and that the City has a contract with Brazos Transit System and suggested waiting until all council members were present and this item should be postponed. Matthew Gott stated that taxes cannot be raised until September and that a contract should be created before making any decisions. All Council Members were in favor of postponing this item. Motioned by: Councilman Eddie White Seconded by: Councilman Michael Trahan All in Favor: 3 Opposed: 0 2022-09 - DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION ON REMOVING ALL MAYOR EXECUTIVE OFFICER DUTIES. Councilman Rollins informed the council that there are still bills being paid without permission, actions being done without approval, and money being spent without permission. Ms. Purnell made Councilman Rollins aware that bills are not being paid without permission which is why there are two months' worth ofbills that need approval right now. She also stated that the Mayor do not have possession of the bank card, that it is in her possession. Councilwoman Domain wanted to know how soon a meeting can be set up to vote to put someone else on the bank account to sign checks. Mayor Gilmore nominated Councilwoman Audrey Harrison to be on the account since she is a Bank Manager and Councilman Michael Trahan as well. Councilwoman Domain rejected that because she felt that just because Mrs. Harrison is a banker, it doesn't make her a better fit to be on the account. The discussion ended and no further action was taken. 2022-10 - DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION ON PURCHASING OF AN IPAD FOR VIDEORECORDING OF CITY MEETINGS. Mayor made it known to Council Members that employee Kaylan Morris is using her personal iPad for videorecording the city meetings. Councilwoman Domain suggested that the City Purchas an iPad that belongs to the City of Ames and not to an employee. She also listed why this would be advantageous and verbally quote a price but did not present three quotes to the Council. Motion was made to purchase an iPad for the City of Ames to record City meetings. Motioned by: Councilman Michael Trahan Seconded by: Councilman Reggie Rollins All in Favor: 4 Opposed: 0 2022-11 - DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION ON OFFICEAMNINTENANCTE OPERATION SUPERVISION. Councilwoman Domain feels that the City is out of compliance and that a council committee is needed to bring the office back in to compliance. Councilman Rollins wanted to make a motion to make sure bills are being paid without having to get three council members. Mayor Gilmore made the Council Members aware that they voted in the past to take away paying bills freely. Councilwoman Domain wanted to view a copy of the Mayor/Council Member handbook to read to the citizens and Council Members about what a council committee is and the purpose it serves. Councilman Trahan stated that the Maintenance Dept. and the Administration Office do not need supervision. Councilman Trahan motion SO that he can personally consult other cities to see how council committees work for them. Motioned by: Councilman Michael Trahan Seconded by: Councilman Eddie White All in Favor: 3 Opposed: 0 Abstain: 1 MAYOR'S REPORT None. ADJOURNMENT All council members were in favor of adjourning the meeting at 8:28 p.m. Counelun Jbmnune Cornelius Gilmore Mayor Attested: fuygbek fg Jernifer Purneli City Secretary Page to Approve Minutes for February H4, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting RRl l - Michael Trahan, Councilman, Position 1 Carbi - Carlton Rollins, Councilman, Position 25 Eahlid K2B Eddie White, Councilman, Position 3 ABSENT Barbara Doman, Councilwoman, Position 4 A BSENT Audrey Harrison, Councilwoman, Position 5