CITY OF AMES, TEXAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY.SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 The City Council of the City of Ames, Texas met in a regular meeting in council chambers of 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, all present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. I. MIEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:00 P.M. Roll call was made. Members of the City Council were present: Mayor Cornelius Gilmore, Councilman Michael Trahan, Councilman Eddie White and Councilwoman Audrey Harrison. Absent were: Councilwoman Barbara Domain and Councilman Carlton Rolllins. II. Acknowledgement of Citizen in Attendance Mr. Fred Stiner, Mr. Jonathan David, and Mr. Dwight N. Webb. Mayor Gilmore welcomed the guess. III. MIINUTES The minutes of August 9, 2021 was read in silence by the Council Members. After a few moments, Mayor Gilmore asked if there were any questions from Council Members. There were no questions. Mayor Gilmore called for a motion to accept the reading of the Minutes of August 9, 2021, as written. Mayor Gilmore asked for motion to accept the Minutes; Motioned by Councilman Michael Trahan and Seconded by Councilman Eddie White. All City Council in attendance were in favor of the minutes being read, motion and then passed. IV. OLD BUSINESS There was no business to be considered. V. REGULAR SESSION 2021-01 - DISCUSSION FROM MATTHEW GOTT REGARDING ANNEXATION. Attorney Matthew Gott discussed various areas of the annexation process of the City of Ames by the City of Liberty. He started off showing a current map where the City of Ames has been annexed by Liberty on all sides, mostly, the west, east and north sides of Ames. According to Mr. Gott back in 2003-2004 over 50% oft the land owners voted to be annexed on the East side of Ames and the rest was done by election. Hei mentioned that the Country Club/GolfCourse is in Liberty's ETJ; the South side signed petitions then voted. He mentioned that the previous Mayor did not want to talk about the annexation. To undue annexation, the City of Ames has to make sure Liberty followed the law. He is searching for maps from 45 to 50 years ago to see how much of the now annexation actually belong to City of Ames. The City of Ames is giving Minglewood water and sewer but no revenue is being received from the Country Club nor Minglewood. Mr. Gott also mentioned that whenever a city annexes aj portion of another city, you have to send a copy oft the annexation to Liberty County Appraisal District. There were several suggestions made by Mr. Gott. There is a lot of research he is doing. You have to put notices in the newspaper, go to the people in the area to see if they want to be part of your City. Mr. Gott left seven (7) difference ordinances for the Mayor and City Council Members to review. 2021-02: VISITOR TO BE HEARD: MRS. BARBARA JONES REGARDING WATER BACKING UP IN HER YARD DURING HEAVY RAINS (5 MINUTES). Erwin Semien, Director of Public Works for the City of Ames, discussed Mrs. Jones problem and stated that her yard has standing water whenever it rains, but the main issued is that the ditches in front of her home needs to be dug out. Mr. Jonathan David, Visitor, lives on Malcolm St., asked ifhe could speak on the same subject, and stated that he has the same problem on his street. He would like to know what the City is going to do about it. Mr. Stiner, Visitor, also had several issues with drainage of ditches not being maintained. Mayor Gilmore stated that he is getting with the County and/or with private companies to see if the City can get a bid to dig out the ditches within the City of Ames. Mayor Gilmore is currently waiting for quotes from private companies. 2021-03: DISCUSSION TO ELECT A] MAYOR PRO TEM. Discussion to take a vote to elect a one-year mayor pro tem. Mayor Gilmore voted to elect Councilman Michael Trahan. Councilman Harrison suggested to put Councilman Reggie Rollins down as mayor pro tem because he was interested in the position. It was suggested that we wait until he is present before a vote can be made. This item is postponed until next agenda meeting in October 2021. 2021-04: DISCUSSION TO RE-EVALUATE THE MAYOR'S $10,000 EXECUTIVE ORDER. This item was postponed until next agenda meeting for October 11, 2021. 2021:05: DISCUSSION OF THE CITY OF AMES 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMES BEING INCORPORATED ON JULY 1972; AND ANNUAL PARADE OR AN ANNUEL EVENT. This item was postponed to next council meeting for October 11, 2021. Mayor Gilmore suggested waiting until Councilwoman Domain was here for her input. 2021-06: DISCUSSION TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY ON MLKI NORTH FROM MS. MARIA DEROUEN, (Attachments). Mayor Gilmore would like to purchase this property for later use for by the City; Councilwoman Harrison mentioned that City money could be better utilized by doing other things with the money, such has building up the infrastructure of the city and cleaning up the City. Several things were mentioned about the City purchasing property to be used for post office, a fire department, a water treatment plant or a pump station, city barn, or maintenance facility and other things that would benefit the City, attract people to our community as well as commercial businesses. After considerable discussions and comments by all in attendance, Mayor Gilmore ask for a motion to purchase this property of.12 acres. Motion was made by: Motioned by: Michael Trahan Seconded by: Eddie White All voted: 3 All in Favor: Yes VI. MAYOR'S REPORT: Walters Road is complete with pavement from end to end. The City is planning on putting speed bumps on this street because of excessive speeding down this road. Other roads that require speed bumps are Berotte St., Cormier St., Martin St., and Wickliff St. LED lights are being installed throughout the City. Entergy had to stop temporarily because of the storms in Louisiana but will start back up as soon as possible. Suggestion on the web page is being updated daily, to make sure the agenda and minutes and other news worthy items are being updated and add on the site. VI. ADJOURNMENT With no other business to discuss, a motion was made to adjourn this meeting at 7:36 P.M. Coudan Hilmune Mayor Cornelius Gilmore City of Ames, Texas Attest: sinm 6 lunp Jennifer Purell, City Secretary KRO &R Michael Trahan, Position #1 Car A Bo Carlton Rollins, Position #2 fabli M 1 Eddie White, Position #3 Barbara Domain, Position #4 dudy fanm Audrey/Harrison, Position #5