CITY OF COOPER CITY COUNCIL MEETING = REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 6, 2017 5:00 PM COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: DARREN BRADDY; MAYOR, DAVID PHILLIPS, E.J. CATES, ALLEN FOSTER, DONNA THOMASON, AND WILLIE "BEAR" WILKINS CITY ATTORNEY: JAY GARRETT OTHERS PRESENT: EMILY HOWSE, TANNER CRUTCHER, KAREN ATKINS, SUSAN RASER, BRENDA GABBARD, KAYWIN CONLEY, AMANDA L'ESPERANCE, SHERRY WRIGHT, JIM BUTLER, MARCIA LAIR, AND KEITH MORRIS AGENDA ITEM #1 Mayor Darren Braddy called the meeting to order and Mayor Braddy also voiced the prayer. AGENDA ITEM #2 Donna Thomason made the motion to approve the October 10, 2017 public hearing minutes, the October 10, 2017 regular minutes, and the October 30, 2017 Town Hall minutes as written. E.J. Cates seconded. Allen Foster abstained from the October 30, 2017 Town Hall minutes. Willie "Bear" Wilkins abstained from the October 10, 2017 public hearing and the October 10, 2017 regular minutes both due to absence at those meetings. Vote carried. AGENDA ITEM #3 Resolution #01-11-17 casting eligible votes for the Delta County Appraisal District Board for a two year term was at hand. In a previous meeting Allen Foster was nominated for this position. Mayor Darren Braddy stated that the city had 528 eligible votes to be cast. It was the consensus oft the council to cast all 528 votes for Allen Foster. David Phillips made the motion to approve resolution #01-11-17 casting 528 votes for Allen Foster for the Delta County Appraisal District Board for a two year term. Donna Thomason seconded. Vote unanimous. AGENDA ITEM #4 Tanner Crutcher, with Cooper VFD, presented a mutual aid for fire protection agreement with Cooper VFD, Hopkins County, Lamar County, Roxton, and Ladonia for review and approval. Tanner stated that this was an addition to the previously approved agreement with Commerce. David Phillips stated that there had always been a verbal agreement with all surrounding communities. Tanner agreed and stated that a written document helped with ratings. E.J. Cates made the motion to approve the agreement for mutual aid for fire protection with Cooper VFD, Hopkins County, Lamar County, Roxton, and Ladonia as presented. David Phillips seconded. Vote unanimous. AGENDA ITEM #5 Mayor Darren Braddy presented to the council the need to look into amending the fence ordinance. Mayor Braddy stated that he could find no documentation on allowable materials to use when a fence permit was issued. He stated that some restrictions needed to be made. Jay Garrett stated that he would look into this matter and present a proposal at the January 2018 meeting. No action on this item AGENDA ITEM #6 Mayor Darren Braddy stated that the item of placing a 4-way stop sign on the square was at hand. He introduced Marcia Lair to present her view. Marcia stated that only one flashing light and the 30 mph speed limit was not enough to ensure safety to pedestrians trying to cross the street. She stated that a 4- way stop sign, in her opinion, was a possible solution to the safety issue. City Attorney, Jay Garrett, stated that this was a state row and any changes would have to be studied and approved by TXDOT. Jay stated that this could be included in the request to TXDOT along with the brick issue previously discussed in the Town Hall Meeting. Donna Thomason made the motion to approve to include the request to study the 4-way stop sign to TXDOT. Willie "Bear" Wilkins seconded. Vote unanimous. AGENDA ITEM #7 Mayor Darren Braddy presented to the council the need to try to do something with several properties that are vacant or in disrepair. Mayor Braddy stated that he had been in contact with some builders that would be interested in looking into building new structures on these properties. Mayor Braddy stated that the properties that are on the tax sale list are prime properties for something like this. He also said that at the time they go on a tax sale list the city has full responsibility of clean up and maintenance. He also stated that if the properties could be cleaned up and structures built then this would put them back on the tax row. City Attorney Jay Garrett stated that Freeport was doing something similar to this and it seemed to be working. Jay stated that there needed to be stipulations of consequences if not completed in a timely matter and/or possible short term tax abatements. Jay stated that he would look further into this matter and have a proposal at the January 2018 meeting. No action was taken at this time. AGENDA ITEM #8 Mayor Braddy again presented the tentative ordinance allowing a certificate of occupancy before water utilities can be connected. Darren stated that this item had been discussed several times and it was time to fine tune it and get it prepared and in operation. Mayor Braddy noted his potential changes and encouraged the council to voice their wishes for any changes or additions. Mayor Braddy stated that he would get the tentative ordinance and changes to City Attorney Jay Garrett for final draft. Jay stated that he would have this prepared for approval at the January 2018 meeting. No action on this item at this time. AGENDA ITEM #9 Mayor Braddy presented the annual Christmas party fori the employees was at hand. He stated that again the "crew" wished to have it at the Fish Fry in Paris. Darren stated that in the future he would like for the council to entertain the possibility of having the party locally. But this was only a suggestion. It was the consensus of the council to have the Christmas party at the Fish Fry. David Phillips made the motion to have the Christmas party at the Fish Fry. E.. J. Cates seconded. Vote unanimous. AGENDA ITEM #10 Monthly budget reports were reviewed. AGENDA ITEM #11 Donna Thomason made the motion to approve accounts payable. Allen Foster seconded. Vote unanimous. AGENDA ITEM #12 E.J. Cates made the motion to adjourn. David Phillips seconded. Vote unanimous. TIME: 5:35 PM APPROVED: ATTEST: D Ndo DARREN BRADDY, MAYOR EMILY HOWSE CITY OF COOPER CITY SECRETARY