City of East Bernard Board of Alderman Minutes of Regular Meeting 24 February 2025 Present: Lance Rejsek, Mayor David Tomchesson, Alderman Pos 1 Richie Domel, Alderman Pos 2 Andrew Webster, Alderman Pos 3 Ryan Woodward, Alderman Pos 4 Renee Norton, City Secretary Absent: Jonathon Szymanski, Alderman Pos 5 CALL TO ORDER With a quorum ofthe Board members present, Mayor Lance Rejsek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 24, 2025 in the Union Room of the Prosperity Bank Building. INVOCATION Joel Torres gave the invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Rejsek led the pledge of allegiance to both the US and Texas flags. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Rejsek reported as follows: The following is the mayor's report for the February 2025 meeting. Attended a meeting with Judge Spenrath and the Mayors of El Campo and Wharton. Began patching potholes throughout town, with much more work still ahead. Met with the new baseball coach, Coach Stacy, along with the president of the Little League, Jose Maldonaldo, to discuss all aspects of the baseball park and ensure everyone was on the same page. It was a highly productive meeting. Met with Luke Kretschmer from GrantWorks, who was in town and stopped by to discuss the organization's role in assisting the city. He is also researching the previous city park grant to explore potential options for the city to lease the facility to the school. Interest payments on the general account for the first six months of 2024 totaled $9,953, while the second half of the year amounted to $44,701. Met with Courtney Hudgins to discuss the baseball contract between the Little League, High School, and the city. Spoke to M&M regarding the asphalt warranty work on Ella Street in the Schumann subdivision. Planning to hire two individuals to assist with filling potholes. They will be contract and only used when needed until all potholes are filled. The building at the High School baseball field was broken into. Looking into other options for roads such as chipseal and cold mix. Discuss use of Ipads withing City Hall. CITY SECRETARY'S REPORT The following is the Secretary's report for the month of February 2025. participated in a four-day training over the past two weeks in Wharton for the Texas Emergency Management Response to Recovery Course. The class was packed with valuable information! They recommended three key actions to take before the next storm or during clear skies: securing a Debris Management Contract, appointing a Volunteer Donation Coordinator, and designating a Fiduciary Agent. The ladies from Ardurra came Friday to help us apply for a two TXDOT grants. We applied for East Bernard Safe Route to Schools and East Bernard Main Street Transportation Plan. We will find out in April if we were selected. Honeybee was officially adopted! CONSTABLE'S REPORT Constable Szymanski was present. He said they have been a little busier than usual. They assisted with a hazmat spill. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 13, 2025 MEETING. Mayor Rejsek asked if there were any corrections or concerns about the minutes as read. There was no discussion of the minutes. Alderman Webster made a motion, seconded by Alderman Tomchesson to approve the January 13, 2025 minutes. The motion carried by unanimous vote. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL ORDINANCE 2025-002 ENGINE BRAKE. Mayor Rejsek presented Ordinance 2025-002 Prohibiting Engine Braking. This ordinance was submitted at a previous meeting, but documentation oft the approvals was not available. As a result, the ordinance was presented once again, this time, approvals will be documented appropriately. Alderman Webster made a motion, seconded by Alderman Tomchesson to approve the Engine Break Ordinance 2025-002. The motion was carried by unanimous vote. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL ORDINANCE 2025-003 UPDATING THE BUILDING CODE ORDINANCE TO THE 2021 CODE. Mayor Rejsek presented Ordinance 2025-003 updating the building code ordinance to the 2021 Code. Alderman Webster inquired about the reason for updating the building code, noting that while the 2021 code is suitable for larger cities, it could increase costs for contractors working in the city. Alderman Woodward felt the same as Alderman Webster. Alderman Woodward made a motion to keep the current building code ordinance, seconded by Alderman Tomchesson. The motion was carried by unanimous vote. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL CANCELLING GENERAL ELECTION FOR MAY 3, 2025. Secretary Norton presented cancelling the general election for May 3, 2025. Positions 1, 3, and 5 were unopposed. Alderman Webster made a motion to approve, seconded by Alderman Woodward. The motion carried by unanimous vote. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER. APPROVING THE IMPLMENTATION OF A FEE FOR SOLICITOR PERMITS. Mayor Rejsek proposed implementing a fee for solicitor permits. Alderman Webster suggested a fee of $100 per permit, while Alderman Domel expressed concern that the amount might be excessive. Alderman Webster then motioned to set the fee at $100 per permit, with Alderman Woodward seconding. The motion was carried by unanimous vote. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF CULVERTS TO REPAIR SINKHOLES AT EAST ST. AND WALLACE ST. AND AT BRANDES ST. AND OTTOST. Mayor Rejsek mentioned that there are two sink holes, one at East St. and Wallace St. and one at Brandes St. and Otto St. After reviewing each location, it was determined the culverts need to be replaced. Alderman Tomchesson made a motion to approve repairs up to $5,000.00, seconded by Alderman Domel. The motion carried by unanimous vote. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER NECESSARY ACTION TO BE TAKEN REGARDING THE CULVERT ON CABINET ROAD. Mayor Rejsek announced that the City has applied for a grant for Cabinet Road, with a decision expected in August. He recommended delaying funding for the culvert/bridge replacement, as the grant funds would cover those expenses. Alderman Tomchesson moved to postpone the discussion until the grant's approval or denial, with Alderman Domel seconding. The motion carried by unanimous vote. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER UPGRADING THE CURRENT COMPUTER SYSTEM AT CITY HALL TO BRING IT INTO THE CLOUD TO ENHANCE OVER ALL CYBER SECURITY OF ALL FILES. Mayor Rejsek presented a quote for upgrading the current computer system at City Hall by migrating all files to the cloud, enhancing overall cybersecurity. In addition to improved file security, this transition would enable remote access in disaster recovery situations, ensuring City Hall remains operational for residents during emergencies. Secretary Norton reviewed the quote provided by Phoenix. Alderman Webster moved to approve the upgrade, with Alderman Tomchesson seconding. The motion was unanimously approved. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Regular Meeting was adjourned into Executive Session at 7:00 p.m. ADJOURN EXECUTIVE SESSION, RECONVENE REGULAR SESSION The Executive Session was adjourned at 7:49 p.m. and the Regular Session was reconvened at 7:50 p.m. 1. Alderman Tomchesson made the motion to table the motion, seconded by Alderman Domel. The motion was carried by unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT Alderman Tomchesson made a motion, seconded by Alderman Webster to adjourn the Regular session. The motion carried by unanimous vote. The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 p.m. These minutes are approved on the 17th day of March, A.D. 2025. ATTEST: APPROVED: LANCE REJSEK MAYOR RENEE NORTON CITY SECRETARY