City of Richland Springs Minutes of City Council Meeting on Friday March 14th, 2025 Meeting: Discussion of the ongoing projects and regular business of the city Council Members: Aaron Bessett, Larry Crump, Jessica Scales, Dale Mckinnerney, & Johnie Reeves Council Attendees: Mayor Frank Pearce; City Water Manager, Chris Perry Called to Order/Location: 10:00am at City Hall Note Taker: Jessica Scales City Officials Present: Frank Pearce, Jessica Scales, Aaron Bessett, Larry Crump, Johnie Reeves, Chris Perry Absent: Dale Mckinnerney Guests/Citizens Present: San Saba Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Reid Daly, Troy Soto 10:00am 1. We opened the meeting with a prayer. 10:01am 2. Guest and Citizen Participation: Troy, no comment, here to listen. Chief Daly here for an agenda item. 10:02am 3. We discussed and approved the minutes from last month's regular meeting. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Johnie Reeves, 2nd by Aaron Bessett, approved by unanimous vote 4-0. 10:05am 4/5. We discussed the bills and reports. Went over regular bills and unexpected bills for needed sewer plant parts and repairs. Discussed the need to build awning/covering protection over it, from the elements, but cannot be enclosed, will see what is needed. Discussed possible drought restrictions as well, well level at 20' currently. A motion was made to approve the bills and reports by Aaron Bessett, 2nd by Johnie Reeves, passed by unanimous approval, 4-0. 10:12am 6. Agenda item to discuss food truck operations downtown on 102/104 Main St lot by the Lusty's. This item is on hold till further notice, as the Lusty's deal with personal issues. 10:12am 7. Agenda item to discuss annexation of W Coyote Trail property once again. This item will be rescheduled to the next meeting due to scheduling conflict. 10:12am 8. Agenda item to discuss actions for annexation. This item will be rescheduled to the next meeting due to scheduling conflict. 10:13am 9. Rolling Agenda Item: Sheriff's Office Report Chief Daly discussed the lower crime rates currently, slowed down in the area overall, not many calls from Richland Springs in the last few months. Also discussed the upcoming Citizens Academy in April, encouraged anyone to attend and to spread the word about the class. Discussed dates, time, and class itinerary and how it is helpful to citizens who want to be more involved in keeping crime low and assisting the Sheriff's Office. 10:21am 10. Discussed the water line grant. We have our bond and legal council prepared and submitted, closing date is May 6th. A: special meeting will be held Monday April 7th, at 7pm to adopt the bond ordinance. There has to be 20 days between which is why May date has been chosen. 10:22am 11. Discussed the Community Development Block Grant. There will be a meeting next Tuesday March 18th, , at 2:30pm to discuss the funding details. 10:25am 12. We discussed possible Ordinance 2025-2, Peddlers, Solicitors, and Irritant Merchants Ordinance drawn up. Discussed reports of recent salesmen and solicitors going door to door. Frank had a man trying to sell solar panels. Discussed possible scam sales. Discussed attaching fee and requiring permit from the city before being allowed to go door to door around town. Discussed who would be exempt(long list), and whether with SO many exemptions, this ordinance would really be needed, or if people just needed to put up 'No Soliciting' signs. Draft ordinance provided to council members to review and suggest edits before discussion next meeting and deciding to approve or not. 10:30am 13. We discussed canceling the scheduled election for mayor and council positions due to all positions being non contested. We will still need the road repair tax election as that is required every two years. Discussed income from current road tax rate. Rate will be left the same. A motion to cancel the city council and mayor positions election, and keep the sales road tax election, to be held jointly with the school district board election, was made by Johnie Reeves, 2nd by Aaron Bessett, and passed by unanimous vote 4-0. 10:40am 14. Discussed tree trimming needed at the City Park, to be done by Randy Matthews, local area landscaper. Our large oaks need good trimming, lots of dead limbs, time for needed maintenance, and they are also interfering with new light posts. Discussed all the trees in the park and how they will be trimmed or cut back as well. Bid received from Mr Matthews for $600 for all trimming and cleanup costs. A motion was made by Aaron Bessett to accept the bid, 2nd by Jessica Scales, passed by unanimous vote 4-0. 10:45am 15. We discussed authorizing Chris Perry to set up a bank account for our water payments to the Texas Water Board Development to begin accumulating funds and interest for future repayment on loan, in a separate city bank account. A motion was made to authorize a sinking fund set up by Chris Perry for accumulation of annual bond payment funds. A motion was made by Johnie Reeves, 2nd by Aaron Bessett, passed by unanimous vote 4-0. 10:47am 16. We discussed authorizing Mayor Frank Pearce as a representative of the city for lease signing for the Henry Jay Warren property that the city tank sits on, to allow effluent distribution on to property(east of sewer plant). Everyone is in agreement but no action to be taken until cost is determined, already being discussed. Will be updated as more information is available. 10:49 am 17. We discussed the old water office's ongoing project. The HVAC install has been held up, but will be coming soon to install as previously discussed. Side note for previous water grant agenda item #10: Frank will be signing an agreement with Hilltop Securities for Financial Advisor(already previously chosen and discussed), with payment coming out of the grant. 10:51am 18. Mayor Reports: -none at this time, all items and updates already discussed during listed agenda tems. -everyone thanked Chief Daly for being in attendance today and for the updates. 10:53am 19. No further discussions needed, no executive session needed. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Jessica Scales, 2nd by Aaron Bessett, and passed by unanimous vote 4-0. ) lnvl 1 eanrl L Auci balr Mayor, Frank Pearce Secrêtary, Jessica Scales