MINUTES CITY OF AMES 304 MARTIN DR. = AMES, TEXAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 10, 2025 6:00 PM The City Council for the City of Ames, Texas held a meeting at the Ames City Hall at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Domain called the meeting to order at that time. Mayor Domain conducted the roll call, at this time the members of the City Council who were present were: Councilman Michael Trahan, Counciwoman Elizabeth "Liz" Hardy, and Councilman Eddie White. and. Councilwoman Audrey Harrison and Councilman Alfred Freeman Jr. were absent. Councilman Eddie White led the prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. CITIZEN APPREARANCE Fred Stiner and Albert Myres were present to address their concerns about the plastic manufacturing plant that is due to be built in Raywood. The concerns were about the pollution and possible hazards that will eventually affect Raywood, Devers, and Ames. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 10, 2025 REGULAR MEETING AND FEBRUARY 25, 2025 EMERGENCY MEETING. The council took a few minutes to look over the minutes. There was no discussion. Mayor Domain asked for a motion. A motion was made. All were in favor. Passed unanimously. Motion made by: Councilman Michael Trahan Seconded by: Councilman Eddie White All in favor: 3 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS: 1. CONSIDER, THE SELECTION REVIEW COMMITTEES RECOMMENDATION AND TAKE ACTION TO AWARD, BY RESOLUTION, THE CITY OF AMES CPA CONTRACT TO SABRINA WOODS, CPA, MA IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $22,000. There was no discussion. Mayor Domain asked for a motion. A motion was made. All were in favor. Passed unanimously. Motion made by: Councilwoman Elizabeth "Liz" Hardy Seconded by: Councilman Michael Trahan All in favor: 3 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 2. PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE REGARDING AN AMENDMENT TO THE 2025 BUDGET. A. Staff Report We will need to make an amendment to the 2025 Bookkeeping Budget line in the amount of $15,000 to accommodate the contract for Sabrina Woods, CPA. A public hearing is required to move forward with the budget amendment. B. Public Hearing The public hearing began at 6:21 PM. Mayor Domain made a motion to close the public hearing at 6:22 PM. Motion made by: Councilman Eddie White Seconded by: Councilwoman Elizabeth "Liz" Hardy All in favor: 3 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 C. Ordinance Ordinance No. 2025 - 003 is to increase the bookkeeping budget by $15,000. The budget will increase from $13,400 to $28,400. There was no discussion. Mayor Domain asked for a motion. A motion was made. All were in favor. Passed unanimously. Motion made by: Councilwoman Michael Trahan Seconded by: Councilman Eddie White All in favor: 3 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 3. CONSIDER AND IF APPROPRIATE TAKE ACTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE AUCTION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY, A 2008 FORD TRUC (VIN: 1FTPF125938KD25432, Mayor Domain explained that the truck is old and not in the best condition and that we would like to auction the vehicle off using a silent auction. There was no further discussion. Mayor Domain asked for a motion. A motion was made. All were in favor. Passed unanimously. Motion made by: Councilwoman Elizabeth "Liz" Hardy Seconded by: Councilman Michael Trahan All in favor: 3 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 4. CONSIDER AND IF APPROPRIATE, TAKE ACTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION, APPOINTING JERRY REESCANO AS THE CITY'S DESIGNEE TO ACT AS TREASURER FOR THE CITY OF AMES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. Mayor Domain explained that the City of Ames is currently the treasurer for the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and that it would be in the best interest of both the city and the EDC to keep the two entities separate. Mayor Domain nominated Jerry Reescano to be the treasurer, and the board approved the nomination. There was no further discussion. Mayor Domain asked for a motion. A motion was made. All were in favor. Passed unanimously. Motion made by: Councilman Eddie White Seconded by: Councilman Michael Trahan All in favor: 3 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 5. CONSIDER AND IF APPROPRIATE, TAKE ACTION TO APPROVE HOGAN TECHNOLOGIES AS THE GRANT WRITER FOR THE CITY OF AMES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. Emmet explained that he and the mayor had a meeting with Hogan Technologies back in November and they were impressed with her credentials. The EDC is putting together grant writers to assist with their efforts and Hogan Technologies is one of the grant writers the EDC would like to have on board. Councilman Trahan asked if the fee schedule would come out of the grant. Emmett explained that yes, her fees will come out of the grant. There was no further discussion. Mayor Domain asked for a motion. A motion was made. All were in favor. Passed unanimously. Motion made by: Councilman Michael Trahan Seconded by: Councilman Eddie White All in favor: 3 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 6. MAYOR'S REPORT Sewer line rehabilitation is still moving forward. The community garden is a work in progress. The original location for the garden is too wet to get to. The community garden will temporarily be located at the back of the city hall. The Hull Daisetta High School Agricultural Department has volunteered to germinate our seeds for us. Mr. Robert Walters will be the manager of the garden, and he is looking for volunteers to assist with the garden. Mr. Fred Stiner and Mr. Albert Myres have volunteered to assist Mr. Walters with the community garden. Mayor Domain ended her report with explaining her ongoing plans with the community garden and the food distribution center. 7. EDC REPORT Emmett explained that he has put together an Executive Committee that consists of 3 board members and himself that meet every week. They meet at Ms. Barbara Lange's home in Raywood. They discuss opportunities and other things that will affect the EDC. After their meetings, they present everything to the EDC for approval. They are currently working on trying to get a truck driving school in Ames. They have spoken with Robin Miller who is interested in bringing the truck driving school to Ames. They are also currently working on a meeting with Lee College to get assistance with the start up. Councilwoman Hardy informed Emmett, that the Workforce Solutions no longer has funding for CDL Training. Emmett ended his report with explaining that the application for EDC's 501c3 has been submitted. We are just waiting for approval. 8. ADJOURNMENT. Mayor Domain asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 PM. Motion made by: Councilman Eddie White Seconded by: Councilwoman Elizabeth "Liz" Hardy All in favor: 3 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0 Barbara Domain Mayor Mledlona Wellona Godfrey City Secretary CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING SIGN IN SHEET Monday, March 10, 2025 NAME ADDRESS TELEPHONE/EMAIL FPen STinep AMBeET MyRec Purphn vt