y - WINTERS 9 EST.1890 - CITY OF WINTERS, TEXAS 310 S. MAIN ST. WINTERS, TX COUNCIL CHAMBERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 24, 2025 6:00 p.m. Call meeting to order. Mayor Bahlman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and a quorum was established. In attendance were Alderman Jimmy Butler, Alderman Wesley Hagle, Alderman Josh Lujano, Alderman Randy Loudermilk and Alderwoman Zan Jamieson. Pledge of Allegiance -US and Texas Flag Agenda Item 1. Community Input. Mr. David Grohman addressed the council asking ifthere is a way to salvage the water that runs down the ditch from the sludge pits (from backwashing). Mr. Grohman stated that two (2) years ago he offered to do a road bore, he could have Calcote build him a dam to catch it. He is not sure how many times in the last year it has flooded the ditch. Mayor Bahlman stated that he too had noticed that it was flooded and asked Mr. Smith if there was anything wrong with doing that to which Mr. Smith he would do some research and see what he could find out. Mr. Grohman asked how the city got the water to Brian Davis's sprinklers, stating that even in the winter they could use the irrigation water. He stated that the excess runs off SO much that it is washing his wife's yard out. He would take care ofit and would not bitch about it, but something definitely needs to be done about it. Mr. Grohman also states that something needs to be done about the hogs at the lake as they are overtaking Mr. Pruser and himselfboth, is there any way that it can be allowed to let reputable people go in there and trap hogs? There are hundreds and the issue needs to be addressed. Mr. Grohman addressed Mr. Smith regarding the trouble they had regarding the entrance to the city farm to which Mr. Smith agreed. Mr. Grohman stated he had backed off from grazing it; when the previous City Administrator was here he asked for help in building a fence from the city, the city buys and he would build, he got nothing. He asked when the Huckaby's built there fence, did the city help with the cost ofit. Mr. Smith replied that he did not know. Mr. Grohman said that it really did not matter at this point but that he does not want to take any more flack from Mr. Smith regarding grazing the right-of-way on the weekends and that he did come and ask permission first before grazing. Mr. Grohman asked additionally who all is allowed to go in on the gun range. Chief Geyer stated that police officers are allowed, Mr. Grohman stated there are other people in addition to police officers going in there. ChiefGeyer stated city employees are allowed but there shouldn't be anyone else. Mr. Grohman asked if an officer has a buddy, can he go too. Chief Geyer answered yes, if escorted by an officer. Mr. Grohman thanked the council. Ms. Linda Huckaby asked what the status ofthe hole in the middle of Circle Drive is. Mr. Smith replied the city is actively working on an easement from the adjoining landowner which has been difficult. Alderman Lujano asked about the easement as he lives in the area. Mr. Smith stated the city is also looking at other options such alternative diversions. Ms. Huckaby stated the pooled water is the issue and it is frustrating. Agenda Item 2. Approval of Minutes from January 27, 2025. Alderwoman Zan Jamieson made a motion to approve the minutes from January 27*, seconded by Alderman Jimmy Butler. All in favor, motion carried. Ayes 5. Noes 0. Agenda Item 3. Department Reports: City Administrator: Nate Smith A. City Administrator Report. Mr. Smith stated that the Planning and Zoning Board will be meeting on Monday, March 17,2025 at 6:00 p.m. and the Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee will meet in March at a time and date later to be determined. Mr. Smith stated that Facebook posts have stated that he had waived all vendor fees for the upcoming Farmers Market, however, that is untrue, there is no fee for fresh produce. He stated that the Farmers Market will be held on March 26,2025 in the J & T/Attic parking lot on private property and is not done through the city. B. Sales Tax graphics. Sales tax receipts for the month ofF February were $36,374.22, which is over six percent than the previous year. For the 24-25 fiscal year the city has collected 43 percent of the budgeted sales tax. City Secretary: Sheila Lincoln A. Atmos. No discussion. B. City Hall Report. Ms. Lincoln stated there has been some discussion and movements made toward being able to make credit card payments online for the court as well as payments made for other departments, and it will be fully executed in the next few weeks. Ms. Lincoln also stated that the completion oft the Scout Hut roofi is expected to be within the next couple of days. C. TexPool. Ms. Lincoln stated the current interest earned on the account for the month ofJanuary is $7,492.90, bringing the total account balance to $2,016,267.78 Public Works Director, Bobby Sanders. Water Department: A. Projects, New/Ongoing. Mr. Sanders stated that he has a new employee and is fully staffed in the water department. He stated that filter 6 is stuck shut and that filters 2, 3 & 6 all need to be replaced. He states that cross training is being done in the water department and that morale is high. Street Department: A. Projects. NA. David Lara on vacation. Police Department: Chief Paula Geyer. A. Statistics- Report attached. Chief Geyer stated the animal control truck went down today and is not sure what is wrong. Code Emforement/Animal Control: Angela Preciado. A. Animal Control- 8 dogs, 4 cats, 2 skunks and 3 incident reports. Population at the shelter is 5, there were 3 adoptions and 7 returned to owner. B. Citation Statistics. City. Judge: Greg Nichols A. Citation Statistics. Judge Nichols stated there were 18 new cases and 18 completed cases. The city retained $2304 and remitted $1319 to the state. Airport Manager: Richard Humphrey. A. Projects. Mr. Humphrey stated that someone had cut the fences at the airport and that we are still waiting for lights to complete the Lighting project. He stated further that the lease terms with the new spraying company has been accepted, signed and is in the mail. B. Events. Agenda Item 4. Approval of Bills. Alderman Jimmy Butler made a motion to pay the bills seconded by Alderman Randy Loudermilk. All in favor, motion carried. Ayes 5. Noes 0. Agenda Item 5. Council Report: A. Mission, Vision, and Goal Setting. NA. B. Capital Improvement Plan Draft. Mr. Smith stated he borrowed the spreadsheet from NY and is working on local needs and desires the input of the council and community. Some of these will be high ticket items. This is a discussion for a later date but an example of a need is Circle Drive drainage, adding curbs on some ofthe streets; this will help roadmap the direction and helps with better budgeting as well. Alderman Butler asked if this would include a survey(s) to which Mr. Smith replied yes. Agenda Item 6. Old Business: N/A Agenda Item 7. New Business: A. Discussion and possible action to approve the Winters Housing Authority Resolution 693 to Certify that that the Housing Authority is consistent with the City's Goals and Objectives. Mr. Smith stated that every five (5) years every Housing Authority has to provide a plan; not much has changed from the previous plan. This is more a formality which will be provided to HUD after their public hearing. He recommends approval. Alderman Wesley Hagle made a motion to approve the Winters Housing Authority Resolution 693, seconded by Alderwoman Zan Jamieson. All in favor, motion carried. B. Discussion and possible action to approve Resolution 2025-04 authorizing the submission of an application to the Texas Department of Agriculture for the 2025 TxCDBG Downtown Revitalization Program. Mr. Smith stated this is the first step in this process. Alderman Jimmy Butler made a motion for approval, seconded by Alderman Josh Lujano. All in favor, motion carried. Ayes 5, Noes 0. C. Discussion and possible action to approve the proposal from Long Electric Co. for New Electrical Service and Refeed Existing A/C for the PD in the amount of$11,922. Alderwoman Zan Jamieson made a motion to approve the proposal from Long Electric, seconded by Alderman Wesley Hagle. All in favor, motion carried. Ayes 5. Noes 0. D. Discussion and possible to approve the Texas Underground, Inc. Sales Order for the Sewer Department in the amount of$14,987.29. After discussion about the current state of the machine and future preventative maintenance to avoid current issues Alderman Jimmy Butler made a motion to approve the Texas Underground, Inc. Sales order, seconded by Alderman Wesley Hagle. All in favor, motion carried. Ayes 5. Noes 0. E. Discussion and Possible Action on approving an estimate from Machining and Valve Automation Services LLC for filter drain valve work in the amount of$40,550. Mr. Smith states this is a continuation oft the project started last year where three (3) of the vales have been replaced. Alderman Wesley Hagle made a motion to approve the estimate from Machining and Valve Automation Services, LLC, seconded by Alderwoman Zan Jamieson. All in favor, motion carried. Ayes 5. Noes 0. F. Discussion and Possible Action on Resolution 2025-05, a resolution to approve revisions to the City of Winters Employee Handbook. Mr. Smith stated that the travel policy will be amended to add per diam using the Federal GSA Rate, as well as the vacation pay out upon termination of employment with the city. Amended pay out will be 120 hours max for employees with less than fifteen (15) years with the city and 240 hours for those with fifteen (15) years or more with the city. Administrative staff are working on a buyback policy which is not included in this amendment. Also noted is that holiday pay is for 8 hours. Alderman Jimmy Butler made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-05, seconded by Alderman Josh Lujano. All in favor, motion carried. Ayes 5. Noes 0. Agenda Item 8. Adjourn. Alderman Jimmy Butler made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Wesley Hagle. Prior to the adjournal, Mr. Grohman spoke directly to Mr. Smith and stated that he did not appreciate the way Mr. Smith talked to him (prior to tonight's meeting). All in favor of adjournment, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:59 p.m. Ayes 5. Noes 0. ATTEST: Chris Bahlman, Mayor Sheila Lincoln, City Secretary 7 E A P S