Public Hearing and Regular City Council meeting on February 20, 2025, to order at 6:29 p.m. The meeting was held at the city hall chambers, 114 S Washington St., Bronte, Tx. Mayor Paul Gohman called the Public Hearing and Regular City Council meeting on February 20, 2025, to order at 6:29 p.m. and a quorum was established. In attendance were Mayor Paul Gohman, council members Mayor Pro Tem Mike Bailey, Zach Davidson, David Scott, RA Morris, and Clabe F. Webb. Staff members present Teresa Ballard, Ricky Royall, and Tara Robinson. Mayor Paul Gohman led the Pledges of Allegiance and Mayor Pro Tem Mike Bailey led the invocation. Mayor Paul Gohman opened the Public Hearing at 6:30 p.m. for comments on changing stop signs facing east and west on Reilly and South Washington to face north and south to help slow down vehicles, driving down South Washington Street. There were no public comments. Mayor Gohman closed the public hearing at 6:30 p.m. and opened the Regular City Council meeting. Monthly Reports Fire Department Report The BVFD had a meeting in January and had no runs. Economic Development Both EDC boards will be meeting March 11, 2025 Depot The EDC board members had a cleanup inside the depot on February 15th and will have another cleanup date February 22. The board is planning an open house April 10th. Animal/Ordinance/Municipal Code Enforcement Trapper had three locations requested to set cat traps. One cat was released at the barn. Report of dogs loose but were unable to locate. Report on dog hit on NW RR. The dog was not injured and returned to the owner. Anthony Lopez investigated citizens burning in city limits. Investigated a call on a loose rooster but was unable to locate the rooster. Visited with a citizen reminding him of the court order in place to keep his gate always closed. Permits Ricky Royall reported approved one carport. Public Hearing and Regular City Council meeting on February 20, 2025, to order at 6:29 p.m. The meeting was held at the city hall chambers, 114 S Washington St., Bronte, Tx. Regular Agenda Cheryl Merritt with Merritt, McLane & Hamby, PPC presentation audit ending September 30, 2024. Mayor Gohman introduced Cheryl Merritt, with Merritt, McLane & Hamby P.C.Ms. Merritt presented the independent audit report ending September 30, 2024. The financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the governmental activities, the business-type activities, the aggregate discretely presented component units, and each major fund of the City of Bronte. She stated that the audit went well. This is a clean report or an unmodified opinion. This is the best report that you can get from an auditor. The city has a strong balance sheet. The only liabilities you have are the current liabilities. She stated he would like to see a liquidity ratio of three-to-one ratio and the city is 22 to 1, which is excellent. As an auditor we would like to see three to 6 months of expenditure in your fund balance and the city has 18 months in expenditure. Your next position in the utilities fund is strong. You have 6.5 years of fund balance in water. This is a strong financial report. The city has come in under budget for the fiscal year. Ms. Merritt reported the EDC audit went fine. There is economic development growth. This is a positive thing. The city's financial consultant Everett Bedford also commented "very good audit" *very healthily financial position." Consider approving the audit ending September 30, 2024, as presented by Merritt, McLane & Hamby, PPC. Mike Bailey made a motion to approve September 30, 2024, audit as presented by Merritt, McLane & Hamby P.C. Seconded by Zach Davidson. Vote: 4/0 Motion carried. Consider interlocal agreement with BISD for the 2025 General Election. Teresa Ballard explained that each year we enter into an agreement with BISD to manage their part of the early voting and to do this we need an agreement. Zach Davidson made the motion to approve interlocal agreement between the City of Bronte and Bronte Independent School District as presented with corrections; to hold their early voting in the 2025 general election, David Scott seconded the motion. Vote: 4/0 motion carried. Consider Electricity rates by David Perkins with NRG regarding contract ending March 31, 2025. The council discussed all the options. David Scott made the motion to approve Engie for 24 months at a rate of 0.07858 but If NRG could match the 0.07858 rate at 24 months they would stay with NRG. Clabe F. Webb seconded the motion. Vote: 4/0 motion carried. Public Hearing and Regular City Council meeting on February 20, 2025, to order at 6:29 p.m. The meeting was held at the city hall chambers, 114 S Washington St., Bronte, Tx. Consider changing banks that host Utility Billing monthly drafts. Teresa Ballard explained we have been working with First Financial Bank since I started working here. The draft fee keeps increasing. - called First National Bank in Bronte to see ift they were able to take our drafts, but they said they were able to take host the drafts. I have been working with Keystone Bank for several months and they are able to host the drafts. I would like the council to consider closing FFIN's account and move the money to Keystone to host utility monthly drafts. Mike Bailey made the motion to close FFIN's bank account and move the balance of $1000 to Keystone Bank to host utility billing monthly drafts. David Scott seconded the motion. Vote: 4/0 motion carried Consider final approval stop sign facing east and west on Reilly to face North and South Washington Street. David Scott made the motion to approve to change the stop sign direction, Zach Davidson seconded the motion. Vote: 4/0 motion carried. Once notice is in the newspaper and city staff have changed poles it will be in effect. Consider accepting Stacy Kelton resignation from EDC 4B Board and approving Darla Chisholm to EDC 4B board. Clabe F. Webb made the motion to accept Stacy Kelton's resignation and approved Darla Chisholm as a member of EDC 4B board, Zach Davidson seconded the motion. Vote: 4/0 motion carried. Consider permitting Doris Sims to place a new manufactured home at 403 Fayette. Clabe F. Webb spoke to Ms. Sims regarding the placement, setbacks, no city sewer and 911 address but every question was answered. Zach Davidson made the motion approve Doris Sims permit for manufactured home at 403 Fayette as presented, Clabe F. Webb seconded the motion. Vote: 4/0 motion carried. Consider a variance permit for Michael & Danielle Crane to place a new manufactured home at NE Railroad outside the manufacturing home district. Clabe F. Webb made the motion to approve variance to Michael and Danielle Crane. There was not a second to the motion and the motion died. Consider amending Manufactured Housing Ordinance 19-03 Exhibit A (see map). David Scott presented to council his recommendation to add Maxwell and Archer additions to the manufactured housing district that would solve the issue of the variance. Teresa presented marked up copy of repealing Manufactured Housing Ordinance 19-03 & Exhibit A to add blocks 1,2,3,4,5 & 6 of the Maxwell Addition and blocks 1 & 2 of the Archer addition of the City of Bronte. Mike Bailey made the motion to repeal Manufactured Housing Ordinance 19-03 & Exhibit A, to add blocks 1,2,3,4,5 & 6 of the Maxwell Addition and blocks 1 & 2 of the Archer addition Clabe F. Webb seconded the motion. Vote: 4/0 motion carried. Public Hearing and Regular City Council meeting on February 20, 2025, to order at 6:29 p.m. The meeting was held at the city hall chambers, 114 S Washington St., Bronte, Tx. A public hearing will be scheduled at the beginning of the next regular city council meeting on March 20, 2025, at 6:30pm. Clabe F. Webb would like to know what the status is for hiring staff as Ken, Ricky and Teresa to retire in the near future? Mayor Gohman distributed the plan to restructure the organization. This is a base plan. FYI only. Clabe F. Webb would like to know if the city has procedures in place in case of a disaster like what California is facing. Mayor Gohman replied yes, we have an Emergency Management Plan that addresses disasters. Clabe F. Webb would like to know if Lake Knierim is a backup for an emergency water source that could be used for the fire department. The water well on the property, what is it used for? Mayor Gohman reported the Coke County's water well is used to fill up the swimming pool, water the garden and fields. Clabe F. Webb made the motion to approve minutes and aging report with corrections to January 16, 2025, minutes in the sanitation section, David Scott seconded the motion. Vote: 4/0 motion carried. Teresa Ballard reported the balance sheet, revenue and expenditures are for information only. Adjusting entries need added to the new fiscal year that financial consultant Everett Bedford's has given audit has been approved. Informational Reports Mayor Gohman reported we are in the engineering phase of the water project, but we will have to do another pilot study and have chosen to use a catalyst method. The timeline is tentative design phase 2025; One year construction phase 2026 and completion January 2027. Ricky Royall answered questions regarding paving the streets, the rate of $1.57 per sq foot. To pave Price Street, it would cost about $44K and Pecan Street would cost about $46K and that uses asphalt. Mike Bailey reported while driving around town looking at the drainage in the intersections. It is poor drainage. We might want to divide the city and decide what area needs attention first. Ricky also discussed the sewer line between Shirley's Place and the Cactus Rose that needs to be replaced. 200ft would cost $22K. This is not in this year's budget SO I would like to put this on the agenda to amend the budget and get the repairs done. Public Hearing and Regular City Council meeting on February 20, 2025, to order at 6:29 p.m. The meeting was held at the city hall chambers, 114 S Washington St., Bronte, Tx. Teresa Ballard reported that Ken Coalson retires March 31st. The General Election will be canceled. RA Morris and Clabe F. Webb will be leaving the council and Hendrik VanDerMerwe and Everett Bedford will be replacing them, and Zach Davidson is returning to serve on city council for 25-27. Clabe F. Webb thank the city staff for fixing the potholes in front of the post office. Clabe F. Webb asked if the Fire Chief is hazmat certificate? Kolby Lee should be certified. City staff will check on. Mayor Gohman adjourned the city council meeting at 8:00 pm. Paul Dohms a - Paul Gohman, Mayor ATTEST: BoY ballrd Teresa Ballard, City Secretary 5 dj oN