MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING MARCH 6, 2025 The City Council of the City of Navasota, Grimes County, Texas met at the City Council Chambers, Room No. 161, located at 200 E. McAlpine Street at 6:00 p.m., Navasota, Texas on the above date with the following being present: Bernie Gessner, Mayor Pro-Tem, Place # 1 Kenneth Stevens, City Councilmember, Place # 2 Josh M. Fultz, Councilmember, Place # 3 Bert Miller, Mayor, Place # 4 James Harris, Councilmember, Place # 5 Thus, constituting a quorum. STAFF PRESENT: Kristin Gauthier, Interim City Manager Susie M. Homeyer, City Secretary Jennifer Reyna, Public Works Director Cary Bovey, Legal Counsel Lupe Diosdado, Dev. Services Director Taylor Hughes, Marketing Director Mike Mize, Police Chief Heaven Dominguez, Finance Director Jason Katkoski, Fire Chief/EMC Matt Julian, Project Manager Michelle Savensky, Dep. City Secretary Jose Coronilla, Assistant Public Works Dir. Swank Backhus, Investigator Michael Lopez, Parks & Facilities Maintenance Jay Chappell, Parks & Facilities Main. Martin Solis, WW Treatment Plant Manager Operator VISITORS: John Cleveland Taylor Perry Sherry Gillespie Louis Vidotto David Ramirez DeeDee Setzer Sharon Hudson Blayne Rhodes Deborah Randy Setzer Debra Fincher Belinda Palmer Richardson Betsy Lehnert Ben Levy Mike Fincher Heather Garcia Richard Smith Jessica Levy Judith LaFontaine Mike Garcia Jennifer Ramirez Steve Austin Steven Hodge Robbin Witten- O'Brien Mac Vaughn Jennifer Colson Linda Walicek Dell Martinez Linda Sims Allison Chapman Carol Medeiros Dr. Audrey Sauls Bobby Gentry Deb Cleveland Michael Medeiros Dr. Archie Sauls Phillip Cox Cathy Cline Kyle Zulkowski Emma Blackshear Kenneth Nobles Doug Cline Shannon Neal- Robie Henry Buckbee Maggie Rico Delilah Lofton Burt Bearden Ramon Cotton Joe Falco III Connie Clements Danielle Evans Cindy Falco Ashley Ver Schuur Kathleen Michelle Bobo Dimmel Stephen Scheve Mark Dimmel Nancy Vidotto THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WERE TAKEN UP IN DUE ORDER AS FOLLOWS: 1. Mayor Bert Miller called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Invocation was given by Pastor Mac Vaughn. The City Council, staff members and visitors then recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag and the Texas Flag. Mayor Bert Miller informed the citizens that the candidate for City Manager, Theo Melancon, had withdrew his application for candidacy at 5:00 p.m. that day. 3. Remarks of visitors were as follows: John Cleveland- Going forward, we will be great Alison Chapman- going forward hopes to find a more transparent candidate Steve Austin- encouraged citizen involvement in the hiring process Beny Levy- consideration for City Manager position Burt Bearden- thankful for the quick responses to the citizens' concerns from Council Linda Walicek- declined to speak Mike Fincher- concerned with the allegations regarding the current candidate and very pleased of his decision to withdraw Debra Fincher- concerned with the City Manager selection process but thankful for consideration of citizen concerns Michael Medeiros- wanted to build a good relationship with governing body and work together the Council Shannon Neal- Buckbee-declined comment Carol Medeiros- Loves the city and loved the recent Town Hall meeting Kyle Zulkowski- declined to speak Taylor Perry- expressed concerns for how candidate with allegations was considered Danielle Evans- expressed concerns of the hiring of Theo Melancon as the City Manager and what it would do to the City of Navasota Richard Smith- spoke of disappointment of the City for how the Little Fields have been taken care of in the past years and that the City should take pride in the kids of the community Betsy Lehnert- declined to speak Joe Falco III- he understands what the council is going through and will support the Council and trust their decisions 4. Councilmember James Harris moved to approve Resolution 792-25, amending the purchasing policy for the City of Navasota, seconded by Councilmember Josh Fultz. The following votes were recorded: AYES: Mayor Bert Miller, Councilmember Josh Fultz, Councilmember James Harris and Councilmember Kenny Stevens NAYS: Mayor Pro-Tem Bernie Gessner ABSTAIN: None Mayor Miller announced that the motion carried. 5. The City Council conducted an Executive Session in accordance with Section 551.071, Texas Government Code - Consultation with Attorney : Consultation with legal counsel regarding Personnel Matters, for the purpose of discussion and deliberation regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation, and the duties of the City Manager. The time was 6:30 p.m. 6. The City Council reconvened in open session at 8:01 p.m. 7. Councilmember Kenneth Stevens moved that the City Council approve the formation of a city manager candidate review board, with each councilmember selecting two residents of Navasota to serve on the board, seconded by Councilmember James Harris and with each councilmember voting AYE, the motion carried. 8. Mayor Bert Miller adjourned the meeting at 8:03 p.m. A - BERT MILLER, MAYOR ATTEST: 14 - SUSIE M. HOMEYER, CITY SECRETARY * 4 / NDED