City of Richland Springs Minutes of City Council Meeting on Monday April 14th, 7 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: 7:00pm at Community Center Note Taker: Jessica Scales City Officials Present: Frank Pearce, Jessica Scales, Aaron Bessett, Johnie Reeves, Dale McKinnerney, Chris Perry Absent: Larry Crump Guests/Citizens Present: Deana Sealy, Paige Moats, Michael Schomer and spouse 7:00pm 1. We opened the meeting with a prayer. 7:01pm 2. Guest and Citizen Participation: Paige wondering if city gets sales tax from online orders, discussed handled by zip code 7:02pm 3. We discussed and approved the minutes from last month's regular meeting. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Dale Mckinnerney, 2nd by Johnie Reeves, approved by unanimous vote 4-0. 7:05pm 4/5. We discussed the bills and reports. Went over regular bills, discussed a company wanting to rehabilitate the train tracks running through town. Discussed TWDB advising us of limited choices for approved banks for our payment accumulation fund, and then opening an account for us. Discussed road repairs being done with a new batch of coal mix. A motion was made to approve the bills and reports by Aaron Bessett, 2nd by Dale McKinnerney, passed by unanimous vote, 4-0. 7:12pm 6. Michael Schomer here to continue discussion on annexation of W. Coyote Trail property. Advised us he has put property up for sale, if unable to get city water connection. Deana had contacted him after seeing the 'For Sale' sign, to discuss further. Discussed possible water project completion date. Discussed alternative water sources. Discussed still not wanting to make any promises until the city goes through a normal full summer with new lines in place, to see how new lines affect well levels, with no leaking going on throughout the city. Discussed the city currently considering drought restrictions, with summer still pending, and how even with new lines, there could still be a lack of water. Discussed TCEQ requirements for public supply wells. Discussed possible placement of lines should we be able to connect property in the future. Discussed how road boring would be necessary and would need to be approved by TXDOT. 7:28pm 7. City still does not have enough information at this time to consider annexation. No action taken. 7:28pm 8. Rolling Agenda Item: Sheriff's Office Report No deputy in attendance, but discussed newest deputy, Deputy Quarles, has indicated he will start patrolling soon. 7:29pm 9. Discussed the water line grant. Deana has been hashing out final details, the process going well. We still have a closing date set for May 6", 2025. We should be breaking ground around July or August. Deana mentioned being eligible for another possible grant(PIF) for wastewater, will submit and follow up. Discussed if this would affect existing grants. Morgan, rep for CDBG, states as long as we budget 50% for waste water, and 50% for roads, we remain eligible. Should we receive this grant, we would then be able to use the original $750K for all road repairs. Currently the state has $68 million available for this new grant option, SO there is a high probability we will receive it. She will know more around August. Confirmed this grant would not interfere with other grants and loans. 7:37pm 10. We discussed approving a resolution to hire a Public Financial Counsel on a contingency basis. Since it has been a year since the last discussion/decision, the state feels it would be best to redo and have in writing. Reviewed choice, discussed briefly. A motion to approve hiring public financial counsel via resolution made by Johnie Reeves, 2nd by Dale Mckinnerney, passed by unanimous vote 4-0. 7:39pm. 11. We very briefly discussed signing the agreement, as previously approved, with Sealy Engineering for TWDB grant. A motion was made to sign the agreement approving Sealy Engineering as our engineer by Dale McKinnerney, 2nd by Aaron Bessett, passed by unanimous vote 4-0. 7:40pm 12. Discussed our Community Development Block Grant. Our rep Morgan was here last Friday, went over the mapping of our streets from satellite images, used bus routes to determine most frequently used roads, and identified unknown structures to verify all homes. Economic status surveys have been mostly completed by residents and are being used for our state status, still ongoing. 7:43pm 13. We discussed if we needed to take action on our current drought stage(currently stage 1). The well level as of today was at 17-18', a drop of almost 3 I from last month. Our local forecast shows heavy rains possible over the next week. Will hold off until after rains to make a decision, may call a special meeting if needed. No action taken at this time. 7:46pm 14. We discussed purchasing two more tables for the community center to have more seating available for functions, we currently only have six tables for use, not enough for some events. A motion was made to purchase two more tables by Johnie Reeves, 2nd by Jessica Scales, approved by unanimous vote 4-0. 7:47pm 15. Discussed the improvements of 102/104 E Main St and the LCRA grant that was received. Grant amount was roughly $16K, and would be refurbishing rock building on site. Discussed how the city already funded the 20% required to get the grant via purchasing the lot, cleanup fees, and legal fees, and the rest of the finances would be handled by Paige Moats via the Richland Springs Beautification Committee. The city will not be providing any more funding to the project. 7:52pm 16. We discussed approving Ordinance 2025-2 for Peddlers, Solicitors, and Irritant Merchants as previously discussed at the last meeting. No changes made to ordinance. A motion was made to approve the ordinance by Aaron Bessett, 2nd by Dale McKinnerney, passed by unanimous vote 4-0. 8:00pm 17. We discussed the removal of an old city water pickup currently residing on the Skelton lot on Firestation St. Property owners attempted to get rid ofi it, only to find VIN was registered to the city. They will need a title to remove and dispose of. A motion was made to get a salvage title for the truck and dispose of it out of city limits via salvage yard. The motion was made by Jessica Scales, 2nd by Johnie Reeves, passed by unanimous vote 4-0. 8:03pm 18. We discussed appointing an election judge and clerk for the upcoming election. Chris Perry and Kristi Perry are already the school board election judge and clerk, and volunteered to do city elections as well since they are being held together on election day. A motion was made to approve Chris Perry as election judge and Kristi Perry as election clerk for city election by Dale McKinnerney, 2nd by Johnie Reeves, passed by unanimous vote 4-0. 8:05pm 19. We discussed the old water office's ongoing project. We are still waiting on HVAC install, special parts had to be ordered and order is still in process from the only company in the state that has parts needed. Install should be done next week sometime, to be installed indoors in the storage area as originally requested. 8:11pm 20. Mayor Reports: Putting in water lines, waste water lines, and replacing needed parts for old water office jetter is now paid off, running correctly after some parts and repairs to suction pump line discussed areas of maintenance with jetter LCRA grant renovation project for 102/104 Main St going forward towards food truck operations downtown discussed yards and properties in town that may be subject to city ordinance violations, Johnie has list of properties he wants addressed discussed S. Hall St. property still having water hose running across road illegally on occasion, still needs further investigation discussed dogs being chained up and legalities 8:17pm 21. Entered into Executive Session in accordance with Section 551 of TX Govt Code on Real Estate, 551.072, to discuss possible lease agreement, all guests left at this time. 8:41pm 22. Mayor declared entering back into regular session. A motion was made to accept the lease agreement as presented between the City of Richland Springs and Jay W. Warren, short of any major changes being made. Motion made by Aaron Bessett, 2nd by Dale McKinnerney, passed by unanimous vote 4-0. 8:43pm 23. No other discussions or actions to be taken. A motion was made to adjourn the meeting by Aaron Bessett, 2nd by Jessica Scales, passed by unanimous vote 4-0. - enrs lpui Ball Mayor, Frank Pearce Sechetary, Jessica Scales