CITY OF Keene Economic Development Corporation KEENE (Type B) Board Meeting Minutes April 15, 2025, at 3:30 PM TEXAS Keene City Hall - Robert G. Cooper Council Chamber 1000 N. Old Betsy Rd., Cleburne, Texas 76031 Recorded Live Stream Available at httpswww.youtube.com/Oclyofkeenetexas Present: Donnie Beeson, Gary Heinrich, Vice President Cheryl Schram and Nellie Youngberg Absent: President Ricky Stephens, Daniel Gathings City staff present: Jonathan Seitz, Don Martin, Holly Russell, Mira Lam, Charles Williams. Council Members Bob Chapman and Chuck Easley attended the meeting in the audience. 1. Call to Order, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance Vice President Schram called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. 2. President's Remarks No remarks were made. 3. City Administration Remarks Don Martin, Director of Neighborhood and Development Services, shared that the banners along Old Betsy Road are being replaced as their condition deteriorates. Tractor Supply is moving along. Ashton Home Place has 10 occupied homes. The Canyons has been given a permit to complete two model homes in Phase I. Sunset Ridge is finishing up underground utilities, and is constructing the neighborhood amenities. 4. Public Comments Paul Gnadt, Keene Chamber of Commerce Director, spoke more about the idea of installing a labyrinth at the Pocket Park. 5. Public Hearing There was no public hearing scheduled for this meeting. 6. General A. Review, discuss, and consider the minutes of the regular Keene EDC (Type B) Board meeting held on March 18, 2025. A motion was made to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Motion made by Heinrich, Seconded by Easley. Voting Yea: Beeson, Easley, Heinrich, Vice President Schram B. Receive, discuss, and consider the Keene EDC (Type B) Board Financial Report for the month ending February 28, 2025. Charles Williams, Finance Consultant, introduced the city's new Director of Finance, Mira Lam. He gave the Finance Report for the month ending February 28, 2025. Mr. Heinrich thanked Mr. Williams for all his diligent work in rebuilding the city's financial records after the ransomware attack in 2019. A motion was made to accept the report as presented. The motion carried unanimously. EDC-B Board Meeting Minutes Page 1 Motion made by Beeson, Seconded by Heinrich. Voting Yea: Beeson, Youngberg, Heinrich, Vice President Schram C. Review, discuss, and consider an application for appointment to the EDC (Type B) Board to fill the vacancy for a two-year term ending March 2027. The Board reviewed and discussed the applications presented. Mr. Easley was asked why he has re-applied when he had told Council that he did not wish to be re-appointed. He noted that the Council meeting was going long and sO wanted to end the discussion. He would like to be re-appointed to the Type B Board. A motion was made to recommend the appointment of Charles Easley to the Council. The motion carried unanimously. Motion made by Heinrich, Seconded by Beeson. Voting Yea: Beeson, Youngberg, Heinrich, Vice President Schram D. Review, discuss, and consider whether a new meeting time for the Keene EDC (Type B) Board regular meetings would assist in more resident participation on the Board. The Board asked Council Member Chapman to explain why the item is on the agenda. He explained that he is hearing citizens say they cannot participate at the times the meetings are held. Mr. Heinrich spoke to the amount of time staff have to attend the meetings. Mr. Chapman recommend 5:00 or 5:30 p.m. rather than later, and urged the Board to consider the working citizen and their inability to participate during business hours. There was discussion about the current members cannot meet at another time, and should consider changing the time when new members are appointed to the board. Mr. Seitz asked to add the question to the application that askes what time is best for the applicant to meet. A motion was made to table. The motion carried unanimously. Motion made by Beeson, Seconded by Youngberg. Voting Yea: Beeson, Youngberg, Heinrich, Vice President Schram E. Receive an update on seeking bids for a possible mowing contract for city parks and areas, and give direction to staff on how to move forward with the maintenance of greenspaces. Jonathan Seitz, City Manager, explained the process the City took to seek bids for landscape services. He noted that it was difficult to receive bids since most businesses did not want to travel to Keene. Many companies also did not respond to requests for quotes/bids. Lawn Tech declined to provide a bid or quote. Cornerstone Landscape only gave a bid/quote for two of the four areas. Don's Lawn Service gave bid/quotes on all four areas. He also explained that the City Attorney shared that the City Manager can secure services for budgeted line items, such as a mowing contract that the Board has budgeted and was approved by Council. Mr. Seitz asked Don's Lawn Service to add to the contract that the contract could auto-renew if there is no decrease in the budgeted amount or if they do not raise their pricing. The contract can also be terminated if either party gives 30-days notice. The Board voiced their approval of the company's work in the past, and also noted that they prefer to approve any bids and quotes before finalizing them. A consensus was taken on the approval of Don's Lawn Service by the City Manager. All voiced in-favor of moving forward. EDC-B Board Meeting Minutes Page - 2 7. Executive Session There was no recess to Executive Session. 8. Reconvene into Open Session There was no action to be taken. 9. Requests for Future Agenda Items Lighting on the pickleball courts. Add a fence between the pickleball courts. Pocket Park development, including the labyrinth and sidewalk access. 10. Adjourn Vice President Schram adjourned the meeting at 4:22 p.m. Approved on this 20th day of May 2025. Approved By: Presiding Board Member Meuyl Attest: Peseli Holly Russell, Çity Secretary EDC-B Board Meeting Minutes Page I 3