MINUTES THE CITY OF LOMETA COUNCIL CHAMBERS IN CITY HALL 100 E SAN SABA ST, LOMETA TX 76853 512-752-3331 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, MAY 5, 2025 7 P.M. THE SUBJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED, CONSIDERED, OR ACTED UPON ARE AS FOLLOWS: I. CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Talley called the meeting to order 7:00 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE to the American Flag and Texas Flag. Mayor Talley led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag and the Texas Flag. III. INVOCATION: Invocation was given by Karen Chism. IV. ROLL CALL: 1. Mayor, Derek Talley PRESENT 2. Councilmember, Karen Chism PRESENT 3. Councilmember, Vacant VACANT 4. Councilmember, Alex Witherspoon PRESENT 5. Councilmember, Gloria Martin PRESENT 6. Councilmember, Vacant VACANT V. REVIEW AND ACCEPT THE MINUTES FOR THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS: 1. April 7, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting A motion to approve the minutes was made by Gloria Martin, with a second by Aiex Witherspoon. The motion passed unanimously. 2. April 17, 2025, Special Called Meeting A motion to approve the minutes was made by Alex Witherspoon, with a second by Karen Chism. The motion passed unanimously. VI. REVIEW, RATIFY AND ACCEPT THE BILLS PAID DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL 2025. A motion was made to approve the bills paid for the month of April 2025 by Alex Witherspoon, with a second by Gloria Martin. The motion passed unanimously. VII. OPEN FORUM: Citizens are welcome to speak about any subject matter, even if it is not on the agenda, for up to three (3) minutes during the open forum. If you need more time, please contact the City Secretary in advance. Please keep in mind that council action cannot and will not be taken during open forum. For such an item, the Council may either: (1) make a statement of fact, (2) make a statement concerning the policy regarding the item or (3) propose that the item be placed on the future agenda. Bobby Odom signed up to speak during open forum, but chose not to since the Fire Department was on the agenda. VIII. BUSINESS (Note: Agenda items do not have to be taken in the same order as shown on the meeting notice.) NEW BUSINESS 1. Discuss, Consider, & Take Action on the funding of the Lometa Volunteer Fire Department. Bobby Odom questioned the City's ability to pay the utilities for the Fire Department. He also stated that NO city truck would move from the station until he was promised that there is insurance on the trucks & that if the trucks break the City is going to repair them. Mayor Talley questioned the budget that the fire department receives from the county & Mr. Odom refused to answer the question for the public. Mr. Odom wants there to be NO access for the City into the Fire Station, he would like to door to be boarded up in the hallway. He would like all City & Court property removed from the upstairs room that the Court purchased the materials to build. He also stated that the fire exit signs needed to be remoyed from the hallway leading into the fire station because it is NOT an exit. Karen Chism explained about the financial cuts because of the faulty budget. She also explained that the PD will not be writing the large amounts of citations as they had in the past. Ali decided to discuss the Fire Department budget until the budget workshop in July. A motion was made by Alex Witherspoon to table the business item until the Budget workshop in July, with a second by Gloria Martin. The motion passed unanimously. 2. Discuss, Consider, & Take Action on the purchase of Bulk Bags of Asphalt for street repairs. A motion was made by Alex Witherspoon, with a second by Karen Chism to approve the purchase of the bulk bags of asphalt. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Discuss, Consider, & Take Action on the bids for painting the entire inside of City Hall & all offices. A motion to approve the painting of the inside of city hall and its entirety was made by Alex Witherspoon, with a second by Gloria Martin. The motion passed unanimously. 4. Swearing in of the Appointed Council Members: moved to the first item of business. a. Alex Witherspoon b. Karen Chism C. Taylor Thompson Judge Sharon Watson swore in the newly appointed Council Memebers. EXECUTIVE SESSION The City Council will convene into Executive Session in Accordance with Texas Government Code. The Council reserves the right to adjourn into closed session (executive session) any time during the meeting on any item on the posted agenda in accordance with Texas Government Code sections 551.071 (litigation and consultation with attorney), 551.072 (deliberations about real property), 551.073 (deliberations about gifts and donations to the City), 551.074 (deliberations on certain personnel matters), 551.076 deliberations about deployment or implementation of security personnel or devises), and 551.087 (economic development). IX. REPORTS: MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS, WHEN NECESSARY. MAYOR: Mayor Talley explained that all the waterline repairs had the park had been completed and that the RV park was to be reopened. COUNCIL MEMBERS: CHIEF OF POLICE: Chief Strain swore in Officer Velazquez and Officer Yasin. CITY SECRETARY: MUNICIPAL COURT: X. NON-ACTION ITEMS: Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting: 1. Budget Workshop May 10, 2025 @ 9 a.m. 2. Regular Council Meeting June 2, 2025 @ 7 pm XII: ADJOURNMENT: This facility is wheelchair accessible and accessible parking spaces are available. Requests for accommodation or interpretive services must be made 48 hours prior to this meeting. Please contact the City Secretary's office at 512-752-3331 or fax 512-752- 4033 for further information. ** The Council reserves the right to adjourn into closed session (executive session) any time during the meeting on any item on the posted agenda in accordance with Texas Government Code sections 551.071 (litigation and consultation with attorney), 551.072 deliberations about real property), 551.073 (deliberations about gifts and donations to City), 551.074 (deliberations on certain personnel matters), 55 1.076 (deliberations about deployment or implementation of security personnel or devises) and 551.087 economic development). ** I certify that the above notice of meeting was posted on the front door of City Hall, 100 II. San Saba Street, Lometa, Texas 76853 on or before the 2nd day of May 2025, by 7:00 p.m. in accordance with the Open Meetings Act of the State of Texas, Chapter 551, and Texas Government Code. A motion was made by Alex Witherspoon, with a second by Gloria Martin to adjourn the City Council meeting at 7:58 p.m. The motion was passed unanimously. APPROVED: ATTEST: * & Auphaniuud O Derek Talley, Mayor Stephanie Sweet, City Secretary