May 26, 2016 – City Council Meeting Minutes
Jul 19, 2016
CITY OF SEYMOUR CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING, MAY 26, 2016
A Regular City Council Meeting was held on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at 7:00 P.M. at the Portwood Arts and Civic Center, 800 E. Morris, Seymour, TX 76380.
Call to Order, Roll Call and Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Nan Gilbert-Mathis at 7:00 p.m.
Council present: Mayor Nan Gilbert- Mathis, Council members Les Hons, David Horton, Jon Hrncirik, Mary K. Fair and MPT Monty Glass.
Counsel present: Cindy Ayres, City Attorney
City Staff : City Administrator Steve Biedermann, City Secretary Conchita Torrez, Lauren Bush, Mary Griffin, Adam Sturgeon, Jay Barrington, Ericka Sturgeon, Nita Hons and Emergency Management Coordinator Billy Henderson.
Guest (s): Gerald Moore and Elizabeth Hostas
Mayor Gilbert- Mathis read proclamations regarding Tourism Week and Relay for Life
Announcements from the Mayor: Mayor Gilbert-Mathis reminded everyone of the Fireman Memorial Day Breakfast at 8:30 a.m. at the Firehall. Also, at 11:00 a.m., a ceremony honoring our Veteran’s will take place at the Baylor County Courthouse Square. Everyone is invited to attend.
Citizen questions and/or comments: No one had questions or comments at this meeting.
Consent Agenda: (Items listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine and are generally enacted in one motion. The exception to this rule is that a Council Member may request one or more items to be removed from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion and action.)
- CONSIDER APPROVING THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS:
- a) Approve Thursday, April 21, 2016 Regular meeting minutes and May 18, 2016, Special called meeting minutes.
- b) Accept Reports
Monthly Investment Report
First National Bank accounts report summary
Employee & Contract List /Golf Course Membership Report
End of Consent Agenda
Consent Agenda was reviewed by the City Council. Motion made by Council member Jon
Hrncirik, second by Council member Les Hons, to accept the Consent Agenda as presented
by City Staff. Motion passed unanimously.
- Regular meeting will close and Public Hearing (s) will begin at 7:06 p.m.
- Conduct a Public Hearing reviewing a Golf Cart Ordinance for the City of Seymour, Tx.
Mr. Gerald Moore approached the podium and addressed the Mayor and City Council. He
stated that he had been driving a golf cart for 8 years and due to poor eye sight does not
possess a driver’s license. He had only been stopped once, which was out of concern from a
police officer due to cold weather. He also stated that if this ordinance was passed and
approved, it would confine him to his house and he would not be able to socialize on a daily
basis.
City Administrator stated that about a month ago, while City employees were reading meters,
one of them was stopped by DPS Trooper Marlow and was advised that until the city passed
a golf cart ordinance, employees would not be allowed to use them as transportation to read
meters. He later visited with me and brought the Texas Transportation Code Book so that I
could go over it.
City Attorney Cindy Ayres also stated that while she understood Mr. Moore’s reaction on
this ordinance, the City had to abide by the law as the City would be liable if a tragedy would
occur.
No one else spoke regarding this Public Hearing and closes. Public Hearing
Two will begin at 7:28 p.m.
- Conduct a Public Hearing with the Planning & Zoning Committee, regarding a variance
request from John E. Nelson, for property described as 705 E. Nevada Street.
Mr. Biedermann addressed the Mayor and Council regarding the variance request received
from John E. Nelson. He stated that the Planning and Zoning Committee had convened in a
meeting on Monday, May 23, 2016, and had recommended that the variance be granted. Mr.
Biedermann also stated that all the adjoining areas had been contacted, except for two that
had been mailed a notification by certified mail. This variance Public Hearing was for
information only, as it is the first stage of requirements to be met.
No one else spoke regarding this Public Hearing and closes. Public Hearing Three will begin
at 7:31 p.m.
- Conduct a Public Hearing regarding a petition for street or alley closure. Request from
property owner Hilda/Ronald Kunkel, commonly known as 704 E. Ingram Street.
Mrs. Elizabeth Hostas approached the podium and addressed the Mayor and City Council.
She stated that back in February, 2016, the City Council had granted and approved the
request to close Norman and May Street for property owner Hilda Kunkel. In the process, a
small piece of land was erroneously left out on the survey. Ms. Hostas asked that the Council
approve the request to close the remaining property so that she could proceed with the
finalization of selling the house. With the agreement that if any water/sewer lines existed,
the City would have an easement drawn up.
No one else spoke or had questions regarding this Public Hearing and closes. Public Hearing
Four will begin at 7:35 p.m.
Public Hearing Three closes and Public Hearing Four begins
- Conduct a Public Hearing regarding Ordinance No. 2014-03, Section 2: Schedules A &
B, increasing water and sewer rates for the City of Seymour, Texas.
Finance Director Mary Griffin stated that due to the City’s continued issue at the R.O. Plant,
the City was going to incur a long term debt loan obligation. This was not something we
wanted to do, but, it was something that was required to be done in order to satisfy TCEQ
requirement.
The water would be a flat base rate of $22.85, followed by $3.96 for every thousand gallons
used per household. The sewer rates would also change as a result of this ordinance.
For a full view of the water/sewer ordinance, please come by City Hall and you may request
a copy, for a minimal fee.
No one else spoke or had questions regarding this Public Hearing. This Public Hearing
closed and our Regular Meeting resumed at 7:54 p.m.
- Discuss, consider and approve Ordinance No. 2016-05, an ordinance regarding golf carts
in the City of Seymour, Texas.
Motion made by Council member David Horton, second by MPT Glass, to approve golf
Ordinance No. 2016-05. Motion passed with 4 ayes and 1 nay by Council member Les Hons.
- Discuss, consider and approve Ordinance No. 2016-06, repealing section two (2) of
Ordinance No. 2014-03, schedules A & B, regarding water and sewer rates, and repealing
all previous water, sewer and garbage ordinances, by combining them into one ordinance.
Motion made by MPT Monty Glass, second by Council member Les Hons, to approve
Ordinance No. 2016-06 and repealing all previous water and sewer ordinances. Motion
passed unanimously.
- Discuss, consider and approve Ordinance No. 2016-07, an ordinance regarding
petition to close the street/alley at 704 E. Ingram Street, as requested by owners Hilda
Kunkel.
Motion made by Council member Les Hons, second by Council member Jon Hrncirik, to
approve Ordinance No. 2016-07, regarding petition to close the street/alley at 704 E. Ingram
Street, as requested by owner Hilda Kunkel, providing that the City of Seymour retain
Easement Rights for water/sewer and electric. Motion passed unanimously.
- Discuss, consider and take action to sponsor Baylor County Relay for Life in the
amount of $500.00.
Motion made by MPT Monty Glass, second by Council member Jon Hrncirik, to approve a
donation to Relay for Life, in the amount of $500.00. Motion passed with 4 ayes and
Council member Mary K. Fair abstaining as she is a member of the Relay for Life
Committee.
- Hear monthly reports from City of Seymour Department Supervisors: Administration,
Finance, Electric, Water/WWTP & R.O., Police, Street/Park, Pool/SFREC, Economic
Development and Emergency Management.
City Administrator Steve Biedermann gave his and Police, Water and SFREC reports
All other supervisors gave their respective reports. No action taken on this agenda item.
- Discuss, consider and take action to approve City of Seymour bills paid in the month of
April 2016, excluding bills received from Contech Engineered Solutions Inc.
After reviewing the bills paid in the month of April, 2016, Council member David Horton
made a motion to approve the bills, followed by a second from Council member Jon
Hrncirik. Motion passed unanimously.
- Discuss and take action to approve bills paid in the month of April, 2016 to Contech
Engineered Solutions Inc.
Motion made by Council member Jon Hrncirik, second by MPT Monty Glass, to approve
Contech Engineered Solutions, Inc., bills paid in April, 2016. Motion passed with 4 ayes
and Councilmember Horton abstaining.
- Discuss, consider and take action to remove all responsibility for all taxing entity
elections (except for Municipal Gov. Elections) from the City of Seymour, City Secretary.
City Council gave City Secretary Conchita Torrez the option to remove all responsibilities
for all taxing entities except for Municipal Government. Torrez stated that due to the
increasing amount of time and paperwork that is required, she may continue to help the other
entities out, but for a fee each year. As city secretary, by law she is not required to help,
but, it was done as a courtesy the last 10 years.
Motion made by Council member Les Hons, second by MPT Monty Glass, to allow the City
Secretary to help other taxing entities at her discretion. Motion passed unanimously.
- Discuss, consider and give direction to City Administrator Steve Biedermann, regarding
acquired property located at 602 S. Washington Street.
City Administrator Biedermann explained that 602 S. Washington Street, was acquired and
the City needs to decide what to do with it.
Motion made by Council member David Horton, second by Council member Jon Hrncirik, to
give Biedermann direction and continue the selling process. Motion passed unanimously.
- Discuss, consider and take action regarding Resolution No. 1419, budget transfers.
Finance Director Mary Griffin explained that budget transfers were necessary to allow the
City to include Contract #713124, Planning and Capacity Studies. This will increase our
budget, therefore, these transfers are necessary.
Motion made by Council member Les Hons, second by Council member David Horton, to
approve Resolution No. 1419, Budget transfers. Motion passed unanimously.
- Discuss, consider and take action on quotes received for the Seymour Sound Pocket Park,
regarding concrete project.
ED Director Lauren Bush explained that the City had gone out for quotes regarding the
Seymour Sound Pocket Park concrete project. Only one quote had been submitted by Eddie
Blackburn Construction in the amount of $12,260.00
Motion made by Council member Jon Hrncirik, second by MPT Monty Glass, to approve the
quote received from Eddie Blackburn Construction in the amount of $12,260.00. Motion
passed unanimously.
- Discuss, consider and take action from request received from the Baylor County
Historical Commission, to allow them to use rock that was removed from city park to erect a
sign for Lake Creek Bridge.
Motion made by Council member Les Hons, second by MPT Monty Glass, to donate the
rock from City Park, to Baylor County Historical Commission, for the use of erecting a sign
for the Lake Creek Bridge Project. Motion passed with 4 ayes and Council Member Mary K.
Fair abstained as she serves on the BCHC.
- Adjournment by MPT Monty Glass, second by Council member Mary K. Fair, to
adjourn meeting at 9:09 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS THE 16TH DAY OF JUNE, 2016.
Mayor Nan Gilbert-Mathis
ATTEST:
Conchita Torrez, City Secretary TRMC