November 19, 2020 – City Council Meeting Minutes
Jan 5, 2021
Seymour City Council
Regular Meeting
November 19, 2020
A Regular City Council Meeting was held on Thursday, November 19, 2020, at City of Seymour Auditorium, 301 N. Washington St., Seymour, TX 76380.
This meeting was also streamed live on Facebook.
CALL TO ORDER/ ROLL CALL/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE by Mayor Jon Hrncirik at 6:02 p.m.
Council Present: Mayor Jon Hrncirik, Council Member Mary K. Fair, Council Member Lan Winn, Council Member Brian Broome, Council Member Monty Glass and Council Member Brenda Miller
Council Absent: None
Counsel Present: None
Staff Present: Recording Secretary, Suzanne Shumate, ED Director, Lauren Bush, Salt Fork Supervisor, Todd Hrncirik, Police Officer, Paul Davis, Street Department, Darrell Moore, Water/Sewer Supervisor, Robert Torrez
Guests: Peyton Baldwin, Misty Weiser, Paul Weiser, Brad Hammack, Richard Futch, Connie Futch, John Horn, Tre Reed, Joe Spano, Mark McCord, Grant Elliott, Sarah Elliott, Paula Vaden, Kathy Birkenfeld, Dennis Carrington, Katie Pritchard, Charlie Rose, Christy Stone
ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE MAYOR: The Mayor asked that we keep Danny Atnip in our prayers as he was involved in an accident in Wichita Falls today. Danny was a former City of Seymour Police Officer and is now a Wichita Falls motorcycle Police Officer.
CITIZENS QUESTIONS AND / OR COMMENTS: Mark McCord addressed the City Council regarding the acoustics in the auditorium and he asked that the council remember and remind everyone to speak directly into the microphone when speaking. Mark also asked if there was a way for the public to remain in the building when the City Council goes into executive session. He asked if the Council could go to another room upstairs or create a private area to have an executive session to where the public could have access to restroom facilities and water and the public would know exactly when the Council comes out of executive session.
CONSENT AGENDA:
1. CONSIDER APPROVING THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS:
a.) Approve Regular City Council meeting minutes for October 21, 2020 and November 2, 2020
b.) 1. Employee List and SFRC Membership Total Report
2. Administration & Supervisor monthly reports
Mary Kay Fair related that there were some minor corrections to be made to the minutes. A motion was made by Monty Glass to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Brenda Miller, motion carried 5-0.
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING CLOSES AND EXECUTIVE SESSION BEGINS AT 6:10 P.M.
2. An Executive Session closed to the public and pursuant to Chapter 551, of the Texas Local Government Code, Section 551.071, regarding Electric Rate Base Study.
EXECUTIVE SESSION CLOSES AND REGULAR MEETING RESUMES AT 6:54 P.M.
3. Discuss, and take action regarding deliberations from Executive Session, concerning Electric Rate Base Study.
Steve Moffitt with Schneider Engineering addressed the council concerning the Electric Rate Study. Steve’s recommendation to the City Council is to authorize Schneider Engineering to develop an Ordinance with a 20% rate reduction to customers effective January 1, 2021.
Mary K. Fair made a motion to authorize Schneider Engineering to develop an ordinance to lower the electricity rates by 20% and there will need to be two public hearings between now and the first of the year, seconded by Brenda Miller, motion carried 5-0.
4. Discuss and hear presentation from Matt Knox (Knox Waste Service) and Joe Spano with Republic Services.
Joe Spano with Republic Services addressed the city council and related that Republic Services had acquired Knox Waste Service. Republic Services is the second largest waste and recycling company in the nation, and they are excited to be apart of the City of Seymour and excited about acquiring such a great reputable company such as the Knox family. Mr. Spano did not have a presentation this was just a time to meet and greet.
5. Discuss, consider and take action after hearing proposal from John Horn, Tre Reed and Richard Futch regarding the Seymour Shooting Range.
John Horn addressed the city council. Mr. Horn related that he did not have a proposal as stated on the agenda. Mr. Horn stated they have an existing agreement with the city to use the range for shoots they have. Mr. Horn stated as long as the range is an ongoing operation, they are good with what they have. If the range should cease to be an ongoing operation, then they would be interested in talking about leasing, buying or some other type of arrangement.
No action was taken on this agenda item
6. Mayor Jon Hrncirik to read letter of apology to Charlie Rose.
Mayor Jon Hrncirik read the following letter of apology to Charlie Rose.
“Per an agreement with Charlie Rose, at this time the City of Seymour considers this your formal apology. At this time, we consider this issue closed, Thank you.”
7. Discuss, consider and take action regarding City of Seymour bills paid in the month of October 2020, in the amount of $523,998.00.
A motion was made by Monty Glass and seconded by Brian Broome to approve the bills paid in the month of October 2020, motion carried 5-0.
8. Discuss and take action after hearing Katie Pritchard and Dennis Carrington speak regarding East Clay Street.
Dennis Carrington and Katie Pritchard addressed the council regarding a request to pave Clay Street due to the white dust that is created when vehicles drive down this street. After much discussion, a motion was made by Brain Broome to give direction to the street department to chip seal Clay Street as soon as the weather permits, seconded by Monty Glass, motion carried 5-0.
9. Discuss, consider and take action regarding the purchase of a golf cart by Derek Rose, that is located at the street barn.
After some discussion, it was decided that the golf cart would be sold by sealed bids and that it would be sold as is. A motion was made by Monty Glass to place an ad in the Baylor County Banner for sealed bids and to be sold as is, seconded by Brenda Miller, motion carried 5-0.
REGULAR MEETING CLOSES AND PUBLIC HEARING BEGINS
10. A public Hearing of the City of Seymour was held regarding changes to Chapters 1-5 of the City ordinances as presented by ED Director, Lauren Bush.
Lauren Bush, ED Director presented the city council with printed copies of the modifications made to the City ordinances to be considered for approval.
11. A Public Hearing of the City of Seymour was held regarding a request from Steve Johnson for a Specific Use Permit for 609 S. Donald St., Subdivision of Miller 2nd Addition, Lot 4, Block 5, comprised of .482 acres, located in Seymour, Texas.
No discussion on this item due to Steve Johnson pulling his application for a Specific Use Permit.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSES AND REGULAR MEETING RESUMES
12. Discuss and consider changing the Transfer Station hours after Public Hearings have been placed in the Banner as required by law.
After some discussion by the council, Monty Glass made a motion to change the Transfer Station hours to:
Tuesday – Saturday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM and closed from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM for lunch, seconded by Brian Broome, motion carried 5-0.
The new hours will take effect once the required public hearings have been held.
13. Discuss, consider and re-visit Specific Use Permit for Tiffany Varner.
No action was taken on this item due to Ms. Varner’s Specific Use Permit not due for review until December 17, 2020.
14. Discuss, consider and take action regarding the Harris Land Lease Agreement between City of Seymour and Royce Stallcup.
Robert Torrez spoke on this agenda item. Robert related that a state inspector came for an inspection at the RO plant and the City received violations for not having fences up around the wells. After much discussion, Brain Broome made a motion to give Royce Stallcup 60 days to either release the lease, put up the fences or completely remove all cattle until the fences are put up. The city will terminate the lease in 60 days if Mr. Stallcup has not met the other two requirements. This motion was seconded by Brenda Miller, motion carried 5-0.
15. Discuss, consider and take action regarding the rodding machine for the City of Seymour, as presented by Robert Torrez, Water/Wastewater Supervisor.
City council received bids and information from Robert Torrez regarding this item. After some discussion from the Mayor and Council, it was decided more time was needed to review the information received and the council would like direction from Finance Director, Mary Griffin on where the funds would come from for the purchase of this new machine.
No action was taken on this item. This item will be discussed at a future special called meeting.
16. Discuss and give ED Director, Lauren Bush direction to pursue outside Hotel project.
Lauren Bush, ED Director addressed the city council regarding this item. Lauren related that the hotel feasibility study was sent out to Retail Strategies Co., that the city contracts with, to get retail attention. The study caught the attention of Cobblestone Hotels. Cobblestone is proposing a two story, 41 room hotel with an inside pool, small conference area and small breakfast area. Lauren is requesting the council to support her in continuing to look into this endeavor, whether it be this company or not as she seeks out an additional hotel for our community.
Brad Hammack addressed the council concerning the errors he found on the Hotel Feasibility Study relating to his business, HH Creek Inn.
Monty Glass made a motion to give Lauren Bush direction to continue to pursue the outside hotel project, seconded by Brian Broome, motion carried 5-0.
17. Discuss, consider and take action regarding information received from Mr. Wayne Olsen, regarding case to case quote or quotes as the Interim City Attorney.
No action was taken on this item. This item will be placed on the agenda for the December meeting.
REGULAR MEETING CLOSES AND EXECUTIVE SESSION BEGINS AT 8:44 P.M.
18. Executive Session (closed to the public) and pursuant to Chapter 551 of the Texas Local Government Code, Section 551.074; Personnel-City Administrator Position.
EXECUTIVE SESSION CLOSES AND REGULAR MEETING RESUMES AT 9:29 P.M.
19. Deliberation from Executive Session regarding City Administrator position.
A motion was made by Brian Broome to place an ad in the Baylor County Banner to begin accepting applications for the City Administrator position, beginning November 26, 2020 and ending December 11, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. Direction was also given to Lauren Bush to post the job notice on the City of Seymour website and the TML website. Motion was seconded by Monty Glass, motion carried 5-0.
20. Adjournment
A motion was made by Monty Glass, seconded by Brenda Miller to adjourn at 9:31 p.m., motion carried 5-0.
_______________________________
Mayor Jon Hrncirik
__________________________________ Attest: Recording Secretary, Suzanne Shumate