REGULAR CALLED CITY COMMISSION MEETING
M I N U T E S
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2025 – 5:00 P.M.
KENNETH T. NUNN COUNCIL ROOM – CITY HALL
M I N U T E S
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2025 – 5:00 P.M.
KENNETH T. NUNN COUNCIL ROOM – CITY HALL
A Regular Called Meeting of the City Commission was held on Wednesday, JANUARY 22, 2025, at 5:00 P.M. in the Kenneth T. Nunn Council Room in City Hall, Texas City, Texas. A quorum having been met, the meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Mayor Dedrick D. Johnson.
1.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
-
- Mayor Dedrick D. Johnson
- Commissioner At-Large, Mayor Pro Tem Thelma Bowie
- Commissioner At-Large Abel Garza, Jr.
- Commissioner District 1 DeAndre' Knoxson
- Commissioner District 3 Chris Sharp
- Absent:
-
- Commissioner District 2 Keith Love
- Commissioner District 4 Jami Clark
2.
INVOCATION
Led by Jon Branson, Executive Director of Management Service.
Led by Jon Branson, Executive Director of Management Service.
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Thelma Bowie, Commissioner At-Large, Mayor Pro Tem.
Led by Thelma Bowie, Commissioner At-Large, Mayor Pro Tem.
4.
PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
a.
| Service Awards | |||
| Aubrey Wilson | Library | 01/20/2015 | 10 years |
| Andra Crussell | Public Works | 01/20/2015 | 10 years |
| Louis Sendejas | Water Distribution | 01/06/2015 | 10 years |
| Robert Hext | Sanitation | 01/27/2010 | 15 years |
| George Fuller | Administration | 01/08/1990 | 35 years |
b.
EMS Excellence Award for Outstanding Service 2024
5.
REPORTS
a.
Parks Division (Recreation and Tourism)
Charles Thompson, Assistant Superintendent, gave a PowerPoint presentation.
Charles Thompson, Assistant Superintendent, gave a PowerPoint presentation.
6.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following members of the public requested to address the City Commission: Brian Goetschius.
The following members of the public requested to address the City Commission: Brian Goetschius.
7.
PUBLIC HEARING
a.
Public Hearing to receive comments regarding the zoning change request from CastleRock Communities
Kim Golden, City Engineer, states that staff recommends approval of the subdivision master plan and the requested zoning change from District A—Single Family Residential to District I—Planned Unit Development.
Kim Golden, City Engineer, states that staff recommends approval of the subdivision master plan and the requested zoning change from District A—Single Family Residential to District I—Planned Unit Development.
Motion by Commissioner At-Large Abel Garza, Jr., Seconded by Commissioner At-Large, Mayor Pro Tem Thelma Bowie, to close Public Hearing.
Vote: 5 - 0 CARRIED
8.
PRELIMINARY ZONING APPROVAL
a.
Consider and take action on the preliminary zoning approval of the request from CastleRock Communities to rezone from District A Single Family Residential to District I – Planned Unit Development. (City Engineer)
Kim Golden, City Engineer, and Bryon Smith of CastleRock Communities discussed the proposal to develop an 80-acre tract of land, comprising nine individual parcels, located southeast of State Highway 3 and south of FM 1764 as a single-family residential community, complete with stormwater detention facilities, parks, and open space.
Kim Golden, City Engineer, and Bryon Smith of CastleRock Communities discussed the proposal to develop an 80-acre tract of land, comprising nine individual parcels, located southeast of State Highway 3 and south of FM 1764 as a single-family residential community, complete with stormwater detention facilities, parks, and open space.
Motion by Commissioner At-Large, Mayor Pro Tem Thelma Bowie, Seconded by Commissioner District 1 DeAndre' Knoxson
Vote: 5 - 0 CARRIED
9.
CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioner 1, DeAndre' Knoxson, made a motion to approve Consent Agenda items 9a, b, c, d, and e. The motion was seconded by Commission 3, Chris Sharp.
Commissioner 1, DeAndre' Knoxson, made a motion to approve Consent Agenda items 9a, b, c, d, and e. The motion was seconded by Commission 3, Chris Sharp.
a.
Approve City Commission Minutes for January 6, 2025 meeting. (City Secretary)
Motion by Commissioner District 1 DeAndre' Knoxson, Seconded by Commissioner District 3 Chris Sharp
Vote: 5 - 0 CARRIED
b.
Consider and take action on Resolution No. 2025-005, authorizing the City of Texas City to enter into an agreement with Stripe Lines LLC to re-strip the streets and roads in the Lago Mar Subdivision. (Public Works)
Motion by Commissioner District 1 DeAndre' Knoxson, Seconded by Commissioner District 3 Chris Sharp
Vote: 5 - 0 CARRIED
c.
Consider and take action on Resolution No. 2025-006, approval of the subdivision Master Plan and requested zoning change from District A - Single Family Residential to District I- Planned Unit Development for Willow Wood Subdivision. (City Engineer)
Motion by Commissioner District 1 DeAndre' Knoxson, Seconded by Commissioner District 3 Chris Sharp
Vote: 5 - 0 CARRIED
d.
Consider and take action on Resolution No. 2025-007, authorizing the Director of Library Services to remove delinquent fees and fines that are attached to library patron accounts that expired prior to January 1, 2018. (Library)
Motion by Commissioner District 1 DeAndre' Knoxson, Seconded by Commissioner District 3 Chris Sharp
Vote: 5 - 0 CARRIED
e.
Consider and take action on Resolution No. 2025-008, authorizing the execution of an Engineering Agreement with ARKK Engineers, LLC., from Houston, Texas, for the Water Transmission Main Replacement at 14th Street Water Plant and Installation of Water Well Discharge Piping at Orchid Water Plant Project. (Public Works)
Motion by Commissioner District 1 DeAndre' Knoxson, Seconded by Commissioner District 3 Chris Sharp
Vote: 5 - 0 CARRIED
10.
REGULAR ITEMS
a.
Consider and take action on Ordinance No. 2025-01, authorizing a budget amendment to accept and appropriate funds from College of the Mainland (COM) as part of the Public Private Partnership MOU agreement. (Fire)
Dennis Harris, Fire Chief, stated that the College of the Mainland is currently undergoing multiple large-scale construction and renovation projects under the voter-approved 2023 Bond program. This Agreement will be for a minimum period of two (2) years, commencing on January 23rd, 2025.
DeAndre' Knoxson, Commissioner District 1 asked a question.
Dennis Harris, Fire Chief, stated that the College of the Mainland is currently undergoing multiple large-scale construction and renovation projects under the voter-approved 2023 Bond program. This Agreement will be for a minimum period of two (2) years, commencing on January 23rd, 2025.
DeAndre' Knoxson, Commissioner District 1 asked a question.
Motion by Commissioner At-Large Abel Garza, Jr., Seconded by Commissioner District 3 Chris Sharp
Vote: 5 - 0 CARRIED
b.
Consider and take action on Ordinance No. 2025-02, amending the Code of Ordinances, City of Texas City, Texas, Title III "Administration", Chapter 32 "Law Enforcement and Fire Department", Section 32.009 "Fire Department; Classes of Positions", by increasing the number of positions allocated to the classification of Firefighter from 49 to 50 and increasing the total number of authorized “Classified Service” positions by (1) one, from 93 total positions to 94 total positions, In order to facilitate the College of the Mainland Public Private Partnership MOU agreement between the City of Texas City and COM, the number of firefighter positions must increase by one. (Fire)
Dennis Harris, Fire Chief, recommends the City Commission approve an ordinance adopting a resolution to increase the Fire Department "Classified Positions" by one (1) in order to facilitate the Public Private Partnership MOU agreement between the City of Texas City and College of the Mainland.
Dennis Harris, Fire Chief, recommends the City Commission approve an ordinance adopting a resolution to increase the Fire Department "Classified Positions" by one (1) in order to facilitate the Public Private Partnership MOU agreement between the City of Texas City and College of the Mainland.
Motion by Commissioner District 3 Chris Sharp, Seconded by Commissioner At-Large, Mayor Pro Tem Thelma Bowie
Vote: 5 - 0 CARRIED
c.
Consider and take action on Resolution No. 2025-009: authorizing the purchase of a 5-year annual subscription and implementation for a Financial Disclosure Management and Budgeting & Planning software system provided by Gravity Technology Corp. (Finance)
Cynthia Rushing, Chief Financial Officer, gave a PowerPoint presentation. The department's recommendation is to adopt the only software catered to government finance that provides a seamless end-to-end solution for the budget development process and financial disclosure reports integrated to the ERP system and other sources of financial data that may live in disparate systems or spreadsheet databases, the City will see significant immediate and long-term reductions in cost, increased efficiencies in daily work processes, and increased citizen engagement by way of more digestible financial transparency that tells a compelling story of who we are, what we stand for, and why the City of Texas City is the ideal to live, work, and play.
DeAndre' Knoxson, Commissioner District 1, asked if this would be a backup software or if it would be a solo system. Cynthia Rushing answered that this new software would work with the current system and be a stop-gap solution.
Chris Sharp, Commissioner of District 3, asked, "Why was this not a Budget Amendment? " Cynthia Rushing, Chief Financial Officer, answered no. This was not in the budget because it is grant-financed, and the City is not facing any financial cost of this software.
Chris Sharp asked, "If this item is not approved, could you (Cynthia Rushing) still do your job? " Cynthia Rushing answered yes, but there would be delays and less functionality.
Chris Sharp asked, "How many new positions did the Finance Department receive for the fiscal year?" Cynthia Rushing answered two (2). There has been inter personally changes and job titles have shifted as well.
Abel Garza, Jr., Commissioner At-Large asked if Cynthia Rushing has talked to other entities about the pros and cons of the software. Cynthia Rushing answered yes.
DeAndre' Knoxson, Commissioner District 1, asked are these funds use it or lose it? Cynthia Rushing answered yes.
Cynthia Rushing, Chief Financial Officer, gave a PowerPoint presentation. The department's recommendation is to adopt the only software catered to government finance that provides a seamless end-to-end solution for the budget development process and financial disclosure reports integrated to the ERP system and other sources of financial data that may live in disparate systems or spreadsheet databases, the City will see significant immediate and long-term reductions in cost, increased efficiencies in daily work processes, and increased citizen engagement by way of more digestible financial transparency that tells a compelling story of who we are, what we stand for, and why the City of Texas City is the ideal to live, work, and play.
DeAndre' Knoxson, Commissioner District 1, asked if this would be a backup software or if it would be a solo system. Cynthia Rushing answered that this new software would work with the current system and be a stop-gap solution.
Chris Sharp, Commissioner of District 3, asked, "Why was this not a Budget Amendment? " Cynthia Rushing, Chief Financial Officer, answered no. This was not in the budget because it is grant-financed, and the City is not facing any financial cost of this software.
Chris Sharp asked, "If this item is not approved, could you (Cynthia Rushing) still do your job? " Cynthia Rushing answered yes, but there would be delays and less functionality.
Chris Sharp asked, "How many new positions did the Finance Department receive for the fiscal year?" Cynthia Rushing answered two (2). There has been inter personally changes and job titles have shifted as well.
Abel Garza, Jr., Commissioner At-Large asked if Cynthia Rushing has talked to other entities about the pros and cons of the software. Cynthia Rushing answered yes.
DeAndre' Knoxson, Commissioner District 1, asked are these funds use it or lose it? Cynthia Rushing answered yes.
Motion by Commissioner District 1 DeAndre' Knoxson, Seconded by Commissioner At-Large, Mayor Pro Tem Thelma Bowie
Vote: 4 - 1 CARRIED
d.
Consider and take action on Resolution No. 2025-010, ratifying approval of the City of Texas City's payment to the Texas Municipal League (TML) Intergovernmental Risk Pool. (Finance)
Cynthia Rushing, Chief Financial Officer, recommends approving the ratification of the payment.
Cynthia Rushing, Chief Financial Officer, recommends approving the ratification of the payment.
Motion by Commissioner At-Large Abel Garza, Jr., Seconded by Commissioner At-Large, Mayor Pro Tem Thelma Bowie
Vote: 5 - 0 CARRIED
e.
Consider and take action on Resolution No. 2025-011, authorizing the payment of water purchases and Operation and Maintenance (O&M) commitments to the Gulf Coast Water Authority for Budget Year 2024-2025. (Public Works)
Corbin Ballast, Utilities Director, recommends approving this funding required for payment of water purchases and Operation and Maintenance (O&M) commitments to the Gulf Coast Water Authority in the amount of $5,188,200.00 for Budget Year 2024-2025.
Corbin Ballast, Utilities Director, recommends approving this funding required for payment of water purchases and Operation and Maintenance (O&M) commitments to the Gulf Coast Water Authority in the amount of $5,188,200.00 for Budget Year 2024-2025.
Motion by Commissioner At-Large Abel Garza, Jr., Seconded by Commissioner At-Large, Mayor Pro Tem Thelma Bowie
Vote: 5 - 0 CARRIED
11.
COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
12.
MAYOR'S COMMENTS
An audiovisual recording of this meeting is available on the City's website and retained by the CSO for two years after the date of the adaption of the minutes to which the meeting corresponds.
An audiovisual recording of this meeting is available on the City's website and retained by the CSO for two years after the date of the adaption of the minutes to which the meeting corresponds.
13.
ADJOURNMENT
Having no further business, Able Garza, Jr., Commission At-Large made a MOTION to ADJOURN at 5:45 p.m.; the motion was SECONDED by Thelma Bowie Commissioner At Large, Mayor Pro Tem. All present voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Rhomari Leigh, City Secretary
Date Approved:
| ______________________________ | |
| DEDRICK D. JOHNSON, MAYOR |
_________________________________
Rhomari Leigh, City Secretary
Date Approved: