001It's regular meeting of the NASO city council called to order on this Monday the 23rd of March in council chambers [clears throat] show all council members are present. Welcome and thank you all for being here this evening. Ask that you put your cell phones in the silent mode and visitors please sign in. If you wish to speak under visitors remarks fill out the form found in the foyer. State your name and address the podium as we must document all meeting business and remarks limited three minutes. We're tonight we're going to have the invocation by city manager Mr. Himminger and followed by the pledges. [clears throat] >> Thank you, mayor. Let's pray. Father in heaven, thank you so much for the opportunity to be here tonight to conduct this community's business. We we're just grateful for
002all that you shower this community with and this nation with. We're blessed to to live in a free society and and a free nation. And we just ask that your presence would be [clears throat] felt tonight and that the decisions here at this dis and in this room would just be pleasing to you and serve this community in a manner that would be consistent with your will. Guide and direct us each and every day as we go from here. Provide us protection and provision and protection all every day of our lives. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Honor the Texas flag. I pledge
003allegiance to thee, Texas. One state under God, one and indivisible. [clears throat] marks the visitors. We have Deborah Richardson, Mayor Council, Deborah Richardson, 122 Lane Street in uh Ninnesota. I'm here to request that the next time that y'all do uh clean up or spring cleaning, something like that, that you offer paper shredding. I know in the past that you did and it really helped me out a lot, especially, you know, cuz you know, if you're a packrat like me and you have all this stuff. So anyway, that's what I came to collect to see if if next time you can offer that service. Thank you. Item four, first item would be Citizens University Academy candidates. Miss >> Homemire, >> mayor and city council, I'd like to introduce our candidates for the 26 Citizens University group.
004When I call your name, if you could just stand up, please. Wman Poe, Nancy Fado, James Horton, he's not here, Denise Mirs. Okay, Norah Fugquway. Okay. Karina Bakis, Vesper Sanchez, Beatatric Belinoina, Deb Cleveland, Randall Mars, Jelly Mars, Lori Opry. >> Okay. and Stephanie Skinner. That's our NEW [applause] tonight is they have an agenda book to follow and take minutes and see how well they can do. Their task for tonight, welcome. >> Thank you all for being here. There's two people here for the first proclamation. First proclamation we have for this evening is for child abuse prevention month. Anyone is here for that please come forward. Thank you. >> [cough and clears throat] >> Whereas over 200,000 children in Texas are reported as abused or neglected every year. Child abuse prevention is a community responsibility and
005finding solutions depends on education and involvement among all people. Communities must must make every effort to promote programs that benefit children and their families. Effective child abuse prevention programs succeed because of partnerships among agencies, schools, religious organizations, law enforcement agencies, and the business community. And all those residing in the community should become more aware of child abuse prevention and consider helping parents raise their children in a safe, nurturing environment. Therefore, be it proclaimed that I, Bert Miller, mayor of the city of Navasota, do hereby proclaim April as child abuse prevention month and call upon all citizens to work together to help reduce child abuse and neglect significantly in years to come. >> Yes. Want to come up here and get a picture? [applause] >> There you go. >> [applause] >> She got to change the
006film. Now we're going to recognize government finance professionals week. I know one guy right here. >> We've got more from his office. >> Got some other ones. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Please come forward. >> [laughter] >> Perfect night for it, huh? Recognizing Government Finance Professionals Week, March 23rd through 27. The Government Finance Officers Association of Texas and its members hold the trust of the public in the prudent management of public funds. Whereas finance professionals across Texas provide crucial dedicated service to their communities by maintaining sound financial systems, ensuring transparency, and promoting fiscal sustainability. The city of Navasota relies on the dedication, expertise, and ethical leadership of our finance team to support essential public services, including public safety, infrastructure, and community development. The 2026 Government Finance Professionals Week serves to highlight the dedication, skill, and integrity
007of these professionals in strengthening Texas communities. Therefore, I, Bert Miller, mayor of the city of Navasota, do hereby proclaim the week of March 23rd through 27th as Government Finance Professionals Week in the City of Navas, encourage all citizens to join in recognizing the important contributions of our local finance officers. >> [applause] >> elves as to who you are and what you do. >> I'm Michael Mel, director of finance. >> I am Emily Rkovski, a financial analyst. >> [clears throat] >> Mayor, mayor, stay up there for just a second. I'm going to have the NCU students come up for a picture as well. I'm gonna have the Navota Citizens University students come up here for a picture with the mayor at the DAS, please. Council, if y'all want to join them, you're welcome to. or just
008>> be in the picture behind. However y'all want to do it. >> I just want to just wanted them to get a picture. >> You want to stand behind? You can stand behind. >> We want to stand up there. [laughter] They can't see you. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Yes. Thank you, sir. >> And mayor and council. Next, we'll have a CIP update from project superintendent Matt Julian. >> Good evening, Mayor, City Council. Matthew Julian, project superintendent. Just want to give you an update on the West Washington sidewalk project. What's going to happen this week is the intersection of West Washington and Ath Street will be closed starting this Wednesday, March 25th, and will remain closed until next Friday, April 3rd. During that time, the traffic will be directed towards the truck route for a
009detour to go around town. And the what's going to happen is starting on Wednesday, the BNSF Railroad is going to start their portion of work and continue that through Friday. The work that they're going to do, I believe, is going to do some work in the intersection, and they're also going to extend those boards on the sides where the sidewalk's going to go to make it a safe crossing. Once they are done, Texot is not able to open the road up for traffic because of the way the construction is going to be in between them and the contractor. The contractor has been given an official start date of Monday and they have five days to complete all their work and get the road open back up. The in the contract there is a a fine
010per day if the road is not done in 5 days. There's also a monetary incentive per day if they finish early. So hopefully they'll be working pretty quickly. I did talk with the project manager briefly on Friday and they're going to try to do some work on Friday if the railroad is finished early enough and they're planning on doing some work on Saturday during that road closure just to kind of get things started. And then like I said, their official time will start on Monday and that's when their five-day period begins. We do anticipate they will be done and have it run open by Friday if everything goes smoothly. >> Okay. So say again how it's going to be divert how the traffic's going to be diverted going east and west. >> So the the
011detour plan if you're coming through town from highway 6 I believe they are turning left on Lal and making their way towards spur 515 and using what's considered the trucker on that side. If you're coming from Brennham, they will be turning by Turners to the right and they will use that truck route to get back around by the the industrial park and get back to Spur 515 to get to 105. >> Okay. So, there won't be any local access downtown then. >> So, the official detour will use the truck route. Uh, I'm sure the locals know some some side streets they can go down to bypass that that intersection, but for the people going through town, they will be directed to the truck. >> They're not closing off Mac. No, >> I don't believe so.
012Is it supposed to be right at the uh the truck route? So through through traffic basically it's going to go down lal or >> people know how to get around they can use malpine to >> I mean the road's not going to be blocked. >> No just it's going to be blocked at at the intersection at the railroad but there will be detour signs up showing traffic where to go. >> So the main traffic will be coming for 515 straight through a saw go to street and hang on the left and come out right there turners. Yes. >> Is there any >> That's one way to get the trucks to go to the truck route. [laughter] >> Is there going to be anything done at the intersection of Blackshire and Law since we do have
013so many accidents there already? Um >> yeah, Blackshire >> Pedmont >> as part of this project. No, but I know Texot is looking at doing some things to change up that intersection. I just mean that the increased traffic at that intersection will be considerably increased since that's where everybody's going to now go. >> We will definitely take take action if it becomes a problem. >> Okay. Any other questions? >> They're not they're not really rooting it on Blackshire though, are they? They're they're rooting all of it down to the south truck route. It should all it should >> 379 is going to remain open as a truck route, but the detour itself is >> okay. >> We're not going to have much traffic downtown >> north south >> especially when you go down to uh
014[clears throat] rail and ride that street being one way. >> Yeah. >> How do you turn around? Go to 10th Street. >> Yeah. Go to the next 10th Street. This is where >> Okay. Okay. I'm thinking Okay. I'm thinking the first railroad track. It's the second railroad track. [clears throat] Okay. >> This is the BNSF. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. No update on the on the sidewalk. Matt, >> I'm just kidding. I said no update on the sidewalk. That's been a They're working on >> No, no, no. The sidewalk over here burling. I was just kidding. >> That it's done. Finally. >> We are meeting with the engine to go over what we >> All right. Thank you. The board and commission update. Uh I was at planning and
015zoning and the it was approval for a preliminary plat application submitted by Grimes Altameira for residential subdivision off State Highway 90 and they held a workshop in regard to subdivision regulations and zoning regulations in chapter 14 >> related the proposed language amendments and I believe they that's going to come up for more discussion in at a workshop in the future. >> KN&B had a a meeting last Thursday and once again had no quorum. We're going to have to look at some kind of restructuring with K&B to get that straightened out. >> Still have the trash off plan though, right? Still, it's still on on schedule. >> Okay. >> Uh I would like to uh to announce I'm quite sure everybody received a letter from text out this past week of fixing the redo 379 and
016West Washington the truck route. If you didn't, I'll be I'll pass it on to Susie and get her to share it with everybody. >> Everybody should have it. Yes. >> Yeah. at 379. You know, when you turn, they're going off of West Washington, turn on 379. They're gonna >> Yes. >> badly needed. Damn it. Uh coming up tomorrow, [clears throat] Chief M can confirm this or not, but I believe tomorrow is tip a cop >> uh for Texas Special Olympics at Pizza Hut from 11 to 7. So you can do lunch, you can do slupper, or you could do supper. And so go out and support support our our local PD and they'll they'll be there to take your order and help you out. Right, Mike? >> Okay. [clears throat] Leave lots of tips. Um,
017and along that same line of the 31st, next week is the um, NESOD ISD track and field special Olympics. Believe that's also Texas Special Olympics. And that's from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Rattler Stadium. So, um I think they pretty much have all the volunteers lined up, but they still need folks to come out in the stands and cheer on the athletes. So, if you're able to to do that, please come on out. Uh also on the 31st is the comprehensive plan town hall number two, and that is at 6:00 at the Navasota Center. Uh on April 3rd is Living in Triumphs Easter egg hunt out uh at the and also co-hosted by the city of Navasota at Austo Park. Easter egg hunt from noon to 2. That's on Good Friday, right? Or good or
018is it >> is it >> the 3 >> April 3rd? Anyway, I think it's on that's on the Friday. April 3rd is Good Friday. >> Okay. Uh April 11th is a downtown uh wine walk from 10:00 to 5. And also that same day is the next farmers market at the library. [clears throat] These dates. Okay. Oh, uh April 19th. you, unless you were under a rock, you knew we didn't have the birthday bash when we thought we were going to have it. So, it's on the 19th and it's on a Sunday. Tickets are still available. Little change to the lineup, but I believe it's Stony Laroo and um Neil McCoy are still the headliners for that. So, uh, hopefully the weather will hold this time. [clears throat] And then I mentioned earlier the the trash
019off is coming up on the 25th of April. Uh, they still need still looking for sponsors and groups to sign up for that trash off. And so that is on the 25th and you can contact uh Eric here at the city and get more details for that. Anything else? >> I think that's it, sir. Okay. >> Item five, consideration possible action to approve the city of Navasota's annual financial report this year September 30th year ending September 30th, 2025. Mayor and Council, happy to answer any questions that you might have. Michael and I are both available as well as the the auditor. Um without uh any questions, just one final reminder that it was a unmodified clean opinion on the audit this year. >> Had a green thumbs up. It was. Yes, sir. >> You'll see
020a green thumb on his door tomorrow. [laughter] >> Mr. Mayor, I move that we approve the annual financial report for the fiscal year ending September 30th, 2025. >> Second. >> Motion by Mr. Guestner, second by Mr. Schultz to approve the students annual financial report and audit for fiscal year September 30, 2025. Further discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. Any [clears throat] opposed? None. Item carries. Item six, conduct a public hearing on an order to repair or demolish the substandard building at 1900 Courtney, Navo, Texas 77868. And speaking of Eric, >> good evening, mayor, city council, Eric Rubius, code enforcement. >> Oh, open the hearing at 656. I'm sorry. >> Yes, sir. on uh 1900 Courtney. Um it's been a nuisance for a couple years. I've tried to take it over to court and
021we haven't had any luck with the property owners coming in to speak with the judge. Um currently the roof is caved in due to strong storms and wind. >> [clears throat] >> They are also shown to be um backed up on taxes. Uh there's 2,000 taxes [clears throat] due which I have notified the uh appraisal district as well so that they can put in their uh tax auction. Is there anyone here that um is here to represent that property? >> You haven't had any contact. So, >> yeah. Mayor and council. Um I ask Eric just for the record, would you mind going into a little more detail about the condition of the the structure on the property [cough and clears throat] in addition to the roof being caved in? So we can establish that for
022>> the order in >> case we need that information to be established. >> Okay. Yes, sir. >> Just just those elements that you've outlined in your in your report would be helpful. >> Yes, sir. So, the structure does have um unsafe, unsanitary, and it's dangerous to the health and safety of the community. Um there's a lot of overgrown brush. It can be harboring vermits and rats as well, carrying diseases. Um there's a lot of the non-supporting walls and the roofs are 50% or more damaged or deteriorating. Uh the building is already collapsing on its own. Yeah, it looks like the there's no decking. It looks like it's all deteriorated all the decking or foundation if there was a foundation. >> Yes, sir. As you can see, Eric has provided some additional pictures that would Yes.
023>> back up. >> And it includes a sh also [clears throat] a shed. >> There's a shed back there. There's a lot of overgrown vegetation. Um it's it's caused it's become a dumping ground for people just to dump by and there's also a old vehicle that needs to be removed behind all the vegetation. And and you said they were behind on on taxes. >> Taxes. Yes, sir. >> Multiple years. >> Yes. Uh I've tried to make contact since 2020. I haven't had any luck. >> So the certified letters that you've sent come back. No. and uh come back returned. >> I just happen to know this uh this person here um they're in the nursing home here in the uh >> what's the name of the nursing home right next to uh >> on Buckingham?
024>> No. U >> Golden Creek >> um right up here on East Washington >> Nursing and Rehab. >> Whatever that nursing home is, that's where this person is residing at. >> Uh which which person? >> Uh the Donald Sergeant Uh, Donald Sergeant I believe has a property address in Houston. The letters I have here go to um 6718 San Lane. >> But you got Eddie May Hull deceased. >> Yes. Mayor and Council, there are a thorough list of items that Eric in performing his uh duties has to check in terms of due diligence. County public records, appraisal district records, uh the Secretary of State's office, and believe those are the those are the addresses that he's been able to >> his due diligence search. And so the the notices that he sent out, even though
025they're returned, um are still valid. They still count as a valid notification. So, just want to assure you that um Eric has followed the process and the notification complies with uh state law. So, um you know that that would not be a reason to not take action tonight. >> Yes, sir. So, staff recommends the dwelling in the shed be ordered demolished. Uh the current state of the property is a nuisance and unlawful. >> Anyone else wish to speak to this item? I will close the hearing at 7:01 to the item consideration and possible action on order to demolish the substandard building at 1900 Courtney, Texas 77868. [clears throat] Mr. Mayor, I move we vote to approve an order to demolish substandard building located in 1900 Courtney, Navasota, Texas. >> Second. >> Motion by Mr. Gestner,
026second by Mr. to order substandard building at 1900 Courtney demolished. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. Any oppose? See none. Item carries. Item seven, consideration of possible action on resolution 825-26, approving a supplemental agreement to the multipleuse agreement allowing installation of automated license plate recognition cameras in various locations in Texas Department of Transportation rightways in the city. Mayor, city council, Mike Mai, chief of police, uh, coming for you asking for a supplemental agreement between sex and city of Navasota. Back in April 2024, uh, the city council approved the resolution agreement between uh, text and the city of Navasota and they are basically we have been updating between Tex and all the other agencies in the area in Texas for expansion different text rideways and so forth like that. The original agreement
027just had certain specific areas and then the new agreements are letting agencies go to um farther out different locations. I think some of y'all have seen the speed trailer on Highway 6 um just at the river bridge. That was our original agreement that location. You got to be kind of specific on where you put it at for approvals. And now we would like to move it like to Highway 105, Highway 90. move it around and uh just thisou allows us to have further expansion onto their properties. One quick question, Mike, just uh those license plate readers, are they real time or you you would have to just go back and check it if it picks up a stolen vehicle? Uh license plate reader. >> Okay. On on that a little bit. So yeah, we did
028just clarification on some things I've seen in the media. So, we did a lot of research on these systems that we use. The systems that we use is a vigilanton system that's been around for over 30 years, um, probably since the '9s. These are activated as the vehicle license plate goes through. It will capture the license plate. If it is in the data system through a siegeous compliance system or dispatch throughout the state under DPS and the FBI, it will alert the officer there was a stolen vehicle that just passed through and give a specific location of where the camera was located at. um that's the only type of information or um that gets sent out to an officer is if it is entered in a system such as an amber alert, the blue alert,
029silver alert, a missing person or a stolen vehicle. >> So it is real time. I mean >> correct. Yes. So it automatically alerts the officers and then we have a policy in place. They all have to have train training and all that. The ones that are on duty, it's on their MDT and their patrol car. So it alert the officer on duty and as well as dispatch. So then the officer gets behind the vehicle if they're in the area and then they have to double check again run the license plate to verify because you know technology cameras are could be off just by an R looks like a P. They'll verify that before they have their probable cause to make the stop. >> How many hits already do you have from the 106? >> So
030on that one we have I go back I mean we have recovered I know four stolen vehicles probably in the last six months. We did get an Amber Alert hit which we assisted on that and then a missing person out of Washington County. >> Nice. So very helpful. >> It is very helpful. And not only that, you know, it that's just us in probably six months. So there the technology I mean they this company we use has been around for over 30 years. Um >> yeah, again it's not so like it's >> big brother recording anything or anything like that. All it is is bad guys. The only information you get is the license plate. It doesn't provide anything else. Uh there's no other data is strictly the license plate and that has to be
031entered into the system as uh stolen a reason behind that which again it's under sieges which all of our data is under sieges as well compliant through the FBI. >> This gives us access though to all the text dot controlled roads in the county. >> Correct. And they have special rules too when it's not sitting there. It has to be behind a barrier or if it's out in the uh grassy media and have to have four cones around it. We we it's very very very detailed on the safety wise of course you know when you see the construction signs and all that they have the four barrels around it. We have to do that or we put it behind a barrier. Plus we want to protect our equipment. That was a grant funded uh item
032out there and it's $40,000 grant. So uh we want to do that. >> Mr. Mayor, I move to approve resolution 825-26. >> Second motion by Mr. Fulz, second by Mr. Guest to approve resolution 825-26. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. Any oppose? >> Seeing none, item carries. Item eight, consideration of possible action on resolution 826-26, selecting Southwest Engineering for the Engineer Architectural Surveying Service Provider for grant pre-application application and project implementation for the city of Navas 2526 Texas Community Development Block Grant Fund program funded and administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture. Jose, >> yes. Good evening, Mr. Mayor, City Council. Uh I'm going to give you just a little bit of history on this grant. I've been trying to work with uh with grant works on this back in 2024.
033Um the city burnt application for TDA grant and at the same year we select their grant works to be part of this uh administrative uh help for this grant. Uh it was it's actually divided like sort of like two phases or two different projects. Um they did exactly the same thing. uh hired a grant works and then um send a request for qualification for an engineer and I think we hired Blau for that one and then it's actually currently working as the as a ministry project that we are currently uh working on right now. I think we're about to start on that project. So there's this uh second phase um the process is again the same. we have to get a uh we sent RFQS for uh to hire an engineer um uh for the
034second project. So on Wednesday uh February 25th uh the city of Navasota received five statements of qualification from various engineers in response to a request for qualification to select an engineer for the Texas community redevelopment block grant fund program on March 5 um 2026. the staff form a committee uh comprised of four employees to evaluate the submission and select an engineer for the pre-application grant. Uh after the evaluation uh southwest engineering was chosen for achieving the highest score. Uh therefore staff recommends approving resolution number 826-26. And if you have any question I don't think anybody from grant works are here grant works are here but I might be able to answer the questions and if I don't I'll write them down [clears throat] Exactly. What? What uh uh project is this involve? >> Thank Thank
035you for the question. Yes. Um there's not a project selected yet. The what we're doing right now is selecting a engineer that actually been working on grant um applications. That's the reason why we have we haven't had one yet. We do have projects in mind. I believe we have like three projects and then we have to evaluate them and then kind of see what category you like because I think it's a $750,000 project. So, we're going to try to focus on evaluate what we have and then find a project. >> Okay. >> So, this is costing us no money right now. >> I I think it's uh I can u I was actually thinking about that question. Uh there's a 10% match, but I believe it's already been approved. I will double check on that.
036So, if that's the case, then it'll match will be 75,000. Um I don't know if you know I think we already qualify for it. It's already this is only this is the second phase of it but it is a 10% match. So, mayor and council, just to add a little uh to to that, one of the things that the federal government has changed o over the last two to three years is kind of the procurement process. And one of the things that they now require is you to do the competitive procurement for your professional services, your grant administrator and your engineer um prior to the work beginning so that those expenses can be eligible for reimbursement as a part of the grant. Uh oftent times communities in the past would identify a a project, they
037would go ahead and get an engineer um and they would just fund the engineering costs out of their own rather than wait until after the project after the grant was awarded on a particular project um and and go through this process. And so it it has really helped to allow for all of the project costs to be considered eligible for reimbursement as a part of uh the project. So u it cleaned up a little bit and allowed us to the matching funds are really the only thing that's required where in the past oftent times communities would have to do matching funds for the actual work but they would also have to pay for the administration uh and the and the design work in advance out of the the general fund. And so, uh, this did
038clean it up a little bit. Uh, and it's a little bit better process now. [laughter] >> Mr. Mayor, I move that we approve resolution 826-26. >> Motion motion by Mr. Guester, second by Mr. Folks to approve resolution 8.26-26 selecting Southwest Engineering for the Engineer Architectural Surveying Service Provider for grant pre-application application and project implementation for the CDBG TDA grant. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Any oppose? Seeing none, item carries. >> [clears throat] >> Item nine, consideration possible action on resolution 827-26, adopting an updated purchasing policy. >> Mayor and council, next couple items uh were covered on the workshop, but happy to answer any questions that you might have over the presentations that we did then. >> Mr. Mayor, uh on the um on [clears throat] number nine here
039that we've raising the uh city manager limit up to $50,000. I'm not against it, but um I would like for us to table that until after the evaluation of the city manager of next month. >> Okay. Is that is that a a motion? Yes. Okay, we have no second. So, the motion fails. I move to approve resolution 827-26 adopting updated purchasing policy. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second by Mr. Gestner. Any further discussion? >> Yes. um want to explain why I wanted to u withhold this is several months ago we we had a city employee get up in front of us and told us that his former boss had told him to keep working on items that they knew was not good I'm going use the word good and um that
040counelor kept saying, "Continue to go. Continue to go." I don't want that to happen to us again. Uh I've got trust in Robert. I'm not saying that he's going to go off and do anything bad, but I just wanted to talk to him one on one uh and as a group about this situation because uh when you go through something once the employees is loyal to their boss. We as council members have to be loyal to the city. And I know that when we talked about this, uh, a council member said, you know, we need to look in the mirror. Well, yes, we're we're looking in the mirror, but at the same time, we took an oath that we would protect the city of Navasota. And not saying that Robert is doing anything bad or
041going to do anything bad, but I just wanted to have a conversation with him to uh assure us of when something is is done that we all are aware of it and and we're going down the same path and there's no surprises at the end. So I don't want no one to get the wrong ideas. Uh the relationship between here and I is good. Uh for as I know the relationship between here and the whole council here is good but communication is the key to anything and uh that's the reason I had asked for that. >> Mr. Boby did you say that the state had changed the the threshold on >> that's correct. Yes sir. the the threshold for the city being required to [clears throat] go out for competitive procurement was changed from 50,000
042to 100,000 >> but what the city manager would be approved to spend that's not part of >> No sir that's that's that's a city council decision. Yes sir. [clears throat] So, I I do remember us having that conversation not too long ago that we were going to drop it back down because of uh potential concerns that we had. So, are we ready to I suppose move it to move it back up? >> Well, I I I think there's there's lots of reasons for that and I think Mr. Himminger can kind of maybe relay some of the the things that uh that are kind of involved with with that. >> Yeah, sure. Um I I'll say I guess from uh ju just to set the record straight, [clears throat] thank you, James, for for what you
043said and and um I also agree. I I don't think we have a problem. I don't think anyone is, you know, I'm certainly not taking it that way. Um, but I could see where some some might. Um, I I believe this is your effort to make sure that we're that you all are doing what you're called to do and and safeguarding the city's um [clears throat] finances. And what I would offer uh is uh and I'll even say it publicly, it doesn't have to be in a in an executive session. I will say publicly, I'm going to communicate with this council. I am going to uh take my my marching orders from the the council that hired me. uh and that employs me. Uh and I'm going to continue to share uh every week our
044uh accounts payable uh checks that get dispersed. So that there is going to be real time um information that it gets exchanged, awareness of expenditures that take place. Um and the the threshold that we're talking about is uh yes, going from 25 to 50,000, but what we're talking about are budgeted expenses, right? And and so we're not just in my opinion, we're not talking about just giving cart blanch to the city manager to make budget changes and those kind of things. Those happen here at this DAS. Um and my commitment to you is that I will continue to uphold my responsibilities that I was hired to uphold um and communicate with you all and and do what's right with taxpayers money. >> And again, it's it's more to for business to move along and things
045not to get delayed. Yes, sir. And we had that limit of 50 before although that we had different leadership in the middle of all that. So I think that was probably what was driving that. So, uh, >> I think it >> I I support this this policy. I think it was the barrage of change orders that came and that we didn't know about were occurring because they were below the 50,000 and so just kind of 50,000 and 50,000 and 50,000 and added up I think is >> that was part of our conversation or [clears throat] >> I I think I trust you to make the right I mean I know that I trust you to make the right decision. It just it's hard seeing what what we have been through recently. >> Yeah. When you
046go through something once, you know it, you know, if you get bit by a dog the first time, it may be the dog fault, but if you get bit again, it's your fault, you know. >> Understood. >> Anyway, I believe I made a motion and then we were at discussion and did we have did somebody second? >> It was seconded. Okay. Any further discussion? >> All in favor say I. >> I. That was to resolution 827-26 adopting an updated purchasing policy. >> It's approved. >> It is a motion. [clears throat] [clears throat] Item 10, consideration possible action on resolution 828-26, adopting a revised investment policy. which we just went over. Same thing. >> My guess is you're going to be more in favor of me making money than spending it. [laughter] >> I will, >>
047but I'm happy to answer any questions. >> I will entertain a motion at this time. >> I move that we adopt resolution number 828-26. >> Second. >> Motion by Mr. Holt, second by Mr. Guest to approve resolution 828-26, adopting revised investment policy. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. Any oppose? >> None. Item carry. >> Item 11, consideration possible action on resolution 829-26, authorizing staff to submit an application for the 2026 downtown revitalization program. >> Yes, mayor and council. This is a resolution author authorizing the city to submit an application to the uh Texas Department of Agriculture for the downtown revitalization program through the community development block grant. Uh it's a program Navasota has participated in previously uh and has been a valuable tool in supporting improvements within our downtown area. The
048resolution also formally designates the downtown district boundaries and includes a proposed $20,000 local match um which would be the minimum uh if funding is awarded and the awards are up to $1 million. Uh a specific project has not been identified at this time much like the one we spoke about previously uh and would be selected upon award to ensure it best aligns with program eligibility and community priorities. Approval tonight allows staff to move forward with submitting the application and competing for these funds. >> Mr. Mayor, I move we approve resolution number 829-26. >> Second. >> Motion by Mr. Holt, second by Mr. Folz to approve resolution 829-26. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. I >> I any opposed? None. Item carries. [snorts] >> Item 12, consideration possible action authorizing the city manager to
049proceed with a utility rate study. >> Mayor and council, I'm going to apologize. I'm going to do this one off the top of my head because I didn't bring my notes down here on on all the items. That's the one that isn't here in my folder. But um so as you all have in the packet, there's a proposal for um conduction of a utility rate study. Um it it did exceed the $25,000 which is what why it was here. Uh that that was our previous um policy. Um and uh so it allows the consultant to to do the detailed uh rate study to make a recommendation making sure that our rates are set at uh the price that is needed to operate our water uh sewer and gas um utility systems. Um not that they're
050overly generating a profit and not that they are running at a loss. making sure that they are established at a a market rate that that covers the costs of those systems. Um and and any projects that are needed to maintain them. Uh and uh and again that would come back to you all in the form of a recommendation and a uh and a rate to to adopt. Our thought as a staff was to to get this study done now so that we can have the discussions during the budget workshops and likely implement it with the next budget year. Um we we made a commitment with this year's budget to uh to hold the to the rates and I believe we're doing just fine with those. Um but we have also, as you all are well
051aware, uh we've made a lot of improvements. We've got um a lot of uh issues that have been cleaned up that are from history in our utility um billing system uh that uh that have been cleaned up and we want to make sure now we have good information that uh that gets us reliable rates that um that operate the systems as a whole. >> Well, and as we heard before, the water sewer funds are supporting the gas, >> correct? >> As it as it stands now. So there's obviously some something and it's probably been three or four years since we've done this. Right. I think >> I I believe it was four years ago. I'm not I don't have that in front of me. >> Two years >> two years from >> you know I
052think this past January the rate supposedly went up another 8% but I don't think that we went up. You kind of put a cap on that. Right. >> Right. Yes. that that whenever it was done last when if it was two or three whatever it was there was a fiveyear cycle that said there was going to be an increase every year and we decided with this year's budget that that one of the things I requested was give me an opportunity to come in and assess where we are before we start raising people's rates and you know the same thing with tax rate same thing with utility rates we held everything to allow the the the staff an opportunity to to really assess where we are >> this was a part of that Um I do
053see something where you said that uh you've already got part of the review from the first uh consultant that can can you share that with us through email or something what that review was >> you're talking about the uh billing >> in your summary report here you said that um uh the billing the detail the the billing analysis yes I I absolutely can share that with you I move that we authorize the city manager to proceed with the utility rate study. >> Mr. Mayor, would you include the not to exceed number? >> Oh, yeah. Not to exceed $33,870. >> Okay. >> Motion and a [clears throat] second by Mr. Colts. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? >> None. Item carries. >> Item 13, executive session. City council shall meet
054in executive session as permitted by section 551.072, Texas government code. Deliberation regarding real property. Discussion regarding the purchase, exchange, lease, andor acquisition of real property for city purposes. And section 551.074, 074 Texas Government Code personnel matters for the purpose of discussion and deliberation regarding the appointment of an individual to the office or position of a city of Navasota board and commission which exercise authority that is more than advisory in nature. And the time is 7:29. Item 14, reconvene open session at 7:49. Item 15 >> based on vacancy in the planning and zoning. >> No, no, sir. Mayor, number 15. >> Really? [clears throat] >> Well, I was just doing background. >> Okay. >> From the >> 15 is the real property item mayor. >> Oh, it's item 16. Yes. >> Yes, sir. You just passed
055on pass on item 15 if you would like. >> Yeah. Go to item number 16. Due to the vacancy and planning and zoning, we have a appointment to the city of Navasota zoning board of adjustment. >> Mr. Mayor, I move that we uh we add Anna Mise to the BOA board. >> Second. >> Motion and second. >> That would be for place one. Yes. >> Yes. >> Place one. >> Okay. Motion by >> who is it? >> James and second by >> Motion by James and second by >> Josh Mr. Fuls. All right. Any further discussion? >> All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? See none. Item car. [clears throat] And with that being the