January 23, 2015 - Following executive session, Joaquin City Council denied a request from Dub Alford to move water meters off his property and announced their new hire to be Amanda Willey.
The meeting was opened by Mayor Mike Wood and council members present at the meeting were Bill Baker, Ben Brittain, Pat Gray, and Lee Vern Stotts-Gilliam. Also present at the meeting was Public Works Director, Perry Pugh; City Secretary, Donna Fitzgerald; Constable Billy Hearnsberger; Ray Vann with Raymond K. Vann and Associates out of Lufkin; Dub Alford; and Trey West.
Mr. Alford was very unhappy with the decision of the Council to deny his request and advised he would be contacting his attorney. Following a brief conversation, Alford left the meeting. Council made a motion and a second to not move the meter and to send him an official letter of the Council's decision.
Council announced the new hire for City Secretary position to be Amanda Willey and approved her to start work on Monday, January 26, 2015. Willey will be trained by Donna Fitzgerald for her position until the projected date of March 15th.
Mayor Mike Wood said, "Mrs. Donna (Fitzgerald) we appreciate everything you've done, coming in at a rough time, picking up the ball and running with it."
Prior to executive session council approved agenda items one through seven.
During discussion of payment of bills, Mayor Woods address online payments, "It looks like online payments are going to be (cost) prohibitive." He continued explaining customers wanting to pay by credit card they can call the office and give the credit card number over the phone for payment. Fitzgerald advised when a customer calls to pay over the phone, the office prints out a receipt for the customer and keeps it for the customer to pickup at a later time.
Council approved City Election to be set for May 9, 2015. Positions to be on the ballot are Mayor Woods, Lee Vern Stotts-Gilliam, and Mike Atkinson. First day to sign up will be January 28, 2015.
Resolution 01-02-15 on submitting a 2015-16 TxCDBG grant application to the Texas Department of Agriculture was approved with the grant funding going to the sewer system. Council heard from Mr. Ray Vann, a representative of Raymond Kay Vann and Associates. Vann addressed the council, "So, every two years we get the opportunity to apply for a Community Development Block Grant through Texas Department of Agriculture. This is the grant that used to be $250,000; it is now $275,000, the one that y'all were just funded on in 2013." He did explain that because the city was funded last time the City's chances are low but if you don't apply at all the chances are none.
Council also discussed and approved Resolution 01-01-15, an annexation of HWY 84 with amendment to include property on Haslam Strip to the Texas State line. An ordinance with more details of the property to be annexed will be presented at next months meeting.
Prior to adjourning the meeting council discussed replacement of gas line. Perry Pugh reported, "Some of [the gas line] has already been replaced but I don't know how much. I have no way of knowing until you dig it up." The plan is to start checking the line starting near El Ranchero Mexican Restaurant located on SH7 East and then back to FM 139.
Items receiving approval from Council 1. Approved previous month's minutes with one correction. 2. Approved payment of bills. 3. Approved City Election for May 9, 2015 for Mayor and 2 council positions. 4. Approved Resolution 01-01-15, an annexation of HWY 84 with amendment to include property on Haslam Strip to the Texas State line. An ordinance with more details of the property to be annexed will be presented next month. 5. Approved Resolution 01-02-15 on submitting a 2015-16 TxCDBG grant application to the Texas Department of Agriculture for the sewer system. 6. Approved renewal of sewer loan at Texas State Bank (TSB). 7. Approved to add a sewer tap for free for Star Spring Church. |
