June 29, 2016 - Cliff Lloyd was sworn in at the Tenaha City Council meeting held on Monday, June 20, 2016 as the newest council member. The meeting opened with Sheryl Clark, City Secretary, administering the oath of office to Lloyd.
Once he was sworn in, the meeting continued into the public comment portion of the meeting and Mitch Menefee, Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department Chief, informed the council Tenaha is currently being ISO rated for insurance.
"It's quite a deal, we haven't been rated since '95. We're deficient in a good bit of that stuff and there's things that the city can do to help that. The rating is for insurance. When you buy fire insurance, whether that's on your home or your business, they look up a rating for each city," said Menefee.
Chief Menefee stated the city has never had a fire code and having one would help the city score to improve. He also said there are some things it would be impossible for the city to score well on. It was his desire of the council to consider actions which could help improve the rating.
"[The fire department] struggles with our funds, because mainly we make it off what people donate on their water bill," said Chief Menefee.
$500 a month is what the fire department receives in donations via the water bill and Menefee said the department makes it on that amount. He remarked funds are tight and they are working to pay off repairs to their tanker.
Natalie Harris, alderwoman, inquired with Chief Menefee if he could compile a list of the items which could be improved to help the rating.
Melanise Alexander, Tenaha resident, addressed the council about the need for landscaping being done at Roberts Road at Moore Drive. She also would like to see some landscaping done at a curve in the roadway.
Mayor Carl Jernigan welcomed Miles Bradshaw and Kelli Karczewski with Karczewski/Bradshaw L.L.P. who are the newly hired legal representation for the city of Tenaha.
As the council reviewed the city financial report Michael Baker, alderman, stated he is concerned about the net total income and he wanted to know if more money would be coming in soon to improve that income.
"We are still in a major process of actually getting the city financials in an order that's actually legible and understandable. I'm hoping by the next council meeting that we can have a more in depth and detailed process of what's going on," said Mayor Jernigan.
A motion carried to approve the financial report.
Nominations were heard for election of the mayor pro tem. Harris stated, "I have truly enjoyed serving as mayor pro tem, thank you for the opportunity, and I would love to continue to serve in that capacity."
A motion carried to elect Harris as mayor pro tem.
The meeting went into executive session at 5:37pm and did not return to open session until 7:08pm.
During the meeting two resignations were brought to the attention of the public and council including the resignation of Jerry Bush, wastewater operator, June 23 and the resignation of Stacy Cranford, director of public works, June 30.
A proposal was then given by Cranford to continue working for the city as a consultant. Cranford stated his reason for resigning had nothing to do with the city; however, he explained he needs to be able to give more attention to his business in Panola County as was his original intent when he began working for the city as a consultant.
He stated it wasn't his intention to leave the city without any help in his absence and he offered to work for the city and with whomever they hire in his stead for 40 hours a month as a consultant.
A motion carried to accept the proposal from East Texas Excavating and Utility Services (Stacy Cranford) for consulting with the city's water and wastewater.
Several invoices exceeding the $1,500 approved mayoral limit were considered including one from East Texas Excavating and Utility Services in the amount of $1,650 for road work and repair, as well as another from Holley Services Incorporated in the amount of $2,540 for work required to raise water line on water well tank.
A motion carried to approve payment of the invoices.
A motion carried not to finance a vehicle for the Tenaha City Marshal’s Office at this time.
"This is something that will be brought back at y'all's pleasure and more than likely at my request," said Mayor Jernigan.
Jose Leos, alderman, inquired on the condition of the current vehicle being used by the City Marshal's Office.
"Without a doubt we do need a second vehicle, but honestly we're close to where I can financially see where the city's at," said Mayor Jernigan. "Sheryl is doing a wonderful job getting us to where I can take the finances for this city and I can loop them into a ball and I can tell you what we have right now, but still as of this date I cannot tell you where we will projectively be in two years."
Until a better picture of the financial future of Tenaha can be formed, Mayor Jernigan doesn't feel a purchase of the vehicle can be accomplished at this time.
Cranford provided his final report for the water department and he thanked everyone for their support and stated he appreciated working with everyone.
In finishing up what he called the last alleged violation with TCEQ, fencing at ground storage by Well #3 Jimmy Broadway completed that project and Cranford stated Marie and Victor Crawford allowed the city to work on their side of the fence to complete the project.
Asphalt has been ordered to complete some patching on pot holes and limestone has been being used up to that point. A representative from the Department of Agriculture has examined East Railroad Street and Travis Street and another site visit is expected soon. This will help the city to move forward on a grant for repair on those streets.
Nothing has been heard as of the meeting from BNSF on money agreed upon for street closure.
Clark gave her report on the state not allowing the city's grant writer to submit request for proposals to the city's administrative service, preventing the city being able to secure an engineer. Additional information on this is expected soon.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45pm.
City Marshal's report: 10 calls for service, 175 traffic stops, 200 citations.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Minutes from May 16, 2016 Regular Scheduled Council Meeting. 2. May 16, 2016 Financials. 3. Hire East Texas Excavating and Utility Services (Stacy Cranford) for consulting with the city's water and wastewater. 4. Payment of invoices exceeding current $1,500 mayor approval level. 5. Authorize the mayor to select a credit card company to: a) supply credit cards for city personnel purchases b) work in conjunction with RVS Water System and Court Collections Programs 6. Increasing authorized spending limits for director of public works to $2,500 and mayor to $5,000. 7. Resolution adopting the City of Tenaha Hazard Mitigation Plan. 8. Back to school event donation of $150 worth of supplies.
Agenda items tabled include: 1. Water collection policy and procedures. 2. Changing council meeting time to the third Tuesday of each month.
