June 10, 2020 - The Tenaha City Council held its first in-person council meeting on May 26, 2020, since they began having meetings during COVID-19 via telephone. Precautionary measures were taken by the city with seating spreading attendees apart by six feet.
Following the return to open session after an executive session toward the end of the meeting, it was a momentus occasion as city council alder members Florance Adams and Linda Vickery, already seated, were sworn-in by City Secretary Amanda Treat and newly elected mayor Michael "Runt" Ramsey was sworn-in by outgoing mayor Michael Baker.
Ramsey is well known as a member of the Tenaha Tiger Coaching staff where he has been the Athletic Trainer for the past 34 years.
During the meeting public comment was heard from Joaquin city councilman Mike Cummings, Jr. and Cliff Lloyd, Tenaha resident and former council alderman.
Cummings informed the Tenaha council Joaquin is seeking to establish a marshal's office and with Tenaha's reduction in force he was inquiring if Tenaha would be willing to sell one of their police vehicles to Joaquin.
"This morning we had a council meeting, discussed about starting or reinstating our new, a new city marshal's office and putting in a city marshal in Joaquin," said Cummings.
He stated Joaquin ISD would be willing to pay for half of the expense of the vehicle, according to the school superintendent, pending a school board meeting and its approval. (Correction: Joaquin ISD would consider entering in contracted services with the city regarding the marshal. In return the marshal would provide security and presence at UIL sanctioned events and on campus periodically.)
Mayor Michael Baker said they would make note and put the item on their next agenda for the council to discuss and vote on the matter.
"I don't think we can do that," said Jeremy Pope, Tenaha Police Chief. "It's not whether it's available or not, I just don't think we can do that."
Cliff Lloyd asked the council about the status of property donated to the city by George Bowers, Albert Burns and Joan Anderson which was first discussed in the November 16, 2015 council meeting. Lloyd stated he and fellow alderman Durand Steadman spoke with Bowers during the time of the donation and they informed him they sought to turn the property into a park and name it after Bowers, Burns and Anderson.
"So, George did that so willing before the city of Tenaha, because of the way we talked and what we said, he agreed upon it and nothing ever got done, we can't even get a grant or anything," said Lloyd.
Lloyd asked the city council if it can be looked into so progress could be made.
City park signs were previously approved by the council and there was discussion as to who would get the signs and Amanda Treat volunteered to get them ordered. The council previously approved a Jake-Brake ordinance and asked if Treat would order the needed signage as well.
Every year the Tenaha Businessmen's Club and American Legion Post 5 sponsor a fireworks program held at Tenaha ISD for a July 4 Independence Day Celebration. The council discussed the possibility of allowing the festivities to move forward as usual or to cancel them due to COVID-19 concerns.
The Tenaha Businessmen's Club President, Roland Cross, asked for the council to consider the possibility so the purchase of fireworks could be made. Treat explained to the council the guidelines are very strict on how to have an outdoor activity like that, and she mentioned how strict the guidelines are for graduation.
With the state of unknown circumstances in dealing with COVID-19 the members of the council were regretable in having to vote to not have the festivities this year. A motion carried to regretably cancel the 4th of July festivities due to the epidemic.
The council discussed the possibility of opening the city offices on June 1, 2020. A motion carried to open the office on June 1 and a window would possibly be installed.
Agenda itema approved during the meeting include: 1. April 2020 Meeting Minutes. 2. April 2020 Financials. 3. Remove two cell phones from the city's Cellular One contract as they expire on the plan. 4. Cancel the Tenaha Businessmen’s Club and American Legion Post 5 4th of July Celebration at Tenaha High School. 5. Open city offices on June 1, 2020 6. Adjourn.
