City Council - Regular Meeting

Let me call to order the one thousand, eight hundred and ninety ninth meeting of the Deer Park City Council. We're going to open up with our invocation by Councilwoman Georgette Ford and the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilman Ron Martin.

Father God, thank you so very much for this city of Deer Park. We know how blessed we are. We just heard about our bond rating, how good we're doing in this city, trying to prepare for our future, and we are so thankful for everything you've blessed us with. As we make some changes here tonight, I ask you to bless Ron Martin and his family. He has served this city so well, God, and we thank you for lending him to us and us having his valuable insight that you have blessed us with for the twelve years that he's been here, God.

We ask you to lay your hand and your discernment now upon our new council member, Eric Ripley, that will be taking his place, God. As always, for all of us, we ask that you give us the discernment from you that the decisions that we make here are made in your glory, God. We ask you to continue to bless Deer Park as you have. It's in your holy name that we pray. Amen.

Amen. Please join me for the pledges of the American and Texas flags. I pledge allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America

to speak tonight?

Yes, sir. We had one person sign up to speak. Let's see if I can read his handwriting. It's Hootie Andy Blowfish at 1218 Park Green.

Never mind. It's here tonight. I was wondering I'm like, who did

you I get it.

That was good.

I was like, who is here? Who is the James?

Kind of broke the ice on the seriousness. I

know. I was about to cry now. Just laughing.

I'm like trying to figure out who that is and what's going on.

I was trying to figure out who Jay put up to.

Like, why is she having a hard time pronouncing the name? And I was like, really?

But if anyone could get Hootie here, it would be new council member.

Yeah.

Eric Ripley.

Is he here?

We'll wait for him. Is he on his wife?

He's on his way.

Moving on to agenda item number one, I guess at this point, let's give Eric a nice round of applause as he makes his way up here. So agenda item number one was for presentation of certificate of elections, which I just did. For positions four, five, and six, it was highly contested selection.

I hate y'all. That's ridiculous. Had two day components.

Agenda item number two, complete the statement of officer forms and administer the oath. So you have before you your certificate. And if you pull out, we've got a statement of appointed officer. We're going to start with that one. You might want to hold it in your hands so you don't You've done this before.

You should know better. That I have not directly or indirectly paid.

That have not directly or indirectly paid. Offered. Offered.

Promise to pay. Promise to pay. Contributed. Contributed. Or promise to contribute any money or thing of value.

Or promise to contribute any money or thing of value.

Or any public office or employment.

Or promised any public office or employment

as a reward to secure my appointment

a reward to secure my appointment

confirmation thereof

or confirmation thereof

so help me God.

So help me God.

You The form that you just completed is the statement of officer form. It is one of the documents that you have to complete in order to

be

elected. In the election code, it proceeds the oath of office, basically states that you're not accepting any bribe and you did not pay anybody for the votes that you were given.

Now we're going to do the actual oath of office. And then you all could do the music then. Please raise your right hand. I.

Georgeette Bedford Ford.

Eric Ripley. Just in need.

Do solemnly swear or affirm

Do solemnly swear or affirm

that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office

That I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of councilwoman position six forces

in position five. For the city of Deer Park

of Deer Park

for the state of Texas

of Texas

and will to the best of my ability

to the best of my ability

preserve, protect, and defend

protect, and defend

the and the laws of The United States

the and laws of the States

and of this state

and of this state this

the charter and ordinances of this city

the charter and ordinances of this city

so help me, God.

So help me, God.

Congratulations. Now I think we've got agenda item number three, the recognition of councilman previous has been Ron Martin as the departing city council member. Would you please come up if I didn't state your name for the

record? Record?

I'm just messing with him. It's kind of his final hooray to say a few things. I know we met recently, and we've all said our piece about you but you wanted to say a few parting words. Peace.

I don't know First if that was of all, it is very strange standing here talking this way. So I just have to get used to this. But I just wanted to thank first of all city council, city staff, city manager Stokes, assistant city manager Sarah Koslow for a wonderful twelve years. For me, it seems like I ran for election back in 2014 like it was yesterday. But I think under the mayor's leadership, it made everything easy.

So just to let everyone know, we did have a little get together. I got had the opportunity to thank each council member individually. And then I got to the end I was thanking Councilman Garrison and someone asked me to tell a Christmas Eve story in my mind. It went blank and I meant to thank Jerry. So, I asked so I wanted to let you know Jerry Mayor Mouton.

Your leadership has been tremendous over the last my twelve years but I believe your total of fourteen years if that's correct. You know not as just our mayor but as a friend you know a bunch of a lot of these guys I talk sports with and all that and you're one of them and you would rib me against my longhorns. I would rib you against you know LSU and his knee was down for that that game. But you know so I will miss that. I'll miss your friendship you know an interesting thing about Mayor Mouton and his wife is they're foodies just like my wife Laura and I are.

And there was a restaurant that Jerry was raving about that he and Tammy wanted to take us out to. I'm like, all right you know that'd be great. You know hadn't hadn't tried it. We've heard about it. And we went and I guess we had a special table since I knew who he was. And so our table's here and the wall was right next to us and it's boudoir pictures like naked women, you know, and all that stuff. I know we're on the record here. Which is why I'm telling this story now.

Don't allow those books in their part. Couldn't have some of that out. Yeah. It's okay.

But I was I told Laura, I was like, I like this restaurant. But no, in all seriousness, know, to our just random dinners, funny dinners and all that, Your leadership has been outstanding. I've been blessed for twelve years. Jay was our city manager then. Assistant city manager Gary Jackson. Oh my gosh. Gary Jackson was here back then before Sarah was director of finance. Of course my mind is failing me. Donna was here. Now we have Vanessa.

Nicole. Nicole. Know and then Bill Peterson to Bill Filbert. Know chief is still here. I'm glad you're here chief. But a lot of staff didn't turn over. They all retired. And I think you know part of that is definitely due to Jay being here as city manager. But because of your leadership we wouldn't have Jay's leadership to one keep all the directors that we've had and staff that long. They've stayed till retirement and then we've been lucky enough to have blessed people to lead us in the different departments.

So, I've said this many a time. You've really did something special with not just the city but with our council. You know, for all seven of us including yourself to vote as one even though there are vote there are times when Georgette and Sherry always voted against me. Sorry, just had to throw that in there. But at in the end you've unified you've unified a council.

I'm not saying it was broken before but you've really unified this council. Look at this building the building next door the building that we were at last last Friday the J back the new fire stations and all that that was under your leadership. And you know with the type B taxes and everything we've accomplished a lot as a council but under your leadership and I just want to thank you for that and how important that is to me and the citizens of Deer Park. But I'm gonna miss you guys. I actually I'm kind of getting used to talking from here so maybe you'll see me on Tuesday evening signing my name and griping about position five not doing certain things.

But I think someone told me recently, Ron, I think the part that you're gonna miss the most is the people And I'm already noticing that. Definitely gonna miss miss the people. Gonna miss these meetings. The high, the lows, the fences, knocking down fences, bridges, stuff like that, trash cans. Speaking of trash cans, I pulled up and I was like, Geez, they're ready for me to leave.

They had two a fire truck and a big sewer. I don't know what you guys call that thing sitting out front. I guess to get rid of me and to install Councilman Ripley. So, but with that I'm gonna end it but I just want to thank one everyone for some more supporting me the last twelve years and you guys are in the city of Deer Park's in great hands with councilman Ripley. And I am I am so glad that he's he's followed in my footsteps and will have an influence in affecting Deer Park at least for twelve years. That's all I have. Thank you.

I am gonna make my way down. I've got some presentations to make. Counsel, you don't wanna make your way down so we can take a picture and present Ron? Present it to Ron Martin, Council Position 5. Thank you for your dedicated service 2014 through 2026.

Anybody else want to get in the picture? No? Who who do you want? You're right in front and center. You're good. My family. Family? Family? Get up here. Yeah. Here. Right here.

Riley's on the gate.

Oh, well. More important things.

He asked me.

And here it sound like you were twelve years was a long time. Apparently, we're honoring somebody who's been serving our community for thirty two years. That's a long time. Get up here. It says all kind of really nice things about you. Yeah. Well, why don't you say a few words?

It's been a long time. Thirty two years on P and Z. And, it's time to ride off in the sunset. But we're leaving you a good group. And we're always happy to work with counsel and always have been. We had a great guy that we set up to you right here. That's right. And so, but it's been fun. And thank you. Thank you very much.

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that we honor and celebrate Don Tippett for his outstanding service and unwavering commitment to the city of Deer Park and its citizens, and extend our deepest gratitude for his many years of leadership and dedication to the board of adjustments and planning and zoning commission. I hereby proclaim the May 2026 as Don Tippett Day. That's pretty awesome. I don't have my day. Absolutely.

That's awesome. Whose birthday is it? It's your birthday? I think you should lead us in singing happy birthday. Why don't we do that? Let him stand up here. You. Happy birthday birthday you. Happy birthday,

you, Don. We appreciate you.

That's pretty awesome. National Public Works Week. Who's gonna join me up here for that? There's a bunch of guys back there in blue. Y'all need to get up here. Right there. Were y'all the ones driving that trash truck to haul runoff? Yeah. Is that what that was about? That's kind of funny.

I tried to get him to let me drive it.

Yeah. So national public work. What what is national public works week?

So from Sunday, which was no, it's on the third week. It starts the Sunday, and it goes all the way through the next Saturday. The twentieth, we'll have our annual picnic in Alvin, the Gulf Coast Water Authority. We do this every year. It's put on by APWA, which is American Public Works Association. And we have a big cook off. There'll be 25 teams out there cooking. And that's one of the ways we celebrate. We have a big picnic and we can invite all our coworkers to come eat lunch for free. We cook a bunch of barbecue and then we have a cook off and then we compete against 25 other teams or 24 other teams. What we do?

Sounds like a big party or something. What what do y'all do other than that? Do don't y'all do something important? I thought, well, we were gonna listen to what you actually do. And all you're talking about is the whole week and the party, and we're gonna have a great time. So what what does Public Works do? I mean You pick up the trash. What do you do?

I'm a sanitation supervisor. Hi. My name is Tim Alexander.

So you're gonna all run off work?

Well, that's up to them.

Oh. If you

can stay up there, we want you to. Oh.

Well, hey. Ask the mayor. Hey. You can

oh, he's right here.

Sorry. Yeah.

I'm so used to be

being back there. I'm wondering who you're looking for right there. Did I get replaced to not even know it?

No. We're not. Did you go He looked at you.

So besides sanitation, what y'all do something else?

Sanitation is the department of the year, by the way.

Oh. Oh, We would I don't know where

our belt went to. We had our belt. You took it back? We also won third place in drinking water, best drinking water in Texas. We also take your wastewater. We take that away. So when you flush the toilet, you use your sink. That works. We do the ditches so your house doesn't flood. We pick up your trash, of course. We also do a lot of internal stuff. We do electrical, HVAC. We do fleet, which takes care of all the cars, including the police, fire department, how it works, parks and recs, and all the other vehicles that we have. So we have an admin, which is me and Kathy. She couldn't be here tonight, But And we'll see who who do I do that? We do streets.

Streets? Traffic. Traffic what?

Traffic. We do all the lights. We do all the signs. We put the new signs up. We're gonna redesign all all the

So you're responsible for all them new nice signs. Isn't that awesome? Have you all seen them? So, you know, the social media world when it was posted that what did you say? We have the what? The best drinking water in Texas or something like that? Third place. So, you know, there's some special people out there in the social media world. And somebody said something about, oh, why would anybody drink that? I would rather drink out a bottle of water.

And of course, you know, me being the mayor and knowing Caitlin would not want me to get on there and comment about certain things, I really wanted to ask the guy, where do you think the bottled water company gets their water from? Is there another place to get water from besides some kind of water treatment place somewhere?

Oh,

because I know one of the biggest ones around here is over in Pasadena. And unfortunately, they have to drink the Pasadena water. I'd rather drink the Deer Park water. I'm just saying. Okay. I don't I don't know if I wanna process that one. Whatever you just said. Okay. Now, therefore, I am mayor Jerry Mouton, City Of Deer Park, Texas, by the virtue of the authority invested in me by the constitution and laws of the city of Deer Park, do hereby proclaim the week of partying week for May National Public Works weeks. Thank you guys for what y'all do.

I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you, guys. Thank you. Thank you, man. We appreciate everybody.

It's such a shining on. Nice job. He was good, wasn't he?

Got one more. Municipal clerks. Where's the clerks at? Gonna join me up here? Is this y'all's party week too? No, you don't have a party week?

No.

All right. Well, The whole team.

Yes,

sir. What does a municipal clerk actually do?

Well, we have multiple names. The municipal clerk is one of the oldest positions in the state in a local government. It's actually the only position required. In our city here in Deer Park, my department which consists of these lovely people here plus two part time receptionists. We handle all the elections for the entire city as well as the agenda management for City Council, CDC, Fire, Crime, LAPC, I'm missing one, planning and zoning, board of adjustments.

In addition, we also handle open records request and records management. And then strangely enough, we actually handle all the vehicles. So, if you buy a vehicle for the city, not for the the city, then we handle the registration and renewal purposes for that. In addition, my front desk which I have two part time employees, they handle the phone calls and mail and packages. So, I would like to introduce my staff. This is my Deputy City Secretary, Gladys Sanchez. She just joined us in January. And then Records Specialist, Jessica Rackley. And then Monica Chavez is my clerk. And then my part two, my two part time employees are Catherine and Sarah.

I have a morning receptionist and an afternoon receptionist. My name is Angela Smith and I am the city secretary. And no, that is not an admin job. Most people think that. So

Did y'all get all that? Now, therefore, I, jury Mouton, mayor of the city of Deer Park by virtue of the authority invested in me, do hereby proclaim the week of May 3 through the May 9 at twenty twenty six as municipal clerk's week. Thank you so much for what y'all do. I appreciate it. Thank you.

You only have to turn that on if you're going to say something, Eric. I mean, sidekick over there, she violated the first rule the first week she started talking like she was supposed to talk.

I know everything. Yes. You can help it.

We've got presentations done. Moving on to consent calendar.

Move for approval. Second.

I have a motion by Councilman Ginn, a second by Councilman Lee. Any discussions? All in favor?

Aye.

All opposed? Motion carries. Moving on to new business, agenda item number nine, consideration of an action on the designation of mayor pro tem.

Move for approval.

Second. I have a motion by Councilman Lee. A second I want to say Martin, but that's

not right.

Councilman Ripley. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carries. Agenda item number 10, consideration of an action on airing into an interlocal agreement with the DPISD to supply 14 DPISD resource officers to cover all the campuses in Deer Park and three of the campuses in Pasadena for the 2627 school year. Is Second. The I have a motion by Councilman Garrison and a second by Councilman Ford. Any discussion? All in favor?

Aye.

All opposed? Motion carries. Agenda item number 11, consideration of an action on airing to agreement with Arduro Group Inc. For professional services related to the PLC upgrades at the surface water treatment plant.

Move for approval.

Second. Motion by Councilman Ford and second by Councilman Ginn. Any discussions? All in favor?

Aye.

All opposed? Motion carries. Agenda item number 12, consideration of an action on adoption of resolution by council of the city of Deer Park authorizing the publication of notice of intent to issue certificates of obligations approving the preparation of preliminary official statement and approving other matters incidental thereto. Mr. Fox.

A resolution of the city council of the city of Deer Park, Texas authorizing publication of notice of intention to issue certificates of obligation approving the preparation of a preliminary official statement and approving other materials incidental thereto.

Move for approval. Second.

A motion by Councilman Ginn and a second by Councilman League. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carries. Agenda item number 13, consideration of an action on ordinance appointing one member to the crime control and prevention district due to a change in council. Mr. Fox.

An ordinance appointing one board member of the crime control and prevention district of the city of Deer Park Texas due to change in council that Victor Wise appointed by council member Eric Ripley.

Move for approval.

I

motion my councilor Ricky Ripley.

He's gonna command Ripley Martin.

Martin. Ricky

Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carries agenda item number 14, consideration of an action on ordinance appointing one member to the fire control prevention and emergency medical services district due to change in council. Mr. Fox.

An ordinance appointing one board member to the fire control prevention and emergency medical service district of the city of Deer Park, Texas due to change in council that Daniel Leverchuk is appointed to the board by council member Eric Ripley.

Move for approval.

Second.

I have a motion by Councilman Gannon and second by Councilman Ford. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carries agenda item number 15, consideration of an action on an ordinance appointing Mo Gwin to the municipal court judge for a two year term. Mr. Fox.

In Orange approving the reappointment of the presiding judge of the municipal court of the city of Deer Park, Texas providing for compensation, providing for term, and providing for an effective date.

Move for approval. Second.

I have a motion by Councilman League and second by Councilman Ford. Any discussion? Did I do something wrong? No. No discussion? All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carried. You were looking at me like I had done something wrong. No.

I was just going to say it was for Mo Ginane. Oh, you forgot the name? No, didn't forget. Was Mr. Just

Lee beat you too. Yeah, there you go. It's okay. Agenda item number 16, consideration of an action on the ordinance appointing one alternate member to the board of adjustment to complete an unexpired term. Mr. Fox.

And the ordinance appointing one alternate member of the board of adjustments of the senior part testes in specifying their terms that Grace Serrano be and is hereby appointed as alternate member of the Board of Adjustments of the City Gear Park.

Move for approval. Second.

A motion by Councilman Ford and second by Councilman League. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carries. Agenda item number 17, consideration of an action on ordinance appointing two members of the Parks and Recreation Commission for two year terms. Mr. Fox.

An ordinance appointing two members of the Parks and Recreation Commission in the City Of York Park, Texas and providing for term length, be it Scott Combs and Robert Henson be in hereby or appointed.

Move for approval. Second. I have a motion by Councilman McGinn or Ms. Garrison.

Yes.

Motion by Ms. Garrison and second by Councilman Ripley. Everybody's trying to jump in on that one. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carries. Agenda item number 18, consideration of an action on ordinance appointing members to the Board of Health for a two year term. Mr. Fox.

In order to appointing that Donald R. Metz, Andrew Metz, James Stokes, and Delcia Jimenez as members of the Board of Health in the City of Deer Park, Texas providing for repeal and providing for term length.

Move for approval. Second.

A motion by Councilman League and second by Councilman Ginn. Any discussion? All in favor?

Aye.

All opposed? Motion carries. Agenda item number 19, consideration of an action on purchasing services of Smith Pump Company Inc. For the rehabilitation two booster pumps at the Pasadena Boulevard Water Well site.

Move for approval. Second.

And a motion by councilman Ginn and a second by councilman Lee. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carries. That's all the items we have tonight. I'd like to again send my congratulations to 4, five, and six. And I look forward to continuing what we've got going up here and assimilating Mr. Ripley into the narrative. And bless your part. Thank you. This meeting is adjourned.