City Council - Regular Meeting

the nutrition and enjoy the company of a community garden. According to a recent article in the December issue of Sunray magazine, this is a quote. Do you know that digging, planting, tending to, or simply being in a garden is one of the best things you can do for your health? More than just a hobby, gardening is a whole body, whole mind practice that delivers benefits long after you put that towel or shoulder away. You can substitute a day and the garden for an indoor workout. This is our why. Now, for our beginning of first of all, I want to I have I'm old school, so I have real pictures to show you. our beginnings. I'll start with Edward and their numbers. I must tell you first of all that uh when we started looking for a place to have our community garden, we were shown an area behind the the uh mission and I went there and looked around and I saw no no water source, no lightning lighting and no fencing. Chris uh talked to me um or met me when I um set an appointment with him to see where could we have this this uh garden. He says, "Get in the truck."

And I was a little nervous about that, but I did. And he took me over to the uh volleyball court right behind the Hannah Springs pool. and he said, "This is where you need to be." And I actually started to cry when I saw it. It had water. It had a fence. It had even lighting that we really don't need, but um just to know it was there. It was it was a miracle. And uh I just want to tell you how grateful I am that there'll be some place. I'm sorry. When I get nervous, I get a little emotional. Okay, back to the beginning. It all began in 2020 with the COVID pandemic in full force when everything shut down. People were urged to stay indoors and away from others. We were urged to maintain 6 ft distances from one another. I believed that admonition wouldn't need to apply to a community garden. So I proceeded to find others to help get a community garden started. been graphed suggested I talk to Karen Desarm with the Texas A&M and her life extension for help since I had only been a resident here in L passes for a few years and had only a handful of acquaintances. Karen brought together friends from master gardeners and 4 and we assembled a board of directors. I applied to the state of Texas for a certificate of formation as a private nonprofit organization that was filed July 28th,

2020. Later, we applied to the IRS for an I number and received it August 4th, 2020. We applied to the IRS for our 501c3 designation as a charitable nonprofit tax exemption that was received November 18th, 2020. I don't know if you realize how astounding these dates are. We were in a pandemic where nothing was working, especially government. Now the hard part began. And we needed to raise funds for our liability insurance before we could gain access to the gardens at all. But first, we needed an agreement with the city. I wrote three grants which borrowed enough money along with other donations and fundraising efforts to raise the needed funds to be able to sign the agreement and get started. That was November 18th, 2020. We had five gardeners set signed up to do the square foot garden method. Karen had a grant to help gardeners who were economically challenged. They were provided traditional gardening materials and planted with dirt. It became apparent that the square foot gardening method was superior and we have recommended it to our gardeners ever since. Throughout 21 and 22, we continued to grow. We started a compost pile to supplement the purchased compost. We constantly had volunteer We continually had volunteer help from the gardeners and outside groups such as the youth from the Methodist church who helped during spring break and we had help from the juvenile probation office. They have provided some kits that have been so valuable over the years. And the

master gardeners planted a pollinator garden in the back plot to earn their required service hours. As we were getting older gardeners, we noticed that it was harder for them to bend down to garden in our regular raised beds. I mentioned to Kelvin council include Fairview but the pro the whole project that we're looking at will look at BNC Fair View and Firstly Landon as budget prevents we had a gentleman talk to us a couple weeks ago about area of either spring summer and G is that on your list

that uh not necessarily because we're I believe we're looking at that ter in terms of the CD project and how we can adapt that Maybe not necessarily a change order, but as as part of that project. So that's being addressed in a different manner, but that's being looked at. Yes, of course. Yeah. Any other questions? You mentioned that uh we did have a a drainage uh study that was done that was not adopted. It's not necessarily a study. It's more of a criteria manual. Um it basically gives developers something to go off of or What year was that?

That was 2011 that it was supplied to the city. To my reg to my knowledge to the records, it was never adopted.

Not necessarily start over. We'll just ask Mr. African to reviews, make sure everything still up to us and if it is, then we'll just resupply council to to adopt. Anything else? All right. Thank you. Item number four, discussion regarding scheduling a joint meeting with Pent Water Supply Corporation and the city council. Mayor, council, this is just a requirement for the wholesale contract. It clearly states that uh city council and the water supply corporation board director board of directors, sorry, are to meet annually. Um the last we met was March of 2024. It's time for that to happen again. So, I'm here just to see if we can get some possible available dates from council that we can approach her with.

And you you'll recall we had one scheduled for this summer. We didn't delay that until your new city manager came on board and unfortunately we were unable to schedule that. Um, so we're looking at that joint meeting date. Can we do that through a workshop or do we need to schedule a whole another meeting? I um I think given the intricacies of the relationship with Keer Water at this point, it it should not just be on a workshop. I think it needs to be a meeting like like a Monday in between our meetings, additional one. Yes. I mean, it doesn't have to be a Monday. There's another day that works better for council.

And we're talking about like January, February. Are we talking? I don't see how we'll get one scheduled this month. Yeah. So January, um we we would we would request probably 45 to 60 days um from now so that we can make sure our attorney is present for that meeting giving some of the the statements that have been made in the newspaper recently um that staff is incredibly disappointed about. Um we would like to make sure our legal representation is present for that meeting with water. And would we have an agenda prior to the meeting then?

Yes, as best as we can from my perspective anyway. I'm not sure what our council is available and let us know. I like I'd like to see it done as soon as possible with that yearly annually requirement. Off the top of your heads, are there any dates in January or February that work for you? Well, I lost my phone here, so I don't have my calendar, but I would I would think that first week of January.

First week of January 5, six, seven, eight, nine. stock show. I think the stock show is the n the Thursday, Wednesday, Thursday. Well, no, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. So, it's like earlier. It's the 9th and 10th for the stock show. 9 for the stock show and Thursday. They do some stuff Thursday. Yes. It's Wednesday through Friday. 5:30.

We'll just take a moment to remind council. Again, very incredibly disappointed in the comments from the newspaper um about the moral issues involving our contract with water. Um that that contract has been through several rounds of litigation and it's been appealed multiple times and each time it courts have upheld the city of life passes position in that contract. Um we believe that um yes this the contract is beneficial to the city land passes um but again the appellet courts have found it that way each time and it's unfortunate that does not feel like that contract is beneficial to them at this time but to their own words it was at one point and it's just not anymore. So again we're we're quite disappointed with Mr. Schroer's position in the newspaper. Are we are we um asking JC Brown to be here or is it somebody else?

Natasha Martin with Graves has representatives in that litigation. So we'll ask her to be present for that. Would that be possible before prior to that? Uh but we can we can see what we can get scheduled. We staff did have a meeting with Thursday. Okay.

So if So if that's the case, like because I really think that because a lot of this council was I was on at the end of some of those lawsuits and I really think it would be beneficial for this council council to be brought up to speed on all of the history. We need to do that. Why do we need to do it publicly? Why do we need to do it in the attorney? I don't know. I think it's important to do that publicly so that our citizens do understand how we've gotten here. I agree.

I agree because it's it was nasty. it. Yes, it was. I've not been able to locate a good timeline in the city's files as far as like something visual that I can put in front of you guys. There is a bit of a timeline in some of the litigation documents that can be provided and we're going to work with Miss Martin to develop that further. So, so with that being said, is there any way we can maybe workshop that at our next our first meeting in January and then joint meeting after that so that that way everybody kind of knows where we're at meeting or

our first meeting would be the 12th. So I mean it would only push it back like if you push it back um from the 5th to from the 5th to the 19th which is Martin Luther King which would be like the 20th like from the 5th to the 20th and there's nothing that says that our joint meeting with can't be on the same day as council meeting. So if we wanted to have ourformational meeting that first week in January, staff will have sufficient time to put that timeline together for you and then have the meeting with the 12th. Yes.

Like aformational workshop meeting like this. I would rather do that if possible. education and I there are several former council members that have have gone through the process that I'll certainly make sure that they're aware so they can um come discuss it with us as well. If there's finer details than what we should see in black and white, then I I think it's very important to educate this council and the citizens as well. Let's stop this today. Yeah, I agree.

So, are we planning on doing that meeting like a workshop type meeting on the 5th and then inviting having the joint meeting on the 12th? Yes. Thank you. All right. Thank you.

All right. Next one up is discussion regarding the historical land passing council. This was introduced to you um I think back in August. August was the first week we heard um from this group that is interested in the Land Pass School. Um it lost a little bit of steam, so we wanted to bring this back out to you guys and get some direction on on where we'd like to head with this project. Hello, I'm Tasha Lewis. Nice to see you guys again. Um basically, we wanted to come back here and just revive our strategic proposal that we provided back in August. get any feedback and answer any questions that you guys might have had since we've had some time to review. Um, we were really excited to try to get things moving. Um, so we can start revitalizing everything and getting everything open to the community to enjoy and share. Um, so honestly that was the main purpose of today. I wanted to see if there's any more questions or what council and mayor might need from us to move forward. I just want to say I think I think what you are doing is great and I think this is a great educational opportunity and I really appreciate you guys doing this.

Thank you. I don't know what steps we need to do to start moving forward on this. I mean obviously there's no motion or anything. That's right. Right. Um I'd like to see what we do moving forward to make this move.

Sure. So, I just um mostly needed to know if there was a positive inclination from council to move this direction. If that is the case, then we will start the paperwork um to we'll need a survey of the property so we can get that underway and then work on the deed paperwork and any agreement. Um, just so the council's aware, the state law is very specific in in how municipalities can um sell or transfer property and as long as property is being used for educational purposes, it allows us to grant the that property to this organization and there would just be a clawback in the documentation that should it ever cease to be used for public educational purposes, its ownership would return to the city and and that's basic state law. So, um, we'll certainly include that, but if I think it's an exciting project,

how close are you on your 5013 test? Um, about two months ago, they had to go back. So, now we're just waiting um for the final response on that. Um, they did let us know that there wasn't anything standing away. It was honestly the government shutdown and things slowed down everything quite a bit. So, we're just waiting for that last paperwork, but we've got um everything else aligned in the LLC and everybody's ready to get to work and start raising money um so we can get started. So, you guys are going to raise money to fund the project and Okay.

Every single person in our um LLC and our our board members, we have experience in events and promoting things and working with communities um across Texas. So, we're ready. We've had other people including citizens here in Lamp Passes that are excited. Um they'd like to have events and help as well. So just ready to hear the go ahead. You going to invite council members to your event? Got invited to the cookout. I KNOW YOU. THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING. I've got a few questions for you.

I heard you talk about that there were some other groups semiinterested or maybe a lot interested in the new Baptist application. Are we still talking about both properties being transferred to them? So they they are interested in both properties. Um the other group I have not heard any further interest from that. So they as far as I have withdrawn as far as the survey and title work goes. Is the city on the hook for paying those expenses or is this nonprofit pay? The the group has asked that the city pay for the survey which we should have one anyway. Um so they have asked that the city survey

and if we don't have a survey is there any way we can ask them to cover those costs we transfer land we can discuss that yeah we can discuss that I've talked to a couple families who are affected by this project potentially and they're really interested in being involved in this and being having the children grandchildren affected by it. Um, I think it's a huge step for our town. Thank you for doing that. Appreciate it. So, all of this can be done like you guys can do to take care of all the paperwork. Is there anything that we're going to need to do like on an agenda, future agenda?

We'll bring this to you as an action item in January. So, also like the Greek project that's been going on, is that going to interfere with any of that stuff? I guess the plan doesn't go all the way back that far. um in the church too. Are you all going to use it as a church or specifically what's written here as well?

Um what's written there? But yes, we have talked about uh doing some church services. Um another member of our board who's not here today, that's um his specialty as well. So we definitely talked about doing those type of events even if it's monthly or quarterly to gain that interest. I know that was the main purpose obviously for that historical site beforehand and we want to bring that back um for everyone to enjoy. And so if we bring it as a church just since you said it needs to be educational if would that be part of like the educational aspect of it since it's like it wouldn't be like becoming a naturally independent church or anything like that. No, the whole educational it will be

historical sites working together, right? Yep. And just for the educational history wise, but also learning and teaching centers just for um the citizens and the surrounding areas um be teaching in there. So the church services would be I don't want to call it an event, but they would just be periodic. It wouldn't be an every Sunday thing. um it would still maintain education as its main job. Part of the education I read somewhere there's music option too. Yes.

Music um gardening um history but also computers um and just other educational areas where whether it's youth or well really anyone of any age that might need help um doing different things, veterans assistance, things like that. We're pointing out wanting to do all kinds of and how we wanted to collectively do it instead of trying to figure makeel choose between the two organizations instead of partner. So if someone want to go out and just ride it, right? Mhm. They have to go through the organization first.

They would have to go this and this is going to be up to council I think at the end of the day and you know Aaron correct me if I'm wrong. I will say on the CL aspect of it is it is difficult. It is very difficult to keep up with the public because we were we had the arena locked to keep the integrity of the arena. But the problem is is that you you go to lock it and say they schedule at 6:00 in the evening. I'm up there at 6:00 or we just spent the entire you know a couple hours dragging water and making sure it's fresh for them and they don't show up till 6:37. Well, they still want their 2 3 hours that they did. And then I'm going back up at, you know, 9 10:00 at night to make sure everything's locked and lights are turned off and everything that the public site isn't as from what we saw on the CL side, it's not as utilized as what we thought when you know I know that was council's biggest concern was the public, but when we keep track of it, it's it's more time consuming and costly um to keep up with that because then you also have to see, okay, are these guys use taking care of the parks correct? are they? You know, I caught people leaving their horses tied up to the arena and then some of them were off riding in the park and that's the rules. They stay in the in the arena. So, doing it the thought process is if we partner together, the riding club can handle that um aspect of it that if you want to utilize the arena, then you need to go through Dorton's group with the writing club, become a member there. So then that way we know, okay, this person was out there. Now granted, there's cameras out there, but you know, at at one point, give a give them make sure that they're responsible enough to take care of their trash to pick up. And if they don't abide by those, then you don't get the use of it. And then that way we're keeping the integrity. We're not having past problems where, you know, people riding horses in the soccer field or

tearing things up. It's kind of what our our goal is, just to keep the integrity of the property. And we're waiting for a little bit to do any riding out there because of the the horses and the the problems that they're having around with the virus, right? Yes. And there's been I guess you're more probably caught up y'all are more caught up on that on the HBH or EV. Mhm. You want to talk a little bit about what? Sure.

Your question is just about if if they're going to be No, not yet. We will get updated. I mean, EHV is a pretty serious deal. I think it's uh on its way to being under control. Um, obviously safety fee number one, so we'll check on that. We wouldn't know until anything was ready. Um, do I have any questions? I had some points I wanted to make, but did your question get answered? Yeah. I mean, like, so like be part of the writing club, do I have to pay a membership? Correct. I mean, to me, it's public land. If I want to go ride,

it's a public arena. Why can't I go ride? I I don't want to be too direct or or confrontational, but who pays to maintain for you being out there? Who who pay who maintains the arena? You know, if you're leaving trash, things like that. It's that's one of the issues that we've run into in the past. I'm not saying we have a great answer for that. This was kind of our idea as a way to regulate that a little bit and uh kind of keep some accountability to the people that were out there. Um, I think I'm not sure about the legality of this, but I think just because it is a light pass property that I don't know that you're necessarily in public, I don't know that you're necessarily allowed to just be there free to charge. There's other I think public areas that do require some. And to answer your question, technically since the originally in July when we didn't renew our contract, um the time from the time that we did not renew our contract to now when I or a couple weeks ago when I approached um the uh Lupe about renting out, they have not been allowing anybody to utilize the arena. So no public use. Now if you go out there, then you know kind of whatever, but you the proper channel is to go through the city. Um, and that's how I've directed people when people ask me about riding out there is to reach out to the city and Lupe had informed me that they weren't allowing anybody out there and that's not how this contract situation came back up to speed because we we couldn't even do a rodeo.

Well, I had a question for the writing club because you had said on the writing club you guys had said that you have a membership. What is your what are your membership fees just out of curiosity? Okay, just for a member that goes around does all this and everything. It's $50. I did a form last night. It's got rules on it for arena use only. Sim take right above does the same thing. It's just a $50 flat fee one time for the members. Uhhuh. That that does the event. If you only use the arena, it's going to cost you $150. And if you go out there in wet arena and you mess up the arena, you're gonna forfeit.

So why would why would it be only 50 to join the club and 150 only is the arena? Kind of a kind of a perk with the club that you can go to the arena and utilize it when they were already paid in. Right. But that's what that's what I'm asking. So, if you can pay $50 to join the club versus 150 to rent the arena, why would you join the club?

Well, it it just works out that way. People do pay just for arena use. That's all they'll do is go out there and use arena to work their horses or, you know, do some basic training. Whereas with membership, you can go out there and work your horses to help train for the events that you're getting ready to do. What's your membership right now? How many? How many?

We lost membership from last year. We We lost 12 people by July um by going to Lolita East Land Pass Riding Club. That's why we want to get back to Land Passes. We're hoping it will build the build the club back up because we're real close to the point of dissolution shutting down. We'll be go starting now with 10 20. We probably going to have about maybe 12. Okay.

Maybe. But hopefully come January and we have a membership, we get more people come in and and a lot of them a lot of people they use they use both clubs. They go Syntax and they use LRC. Bringing new members in is hard. Um, our junior rodeo. I talked to Tommy Green last year during it and he said the junior rodeos are falling due to the fact that people the young now start getting into. I'm hoping my dream if I can say it's my dream 18 and under. I want 50 of them. I don't care about if the adults want to come around. Come right. I want 50 young. I want 50 kids to get out there and actually learn and participate and get involved with the pardon the expression western way of life.

Any questions? So the agreement with the city is going to be with county rodeo association and y'all are going to work it out amongst y'all on how to split duties. Is that correct? I thought the agreement I thought the agreement was the writing club. I thought that

well what we talked about at our meeting was that they've got a little bit more pool, a little bit more equipment than the rifle club has. We have an old tractor with we take care of the arena. You know, we got people that go out and you can pick up trash that people leave behind, but uh we don't leave an arena at a play day or high point or whatever you want to call them. If there's crash on the ground, we make sure that everybody's up around their trailer and get out. My main question here is both groups are willing to work with each other and y'all figure out a solution,

which we did that last week and I feel like we're pretty comfortable with our solution. even like I said having them help with our rodeo um and being able to even in other events that we do donate a little money back to them so then they can build up something and we get the volunteers that we need because they had talked about making it cuz as their membership they have a requirement whether it's work days or attending certain events or doing a certain thing making it to where one of their requirements for their membership is help us with the you know with different events or like the Rihanna basically cuz that's the biggest event So then that way they like I said we can we can work together because we all have the same end goal at the end of the day and we both want to use it and so we kind of found a way to do it together and each of us have a responsibility but collectively take the same responsibility together and work it through. Well, one thing I have a question because last year you said y'all lost money on the riata and then I mean and y'all had us give y'all $10,000 in hot funds but you didn't spend that in the advertising which that's a whole other issue and then y'all let us hide I try in July so I'm just a little hesitant. Understand and you know on that on that part of that aspect I didn't get to attend that meeting. We also had other expenses on there that weren't initially supposed to be ours. they were actually supposed to be the barbecue cook off um aspect of it. There were things cuz we were already getting stuff that we were supposed to split some cost and it didn't it didn't happen. And so that's where a lot of our um things had occurred on that as on the um marketing side cuz originally it was going to be different things and then barbecue kind of did its own thing and it it went it went completely logous than what we anticipated. Basically, we found I've already looked through our P&Ls. I've gone through it with the stock contract and we looked at different ways that we can uh move different things and even some of the

things that we did to make it easier. Um, some of the aspects were it was a little bit more than what we thought was going to be. So, it was a little shell shocking when we originally approached um on that aspect of things. So, and you know that was our you one of the highest paying rodeos in or around. We were that's how we kind of put Lancasters on the map and why everyone's been reaching back out to us. And so I've been coming through on different ways to do that because I fully anticipate high highly doubt knowing that I already had the the mentality that I couldn't come back and ask for that again because for one I know y'all's budget was tight looking at it when the last meeting and so it was going to I was going to have to figure out what um what to do different on sponsorship wise start earlier but the problem is now is we're in December our rodeo is usually in April and now we don't we don't have a place to go. So, I don't know. You know, we're going to have to be scrging up for um sponsorship. So, there's a different way we're going to have to approach it this year based on we I know we we can't come back and ask for 10,000.

No, I mean, y'all should have 10,000 last time, but you didn't spend the money on what you're supposed as a reminder, a hotel occupancy tax can be used on both marketing and the expenditures associated with the sporting event, which is and that was what they approached us with when they applied for that. No, because neither one of y'all know what y'all are talking about.

If I may. Um, first of all, let me back up. Mayor, council, this is my first trip here. So, um, a little bit new to this deal. Let me just tell you, my name is H and my wife and I own Agretch. We're an a service business here in town. We got involved last year um, just cuz we appreciate the western lifestyle. But we think it we think the city and the community would benefit from the rodeo and the events and the youth events that this arena could provide. There's potential there and we see that we want to foster that and we want that's what we got involved with the county passes rodeo station for um in the first place. We tile sponsored the rodeo last year. Um, and we want to volunteer for this. We want to bring some energy to this and we've got resources and the willingness to add some value to this. Um, for me personally, I would like to see some support from the city and know that this is something that the city values and uh, I would I think it would be great if we could partner on this. we've already worked it out where we can partner with them. We think working with everybody would be the best way to do this and get everybody on the same page.

Report uh what tell that

Yeah. Yeah. And I didn't don't want that to go the wrong way. Um, we just want to know that if we spend a lot of time and effort and and some money that we would have some long-term um, call it insurance for that so that the next year we can continue and we can build a reputation with this rodeo which is kind of our main main event there. but also that we if we foster some youth rodeos, some youth events that we'll be able to release the arena from year to year and that basically the time and effort that we put in this year be able to roll over for the future years. I think that's what I mean by that. Okay. as far as

figure out how to work both groups together and I don't get 40 phone calls a day that we already have and to go back to his question just the the dealing with those phone calls and the getting an arena prepped and putting the work into that I know it's a touchy thing but yeah I completely understand you got to pay to use

great example thank you thank you for that's a actually a really good now so we just want a little support for being able to if the people want to use it. We'd like to just get a little support back from them so we can put diesel in the tractor and spend a little bit of time to maintain that arena. We spray the area. My company, we do a lot of herbicide work and so, you know, the maintenance would be very easy for us. U we're happy to do that and donate all that to the city for for keeping the grounds. I think the time is right to discuss the the the contract that you're talking about and talk about what the city involvement is and what our role is and it's the right time to talk about youth talk about involvement for things that can be attractive to other people in the city bring people to the city. I like it to see us go ahead and um talk about it more in depth.

Love to. Yeah. I I think I don't know for sure if there's a motion. I'm not much on parliamentary, but we would like to get a contract. I mean, through the county lamp association. I mean, that's I think what our goal is ultimately so we can move forward. I'm down for this. Like I love but working together. I want to see that contract was all written up ready to go and then

in my understanding too and when I spoke to Aaron too I think that on a city standpoint it may have to be one one actual entity and then between the two of us we will then you know create our own own contract between the two on how we're going to work that out. But the problem that we lie here is it we got to figure something out sooner than later because our we have a rodeo in April and they start your play days when? In March. In in March. So, we're kind of all on a little bit of a of a rocky slope. Yeah. Trying to figure out what we are going to do um time frame wise. There is not you guys you guys haven't formed a board as of yet.

I think we have. The county lampest rodeo association does have a board. Okay. And so both both entities would be on that board and Okay. I think it would be for y'all the two entities to go ahead and get your contract set together between the two of y'all and when this comes up in January that be presented to council and then we can discuss contract with whatever organization is going to be the primary. We have a copy of the contract between the two organizations so that the city knows who's going to do what, who's responsible for what, and then we have the primary contract with the city. Mhm.

Which and we the one that JC did even the one that um and you know, I know some of y'all are new, so y'all may have not seen it, but even I wouldn't think we could have to do too much on that. I would say use the same contract as what we had um because I think that works fairly well. But that's just my two cents on it. I know some of y'all will need to review that because y'all weren't on council at that time, but we do have one that we did have originally. We can review that contract. Yes, sir. We'll review it and have it ready to bring to council in January.

I did tell when Alexis approached me last week and said that they were willing to work together and they would both join the contract. I did encourage one of them to be the primary entity to contract with and then they can work out the details between themselves. It's just easier for us to have the contract. I think that's the way I'd like to see it and and we discussed that a little bit and and we think county land passility association will be primary contract and then we'll work out the rest. All right.

Thank you all for your time. I'd just like to add one deal one about the hot funding and I don't have a dog in this hunt right here, but we did adhere to every legal aspect of the spending of that hotline. I mean, you're dead wrong. And now I think it's it's unfair for y'all as a council that oversees the hotel tax that's not taxpayer money to say up here that you wouldn't give it for an event to be held in land passes be it a rodeo or anything else. I think that's pretty unfair of y'all to do and I'd love to hear what you'd have to say. Well, I just disagree with you and I would just on what on state law?

No, not on state law. Well, you just sat up here and said that we illegally spent that money, did you not? No, that's not what I said. That we should have never got it because it wasn't spent for advertising. So, do you think funding is only used for advertising? No, sir. What we have traditionally done, it's gone through and she showed the expenses and we've matched the expenses. who with when we have the chamber present event. This wasn't a chamber event. No, it wasn't. Well, it was a joint event with the chamber. I don't think I've got far,

but I just I feel like if you because when it was originally stated that was like this is what we're going to spend it on and that's what we were very upfront on what we said we're going to spend it on and part of that was for the contractor because of how much the contractor cost to do it. 100%. We sat up here and said that. Well, so there was no surprise to what money was spent for. Okay. This isn't really what is on this agenda. So, I think we can maybe have a discussion. I just think you should you should watch your public statement when you're wrong.

All righty. Well, discussion regarding any item not included on regular session for December 8th, 2025 for consideration on future agenda. I'd like to bring one thing up real quick. Okay.

Just to introduce the subject. One of the issues that came up with the TML conference was a very interesting idea to have a citizens university and I'd like to pursue that and then bring more details to the council in the future month or two and that would be to encourage more participation by the general public in our city also to have a forward training program uh education program to be involved in city leadership and community involvement. So I I'll give you a heads up. That's what I wanted to bring in and uh try to pursue in the next couple months. Yeah. That would be an item designated for workshop.

Yes, sir. Fair enough. And if you have any any thoughts, please let me know. Thank you. All right. Can we get a motion to move? All in favor? Let's take about a 5 7 minute break. Come back.

All right. At this time, we will call the regular session to order. Chief. All right. Let us pray. Dear heavenly father, we're just grateful to be here tonight in this great community. We're thankful for the festivities that precede the celebration of birth of your son, Jesus. We ask that you be with us as those continue. We ask that you be with us in that spirit tonight in this meeting. We ask that we have some good information to make some good decisions for the betterment of your entire community, which is what it's all about. We ask that you forgive us of our sins. watch over us and safety till we can meet again as and always in your name and in Jesus's name. Amen.

Amen.

To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. I aliance to the Texas one state god one and indivisible citizens comment. any citizen who desire to address the city council on the United not included on the agenda to do so at this time and we don't have anyone who does desire to address the city council on a matter that is includ on the agenda may do so at this time and we have none. 1.3 public hearing to receive citizens comments regarding the request to resone property described as 1.9 acres 1514 East Avenue 8 L Passes Texas Lasses County from single family residential SF6 to single family residential 6 SF6 with a mobile home overlay MH. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Property owner Juan Moza is requesting a mobile home overlay for his property that he owns at 1514 East Avenue. The entire area is characterized as residential with single family homes and single family homes with a mobile home overlay. All notifications and

publications as required by ordinance and statute have been made. Staff mailed nine notices to property owners and received seven letters in favor and none in opposition. This was heard by the planning commission on December 4th and it was voted through with a 70 vote. Any questions?

Public hearing to receive citizens comment regarding a request to reszone property from retail R to retail R with plan development PD overlay. The property is described as lots 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, lot 12 of the LSC second edition, lot seven and 8, block 13 of the LSC second edition, lot one of the 183rd South Business Plaza and lot one, block one of the FE commercial edition, L Passage, Texas, L Pass message.

Good evening, mayor and council. I know that's a mouthful. There's not currently a 911 address associated with it, so it is a lot of lots, but that is the legal description. Uh, property owner Gerald Finny is asking to consider approval, denial, or approval of modifications, a request to put a planned development overlay over the lots that he has to bring in a hotel. Um the entire area is characterized as retail and the property surrounded by single family homes and retail properties. All notifications and publications as required by ordinance and statute have been made. Staff mailed 21 notices to property owners and received five letters in favor and none in opposition. This was heard at the planning commission on December 4th and was passed with a 70 vote. There is a photo on your screen if you'll look at it. Um, this is kind of an outline of what this should look like. Um, right in front of that parking lot is bushes to give you a little bit of some area. Um, so this property will essentially surround bushes. And then you are passing around my phone. It does have a plan set of what that hotel is supposed to look like, but if you have any questions, I'm more than happy to help. And they're all here as well.

How many do we have at this point in time? How many parking spaces there are? not hasn't gone through plan review as of yet. So, I'm not sure that there would be a total I want to say there's 119 spaces marked on the plans and I think what's required by local ordinances will be under 100 and there'll also be a joint parking agreement with bushes too but I'll sign myself another 30. Thank you. Any other questions? Thank you. All right. Thank you.

2.0 consent adjustment agenda. Discussion and possible action regarding the approval of minutes of the regular meeting held on November 17th, 2025, 2.2. Discussion, possible action regarding the second reading of an ordinance amending the land passage code ordinance regarding the request to reszone property for single family residential 20 SF20 commercial C with property described as part of lot 4 block one of the Gil forth edition commonly known as 500 North Willis Street Lamp passes Texas Lasses County 2.3 discussion of possible action regarding purchases and and charges in excess of $4,000 for October and November 2025.

Mr. Mayor, I'd like to request that we pull out 2.2 that would be the second ordinance review. And I'm going to extend 2.1. Do we need to pull that out? So we will vote on 2.1. All in favor? I I don't see I I move that we approve the minutes because there were no I didn't see anything that was inappropriate.

All in favor? I I All right, we'll need a motion. I move to approve 2.2. Second. All in favor? I move to approve. I got a question on that. Just curious what what are we paying for $485? Water department. Correct. Okay.

All in favor? Welcome 3.0 boards department reports. Mayor and council, in your packet, you'll find the city manager's operational report. At our last meeting, I failed to introduce some of our new, not necessarily new hires, but new promotions to you. So, Steven Su is public works director. Jesse NASA has been promoted to our parks and wreck um director. He's got a couple of new hires with him or um promotions actually. Josh Palasio has promoted to the cemetery crewy position and Steve Nolton has promoted to the parks superintendent position. So we'll now be looking to fill the sports facilities uh crew lead. And um additionally, Wayne is here. He is retiring in January. So I think he's just here for fun tonight. Um Mike has been filling in um in that role, but we'll have interviews to fill Wayne's position tomorrow. Um we're also going to be interviewing for assistant fire chief on December 17th. Chief Davis has constructed an assessment center that I believe we have six candidates that will be interviewing for that. So we'll have an assistant fire chief hired soon. Um and I think Chief Cummings has a new officer hired. So, back to fullish. Um, we have placed a freeze on the code enforcement position pending some more conversations with council about what we want that to look like moving forward because it's currently structured to be in the police department. Um, but Officer English has gone back to working regular patrol um rather than code enforcement. So, we may be looking to fill that code enforcement

position at the police department. We just haven't posted that position yet. The host of house project continues with ADA parking upgrades. Starting last week, last Monday, we held our first event which was the annual launcher fire department toy drive held in conjunction with the police department and fire department. We anticipate that the parking lot will be complete mid January and the facility will be able to rent out in February. We're already getting interest in that facility, so that's exciting. and we'll plan on bringing rental rates to council for discussion in January. So, we're going to have a very specific discussion about host of house rental rates. Do you feel the need to tell you that um the elevator stopped function at the um toy drive on the 1st um upon further inspection, it was found that there is not enough electrical to the building to power the elevator and just about anything else at the same time. So, we have reached out to the architect and the contractor to find out um how that was missed or not addressed. They were going to be jumping on calls. They did an electrical study before the elevator was installed. So, we don't know where the disconnect is currently or what exactly needs to be done to fix that, but it will be addressed prior to the facility opening to the public. Um, and for our meter change out program, and Stephen might be able to speak a little bit more to this, but Corin Lane began on our budgeted water meter change out program in mid November replacing end of life meters throughout the city. So, we can't anticipate and we think that will tighten up our revenue stream, give us better readings on our water meter. We replaced over 200

over 200 water meters that were at end of life. So, we're excited to get that project wrapped up and I think the utility bills are ready for that to be done as well. Do you have any questions?

I just have a few comments tonight. I just wanted to wish everybody, our city and our community uh city employees a merry Christmas this year. It's it's uh feel like it's been an awful long year. We made it to the end of another year and uh just uh just keep trusting our Lord and Savior that he's going to be with us and take care of everybody. And uh just uh we we've got a lot of great things in our community uh coming. We had a had a phenomenal I thought it was a great uh parade on this last Saturday night. I don't think chief we didn't have any any issues at all. Uh you get that many people together. Almost think you can get have a few issues there. I see Robert back there. He's he's been totally admitted to our our airport and and I just our electrical department you guys there keep all those lights burning. Vision Land Passes done a great job with our Christmas on the creek that'll be going it's already going now and I think there's some events out there this weekend this this coming Saturday. So, uh just want to remind everybody about that. just uh you know, we're just so blessed to live in this this community and uh and just wanted to say from our council to to the city to our staff, thank you and God bless and merry Christmas. All that being said, uh upcoming special events, meetings, uh December 23rd, 2025, city offices will be closing at 12:00. Uh

and December 24th, 26th, the city offices will be closed for Christmas. Um 4.1 discussion and possible action regarding cancing the regular city council meeting on December 22nd, 2025. Good evening, mayor and council. We do typically cancel the second meeting in December. This month we have we have asked to have a second meeting but move it up to the 15th. So we're asking to cancel the meeting on the 22nd and reschedle for the 15th.

I have kept it as short as I humanly can possibly next Monday. Correct. So is there any way to get Ker water here so we can have our annual meeting with them. I can reach out to them and see if they're they're able to get a contact attorney, but we wouldn't have the other attorney won't be available for that. I would imagine I'll I'll have to verify with her tomorrow. It's possible that she could be, but we wouldn't be able to have we wouldn't be able to have the y'all like with the timeline and education. Do you see what council member to have the meeting for this

to have an annual meeting where competing to December 15th, 2025? Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I

4.2 discussion possible action regarding the first reading and ordinances many index A of the city code feed concerning fees for chapter two administration article 8 fire department facility use. Chapter 14 aviation. Chapter 18, Building and Building Regulations. Chapter 54, Parks and Recreation. Chapter 82, Utilities. All of which are further detailed in exhibit A. This ordinance providing for repeal of conflicting ordinances, providing a severability clause, and providing an effective date.

Good evening, mayor and council. This item was put on a workshop session a few months ago. Um, I made the recommended changes to pull out the spectator fee in parks. I've removed that and under the building and uh building and permitting, I have modified the reinspection fee to be after the third failed inspection. I'll make a motion to approve the um fee signal.

Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I

discussion of possible action regarding the first reading of the ordinance amending land passes code of ordinances regarding a request to reszone property described as 1.79 acres 15 East Avenue Lasses Texas County from single family to residential 6 SF6 to single family residential 6 SF6 with a mobile home overlay MH

mayor and council. This is the ordinance that follows with the public hearing that we had earlier this evening for property owner. Make a motion to approve the first reading of ordinance amending when I pass this code of ordinances regarding a request to reszone property described as 1.79 acres 1514 East Avenue Lasses Lasses Texas Lasses County from single family residential 6 SF6 to single family residential 6 SF6 for the mobile home overlay MH Second.

Any discussion? All in favor? I

discussion and possible action regarding the first reading of the ordinance amending the land pass code ordinance regarding a request to reszone property from retail park to retail park with plan development PD overlay. property is described as lots 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, lot 12 of the LSC second edition, lots seven and eight, lot 13 of the LSC second edition, lot one of the 183 South Business Plaza and lot one, lot one of the Finny commercial edition, Lamp Passes, Texas, Lamp Passes Mayor and council, this is the ordinance that goes with the second public hearing we had tonight for the plan development overlay for the hotel going in back behind bridges. I make a motion to approve the first reading of the ordinance amending the land pass ordinances regarding the request for resone property from detail R to detail R plan development PD overlay property described as lots 4 7 8 9 10 block 12 of the LST second edition lot 7 and 8 block 13 of the LST second edition lot one of 183 business plaza block and lot one block one of the commercial edition passes Texas second. Any discussion? All in favor?

I discuss possible action renewal contract substation inspection, maintenance, and testing LC. Mayor and council, this is the renewal of a 5-year agreement that we have with LC for testing of our of substations. It's a pass through on our monthly utility bill through LCR. It is um the continuation of an agreement that we've been under for at least the last 5 years that expires in December of this year. And so they're looking to renew that for another 5 years. We have sufficient funds budgeted um to pay for the service. It's it's certainly beneficial to the electric department.

I move to approve that. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I discussion possible action approving a resolution to appoint the new plan coordinator for mission square

mayor and council. The this item and the next item um have to do with allowing access to certain personnel to different items. This one being the mission square retirement plan which is an optional add-on for our employees. And currently, Miss Mareno, um Stacy Brack, I think is still on there as a point of contact. And so, this is just cleaning up some of those staff contacts for um some of our options for employees. I move to approve a resolution appointing Aaron Harrison as plan coordinator for the mission for retirement. Second. Any discussion? What exactly is this?

It's an optional retirement contribution outside of TMRS. Any other questions? All in favor? I 4.7 discussion of possible action amending a resolution for the city planes for participating in this techar. Again, this is allowing staff access to one of our investment tools in Techstar. Um, some of our funds are invested there. I cannot currently get a login without Y's authorization. I move to approve a resolution appointing Aaron Pearson as authorized representative for text.

Second. Any discussion? All in favor?

4.8 A discussion and possible action regarding the first reading of ordinance amending land passes code of ordinance regarding mobile food vendor unit of hours operation section 22-322 of the land passes code of ordinance concerning the allowed hours of operation for mobile food vendor unit providing severability clause and providing an effective date. Mayor and Council staff received a request from a local breakfast food truck to uh change the hours of operation from 7 a.m. to 6 a.m. In doing so, we granted them temporary access to do so, but we would have to formally adopt an ordinance to do that. This is the ordinance. I move to approve the first reading of ordinance amending life passes code of ordinances regarding mobile food vendor unit hours of operation section 22- 32 of the passes code of ordinances concerning the allowed hours of operation mobile units providing a subability clause right

any discussion all in favor I discussion of possible action regarding the city and land passes to participate in the central Texas water lines for an annual membership fee of $5,000 authorizing the city manager to execute all documents relating to membership. Mayor and council, the Central Texas Water Alliance is a product of this year's legislative session um that creates this group to be a voice for central Texas concerning um our water futures. The county of Lamp passes um recently joined or voted to join the water alliance. We think it's important for the city to have a seat at that table as well. Um, I think last I had heard they had not completely approved the membership fee, but they were thinking it was going to be that $5,000 that is what the county approved to pay. So, we do have sufficient funds budgeted for membership. And so, we would ask for council's consideration to allow us to join that water alliance.

I think this is a good organization to keep in touch with anything that we can do to make sure our water systems are available and open to our public use. Second, I move to approve the city's membership in the Central Texas Water Alliance, approving $5,000 membership fee and authorizing the city manager to execute all documents related to membership. Second. Any other discussion? All in favor? I discussion possible action of amendments to the land economic development corporation bylaws as approved by the LA DC board on November 19th 2025.

Mayor and councel the economic development corporation met on Wednesday July 23rd that's not a typo. Um they recommended a revision to their bylaws to change the number of directors who are not employees of the city officers or members of uh city council from 3 to four. They recommended u limiting the term limit to consist of two consecutive two-year terms and an attendance requirement of at least 75% of meetings in one calendar year. They did adopt this on November 19th, 2025. So it comes to you after

make a motion to accept amend bylaws. Second. Any discussion? All in favor?

I 4.11 discussion possible action regarding 63 month lease of a new printer copy for the library from Visual Edge it in the amount $389.94 per month. Mayor and council, the library has recently experienced some issues with their um copy machine. They are paying in the low30s a month for their monthly lease costs and they're experiencing overages in the copies that were allowed during the lease agreement when it was signed 5 years ago. So, they are looking at a different unit that would be about 389.94 a month. It's a slight overage for what was budgeted in their equipment rental line item, but about $650, they can find that money in another line item and transfer that over to cover that overage. This includes a higher number of higher allowance for copies per month, so they won't experience those overages that they are currently. I move to approve the 63month lease of the Xerox Alton Link C8245 from visual ed 3894 second.

Any discussion? All in favor? Now we'll go to our website photo contest consider a selection of winner get a nomination

motion number one second. All in favor? That's the majority discussion of possible action regarding the approval of bid from blue bonnet in the amount of $63,575 for a 2026 F250 to replace a 2012 Chevrolet 3/4 ton utility pickup for the electric department. Mayor and council, this item was on the last agenda or the last council meeting rather. Uh council member Gold recognized that one of the uh one of the bids was actually the one ton versus a 3/4. We had all bids reviewed and selected the the best 3/4 ton for staff. The Hoff power bid that was originally a one ton is now a 3/4 ton in the bed pack. Also notice on the Hoff power bed, she put a bed on there.

The other two have a bed as well. Um, however, Hoff Power just listed it, itemized it separately. The other two bids that the beds are it's already the Haw Power would be an addition after the fact. Cha staff chose to go with the blue bonnet bid because it's got the fastest lead time. The Hulk power bid would be three or four three or four months versus the blue bonnet is on the ground ready to go now. And this is a truck that staff is in need of currently. The truck that they have is on its last line.

Make a motion to approve the bid of 637.75 for the purchase of 2026 Ford 250 and author as a city manager to indulge you for just a second. I didn't I didn't inform you, but Forward Land Passes is doing a appreciation for the city employees on December the 19th between 11 and 2:00. It's going to be held at the fire station. Uh I think the city manager, we agreed that she's going to allow onethird of the city employees to come at a time so they can all be fed. It's all on our dollar, so they'll be allowed to come and go as they please over a threehour period. And it's just appreciation for all the city employees.

Chicken. You're invited. I'm not going to say there's no chicken there. It's going to be a top lunch. And then so city council and everyone's invited. I apologize for not bringing that up. And uh we need a vote on 413. All in favor? I that need to get a motion to adjourn into executive session. So move second. All in favor? I

section 551071 consult consultation with an attorney to seek to receive advice from legal council to the city concerning pending consultation obligation southern office or any other matter the duty of the legal council to the city council to advise the city governor body regarding such matters pursuant to the state law. Statutes include the Texas disciplinary rules professional conduct of state bar of Texas in compliance with the Texas open meeting 5.2 B section 551074 personnel matters to deliberate the employment evaluation reassignment duties and or discipline of the public officer or employee city manager and other personnel matters that allow by Texas government code chapter 551 5.3 section 551.086 086 related relating to the authority of the public powers utility government body to deliberate regarding competitive matters uh utilities and we will turn into executive session

yeah I did the same thing thank you all right can I get a motion to adjourn session. All in favor? And uh nothing coming out of executive session tonight. So we get a motion to journ. All in favor? Why?