City Council - Regular Meeting

We're gonna call to order this regular city council meeting of January 25th, 2026 at 6 p.m. for Wood Creek, Texas. We'll call to order what? 27th. That's what's on this printed. So, sorry. I do actually know what day it is. I promise. Just reading the script. Council member Christopherson here. Council member L. Council member Linda Swipber here. Mayor Chris Gmer here. Mayor Deborah Hines here. And

thank you. We're going to start this evening with a tribute to Nancy Britner. I prepared a small statement and then I believe that Miss Aurora Leon would like to speak as well. Um, we wanted to take a moment this evening to honor one of our own who passed away right before the new year rather quickly and unexpectedly. Nancy Britner was a longtime resident of Wood Creek, residing on Wood Creek Drive. She served her community well in many different capacities. Notably, she was on the Wood Creek City Council for 10 years, serving from 20120, during which time she was also the mayor protend. Nancy was a political animal and fought hard for her community and local elections. She was very active in the local Republican precinct and served as their pre precinct chair at one point and she also served as an election worker as well. Nancy to me will be remembered by her intelligence, her quick wit and her humor. We are grateful to Nancy for her years of service and the legacy of public service she left with our community. I ask that during the following moment of silence, you all think of her family and friends. Please spare them a prayer or hold space as they move through this difficult time. Thank you, Nancy, for your service and commitment to your community. Aurora, would you like to speak as well?

Uron and I live at Temple Circle in Wood Creek. And when I saw the agenda, I called the mayor and I said that I would likely say a little bit about Nancy and also bring some information about the next steps in celebrating her life. Nancy, I met Nancy before I joined council in 2016. Nancy and I were probably polar opposites when it came to abuse. One very conservative, one on the liberal spectrum. We however became very good friends. We respected each other. Something that has been lost at this time when people are of different opinions or views that has been lost. We managed and we served I served on council for her with her for about five years. Um Vicky Albert who's also a good friend of mine call her a carajin which was we loved her and that had a heart had a big heart. She was well known in Wimberly Pace County at Wood Creek was her home and she loved it. She was an excellent mayor of protect. But how I remember Nancy is being available to the citizens. When we had co Nancy visited the citizens, she knew the city. She knew the people. She knew who needed help. She went there. She delivered meals. She took them to medical appointments. She brought medicine. She made sure that they were surviving given the lockdown. She never said anything to anybody about this. She did it.

And she never asked for a reward. She just did. That's the kind of person she was. I have last time I talked to N was stand. He was in good spirits. She thought she was going to get better. She's having a lot of challenges in her health. And then we I got the news that she had passed. It was not it was not a surprise because she had been doing poor. However, she had improved and we had both. John Eley her husband is also very dear to me. Uh my husband Bill had a lot of health struggles including vision and he played with John. That's how I first met Nancy. He played with John and Richard Jer and Lonnie Duke and some others. And when he tried to leave the group because he had a challenge seeing where the ball went, John said, "Oh no, you don't. I'm there for you." And that's the way. So the couple there were a couple that care for the community and care for their John took this very badly and his daughter was concerned for his health. So she he was in Houston with her. He has died in time. He's feeling better and I was just mentioning to Mr. Pul who is also a close friend of that Nancy and John that John is now wanting to see people and willing to see people. So we're going to be visiting as to the memorial. Uh Nancy has children in numerous different parts of the country and she will there will be a memorial service at the First Baptist Church. the church calendar and the availability

of the family to be here are making this uh is going to be the after the 15 of Puerto Ric and there will be a date as soon as I know the date I will share u I will miss Nancy we used to talk on the phone we had some good laughs and I do want to tell you that she was one of a kind and uh I my respect for her grew when I served on council and it grew in seeing her relationship with her family, her children and her love for the residents of Woodgrill. We will miss her and on the other hand we're grateful that she was Thank you.

Thank you. All right. Angel, if you don't mind, will you rise for a moment of silence?

And again, we ask that we think of Nancy, her family, friends, and our community. All right. If you'll join me in the pledges, start with the United States.

To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands under God, indivisible with liberty and justice of all. Texas.

All right.

All right. We have a little bit more exciting and uplifting moment in the evening. We get to recognize some uh current and recent volunteers uh with our spirit of Wood Creek award. Right now, the committee of uh Jeff Rasco and Brent Foley have uh selected some very deserving individuals and we'll start with Becky Denton. We'd like to recognize her for her work on Augusta Park and serving on the parks board. Becky, if you don't mind, would you stand up? And we have a lovely very much everyone.

You have to take a picture. It's a price you must pay. Make sure you only

Thank you very much. It is also with great pleasure that we get to recognize Mr. Russell Scott, our yes, our former city council member. We're recognizing him for his efforts on multiple areas. We're talking the parks and recreation board planning and zoning commission and the Wood Creek City Council. Also, he was our driver for the Fourth of July parade. We might be able to rope him into that again. Uh, so we wouldn't be doing that parade without you and we're so grateful to you and thank you Leslie for allowing him to do all this.

Just a couple quick words. I just want to say, you know, Mel and I only been here right at five years now. Um we were displaced by a fire for a year. So we were out of here but we were back the last three years. Uh and it's just been such a pleasure to work with all the people on this council, meet so many new people and make new friends for life. I hope I've been so impressed with the way this city administrative team works together and just seems to get better with every, you know, next se next session and stuff. So, I just want to say thank you to all of you that helped me uh and guided me and and supported me and I'm here for you. Whenever I can be available, I will be. God bless

Creek again. Oh, did you miss it? I was working on an audio issue. Tech I can't no sleep for the tech guys. All right, Japanese off to the next portion of this agenda, which is the presentation from our local rabies incident uh supervisors or sorry,

this is a presentation on the local res rabies incidents from John Trinidad, animal control supervisor for Hayes County Sheriff's Office. So, Mr. Trinidad whenever you're ready. You can save the clapping for later. So I I never done this before. I had stuff to give. Is it okay for me to hand stuff out? Absolutely. And actually uh you can leave things with our city secretary there at the end too. They can stay in office as well. Okay. Let me I'm sure everyone here is a little bit about we learned when we were in

elementary school also not to take candy from the train we learn my used to teach us that I I haven't

Chris, y'all don't know what we're talking about, but So make this quick because I know you got other first of all I want to thank you for allowing me to speak here mayor and all council member. My name is John. I'm a hay county sheriff's office. I'm also assigned currently assigned as the supervisor for the animal control unit. So yay for being your head. Um, so the reason I'm I wanted to speak to you guys, obviously you guys have heard of some of the rabies uh mention that we had here and uh in the past several months, Hayes County Animal Patrol officers have uh collected several animals from the Woodley area, mostly foxes and mostly from the Wood Creek area. Oh. uh some uh of those animals actually met the criteria for rabies testing and were submitted and some came back positive for rabies. Now in all those cases where animal came back positive for rabies uh the person or people involved have all been notified and they've been given advice guidance uh you know instruction on what to do everybody's think I really won't get into any of the detail on that. Um so the whole purpose of this really is um talk about uh prevention right because rabies is a pretty serious thing and I'm going to talk a little bit about uh raies again I gave you that a lot more prevention over there but it's it's it's very serious it's deadly but it's

preventable so like I said earlier I'm sure most of you guys know a little bit about raies in case you don't I'm just going to go over some So rabies basically it's a viral disease of the central nervous system. Uh it is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal and typically through a bite. Now there's other ways that you can get it. So it's a a fresh open anal or something like that but typically it's going to be a bite. Um it does affect only mammals and of course they're mammals. we can we can get that. Now, there are five uh wildlife species that are high risk for carrying rain and uh being in central Texas, we have them all. I'll go ahead. I'll name them. So, foxes, swan, skunk, raccoon, coyote, uh and bats.

Yeah, I think I think they're this one. Yeah, that's not a highrisc. And so um so that's basically what does it once so once the virus is actually introduced into any host or anybody that virus it goal is to reach the brain and it travels to reach the brain once it reaches the brain then whatever it is whether it's a human or animal becomes infected and at that point able to shed the disease meaning that it can give it to somebody else and then uh at that point also the animal the human will start exhibiting symptoms.

Unfortunately, as that point, if it gets to that point, it's a a point of no return. Uh the animal uh will die and the human will also likely die. And so, it's a it's a pretty serious thing. Uh now, I have some numbers here that that are kind of, you know, interesting to me. Uh I've always often like there's questions that I I've had about range that I've tried to get and I can't get to just because it's impossible to get there. One of the questions and it's a little morbid. I've always wondered how many people throughout history have died from ravens and that's just an impossible number because the raises virus is it's a very old virus. I believe the first um reported or recorded case of it uh dates back to 2000 BC. So it's it's a really old virus been with with we've been living with it for three years. I'm not that old but but I'm talking about human humans who have been living with it for many years. So, I don't know what that number is. I'm assuming that it's probably in the millions. It's a lot of people speculate, but it's it's an attendant. Um, now currently what I do have numbers on is, uh, apparently in 2025, 2024 and all that, 2020s, I guess, uh, 60 to 70,000 people die of rabies each year.

That sounds like a huge number, right? I mean, that's like city San Marcus every year. Um, but it's worldwide. And when you think of the population worldwide, we're roughly about 8 billion people. Probably probably a fraction of a percent. So it's very little, you know, the grand scheme of things, but still any any life lost to uh to a virus that's preventable is is is a tragedy. Now in the US, uh there are anywhere from two to three deaths a year. That's a little number, but pretty pretty darn good, right? I mean u considering that we have a population of about 350 or so million maybe more I I don't even know um then you you know you wonder like how how is it that our numbers are better than uh a lot of other countries as well and and the reason is that we have uh you know the CDC we have um you know here in Texas we have the Texas Department of State Services and the legislators come up with laws uh to to help us with um eradication but also prevention. Uh and that's where we come in as animal control officers because as animal control officers um we are essentially enforcing those laws and making sure that people are compliant uh so that we can control. We're not going to we're not we're not going to eliminate it from the uh wildlife population. Uh that'd be nice if we could, but we're probably going to be able to do that. we can prevent humans and cats from engaging. And it's just it's very simple. This is what's what's so funny is that it's very very simple. Um so some of the things that that that I would say the most important thing that that people can do for prevention is uh if you do have pets, you need to get them vaccinated for rabies. That that is absolutely important. It's

actually state law. you are required by state law to have uh be um vaccinated for raies. There's a whole other slew of vaccines that that vets want you to get and that's going to be up to you, but the the rabies vaccine is one that's mandated and also and it's only good for a year uh or three years. So, you're going to it's one of those things where you're going to have to continue continually boost your animal and that's very very important. Another uh thing that that uh I've been noticing is a lot of folks um tend to want to feed wildlife. And I I get that. Like I really do. You see it, you see a cute raccoon, you want to feed it. You know, you feel bad for it. Or uh another thing is people are feeding their catch and they you know, they have outdoor cats, which that's a whole another thing I'd like to talk about because I'm not a big fan of that, but they'll put food out. And what that does, especially in areas like this, it's going to attract foxes. It's going to attract raccoons and scouts. And those are those are part of that that group of high risk species for carrying ravens. Um, so those are things that that that can be done by the average cit your your animal or don't feed uh animals because it's so attractive. And if you are feeding them and and because you want to see them come, that's do whatever you think you want to do. That's fine. But please don't try to touch one. We get that that actually happens quite a bit where people want to oh look there's a a cubo raccoon. Let me go try to pick it up because either they watched a YouTube video or something someone who had a pet. It's really dangerous. Uh so that that is huge. I got to try to keep you on track with them. Otherwise, I'll probably uh but yeah, those show um definitely break these vaccines, keep up to date, do not

feed wildlife. Uh and then do definitely do not try to pick anything up. Um and then if you do see an animal that's acting strange, uh don't try to handle it yourself. uh call uh you know sheriff's office, there's an auto emergency line you can call and they'll send out uh if it happens to be during the time that the animal control officers are working, they'll send one of them over to handle it and uh if not they'll send a deputy over if it's at night time. Often times with with wildlife wildlife acting trains often times it's going to be euthanized just so everyone knows. Uh it's a little different with domestic animal. We're not going to be demonizing people's fans. Uh there's a whole different thing that we do on that, but um uh and I know I mentioned earlier about the the criteria for rabies testing. Um so we do like I I will say that the criteria that I have here that we use for to determine whether or not like let's say you have a you find a raccoon that's in your yard that's looking pretty bad. uh you call an animal control. They come out here uh and they're um they're essentially going to they're going to look at the animal. They're going to kind of see what what it's doing. They'll they'll collect the animal and then they'll they'll they'll ask you questions. But our criteria basically is it has to be one of the highest species for carrying babies. It's got to be either a sunre coyote for bat and there has to be known positive human contact or like positive pet or livestock contact. There's no positive contact then we will not send it out for testing. We can just probably utilize it and then dispose it. Uh

once we send it, if it comes back positive, we uh will notify uh the state and the state will ask a bunch of questions and we give them all the information that we have regarding uh who the animal was in contact with, whether it was a pet, whether it was a person. Uh we'll give them all that information. They will eventually call whoever the person is uh that was in contact or whoever uh was the person whose pet was in contact. they'll get a hold of them and they'll want to talk to them and give him more advice, sometimes better advice because they're they're the people who know the best kind of uh thing. And uh and then we will also notify the public. Uh typically people notify the public will do it through our um social media pages. So like our sheriff's office has uh like a Facebook page and things of that sort. uh a rabies alert will actually go out uh and then occasionally kan when they don't have anything else to report or whatever they can through that and see something that sounds interest they'll do a story on it. Uh another way that we uh uh alert the public is through flyers. We construct these flyers with information and we post them near the area where the animal was found. That way people are aware that there was a positive rabbit or a positive other for rabies animal found in that in that area and we usually in that um flyer typically will tell you what kind of animal it was basically what to look out for. Now they're not really creat none of those notifications are created and put out there to try to raise money. We just want to keep people informed that way they know and hopefully people know not to mess with with wildlife. You know, fortunately that's not been the case. We had an interesting case

here recently and I won't really get into that. Um when it comes to domestic animals, so uh those are handled on a case by case basis. So if if an animal let's say gets or is acting strange or whatever that that's going to be hand because it's property and a lot a lot of times you know animal like capture I said family um those get handled differently um we often you know most most people when they get an animal happy differently what's what do they what are they going to go to the vet right

and usually the vets will contact us and let us know or sometimes if they're not certain they'll call they'll contact us to see to get our opinions And then we always recommend that they go see a vet anyway and then we keep in contact with the vet and then um uh then the vet will decide and we've had vets in the past that say that hey this this animal is acting strange it's having neurological side and at that point they'll let us know and we'll talk to the owner and then the owner at that can decide whether they want to just keep it and then just wash it or if they want to go ahead and utilize it. um which often times we unfortunately and then it gets sent in for testing and we find out whether or not it was available. Um but that's that's kind of it. I know I was talking about cats like I know a lot of a lot of folks um it's not one of the hybrid species but I think it's going to be probably number six at the way going. um community counts they again I don't have an issue with it really except for that but it's it's dangerous in that in that respect especially around here because although technically community pets supposed to be vaccinated often times they're not or if they're vaccinated the vaccine expires and then they never get revaccinated or whatever if they're allowed to run all over the neighborhood or whatever they're It's an increased chance that they're going to be in contact with animals such as those that have ramies. And um the problem with cats that I see more than more so than wildlife is most people know not to mess with wildlife. Most kids know not to mess with wildlife, but when they see a cat, they're more likely when they try to go pick it up or pet it or so that becomes

danger. And um you know you know cats I just don't like them running. I think if at all possible if you can keep them inside of them that would be fantastic especially in times like this and we know that there beies in the area would be a good idea for animals to be inside the house if at all possible. Also, when you do let them out, if they are indoor animals, make sure that you keep off. Uh because even though they could be in a fenced area, that's not going to prevent a fox or or raccoon from timing the fence and getting in there and missing what you um aside from that. I really don't have anything more just that's basically I just wanted to let you know that that it's everything's good. You know, we we have had those uh patients, but it's all being handled. Everybody's within compliance. We're not going to, you know, eradicate rabies from wildland. That's something that's common. We're just going to have to deal with it. But we need to learn. We need to,

I guess, learn how to prevent it. And the best way is those. And what were the animals again? It's bat raccoon, fox, and it's raccoon. Raccoon. So is injury when you sit them out in the middle of the day with the skunk or the box out in the middle of the day? Well, it could be. So it's not always bad. Arabian they could they could have this temper. Um Oh, okay. That's a that's another common disease that we find in animals, but during the day when you see these animals that are typically nocturnal, it's kind of a sign that something's not right.

U so yeah, if you see something like that, definitely call it better sex than sorry. And that's that's what we're here for. Yes, ma'am. Um, I read a few months ago that there was a woman on a trail in San Marcus and there was a rapid fox that they found out it was tested and was positive, but it was actively like attacking her. They will do that. So, do you have any tips? Because I looked up how fast they run and I can't. So, if you're if you're going to be hiking in areas like that, I mean, uh the biggest tip I would say is carry a walking stick with you or

you know whatever. I know people that run with with you know small just in case. But yeah, you definitely want to they do get aggressive when when they have rabies. They they are very aggressive and they and they will attack and foxes are probably worse than other of those animals and all there. They're pretty aggressive. Yes. Oh, I just Yeah.

Well, enter the public comment period and I have one um that is sort of directed at you if you don't mind. But she did come. So, Miss Wever, did you want to Okay, I'm I'm gonna read it because that's our policy. So, it says, "Hi, Carrie. Could you please board this to the Marin City Council prior to the meeting on January 14th? I'm very concerned about the reported incident of rabid fox in the area. I have a small dog that I have to take outside at night in the backyard and I'm always on the look at lookout as we do have fox around occasionally. Even a fence would not stop the fox as we have witnessed fox jumping at an 8ft privacy fence. Wow.

It is very much a concern for children and adults. With the Hayes County Animal Control making a presentation at the January 14th meeting, could the question be posed inquiry if the county could initiate or if there is already in place an inoculation program for the wild fox in the areas of concern and the county? It is my understanding that there is a bait with the rabies vaccine in it that the fox should eat and it has had success in areas where it has been administered.

Okay. So, I was going to mention that in the presentation, but I figured that question was hot about that and maybe I'll probably um so the state typically handles bait drops uh like that. I did contact the department of state health services and ask them if that is something that they uh do and and when is uh what what triggers that basically is what I wanted like how many animals trigger that and basically what what I was told is that they do not do vape drops in the interior that the bait drops are specifically used along the border

of of u Mexico and Texas but also New because what they're trying to do is they're trying to prevent uh the fox strain from entering Texas. So that's one thing I forgot to mention is that rabies has there's different variants of rabies. Uh in Texas there are two variants that are uh that that exist in Texas. Uh and one is primarily found in skunks kind of nickname the skunk variant. And then one is the bat and it's also the bat variant. Right? So there is a a fox variant and a few years back here also in the frequ we were having a lot of foxes come back positive. They were worried that um it was the the fox variant could come back in with taxes and so they sent out trappers and they were trapping in the area. Uh everything that they could have and it was sent for blessing. Uh so when they test it at the lab, there's a test that they do to find out whether or not they're positive for rabies, but then there's an additional test that they can do that determines what variant it is. And they found that every single one of those were the skunk variants, which I could have told them that because every specimen we picked up smelled like a Scotland. But but still the insects are still those only only those two variants and those vape drops are are made or used along the border to prevent any other variants from coming and that's what uh basically what I was told.

Okay. Uh I did I did ask and I haven't received an answer yet whether or not that those paint drops are available to be purchased by other you know county or whatever. Uh they didn't really know the answer to that. I guess I've never been asked that. So uh I haven't heard yet. If I hear anything I'll let you guys be sure.

All right. Well, thank you so much for having me. Feel free to get out of the house today. I don't feel like taking me somewhere. All right. We don't have any further public comments. So, we're going to move into the consent agenda. Council, if I get a motion,

I move to approve the consent agenda. Adam, I second. All right. Well, we will take it to vote. Agenda. We have a motion and a second. Are you going? Oh, sorry. Yes. We're going to go to Well, she was not looking at me. We usually make eye contact first. She got Yeah, we're going to get there eventually together. Okay. All right. We'll do a roll call vote. All in favor say I and raise a hand. And not a roll call vote, just a hand vote.

All in favor, raise your hand, say I. Great. The vote is unanimous. Bumpy road here, y'all. All right. So, we have our reports from the city administrator.

Um, got a little bit to cover, but I'll go quickly as I can. Um, the sheriff's report is in there. Um, if you look at it, the the citations that are written are for good reasons. Most everything else he's, you know, educating and then, uh, quite a few are still cutthroughs. So, so interesting stuff. Um it's not on this report on this agenda, but I just wanted to mention that u financials to go along coincide with the way we're trying to run meet. We're going to just push it back a month. So in February, I'll report on December. March I report on January. Hopefully we can because mine is always that is always the last thing that we're waiting on last minute to try to post. So just to go along with what we got. Um, I do want to say our bookkeeper has been working overtime. Um, I see it every day when I open up my computer. My the dashboard has a bunch of charts on it and it changes every day cuz I can he's actually getting in and getting things fixed and trying to fix the correct thing. Bung view will have once we he's buttoned up everything to get ready for the next audit. So, um, that's why he's really pushing hard right now. and then one view is aware that there may still be those hard heads that they're going to make. Um, and I just want to mention for next month, I would like to have a discussion about what you actually want to see in this report at this meeting. So, we'll have a discussion next month. So, question.

Yes. Um, I was able to look up the bank report, the the check register, and that's that's really correct. So, that's good. like is there a chance that um or is it somewhere the Texas class report? Okay. Again, we can discuss this next month what you want to see in this report since it's not Yeah, I would just say it's in the website. Well, there's no they're not posted on the website. They're in the packet, but this is not specifically on the agenda for discussion. So, we have to be tight with that. I'm just giving a heads up on why that's not there and what we're how we're moving forward. Okay.

Um code enforcement's going real well. U there's a few items sent out a few letters sent out in December pretty much. We're up to date. Everything's resolved.

Not counting anything new for January. So, but very for that as well. So, that's going well. Engineering updates. Um first one is the Champions Court turnaround. Um we signed a contract with the vendor. We're I'm having the pre pre-construction meeting with them tomorrow. So that'll coming out of that I'll have a better time time frame and plan and I we can notify all those uh affected down there. I did meet with waste connections last week. We drove around there just to make sure little bit of tree trimming that we need to do. They're very aware those trash cans are going to move from by that tree by your house. So they're they're good view that so there may be some learning learning curves there whether they drive down the street or if they walk it down but they uh we're very aware that we're changing what we're doing on the street. um the ADA improvements for here. Um we I just got the the report back general plan for the handicap parking working with our name management company on kind of figuring out different variables that we can do. We want to expand it, but should have something ready for that next month.

Um the drainage master plan, y'all um narrowed it down to the five. they're starting the surveys um and then they'll uh follow with the tenative schedule pending some field work but just want to remind that we did set up town hall meeting for February 25th

February 25th and that'll be at CYJ and that's where we'll talk about financing options and and get from the citizens um the pedestrian bridge uh for the safety project I just received a couple of options. So, next month we'll present that and see there's three distinct options that uh they have recommendation, but we'll go over that next month. Uh the street maintenance plan is in progress. They're targeting um by the end of the month. Hopefully, they'll have some kind of deliverable. So, we may do something for next month on that on the street maint. Um,

just some other updates. The deerfield project, we should be finished by end of the month. We're going to add some um rock in the culvert in the ditch in the blonde ditch that got created just to help with the ros and that'll finish up leftover mugs and we'll put to bed. All work should be done by the end of the month. So, and then there'll be some paper work on my hand. That's boring stuff. Um the rainwater collection at the playground they just installed gutters on it yesterday on the on the on the bathroom.

Um and then towards the end of next week, next Friday, I believe they're going to plan on the installation of that. And then to couple off of that, we'll button up all of those ends by the end of next week too on the bathroom. K started doing the walkway, you know, where we grab a walk, grab a path. So he started on that yesterday, but once the rainwater collection systems in, they'll do the final pretty cleanups and all that kind of stuff. Um the covert cleanout should be done by the end of the month. Um the parking lot, parking spots at playground and Augusta Park should be done by the end of the month as well. Um, it's gonna along with the safety enhancement, the speed cushions and the radar signs by the end of the month. Again, all that's kind of weather related if anything delays that, but hopefully by the end of the month, all these things will be wrapped up and put to bed. Um, just want to announce that the brush limb pickup since we're last couple weeks of true training season, um, we're going to do the the brush pickup on February 2nd. We're going to we'll be sending out information tomorrow doing the blast and on all our avenues and I just want to stress that you must go online and fill out the form and submit it. So that's how we keep track of our our records. Um coupled with that um we've set the the citywide garage sale.

We're going to set that for April 11. And then of course we'll send out information for that as we get there. And then the backup to that is the bulk trash pickup will be April 15th and it's going to be a normal trash day without um the recycling. So we'll have a bazillion people in town workers in town on trash day April 15th. We'll send out all that information get and that doesn't include brush right?

No bulk pickup is the trash you know bulky items. There's I don't have the list, but there's, you know, dos and don'ts. You know, you can't put in tires and paint thinner and that kind of stuff, but you can put in a water heater and a you know, whatever mattress or whatever. It's kind of just similar what we exactly what we've been doing in the past. So, all that information will get dissipated, but so brush pickup February 2nd. So, all the information will go out. It'll be tomorrow. We'll just stammer it and then sign up through the rest of the month. Um the GLL grant for the um um other I did confirm that you know we were waiting on the audit to come in. Uh confirm with our guy at Grant Works. We I sent it to him as soon as we got it. He got the application submitted on December 5th. well before the deadline and he said it should take a couple months before you anything that's for the uh comprehensive plan and the code rewrites and all that kind of stuff. So

and then last uh we will be closed on Monday for Martin Luther King Day. Thank you. Really appreciate all this effort. Yeah, this is a long list of things that multiple things flying in the air and you're just adding to the plate so far. Nikki, I appreciate that. So Jeeoff and I know we're getting saved for what we did. Not for polite company.

Yeah, it's not for any questions on anything like I said. So next week or next month I'll present the financials as we've had them and I'll be looking for wherever on the agenda we want discussion on exactly what you want to see in this before. I sent you a follow-up email to maybe explain better what you were asking about that's in your inbox. All right, we're going to move on into our regular agenda item one. If you'll remember, we were sort of changing up the format of our meetings. I won't be reading items. I'll just introduce them um and then I'll look for a motion. So, this would be uh appointing a council member to fill the vacated unexpired term.

Yeah, sir. I move that we nominate the sole applicant Jeff Rasco to be the city of Wood Creek City Council member and serve for the remainder of an unexpired term vacated by resignation ending in November of 20200 2026 pursuant to Texas local government code 22.0 Z. A second. Excellent. And is this something I have to roll call or can we do a show of hands? Second. Okay. So, I will do a show of hands. If you support this nomination of mayor or former mayor Jeff Rosco for the city council, please raise your hand and say, "I." I.

All right. Unanimous vote. Mr. Rasco, if you would mind joining us. Yes, but he's up over here. I have not forgot to thank you because it's very easy for me to do that quickly. And so we have a bit of a formality to take care of. Um we actually have to swear him into office for this to be official. So we have this really fun moment here. Uh our city secretary is our notary. So, she's the official swearing end, but I get the pleasure of reading you the oath. So, if you don't mind raising your right hand. Do we do it on camera? Yes, I am.

Keep coming. Keep coming. There you go. Yeah. All right. In the uh in the name and by the authority of the state of Texas, I the name and the authority of the state of Texas, I Jeff Rasca, 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 city council of city council of the city of Woodre of the city of Woodree and will to the best of my ability and will to the best of my ability preserve preserve protect and defend defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States,

the laws. Preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States and the state of Texas and the state of Texas. The city of Wood Creek through the city of Wood Creek. So help me God. So help me God. All right. You do. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Yeah. I feel like we could have just read that, said it together. I know.

Thank you all. Thank you for being willing to serve the Lord. All right. So, we're going to move on to the next item. This is going to be the nominations for appointment to planning and zoning by council members Richardson and Swedbird. Mayor, may I sir?

Um, I just a little point of privilege here. I do know that we need volunteers and I'd just like to share a few moments my um personal opinions and concerns about uh a few of the advisory board applicants um especially Gloria Whitehead Judy Brisendine and some extent Aurora Lebrand have all served councilor obviously served on council on various committees um but since leaving elected office none has chosen to take a role on the advisory board participated in volunteer activities and that's okay in itself because many volunteers serve their time and then put it behind them. But as women how ever have worked to divide our citizens, smearing the work of past several councils and social discourse and especially in the course of the past elections, this past election was the ugliest, most dishonest and divisive in my memory. And I've served or followed the city and city council for 20 years. These three ladies were the ring leaders of this campaign. They planned, funded, and executed the campaign for the mayor and two city council members in what I consider a despicable fashion. And once again, they were beaten because the citizens of Wood Creek simply won't stand for it. And now they want to play nice and volunteer to serve. Um, I'm just not convinced I can trust them and I'm just sorry I can't support the nominations.

Thank you. Typically, we need a motion on the floor to proceed. So, apologies. I u incorrectly assumed there was something there. But, um so, if I could hear from council member Richardson or Swedler first to uh appoint their nominee,

um I move to nominate Russell Scott to the planning and zoning commission. I second. All right. Any discussion there? All right. Hearing no further discussion, we will do a raise of a show of hand vote. If you support Russell Scott being appointed for a two-year term of the planning and zoning commission, raise your hand. Say I. I. I. That's four eyes. If you do not, say nay. One nay. All right, we'll move on to council member Swedberg's appointment. Uh,

I nominate Carson Bleo for appointment to the planning and zoning commission to fill two years made by council members. No, that's not what I meant to say. To fill two years, we have a second by Mayor Proton Gmers. Is there any discussion? All right, hearing none, we'll do a show of hands vote. All in favor of Carson Bledsoe being appointed for a two-year term to the Planning and Zoning Commission, raise your hand, say I.

All right, five eyes. Unanimous vote has it. All right, we'll move on to item number three. This is appointment by Mayor Proen Grobert to fill the remainder of an unexpired term on the planning and zoning commission for one year. I move to appoint Judy President to fill the remainder of the unexpired term on P&Z to terminate on November 2026. Second.

All right, we have a second by council member Bailey. Original motion by Mayor Per Gart. Do this would be um relevant for Mayor Rasco's comment. Um, does anyone else have anything they wish to say on this front?

Yes. Um, I would like to speak to her knowledge, intelligence, and the experience that you would bring to this position. There are there are differences in our citizens opinions but when we have a person who put in so much work and has such a depth of knowledge I think we should recognize that anyone else um I will say that I share mayor former mayor Rasco's concerns um specifically we have learned information some information about this individual that it that could kind of make some question here. And of course, during election season, it hasn't always brought out her best side. However, I do also agree with council member Bailey that in my time working with Miss Brendine, I found her to be very knowledgeable. Um, she didn't speak often, but when she did speak, it was with relevant points. And I do understand that we have a minority group in our city with very little representation on any of our bodies and in our government right now. And I do feel that extending the olive branch in our community to those individuals is the right call at this time. So I would like to see this individual embraced on the planning and zoning commission at this time.

Mayor M. Sure. Um I don't I don't disagree. Um, Miss Bryce served. She was a a a good council member. Um, she did have a tendency to resign when she didn't get away, but um but I I just I just wonder what the motivation is. Um, you know, they you say that that this group isn't well represented. Um, that's only because they didn't come forward. They never raised their hand and said I would like to to serve until now of all times. So I just question that. That's fair. Any other discussion points?

All right, we'll do a show a hand vote. All in support of Judy Brisan serving the unexpired term on the planning and zoning commission for one year to terminate at November of 2026, raise your hand and say I. I. All against raise your hand and say nay. Unfortunately, that motion fails. Do you have a backup motion you would like to make from Mayor Pen Gmer? Not at this time. Fair enough. This will be uh tabled for the next meeting. It will come back.

I guess table's not the right point. Uh postponed. Apologies. This item will be postponed. You can expect it to reappear in February. And um if you know anyone interested in serving on any of our boards, please have them come forward and fill out applications. All right, we'll move on to item number four. Approval of Mayo I can't say that word. Nominations for the trees and parks advisory body of the city of Wood Creek to fill a one-year term ending in December of 2026. Um, so my request at this time is a motion to reappoint Judy Newton, including a motion to appoint Jill Zipper. Mayor

sir, I move that the based on the mayoral nominations for the trees and parks advisory board for the city of Wood Creek to fill one term ending in December of 2026 that the reappoint for Judy Newton and appointing Jill Zipper. I second.

All right. Thank you both so much. I would like to explain this a little bit more. Judy has u expressed that she's willing to serve another year. That's why her application isn't in here as she's an existing member. Jill Zipper is a new applicant and we're really excited to have her. I'm sure you saw her application, but she's overly qualified for this and we are so grateful she's willing to serve and dedicate some time to the city. This is her first time doing so. to explain a little bit more why I did not apply appoint others is I contacted both of the other two individuals both by phone and by email and the city contacted Miss Richie as well and we heard no response back. So hearing no response that they continue to be interested in being appointed they were left off these appointments. Any further discussion or questions? Um, I just wanted to be in agreement that I think Jill Zucker is going to be a fabulous another great member on the board. So, she just her her work um through Texas State and all the things that she's done throughout the community so far have just been really valuable. So, I'm excited. Amazing qualifications.

I know, right? We're really lucky. All right. Thank you. Any other comments, questions, concerns? Hearing none, you will show hand vote. All in favor of reappointing J Newton and appoint zipper to trees and parks, please raise your hand and say I. I. Unanimous. Thank y'all. We'll move on to item five, mayoral nominations for the community relations committee advisory body of the city of Wood Creek to fill a one-year term ending in December 2026. On this, I'm looking for a motion to reappoint Cheryl Mills, Leslie Scott, and Carol Lust. Am I? Mhm.

I move that council approves the me mayoral nominations for the community relations committee advisory body of the city of Wood Creek to fill a one-year term ending in December of 2026 of Cheryl Mills, Leslie Scott, Carol Lewis. A second.

Thank you all so much. So these are all existing members. They've agreed to serve one year again and we are so grateful because this is an immense amount of work for y'all and it we don't take this lightly this request. So, thank y'all and then thank you both for being here tonight and Leslie as well. Um, you'll notice that we had other applicants um again contacted Gloria and Key did not hear back from them. I actually intended to um appoint Gloria to Trees and Parks if she was interested. She declined, but hearing not anything back from her on this is that's why I've been with board. Um, I did however receive comment back from Miss Lebron and she is willing to serve on this board. So after we take this vote, I would request a motion to appoint her to this board. So any other discussion on Carol, Leslie, or Cheryl at this time. All right, hearing none, we'll do a show of hands vote. All in favor of appointing or reappointing Carol Lus, Leslie Scott, and Cheryl Mills to the community relations committee to serve another year, please raise your hand and say I.

I. Unanimous. Thank y'all. Yes, sir. I move to approve the memorial nomination for the community relations committee advisory body of the city of Woodbury to fill a one-year term ending in December of 2026 of Aurora Leon. Second.

All right. Okay, second. We'll go to former mayor Jeff Rasco. And do we have any discussion on this? I think some of the same concerns are there. Um, we hope that Miss Lebrand is willing to work with the board um and honors the commitment of the board to serve at the council's wishes. And frankly, I find her to be an upstanding citizen, a very kind um and thoughtful person. So, I think she will make us proud. Any other discussion? All right. All in favor of appointing Aurora Liberin to the community relations committee advisory body for a year, please raise your hand and say I. I.

Unanimous. All right. Y'all going to move on to item six. Discussion and approval of the date venue of the city of Wood Creek volunteer appreciation event for February 26 at the Wimberly Valley Winery. Mayor, may I? Sir, I move to suspend the rules and have a discussion. I will allow. We're going to have 15 minutes.

Um, so my initial idea is I'm thinking we at this point should bump the event six months out. um which would give the community relations more time to get and research if there's more people interested in this project um in this event because currently like 20 people filled in but that includes council and staff and I wasn't actually planning for council and staff to be considered part of the events as guests. Um, the initial idea was the council was going to serve the volunteers at the triangle and it's it's become bigger than that and it's offsite. So, I think I'm not sure I see enough buy in at this time and that's why I want to give it six more months. Um, I'm actually going to go ahead and make a motion right now. I move to b the volunteer appreciation event six months and set a budget of $35 per person.

Lana Bailey was the second

um I think in that six months you there there'll be a better chance of reaching out to people directly. I don't know if that if it was I don't know what kind of efforts were taken in that in that way. if it was just more of a blast email, but I think maybe we can get a list of people who have volunteered at the city, find out their emails, and email them directly to see if they're interested and then bring it back to us and then go if there's a if there isn't enough buy in, maybe it's just that the citizens aren't wanting us. um it could be possibly shifted into a new kind of form um rather than a dinner. Um I actually have an idea for like a future volunteer event which what might be merged with the music in the park event for next year. Um that way the community also gets to appreciate the volunteers. The other thing that I was thinking about for the volunteer event is to roll in all of our awards because we have multiple recognition awards like we should make it into one event. Um, including Spirit of Wood Creek, etc. Uh, those are my thoughts so far. You have the floor.

Yes. Council member Russo. Oh, what do you

um just a couple of comments on um one is the the efforts to get the word out have been ongoing for months and months um through the newsletter, through email, through radio announcements every single week. Um and so we still have 20 people which is which is sad. Um, the other point I'd like to make is with the appointment of Miss Lebron to um to the committee um with with her contacts um especially in that group that have been longtime volunteers have been kind of quiet. Um maybe she could use her influence to j up some some some interest in in the thing. But it's something that we've been wanting to do now for a long time that we were kind of pressured to do, you know, by volunteers, you know, to we want we just want to be recognized. And with my experience in volunteer management, recognition is the reason most volunteers do it because not for money, you know. So what what else have you got except to give them a pat on the back and thank them very much. So we still have to do that.

Council member Bailey had her hand up first. Okay. uh kind of on that same line. Um we've appointed some new people, some dynamic new people. They may have a different sphere of influence, different group of neighbors, friends. So I think delaying it a little bit, we have a better chance of more participation participation. All right. Do you your council member

August? That's it. So, so what what I was doing was I was just okay at 6 months, but not being strict about it. I didn't want to set a date. I was like, "Hey, think ahead. Think down the road. If you come to us again and go, oh, nope, not August." Okay. You know, it's just this idea of bumping it to get more by. So,

we we have the chairperson here this evening and I would love to allow her to speak if council doesn't mind. And that's kind of the idea of suspending the rules. We can have a back and forth a little bit. So, we don't need to raise our hand. If you'd like to have a dialogue with Miss Mills, I would appreciate that right now. And I think that both sides have some questions that like to, you know, back and forth. And Miss Lusk is here as well. I don't mean to ignore it. She was

um I don't know stand but I I absolutely agree and you know talking with our current board members we initially asked to push the date because of the lack of response any invites and we've exhausted every newsletter socials um everything that Jeff said as well. Um, so we we would be fine with that. One thing that was another idea is we have this neighbors day out in August, 6 months from now and that potentially could be a way to tie it in to recognize outstanding neighbors that volunteer their time. Um, and it would instead of creating another event because as we look at this calendar, I think there's 10 events on here. So it's almost one a month and that's it's pretty heavy for volunteers.

Yes. Um, so rather than adding another event at another date, another idea was to tie it into the neighbors day or lu our annual lu at CY. Um, and we already have a crowd there. We already have the space. We already have a lot of key factors in place as far as logistics go. Um, and obviously we'd have an audience. And I would I want to just make sure that we're able to recognize some of the volunteers that have spent countless hours for the city. Um and when we were brainstorming and talking about this then as a committee um dinner's great, awesome, but what are we like what is the goal of it? Is it just to get together at the table? Well, that's cool. But I don't we didn't feel like that was a like that was enough. It is but it isn't right. Um and so that is why we brainstormed and kind of had all these ideas of you, you know, having this rooted in Wood Creek award where Tree City, we want to, you know, plant a tree in your name rather than put another plaque or certificate on your wall, right? So something that would last here in our community. Um, and so I think tying in the awards that are given out throughout the year at this one annual event. Um, I would love that idea. I would propose that as well.

Just because I'm thinking about making a motion to accommodate that because I think that's a brilliant idea. So, do you prefer the luau or this neighbor? Is that what you're referring to? Well, it's always been the neighbor's day out and last year we made it a theme. We the theme was l out day by day. So we should just call it the neighbors day out. Yeah, it's a neighbor's day out loud. But we I just call it neighbors be out in case a new theme shows up.

Perfect. We do love the both of them. The other you know the other factor if we are looking at this list um and I know only 20 you know residents volunteers have submitted this form um in our mind when we were thinking about this as well it was you know to show appreciation and have giving them the opportunity to have a plus one as well like bring you and your partner who was also sacrificing when you're sacrificing right um so with the and I think we printed it out too And I'll take a step back as well because when we were thinking about this event, it never in our minds, it never crossed our minds that you guys would not be there as awesome volunteers and outstanding peers under your council and you do your own thing. But it never I never thought y'all would not be there. Um, and then when I was thinking y'all win, I was like, who's going to do these award? Like, who's going to thank all these people? like me. So I you guys are all there for the luau or for neighbors day out. Um and they just wanted to make it a fun event like they wanted it to be worthwhile not just another dinner. So that is why we broke down. I know a lot of factors came in like we can't serve alcohol or we can't buy the purchase the alcohol. So, you know, we went offsite because I tried to do it here. Well, I reached out to the lodge um and they were going to charge us a vending fee. And so, the owner of the winery, which is where we were proposing to do it, it was all site, but they are a little creek resident. They live right here in the neighborhood and they offer us the space for free and a discounted rate on the food. Um, so that was one of the other factors of Okay, that sounds great. Um, and what was the others? We just wanted to make it a fun night and we wanted to be about community and so we are totally on board with pushing the date back as that's why we're here

anyways. Um, and so if everybody is on board with combining that with our neighbors day out event in August, I think that's a good compromise to be able to do what we want at the event without having a lot of I don't want to say red tape around it, but extra, you know, all the extras to go along with it. Um, so I don't know if yall have any questions for me or anything. So, what I really like about this concept is

the part that was missing for me was that the volunteers are being recognized, but they're being recognized by the community as well as the city. So, having it at the neighbor's day out is the perfect venue, perfect time. I just came up with the music because it's the next item and it's like, but this makes this makes sense. This is this is a great idea. Um, weirdly we're you can you can change details via amendment and it is relevant. Mayor, may I Well, can you wait just because we have a motion on the table? Will you hold that one? Yep. Because

I don't think you're amending that motion. So, I think we should distribute with that motion. Maybe write down your next one. Well, I was going to amend the budget part because that should come back to us, but we have a motion on the table and that's to bump it six months um and to set the budget at $35 per person. So, maybe I'm not reading your mind correctly. So, proceed. So, I'm thinking of amending that motion and just removing the budget part so that you can deal with it later. Okay. Because I was thinking of I was amending it as just outside dinner. So,

can I request that we have a clean motion just because we also need to designate that it goes with that date? I would like that, please. Then, let's all vote it down and I'll make a new one. Okay. Uh, when we up the motion, it makes it easier for everyone to act and it prevents confusion about what was meant. For example, this motion right now just says about six months. It doesn't actually designate to combine it with the neighbor's day out event, right? And then it could potentially cause problems with the neighbor's day out event budget here. So, we need to just clean it up. We'll talk better. Okay.

So, all right. Uh we'll do a show of hand vote on in favor of bumping the event six months and capping at $35 per person. Uh raise your hand and say I. Motion fails. Nay. We can report the all nay. Five nays. May or may I? Yes, sir. I move to move the volunteer appreciate event to coincide with the neighbors day out. Period. Second.

All right. We have a second by council member Bailey. Motion made by Mayor Puchin Gummer. Any discussion on combining it with a neighbor's day out event. I think this satisfies all of the concerns. It really does. I think it's a fair solution. I'm glad y'all are on board with it. I know y'all put in an immense amount of work already. And I don't I don't love that we're switching gears on you again. And I just I hope that moving forward we can um work together collaborative collaboratively to flush all this stuff out and make sure we're not wasting anyone's mind. But I am sorry.

I just one just one minor point if I may. Um so with the neighbor today, you know, lua day or seeing, you know, the the everybody just, you know, just heads to the pool. So, and first of all, I'd just like to say I'd like to continue volunteering on the committee and helping wherever I can. Um, but you know, so we just need to structure it so that we do the awards and recognition of the volunteers first before we open the pool and then

fair request and I would like council to entertain um the idea that we increase this budget to accommodate some of the celebratory needs. um they worked so hard to create a really detailed budget and for the neighbors day and it's already nailed in and so this is adding to that. So I would like to see some of the funds transfer but we can address that I believe at least in February um at a future council meeting if not later depending on when they're ready. Can I ask?

Sure. So, with that being said, I will need to We're losing the $3,500 from this event, but we can revis our neighbors day out budget to include a line item for this. Okay. You can definitely revise it to make a request for additional funds. Okay. And if it's that vague, we should give zoning guidance of additional. I think that we need to handle that in February because that neighbor's day out is not on the agenda. Nor are they prepared to make a guestimate.

Uh my only concern at this time is that our motion's clean and so uh I believe this motion is an amendment to the original item, but you suspended rule. So this is the first motion on the table, right? So the item is stated differently, right? But you never made the motion of the item. Correct. As it's stated, we just suspended rules in your you made a motion that failed. And this is the first actual next motion on the name motion, right? Yes. Motion we voted out and then this is a new main motion.

New main motion. Great. Okay. So, the main motion is to set the volunteer appreciation event to coincide with neighbors day out. All right. We have a second. That was Lana Millie. So all in favor raise your hand and say I. I unanimously. Thank you all so much for being here and um chatting this through with us. We nailed our 15 minutee mark almost exactly. I was worried that was going to drag on and I just I really thank everyone for being so cooperative and collaborative and like coming to a a really nice agreement. So that's good.

Yep. All right. I'm just All right. So, we're going to move on to the next item, the Museum of Parks Park event series. Um, do I have a motion? I move that council reall reallocates unspent funds in the community relations budget to a music in the park event to be hosted in March not to exceed $400. Second. All right. We have a second by council member Vasco. Um, so I'd like to speak to this because I'm excited about this event.

The possibility of this really becoming the most popular event we have. Now granted, that's high hopes because and all the other events you've been doing would be great. I like this one because it's more of an ongoing thing based on what I've been seeing in the game. Um, granted gets hot maybe we don't do it so much, but I'm gonna tell you how much I'm interested in this is even if we fail a couple times, I'm still wanting to keep doing it because often sometimes it takes a little bit to get going. Um, I could see food trucks and music. There was just I'm happy this has happened.

Yeah. So, um, just to bring everybody, I mean, I have had when I was in your chair, um, several conversations with folks about getting this going. Um, I did talk to Jennifer Zavalto, who is a local resident singer songwriter, um, who is available on March 6th and has agreed to perform. She does all kinds of music from marine stuff to jazz to, you know, she's a pyro. She's very good. Um, you know, pretty well done around. So, so we do have somebody for the first one if we want to pursue it.

Excellent. Awesome. Um, I'll explain a little bit more. Um, so the proposal coming from CRC is for a series of three events to start. Uh, the budget is $400 per event. The reason why we're not improving all three of the series is they're working on their calendar. They're working on their budgets. We're going to have a meeting with city administrator Bergen to make sure that all the money is lining up and checking out and we have it. But right now, this event is coming up very soon. And so we're asking for just the first 400 right now. And we know we have confirmed that they do have that unspent funds available. So um that we can go forward and then in February we are likely to see the rest of their calendar and the rest of the budget. Did you want to add anything?

I'm excited for that one, too. I'm excited. I was focusing it grow some other ideas that we could have took. Yeah, this is one of those really cool ideas that it's almost like the pyramid appearing all over the world around the same time. This idea popped up in three or four people's heads and it was like coming, you know, in all directions. It was one of your ideas. It was your idea. So, it's nice to kind of have uh some synergy there. Yeah. Any other comments on the music the part series and the budget. All right. If y'all are ready, we'll go show him vote. All in favor of the music part series with a budget allocated of $400 say I. I.

Unanimous. All I may take a personal privilege of 10 minutes. No, I'm sorry. We're going to keep We can We will exit the meeting at 7:21. Please return in 10 minutes. We're going to call this back order at 7:30. No, my clock says 7:31. This talk is a minute behind. We're going by. All right, we'll move on to item number eight. This involves the Hayes County Master Drainage Plant and the Texas Water Development Board. Mayor, sir.

I move the council accepts resolution number 2026-01-14-01, the city of Wood Creek participating in the Hayes County master draining plan under the Texas Water Development Board Flood Infrastructure FA FIF Flood Management Evaluation Fme.

I second. Seconded by Council Member Richardson. If you don't mind, I'll take the floor. All right. So, uh you see the email in there in the packet where uh we were asked to join this plan. Um one of the benefits of this plan is it has the capacity if everything checks out to get access to the Texas Water Development Board grants, which is very important when we're looking at drainage and storm water management. We are not currently eligible for some of the grants because we are not in a plan. And so this is the first time we've ever really been approached for this that I'm aware of. And so it's a very

well yeah it's a very beneficial thing to the city and all of the information is there. Hopefully you all been able to review it some. But there's really no negative or downsides to this. It's not going to cost us money. We don't have to do anything extra. It's just basically saying yes, please include us. We're on board. Deadline for submission is tomorrow. Um, no. They're aware of this and they're they like they knew it was coming tonight. That's resolution to be in there tomorrow anyway. Yeah. No, there everything's fine. Uh, as long as you guys are on board. If you're not, then we will be excluded from the plan. But we already contacted them. They knew what date and everything. So, it worked out perfectly. We didn't get I mean, you can see the date we got this. It was not

something we could put on the last meeting. So, it look like the the language that flexibility. Yes. stream. I think it'd be different if we didn't have it on a meeting before the deadline, but any question. All right. So, hearing no further discussion, we'll go ahead and do a raise of hand vote. All in favor of uh joining this plan, please raise your hand and say I. I. I. Unanimous. All right. Thank you'all. It's a big set for us. So, awesome. All right. Next item number nine, discussion and possible action to adopt a resolution to accept a training manual. Mayor, may I sir?

I move to adopt the resolution to accept the city of Wood Creek training manual for council and advisory bodies. Second.

All right. Seconded by council member Bailey. Um, so this was actually a collaborative effort that started almost two years ago now with former mayor Rasco, myself and as Mayor Pro Tim and then council member Gmer. We asked to be on this like subcommittee. We worked on this training manual. Um, one of the things that came out in the retreats we did was that we do not have a strong enough onboarding process and unfortunately that lack of training inside it in sort of like in initiation into the city has meant some of our volunteers weren't super arrested with like uh some of the laws and the formalities for the the meetings and things like that. So, this is our first step in creating a training mount for the city. None has ever existed before. And so, um, obviously it could in the future be adjusted, but I feel like they did a pretty good job at capturing a nice snapshot of everything you could possibly need to know in your first week, right? Um, it's not going to replace mandatory trainings that are required by state law and it doesn't replace attending TML conferences, but it just provides kind of a starting point. Do we have any further discussion on this item or questions, concerns? very impressed

by your own work. No, I know. Did you do that? I said, "No, actually." Oh, yeah. It was just a long h.

Yeah, it was. And I mean that has been adapted and added on. Things came up over the course of time that we realized we we had never addressed, right, collectively, like social social media usage is actually an addition that wasn't there before. Yeah. And um that came up because of former um council members actually uh repetitively asking for it. We don't really have a policy, but the thing about social media is it's a first amendment right. So we can't actually create a policy limiting it. So we created best practice instead. All right. So hearing no further discussion, we'll go ahead and take a vote. Show of hands. All in favor of supporting this resolution for to adopt the Wood Creek training manual, please raise your hands and say I.

I. All right. Unanimous. All I. Right. We'll move on to item number 10. A resolution to amend council meeting procedures. Good. Thank you.

I move to accept the resolution amendments council meeting procedures resolution 26-1-14-05. Second. All right. Thank you. Council member Rosco is the second. Um, so this resolution, if you guys will open it, had quite a few of track changes in it. I'd like to just highlight the most important ones that will be impacting us as a council. Moving forward there, if you all approve this, there will be a checklist required for item submissions. This helps make sure that we have fully fleshed out packets and fully developed ideas. If we are spending money, it requires a meeting with the city administrator to ensure that the funds are in that account because often we have made commitments on funds to be spent in the future. And so he needs time to really flush all of that out and prepare it and find the money for your request. And that takes a meeting to do that to really understand what you're trying to do. figure out which budget line item is best. Figure out how much money is there. And so we're just requesting that everyone kind of incorporate that in your mind if you're requesting to spend money. The other to go to sort of slow city business down a little bit to give staff and everyone some room to breathe. We have worked just at, you know, pedal to the metal speed to accomplish a lot of goals for the city and we have tackled a lot of them and now we're sort of in that rest phase where we're going back to the drawing board of doing a lot of long-term planning and that is going to take downtime to do that computer work. And so if we can slow the pace of the city down the the day-to-day business, the things with nothing on their plate, it'll let us develop some of those plans and things we need for long-term goals.

U the other key component is that, you know, the previous rules said that we were having two regular meetings a month. This goes down to one. The previous rules said that if you submitted an item, it would appear on the very next meeting essentially. And this says we're asking for 3 to 6 months, for example, coming up in February. We already have a full agenda with all of the engineering items that have been kind of coming in. And so we need time to deal with all of that. And it's not that if you submitted an item, we wouldn't put it on that agenda. We just are asking not to be bound by that in order to better plan out business. Right? So we have a couple different items that we just learned that actually go well together. So because of that foresight and that ability to plan, we can actually put them on a future meeting together versus we would have had to have taken it up at the very next one and that can kind of create disjointed business. So that that is the goal of this. And then there were some other edits that came about because we learned things in in Toma and it kind of adjusted the language that we needed um because we were operating with one set of understanding and then we learned new information and that's more about some of the items regarding postpone and um what taking from the table means and that kind of stuff our understanding changed. Uh, do you all have any questions or concerns about this at this end?

I don't have a head. Okay. Um they kind of explained about the 3 to six months, but my concern was that let's say there's an item I really would like to see and work and get to working on it and I've got 10 months left on council and if it's six months I'd have to run for council again. Well, did I just hear a commitments round for council yet?

But anyway, I just want to make sure it doesn't hamper us or if there's something that the citizen, you know, because I still see it that we we work for the taxpayers and if they want to see something, it should still we shouldn't make them wait six months. But I guess there's just things that your field could be post. So I was concerned about that. Um the other thing okay the question one of the additions a item five to manage efficiency economies of scale. How what does that mean? Economies of scale. I I know what that is. I just don't see how it's how it's relative relevant to an agenda item.

Would you like me to answer your question now or wait? What What do you want? No. Um Okay. Well, I have a couple others. Yeah.

Um All right. It's just that some of this is uh the language could be cleaned up a little bit. All right. On the bottom of rule six, this it says can be made to for a certain date the next meeting or indefinitely which will take some the item from discussion completely some some of the

that so we just the two and then the next sentence. Okay. The purpose to proceed to a meeting in the future or in the case of indefinitely to kill the meeting, kill the item. It's just the sentence structure on some of these needs to be we could add a comma there. Okay. Well, or or have a more balanced. You got a subject, you got a verb, we've got a direct object. Um, be a little more balanced. Okay. All right. Uh do you yield the floor? You finish?

Yes. Okay.

So for the 3 to six months, it's just a guideline. If there is something pressing, you just say there's a pressing time here constraint and that there's in the form for submittal, it has that where you can write in that kind of information and that will be taken into consideration. What I was getting at talking about February, for example, is we're already working on the February agenda. We'll be working on that immediately. Like it actually started today or yesterday really. So knowing that that agenda is getting full, we would likely be looking at March for any current submissions. And then we're asking for that lead time to make sure that the packets fully flushed out, that we have all the items we need, that the motion is clean and makes sense, that we've consulted with any parties that are being impacted by it. And so we need time to do that, right? especially if we have to call in a meeting for expenditures. So that means that that could even potentially push something out past March if it's not ready, right? If you're not ready in that timeline, but the 3 to 6 months is essentially just a guideline that you will see your item on an agenda during that time frame, bare minimal. And if there's a reason to bump it sooner, we would consider that and and likely honor it. There's no reason not to, but what we wanted to do is not hamstring everyone to this next agenda or the very next agenda because the I don't know how everyone did it for the past couple years because that turnaround time is really rough from being able to submit an item that if there's any problems with it trying to schedule a meeting with someone and then getting it on an agenda. I did that as mayor pro Tim. He's doing it as mayor pro Tim and I think Jeff could definitely attest to how difficult that is. So by removing that sort of time rush, we are hoping to have cleaner business. And then to address your economies of scale,

uh what that means is for example, it's hard not to talk about future business. So I'm just going to pick a random topic. What if we somebody said I want to work on this culdeac down here and we need road work here, right? And so someone else is like, "Well, I've got a street pothole over here and I I want to work on that." Right? So both of these agenda items come in asking for work to be done. And if we could bundle them and flow them through city business at the same time, we could likely then book a road company once versus what we're doing right now is we've got Champion a one-off of Champions Court Turnaround. You know, Deerfield's a little bit of an exception because um of the grant, but we had a one-off over there a little bit whenever we did the east to west portion, right? So, being able to see some of these things coming down the pipeline, not rushing them to get on the very next agenda or even the next, second, third month gives us time to kind of bundle and say, you know what, we've got two, three different ideas. These are all very similar. Let's put them in a packet together and work on it as a whole project. Right? So the goal is to kind of bundle and save to quote flow and progressive.

I think I addressed all your questions and I have your two type of comments and we can adjust that for sure.

Just on the ask it on the agenda item cover sheet. I guess I think this is a part of this. One of the things says, "Does this item align with strategic plan and if so, which one?" And I looked up on our website strategic plan and I only came up with the uh comprehensive plan from 2022. So, is there a better way to define what strategic plans Yeah. these items have to fit in?

That's a fair question. So strategic plan is just a vocabulary term in the municipal war uh world and it refers to all of those types of plans. Comprehensive plan, parks master plan. Um we have an investment plan. We have our investment policy. We have a we have we're trying to work on a road maintenance plan. We're looking at a possible we have a a drainage and storm water improvements plan. Right? So the goal is is really in theory there should be no expenditures and very few actions taken by council that do not align with one of our strategic plans. And earlier when I was talking about how we're going into more of a hibernation planning phase, it's because we realize we need more plan. We need more guiding documents. They've been piling up for the past couple years as we learned what we need. And even in our research on the the Texas Water Development Board grants, right, we learned that to be eligible for grants, we need uh what there was like three or four

a cyber security plan and several plant things that we don't have, right? Like we don't have a water management plan. We don't, you know, so we we have a drought response protocol. You know, something you submit could be referenced in the drought response protocol, right? So this is basically asking us to be a little bit more thoughtful for what we're bringing forward and where is it where is it justified by our citizens

because the one thing that I didn't think of I've looked up what is the purpose of a city council and it often says to manage the city's finances to write ordinances and support them but also to cover the health and safety of our citizens. Now, that's not a plan, but it is an objective. Yeah. So, a lot of things that I may suggest have to do with with serving the citizens, and that might be not be written down, but it is still an objective. So I'm going to at least

mirror mirror somewhat mirror lane or council mom for Bailey sorry if you'd le

I do understand and support the three to six months um and I think everything so everything that I think about is u we have grants that come in and then suddenly they're like Hey, you need these five resolutions and we've all seen those on our agendas where there's five items that were adopting these resolutions in order to get the grant. Um, now I don't see any issues with that happening. If they came in tomorrow and I had to get it on the next month's meeting, they're going to happen because we're not asking for any money. I think the one thing that keeps me going, "Yep, I really like this idea." Is the budget part cuz we do we have the money? Where's the money coming from? We need to have that discussion with staff. We also need to have the discussion with staff on these items because staff might go, "Hey, do you know we also have that thing over there going on that the thing that you're working on might be a good fit with?" And that's what I think you mean by economies of scale. We often have multiple things heading in a direction, but sometimes they're not happening for a while cuz for instance, when we had that meeting with the grant water water development board water development board and she went over these things with the grants and we looked at it, there's like five different things. We clicked off one today which will be wonderful. Um and that gives us our ratings because they base it on do you have this plan, do you have this plan, do you have this plan? So I could foresee because none of those are asking for money. I can write them up, hand them in, they land it all together rather than me parsing them out over months or

and it says unless there's a clear time constraint. Yeah. And so that's what I was I do want and acknowledge, but I also don't feel like it's a concern. The only concern is the tightening up of how we do the budget part because I know that we don't always know what's already been committed. And we only know that when we talk with the staff because I know I've come forward and okay, we want to do this thing and then at the last minute I go, "Hey, do we have it?" and he's like, "No, no, you don't." Yeah, you got to move it over there and move it over here. So, I only have one little typo that I know if it's actually a typo. Okay.

Under rule five, it says brought by any party and I rather it say governing body because any party could be any. Oh, is that you? Well, it can't. That's why it says that it says any party because like tonight we have Mr. Trinidad that came in. That's another party, not just the governing body. For all regular council meetings, any and all ordinances, resolutions, or other matters. Oh, so you're saying that the other party, the sheriff couldn't come in and give us any. He's not saying anything. I am I'm asking him. You might want to say any authorized party, too.

Yeah. Well, so this is about It's not overly broad. any all ordinances, resolutions or other matters. Okay, so that broad part there will you give me the exact spot you're sorry. So funny enough, you wrote that and that is not edited. So if you would like to edit your own writing, it's right. Well, I'm saying all the the part you just read and the other matters. And so we I did add by any party because previously

like for example what happens when our advisory boards want something on our agenda like what they suggest things but we're submitting no there is no you're not a leaison anymore the advisory body submits something to council so you know that's how I mean we can change it but that's

I was it was more of a question I didn't feel like we needed to change it I was like for some sometimes the city administrator adds things to our agenda, right? We can add authorize. I think that's a relevant term because but also we're not going to allow authorized parties to put things on our agenda. Sometimes citizens request things, you know what I mean? So that kind of honors that same concept. Um but okay. Um and I'm sorry, but I couldn't authorize money to water. Okay. Um, mayor, mayor, sir,

I'd like to chime in just a little bit, give you my side of it. Um, there's times that in a rush to get the deadline, and I'm using the analogy 100 times, it's like fully baked. You're baking the pie, you're asking me to serve it up, it's just so rushed, it didn't get done. So, it's not a good solid agenda item yet. So, without going into specifics, but I have a a thing right now that council tasked me with several months ago that I'm ready to present something on. However, something else has popped up that coincides with it and is going to tweak what that thing I was about ready to prepare. And then I got word this week of another thing that all ties in together. So, it's actually three things that I've been asked to do or been brought to us that now that gives me the opportunity to get the information and get it back to whoever the person is to bake it and bring it to us. Um, and I mentioned to a couple of you during the break, I'm going to send out a new u invitation to all of you to set up a monthly meeting with me just like we've done in the past. If it's the first Tuesday or whatever, just look at it. I'll send out an invite or just an email. But it's also I don't know how many times you've come up like out of this fund we're going to spend this much money like we don't have that money in the fund and it's here you're talking about it and I never got a chance to say hey don't or that's the wrong account or whatever. So having those meetings with me helps with the finance. Makes

sense. It really helps fully bake that idea to me bake that pie. So that's and it even though it's slowing it down, but it's making it better. So there it's going to wind up being a better um you know, respectful of everybody's time. You know, forgot something. It got shot down when we wasted an hour talking about it because just wasn't ready. So I think that's the kind of what you're getting at. There's and we know there's always opportunity that you got to bump it. We got to pump it up. So that's my kind of my two takes, two cents. And I know Carrie can test. He's like, "What? Why are we why we that's not we're not ready." Yeah.

That's just from a staff's perspective. I think doing this is going to be awesome and and it's just going to button up make these things run smoother and more solid, well thought out agenda.

The other component is capacity of staff. So um sometimes especially in a single meeting we can throw five to six tasks on them without really understanding where are they finishing up the business we are. I mean if you listen to the the list of stuff that staff is currently wrapping up right to throw more tasks on them right now would probably be pretty overwhelming. So again that 3 to six months buffer allows us that longterm sight and planning. We now have a year calendar on our wall where we can start saying, uh, February is not going to be good. We have all this other stuff going on. What about March? What's going on in March? And then we can look at that and be like, okay, that's a great time or actually still a bad time. We have all this stuff going on there. What about this month? Right? So, what we're trying to do is really honor staff's capacity to take on more workloads. And then the other component is some work is best done at certain times of year. So, why put this item on an agenda and then it sits and gets forgotten for five months because it's not the right time of year for that work or that item or that whatever it is. So, it's it's us trying to kind of map out better the year at a glance. And again, it it literally protects your submission and saying unless there's a time constraint to consider, and if there is, then we're going to honor that kind of stuff. This is not to make business harder. It's to hopefully make it smoother, make it less redundant. Um, I think we can all think of times where we've uh rushed an item forward and then brought it back three or four times like the volunteer appreciation event, right? Great idea popped up over the course of a year, it's shifted, shifted, shifted, and then we would have been rushing into an event, right? And so, um, the intentions are good. Mayor

I would like to amend to include the edits spoken to. So on rule six, those two typos. Do we have a second? Great. Um uh we'll give it to Chris. Typically with typo things, we don't need an official and then you I think there's that phrase scrier's error. Yeah. Okay. We always just say what's scrier's error address or whatever. Yeah. That's great. I love that term.

Um, is there any additional discussion? I know we heard a lot from a couple people, but does anyone have any objection to the terms outline going to one regular meeting or the the checklist is going to be really important. So, we're going to hold that. And then the submission is becoming an online form. So, you guys will have that. You all will get your own uh agenda cover sheet that you get to edit. It won't be tied to the the drive file. it will be your file that you can redo each time you need it. And the we really want to use those agenda cover sheets because that helps everyone understand where you're going with an item right before the meeting so we can better prepared because I've gotten meetings where I think somebody's going one direction that I'm like wait what I'm not prepared for that conversation. So

yeah, I've written pages based on somebody's Yeah. All right. Um, one last time on filling in these forms. Um, there's several of our forms and one of the ones for the submission requires PDF, an advanced PDF that is $30 a month or now they've cut it down to $5 a month. But could we have these that don't require people to buy a specific program

to talk to this item tonight? It is a Microsoft Office form. So it's part of your office suite that your computer already already has. So there is not a new any whatever. And it also dumps straight into the city file. So there's no uh issues with it being held in a different database. Um, we can't talk about your other concerns, which I know you've voiced with staff specifically. So, I would recommend that you take that up in your monthly meeting and we can try to figure out that.

Any further discussion? All right. Hearing none, do all in favor of adopting the resolution to amend council meeting procedures raise your hand and say I. I. Unanimous. All I Thank you. feminine we don't that's why I was saying you don't need it because it's typographical stuff just get a second okay so that would be the amending of the main motion then we'll just redo it so all in favor of the amendment to fix the typographical errors raise your hand and say I

I and then on the main motion to pass the resolution to amend the council meeting procedures including the scribers errors. Please raise your hand and say I. I. All that. Thank you. That's it. You have a good hold. All right. We're going to move into item number 11, which is an executive session. So, we'll call into exe executive session at 8002. You have to be uh pursuant to Texas Government Code section 551 period 072 real property recording in progress.

All right, we're coming back into session at 8:33 p.m. No action was taken. That concludes item 11 on our agenda. We'll move into council consideration for future agenda items. I would like to note that in the resolution we passed tonight, this component is required and that you are supposed to get a second. Um, the point being that we understand that people are interested in this business and we don't have things getting onto the agenda that people aren't interested in. We soft launched this last year. We've been doing this. We've been requiring an announcement. It's just now formalized and we're asking for a second as well.

Yes. You're asking for a second on announcements. Um the council considerations for future agenda items. You say I would like to discuss painting all the walls and doors black. And if nobody says second, then that nixes you're it doesn't say your submission can't proceed. There's ways to get your submission to proceed. It's outlined in the resolution. But the goal being that we're acknowledging this is of interest to the council in advance. agrees into the pathway and and shows a general interest in item. So any future the agenda item already said that you don't have to have it. The second doesn't have to be secured at the meeting.

You're going to have it active. Yes. Right. There is a process but basically during this time you are supposed to announce an item. All items are supposed to be announced during this time to give us due foresight. You should get a second. If you don't, there is a formal process for getting your second outside of the meeting and coming and petitioning for it to be considered with that second. But my concern was if we're talking to a council member, I'm going to present this and I need a second that is going to walk on um a walking forum. I

No, because you've announced the item already. It's already been announced in the public agenda. And if you're not getting into the swaying of the whatever, you're just asking for their support, then it is not a quorum. You're not getting into the meat of the matter. All you're for instance, I'm going to paint everything, but hey, at the meeting I didn't give a second. Would you be willing to let me get that? Just put it on the agenda and be like, sure. Oh, then then I'd be going because then I'd have to go to the next person.

That's not It's still It's been announced in a meeting. It is not. It's when you start getting into and I want you to vote with me that you're for forming a quorum. You weren't asking me that I don't if I like black walls. No, all I was asking for is can I get it on the agenda? Yes. And that of course would be yes. And it's up to you all to police your own behavior in regards to announcement. Oh yeah. Right. Open meetings at a prior meeting during the upcoming business. We are currently off agenda. If you have questions or concerns about the process, we can take it up in in your monthly meeting or my office hours next week. Do we have any council considerations for agenda items?

I have a question. I mean, with the um with the date of the the music of the park coming, you know, early March, is there any loose ends on that that will need to come to the council for approval or is the committee good to go with what they've got to put together? I can't explicitly answer that question right now because I don't know. and they have a meeting before our February meeting which both of those meetings will occur before that event and in possibly even an additional set of

well then what I would add is to tally have a agenda item on the February meeting to facilitate that. Okay, it depends. I second. Another one is we had a discussion a little bit earlier that work. Okay. Um they used to do that too neighbor and neighbor

and um expressed an interest serve on that subcommittee. Um and council member Richardson said that would be great. That's an appointment, right? That which is that a council appointment or is that a mayoral appointment? Uh council designates their subcommittees. So yes, you would need an item for that. Okay. So,

but can I get this submitted? We needed you said that we need council approval for the language of the announcement of What I am so sorry council member Bailey but that is not on the agenda and we cannot discuss that item right now but what we can do is plan to have your subcommittee meeting and potentially word the item in order to give additional direction from council if you feel it's needed but please make use of my office hours and meet with me but I'm concerned if I don't announce it now it's already been announced on the next meeting

your neighborto neighbor subcommittee has already been announced. If there is a time pressing need to get additional items, that will be considered. Um, we can't discuss that item in depth at this time because it is not on our agenda and that would be illegal. So, we need to stop. If you would like to announce an additional item, yeah,

you can. If you feel you ready to have that item on an agenda in February, you could say February or you could say March or Okay. Um, I will have I've already finished everything on the checklist. So, I I will have the questionnaire and uh the announcement of how we define define neighbor to neighbor and the duties of the ambassador. So, Council Member Bailey is announcing an item for February concerning the rich neighbor materials and programming. Do we have a second?

Second. Thank you. Anything else?

All right. Thank you all for your uh agenda considerations. We'll move into announcements. Volunteers are needed for the Trees and Parks Advisory Board. we have um more than one vacant position there at this point in time. Um so we are looking for people to fill that and I believe we also have another vacancy on our planning and zoning commission as of tonight and uh we have a vacancy also on our community relations committee as well. So we are looking for applicants and volunteers. This is a really big deal y'all. Uh it's not on our agenda but uh an announcement I have the privilege of doing this. So, our POSAC grant was approved and closed out in the last meeting of the county. So, we are officially done and finished and have a nice tidy bow. So, that's class for celebration. Have some wine for us.

Okay. Uh motion to adjurnn. I move to second.