[0:55] February 2024, I'll now call this Regulated Schedule meeting of the Big Spring City Council to order.

[1:02] We have with us tonight the pastor of the Baptist Temple, Rick Wilson, who will lead us in an invitation.

[1:08] So if you'll please stand.

[1:13] Would you pray with me? City Council members, thank you for allowing me to be here to pray with you and for you and for the citizens of Big Spring.

[1:20] Heavenly Father, we thank you for allowing us to gather here.

[1:25] Lord, as the city council does business, I pray that you would guide them in all that they do.

[1:32] Let them do the business of the city that will be best for all citizens.

[1:38] Father, watch and guide over them.

[1:41] Help them to make the decisions you want them to make.

[1:45] Help them to do nothing out of selfless ambition, as your word guides us.

[1:50] Help them to think of others before themselves.

[1:54] And Father, we trust in You that You will guide us in all things.

[2:00] We thank You for this great city that we live in.

[2:04] We thank You for the citizens and I pray for them.

[2:07] Lord, that You would just bless each citizen of this city.

[2:11] That You would watch and guide over them and help them to prosper as this city prospers.

[2:16] And Father, we want to say thank You for the many blessings

[2:20] For it's in Christ Jesus, namely, pray this. Amen.

[2:24] Amen.

[2:26] To the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[2:39] I want to thank you for that. I pledge allegiance to the city of Texas, one state under God, one indivisible.

[2:49] Thank you, sir.

[2:56] Okay. At this time, I'm going to announce that members of the public

[2:58] are entitled to speak on any topic. It may become before Council of the Night. Additionally,

[3:03] members of the public may comment on any topic as it is brought before the Council. There's

[3:11] going to be certain items that are going to be discussed individually. And if you're

[3:14] here to address one of those items, let us know at that time you will need to

[3:18] approach the podium, fill out a form there showing your name and address, and it may

[3:24] be that you wish to address counsel about something that's not on the agenda tonight,

[3:29] and you should feel free to do that also.

[3:31] But you may, if there's anyone here who wishes to address the council at this time, feel

[3:37] free to approach the podium.

[3:38] But again, if you are here to address a particular item that may be acted upon, you may choose

[3:44] to wait until we actually take up that item.

[3:46] Is there anyone here at this time wishes to address Council about any matter?

[3:52] Okay, seeing no hands, we will proceed on.

[3:55] We do not have any abatements on the agenda tonight,

[4:00] so there be no necessity of opening the meeting for public hearings in that regard.

[4:05] So we'll go directly into item number five on the agenda.

[4:08] City Manager's Report, Mr. Darden.

[4:11] Thank you, Mayor and Council.

[4:13] large-item pickup, gone as we had District 2, 17 times.

[4:19] I think that leads us for the year on the amount of times being picked up.

[4:24] Thank you and your constituents for this position.

[4:27] We had attended some recent job fairs at UTEP and higher college today,

[4:34] hoping to do some more recruiting through the school system

[4:38] and attend in other work centers or work job fairs in the future.

[4:46] Just to give you an update, we have seven folks that passed the written exam

[4:51] in the physical agility test.

[4:53] They'll be going through the rest of the steps in the hiring process

[4:57] and hopefully get our numbers down from 15, what we are today,

[5:02] to less than that with the seven that hopefully come through

[5:07] on the application process through the fire department.

[5:11] Chief, I don't have the numbers how many years down,

[5:14] and currently, 17 down in police,

[5:18] and we have another testing coming up on March 7th.

[5:22] So you're wishing to come to work for the city of Big

[5:25] Spring and find a good career in professional services,

[5:29] a police or fire, a police company, and that's all I have

[5:33] at this time unless you have any questions,

[5:34] Mayor Counselor.

[5:35] Okay, anyone have any questions for counsel to Mr. Darden about his report?

[5:40] We will have a siren test tomorrow, Monday, excuse me, before us.

[5:47] So if you hear the sirens going off, it is for a test.

[5:50] We are also hosting a meeting here for Storm.

[5:57] It's a group of individuals that assist us in watching for storms and that's all with

[6:03] The emergency management county will be hosting that meeting here in the council chambers,

[6:08] and if you want to come to that, you're welcome to.

[6:11] That's all I have.

[6:12] Thank you.

[6:12] Any member of the public have any questions of Mr. Darden about his report?

[6:16] Mr. Ronellis?

[6:17] The Siren Strel.

[6:19] What time is that going to be?

[6:20] Do you know?

[6:21] It'll go throughout the day.

[6:23] I have to test them one at a time.

[6:25] Okay.

[6:25] Thank you.

[6:27] Any further questions about the city managers report?

[6:30] Okay.

[6:31] Okay, next item on the agenda is items number 16 through, excuse me, six through 16.

[6:37] These are all consent items.

[6:39] Does anyone desire to have any of those items pulled for individual consideration or may

[6:44] we consider approving all of them in mass?

[6:46] What is your pleasure?

[6:48] I make a motion that we approve consent items number six through 16.

[6:55] A second.

[6:57] Okay.

[6:57] Okay, most have been made and seconded that we approve all of the items under the consent

[7:01] agenda.

[7:02] That is item 6 through 16 is appearing in the agenda.

[7:06] All in favor?

[7:07] Is there any further discussion about that?

[7:09] All right, I'll call the question all in favor of that.

[7:12] Yes, all opposed?

[7:13] No.

[7:20] Mine's a yes.

[7:33] Okay, that passes unanimously.

[7:35] Going then to item number 17 on the agenda, vouchers.

[7:39] Vouchers for February the 1st, February the night, February the 16th, February

[7:44] during the 23rd of this year, Miss Giannis.

[7:48] Yes, I was able to view all the vouchers

[7:51] and I found no discrepancy on them,

[7:52] so I make a motion to approve the vouchers

[7:55] for February the 1st, February the 9th,

[7:58] February the 16th, and February the 23rd.

[8:04] Any questions, Miss Giannis?

[8:06] Okay, most been made and seconded.

[8:08] We approve her examination of those vouchers

[8:10] out in favor and to keep her voting yes,

[8:12] I'll oppose by no.

[8:16] Does that also include the drafts?

[8:25] going to the next items on the agenda we have two items under bids number 18 and

[8:30] number 19 I'm informed that we are not going to be considered number 19 and

[8:34] that there's been some product problems with that particular mower so we're not

[8:38] be taking that up number 18 consideration and possible action awarding

[8:43] a bid for lighting at the wastewater treatment plant and authorizing the

[8:47] manager or his designated executing necessary documents.

[8:50] Mr. Bowles.

[8:52] Thank you, Mayor and Council.

[8:54] As you stated, this is for lighting-upgraded needing

[8:57] not the wastewater treatment plant.

[8:59] As you know, both of our plants are 24-hour operations,

[9:02] so our night operators utilize these lights to be able

[9:05] to maneuver through the plant, grab their samples

[9:08] as needed throughout their shifts.

[9:11] We're going to be utilizing quality sports,

[9:19] We've actually used them at the Sports Complex to replace the lighting out there.

[9:24] This is a budgeted project through the Water Enterprise Fund, and it's our recommendation to approve.

[9:31] Any questions, Mr. Bowles, about this matter?

[9:34] I've got a couple questions.

[9:35] Yes, sir.

[9:37] This is new lighting as opposed to replacing existing?

[9:41] Some of them are going to be replacing existing poles and lights.

[9:45] Some of them are new poles for new areas of the plant that are currently dark and have

[9:51] never been lit before.

[9:52] And so normally on things like this, we're bidding and that's not the situation here.

[10:00] No sir, this is utilizing a co-op, like a buy board, this is through TIPS USA, which

[10:06] is a buy board cooperative that cities utilize so that we can avoid the bidding process

[10:12] and utilize pre-bidding.

[10:14] And then how was the determination made about how many lights to install, what the wattage

[10:21] would be, where they would be installed, how was that determination?

[10:23] We invited Fall Light Sports to come out and see our facility.

[10:27] We showed them the areas we were having trouble seeing, showed them the current lighting

[10:31] structures and walking them through, they provided this proposal to us on our recommendations

[10:36] of what was needed.

[10:37] Do they offer more than one solution to the problem or is it just the one recommendation

[10:42] that they made?

[10:43] They provided one recommendation on the specs that we asked them.

[10:49] Okay, thank you.

[10:51] Any further questions, Mr. Bowles?

[10:54] Any questions from any member of the community about this matter?

[10:58] Yes, sir?

[11:02] If you need to approach the bench, give your name and address, please, sir.

[11:07] My name is Bradley Garrison, and I'm at 1507 Todd Road.

[11:10] So this gentleman just opened the door in regards to something into the park out of the complex.

[11:19] Is that correct?

[11:21] No, it has nothing to do with the complex.

[11:23] Nothing to do with the complex.

[11:25] Okay.

[11:25] Sorry to interrupt.

[11:28] Any further questions or Mr. Bowles about the bid for lighting at the wastewater treatment

[11:33] plant?

[11:35] What is your pleasure?

[11:37] I'll make a motion to approve.

[11:41] Oh, I'll second.

[11:42] All right, most have been made and seconded to approve the awarding of the bid for the

[11:46] lighting and wastewater treatment plant, as requested by Mr. Bowles, all in favor indicate

[11:52] by voting yes, all opposed by no,

[12:02] and that passes unanimously.

[12:04] Going then next to item number 20 under the heading of New Business, first reading of

[12:10] the resolution authorizing the acceptance of the City of Big Spring 2024 Master

[12:16] Park's plan and providing an effective day.

[12:19] Ms. Lewis.

[12:20] Thank you, Mayor and Council.

[12:22] This is the resolution that we have to have

[12:24] according to Texas Parks and Wildlife

[12:26] to approve our master parks plan.

[12:28] I'll be happy to answer any questions.

[12:33] I'll make a motion that we approve

[12:35] item number 20.

[12:36] One second.

[12:39] Any further questions of Ms. Lewis?

[12:44] Hi, Dave.

[12:45] When will we have a complete and correct copy

[12:48] of the master parks plan?

[12:49] I spoke with Chelsea Valdivia from SPAG asking her for that and I have not got an update.

[12:54] So we will get it.

[12:56] She was working on making sure all the updates were completed the last time we talked, which

[12:59] is the last meeting.

[13:01] So as soon as I get an update on that, I will put it on the website and give it to

[13:06] the board.

[13:07] Thank you.

[13:09] Mr. Tomkins?

[13:10] Would it not make some sense for us to review the plan in advance prior to accepting it?

[13:18] I did note all of the changes that would be made at the last meeting, but we can do that

[13:25] if that's your wish.

[13:26] Is the final copy published, posted?

[13:30] Like I just answered, Mr. Hughes, no, it's not.

[13:33] We're still waiting on that.

[13:34] I'm sorry.

[13:34] I didn't hear it.

[13:34] Thank you.

[13:39] Okay.

[13:39] I take it there's a desire to see a finalized copy of this before we vote on it.

[13:44] Is that...

[13:45] It would require...

[13:46] I'm sorry, Mr.

[13:47] Mayor.

[13:47] It would require two readings.

[13:49] I mean, if you want to review it, pass it.

[13:52] Of course, it's the council's pleasure to pass it,

[13:55] but I think it requires two readings.

[13:57] Do you know if we'll have it by the next meeting?

[14:01] I never had an update from Ms. Albedia.

[14:03] I'm sorry.

[14:04] Can we emphasize that with her to ensure that we can get it by then?

[14:08] Yes.

[14:10] Mr. Emerson.

[14:11] I just heard it as it's something that's required by the parks department,

[14:15] and it's a formality to go through,

[14:18] but I think before you voted on it the second time,

[14:20] you'd have the copy and could not vote on it

[14:23] if you didn't like what you saw.

[14:27] Okay.

[14:32] I'm gonna call the vote with the understanding

[14:34] that we're voting on it at this time

[14:37] and that we will not be considering it

[14:40] on a second reading until we have had

[14:42] a final product presented, is that correct?

[14:45] Correct.

[14:46] All right.

[14:47] Most have been made and seconded

[14:48] that we would pass this on the first reading tonight. All in favor indicate by voting yes.

[14:52] All opposed by no.

[15:02] Okay, ma'am.

[15:12] Okay. It passes unanimously on the first reading.

[15:15] Item number 21, first reading of a resolution declaring the unopposed

[15:19] candidacy for the May the 4th, 2024 general election for city council.

[15:24] Member District 2 has elected as elected to office,

[15:29] cancelling the general election for city council position District 2

[15:33] and providing for an effective date.

[15:35] Ms. Davis.

[15:46] Okay, apparently Ms. Yonis did not draw an opponent. I move that we pass this

[15:52] resolution. Is there a second? I'll second. Congratulations. Thank you.

[16:00] Thank you. All in

[16:01] favor indicate by voting yes.

[16:08] Passes unanimously. Item number 22. First reading of an ordinance

[16:13] submitting the ordinance number 49-2023, which adopted the annual budget for the City

[16:20] of Big Spring, Texas for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2023, ending September 30, 2024

[16:26] by increasing the general fund budget for the purpose of adding a position to the sports

[16:31] complex staff, providing for severability, providing for publication, and providing

[16:35] an effective date.

[16:37] Mr. Medina.

[16:38] Thank you, Mr. Mayor and Council.

[16:39] Well, last previous council meeting, the City Council

[16:42] directed staff to bring back a budget amendment

[16:45] for an additional employee at the sports complex.

[16:48] And we estimated that the remainder of the year

[16:51] will be at a cost of $24,830.

[16:54] That's a pro-rated for seven months.

[16:57] For a full year, it's $43,000 estimated.

[17:00] That's what this ordinance is.

[17:03] So we'll answer any questions you might have on the item.

[17:05] I move that we approve item number 22.

[17:12] Okay,

[17:17] I'd like to debate this a little bit.

[17:22] Somebody, I'd like to hear the pros and the cons

[17:25] on this before I vote.

[17:28] Do we need to do this and why do we need to do it

[17:30] and what purpose are we going to accomplish by doing it?

[17:37] And somebody can say, well, we talked about all that last time, but that's not good enough.

[17:41] I want to hear it again tonight.

[17:43] What, why do we need to do this?

[17:46] What purpose are we, you know, if somebody comes in on any department at this time, say,

[17:52] we need another employee, I'd like to know a little bit more about this.

[17:56] I voted against it last time.

[17:58] I don't know what I'm going to deny, but unless I know more about what I do right

[18:02] Right now, well, in any event, somebody tell me the advantages of doing this, why we should

[18:10] do it, and I want to hear why we should do it, and I'd like to also hear why we should

[18:16] not do it.

[18:17] Is that unreasonable before I vote?

[18:20] The advantages are the kids get an extra season of soccer, that is what was presented

[18:26] to us by a couple of the constituents.

[18:29] I know it's what was presented, but is that the truth?

[18:32] To have two seasons?

[18:33] Yeah.

[18:35] That's what they indicated they wanted.

[18:36] Well, how does adding another employee equate

[18:39] into having two seasons?

[18:40] In order for us to have two seasons,

[18:42] we would have overlap of some of the other youth sports

[18:47] that are activities that go on at Sports Complex

[18:50] and to have somebody available on the field

[18:53] in the hours needed by that event

[18:57] We'd need an additional poi now. I guess the cons would be that that's not the only cost

[19:03] We're going to have some other costs associated with it in the field maintenance, and I can just tell you that

[19:11] based on budget and and numbers we looked at it could be about

[19:17] $8,000 in revenue and other 23,000 in

[19:24] that we'd have to bring back budget amendments for as they occurred.

[19:29] We're not sure how long the season's going to go,

[19:34] but right now it would take an additional ploy to be able to handle that other sports event.

[19:44] Is that, Mr. Darden, is that mainly because of the soccer program?

[19:49] Yes, sir.

[19:50] It would be overlapping with one of the other

[19:53] Support events that we have out there from what I understand

[19:57] We only have one person out there, and they're having to be there each

[20:02] Event. Oh, it was loose address. We have three employees currently. They have one supervisor and two employees

[20:07] We also pull a parks employee over to work as well

[20:12] Because baseball and softball are going on at the same time that we would be having a spring soccer season

[20:20] in. Baseball and softball roughly are usually Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday sometimes,

[20:27] which averages out to about 20 extra hours a week. And then soccer is on Saturdays and

[20:33] it's about a 12-hour day. So we would be, if we added an additional

[20:40] employee, we would probably, we would still have to bring over a Parks Department employee.

[20:45] and currently we have parks department positions frozen because of the budget so

[20:51] we are then would be short in the parks department as well.

[20:57] Mr. Darden, I'd like to

[20:58] hear more about the possibility of getting families involved. I know we

[21:02] used to do that and it worked out not beautifully but it worked out well. I

[21:08] know there's a liability. I'd like to hear how we can work around that

[21:12] liability. We can certainly visit with the members of each of these sports and

[21:18] see how they could assist us. Yeah. You know the big problem is being on

[21:22] equipment that's the liability for us is having them on our equipment. Well we

[21:27] would have a shock box or you know picking up trash or things like that

[21:32] certainly painting. We've just been talking the last six months about

[21:37] need for firemen and need for police and and we've been talking about we didn't

[21:43] have funds I know last time I agreed with this but after thinking about it and

[21:50] thinking what it was gonna cost us and thinking what we're giving up to do

[21:55] this I just think we're kind of shooting ourself in the foot maybe without

[22:01] some more thought so I would like to hear how it would work to have

[22:06] families involved.

[22:10] The school district, my understanding is not going to open the

[22:14] season for soccer until next year. Now that doesn't say that kids can't be

[22:21] learning the sport but you know I'm pro any sport for our youth. I think the

[22:30] timing for it right now with things that we have going on as you suggested

[22:34] it might not be a good idea, and I would have to recommend against it that we're upside

[22:41] down already in our budget.

[22:47] Yes, sir?

[22:48] I think the question is that of Matthew Grayson.

[22:51] Your address?

[22:52] 2002, Reynolds.

[22:53] Yes, sir.

[22:54] Go ahead.

[22:55] I think the question is, one of efficiency, how many children or kids take advantage

[22:58] of the additional person for the cost of being invested into the endeavor?

[23:03] So how many kids are we talking about that actually get to effectively put to use

[23:07] this additional person is at 100, then you're going to divide that by the cost that you're

[23:12] looking at. You'll know that per kid, right?

[23:19] You could do it that way. So what is the number

[23:22] of kids that take advantage of this? I have no idea. Our revenue is about $8,000 a year

[23:28] from stock. So if there's just a couple of kids versus a lot of kids, we would probably

[23:36] want to know that value, right? Sir? So if it was just a couple of kids versus a whole

[23:41] lot of kids, we would probably want to know that value to make a good decision on whether

[23:45] or not to spend that money. And that's 8,000 each time they have a season. It's not just

[23:49] 8,000 for the total year. Right. So the cost-effectiveness goes into the efficiency

[23:56] of what that person provides as a service to how many kids.

[24:02] Okay. Yes, sir?

[24:06] Did

[24:07] Did you wish to speak, sir?

[24:08] If you'd be circumcised.

[24:12] My name is Bradley Garrison.

[24:13] I'm 1507 Todd Rowe.

[24:15] I was just elected president of the Big Spring

[24:18] Little League North of Town.

[24:23] I've recruited about 75 more kids than what we had

[24:27] this time last year.

[24:29] We opened the door to bring the spirit of Little League

[24:33] Baseball back in North of Town.

[24:36] The fields are dead out there.

[24:38] There's nothing been done, and we lost about 175 kids

[24:41] to go 10 miles away to play at Cahoma.

[24:45] We want to bring heads and beds in here.

[24:48] Let me continue doing what I'm doing.

[24:50] Let's focus on getting these fields ready, and then we can bring 200 or 300 teams in.

[24:56] Feel heads and beds, and do what needs to be done like Midland, law book, San Angelo,

[25:03] Abilene does.

[25:05] It's all about the kids.

[25:07] When you say let you do what you're doing, what is that?

[25:13] Well ma'am, I'm actually volunteering and doing what's supposed to be done with Little League.

[25:18] I have taken the initiative in spraying the baseball fields, bringing some life back into them.

[25:25] Of course I have lots of volunteers helping me out that is started with the league, so we are covered under insurance.

[25:32] With that being said,

[25:36] we want to see a lot of color out there.

[25:38] We've got a lot of diversity of kids in this town.

[25:41] I've heard many times they don't have anything to do.

[25:44] We're opening the door for them now.

[25:47] Instead of having them go to Kahoma,

[25:49] we want them to come out here to Big Spring.

[25:52] I'll take a piece of carpet tomorrow

[25:53] and go drag the ball fields because there's

[25:55] so many thorns.

[25:56] I don't have a problem in doing it whatsoever.

[26:00] Okay. Does adding another employee address the problem

[26:03] Mr. Garrison poses or is it, I mean,

[26:07] But separate sports, separate sport and soccer.

[26:13] Okay.

[26:17] Anyone have any questions, Mr. Garrison?

[26:19] Mr. Emerson.

[26:20] Yeah, I'll play the young man that was here last meeting.

[26:25] I believe what changed some of y'all's votes was Hailey

[26:29] explaining that she had three employees that were getting

[26:31] 20 hours of overtime a week each.

[26:34] And we've all had a crash course in overtime

[26:37] time in the city due to the budget and the fireman. And I believe the young man was like

[26:43] if we hire this person, won't that overtime be relieved? And therefore, if three employees

[26:51] are getting 20 hours a week but they're making time and a half, that turns into what?

[26:57] Gosh,

[26:58] 20 hours would be 30 hours, so that turns into 90 hours of regular pay. So that would

[27:05] in turn pay for the irregular employee. I think that's the argument that made some of

[27:11] y'all vote no or vote yes last time. Since he's not here, I'm playing him. Thank you.

[27:25] Do we pay three employees 20 hours over time every week?

[27:30] They don't all work every week because of burnout and that would be, but that would

[27:39] also be adding another sport. So you're actually adding more time. We add another person and

[27:46] don't add another sport, then we're not adding more time. Yes, overtime would go down. But

[27:51] if you're adding in an additional sport, then overtime would probably stay the same.

[28:00] Ms. Hedy, with the sports we have right now, what is your average of overtime per

[28:04] employee?

[28:05] I don't have that off the top of my head, but I can get that for you.

[28:10] Just I thought it was 20 per employee. Well, it's I mean if they so like I said soccer

[28:17] softball baseball is

[28:19] 20 hours, so it's a 60 hour work week.

[28:28] It takes 20 hours. It's Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday

[28:33] Five hours so five to ten

[28:35] yes,

[28:43] sir

[28:44] so this is just a function of running a report on

[28:48] Basically what the employees are paid right now from a given time to now?

[28:51] And then comparing that to what you want to project that's just a budget analysis and the effectiveness of efficiency against what you're

[28:58] Going to spend the money on that's pretty straightforward, right?

[29:08] You further discussion

[29:12] Call the question all in favor and most been made and seconded to approve the

[29:16] Ordinance amending the budget all in favor indicate by putting yes. I'll oppose my no

[29:27] Repeat that motion again, please

[29:29] Okay, the motion is to

[29:33] amend the budget to increase the general fund budget for the purpose of adding a

[29:39] position to the sports complex staff.

[30:01] Okay, it passed four to three. Going to the next item on the agenda, first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 24 of the Big

[30:15] Spring City Code entitled Fire Prevention and Protection, Article II, Fire and Rescue Service Fees, Assessment of Fees, Mr. Holt.

[30:23] Chief Holt.

[30:24] Thank you, Mayor and Council. I respectfully request and Council to approve the Fire Billing Ordinance so that we may pursue the additional

[30:30] revenue stream. This ordinance addresses fees and services we feel will best

[30:35] benefit the City of Big Spring by billing insurance companies for services

[30:38] that we already perform. The company I'm requesting we contract with is called

[30:43] Emergeifier, which is a subsidiary of the current company we used to do our EMS

[30:47] billing. Because we're already using their services this will be an easy

[30:51] transition as well as a discount and cost for service. I'll be happy to

[30:56] answer any questions. Okay anyone have any questions to Chief Holt about this

[31:00] matter? Mr. Holt, Chief Holt. Yes, sir. Will that include billing and everything? Yes, sir.

[31:08] Yes, so they extract the data from our fire reports and then build the insurance companies

[31:14] for the services that we perform.

[31:18] Thank you. Any questions from the public of Chief Holt?

[31:23] This is the ordinance that establishes new and additional fees. The contract with

[31:29] the merge of fire will be next meeting.

[31:33] No problem, but that's,

[31:37] we were trying to get everything done at once,

[31:39] but we'll have the second meeting

[31:41] and the contract for next time.

[31:43] All right, I do have a quick question.

[31:45] So, on this,

[31:48] so, I'm sorry.

[31:51] So, if the insurance company,

[31:54] you bill them out $10,000, for example.

[31:57] And the insurance company says,

[31:59] oh, we're only gonna pay you five.

[32:00] Do you after the citizens for the additional five?

[32:04] No, it's my understanding that it's only only for the insurance. Okay

[32:10] Think I would like that clarified because we're already paying a lot of taxes for the service

[32:15] Make sure thank you mr. Emerson. Yeah, I just wondered if this would have any effect on

[32:22] Citizens insurance rates that you know up because as far as I know we have never billed for a fire

[32:28] I could be wrong

[32:31] Right, no, I don't know the answer to that.

[32:34] Scott, this is something that a lot of cities do.

[32:39] They build, and it's minor fees. You can look at the fees in the ordinance.

[32:43] I mean, it's minor stuff for user tools. I mean, then command staff.

[32:48] How that would affect the end-users' insurance rates.

[32:52] I don't know.

[32:53] Well, being a fireman, old school fireman, it's always kind of been the

[32:59] because it never had a revenue stream

[33:01] and this would really change it.

[33:03] I like the idea.

[33:05] I just don't know what it'll do to my insurance bill.

[33:08] Does that affect our ISO rating or anything like that?

[33:12] It will not affect ISO at all.

[33:13] Okay.

[33:14] This is an existing ordinance.

[33:15] We're just amending it to add these new fees.

[33:19] Okay.

[33:20] Mr. Hagen?

[33:22] This ordinance does not put fees on fire control services

[33:28] is within the city of Big Spring.

[33:31] It's everything else, however.

[33:34] Fire control services outside the city of Big Spring,

[33:37] vehicle fires, rescues, many other things

[33:41] that the fire department does.

[33:44] But not residential fires.

[33:47] Or commercial.

[33:48] Neither residential nor commercial within the city of Big

[33:51] Spring.

[33:51] No structure fires in the city limits.

[33:54] Is that right?

[33:55] That's great.

[33:55] Unless it's in the illegal burn, but then it would be on the arsonist.

[34:00] I think the majority of the income you're going to see is from motor vehicle accidents.

[34:07] Okay, any further questions or debate about this matter?

[34:11] Any further questions or debate from the public?

[34:16] Okay, I'll call the question.

[34:17] All in favor of amending the ordinance to provide...

[34:21] We need motion.

[34:23] Oh, I'm sorry.

[34:24] All right.

[34:26] All right.

[34:27] Seconded?

[34:29] Is there a second?

[34:31] I'll second it.

[34:32] All right.

[34:33] Motion been made and seconded to approve item number 23.

[34:37] For being no further debate, I'll call the question.

[34:39] All in favor indicate by voting yes.

[34:41] All opposed by no.

[34:49] This is unanimously.

[34:51] Item number 24 on the agenda has been taken off.

[34:54] We'll take that up at a later date.

[34:56] Item number 25, consideration and possible action

[34:59] on an interlocal cooperation agreement with South Plains Association of Governments, SPAG,

[35:05] for the downtown revitalization program and authorizing the city manager or his designee

[35:10] to executing the necessary documents.

[35:12] Mr. Medina.

[35:14] Thank you, Mr. Mayor and Council.

[35:15] We're seeking approval from Council to pursue this grant.

[35:18] It's a half a million dollar grant.

[35:20] The city's participation for this would be 17,500, which they've changed.

[35:25] means they've dropped that down from previous grants. What's different about this grant

[35:31] is we don't have to identify a project right now. It's going to go through two phases of

[35:35] selection. This would be the first phase. We'd like approval to enter into an agreement

[35:40] with SPAG so they can do the administrative and file for this grant by April the

[35:46] third. So we're asking for permission to pursue it and enter an agreement with SPAG.

[35:53] One of the things that I did provide in this memo on page 72 under the heading of Project

[36:00] Activities, we'll kind of outline the projects that are available for this grant.

[36:06] Everything from demolition to sidewalks and lighting, water and sewer.

[36:10] So it's very flexible.

[36:12] Once we get into the second phase, then we would identify a project.

[36:16] So we recommend we would like permission to pursue this grant and into agreement

[36:22] payment with SPAG on the administrative services. I'll answer any questions you might have.

[36:27] What's the cost of the city?

[36:29] 17,500, and that would come out of general fund.

[36:32] Okay, that's to match the grant, correct?

[36:34] Yes, sir.

[36:35] What's the cost of the city for SPAG's involvement?

[36:39] That's going to be the last amount that we paid SPAG was 5% of the grant.

[36:50] So we expect 5% again?

[36:52] That's what we expect.

[36:53] Yes, sir.

[36:54] Any further questions for Mr. Medina?

[37:00] Mr. McDonald?

[37:01] When they say rubialization downtown, do they have already a particular spot, building,

[37:09] street, something, or is this the grant?

[37:12] And then they go pick what they want to.

[37:13] Yes.

[37:14] Basically, once we get into the second phase, we can identify something.

[37:19] It could be sidewalks that we still need to upgrade or water them.

[37:25] and sewer lines downtown, so it'd be for the downtown area.

[37:31] Any questions from the public?

[37:34] Mr. Medina, when you say downtown area,

[37:37] what specifically downtown area?

[37:38] Is it just here within the plaza, or is it further down?

[37:42] Further down. Anywhere down where we had sidewalks down,

[37:45] Main Street, Scurry, Lancaster, what?

[37:47] Not Lancaster, Scurry, Main Street, Johnson, Nolan.

[37:53] Anything down in this area?

[37:56] Okay. Thank you.

[37:59] Okay. What is your pleasure?

[38:03] I make a motion to accept this grant. I'll second it.

[38:07] Most have been made and seconded to pursue this grant with SPAG.

[38:13] All in favor indicate by voting yes. All opposed by no.

[38:29] Passes unanimously. Item number 26 on the

[38:32] agenda. Consideration is possible action to enter into an agreement with Jacob Martin, LLC,

[38:37] for the 2024 Crack Seal and Seal Coat Projects,

[38:41] authorizing the city manager his designated

[38:43] executing necessary documents.

[38:46] Mr. Bowles.

[38:47] Thank you, Mayor and Council.

[38:49] Once again, for our Seal Coat and Crack Seal Project,

[38:52] we wanted to enter into an agreement

[38:54] with Jacob Martin LLC for these services.

[38:57] You have a, Council, you have a printout

[38:59] that was handed to you at the beginning of the meeting.

[39:01] The reason for the handout

[39:02] is actually related to the next item.

[39:04] It allows Jacob Martin to pass fees to Harris College if we approve the interlocal agreement

[39:13] within which is, again, our next item.

[39:15] But for us doing $750,000 worth of crack seal and silk coat in the college wanting to participate

[39:23] with half a million dollars worth of silk coat, we're going to see a cost savings

[39:28] not only from Jacob Martin, but also with whichever contractor we award this to in

[39:34] the future. And I can answer any questions regarding the agreement at this time.

[39:39] Now, Mr. Bowles, will this include the parking lot for Memorial Stadium or?

[39:46] That is the college is part, yes, sir.

[39:49] Yes, sir. Okay.

[39:52] Any further questions, Mr. Bowles? From the community?

[39:58] What's the cost of the city for engaging Jacob Martin?

[40:03] Our cost of the city is actually Tasker at B at the very back for crack sale and silk

[40:09] coat.

[40:09] I want to say it was $18,000.

[40:13] What is Jacob Martin's scope of work for $18,000?

[40:17] They put together the set of plans to provide to bidders.

[40:22] They handle the bidding services and then the contract documents.

[40:26] Once the bid is awarded, owning the contract liable to the scope of work.

[40:31] We also have in here what is not included on that scope, which we've done in the past which I believe would do.

[40:38] There's also an inspection portion of it, which is additional $15,000.

[40:43] We saw great success with that.

[40:45] That is actually having an inspector on site for the week or two that they are sale coding the streets.

[40:50] They follow the contractor street by street, making sure they don't miss anything,

[40:54] making sure that the materials they're using is what was scoped and specked out

[40:59] and so that we get the best product for our money.

[41:04] Thank you.

[41:05] Yes, sir.

[41:06] Any further questions, Mr. Bowles?

[41:09] What is your pleasure?

[41:11] Make a motion to approve.

[41:13] Second.

[41:14] Must be made and seconded to approve entering into an

[41:19] agreement with Jacob Martin for the crack sale projects.

[41:22] All in favor indicate by voting yes.

[41:24] All opposed by no.

[41:40] Yes.

[41:46] Yes.

[41:58] Yes.

[41:59] Next unanimously, item number 27, consideration possible action to enter into seal code interlocal

[42:04] agreement with Howard County Junior Colleges.

[42:07] This is a reference to 26, Mr. Bowles and Mr. Medina, I'm sorry.

[42:12] Yes, thank you, Mayor and Council.

[42:14] This is housekeeping after the Council did approve the agreement with Jacob Martin.

[42:18] Basically this interlocal agreement allows the Howard College to participate in our

[42:24] project and using our engineering services as well. It also allows any other, I guess,

[42:32] government entity if they wanted to participate by passing an interlocal with their governing

[42:37] body. So it's housekeeping. I'll answer any questions you might have.

[42:45] Any questions of Mr. Medina about this matter?

[42:51] I guess could you clarify that statement?

[42:53] Sure.

[42:54] Which part?

[42:55] Something other than government ease.

[42:57] Well, let's say, for example, the City of Cajoma wanted to come in and say, hey, you

[43:03] know what?

[43:03] That sounds like a good idea.

[43:05] You'll get a good price.

[43:06] Can we participate?

[43:08] The answer is yes, with this interlocal agreement.

[43:10] They would have to approve an interlocal agreement with their governing body.

[43:16] I don't see that happening, but it does have that language built in.

[43:19] So right now, the only entity that's going to share this project with the city will

[43:23] be the college.

[43:24] So that knows us to get a beer discount because of all the material.

[43:30] Yes, what happens is, and the college was very pleased last year with the project because

[43:36] if they went at it alone, it'd be so much more.

[43:39] The economy's a scale.

[43:40] The large amount, the quantities that we're using, the volume, that means the prices

[43:45] per unit is smaller.

[43:49] Their portion, assuming it's going to be their parking lots, I mentioned the Memorial

[43:54] Field.

[43:54] I would say their portion would pay for the engineering of that.

[44:00] Yes, that's built into that agreement that Mr. Bowles has handed out.

[44:04] Thank you.

[44:07] Mr. Emerson.

[44:12] I'm just going to use this here because there's no other place to say it.

[44:16] But when it comes time to bid this work out, can we allow Danny's asphalt to be a part of it?

[44:22] Have y'all ever had a dirty car and washed one fender?

[44:25] That's what Bartle looks like from FM 700 to 25th.

[44:29] It sure makes the rest of our streets look bad.

[44:32] Please allow Danny's paving an asphalt to bid on your work.

[44:36] They have done an excellent job.

[44:38] I agree.

[44:47] Mr.

[44:50] Emerson, I did suggest to the city manager

[44:52] that that crew take a left on 25th and just keep heading east.

[44:56] We're working on that.

[44:57] Yeah, yeah, right

[45:00] Okay, most have been made and seconded to approve the agreement with Harrod College regarding the

[45:04] CO code and interlockatory agreement. All in favor indicate by voting yes. All opposed by no.

[45:16] Fast unanimously. Item number 28, discussion of possible action of approval of a mural painted

[45:22] by the Big Spring Little League and Big Spring High School Art Club on the concession stand at

[45:26] Roy Anderson Sports Complex. Ms. Lewis. Thank you, Mayor and Council. The Big Spring Little

[45:32] League approached me about wanting to paint a mural at the

[45:35] Moranersen Sports Complex. And I believe that we do have some

[45:39] members of the board here to explain this project further.

[45:43] Marcus.

[45:59] Hello, my name is Raul Marquez and I'm a board member of the Big

[46:04] Spring Little League. And we've been kind of cleaning up the

[46:08] ball fields, painting them and getting them ready for the new season.

[46:11] And Mr. Garrison had a great idea of possibly putting some

[46:16] some kind of some paintings on the concession stand just to kind of give

[46:20] it a little bit more of like a family feel and so I got a hold of Mrs. Feeney

[46:30] to see if her students would be willing to take on a project like this but

[46:34] before we can do anything we're going to need y'all's approval because it is

[46:37] city property so I'm going to let Mrs. Feeney go and tell y'all what she's

[46:43] planning I'm putting out there, and then we can kind of see how we move forward from here.

[46:50] Yes, ma'am?

[46:51] Hi, I'm Andrea Finney. I'm the art teacher at Big Spring High School, and these are

[46:55] two of my students.

[46:58] So Raoul contacted me last week, so we hurried and put together

[47:03] a few rough sketches of some ideas we had. These are just like in the beginning of

[47:11] planning stages. So if you want to see, Mr. Garrison had talked about red, white, and blue

[47:19] being the colors, so that's what we kind of went with. And I believe there's two buildings,

[47:27] right? Yes.

[47:29] Well, it's one, it's the concession area, but on the two bigger walls we were going

[47:34] to put something on.

[47:35] And

[47:41] we're definitely open to suggestions.

[47:43] what ball field is this Roy Anderson right

[47:55] now it's just painted it's a

[47:59] primer color it's just white right now just white right now okay any further

[48:06] questions okay I move that we approve I had a consent item number 28 second okay

[48:14] it's been most been made and seconded to approve the painting of a mural by the

[48:22] At the Roy Anderson complex all in favor on the concession stand all in favor indicate by voting. Yes, all opposed by no

[48:41] Okay, that concludes our agenda we need to go into executive session for anything

[48:48] Yes, sir

[48:49] Recommended for this item. Why do we have to go into executive session for this? You don't it's

[48:56] That's council decision if you want you you do need to vote

[49:04] You so if you just want to vote on the item you could

[49:09] Is there okay?

[49:20] EDC has been in

[49:23] discussions with property owner to buy

[49:26] Property out west of town that will be adjacent to the 420 acre park

[49:32] Park.

[49:35] Recently we sold 300 acres we owned east of town. It doesn't cover all this cost

[49:42] but what it does is it takes a 420 acre business park and makes it into roughly 550 acre business

[49:50] park with EDC owning 127 acres and we can pull infrastructure right off where we're

[49:58] already going to put it and it gives us an opportunity to use that property as an incentive

[50:05] when we create the TERS to help get an anchor tenant in there.

[50:11] We had similar property appraised last summer.

[50:16] This is, and it appraised at $13,005.

[50:20] We're buying it for $10,000 an acre.

[50:22] year. So roughly 1.3 million. We made 900,000 off the sale of the other property. And this

[50:34] is an opportunity that, to be honest, we got lucky to have, but property owners out there

[50:41] coming to us. So this approves the contract is what you're about allowing us to complete

[50:50] the contract, then we're going to have to come back with a budget amendment next meeting

[50:55] to spend the extra money. And we'll have the completed contract for you then. But our

[51:03] lawyers written up the contract, the property owners' lawyers have looked at it, redlined

[51:08] it, sent back, everything is in good shape with both sides. And we think this is

[51:14] a tremendous opportunity for us to expand what we're trying to do out there.

[51:20] Mr. Willis.

[51:22] Yes, sir.

[51:25] Now, this will be where we're going to have water and sewer.

[51:29] Water and sewer run up Frazier Road right next to this.

[51:34] Yes, sir.

[51:34] We will, well, we'll have to redesign a little bit to get water and sewer to it.

[51:39] It may have required boring under Frazier Road, or we may bring it from the airport.

[51:44] Don't know yet exactly until we actually own the property.

[51:49] And the EDC is, will probably, I assume my board will vote to spend some additional money to get water and sewer to this property.

[52:01] At least I hope so.

[52:04] But again, it expands the business park we're trying to build.

[52:08] But more importantly, it gives the EDC the ability to use this as an incentive to get

[52:15] the anchor tenant that will feed the growth of the rest of that park.

[52:18] Even with the $8 million we're spending out there, full infrastructure out there, we're

[52:24] talking another $20 million over the years to get it fully, the whole area, functional.

[52:32] This is Steppenstone, isn't it?

[52:34] This one?

[52:35] This is Steppenstone in the right direction.

[52:37] It's a game changer for us, because we won't own that 420 acres.

[52:47] We have an option after a while, again, that contract's not completed yet to buy 40 acres

[52:53] of it at what it appraised at last summer, assuming the contract gets, but this gives

[52:58] us 127 acres to manage as an economic development entity.

[53:05] And again, we're going to propose a TERS tax increment finance district that the some

[53:12] of the additional property tax that's generated out there will be fed into the additional

[53:18] infrastructure that's going to be needed out there.

[53:21] And this gives us a chance to go out and say, come here, put something of real value

[53:26] down on this property.

[53:27] We'll give you the property if you come and add enough jobs and property value.

[53:33] It really is a stepping stone, it really gives us the opportunity to really take a major step forward in development.

[53:42] Okay, any further questions? Mr. Willis, about this matter from Council?

[53:47] For anyone from the public, have any questions about this matter?

[53:51] Okay, I move we approve the, do we need a vote on this?

[53:59] You would, well, maybe I'll leave that to Andrew as the motion should be that you approve

[54:06] the, fulfilling the contract, signing the contract by the EDC to purchase this property.

[54:12] As Mark said.

[54:15] Okay.

[54:16] Now move, we approve the actions of the EDC and authorize them to sign a contract for

[54:24] the purchase of the property as described by Mr. Willis.

[54:26] Second.

[54:27] Seconded.

[54:27] Most being made and seconded.

[54:29] Any further discussion?

[54:33] Mr. Emerson?

[54:41] I hate to be a stick in the mud.

[54:43] This isn't on the agenda.

[54:47] It is on the agenda.

[54:49] It's item 30.

[54:52] Adjourning to executive session in accordance

[54:54] with the purposes permitted by the Open Meetings Act.

[54:57] Yeah, so that is an amendment or something

[55:03] that can be voted on?

[55:05] Item number 31.

[55:06] Yeah, item number 31.

[55:07] item 31 for the open session.

[55:13] So the city council does not have to adjourn into

[55:16] executive session and if there is something that could affect the

[55:22] negotiating position of the government body then there's an exception to the

[55:26] usual rule. So that's where we are.

[55:31] Okay, most of them have been seconded to approve the entry of that contract with the landowner for purchase of that property

[55:38] All in favor indicate by voting yes.

[55:40] Question?

[55:41] I'm sorry, yes sir.

[55:42] Mr. Hagen, is this council on compliance

[55:44] with state law and voting on this item?

[55:47] Yes.

[55:48] Thank you.

[55:49] So.

[55:53] All in favor vote yes, I'll oppose no.

[56:03] Passes unanimously.

[56:05] Okay, that concludes all of the agenda items.

[56:08] We will go back now to council input,

[56:10] beginning Mr. Anales.

[56:12] Yeah, okay.

[56:14] I do have one question for Andrew.

[56:16] Andrew, if the city owns a property and they're having illegal dumping in the property, what

[56:24] is the process on that?

[56:27] So, first, if there can be an investigation, since the city owns it, the city staff can

[56:34] simply go out to that property and try to find clues to find out who did it.

[56:41] Or take but let's say that the city is able to do that. That's a municipal court fine of up to

[56:48] $4,000 per incident and

[56:51] The city staff would of course be able to clean up that property

[56:56] Okay, and the reason that I'm asking is because about maybe

[57:00] Half a year ago. I got with code about a property at 608 Northwest 3rd Street

[57:07] and it is there is

[57:11] illegal dumping in that. And I believe that it is owned by the city. I did take some pictures

[57:19] and I'll show you guys the pictures. I know that I did speak to code and they said that

[57:25] it was illegal and it's been illegal for a while now. So we have got to figure out

[57:32] what we're going to do with this. The residents in that area called me last week and I didn't

[57:41] follow up with it but they say that there's a lot of high traffic at night and then in

[57:48] the evenings and it's really, really bad. So we need to really push for that.

[58:02] I just want to thank staff Sandy I know I have four weeks of vouchers to do and I want to thank you for being patient and giving me

[58:10] Providing me the answers and everything I need to guide me through it every all my constituents

[58:15] Thank you all my supporters that I have out there and I want to be here without you guys and that's who I work for

[58:22] Thank you all my colleagues as well

[58:29] Just one thing, Hailey, can we get some hard numbers on the overtime, on the sports complex

[58:35] and what that additional would add to it?

[58:38] Yeah, I can do that.

[58:39] Thank you.

[58:41] Anything for them?

[58:42] Okay, a couple of items.

[58:44] First off, we want to recognize that our own John Badena turns 63 today.

[58:52] Thank

[58:55] you, Mr. Mayor.

[58:56] Not quite 63, but thank you.

[59:00] Well, hopefully we'll be here next year doing 63.

[59:04] And on another note, it's with great sadness that I want to acknowledge the loss of this

[59:12] community of a real gentleman, John Richard Sparks, has passed away and he is, as you

[59:20] know, the husband of Dr. Sherry Sparks at the college and he will be sorely missed

[59:25] and we want to extend our sympathy, condolences and prayers to the family of, he was a real

[59:33] gentleman.

[59:34] He's lost to this community.

[59:38] If anyone would wish to go to his services, there will be Thursday at 10 o'clock at 15th

[59:52] 14th Maine Church Christ, 15th Maine, whichever one.

[59:56] It's in that block somewhere.

[1:00:00] It's only church grass on that block. That's right.

[1:00:05] Mr. Stumpkins.

[1:00:08] Do you have an input?

[1:00:10] I might chuckled earlier when you mentioned the sirens. I don't know how often you test those.

[1:00:15] This was entirely your fault, by the way, about six months ago.

[1:00:18] I was at the state park on the trail, which is a three-mile interloop with kind of an outback loop that has another mile or two.

[1:00:26] I think on the far end of that outer loop there is a siren tower and I was out for running and it's not clearly marked

[1:00:33] I didn't intend to be on the outer loop, but I was about 50 or a hundred feet away from that siren when it went off

[1:00:39] And I want you to know two things number one it worked quite well, and it's very loud

[1:00:43] Number two, I haven't run that fast with my hands over my ears the other direction in a long time

[1:00:48] So just saying we test those twice a year

[1:00:52] Sometimes more than that

[1:00:57] Yes, I'd just like to recognize Stephanie for helping on the legal staff.

[1:01:05] She's been very helpful and doing a great job.

[1:01:09] Just want to know she's been an asset to our legal staff.

[1:01:13] And it's sad about John, Richard Sparks, too.

[1:01:22] He was about a part of our community,

[1:01:27] and he will dearly be missed,

[1:01:30] and our condolences to him, his family.

[1:01:34] Also, we do have a lot of folks

[1:01:41] that are running in District 6, I say a lot.

[1:01:45] I believe three candidates and two.

[1:01:50] All right, one dropped out.

[1:01:52] Everybody get out and vote.

[1:01:55] You have two wonderful candidates that are coming to step

[1:02:00] forward and serve in this position here.

[1:02:03] And it's been an honor serving.

[1:02:06] That's it.

[1:02:07] Okay, is there anything further to come

[1:02:09] for council tonight. We are adjourned

[1:02:16] and it's an enterprise fund and I appreciate

[1:02:22] you bringing that to our attention in the future our documents will be a little

[1:02:27] bit more thorough on let the council know where the funds are coming from. I know

[1:02:32] there was kind of vague in where the money is coming from but this one is

[1:02:35] coming from landfill.

City Council

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