[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[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.