Here
» if you would please stand and join me
for the pledge followed by the
invocation led by Luke Olivars.
I pledge allegiance 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.
>> Yes, sir.
All right. At this time, please bow your
heads and join me in prayer. As summer
fades, oh, sorry. Dear Lord, as summer
fades and new season begins, we ask for
your wisdom and direction for our
community. While we do not know all that
lies ahead, we ask that you guide our
discussions, decisions, and the steps we
take and help us all to trust you even
when the road is unclear. Open the right
doors and gently close the ones that are
not meant for us. Teach us to listen to
your voice above above every
distraction.
Give us wisdom and courage to do what is
right, even when it feels uncomfortable.
May this new season be filled with
opportunities to grow in your goodness
and kindness, to love others well and
honor you through the words, through our
words and actions. Bless the students,
teachers, staff, and administrators of
the Rockdale as they begin a new school
year. Bless our first responders and
their families and keep them safe as
they perform their duties. Bless us as a
town and as we journey together to make
Rockto a better place for all our
citizens. guide and direct the
conversations and decisions made here
this evening. Bless our mayor and
council and all those who serve in our
community in Jesus name. Amen.
>> Amen.
>> Thank you, Luke.
>> Thank you to our uh citizens that are
present. Thank you to our staff that is
present this evening. And thank you to
council
that is also present. Uh
do we have any announcements prior to
getting to our head of the month? Yes.
There's a couple of things, Mayor. Um I
wanted to announce remind folks that uh
coming up on September 6th and 7th um is
our back to school pool party at the
Veterans Park pool from 1 to six on both Sunday and Monday. The sixth is
for fifth grade and younger and the
seventh is for sixth grade and older. Um
it's free admission. There will be food
and drinks available and we want to
encourage everybody to come out. Um,
also I wanted to address um and make an
announcement regarding the
um comment from Councilman Cathy at the
last meeting and following that um staff
has gone up and sprayed the whole length
of um Cameron Street, Cameron Avenue um
and began weed eating it today. Um and
so they're making headway on that. Um,
and they have also gone east of downtown
as well, uh, and and done a lot of
weeding along there as well. This
morning, um, Ben and I wrote out and
identified a number of properties, um,
that need some additional attention that
he's going to be addressing. So,
>> thank you. Thank you, Tim.
» Want to talk to us about our pet? That's
Duke, right?
>> Yeah.
He's a sweet boy. He's only one years
old, we're guessing. We found him on
July 1st at Sethco. And he was just
along, but he knows sit. He's really
well behaved. He There you go. Good boy.
Um he's crate trained. He is potty
trained. He is kennel trained. Um he is
loves everyone. He loves other dogs. We
don't know about cats. We don't have
cats, but um yeah, he's a he's just a
great um little guy. He's like 50
poundsish, so he's not too big. Full
grown though. And he's got these goofy
little dew claws in the back. So, we
don't know what he's mixed with, but
he's definitely a katahula hound maybe
of some kind based off his ears. So, and
he's got these beautiful blue specks in
his eyes. It looks like a trick on the
camera like it's a shine, but it's
really his eyes. So, um, yeah, and if
you guys want to get to know him more,
you can come on down to the Rockdale
Animal Shelter, play with all the dogs,
including Duke, and we'd be happy to see
you there.
>> Any questions?
>> Yeah. So, uh, thank you. And I say this
every meeting. Our, uh, ACOs do a great
job for the city of Rockdale and our
volunteer group, uh, does a great job as
well. So, thank you for the work you're
doing. I can't tell you how many pets
we've uh adopted out uh out of our
animal shelter and the numbers are just
I would say as compared to several years
ago are really staggering from what
we've what we've uh been able to
accomplish uh with the hard work of our
ACOs and our volunteer group that works
out there as well. So, thank you for the
work you continue to do. And if you're
interested in adopting a pet, please go
out to the animal shelter and find your
uh find your new favorite pet.
>> Thank you.
» So, we're going to move on to citizens
communications and uh first uh we'll
call on Grady Hall. Grady, if you'll
step up, I will remind you you'll be on
the timer, sir. You have three minutes
to uh speak.
Looks like if you would say your name
and your address, please. Looks like
your topic of discussion is excessive
noise.
>> Yeah, it's Grady Hall. We're staying
over on 1011 East Belton and it's these
people driving around the community and
around the city down Cameron banging
these speakers like they are. When
you're sitting in your home watching TV,
there's no reason to hear somebody's
speakers over your TV that's parked two
blocks away at Muny's or driving down
Cameron Avenue.
I had an altercation with one guy here a
few months back. Drove by the house down
below
stuff came off the walls.
There's no reason for us to have it to
live like this with these kids driving
around and adults too. Does the guy had
an altercation with was about my age in
his 50s?
So, is there anything the city can do of
some kind of noise ordinance?
Anything we can do to put a stop to this
mess?
>> If you want to give me a call in the
morning,
>> I will address that.
>> Okay.
>> Tim Kelty.
>> All right. Yeah. We can't go back and
forth during citizen communication.
>> Yeah.
>> If you'll address to the city manager,
and that's for anybody in here during
citizen communication.
>> Uh Mr. Kelty will push it out to us,
it'll get you an answer.
>> Yeah. Cuz I mean, I've even had some
kids back behind us
>> that I've had to go back there and tell
them because they're sitting there with
the doors open and it turned up and all
you're hearing is their base. And I
mean, I don't think anybody in here
wants to have to deal with that sitting
in their home.
>> Thank you. Thank you, Grady. Y
>> Peggy Bony, Miss Bony, Miss Bony is here
to uh actually understand why Miss Bony
is here uh to discuss her drainage and
uh cleaning mud and debris uh concerns.
>> Yes. Uh Peggy Bony, I live on Second
Street here in Rockdale. Um I did call
the mayor. We and when we had all the
rain, the drainage that comes through
Pan and Second, someone dug up dirt did
not place cement there for it to drain
properly. So the mud collected there on
the corner of PCON and second is still
there. The concerns are will we be able
to get that cleaned up and will
something be able to get done about how
it drains there. So that's a big
concern. Also, um I didn't put that on,
but it's one yard there. We pretty keep
our neighborhood pretty clean, but one
yard has weeds growing up and I thought
the coding officer would take care of
that, which we try to keep our community
clean. Hopefully, you know, we all want
to do that and take care of it.
>> And I I would ask uh Miss Bony that if
you would contact him in the morning,
please. He and I have had several
discussions regarding my visit to your
street. Okay.
>> I think you saw me over there.
>> I did. Yes, ma'am.
>> Thank you. I appreciate it.
>> Um so, you're very welcome. if you would
please give him a call tomorrow, he can
inform you of the discussions we've had
and some um so as we can't go back and
forth during this
>> understand but thank you for coming
tonight. Yes, ma'am.
» Randy Thompson.
Oh, Randy,
>> how's it going?
>> All right. Randy is here to discuss the
creek behind his house, the waterway.
>> It's M Branch. Yeah, it's been a it's
been it's been an issue for a while.
It's Randy Thompson, 302 West Bell. Um I
have the the corner lot right there and
it's been happening actually for years
that uh that water that goes through
that waterway there. It gets you've
probably seen it before. It's been
pretty deep through there. And uh I've
actually had a couple of uh water
rescues out of the house behind my new
building there. And um that creek's just
been grown up with vines and trees and
just crap tires. I actually pulled nine
trailer loads of tree limbs and debris
and just stuff that was in there
blocking the uh those three big
openings, you know, that go underneath
the the bridge. Right now, one of those
is pretty much open, but the other two
are basically almost halfway covered
because there used to be a tree growing
in there. And I guess just over the
years, the things dropping out of it,
you know, it built the land up inside
there. So, you got a a deep section on
one side and the other side is about
half the amount of depth it should be.
But, uh, I've I've even tried to to
clean it out, you know, with like a skid
steer. I was trying to get uh the core
of engineers to like I guess they have
to okay okay any kind of work you do in
the waterway and uh they wouldn't call
back or I left messages. I called the
one in Georgetown. They actually
answered but still didn't didn't call
back but they answered and said they
would call back but never did. But I
just want to see if we could somehow
address that waterway through there the
creek through there because it's it's
been bad but it's not so bad now. Like I
said, I pulled a whole lot of stuff out
of it, but the the land is still built
up real high.
>> We get it cut down some like kind of
like y'all did with the other ones, you
know, where they put the the concrete
things in there. It didn't even have to
have that. Just as long as it's it's
probably a section 50t long probably
that needs to be dug down,
>> flattened out, you know, cuz it's it has
to be about this deep before it actually
starts going through those other two
passages under the bridge. It it gets
backed up pretty bad by my shop and the
houses. just been about 6 feet from the
back of my building before
recently.
>> Yes, sir.
>> All right. I appreciate it.
>> And I know I can't speak to you, but I
participated in those water rescues on
Memorial Day about 12 years ago, so I'm
familiar with it.
>> That was the night that it got in my
shop.
>> Yes, sir.
>> A foot deep. Yeah, it was a foot deep in
there.
>> Thank you, Randy. Thanks. Appreciate it.
>> Yes, sir. Point well taken. Thank you,
Randy.
Brother Dave Dave Melton
here to speak about the peace
celebration
international day of peace. Mayor Ward,
council, city employees, thank you all
for your service to our community.
Monday, September 21st is the 45th
anniversary of the International Day of
Peace. It will also be the fourth year
of Rockdale Earth Day, holding
celebrations to recognize this important
day.
In a big picture sense, Earth Day is an
attempt to renew, respect, and restore
our world. As an organization, we strive
to stay in our lane within the Rockdale
community and believe that these
celebrations fit well with our mission
statement, especially these words to
provide educational opportunities to
teach and inform community members on
issues such as conservation, recycling,
and the imperative to respect nature and
all of its inhabitants. What a better
way to respect our world than to promote
peace. The theme for the International
Day of Peace on September 21st, 2026 is
invest in peace for everyone,
everywhere, every day. This focus
highlights daily actions and honors
everyday peacemakers. In front of you
this evening in your packet is a few
pages of information with uh us
collaborating with downtown businesses,
the Rockdale Community Market, and the K
Theater. Because the 21st falls on a
Monday, we decided it was best to host
our events on Saturday the 19th and
Sunday the 20th. I would like to
publicly invite each of you to any or
all of these events. Peace is built in
households, neighborhoods, and in
communities like Rockdale. Our mayor and
council can play a vital role in
promoting peace and goodwill in this
community. The Sidewalk Art Project on
Saturday the 19th is an effort to
promote peace while allowing artists and
aspiring artists and those who quite
frankly aren't artists at all like
myself to help spread beauty, color, and
messaging on the streets of downtown
Rockdale. High school and junior high
art teachers Lanny Young and Winton
Thomas are encouraging their students to
participate. If you have kids,
grandkids, nephews, and nieces, Mayor
Roy,
uh, Councilman Perry, Miss Alveris, we
encourage you, uh, to bring them to this
experience and have some fun together as
a family. We will set up that morning
from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the
community market at Wolf Park
distributing sidewalk chalk to
individuals and teams that would like to
create a slab of beautiful mosaic on our
uh downtown sidewalks. I have two humble
requests for our city. Chief Meadows, if
budget and staffing allows, we think
that a downtown presence of police staff
would be very much welcome. This would
be a great opportunity for the officers
to meet citizens. And then Mr. Kelty,
while we are greatly appreciative of the
weed spraying which we have seen in res
in recent days, uh we hope that that
continues and that litter is picked up
because we may if the event is looking
like it might be well uh well attended.
We may have media coverage and we want
to make sure that we're free of litter
and that downtown looks as good. Sunday
the 20th, K Theater showing. Remember
the Titans 3 p.m. that evening at 700
p.m. the night of peace celebration with
Reverend uh Herbert Jones of Rockdale's
Full Gospel doing the homaly this year.
Thank you very much.
>> Thank you Dave.
>> And that is all I had signed up for
citizens communications. Uh we're moving
on to presentations. I don't see Dwayne
David in the room. So, uh, we were going
to recognize Dwayne David, uh, from his
27 years after his retirement from the
Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department. We
will recognize him, uh, next month along
with Trent, uh, wages also. So, we'll
move on to item number two on the
presentation, and that is a very
welldeserved uh, proclamation and
recognition. Bobby Joe, you want to come
up here, please, sir? Come on up around
here.
So, I don't know if any of y'all know
where Bobby Joe Tindle grew up,
>> but Bobby Joe Tindle and I both grew up
in Manurva, Texas. We're actually like
family
and uh at least I consider you family.
>> And uh the Tindles and the Willox and
you know, I get chills up here talking
about that and I'm not exaggerating at
all. Uh so we are like family and so
this is very special to me uh to be able
to read this proclamation to you. Um and
we are honoring Bobby Joe today for his
45 years of dedicated service to the
city of Rockville. How special is that?
Whereas the city of Rockdale is proud to
recognize and celebrate individuals who
whose hard work, dedication and
commitment have made lasting difference
in the lives of its citizens. And
whereas Bobby Joe Tindle has faithfully
served the city of Rockdale for 45
years, demonstrating exceptional
loyalty, professionalism, devotion, and
public service throughout their
distinguished career. And whereas those
and whereas during those 45 years, Bobby
Joe Tendle has contributed significant
significantly
the strength, progress, and daily
operations of the city, earning the
respect and admiration of colleagues,
elected officials, and the community
alike. And whereas the steadfast service
of Bobby Joe Tendle reflects the very
best of municipal government and serves
as an inspiration to present and future
generations of public servants. And
whereas reaching a 45 year service
milestone is a rare and remarkable
achievement
worthy of a special recognition and
sincere appreciation by the city of
Rockdale and all who call it home. Now
therefore, I Ward Rodom, mayor of the
city of Rockdale, Texas, on behalf of
the city council and the citizens of
Rockdale, do hereby proclaim August
10th, 2026 as Bobby Joe Tindle Day
in the city of Rockdale, Texas, and urge
all residents to join in in honoring
Bobby Bobby Joe Tindle for 45 years of
outstanding service, dedication, and
commitment to the city of Rockdale and
its people. Bobby Joe, thank you and
congratulations, sir.
» Let me give this chair real quick.
>> We're gonna get a picture,
>> you and I together.
>> Hey, Mayor Rad, I want to say something
also.
>> Yes, sir. And that is in 25 years as a
city manager in five different cities.
The closest that I've ever had anybody
come to 45 years is 34 years. So he's
blown that out of the water and is truly a great public servant.
» How much space have
one
and I have to say he also makes the
Jalapeno dressing.
>> So if you ever get a chance to eat that,
and you're welcome to say anything if
you'd like to say anything, Bobby Joe.
>> Oh, really?
» And if you want to finish running the
rest of the meeting, you can do that,
too.
>> No, I don't have nothing to say.
>> My intention was not to work 45 years
for,
but I enjoy what I was doing, so I just
stayed on to it. And I thank each and
every one of y'all for for this. And I
just my wife, she's sitting over there.
>> If anybody met my wife, that's my wife
over there.
>> Congratulations.
» Me and him grew up in Manurva.
>> That's right. Football.
>> We did. We did. Congrats.
>> Absolutely.
Yes, we did.
» And you don't have to stay for the rest
of the meeting.
That's the best part of it.
>> Enjoy your supper.
>> Yeah,
>> that's the extra gift.
So now we will
receive a presentation from Becca
Trevinho with the Rockdale VFW charity
regarding the Rockdale VFW charity
dinner.
» Actually, it's Rebecca and Shannon.
>> Yes,
>> I guess.
>> Yeah, we we kind of ping pong off of
each other.
>> Shannon Miller, quartermaster for BFW
Post 6525.
We're having a charity dinner this
Saturday. Um, we need help getting the
word out to sell some tickets. We're a
little short. Uh, we want to make this a
success so I can stay open and, um,
continue to help the vets that I need
to. So, um, that's pretty much all I
got.
>> Yes. Come out. Um, the dinner ticket's
50 bucks, but it includes a dinner from
uh, the Thornell Meat Market. We have a
guy from NBC's The Voice that's going to
come and serve during dinner. There's
all kinds of raffles and door prizes and
stuff throughout the night and then
we're gonna end the night with a dance.
So, you really are getting a lot for
your $50. And this event is pretty well
paid for at this point. So, every penny
that we raise will be going to the VFW.
Nothing you contribute is going anywhere
but to the hall. So, these guys really
need it. Y'all don't want to lose your
VFW. It's the only one around. And when
you lose it, you lose your your ladies
auxiliary as well. And they gave out 600
backpacks last weekend. So it it would
be a great loss to your community. We
really need you guys to turn out.
>> Where do you get tickets and what time
is it?
>> Right here.
>> Tickets at at the hall.
>> You can pick them up at BFW. You can get
a hold of me or Becca. You can send a
Facebook post.
>> There's a Facebook um event page.
>> You can buy tickets online. Go to v
rockdealevfw.com.
>> Yes,
>> we got a web page set up for it.
>> Um I mean there's a thousand ways to buy
a ticket or you can just show up.
>> Could you uh
>> there's tickets left at the door?
>> Could you take a little deeper dive on
what the importance of this event is and
why you're doing it and what the goal is
of the outcome of this event for the
reasons you're doing this event. Please,
I understand it, but I don't know that
all our citizens understand the reason
behind this event.
» Well,
we're here for the veterans. I'm one uh
I helped a guy today get some help with
his uh disability claim.
That's the main reason we're there.
Yeah, we have a hall rental. We've got
the canteen. Um, we meet once a month
for that camaraderie, but guys will come
there, they can speak to military guys
and know what they've been through, and
we can
do a lot for
>> people that that y'all don't see on a
daily basis.
>> These guys go out and mow the lawn for
somebody or they will take them to the
VA if they have a medical appointment.
They have paid bills. They have if you
need a chair or a walker or ramp or
something as as a veteran, your
resources in this com this general area
of Texas are really limited. So when we
lose the VFW,
there's really no place for our veterans
to turn to anymore. Thornell already
lost theirs. I think Lexington lost
theirs. Cameron's is is struggling. So
there's just not a lot of resources here
for veterans except our VFW. And that's
primarily what these guys have been
doing for so long. But they need some
help now. And I can guarantee you almost
everybody in this room has some kind of
memory from the past of the VFW. And
that's really what we want to do is just
revitalize it, do some updates, make it
more familyfriendly. Like we would love
to be able to get a patio on the back of
that so that people can enjoy the
outside, get some outdoor seating. You
know, the hall needs a remodel
desperately. Like 1970s is a few years
ago. So, you know, we'd like to re
revitalize that a little bit. So,
>> it it needs some love and this community
is capable of it. We just need some
help.
>> There any information? Do you have any
data on the number of veterans in
Rockdale or Milm County?
>> Approximately
>> members we have. got 91. I I recruited
four more members this year because
Texas BFW has made a requirement to go
to 103% because of the amount of people
passing away. Um, we have to do that to
keep the numbers built up. We've only
got
67,000
BFW members where we have 600,000 in
Texas alone. So, we're trying to get our
numbers back up. And that's not just us,
you know, for our post, but the amount
of people that live in Malm County.
It's, you know, we can boost our
numbers. I know they're out there. Um,
especially with three beeped up just
closing.
So, I mean, it's it's a struggle every
day just trying to keep the doors open,
um, pay the bills, you know. Uh, I don't
know if anybody's in here, but the
Rotary Club just donated money. comfort
AC replaced our air conditioner. That
was awesome. Uh that's a $10,000 bill
that I I could not pay. So, we went six
months without that AC. It went out
during our gun show. We were trying to
raise money with uh the the Tony Troino
gunsmith. So, there's a ton of things
that happen every day that we have to
raise money for and having the canteen
just doesn't do it. The hall rentals
help um actually that's how I make
payroll some months by people renting
the hall. I've had four funeral
receptions this year or not really
reception but
uh
you know uh kinias
um birthday parties whatever end of
school graduation parties
it's a heck of a lot cheaper than a KC
hall and it's smaller but it's 4,000
square feet more than big enough
um
people would just use it and utilize it
um I remember the W around my hometown.
It was always something going on. Trying
to get bingo back. Uh try to do more. Uh
we've had barbecue cookouts, fish fries,
>> gun show, Some day some things are a
hit, some things are a nose dive, and
that just kills my budget. So, um
>> it's pretty handmouth over there right
now. So,
>> support Every week I struggle to make
the payroll and
just trying to get above water.
>> Can I say something?
>> Our dinner can provide the money to keep
the hall open. We can have some more
events. We can do some more fundraising
and make the improvements that are going
to bring the people in. But can't do it
without you guys. And when it's gone, You won't get it back.
There's there's no way to get it back.
So
>> keep that in mind. A great big giant
building. thing when you come into
Rockdale,
>> it's owned by Texas BFW. So when if we
shut down, then that goes back to the
state and we lose everything.
>> So,
you know, I don't want that to happen.
>> If I could just say something, mayor,
>> first of all, I just want to thank y'all
for everything that y'all do. I got a
little tearary just hearing um
everything that y'all do. Um I
appreciate it. I feel like you guys are
really helping um vulnerable population.
I mean, already living in Rockdale and
around here, it's already a challenge,
not to mention if you're a veteran and
struggling with different things like
you've mentioned. Um maybe we could be
creative, but I guess I'll ask him if
there's any way that we can support them
or partner with them. Um, I'm not sure
how long your building has been there,
but can we go via the historic route to
support them in some way and support
their building at least?
>> I'll look into it.
>> I'm just asking. I'm not sure.
>> We're open to suggestions on anything.
If there's something that you think you
can do to improve it, let us know. Like
we've had different construction guys
come out and give us bids on projects
like, "Hey, I can fix this thing or that
thing." But we still have to raise the
money for it. So, if there's something
you could do, let us know. We're are
>> open to it all.
>> Yeah. If if if I can do it. Uh and and I
did. I replaced uh nine toilets in the
hall and the canteen this past weekend
with the help of her husband Tony and a
couple other uh vets that are part of
our post. Um that's no easy task, but
they those toilets were donated, the
dispensers were were donated.
So people are trying to help in in small
ways and that's how we make a big
difference. Um
but um have an Amazon wish list even on
the on the website. So even if you don't
want to give money or service, a roll of
toilet paper, you know, those are
valuable. So we'll take that. We'll take
a roll of toilet paper.
>> Yeah.
>> I mean, we're not choosy right now.
>> Yeah. I mean, when you got trash bags
that are 75 bucks a box, you know,
because you got to hold the bottles. Um,
it's expensive.
Awesome.
Well, thank you for coming by to share
your needs and your vision. And uh you
know, I I think I can safely speak for
everyone sitting up here. We encourage
our citizens to go out and support your fundraiser.
>> I mean, your your grandkids.
>> Yes.
>> I mean, that was awesome. You know,
>> your mayor's grandchildren had a
lemonade stand in front of their house.
They raised I think 300
>> 350 $350
in lemonade sales and they gave it to
the BFW.
>> That's a very generous citizens come by
and support that.
>> How awesome is that? If if little
children can do that for us, think what
the city as a whole could do for us.
Like
>> we just need the help.
>> So any help? Stop by Saturday. Uh buy
tickets. Buy tickets first.
>> Uh then we know exactly where we're
standing on Saturday.
>> Yeah. Tell your friends, tell your
family, share our post. If you see us on
Facebook, share share, please.
>> Absolutely.
>> WFW.com. You can buy tickets or raffle
tickets. Raffle tickets. We got I know
we got a lot of guns, but uh
>> we got a lot of bets, but uh
>> we got five guns,
» holsters,
>> suppressors.
>> I mean, and it's that's pretty cheap for
chances. So,
>> there's a really nice engraved gun in
the auction that has no minimum bid.
That thing's over $1,000 easily.
>> Yeah,
>> a Ronin 1911. And we also have a gold
gun, a Joker gun for auction.
Pretty badass.
Extremely nice weapons. Uh, and I'm
probably going to get in trouble for
bidding on those, but
>> but uh
>> we'll take your money.
>> I know.
» Great. Thank you.
>> Appreciate you coming up.
>> Okay. Now, we will receive the annual
presentation from the Rockdale Chamber
of Commerce.
>> Council, I passed out uh the annual
report that Mr. Lockoff has put together
and will be presented to council
tonight.
>> Welcome, Mr. Lockoff. You have
>> Well, mayor and council, thank you'all
for having us here today.
>> He didn't hear me, did he?
>> What' you say?
>> I said you have one minute, sir.
>> Uh, just if you'll flip to your
presentation. Thank you very much. Have
a nice day.
>> You know I'm joking. Uh I don't know the
last time that we were here to present
to the council, but what I thought we
would do is do a quick recap of 2025 to
current. Uh and in page one of the
presentation that you have in your your
packet. Uh it will show that the chamber
did in 2025 we had 78 interactions both
business and tourism events for the
chamber and they're pretty
self-explanatory there. I want to move
on from there to talk about 2026
which I'm going to entitle the tale of
two cities.
Uh as you know uh we had starting off in
January
uh and the first second page is January
through April what we've done ribbon
cutings and all that. Uh however in
April
we had uh a meltdown.
We had a resignation of our executive
director. they uh that board at that
time cancelled the banquet
and uh
it was a challenge.
Uh we have a brand new board of
directors which is the last page the
addendum to your packet. Uh we've
replaced the board. We have created new
bylaws and I kind of want to really
touch on what we've done since that
April 2026
event took place. Uh we have a new board
of directors with a wide community uh
influence and involvement. Uh we have
equal representation from a lot of
different places that we didn't have
before. Uh we've revised the bylaws to
reflect a modern approach to doing
chamber business which includes a
financial policy that requires more
board oversight.
Uh we have developed a new branding
campaign. And if you've seen the logo
which is above that page uh which
reflects where Round Rock has been in
the relation to the railroad where the
future
>> Rockdale did I say Round Rock that
>> happens a lot. I was chair of that
chamber and I thought I would get out of
that business but they pulled me back in
here. Uh Rockdale, the history of
Rockdale from from the rail to the
future. Okay. Uh we are now uh in the
process and we have developed a a
clearer job description of what the city
of Rockdale
should have as the director and CEO of
the Chamber of Commerce. We posted that
job opening for a national regional
search uh for our next CEO uh ED and we
have received 21 applications of people
that are interested in the position. Uh
the committee leading the charge met
Friday. We have selected five candidates
to further interview and uh see if they
fit our criteria. Uh we're very so we're
in the process of setting that up. Uh we
have resolved issues with communications
within the chamber. Uh we have developed
an IT program to get us back on track
there. We now have audio visual in Hogan
Hall. So when people use that they
actually can do an audiovisisual
presentation there in that facility. Uh
we fostered a stronger relationship with
MDD and the city council and uh we have
our very first board training meeting
tomorrow evening to train a board on how
a board operates and the professionalism
that I and the other board members are
expecting from the chamber.
Uh since then we were very involved
helping promote the uh the community
July 4th event in a partnership with the
city. Uh we're in the planning process
of the Christmas parade and events in
partnership with the city. Uh we
continue to do hometown highlights here
some rinky dink radio station in town.
uh that we've given 96 plus hours of
programming to the city of Rottale uh to
promote uh tourism as well as uh foster
greater community support. Okay. Uh
right now we currently have 3,700
followers uh on our social media
platforms. Uh, and we're going to
continue to promote shop, stay, and play
in our home of Rockdale because together
we are better.
Okay. And that's my report. And I will
take questions should you have any.
>> I would also just point out that they
the chamber was also heavily involved in
helping to promote uh the the tackle
fest that we had in May.
>> Yeah. Well, that was Yeah, that was part
of that.
We get it. We appreciate it. Uh I will
address and quell a couple of rumors
about finances with the chamber. Uh
while I I don't necessarily agree with
the policy that we had before with the
past, we're going forward in a different
direction with how we compensate the
person that we're reaching out to for
the executive director's position. There
is no money missing
from the chamber. We've accounted for
every dollar.
So, if you've heard that, false.
Uh, we ask uh I know our contract with
the city that I have uh for our
partnership ends this year. It was a
two-year agreement. Uh, and we look and
would hope that the uh city would
partner with us again. I think this ends
September 30th, 2026,
that we can develop a new plan to work
together to grow this community.
Is your board full?
>> Yes, 100%. We went from four members to
13
and you have that should have that in
your packet who those individuals are
>> and it's been active board meetings
where you may may have one or two board
of those 13 that might be missing at any
given time.
>> Well, it's been summer. We're on
vacation.
>> Do Steve. Sir, do
>> your bylaws have a requirement of the
minimum number of board meetings that a
member has to attend?
>> Yes, sir. We do have that policy.
>> Okay.
>> Like I said, I took that upon myself and we we made it modernized where it
should have been.
>> Excellent. Thank you.
>> And I'll make a copy available if you'd
like one. You certainly
>> Oh, it's not necessary for me, sir. I
just had a qu that question.
Well, then
>> y'all do y'all have a normal meeting
time?
>> Yes, sir. 5:15 uh the second week of the
month.
>> And are you usually on Tuesdays?
>> Public.
>> What day?
>> Normally on Thursdays, but this week
it's on Tuesday.
>> Well, we're having it on Tuesday this
month because of the training. Okay.
>> Yes, we have standardized meetings.
>> Happens sometime the second week of the
month. Mhm.
>> Okay.
>> Usually Thursdays like city manager
Kelty
>> open to the public.
>> Well, if if you welcome to come in Hogan
Hall anytime, uh we are a 501c3
nonprofit and you certainly have a right
to attend it. We'd love to have you.
It's just a little tight with a bigger
board. Oh,
>> that makes sense. But
>> we do have AV and we'll eventually have
Zoom where we'll zoom our meetings.
Gotcha.
>> Thanks.
>> Thank you all.
>> Thank you, sir. Appreciate it.
>> Appreciate you very much.
>> Keep up the good work.
» Now, we will receive a presentation from
Rachel Owens for Kasa Malm County.
» Good evening. My name is Rachel Owens
and I am with Kasa of Milm County. Kasa
stands for courtappointed special
advocates and we have been in Milm
County since 23 and have taken cases
since 24
and right now we have seven advocates.
We need about 30 and if you know anyone
that has 10 hours to spare a month, we
would love to have them. They go through
a 30-hour training which we give them
and 15 is in person um at 105 South Main
where our offices are located and the
other half is 15 hours on their own time
reading through the training which which
we go over. Uh what happens with CASA is
when kiddos are removed by CPS because
it's no longer safe in their homes.
Judge Young Bloodood appoints one of our
CASAs when they enter the um the court
system and our CASAs are with those
kiddos from the time that that court
they the time that they enter with the
court system until it ends whether they
are reunified whether they are adopted
or whether they age out of care. I am
I'm the executive director but I also am
an advocate because we are short
advocates and I'm not telling Judge
Young Bloodood no. So, he keeps giving
us cases as they come in, which we will
gladly take. Um, we have
with the legislature, the numbers are
down right now. We only have about 40
children in care, but that doesn't mean
that there is less abuse occurring. The
legislature has changed the definition
of abuse and are trying to give parents
more rights. I have my own opinions on
that and I'll just leave it at that. Um,
I don't want the government involved in
my business, but I'm not abusing my
children either. So um but with that the
children have to be in much dire straits
to be removed now. So when kids come
into care they are coming with more
issues more problems and they have been
sustaining that abuse for longer periods
of time. And we find that um they're
needing much more care while they're in
care because of the abuse that they have
sustained at the hands of those who were
supposed to take care of them. So right
now we only have 40 40 children uh in
Milm County. We've had like 12970 in
care before in our county. We have
around 5,300 youth and 1,323
of those around there have been through
the CPS system. That's more than our
surrounding counties. It's not something
to be good uh it's not anything good to
be number one at when you're dealing
with that. So, that's something that we
work with. We find in our county in a
lot of counties with abuse, it's
cyclical and familial. And that means
that they're they were raised that way
and they are continuing that cycle of
abuse. 95 of our kiddos are not even
placed in Milm County. I drive about
20,000 miles every three months. Uh I
didn't realize that because I just drive
a lot, but my husband notices that
because he has to buy me some new tires.
So which he told me, he's like,
"Rachel," he's like, "We got to change
tires." I'm like, "What are you talking
about? We just got tires." And so he's
like, he looks at that. I don't. I'm
just going. Um but the we've got a lot
of kiddos to take care of and one of the
things that we do to raise funds we
receive a victims of crimes act grant
and a health and human service act or
care grant but in order to receive those
grants we have to match the funding that
they give us. Hence we have our event
taste of milum which is coming up on
September 19th. It's always going to be
the third Saturday in in September. So
you can mark your county your calendars
from here on out. This year we're having
it at Keling Ranch again. We had it at
the venue in Cameron our first year. We
It was a good problem to have. We
outgrew that. They could take 300 I
think 300 and we had 350 people show up.
So we were at Keling Ranch last year. We
had about 500 show up. They can take 550
as what we can fit in there. I hope we
outgrow it, but I don't know where we're
going to go after that. My board will
kill me if I do an event in September
that's outside. So I can't do that. So,
if you know of a place that's bigger
that can house that many people, we love
Keysling Ranch. Hopefully, we grow. Not
sure where we're going to go next after
that, but it you pay $50 to get in. One
of the things uh fundraising fun making
money off the event is number one, of
course. Number two, though, is one of
the reasons that we called it Taste of
Milm. And that is to showcase all of
what we have here in Milm County or Milm
County, our small mom and pop and those
types of businesses. Whether you do it
out of your kitchen, you have brick and
mortar, you have a food truck, the
things that you can only get here in
Milm County are what we showcase at this
event. So, they bring their samples. We
ask them to bring between four and 500
samples because our numbers have grown.
You get to sample all of that until it
runs out or until you're stuffed. The
other band uh will be playing for that
evening. And um David Hall will be the
MC and auctioneer. We too have guns. Um
everybody likes guns. Uh, but my husband
will be in town for this one, so going
to stop me from bidding. I love the man
dearly, though. But, um, one of the
things we'll have is a, uh, 2K11, Kimber
45, a Desert Eagle 50 caliber, and I
don't know, we're trying to think of
outside the boxes. Everybody's got ARs
now, so we're not even doing ARs this
year. Um, but those are things that you
can look forward to. But I hope that you
can come to the event. This is some of
the things that folks have asked me is,
well, what do you spend your money on? I
am paid as the executive director and
then I also get to be an advocate and we
finally were able to get an advocate
supervisor because I'm only one person
doing a lot of work which I don't mind
but um we needed to do better and so we
got her Addie Garrison her husband will
start working at the uh Rockdale Police
Department here pretty soon but all
everyone else are volunteers all of our
advocates are volunteers so they spend
all of that time doing it for free out
of the goodness of their hearts to make
sure that those kids are taken care of
and our whole point is to give those
kids a voice in court and to be with
them. And like I said, I have a case
that's lasted two years. I've been that
advocate for those kiddos and been with
them through that process that entire
time. We always strive for
reunification, but sometimes that can't
happen. So, we travel all over. We just
had a kid that was placed in Vegas. I
did volunteer to go see that kiddo. Um,
but you know, my mom lives in Vegas,
too. So, um, but that's we we go
wherever the children go, and they're
mostly placed out of our county. We
don't even have like 10 registered um or
certified foster homes in our county.
That's why so many of them get sent out.
So that's what we do in a nutshell. And
I'll answer any questions you have
because I can talk about this all day
long.
» Yes. Yeah.
and
>> I don't have any questions, but I just
want to thank you and your advocates for
what you do for our children that need
that service. It's
>> well, and we've saved the county in
here. This one is 2425. The sheet that
you've got on the left, it says
$339,000.
It's up to about $800,000 now of what we
have saved the county. Um because our
volunteers, our volunteers, they don't
get paid. And that's money that they
would have had to have paid for someone
else to do this services for the
children. So, it benefits everybody.
number one our kiddos, but we do help
the county out um by that service also,
>> which that helps us as taxpayers out as
well. So, thank you.
>> It does.
>> Thank you.
Reggie. Thank you for the
presentation.
And moving along, council, you have your
consent agenda before you. You've had
time to review the consent agenda. I'll
ask is there anything
uh you want to take out of the consent
agenda before I ask for action on the
consent agenda as written?
Make a motion that we approve the
consent agenda as read.
>> Second.
>> Have a motion and a second on the floor
to approve the consent agenda as
written. Is there any discussion?
Be no discussion will vote. All in favor
said motion signify by raise your right
hand. Motion passes unanimously.
Moving on to the regular agenda agenda.
Item number eight. consider uh conduct a
public hearing on the proposed fiscal
year 2026 2027 budget October 1, 2026
through September 30th, 2027 for the
city of Rockdale.
Uh I am going to Tim, did you want to
say something before I open the public
hearing?
>> You can open it and
>> Okay. I have 6:22 p.m. The public
hearing is now open. Is there anyone
that wants to speak during the public
hearing phase
regarding the proposed fiscal year 2026
2027 budget? If so, you're welcome to
step up step up to this podium and
speak.
Anyone present that would like to speak
during the public hearing phase in
regard to the proposed fiscal year 2026
2027 budget?
Yes, ma'am.
>> The budget will the budget is made
public. all uh information relative to
the uh budget hearings, meetings is open
to the public. So, yes, ma'am.
>> And it has been posted on our website
since the 27th of July.
>> Yeah, the the budget is posted on our
website.
>> Yes.
ma'am.
Any any one like to speak in regard to
the public hearing open for the
23 p.m. and I am closing the public
hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026
2027 budget. Tim, go ahead.
>> So there is there's no action on this
tonight. Um but I would like to announce
that this this whole the public hearing
is part of the process required before
we adopt the budget. Um the information
on the budget has been posted on our
website since the 27th of of July. Um
and it's also been available at the city
secretar's office for people to come in
and review. Some of the highlights of
the budget that I'm excited about. We
are programming another half a million
dollars um in the budget for street
reconstruction next year. Um, we've got
$35,000 for a skid steer for public
works, $50,000 in culvert and drainage
work planned. Um, we're setting aside
$100,000 for a future fire truck, and
$50,000 to help finance a new fire
station expansion. Um, we've got
$100,000 budgeted to make improvements
at Veterans Park Pool to replace the
deck. Um, there is a lease purchase of
two new patrol vehicles in the police
department. There's a 3% cost of living
um allowance in the budget for all
salaries. There's a $100,000 office
improvements for public works. There's a
$100,000 from hot funds for event
funding. Um there's $840,000 in home
partnership grant programming. And that
$840,000
is a lot, but it's actually kind of two
years worth of of of
um projects. Is that right, Ben?
a year and a half.
>> So, our match each year is 40,000. Um,
so, and then there's $225,000 in there
for the unified development code, which
is being funded through a grant um that
we're going to be talking about later in
the meeting. Um, but the budget will pull about $300,000 from reserves
in the general fund.
Is
>> that it?
>> Yes, sir.
>> Thank you, council. Any questions for
Tim?
None of those numbers changed from our
last week's meeting. Is that correct?
>> Um the amount we're pulling from
reserves has gone down a little bit. Um
going to be budgeting a little bit more
from revenue in sales tax and um we got
some information today on some revenue
that we're going to generate from
development. What do you call them?
>> Site development permits um from this
year. So that'll help our bottom line
considerably. 31,000 delta between those
two that we were going to be short has
shrunk a little bit.
>> Yeah, we're still going to be we're
still going to be short, but it it'll instead of pulling we were looking
at pulling I think 323,000.
Um now we're probably going to be
pulling around 28,000
something like that.
>> Moving on to reg agenda item number
nine. conduct a public hearing on the
proposed tax rate for the revenues from
the properties on the tax role in the
preceding tax year for the city of
Rockdale.
>> And I will say before you call the
meeting, I probably should have said
that earlier so people have stuff to
comment on, but as part of the process
for adopting the annual budget, we are
required to conduct a public hearing on
the proposed tax rate. The tax rate
that's being proposed has a total rate
of 782141.
Um, this is down from the total rate
adopted last year of 85 cents. Um and
it's reflective of the no new revenue M
rate of 642333 and a debt rate
of.139508.
Um it is the rate that will generate
about $2.9 million from the general fund
which is reflected in the proposed
budget.
>> Thank you. The public hearing is now
officially open at 6:27 p.m.
Is there anyone that would like to speak
during this public hearing?
Regarding agenda item number nine on the
tax rate for the revenue from the
properties on the tax ro
» Yeah.
Anyone want to speak during the public
hearing
>> on the proposed tax rate
>> for the revenue from the properties on
the tax role in the preceding tax year
for the city of Rockdale?
Does it appear that we have anyone that
wants to speak during the public
hearing? So, I am going to officially
close the public hearing at 6:28 p.m.
Tim, did you have anything else you
wanted to say, sir?
>> Uh, no, sir.
>> Thank you. Moving on to agenda item
number 10. Consider and take any
necessary action on accepting a petition
requesting the creation of a public
improvement district for the military
landing subdivision and set dates for
the required public hearings. Go ahead,
Tim.
>> Uh, yes. So last,
sorry, mayor.
Few months ago, the city council adopted
a um development agreement with Militin
Landing LLC
for the development of a new residential
subdivision. It was back in May on May
13th.
Um it is for a subdivision for about 400
new homes on um the county road 306
>> 306 just behind the um intermediate
school. Um it's an area that's outside
the city limits. Um they will be
submitting a petition for annexation um
here shortly. But they have part of the uh agreement in the
development part of the terms of the
development agreement was the adoption
of a PID. And so they have submitted
this this PID petition in accordance
with the terms that were outlined in the
development agreement. Um and so the
action tonight is basically to accept by
resolution to accept that um petition
and set the public hearing dates and
we're looking at a public hearing uh for
September 14th.
And Brian um Jared
Drad
and Jim Maddox are both here tonight to
ask any questions you might have.
But again, this is not to approve the
PID. This is just to accept the uh the
position.
» So, will we have you'll have to have a
public hearing? Do you have to have one
public hearing?
>> Uh, yes.
>> On the PID,
there'll be another public hearing on
the annexation. Um, I'm not sure if
there's a public hearing on the TUR.
And when we do the public hearing, will
we take an action immediately after that
or be another month?
>> You'll be able to take action at that
same meeting following the
um following the public hearing. I don't
know whether it will take one or two
readings. It's I'm sorry. The PIT is not
done by ordinance. It is done by
resolution. So, it just take one one
vote from council. Um but there the
terms that basically were all negotiated
in the in the
um development agreement will be part of
that PID document. Um and there will be
another more detailed document I believe
that will accompany that. But um Andrea
Barnes from P3 will be here. Um and Brad
um has been on the team that has helped
negotiate that that as well.
>> Brad is with by the way is a city
attorney with or with Barbara.
» No, he's talking about this gentleman up
here.
>> And tonight all we're doing is Tonight
all we're doing is setting a public
hearing date.
>> Yes. We're correct. There's a resolution
that accepts the
>> uh petition and then setting the public
hearing for September 14th.
>> Okay. Um so when will we see terms as
far as like financials? Will that be on
the the first hearing?
>> Yeah. So there'll be more information
forthcoming with the public hearing and
the actual PID the document for adoption
of a PID.
>> And uh I guess to clarify what
Councilman Perry was saying, we have to
we act
on that hearing or we have another week
or month to
>> um well you you can do what you want.
Basically the intention is I mean what
we've done in the past is would to take
action after the public hearing. I'll
have that information to you as soon as
possible prior to the meeting. I won't
wait for the packet to be sent out. So
you'll have to have to find review that
and if you have questions and if we if
you're not comfortable acting on it that
night without having further discussions
um we can certainly do that.
>> Um but it should be it the the documents
should pretty much completely reflect
the
information negotiated in the
development agreement.
>> Right. Um to add a little more context,
essentially we're in the the formality
stages of creating the public
improvement district um which levies um
special assessments only on the property
that that we own. And so uh part of that
the first step of that process is to
submit a ID petition, which is what
we've done this evening. And so um uh as
Mr. Kelty said the next step uh will be
to hold that public hearing. So tonight
we'll um set the public hearing and then
in September we'll conduct that public
hearing. Typically speaking um council
then takes action um uh to create that
district. So then at that point the
district is created but no assessments
and things are levied until the service
and assessment plan uh which is I think
the next item on your agenda for another
development. But um that's where a lot
of the nuts and bolts and the um the
actual assessment numbers and the
engineering reports and all of these uh
things that also goes in with with some
of the tur stuff. So there's there's a
number of of steps to this process. This
is basically the first, you know, first
step of that. Um and uh uh and your
consultants and staff will will have
more at the upcoming months. And so
probably this is probably about a uh
four to five month process of
documentation and different steps and milestones um to to get to the to
the final um you know wrapping up of all
the documents and putting in place for
that uh for that PID and annexation and all that stuff. So
>> yeah,
>> basically he's saying at the next
meeting potentially we would create the
PID, but then we wouldn't actually set
the terms of the financing amount until
the the financing plan is completed and
presented and and given to councel.
>> Okay,
council, any questions? If there's
no nuts and bolts on it at that point,
what's the public hearing for? What are
they supposed to
>> It is It is required by state law.
>> What are they going to comment on?
there's nothing to
>> Well, and typically speaking, if I were
creating a PID
>> that affected other homeowners, that's what the intent of the law is, is
that, you know, folks could come and
voice their opposition and saying, "Hey,
I'm getting uh I'm getting encumbered."
Well, in this situation, we own all of
the all of the land within the proposed
district. So, I highly doubt anyone will come and object to that, but it is
a part of the process that we have.
>> Makes more sense.
>> It could be established with lots of
different property owners that might
object to an assessment being placed on
their property.
>> I spoke to Tim about this agenda item as
y'all probably thought I would. Um, I
have a lot of reservations about it, but
to clarify, I did go over some numbers
with you that we have already kind of
agreed with. Is that correct? But there
is a plan to answer your question about
there are some numbers about out there
already percentages and dollar amounts
and assessments. Is that your question?
>> There are there are numbers that their estimated investment is $30
million $29 million.
>> That's just in the in the public cost,
>> right? And not all of that will be
capturable by the Tur. There's a limit
on how much there's a there's a formula
determined to uh established in the
development agreement that will
determine how much they can actually
issue in bonds that will be recoverable
by the PID.
>> Correct. And just to clarify it, we were
assuming that maybe it would be about
the same at the as the other development
which is about 20 to $33,000 in
assessment. Is that correct?
>> Correct. So, the the the cornerstone pid
right now is um about $3,000 plus or
minus a couple hundred dollars depending
upon whether they're 40 or 50 foot lots.
And I think that the
uh PID assessment contemplated by the
development agreement was about 2800
plus or minus. It was a couple hundred
dollars less. And that interest rate
that is decided on, is that decided by
um you guys or is that something that we
negotiate? Because I know currently
>> $200.
>> Uh I think it's like 7.75
the interest rate on the assessment.
>> Oh, the interest based on what the bonds
um would would sell for. Um so there's a
formula based on uh and and P3 works.
your consultant would would have more
detail on that, but but there's a a bond
buyer index of which the service and
assessment plan follows um and it's
governed by state law um of of what the
applicable interest rate is based on
what municipal bonds are selling. So we
actually have a bond have bond council
that's involved in assisting with the
issuance of bonds for the public
improvement districts and so they're
sold on the open market competitively.
Um they're I think that PID bonds are
the reason the rates are higher than a
typical municipal bond. It's backed by
the full faith and credit of the city
and its total ability to raise revenues
through property taxes. It's limited and
so the rates are generally higher than
they would be for a typical general
obligation fund.
>> I think that's the important distinction
about what this pit is. It is that the
city is not pledging any of its assets
or um responsibility to to repay any
future bonds or pay any assessments. Uh
this these costs are totally borne u by our development. And so um had been
transferred to the citizen
>> uh
cover them but the taxpayer will though
future future homeowners will cover uh
>> that's what yes it'll fall on the backs
of the citizens.
>> Yes. It'll start as as our obligation um
and then as as that property develops
and and is subdivided uh those those
assessments will
>> be born by the beneficiaries of that
infrastructure.
>> We understand that. I believe we all
understand that. We're just trying to
look out for the citizens as well.
I think it's what Nathan said though
very important to be clear. It will be
the burden will be on the citizens
within that
>> correct
>> footprint of not
>> everybody else outside of Absolutely.
>> Right.
>> Correct.
>> Thank you for the clarification.
>> You good?
>> Yes, I'm good. Thank you.
>> Council, any other questions?
entertain a motion to uh schedule a
public hearing.
>> I make a motion that we accept a
petition and schedule a public hearing
on the petition for the regular council
meeting on September 14th, 2026. Second,
>> September 14th.
>> Have a motion and a second on the floor.
Is there any discussion?
Being no discussion will vote. All in
favor said motion signify by raising
your right hand. Motion passes
unanimously.
Moving on to uh reg agenda item number
11,
consider and take any necessary action
on the ordinance for the cornerstone
public improvement district annual
service and assessment plan SAP update.
Tim, so this is um a city's done this
before, but I wanted to make sure this
was in in the regular agenda, not
consent agenda, so you're fully
understand. Um every year um P3 as our
pit administrator um reviews and issues
a service and annual service and
assessment plan um that is that needs to
be approved by city council. Um that
plan goes through all the forecasting um
and and it slightly adjusts in in the
plan. There are part of the important is
the um disclosure notice um with all of
the the the full the balance of the uh
payments to the the PID. Um this is a
when this is approved, we will be
sending this directly to
um Ranch Road and Dr. Horton and we will
be posting this on our website. Um and
then Dr. Horton um when they go to sell
properties um under the terms of their
agreement, they will include this
disclos specific disclosure report in
their sales contract and their closing
documents and have it listed on the um
sale the what do you call it? The online
notice. Mayor, help me out.
I'm sorry.
>> What do they call when you re when you
sell a real realtor property on the
listing?
>> MLS.
>> Yeah. MLS listing. It'll that
information will be there as well.
>> Um and just to make sure that we don't
have a repeat of last year. Um
additionally, just for your information,
now with the county handling the
collections rather than the third party,
they will property owners will get that
bill with their their regular tax bill.
So, they'll only get one one bill and
it'll be sent to their um escrow
holders. So hopefully they will be
having escroed that.
>> If what happens
all of this assessment or all of this is
being
burdened on the
land owners, property owners within that
tur or pit
>> within the pit
>> pit.
if if they have lose the ability to sell
tracks out there, how is that
guaranteed? Who's guaranteeing that?
>> So, the the developer, and this is what
Brian was suggesting, talking about
earlier, um until they sell any lots,
the developer is responsible for the
entire annual bond payment. So their
first B bond payment if it's a million
and a half dollars um the developer is
responsible for that 100% of that bond
payment. When they start selling lots to
home builders or to new homeowners then
that portion becomes the responsibility
of that homeowner. But until they sell
the lot they are responsible.
So if Cornerstone
was only ever to sell 50% of their lots
for whatever reason, they're
responsible. The developers responsib
» forever and ever.
>> Yeah. Well, until the bonds paid off.
>> 25 years.
>> 30 years.
>> It's a long time for me.
>> I know that's a long time for me, too.
Promise.
Okay. So the city does not have the
obligation
to fulfill that correct.
>> The developer does.
>> That's correct.
>> Okay.
» And until they build a house, there's
really not much of a TUR assessment that
they're going to be getting. They're not
really I don't think there's any TUR
credit they're getting for the property.
So they're paying 100% of that
development cost. What would the
charities in effect uh is beneficial if
they sell all of the lots for that
territory to kind of
>> Yeah. So if they if they actually sell
all 650 lots in Cornerstone and they
build 650 homes out there, then each
property owner is going to be
responsible for the $3,000 annual
installment the first year that they buy
the house. the next year they're
responsible for the $3,000 assessment,
but it'll be reduced by the amount of
the TUR credit that they receive um
based on the on the total tax payment
that they that they get. And there's a
limit to that. You I think it's 1,800.
I don't remember maybe 1,500 between
1500 and 1600 in cornerstone of tourist
credit that they can max. It's the
maximum tur credit they can get. So if
in the future their assessed value goes
from, you know, initially if it's
$275,000
and 10 years from now it's 300 or
$400,000
um and the city's tax rate stays
relatively level at 78 or 80 cents.
um then the amount of tax that they're
going to be paying is actually greater
than
um the original forecast amount. But the
maximum that the TUR credit will give
them is that $1,400 or $1,500. Whatever
is established
is the maximum TUR credit.
So, our action tonight
>> is to uh staff recommends council
approve the first reading of the
ordinance.
>> So, this one comes back next month.
>> Yes,
>> this will come back because in order for
it to pass in one reading, you have to
have all seven members voting and you
only have five of you tonight. So,
» I have a question. Am I allowed to vote
on this since I was uh censored on the
previous uh
>> Yes. No, I actually and Councilwoman
Ezmelier.
>> I had to talk to the attorney
>> um and got confirmation from the
attorney that this particular issue is
not the same because before we were
talking about potential litigation and kind of a mess. This is this is a
kind of a routine prefuncter notice.
This has to be approved. in order for
the assessment to be
>> very good. Thank you.
>> The only way I should say this, and this
is something for the attorney, the only
way the city would potentially be on the
hook for that bond is if we didn't adopt
this. Is that correct?
>> I'd have to double check that. I believe
that's correct.
>> Yes, sir.
>> Can you give us that answer before we do
this next month?
>> Yes, sir.
>> I want to know what I'm on the hook for.
So this this if we in other words if we didn't adopt this performance and
assess performance and payment plan we
would eliminate the the PID's ability to
levy that assessment
and the bond still is out there.
>> Okay. Council entertain action on the
first reading of the ordinance. I make a
motion that we approve the first reading
of the ordinance for the uh public
improvement district annual service
assessment plan for cornerstone.
>> A second a motion and a second on the
floor. Is there any discussion?
Be no discussion of vote. All in favor
said motion signify by raising your
right hand. Motion passes unanimously.
Moving on to regular agenda item number
12. consider and take any ne uh
necessary action on a recommendation
from the city manager regarding a
request submitted by the Rockdale Fair
Association for funding reimbursement
from the hotel motel hotel occupancy tax
fund for the October Gosh is that coming
up so soon 2026 fairio
Tim and hello Christie
>> how are you
>> so they have submitted an application
for $25,000 but I I added uh the $5,000
from the interlocal agreement that we
have with them to make their total
payment $30,000.
Is that correct?
>> Yes, sir.
>> Um and this is for the their annual
um event that they have. Basically, the
$25,000 is the maximum amount that we
gave out as a grant for events, but this
also includes uh theou amount as well.
>> Yes. To help with parking control.
>> That's a bad word.
>> Yeah. in and my uh we actually do have a
plan though. Um my good buddy Steve has
taken that over for us. He's going to
work with some some guys from the city.
Um we've also made an arrangement with
our new security group. We hired a new
security group this year and they've
worked parking security before. So, I'm
not going to put a whole security team
in the lot out there, but they're going
to work with the the the team that we
have that's going to man the lot for us
just to kind of give them some some
teeth. Um, with I think some of our
crowd I don't know how well they're
going to listen to just, you know,
volunteers in the parking lot. So, I've
got some security out there to kind of
back them up for that. So, we'll be
paying for the team and then also for
our in park security is going to be in
the parking lot.
>> Awesome. Go ahead,
>> Christie. I was saying if you'd like I
can meet with you to kind of go over
what we did successfully.
>> I think Steve was gonna hit you up for
that.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> And just I'm not going to speak for
Chief Matters, but I did speak with
Chief Matters after talking to uh I
guess it was you and James in regard to
have y'all talked with Chief Matters
about having control over that parking
lot?
>> Not yet. Oh, control over it or
>> or being able to do what you need to do
out in that parking lot? I think
>> just have a meeting with Chief Meadows
is what I'm
>> Well, I think I have to have an
agreement with the city so that I can
tow from it
>> like okay like a rental agreement or
something like that because I can't get
a tow truck driver to come out there
since we don't own that land or that
lot.
>> I So yeah, I set up that meeting with
Chief Meadows to
>> Okay,
>> please.
>> We'll do.
>> Yes.
>> So, um we have it's been a rough year.
We had the fair last year. Um, we only
brought in about 225,000 on the gate,
which is about $30,000 less than we
normally do. Um, Red Farren did not work
out for us, but we've got a a pretty
strong lineup this year. Um, I can't
start publicizing in writing due to
contractual obligations, but we'll have
Shannondoa on Friday night and then
we'll have uh AOS in the rooftops, I
believe, on Saturday night, which they
have a pretty big following. We're
getting a lot of good feedback so far
from their websites and and their their
fan groups. Um we've learned over the
last two or three years to really kind
of get in touch with their their fan
groups. I didn't think that most of
these guys had really big ones, but they
do. Um and we're kind of marketing
towards them a little bit. So, we're
looking uh for a bigger fair this year.
Definitely need a bigger fair this year.
Um I think I told y'all the last time we
met, Lyn, that I wasn't ready to talk
about Jubilee Days yet. I don't know
that I'm ready yet either today, but if
you have any questions, I'll answer
them. Um, we were low on the gate and
the gate money that we bring in, the
majority of our income comes from uh
beer sales, ticket sales, and just
regular walkthrough gate sales. Um, but
our sale was the biggest one that we've
ever had. We raised $1.4 million uh for
the kids in MM County. So, we we still
kind of, you know, achieved the main
goal that we were setting out, but uh
the different things that we've done
this year. Uh we're adding the parking
um security. Uh we also have been
working on building projects out there
for the last probably four or five
months and it looks like we're getting
ready to start wrapping most of those
up. We're at the electrical and water
piece to all of that right now. So, I've
kind of lowered my savings account more
than what I would have liked, but
we're working through it.
Need a big fair this year.
>> Good.
>> Exciting to hear.
>> Pegasus in the rooftops and Shannondoa.
Great entertainment lineup for sure.
>> The only negative feedback I'm getting
is most people wish we could have done
Shannidoa on Saturday night.
>> We've been trying to book them for about
12 years now. And this is the first time
that they were available either night.
So we we grabbed them. I think we're out
of town on football that Friday. Um but
it's not Cameron this time. So to see
how that works out for us.
>> Awesome.
Do you have anything else you'd like to
say Christie or
>> No, just
>> council. Do you have any questions?
>> Support every
>> No.
>> I do want to publicly say though to
thank Shana for all her help. She stays
on top of me for this and I don't know
that I could get through this hot
process if it weren't for her. She's
awesome.
>> Thank you, Shana.
>> The degree of uh
information you give us annually is very
much appreciated. So, thank you. I told
you before I'm begging for money. I'll
give you all the information you want.
>> So, council, it looks like staff
recommends approve the application for
hot funds. I'll entertain action on this
agenda item.
>> I'll make a motion that we approve the
hot funds application with the amendment
that city manager Kelty has added to it
for the 2026
annual Rockville fair.
>> Second that. Have a motion and a second
on the floor. Is there any discussion?
Being no discussion, we'll vote. All in
favor said motion signify by raising
your right hand. Motion passes
unanimously. Thank you, Christie.
>> Thank you all very much.
>> Absolutely. Welcome to the fair.
>> Regular agenda item number 13.
consider and take any necessary action
on a recommendation from the city
manager regarding a request submitted by
the Rockdale Historical Society for
funding reimbursement from the hotel
occupancy tax fund for project access to
uh for the Rockdale Museum.
>> Hello ladies. How are y'all?
>> Howdy. Doing good.
>> Good. Thanks so much for having
>> Mr. Mayor, council members, uh city
manager. Uh thank you for having us here
this evening to talk about an important
improvement that we propose to make to
our downtown uh superstar the depot
museum. We are requesting funding, hot
funds not to exceed $5,000 to complete
the financial support and allow us to um
add 250 ft of hard surface improvement
sidewalks and improve our accessibility
to all of our depot
um
>> exhibits.
Great. Um, I would I noticed in the
staff recommendation, thank you for
that, Tim, that there's uh one
correction I would like to make that our
$3,000 sponsor is actually SLR rather
than Riot. So, they have already
provided
>> um that sponsorship and we are just
holding that those funds um until we
fund the remainder of the package at
which time we could start work immediately. Right.
What's the what's the total value of the work that you're trying to
achieve? You're asking for 5,000. Uh SLR
has given you
>> three What is that?
>> Uh MDD has also funded 7425
>> as a last their last meeting. So really
it's a 44.
>> It's a little less than $5,000. I
rounded it up to $5,000. It's
reimbursement.
>> Yeah. So if they end up spending less
than
>> if they if if the project contract goes
over a little bit, they would have up to
5,000,
>> right? If 5,000 applies for just
>> what they're I mean what they were
asking for was $4,850,
I think.
>> So my question is
>> if we give them the 5,000, you got what
the money from SLR and something from
the MDD.
>> That will allow you to complete your
whole project that you're trying to do
>> the phase one. Yes. The sidewalk. That
was my question
>> specifically.
>> Mhm. Okay.
>> And it would enable a phase two.
>> Okay.
>> Immediately.
>> So,
>> and that's 14,850
correct
>> for the total project. So, project
access is split into two parts. What
we're uh what we're here um on behalf of
is to secure the funding to be able to
start and complete phase one, which is
all of our concrete sidewalks. that's
going to connect our property from the
bathrooms where our sidewalks end to the
caboose all the way down to the end of
our dining car and add a second
wheelchair accessible parking spot on
the road where there's already a curb
cut. In addition to that, it's going to
lay a necessary platform at the end of
our dining car on which we will be
building a wheelchair accessible deck.
So, the second phase of project access,
we're going to be seeking corporate
sponsorships. We already have two
committed verbally. Uh one person who's
committed to purchasing all or part of
the wheelchair lift. Uh we already have
our debt plans uh sent to an engineer.
So we're we're working on the planning
phases of that. Uh the $5,000 uh if the
council would approve would allow us to
actually execute this entire first step
and begin uh the sponsorship packages
for the people who have already donated
and get that publicity out so that we
can uh develop some momentum for phase
two. Do you do you have an estimate on
the phase one and two?
>> Phase one is 14825 from the concrete
contractor. He's ready to start this
week when when we have secured funding.
Um that that shouldn't take very long at
all. Um phase two, it's going to it's
we're going to have more hard numbers as
soon as I get the uh debt drawings back
from our engineer. Um, but we're aiming,
and this is just a ballpark, between 25
and 35,000 depending on, you know, how
our bids come back. So, and that's for
the for the full deck should be
including the wheelchair lift,
>> which we've already
>> we have a verbal uh commitment for the
wheelchair lift right now
>> is approved for the Okay,
>> great.
>> Awesome. I'll make a motion that we
approve the $5,000 recommendation from
uh city manager Kelty for the
reimbursement of the funding for the
Rockdale Depot Museum.
>> A motion on the floor. Is there a
second?
>> Second.
>> A motion is second on the floor. Is
there any discussion?
>> Be no discussion will vote. All in favor
said motion signify by raising your
right hand. Motion passes unanimously.
>> Thank you very much.
>> Congratulations. Keep up the good work,
ladies.
>> Agenda item number 14, consider and take
any necessary action on a resolution
designating authorized signitories for
the CDBG MIT Resilient Communities
Program contract number 23-160-210-F792.
Hello, Ben.
>> Hey, mayor. Hey, council. Um, so this is
just some paperwork on the side of the
no match grant if you can recall for the
unified development code. All this is
doing is just giving us authorized
signatures. So we're asking for the
mayor to be one and Shana to be the
second
» pretty straightforward. Ben,
>> what's the second resolution do?
>> So the second resolution on the next
item is just a housekeeping item. It's
just reaffirming that we do follow civil
rights policies for the city. Um it's a
requirement on the grant to pass that
resolution and keep that updated.
>> I see staff is you're recommending
approval on both resolutions, Ben,
obviously. Okay.
>> Yes. And I was I was talking to Barbie.
I think you can do both of these
resolutions with one motion at the same
time.
>> Perfect.
>> Okay.
>> I'm saying the mayor and the city
secretary be authorized. I thought Did
you not say Shana
>> to sign
>> is the city secretary?
>> Okay. Oh, and the mayor. Yeah. Gotcha.
Okay.
>> Okay.
>> Great. I move that we approve line item
14 and 15 as read.
>> I have a motion to approve uh item 14
and 15 as read. Is there a second?
>> Motion is second on the floor. Is there
any discussion? All in favor said motion
signify by raise your right hand. Motion
passes unanimously with council member
Perry abstaining because he has stepped
out of the room.
Moving on to regular agenda item number
16. Consider
and take any necessary action on a
contract renewal with BVR waste and
recycling. Tim.
>> Yes. For the city solid waste contract
with BVR waste and recycling expires in
January uh actually January 2027. And I missed wrote that on on your memo. It
was a 5-year contract. It started in
2021.
Um
over the last five years, the the BVR
has provided uh good service. They
originally had proposed 5% rate increase
starting in January for residential
pickup with a 3% per year increase
thereafter for the for the term of the
new contract and then 10% for commercial
service and 5%
year after when I talked council
previously asked me to go back and kind
of work them over a little bit see if we
could do better and they came back with
a 4% residential increase in January
with 3% increases after thereafter in a
7 and a half% commercial increase um and
three and a half% uh increases
thereafter. All the other terms of the
current contract remain the same.
So my recommendation is to move forward
uh with this renewal.
It does keep us in in line with rates
being charged by cities in the area. Is
it the new contract going to be five
more years?
>> New contract would be an additional five
years.
>> Um, one of the things that happens when
we hire new contract uh switch uh solid
waste
uh providers is we get new trash cans
and that sort of thing. I'm not
promoting that we get new trash cans,
but what what happens when I've got one
that the bottom's pretty well gone out
of. Is that my responsibility or is BBR
is that part of their arrangement?
>> Uh, Mr.
>> Okay.
>> All right. You can uh you can call the
city and uh we'll get it replaced.
>> Okay.
>> Free of charge.
>> Okay.
>> No problem. As long as there 10 years in
there can
>> as long as it is due to normal wear and
tear they will replace it.
>> If it's any kind of abuse or
>> you know you use it to hold acid and
>> okay we've had that happen
>> fourth of July shenanigans.
>> Okay Tim if we looked into comparable
rates um and I'm just asking I was one
to visit a a lot of these sites um BVR
being one of them and before we made the
decision to go with them.
>> Uh and I understand as Tim has mentioned
before, changing somebody's trash,
>> one of the most disturbing things for
citizens because you're getting a little
bit smaller,
>> but
>> um but if if it keeps I want to see how
we can keep rates competitive. I'm I'm
not opposed to the increase annually. Um
was that a was this a comparable
increase in the previous contract?
>> Yes, sir.
>> Three and a half%. It was yes it was
three to three and a half percent. We
held off on it for a couple years on the
increase just because it was we were in
a pretty tough time for everybody uh
during when we took over during COVID
which was a a nightmare for everybody
including us. Uh and then we did see
some huge um increases in diesel and
different things that went on at that
time. We did have an increase and then I
believe we held off this past year on on
doing any price increases as well.
So the the rates that they are proposing
to you know I did look at other cities
in the area um I looked at Giddings
Thorndale Cameron Hearn Caldwell and it
and and what they're proposing is is
competitive.
>> I'm not necessarily worried about the
cities we looked at. Did we look at the
other companies? Did we compare with
other companies rates? Well, those other
cities are being have have multiple
different companies. So, no, we when I came to council a few weeks ago,
you know, I asked or a few a couple
months ago, I asked if whether whether
we wanted to go out for bid and um
potentially select a new contractor with
a you know, if by going out for bid,
you're going to look at the low lowest
contractor and the and the desired
council was to stay with BVR and get the
best rate that we could from the person.
So without going through that process of
going out for bids, I really can't get
quotes from waste connections or
all I can look at see what they're
charging other cities. Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> I'm sorry I can't remember your name.
Yeah. Thank you. You were here a few
months ago. Yes, sir.
>> And we went through this process. Yes.
>> Right.
Um, and I remember having those
discussions then.
So, and I was out of the room when these
discussions started on this agenda item.
>> I'm sorry, mayor. So, I had mentioned
earlier that when I brought this to
council earlier, BVR was proposing a 5%
increase in January.
>> Okay. for residential collection and 3%
a year thereafter and 10% increase for
commercial service starting in January
with a 5% thereafter and council asked
me to go back and try to negotiate with
them and um they came back and offered
4% increase for residential and a 7 and
a half% increase for commercial still 3%
annual increase um and but they lowered
the three the 5% thereafter in
commercial to 3 and a2%.
>> So what would that do to a regular
homeowner? How would that increase? What
how much would that percent?
>> So if you look at the very back of the
uh you look at the very back
>> attachment number one.
>> Yes. Let me see.
>> Yes.
>> Number three. Um so the current rate um
for residential
>> is$1547.
>> Um the 4% increase would take that up
to609.
So it' be about a 50 62% increase per
month and then over the five years it
would take it all the way up to 1811 uh
by 2031.
>> That additional car that's uh
>> that's if if an individual requests a
second cart.
>> So it's 1609 plus the 1196. Correct.
>> Yeah. So if you have currently if you
have two carts the cost is uh 27 about
$27. Under the new terms uh it would be
about 28
for two carts
>> for 26 and 27. And then it goes up
>> 26 in in the very top of the page is is
the current rate.
» And you I know you said you did a a you
did research these other cities and I
see this camera pays $20 for twice a
week.
Um
>> and all those are comparisons are for a
single cart collection.
>> For a single cart.
What did you say on the commercial side?
It's you're doing 7%.
>> Yes, sir.
>> And then
>> 7% and three and a half%
>> annually as well.
» So four and seven and then the three is
consistent.
>> Yes, sir.
>> Between residential and commercial.
Here's
my concern
and I said this when we before we raised
our water and our sewer rates. My my my
concern is for our citizens overall. My
concern is especially for our fixed
income citizens. It's easy for us to sit
up here on this DAS and say okay let's
raise rates right
but it's hard for some of our citizens
to afford these increases in these
rates.
And
we've increased water rates. We've
increased waste water rates on our
citizens. And now here we are again
potentially going to increase some more
rates on our citizens.
And maybe it's just the timing,
but
it's just seems like poor timing to me.
And I'm not happy with it. I'm darn I
would use another word, but I'm darn
unhappy with it.
>> Let me say so the these these rate this
potential
>> and this is not directed at you, sir.
>> You're good. You're good. I understand
exactly where you're coming from.
>> This rate increase would actually not go
into effect until uh December, January.
So, it's the rate increase we did for
water and sewer was
uh the first one we' done in quite a
while. And it was we adopted it, I
think, finally in April.
Um, so
this would this this particular increase
of 62 cents on their trash rates would
be in
December, January.
>> So
I'm not promoting for BVR at all. Not
good or bad. But what I want everybody
to understand is if we go I don't like
increasing any more room, but if we go
to the open market and we don't get
something better, we're going up whether
we like it or not.
>> Valid point. Valid point.
>> Um and I don't know.
It's a rate increase. It's minimal. It
does add up, but you're playing with
fire when you go to the open market and
ask for numbers. At that point, you're
taking the lowest one you get, whatever
it is. You have no other options. And
anybody else, I don't know how much
money BBR is making out of this deal,
but anybody else that come in has a
tremendous startup startup expense that
they're going to share with somebody.
Um, and so we just have to be mindful of
that. And and my point that I'm trying
to make is not that BBR is overcharging
us with this increase.
>> It's just that these it seems very
unfortunately untimely to me for our
citizens.
>> Um and I wish I could change that. I
don't know where I'm going with this.
Unfortunately, I can't change it. It's
just
untimely.
>> We are we are lowering tax rate if that
helps at any
>> which is good. Yes, I agree with that.
Um
>> well, I think where you're going with it
is you're showing the citizens the true
concern that we hear, we see, we feel
it,
and we're expressing what we can do to
help
>> ease that. But at the same time, it is
what it is. Um
Well, yes, sir. I agree.
>> Um, so it's obvious that we need trash
services, right? And we've done business
with you guys for a long time.
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> What have you done for for us as far as
to prove that you're a good partnership
with our city other than providing your
services? If I recall, years back, you
had committed to doing a few things for
our citizens in the city. Can you remind
me? So, I know y'all were doing a lot of
there was a big project going on with
the historical building in downtown.
>> I know we contributed quite a bit uh to
the funding of that. Um we also have
contributed to other little activities
that have gone on that you know people
have asked for. Um we've also um sorry
we do the free events um the bulk pickup
events four times a year.
>> That's what I'm for sure.
>> We do contribute 10. actually 20 free
rolloff containers.
>> Okay.
>> Um that's
it's quite an expense for us to do that,
but we we do it for the citizens. And
then also, you know, twice a year we do
a free bulk pickup where we come by and
we pick up uh bulk pickup at the at
people's residences. So, um we do that
free of charge as well. So
>> they also have the last two two years I
think for three different events um
donated
>> portaotties and restrooms for our events
downtown.
>> Yes, I think I remembered that. Okay,
good.
>> I think you're vested in your commitment
to the city.
And I will tell you this, I I hear
exactly where you're coming from. And we
have been we have been hit with an
extreme
uh costing increases for us, operating
costs with diesel. Everybody's seen how
that's going on. We can't just pass that
off to our customers.
>> Sure.
>> You know, and so we do things, we try to
be as efficient as possible and make I
mean, you you saw us, you know, we kind
of changed the way we pick up trash. We
went from a rear load truck to a side
load truck to try to be more efficient
to minimize those costs. And then also
some of the trucks we buy, they were
$250,000 when we started this contract.
Now they're $500,000. So it's it's
the the and we had a 14 14% increase in
our disposal costs that we that that
we've incurred, you know, just over the
life of the contract. and we are well
aware of those costs and and and what goes on and and and then that's
also why we choose to honor our
commitments, you know, to the city. It's
not not your problem, but we we we're
trying to be as best we can be and
provide the best service as possible to
the city. And so
>> so we right now the city has what about
2200
uh how many residential properties are
there?
>> About 2200.
>> About 2,200
>> close.
>> Um are there
>> new with the new subdivision? It may be
above that now. Are there are I was
that's where I was going. Are there
economies of scales that we might be
able to re um realize in the future in
some of the proposed increases
um if we add another thousand household
residential households in the city?
>> I see that. Um I mean you could see that
but there's there's kind of a a give and
take because you get to one a certain
size and then we may have to then we
have to send two trucks,
>> right? we have to add, you know, more uh
>> what what's the word? I'm looking for
more assets to the area, more expense,
you know, that that's costing us. So, I can't really scale that. Um I'm with
you. I've I've done many cost
comparisons on on cities around and it's
kind of where we we come up with our
rates, just making sure we're staying
competitive and make sure you guys are
getting getting what you pay for. And uh
and then we're always, you know, open to
any considerations that that that you
would may want to want to take with us.
and uh and we just we try to provide the
best service at the best rate as
possible and um we have I have done a
lot of research on the rates around and we are very competitive. So,
>> thank you.
>> Yes, sir.
>> Council,
» I didn't get on here and make friends.
So, here we go. Well, I I I mean, it's a it's uh
the timing, as I said, the timing is
bad. It's it's a service we have to have
for our citizens.
>> Uh I agree, costs are going up. Diesel,
as we know, if you have a diesel truck
and you buy diesel or gas at the pump,
it's costs are going up.
>> Motor oil, whatever.
I make a motion that we accept staff
recommendation for the solid waste
contract extension
uh with uh BVR
waste and recycling for a five-year term
with the
increases that have been provided.
>> I'll second that
>> motion to second on the floor. Is there
any discussion?
All in favor said motion signify by
raise your right hand.
Motion passes unanimously.
And
>> again, mayor, I would remind you that
the effective date of this uh new
contract is not till January 1st.
>> January 1st. Okay, that's a good thing.
All right, it is 7:18. We will now
convene into executive session under
sections 551087 of the Texas Government
Code to a deliberate about economic
development negotiations for the city's
6 acres at 633 West Cameron Avenue owned
by the city of Rockdale, Texas right
now.
>> Okay, council, the time is 7:55 p.m. We
are reconvened into open session. Is
there any action coming out of closed
session?
>> No, sir.
>> No action coming out of closed session.
Is there other business? Any other
business to attend to tonight before we
adjourn?
>> No, sir. Being none, we are now
officially adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Thank
you for your attendance tonight.