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August 22, 2022 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEE*ERLANE* 4:30 p.m. August 22, 2022 1_ MEETING The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. by Mayor Albanese at the Nederland City Office Building, 207 N. 12« Street, Nederland, Texas. See attached for quorum. The following statement was posted: "PURSUANT TO SECTION 30_07, PENAL COE*E (TRESPASS BY LICENSE HOLDER WITH AN OPENLY CARRIEE* FiANE*GIJN), A PERSON LICENSEE* UNDER SUBCHAPTER H, CHAPTER 411, GOVERNMENT COC)E (HANE*GUN LICENSING LAW), MAY NOT ENTER THIS PROPERTY WITH A HANDGUN THAT IS CARRIEC) OPENLY." Z. INVOCATION ANC) PLEE*GE OF ALLEGIANCE The invocation and Pledge of Allegiance were led by Randy Sonnier, Councilmember Ward III. 3. CONSENT AGEIVE*A - All consent agenda items listed are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a councilmember so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately. A motion was made by Councilmember Sonnier and seconded by Councilmember Guillot to approve the Consent Agenda Items a-d as presented. MOTION CARRIEE*_ Ayes: Mayor Albanese, Councilmembers Austin, Root, Sonnier, and Guillot. Noes: None. a. Minutes - August 8, 2022 regular meeting b_ July 2022 Departmental Reports c. Tax Assessor Collection Report - July 2022 d_ Consider action approving Resolution No. 2022-07, ratifying the action of the Nederland Economic Development Board of Directors related to the incentive offered to Juanita's Country Kitchen. 4_ REGULAR AGENC)A a. The regular meeting was recessed and a Public Hearing was called to order at 4:32 p.m. by Mayor Albanese for the purpose of receiving comments regarding the Lower Neches Valley Authority's request to abandon a section of Detroit Avenue and North Street near FM 366 for a LNVA canal improvement project. Chris Duque, City Manager, said this public hearing is being held for interested persons to comment or ask questions regarding the LNVA's request to abandon a Minutes Continued, August 22, 2022 section of Detroit Avenue and North 1st Street near FM 366 for their canal improvement project. Ryan Ard, LNVA representative, said he didn't have anything to add from what has been previously discussed in past public hearings. When asked by Councilmember Austin about alternatives to street closures, Mr. Ard stated the alternative would be to install traditional culverts which would only require a temporary closing of the streets during construction. Ray Short, 236 Atlanta, said he is still against the closing of the streets. Britton Jones, 1132 Gary, stated he is still opposed to the street closings. No action was necessary. There being no further questions and/or comments the Public Hearing was adjourned and the regular meeting was reconvened at 4:39 p.m. by Mayor Albanese. b. Discussion and possible action regarding the Lower Neches Valley Authority's request to abandon a section of Detroit Avenue and North 1st Street near FM 366 for a LNVA canal improvement project. There was no motion on this item. ACTION: Failed due to lack of motion. c. City of Nederland Non-Profit Grant Program: i. A motion was made by Councilmember Austin and seconded by Councilmember Sonnier to approve an Agreement for Funding with the Port Neches Assembly #159 (Rainbow Girls). MOTION CARRIED. AYES: Mayor Albanese, Councilmembers Austin, Root, Sonnier, and Guillot. NOES: None. ii. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Root and seconded by Councilmember Guillot to approve an Agreement for Funding with the B. A. "Booty" Ritter Senior Citizen Center. MOTION CARRIED. AYES: Mayor Albanese, Councilmembers Austin, Root, Sonnier, and Guillot. NOES: None. d. A motion was made by Councilmember Sonnier and seconded by Councilmember Guillot to authorize the purchase of a truck for the Streets Department via state- approved contract. MOTION CARRIED. Ayes: Mayor Albanese, Councilmembers Austin, Root, Sonnier, and Guillot. Noes: None. e. A motion was made by Councilmember Austin and seconded by Councilmember Sonnier to engage Sky Wonder Pyrotechnics, LLC for the 2023 July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza event. MOTION CARRIED: Ayes: Mayor Albanese, Councilmembers Austin, Root, Sonnier, and Guillot. Noes: None. f. A motion was made by Councilmember Sonnier and seconded by Councilmember Guillot to approve the Strategic Plan for the Marion & Ed Hughes Public Library (October 1, 2022 - September 30, 2026). MOTION CARRIED: Minutes Continued, August 22, 2022 Ayes: Mayor Albanese, Councilmembers Austin, Root, Sonnier, and Guillot. Noes: None. g. A motion was made by Councilmember Austin and seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Root to approve an amendment to the City of Nederland COVID-19 Testing and Leave Policy. MOTION CARRIED: Ayes: Mayor Albanese, Councilmembers Austin, Root, Sonnier, and Guillot. Noes: None. h. Fiscal Year 2021 - 2022 Budget: i. The regular meeting was recessed and a Public Hearing was called to order at 4:52 p.m. by Mayor Albanese to receive comments regarding the proposed City of Nederland Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget. Chris Duque, City Manager, said the public hearing was being held for the purpose of receiving comments regarding the proposed Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Annual Budget. Interested persons will be given the opportunity to comment on the budget. A copy of the proposed budget is available at the City Clerk's office, the City's website, and the City's social media page. Another public hearing regarding the proposed budget will be held on Monday, September 12th at 4:30 p.m. An ordinance adopting the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Annual Budget will be considered at the September 19th City Council meeting. No action was necessary. There were no comments either for or against. There being no further questions and/or comments the Public Hearing was adjourned and the regular meeting was reconvened at 4:54 p.m. by Mayor Albanese. ii. The regular meeting was recessed and a Public Hearing was called to order at 4:54 p.m. by Mayor Albanese to discuss the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 tax rate. Interested persons will be given the opportunity to comment on the proposed tax rate. At the August 8th meeting, the City Council unanimously voted to utilize the tax rate of$0.481056 per $100 assessed valuation for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2022 and ending September 30, 2023. This is one cent greater than the no-new revenue tax rate. Jeff Darby, 1515 26th Street asked if there was a homestead exemption. Chris Duque, City Manager, said yes there is a $15,000.00 homestead exemption for over 65 years old and for persons with disabilities. There being no further questions and/or comments the Public Hearing was adjourned and the regular meeting was reconvened at 4:57 p.m. by Mayor Albanese. 5. EXECUTIVE SESSION The regular meeting was recessed at 4:58 p.m. by Mayor Albanese for the purpose of conducting an Executive Session as authorized by Texas Government Code, Chapter 551.074 - Personnel, Finance Retirement - April 2023. Minutes Continued, August 22, 2022 6. RECONVENE The regular meeting was reconvened at 5:22 p.m. by Mayor Albanese. He announced the Executive Session was held for informational purposes only and no action was necessary. 7. COMMUNICATION City Manager's Report: a. Miscellaneous: Chris Duque stated City Offices will be closed on September 5th in observance of Labor Day. Garbage services will be delayed by one day. 8. ADJOURN There being no further business a motion was made by Mayor Albanese and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Root to adjourn the meeting at 5:24 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Ayes: Mayor Albanese, Councilmembers Austin, Root, Sonnier, and Guillot. Noes: None. \ 0,,o i t iu+ „/,,,,/ /ems •,c C>;['`�; - k1 _ £baneseyoV � '1' �: n . �i !, �� City of Nederland, Texas k'fi aja/( 0420/WO/L- Gay Fergus , City CI rk City of Nederland, Texas CITY OF NEDERLAND COUNCIL MEETING ATTENDANCE SHEET NAME TITLE PRESENT` , ABSENT Y Don Albanese Mayor Talmadge Austin Council Member-Ward I v Sylvia Root fxI 2 Co ifn Council Member-Ward II Randy So nnier Council Member-Ward III David Guillot Council Member-Ward IV City Manager Chris Duque City Ferguson C ty Clerk Vi Jesse Branick City Attorney Cheryl \/ Dowden Director of Finance + / r Police Chief v Gary Porte V Terry Morton Fire Chief `V Robert Woods Director of Public Works George Wheeler Building Official / Molli Hall Librarian V Holly Guidry Human Resources Director Joni Underwood Executive Secretary V \/ Angela Fanette Parks Director i1 , (L.-, / `iti ,e.L4 bon Albanese, Mayor t Gay Ferguson ity Clerk u August 22, 2022 Date ,SON co- ; G2 ALLISON NATHAN GETZ 1, i"4 TERRY WUENSCHEL TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR • * CHIEF DEPUTY T XN$ STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF JEFFERSON I, Allison Nathan Getz, P.C.C., the Tax Assessor-Collector of Jefferson County, Texas and also,by contract or statute,the Tax Assessor-Collector for CITY OF NEDERLAND, affirm,under oath, that this amount $68,897.55, represents all taxes collected for CITY OF NEDERLAND during the month of July 2022. La49ACiak)/-4 Allison Nathan Getz, P.C.C. JEFFERSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE•P.O.BOX 2112 •BEAUMONT,TEXAS 77704-2112 PHONE: (409)835-8516 • FAX: (409)835-8589 RESOLUTION 2022-07 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF NEDERLAND RATIFYING THE ACTION OF THE NEDERLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. WHEREAS,the present and prospective right to gainful employment and general welfare of the people of Nederland require as a public purpose the promotion and development of new and expanded business enterprises;and WHEREAS, the existence, development, and expansion of business, commerce, and industry are essential to the economic growth of Nederland and to the full employments,welfare, and prosperity of its citizens;and WHEREAS, the means and measures authorized by the Texas Legislature and the assistance provided in the one-quarter (1/4) of one percent (1%) sales tax for economic development are in the public interest and serve a public purpose in promoting the welfare of the citizens of the City economically by the securing and retaining of business enterprises and the resulting maintenance of a higher level of employment,economic activity,and stability;and WHEREAS, the citizens of the City of Nederland provided for the creation of the Nederland Economic Development Corporation by popular vote in a duly authorized election to serve the public purposes herein described;and WHEREAS, the Nederland Economic Development Corporation is authorized and empowered under applicable state law, its charter, bylaws and by board approval, to aid in the development of business enterprises by offering incentives to prospective new and expanding businesses. NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEDERLAND,TEXAS: THAT the action of the Board of Directors of the Nederland Economic Development Corporation("Board")relating to project costs associated with Juanita's Country Kitchen, in an aggregate maximum amount of not more than Seventy-Five Thousand dollars ($75,000.00), in accordance with the terms and conditions as prescribed by the Board,is hereby ratified. PASSED AND APPROVED ON THE FIRST READING BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEDERLAND,TEXAS this 8th day of August ,2022 at which meeting a 9<u9 was present and voting. 4.40 elk gigs,. n •4 yk..\ ••p P on A nese,Mayor City of Nederland,Texas ay Ferg o y r City of Nederland,Texas APPROVED AS TO FOlv1 AND LEGALITY: er4K Jes e Br. ', ,City Attorney Ci o eaerland,Texas PASSED AND APPROVED ON THE SECOND READIN BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEDERLAND,TEXAS this,21hlday of 7 2022 at which meeting a quorum was present and voting. u u,iiuu;;n OF ...... _-'� • ���o vas►--� - .i�j 1% �� _ ]Son Albanese,Mayor °'•; Aa 141/0` City of Nederland,Texas ca.4t ay Fergn,City C er City of Nederland,Texas APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY: Affeedi— Jesse :ranic o C. Attorney City .• ►:.erland,Texas