Supporting Documents for Agenda Items can be found HERE.
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Attendance: Present: Mayor John Escoto, Mayor Pro Tem Charlie Bradt (Position 4), Mike McLeod (Position 5), Jim Pollard (Position 3), Ted Fletcher (Position 2), Ron Raymaker (Position 1)
ITEM 6: Annual Pool Report - No Council action needed.
ITEM 7: Capital Projects Report - No Council action needed; report only.
ITEM 8: IDC Revision Update - City Attorney Bill Ferebee reviewed the Planning and Zoning Commission's continued review of the IDC. Ferebee said that at the last meeting, P&Z addressed the redevelopment zone of properties located between Wellman and Research Forest. P&Z identified eight properties they felt would be impacted by redevelopment and wanted to focus on the properties on a case-by-case manner. In the discussion, Council told Ferebee that they would like to see more parameters. Ferebee reported that the owner of one property said the strictness of the IDC prevented him from being able to redevelop his property. No action needed; presentation only. ,
ITEM 9: Tamina Utilities Project Update - City Engineer John Bleyl presented a timeline for the Tamina Utility Project. Starting in March 2023, the City started the process of transferring and purchasing the Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) which is required to serve all customers with water and sewer service when the project is completed. The Old Tamina Water Supply Corporation held the CCN for Tamina. The City has applied for the transfer with the Public Utility Commission, which is expected to be approved by December 20. Because the OTWSC was a privately owned utility company, a majority of the users (members) had to approve the sale and transfer. Following PUC approval, the City will complete the sale for approximately $550,000 which will pay off all the old and past-due debts of the utility and its members. This money is not coming from Shenandoah ARPA funds but is a payment by the City for the CCN purchase for an amount that allows OTWSC to pay their debts. Phase I of the project is the extension of existing Shenandoah water and sewer lines to the railroad tracks, necessary before the remaining project can be started and completed. This phase is funded by the City's ARPA funds and is expected to be completed by February 2024. Phase 2, which is funded by County ARPA funds of $21 million, will start in the third quarter of 2024 and be completed by 2026. Both phases will include 57 fire hydrants in Tamina and provide water and sewer lines to the entire community. After completion, Tamina residents will purchase water from the City of Shenandoah and will see a reduction in their monthly water bills. Based on current water use, the average bill from the City of Shenandoah will be $20.81, down $17.47 from their current average bill of $38.38. No action needed; presentation only. ,
ITEMS 10-11: Special Use Permit for a Mixed Beverage Permit (On Premise) Permit - LifeTime is requesting a Special Use Permit (SUP) at 9000 Six Pines Drive, Shenandoah, TX to allow for a Mixed Beverage (On-Premise) Permit without Late Hours. Planning and Zoning Commission recommends approval of the Special Use Permit for a Mixed Beverage Permit (On Premise) without Late Hours for 9000 Six Pines Drive. Council voted 5-0 to approve the SUP.
ITEM 12: Spending Approval Authorization Increases for City Administrators and Department Heads - Councilmembers requested that the purchasing authorization limit be raised for the City Administrator from $15,000 to $20,000 for spending items that are not included in the budget, including emergency purchases. This allows the City Administrator to authorize the payments and avoids the need for Council to vote on the approval to pay these expenditures. Any legally required authorization for payment, such as bids or purchases from restricted funds, will still be approved by Council. Staff has also proposed raising the authorized approval levels for assistant directors and department head designees from $750 to $1,000 and department head’s approval for budget items from $5,000 to $7,500. Council voted 3-2 to approve the approval authorization increases. (McLeod and Fletcher voted NAY and asked that the full procurement policy be presented at a future meeting with any other revisions needed.)
ITEMS 13: Wastewater Chemical Building Improvement- The city received pricing from Chlorinator Maintenance Construction to replace the pipe, valves, fittings, regulators, etc. in the chemical building at the wastewater treatment plant $49,612.80, a component of the overall improvements project that was recently awarded to JTR. This component was removed from the overall project due to cost constraints. Chlorinator Maintenance Construction performs regular repairs and maintenance for the city. Using Chlorinator Maintenance Construction will save approximately $70K over the removed component in the awarded bid from JTR of $120K. Council voted 5-0 to approve the project by Chlorinator Maintenance Construction
Item 14: Adoption of Minutes of August 23, September 13, and September 27, 2023, Regular Meetings - Council voted 5-0 to approve the minutes as presented.
ITEM 15: Ratification of Accounts Payable for October - Council voted 5-0 to approve the accounts payable.
Civic Club Updates
- "Fall" Into Fun was totally amazing.
- Lighting of the Angels (LOTA) preparation will begin Monday, November 27, at 9 a.m. at the Public Works Bay. The Civic Club welcomes anyone who would like to volunteer to help transform the Public Works building into a winter wonderland. Lighting of the Angels (LOTA) will be held November 28 from 6 - 8 p.m.
City Attorney Updates: None
City Administrator Updates:
- The "Fall" Into Fun event was a huge success.
- Public Works was invited to participate in the Careers on Wheels program at Houser Elementary. PW staff took the bucket truck for show and tell with the students, answering their questions about jobs in public works.
- Development Update:
- Shenandoah has completed 26 permitting applications in a joint process with The Woodlands,
- Sign permits were approved for both Gloria's and Adriatic Cafe so residents will soon see signs at both businesses as they get closer to opening.
Executive Session: Started 9:02 p.m. Ended 9:29 p.m.
- Executive Session – According to the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Texas Government
Code as follows:
i) Tex. Gov't. § 551.087. Deliberation Regarding Economic Development Negotiations.
• 5 Acres of City Owned Property
Consideration and if determined appropriate, take action resulting from the item(s) listed under Executive Session.
No action was taken in the Executive Session.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Upcoming Events/Meetings
November 22: Early Closing for City Offices, 3 p.m.
November 23-24: Thanksgiving Holidays City Offices Closed
November 28: Lighting of the Angels, 6-8 p.m., Municipal Complex
December 9: Luminary Workday, 9 a.m. - noon, Public Works Bay
December 19: Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z), 6 p.m.
December 20: Municipal Development District (MDD), 6 p.m. (HOLIDAY SCHEDULE; if needed)
December 20: City Council, 7 p.m. (HOLIDAY SCHEDULE)
December 25-26: Christmas Holidays, city offices closed
December 26 - January 9: Tree recycling, Pool Parking Lot
January 1: New Year's Day, City Offices Closed