The February City Council meeting was short and well attended by City Councilor Candidates and Mayoral Candidates up for election March 1st. Jeremey Kern, Dickie Townley, Jon Henry, Kimberley Medley, and Tommy Bailes took in the meeting as visitors.
In personnel matters, the councilman discussed the possibility of hiring a part-time position for a Code Enforcement Officer following the hiring of a full-time Code Enforcement Officer. After a motion to withdraw a motion was made by Raul Roderiguez and seconded by Sam Hagelstein, after clearing up confusion surrounding whether or not a full or part time position would be offered, Mr. Rodergiuez motioned to offer a part-time position of Code Enforcement Officer. Terry Hill seconded the motion, and the city councilmen approved it unanimously.
Under resignations, hirings, promotions, and transfers, councilmen accepted the resignation of Carlos Rodriguez, Cemetery Equipment Operator, the resignation of Chad Boadway, Apprentice Mechanic, and the retirement of John Beasley, Police Commander. Advertisement to fill the Cemetery Equipment Operator and Apprentice Mechanic received ratification and permission respectively.
11 city employees will travel for training or attend online training across the police department, library, facilities planning, and wastewater departments. Training topics include, but are not limited to, the following: CPR, lethal force investigations, wastewater pump and motor maintenance, troubleshooting and preventive maintenance, and more.
Next on the agenda came Public Safety Reports. Chief of Police Kirk Roberts explained that statistics looked very normal for this time of year and there were no outliers. He mentioned that the department has 8 individuals in the background check process.
Fire Chief Kevin Hope, then stood for questions. Councilmen asked if the spike in fire related calls was of concern. Hope explained that the spike is typical for this time of year and falls into the normal ebb and flow of the year.
Jim McGuire gave stats for community development, and Byron Landfair of Infrastructure gave an update of the status of Phase I of the 20th Street project. The project has encountered issues sourcing materials, he explained.
The councilmen next had to come to a decision about a Budget Adjustment Resolution. Kent Brachter made a motion to approve the resolution and Sam Hagelstein seconded the motion. The resolution met with unanimous approval.
Mayor, Raye Miller, shared that the Bureau of Land Management approached the city with an idea to develop a shooting range along public land at Karr Ranch Road. The BLM has cleaned the area several times and would like to partner with the city to make a range of varying lengths of ranges and different sections for weapon styles, i.e., handguns and black powder. The mayor would like to see a project like this fenced to prevent illegal dumping in the area. Councilman Jarrod Morreau expressed his support for a project like this because it seems to be well suited for use by the community.
