Littlefield’s City Council, the governing body of the City of Littlefield met at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in the City Council Chambers, to consider all matters and related incidents to the City of Littlefield.
All Council members were present: Eric Turpen, Mayor; Eric Saenz, District 1; Michael Rangel, District 2; Buddy Holmes, District 3; and Kenny Rucker, Mayor Pro tempore, District 4.
Also present were the City Man ager, Mitch Grant; City Secretary, Janine Butler; and Treasurer, Andrew Eisenwine. There were three in the audi
There were three in the audience, along with 10 city staff members
Mayor Eric Turpen called the meeting to order at 6 p.m., then Mayor Pro tempore Kenny Rucker led the invocation.
Mayor Turpen led the pledge to the U.S. flag.
No one requested to make a public comment about any of the Agenda Items.
Two new city employees, Jason King and Jerry Martinez, in the Water/Wastewater Department, were introduced.
Council Member Michael Rangel made the motion and Mayor Pro tempore Kenny Rucker seconded the motion, to approve the minutes from the June 22 and July 6 meetings. The motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Pro tempore Kenny Rucker made the motion and Council Member Buddy Holmes seconded the motion to approve the monthly reports on the Police Dept.; Fire Dept.; EMS; Code Enforcement; Animal Control; Landfill; Water/Wastewater; Streets and Parks; Municipal Court; Monthly Financial Reports; Sales Tax Collection; Property Tax Collection reports; LEDC A and B Board minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
Council Member Michael Rangel made the motion and Mayor Pro tempore Kenny Rucker seconded the motion to approve the June expenses. The motion passed unanimously.
There were no June expenses to approve for All Ways Towing, so no action was taken.
An Agreement between the City of Littlefield EMS and City of Anton for ambulance service was approved. EMS Director Monica McGee answered questions for this and the next agenda item. Council Member Michael Rangel made the motion to approve the agreement and Council Member Eric Saenz seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
An Agreement between the City of Littlefield EMS and Hockley County for ambulance service was approved. Mayor Pro tempore Kenny Rucker made the motion and Council Member Michael Rangel seconded the motion to approve the agreement. The motion passed unanimously.
The presentation of the city’s Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2021-2022, Item was moved to the last of the meeting. After lengthy discussions and questions, another meeting was scheduled for August 10 at 6 p.m.
Council Member Michael Rangel made the motion, and Council Member Buddy Holmes seconded the motion to approve the Paid Quarantine Leave Policy that is Required by HB 2073 and add it to the city’s Personnel Policies. The motion passed unanimously.
Council Member Michael Rangel made the motion, and Council Member Buddy Holmes seconded the motion to approve the Ordinance for Periodic Adoption of Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan. The motion passed unanimously.
The Council approved Ratification of LEDC A Water Wells Project Costs.
LEDC A Executive Director Justin Balderas explained the LEDC A Board met on July 22 nd and approved the lowest bid of $442,254 from Thunder Well Service for 2 wells. They also approved the lowest bid for $186,270 for the pipeline from Bo Simon, Inc. The total is $628,524 exceeds the $534,000 budgeted by LEDC A by $94,524. The LEDC A Board agreed to commit to their previously approved $534,000 commitment, if the City commits to the difference. Mayor Pro tempore Kenny Rucker made the motion to approve the additional expense, and Council Member Michael Rangel made the second motion. The motion passed unanimously.
The Council approved the investment for proceeds from the sale of theTexas Civil Commitment Center-Bill Clayton Facility. The motion to leave the $6,000,000 proceeds from the sale be left on deposit with depository bank, with current interest, was made by Council Member Michael Rangel. City will continue to look at better interest rates. Current rates are minimal. The second motion was made by Council Member Buddy Holmes, and the motion passed unanimously.17. Council members approved an Ordinance for Budget Amendment for Construction of Landfill cell. City Manager Mitch Grant explained that the cell had been surveyed and could be started soon. The motion to approve the ordinance for the Landfill Cell was made by Mayor pro tempore Kenny Rucker, and seconded by Council Member Michael Rangel. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 12 on the preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2021- 2022 was discussed at this time.
Mayor Eric Turpen adjourned the meeting at 7:56 p.m.