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LITTLEFIELD OFFICIALS SWORN IN – City Secretary Janine Butler, right, is shown as she administered the oaths of office for the three city council members who were declared as elected earlier, since they had no opponents on the ballot. Repeating their oaths, left to right, are Mayor Eric Turpen; Kenny Rucker, District 4; and Buddy Holmes, Disrict 3. (Submitted Photo)
The City Council of the City of Littlefield met at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 in the City Council Chambers, 525 Phelps Avenue, for the purpose of considering all matters and related incidents to the City of Littlefield.
Council members present were Eric Turpen, Mayor; Michael Rangel, District 2; Eric Saenz, District 1; Buddy Holmes, District 3; and Kenny Rucker, Mayor Pro tempore, District 4.
Others were City Manager Mitch Grant; City Secretary Janine Butler; Treasurer Andrew Eisenwine; and two in the audience with five staff members.
1. Mayor Eric Turpen called the meeting to order at 6 p.m.
2. The Invocation was given by Council Member Eric Saenz.
3. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Turpen.
4. No one requested to make a public comment on any of the agenda items.
Minutes of April 26 th , 27th
5. The motion to approve the minutes of April 26 and April 27 was made by Mayor pro tempore Kenny Rucker, and seconded by Council Member Michael Rangel. The motion passed unanimously.
Election results
6. Council Member Michael Rangel made the motion, which was seconded by Council Member Eric Saenz, to approve the resolution declaring the results of the City Officers’ Election. The motion passed unanimously.
7. Presentations of Certificates of Election and Oaths of Office for the newly-elected District 3 Council Member, Buddy Holmes; District 4 Council member, Kenny Rucker, District 4, who were declared elected in Resolution No. 2021-0222.
Mayor Eric Turpen, Council Member Kenny Rucker, and Council Member Buddy Holmes took their oaths of office.
12. Agenda #12 discussed here.
Consider and approve LEDC “A” Water Well Project.
City Manager Mitch Grant and Mayor Turpen explained last summer there were problems keeping up with water use. LEDC A Executive Director Justin Balderas was present to explain the LEDC A had met 5/3/2021 and had approved $534,620.00 for two (2) new municipal water wells. Utilities Director Michael Neighbors was present and explained 4 of 8 water wells have been acidized and repaired and are efficient in excess water capacity at this time. Council Member Michael Rangel made the motion to approve the expenditure of LEDC A funds.
Council Member Eric Saenz made the second motion. The motion passed unanimously.
8. Approved a resolution of the Littlefield City Council authorizing the filing of a grant application with the USDA Texas draft 05/05/ 2021 community facilities direct loan and grant program for first responder police portable radios and authorizing the mayor to act on behalf of the city of Littlefield in all matters related to the application; pledging that if a grant is received the City of Littlefield will comply with the grant requirements and commit funding for the purchase.
Mayor Eric Turpen made the motion and Mayor pro tempore Keny Rucker seconded the motion to the resolution to authorize $38,196.75 for USDA grant application for police radios. The motion passed unanimously.
9. Approved a resolution of the Littlefield City Council authorizing the filing of a grant application with the USDA Texas community facilities direct loan and grant program for first responder police cruisers and authorizing the mayor to act on behalf of the City of Littlefield in all matters related to the application; pledging that if a grant is received the City of littlefield will comply with the grant requirements and commit funding for the purchase.
Council Member Michael Rangel made the motion to approve the resolution to authorize USDA grant application. Council Member Buddy Holmes made the second motion. The motion passed unanimously.
10. Approved Fund Allocation to Replace Wheeled-loader and Approve Budget Amendment.
Mayor Eric Turpen made the motion to authorize Lease-Purchase of wheeled-loader for 3 years for $175,00.00 from “Sourcewell” a purchasing consortium. The second motion was made Council Member Buddy Holmes. The motion passed unanimously.
11. Approve an ordinance of the City of Littlefield, adopting amendment No. 3 to the original budget of the City of Littlefield, Texas, for the fiscal year 2020-2021, funding accounts in budget due to unforeseen situations; containing findings; providing for severability; and providing other details relating to the subject; and declare an emergency.
No action was taken.
13. Mayor Turpen adjourned the meeting at 6:41 p.m.