The Brownfield City Council met in a regular meeting on Thursday morning May 4, 2023, with several items on the agenda. After the call to order, invocation, and pledges the Council went into working on the agenda.
First, was to hear public comments on agenda items. There was one person who filled out the sign-up form to speak which was Melissa Hope. She stated, “I’m here in support of Dee Doyle… to me, you’ll not ever in this town find a more dedicated person that takes care of our parks, all around town, who used to take care of the football field, baseball fields… and I mean… he shows a lot of pride in what he does. Everybody that comes through town sees that. I hear comments all the time about “Wow… who takes care of this, who does this.” He puts in a lot of hours and he sure makes it work. I just think that… I’m not sure what’s going on, but I just don’t think you’ll ever find another person like Dee to take care of our property like he does.”
After Hope’s comments, Mayor Tom Hesse did ask the audience, “Does anyone want to turn one in right quick?” Nobody did, and Hope was the only person to comment.
The Council moved on to approve the past meeting’s minutes. Then the Council would recognize the Employee of the Month which is Alex Llamas. However, he was not in attendance, but he is considered a hard worker. He used to be a meter reader, but he has moved up to be a lineman for Brownfield Power & Light.
Next two items the Council received the quarterly reports for Brownfield Fire & Rescue Dept. and Brownfield Municipal Court. Interim Chief Brit Shaw told the Council there were 61 calls for BFRD. 33 were in the county and 28 were in the city. “The majority of those being wrecks, EMS assists, and grass fires,” said Shaw. She went on to say to the Council, “As a personal note… I appreciate y’all giving me this opportunity to serve as interim… this will be my last quarterly report, and just as a note to our guys… they do a great job and I’m proud of them.” City Manager Jeff Davis reminded the Council the new fire chief will begin on May 15, 2023.
Municipal Judge David Cox was next to give the quarterly reports for the Municipal Court. According to Judge Cox, for the first quarter, there were 403 new cases filed, 259 dispositions (guilty or no contest), and 105 warrants issued. Total case revenue for the first quarter was $45,381.00, of which $26,640.00 is the city’s and $18,741 goes to the state. Judge Cox said, “Since starting this, we’ve been trying to get rid of some of these old cases and thanks to the city attorney and the police department and Janie and everyone helping putting everything together we have managed to date to clear out 1032 old cases.” Both quarterly reports were unanimously approved.
Next, the Council approved two scholarships. On January 16, 2020, the Council adopted guidelines to have one open scholarship to residents of Brownfield, Texas, and other scholarships to sons or daughters of the City of Brownfield employees to be applied for and reviewed by the Council, in the amount of $500 per semester and a laptop. The city received 23 open scholarship applications and there was one scholarship application for a child of a city employee. Kaley Cavazos, the daughter of city employee Kourtney Cavazos was awarded the child of a city employee scholarship. The other scholarship was decided to be given to the Brownfield High School 2022-2023 Valedictorian. That student has not been named yet.
The Council moved on to discuss and consider an application from Pamela Williams for a Type 2 Special Event to be held in Coleman Park on June 17, 2023, for the Juneteenth celebration. Under the City of Brownfield Zoning Ordinance, Type 2 Special events shall be reviewed by the Building Inspector and are subject to approval by the City Council. Approval of the Type 2 Special Event permit for Williams will be upon payment.
Next, the Brownfield Chamber of Commerce requested funding in the amount of $3,000 from the Hotel Occupancy Tax Revenue (HOT Funds) for the 11th Annual Grape Capital of Texas Vineyard Festival to be held on July 7th & 8th, 2023 as presented in their application. The application was approved, and they will receive the first half of funding in the amount of $1,500. All Council members approved, Councilman Eric Horton abstained.
On the next agenda item, the Brownfield Industrial Development Corporation (BIDCorp) Board of Directors recommended to the City Council for an incentive in the amount of $102,141.10 to Next Door Rentals, located at 917 S 6th St. The bylaws of BIDCorp require that any dispersal of funds for anticipated projects in excess of $50,000 must have the approval of the City Council. Kelly Riley a member of the BIDCorp Board of Directors was on hand to explain why Next Door Rentals was requesting this amount.
According to Riley, Next Door Rentals is building a 90×20 add-on space to the current building and will also repair a 60-year-old roof. Next Door Rentals has spent close to 3/4 of a million dollars ($750,000) locally, and this does not include fuel and other services they use locally. Next Door Rental also brought in $61,267.30 in sales tax in 2022. With the expansion, Next Door Rentals will be able to hire two more full-time employees and one part-time employee. The Council unanimously approved the incentive.
Next, the Council went into executive session for about an hour and a half. Once out of executive session, Mayor Hesse asked the Council, “Take any action necessary?” Councilman Michael Tackitt said, “I would like to make a motion under the Brownfield City Charter section 20 to propose to begin the proceedings of termination of the city manager as outlined by Matt Wade (City Attorney).” Councilwoman Kelli Mendez would second the motion. Mayor Hesse said, “I have a motion and a second… all in favor say “aye” (yes).” Council members Mendez and Tackitt said “Aye”. Mayor Hesse asked, “All oppose?” Council members Isaiah Bautista, Eric Horton, Michelle Cooper, JC Tijerina, Celso Duran, and Mayor Hesse opposed by saying “Aye” Mayor Hesse then says, “It fails.”
Next was announcements and then Mayor Hesse declared the meeting adjourned. The next meeting is slated for Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 7:30 am in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The newly elected council members will be installed and take the oath of office.
