The Brownfield City Council met last Thursday morning May 18, 2022, and for four members it was their last time. After the call to order, invocation, and pledges, the Council began the agenda. The Council would hear public comments from Kathy Finnen and approve the minutes from the last meeting. Moving on to the item of business, the four new Council members would take the oath of office, which are Jimmy Garza (At-Large Member), Marshall Martell (Dist. 4 Member), Leon Pope (At-Large Member, and Mark Williams (District 5 Member).
After the oath of office was taken, the now four former Council members would receive a plague and be recognized for their “distinguished service and loyalty” to the City of Brownfield. Those former members are Isaiah Bautista (At-Large Member) Michelle Cooper (District 4 Member), Eric Horton (District 5 Member), and Michael Tackitt (At-Large Member). Cooper and Horton could not run for another term since both had fulfilled two consecutive two-year terms. Both can run for office after sitting out a year. Bautista could’ve run for office again, however, he opted out and did not place his name on the ballot. Tackitt was eligible for another term and he did run for re-election, however, he was beaten out by Leon Pope by six votes and Jimmy Garza by 12 votes.
The next item, was for the new Council to choose a Mayor Pro-Tem. The Mayor Pro-Tem is to act as Mayor during a council meeting if the Mayor is not present. Councilman Mark Williams nominated Councilman Leon Pope for May Pro-Tem, and Councilman JC Tijerina seconded the motion. There was no other nomination, so the Council went on to vote Pope as Mayor Pro-Tem. There was one dissenting vote, which came from Councilwoman Kelli Mendez. The final vote was 7-1 in favor of Pope being Mayor Pro-Tem.
The next two items of business were to hear and consider the April 2023 financial reports and April 2023 investment report. Under the City Charter, the Director of Finance, which is the City Manager – Jeff Davis, shall submit to the Council a monthly statement of all receipts and disbursements in sufficient detail to show the exact financial condition of the City. Also under the City of Brownfield’s Investment Policy, the Director of Finance (City Manager) shall cause a quarterly investment report
to be prepared and presented to the City Council showing returns from the investment program. The reports shall comply with Section 2256.023 of the Public Funds Investment Act at a minimum. However, City Manager Davis gives this report monthly.
Before Davis went on to speak about the budget, Councilman Garza asked Davis, “Could we have these numbers (the financial reports that the Council receives) put up on the monitor for the people who are here? They might be interested in what type of numbers we are dealing with.”
Davis then said, “I can put them screen during the presentation if that’s what yall to do.”
Mayor Tom Hesse told Davis and Garza, “That sounds good… we’ll do that.”
Davis then said, “I’ll get them up there on the next monthly reports and I’ll get them up on the screen.” Davis continues by asking Garza, “Is that the only one you want to see is the financials… is there anything you want to see or do you want to see the whole packet?”
Garza replied, “Yeah pretty much when it’s dealing with numbers and if anyone wants to come up and ask for monies… anything like that. Umm… I would personally like to see a more detailed plan for corporations and committees coming asking for money and if it dealing with money I want them, if they can break it down to see… and let the people know where the money is being spent or where we are approving money to be spent.”
Davis said, “That sounds great.”
Going back to the budget which is $20,771,025.00 for the fiscal year (October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023) the expenditures are $9,401,988.87 with a remaining balance of $11,369,036.13 or 53% of the budget not used. Also, for the investment report, the City of Brownfield is supposed to at least 5% over-collateralized, however, the City is 65% over-collateralized.
Next were the quarterly reports from the City Inspectors Office. City Inspector Israel Limon showed the Council there were 172 permits issued from January 1, 2023, to March 31, 2023. Limon went on to talk about a lot of roofing permits being issued and gas lines being upgraded. After presenting the quarterly reports to the Council, Limon asked if there are any questions.
Garza asked, “Are these new hookups that are happening?”
Limon stated, “No not necessarily… most of them are upgrades.”
Garza then asked, “So whats the revenue… how much does the city make, just from January, February, March?”
Limon said, “I don’t keep up with that part… I just issue the permits. They’re not that much… most permits are $30 a permit.
The Council moved to approve the quarterly reports from Limon.
Next was to hear from Interim Parks & Recreation Director Brad Wise about the quarterly reports. Wise stated that the rented facilities which are the Coleman Park Party House and American Legion Amphitheater are open to the public. Also, there were matching color sheet metal screws and washers for the amphitheater to be used to stop some leaks. Wise told the Council about the pool, “The Brownfield Family Aquatic Center (BFAC)… all new equipment has been installed, all motors repaired and it’s up and going. Water is circulating and all we’re focused on now is water clarity.” The BFAC is scheduled to open Saturday, May 27, 2023.
Next on the agenda, the Council needed to appoint a council member to the Ambulance Board. Each taxing entity (City of Brownfield, Terry County, & BRMC) elects two (2) members to the ambulance board. For the City of Brownfield, Mayor Hesse and former Councilman Horton serve on the board. A replacement must be named for Horton’s position. Councilman Marshall Martell was nominated and named as a voting delegate to the Ambulance Board.
The Council then moved to appoint two (2) members and four (4) alternate members to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The Board of Adjustment shall consist of five (5) members, each to be appointed by the city council for a term of two (2) years. Each member reappointed or each new appointee shall serve for a full term of two (2) years unless removed. Provided, however, that the city council may appoint four (4) alternate members of the board of adjustment who shall serve in the absence of one or more of the regular members when requested to do so by the mayor or city administrator. Board members Richard Van Der Vlist and Russ Taylor are up for reappointment and alternates Julian Silva Hernandez, Myron Bovkoon, Brian Paiva, and Gary Brashears are up for reappointment. Mayor Hesse asked if there were any comments.
Garza said, “I’m a bit lost here… so it’s been filled since they want to come back, we cannot put a name in?
Davis replied, “They are only nominations.”
Garza then asked, “So we can nominate someone right now?”
Davis said, “Yes”
Garza then stated, “I want to nominate David Dominguez on one of the spots.”
Both Hesse and Davis asked, “On the board or as alternate?”
Garza said, “On the board.”
Hesse then asked, “Which spot?”
Garza replied, “I don’t know which spot honestly… do I have it here in front of me?”
Davis said, “Richard Van Der Vlist or Russ Taylor.”
Garza then told Davis and Hesse, “Richards spot would be fine.”
Pope then asked Garza, “Jimmy can you make that in the form of a motion.”
Garza then made the motion saying, “I make a motion to get David Dominguez in the spot of Richard.”
Pope would second the motion, and the Council would approve unanimously for David Dominguez to replace Richard Van Der Vlist.
The next appointment on the agenda was for two (2) members of the Building Code Board of Adjustment & Appeals. The Board of Adjustment shall consist of five (5) members, each to be appointed by the city council for a term of two (2) years and removable for cause by the city council upon written charges and after a public hearing. Board members David Morin and Steven Estrada are up for reappointment and have agreed to serve. The Council voted unanimously to keep David Morin and Steven Estrada on the board.
Item 13 was to discuss and consider a Type 3 Special event application which was submitted from Mayor Hesse on behalf of the Knights of Columbus Annual BBQ Cookoff (Great American Cookoff) scheduled for June 9 – 10, 2023 in Coleman Park as recommended by the Parks & Recreation Board. On May 10, 2023, the Parks and Recreation Board met, and all requirements have been met and therefore recommends to the council for approval. Upon receiving notification from the parks board that all requirements of the City of Brownfield Code of Ordinances Article 15.1500 “Type 3 Special Events” have been met by an applicant, the city council shall consider the application for a Type 3 Special Event permit and grant the permit, grant the permit with conditions or deny the permit at a regular city council meeting. The Council unanimously approved the item.
The final item of business was to discuss and consider creating a “One-Way Direction of Traffic” through Coleman Park. On May 10, 2023, the Parks and Recreation Board met and discussed changing the flow of traffic in Coleman Park to a one-way direction. Staff is requesting guidance from the council on the changes. After much discussion on the possibility, the Council tabled the item till the next meeting.
The next Council Meeting is slated for Thursday, June 1, 2023, at 7:30 am in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
