08-05-2021 Workshop Minutes- _ Northeast Partnership
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City of Garden Ridge
, 9400 Municipal Parkway
Garden Ridge City Hall
Garden Ridge, Texas 78266
MINUTES OF WORKSHOP
August 5, 2021
I. Call to Order and Establish a Quorum.
Mayor Contreras called the workshop to order at 6:39 p.m.
II. Introduction of those present and roll call.
Member's present were:
Chair Contreras had the following introduce themselves:
Mayor Victor Contreras, Marion
Mayor Walt Williams, New Berlin
Mayor Stosh Boyle, Cibolo
Mayor Pro -Tem Joel Hicks, Cibolo
Mayor Ralph Gutierrez, Schertz
Mayor Jeff Hunt, Santa Clara
Mayor Robb Erickson, Garden Ridge
City Administrator Nancy Cane, Garden Ridge
Mayor Kimberly McGehee Aldrich, Kirby
Mayor Donna Dodgen, Seguin (Guest Mayor)
City Secretary Brenda Dennis
Mayor Contreras thanked the City of Garden Ridge for hosting this evening and for the
meal.
III. New Business:
1. Discussion and possible action regarding NEP Sponsorship for the Tri- County
Chamber State of Technology. (Requested by Mindy Paxton)
City Secretary Brenda Dennis indicated that Mindy had reached out to her to see if
NEP would be a sponsor for their upcoming event. Mayor Contreras indicated
that there were several sponsorship levels, and this was the Tri- County Chamber
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"State of Technology" event September 7, 2021. The information was provided in
their packets.
Mayor Boyle indicated that the Tri- County Chamber is fairly new and resurrected
and what he has seen is they are excelling in the technology portion and various
webinar seminars being made available. City Secretary Brenda Dennis indicated
that the Tri- County continues to be present at our NEP meetings and provide
information they have on their upcoming events. Mayors discussed the event, and
they understand that the Tri- County events brings various groups to the area.
Mayor Pro -Tern Hicks indicated that this event is part of a series that the Chamber
is hosting. Mayors indicated that at the next meeting, August 12, 2021, we can
have Mindy, or a representative of the Tri- County Chamber provide a small
presentation on this event and then the NEP can decide which sponsorship level
they would be interested in sponsoring.
2. Discussion and possible action regarding Randolph Metrocom Rotary Club
Sponsorship for their 24th Annual Fairway for Kids Benefit Golf Tournament &
Awards Banquet.
City Secretary Brenda Dennis indicated that she was a member of the Randolph
Metrocom Rotary Club and was asking Mayor's present to discuss this item and
then decide if they would be interested in being a sponsor. She indicated that the
funds from the event is to provide school children from Judson, Marion & Schertz-
Cibolo- Universal City ISD's with essentials not available or difficult to obtain
from other sources in the area. This includes assistance with health issues and
items such as glasses, hearing aids, medicine, shoes, warm clothing and other
appropriate items or services.
Mayors presented discussed that various sponsorship levels and it was the
concurrence of the group to be a Bronze sponsor — and that the 4 -man Players
Super Tickets be donated to Randolph AFB 12th Flying Wing men/women and get
with the base for them to decide upon a team. Mayors also indicated that they
would also like to be a Hole Sponsor. Total sponsorship for NEP to participate in
was $1050. City Secretary Brenda Dennis stated that she would place this item on
the upcoming NEP agenda for August 12, 2 02 1.
IV. Old Business
3. Discussion and possible changes to the NEP By -Laws.
Mayor Contreras handed this portion over to Mayor Williams who indicated that
he had some suggested changes to the current by -laws some of those include:
4.01 — Principal office — Change to the Marion address
5.01 — Northeast Partnership members — add City of Seguin once they submit their
application and dues
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Add a section - 5.03 — Annual Dues — Get the proper worder from Mayor Jeff Hunt
as he has the calculation formula
6.01 — General Powers — add Each newly elected Mayor/Board of Directors shall
be given a copy of the NEP By -laws
Mayor Walt Williams indicated that there were other possible changes and
indicated that at the next Mayor's NEP Workshop he will provide a red -line
version of the proposed By -law changes and that the other Mayors have possible
changes to send those to him as well and he will incorporate those.
V. Items of interest by Member Cities.
Mayor Boyle indicated that they had discussed various quest speakers and he would like
to possibly get with Lenny Medina who is associated with the Traditional American Indian
Veterans to provide a presentation regarding their organization. Mayor Boyle indicated that
November 19v' through 21 ", 2021 they will be hosting the "Honoring our Nations Veterans
PowWow" at the Cibolo Soccer Stadium. There is a $10,000 Drum Contest — Drum
Singers, it will be Free admission as well as various vendors. City Secretary Brenda Dennis
indication that she has already reached out to Mr. Medina, and he is coming to our August
12ffi meeting to make a presentation.
Mayor Contreras indicated that he also has ideas for other speakers, and he would like to
suggest Representative John Kuempel and he will reach out to him. Mayor Walt William
indicated that he could get Senator Donna Campbell to also come speak to NEP.
Mayor Contreras also indicated that he contacted Representative Kuempel today
regarding when the relief funds would be released, Representative Kuempel indicated
that he would contact the Governor's office to find out what is going on and when they
expect to release the funds to the cities.
Mayor Contreras also reminded the Mayors that he sits on the Small Cities Advisory
Council, and they meet every Wednesday. They currently are discussing the legislative
changes but has nothing at this time to report as the Democrats are not around. Mayor
Contreras indicated that as soon as he has information, he will report it to the Mayors.
Mayors present discussed the COVID surge that is happening and that some of the
Mayors have been writing letters to the Governor regarding possible discissions that he
will be imposing but also that it should be up to the Mayors of the various cities it
closures were to occur again, i.e., bars and restaurants — that this would be a huge impact
again to our cities. They also discussed various entities regarding requirements of shots.
Mayor Jeff Hunt indicated that their Marshal force has now grown to 1 Marshal and 4
Part-time Deputies, and they are working with another city that wants to also start up a
Marshal service. Mayor Hunt indicated that they are fighting with their contractor
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With the Bond Company as the contractor did not complete their project and he has been
authorized to terminate the contract. This is on- going. Lastly, they are looking forward to
the Sausage Supper. Mayor Hunt mentioned the discussions regarding development of
alleyways, and he has his first agreement for consideration.
Mayor Robb Erickson — Garden Ridge stated that CPS will be providing a presentation to
their Council regarding the recent outages during the Winter Storm. Various discussion
will be on -going on how to better communicate to Council and Citizens during these
types of events. He asked if the cities have information to asset with this.
Mayor indicated that they have a new Planning & Zoning Ordinance coming out to
coincide with their Master Plan development, specifically on development of FM 2252.
Mayor Walt Williams indicated the City Manager Johnny Casias with Selma was
instrumental in assisting them with this type of master plan. Lastly, QT is coming to
Garden Ridge — it will be located at the corner of FM 3009 and FM 2252.
Mayor Ralph Gutierrez — City of Schertz stated that in October they will be having an
Emergency Operations meeting to discuss the needs of the city during an event such as
the Winter Storm event that recently happened. Mayor Gutierrez indicated that their EDC
is changing their standards and that they are also looking into their Tree Mitigation
standards. Mayor Gutierrez state the City Council and the City Planning & Zoning
Commission has formed a sub - committee to discuss PDD Standards as well as the Tree
Mitigation for future development. Mayor Gutierrez indicated that City of Schertz EMS
has expanded their service to Joint Base Randolph, they will be hiring additional
personnel and will house out of the base. Lastly, Mayor Gutierrez thanked Mayor Boyle
in sending out additional crews to assist our crew with the recent Main break.
Mayor Stosh Boyle — City of Cibolo reminded them of their Cibolo Summer Nights
programs — upcoming "Wet & Wild" — at the event center. Cibolo Valley Drive another
great partnership with a surrounding city, he thanked Mayor Gutierrez and the City of
Schertz to see Old Wiederstein become Cibolo Valley Drive. Great partnership of
working on this road. FM 1103 will also get a face lift, and thanked Mayor Pro -Tern Joel
Hicks for his efforts with MPO to get funding for this. Mayor Boyle stated that they have
hired their new City Manager and one his first day, he found that City Hall had mold.
Testing and cleaning is being completed and hopefully everyone will be moved back in.
September 17, 2021, AW Texas Plant will be having their grand opening. Lastly, he was
handed an empty binder for the budget, and he is working on this.
Mayor Donna Dodgen — City of Seguin provided information on the recent increase of
COVID cases and has been her focus for the last couple of weeks. She indicated that
they are in their 1St round of their budget discussions. She thanked the NEP Mayors for
the invitation to be with them as well relationships she is forming. Mayor Walt Williams
indicated that he too is grateful for the NEP Mayors and the relationships they have.
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Mayor Walt Williams — City of New Berlin stated that Sunday before Labor Day they
will be hosting their Annual Sausage Support with the proceeds benefit their Volunteer
Fire Department.
Mayor Kimberly McGehee Aldrich — City of Kirby indicated they are working on their
budget as well as looking at application for a new Police Chief. She indicated that they
recently let go of their K9 Unit and it was a hard decision, as they were unable to get a
Police Officer to take on the dog — the dog goes everywhere with the Police Officer they
are a bond and it's a 365 job — the dog also lives with the Officer.
Mayor Contreras — City of Marion stated regarding the Sausage Supper Event, Greater
Marion Chamber of Commerce is not providing him with their finances and trying to get
a copy of their 501 C -3 which they are to have. They want to know what they are using
their money for.
Mayor Contreras indicated that in the ETJ they have 1500 homes coming to Marion and
another development on Santa Clara Road with 900 homes - they have created a MUD.
Lastly, they are gearing up for the National Night out events he is working on a
fundraising event to sell tickets to throw pies at the Police Chief.
City Secretary Brenda Dennis reminded everyone of the upcoming TML Region 7
Meeting, September 27"' — Hilton Gardens Live Oak.
VL Establish a Date, Time & Location of the next NEP Workshop Meeting. (Next up is
the City of Kirby to host for September 2, 2021)
Mayor Contreras stated the next City to host the Mayor's Workshop would be the City of
Kirby. City Secretary Brenda Dennis stated that she would reach out to the Mayor and
City Manager for concurrence on hosting and get a location for the meeting. Mayor
Contreras indicated that the Vice Chair, Mayor Gutierrez will be in charge at the September
2, NEP Mayor's workshop meeting as well as the regular meeting as he will be on vacation.
VII. Establish a date, time for the next regular meeting of NEP August 12, 2021. Review
Draft agenda for this meeting.
Next meeting will be scheduled for August 12, 2021 — the proposed agenda was reviewed.
VIII. Adjournment.
Mayor Contreras adjourned the workshop at 7.45p.m.
i a r Vier Contreras, NEP Chairman
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