09-02-2021 Workshop MinutesNortheast Partnership
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City of Kirby
Kirby City Hall —112 Bauman Street
Kirby Texas 78219
MINUTES OF WORKSHOP
September 2, 2021
I. Call to Order and Establish a Quorum.
Mayor Gutierrez called the workshop to order at 6:43 p.m.
II. Introduction of those present and roll call.
Member's J)resent were:
Vice Chair Gutierrez had the following introduce themselves:
Mayor Walt Williams, New Berlin
Mayor Stosh Boyle, Cibolo
Mayor Pro -Tem Joel Hicks, Cibolo
Mayor Jeff Hunt, Santa Clara
Mayor Kimberly McGehee Aldrich, Kirby
City Administrator Monique Vernon, Kirby
Mayor Tom Daly, Selma
Mayor Donna Dodgen, Seguin
Mayor Dan Reese, Windcrest
City Secretary Brenda Dennis
Mayor Gutierrez thanked the City of Kirby for hosting this evening and for the meal.
III. New Business:
1. Discussion regarding NEP joining forces with Greater Bexar County Council
of Cities ( GBCCC). (Tom Daly) — Conference call in Mayor Contreras (830-
305 -7852) — Mayor Contreras did not conference in.
Mayor Daly wanted the NEP Mayor to allow him to explore the idea of NEP
joining forces with the Greater Bexar Council of Council of Cities GBCCC)
Mayor Daly indicated that with the recent demonstrations of strength that the
NEP holds, i.e., TML Region 7 Elections, the AAMPO, he would like to pursue
with GBCCC how NEP can become an active participant and a voice. Mayor
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present provided Mayor Daly permission to explore how this partnership could
be formed.
2. Discussion regarding upcoming speakers: (September Quick Trip — update;
October AAMPO MPO awards; January HNTB I -35 NEX Central Expansion
Project)
Mayors present discussed the upcoming NEP meeting speakers, City Secretary
Brenda Dennis stated that she would reach out to them all to make sure they
are scheduled to speak.
3. Discussion and action regarding the cancellation of the October 7a' NEP
Mayors Workshop meeting due to TML Conference — Houston.
Mayor present stated that most of them will be attending TML in Houston and
concurred to cancel the October NEP Mayors meeting.
4. TML Region 7 new officer discussion update, based on the election of August
27, 2021, at the TML Region 7 meeting in Live Oak
Vice Chair Gutierrez provided the following new slate of officers for the TML
Region 7 that were recently voted in:
President - Mayor Pro -Tem Joel Hicks City of Cibolo
Vice President- Mayor Victor Contreras City of Marion
Secretary —David Harris City Administrator City of Balcones Heights
Treasurer — Brenda Dennis City Secretary City of Schertz
TML Board Representative — Allison Heyward City of Schertz
IV. Old Business
1. Discussion and possible action regarding NEP Sponsorship for the Tri- County
Chamber State of Technology. (Requested by Mindy Paxton) This item was
discussed but due to the timing Mayor's present felt that since Ms. Paxton was
not at the last meeting to discuss the sponsorship, then we not at this time support.
2. Discussion regarding changes to the NEP Bylaws.
Mayor Walt Williams, City of New Berlin provided a draft of the changes to the
NEP Bylaws. Mayor's present went over and added proposed changes, each
agreed upon those changes, and these will be presented for approval at the
October meeting.
V. Items of interest by Member Cities.
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Mayor Walt Williams, City of New Berlin provided an update on the upcoming 2022 Air
Show and laid out the proposal regarding a VIP tent for the Officers and Family members
of the Thunderbirds. The mini committee will be formed and will work out details of
securing sponsorships for food, etc. The Mayors present discuss several details regarding
this event and how to make it successful. More information to come.
Mayor Williams also mentioned the upcoming New Berlin Sausage Supper, and silent
auction, vendors will also be present the event is Sunday, and the proceeds go to their
Volunteer Fire Department.
Mayor Donna Dandridge, City of Seguin provided an update regarding the COVID
vaccination clinics being held in Seguin. She spoke briefly regarding the mandate of all
employees with Tyson Chicken to received and get vaccinated and the program of awards
for those receiving their vaccination. Mayor Dandridge also mentioned those being able to
receive their booster shot, specifically for those that are compromised and meets the
criteria. Several of the pharmacies are providing them. She mentioned in September they
will begin again giving the shots in the high schools.
Mayor Pro -Tem Joel Hicks City of Cibolo spoke about their upcoming jet car races this
weekend at the Racetrack, everyone is invited.
Mayor Jeff Hunt City of Santa Clara commented those being able to receive their COVID
booster shot.
Mayor Hunt City of Santa Clara commented on the Dove hunting going on at neighbors'
private property and about some of the neighbor complaints. Due to the development that
has gone on in Santa Clara this is the first -time neighbors are hearing the gun shots.
Mayor Reese City of Windcrest commented on the Texas Comptroller and information on
where the city's sale tax is paid, specifically Rack Space for his community. Most likely
need to look into this, looks like they are going to put a stay on this, but later on there may
be need for a group to go up to the legislature and express the concerns and how it will
affect our cities. Mayors discuss having our TML Representative be on the look for when
the State may try and push legislation on where businesses pay their sales tax as this would
be a big impact for the cities.
Mayor McGehee Aldrich City of Kirby stated that their city is deciding upon where to
spend their American Rescue Funds. They are suggesting things and one item that came
up at their meeting that they wanted to set some money aside for their Fire, First
Responders, Police, EMS they are having the issue of how much they should pay them.
How much per employee, do we spread it out, or give it out in a lump sum. Mayor Daly
stated that they gave $1000 to all, all at once, Mayor Pro -Tem Hicks stated that they are
trying to get their employees up to market value. Mayor Gutierrez stated that the city is
going to give .50 for every hour that they worked during the disaster declaration, 18
months, because we have some employees that came in between that time and there were
also those that left during that time. You actually have to be in employed and worked a full
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12 months during that time you will get all that money, if you were part-time, you would
receive half .25 per hour.
Mayor Dandridge stated that the City of Seguin utilized some of the AFR money for those
with vacation time to be able to let them pay it down.
Mayor McGhee Aldrich City of Kirby stated that the City of Kirby is going to do this
regardless, they are changing one of their Ordnances to change the requirements of running
for any time of elected official for the City of Kirby. They are changing it to be if you have
been convicted of any type of assault, sexual assault, fiduciary responsibility, and the law
says unless pardoned that they cannot run for office. Mayors present suggested that she
makes sure to have her attorney review the change she is seeking. Mayor Aldrich stated
that she has already spoke to TML and they are saying it is ok and their attorney is also ok
with the change. She is unsure if any other city has an ordinance similar or like this. Others
spoke.
She provided the following as she sees it's a problem: if you have a person that has been
convicted of assault in another state and when they come up for trial and they can't find
the witness, and they convict the person, the person does jail time for a B misdemeanor,
they can still run for office, and it is a sexual assault, she has a problem with that.
She stated that she is going to do an ordinance and then in 2 years it will be placed on the
ballot as a charter amendment as they just had a charter amendment, and they have to wait
2 years to have another one.
Mayors discussed the city's ability to set their own restrictions and guidelines for filing for
an elected office.
Mayor Gutierrez thanked the City of Kirby for hosting and for those in attendance.
VL Establish a Date, Time & Location of the next NEP Workshop Meeting. (Cancelled the
October 7a' NEP Mayor Workshop due to TML Houston) (Next up is the City of Live Oak
to host for November 4, 2021.)
Mayor presented had discussed and cancelled the October Mayors meeting, next up for
November is City of Live Oak.
VII. Establish a date, time for the next regular meeting of NEP September 9, 2021. Review
Draft agenda for this meeting.
Next meeting will be scheduled for September 9, 2021 — the proposed agenda was
reviewed.
Mayors present reviewed the upcoming agenda.
VIII. Adjournment.
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Mayor Gutierrez adjourned the workshop at 8:06p.m.
Mayor R pli dutie , NEP Vice Chairman
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