08-04-2016 MinutesNortheast Partnership for Economic Development
City of New Berlin
City Hall
275 FM2538
Seguin, Texas 78155
MINUTES OF WORKSHOP AUGUST 4, 2016 6:30 P.M.
I. Call to Order and Establish a Quorum.
Mayor Carpenter called the workshop to order at 6:35 PM.
Members present were:
Mayor Michael Carpenter, Schertz
Mayor Mary Dennis, Live Oak
Mayor Bill Seiler, Marion
Mayor Nick Milanovich, New Berlin
Mayor Jeff Hunt, Santa Clara
Others Present:
City Secretary Brenda Dennis
City Clerk Gilbert "Gil" Offer
II. Introduction
Mayor Carpenter welcomed those present.
III. Old Business:
1. Discussion and direction and update regarding the Northeast Partnership for
Economic Development Website.
Mayor's present discussed going out for RFP's or go out and get bids. Mayor
Seiler stated that Jerry Dexter is willing to update the website. All that is needed
is to tell him what we want it to look like and what content. Mayor Seiler stated
that if it is a small maintenance adjustment the cost is very low. If it is creation
from the beginning the cost is higher. Mayor's discussed updating it with the new
member Cities so that our website points to each of them and we can put up the
agendas, minutes, treasurers reports and information on upcoming events. It was
also discussed that once this is updated that possibly we can keep it updated
ourselves or we could get a cost to have someone else do it that should be a
minimal cost. Mayor Seiler stated that he would have Jerry contact Brenda
Dennis regarding what we are looking for in updating the website. Mayor
Carpenter suggested that at our next meeting that we mention we will be
entertaining some offers to update our website. Mayor's discussed having Kevin
Hadas and Jerry Dexter put in a bid. Brenda Dennis stated that she would reach
out to another individual and see if they would be interested in bidding as well.
Members present stated we want to set the following parameters first we want a
simple update of our website, we want links to the members cities and we want to
be able to post our agendas, minutes, treasurers reports and upcoming events and
any other information we find important for the members.
2. Discussion and possible action regarding the City of Windcrest's membership.
Mayors discussed that Mayor Knaus has sent out reminder letters regarding their
membership dues, but have not as of this date received them. Mayor Dennis
stated that she has reached out to Mayor Baxter and stated that she also believes
that Mayor Daly has as well. After much discussion Mayor Carpenter stated that
he will get with Ms. Dennis and compose a letter requesting again that they pay
their annual dues and that until such time their membership in the partnership will
be suspended indefinitely. If they choose to not participate we will place them on
an inactive status.
Members present did agree that they have gone to extra lengths to reconcile the
situation and agreed to make the last attempt.
3. Discussion and action regarding submitting Resolutions for the 2016 TML
Annual Conference — submittals due no later than 5:00 p.m. August 22, 2016.
Mayor Dennis provided examples of a few of the resolutions that have been
submitted so far.
Mayor Dennis stated she wanted to provide the members with some of the items
we will be facing in January. Items include: Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems,
General Law Authority on Subcommittee, TxDOT Local signs, County recycling
authority, retention of mineral rights, texting while driving, short-term rentals,
traffic signalization, red light photo enforcement, school bus top arm cameras,
engineering practices, General Law Sex Offender regulations, license carry,
Police department item regarding powered alcohol prohibition, under purchasing,
the unified procurement code, HB 1295 Contract reporting, public /private
relationships, personnel: Public pension reform, TMRS flexible cost of living
adjustments, civil service: meeting confer collective bargaining, disease
presumption, election: changing unified election dates, ballot language, municipal
court: municipal court collection of state fees, municipal courts debtors prison,
open government: candidate reform, Texas Open Meeting Act, Animal Adoption
confidentiality, fictitious public information requests, Texas Open Meetings Act
statute of limitations, official newspaper requirements, litigation: governmental
immunity, miscellaneous: HB 23 Conflicts reporting, restrictions on lobbying, pay
day and auto lenders, plastic bag ban, smoking ban, immigration and so on are a
few items we will be facing at the upcoming session. All of these are summarized
on "the TML website. These are just a few items.
Mayor Dennis stated that she would have her City Secretary get with Brenda and
provide to the members the link of those. Mayor Dennis stated that they will be
considering these on August 19, 2016, and will be meeting at 10:00 a.m. to 3:00
p.m., at the Hilton Austin located at 500 E. 4h Street. She stated that she will
have Ms. Dennis provide the information of this meeting by email and
encouraged those who wanted to attend to please do so. Mayor Dennis also stated
that if you have any resolutions to please get the submissions in. Lastly, if you
are unable to attend the meeting, once you received the link to the information to
please read it so that we are very well versed on the issues.
4. Discussion and action regarding payment for luncheons for Meetings.
Members were provided a current list of those of non - payment or those that were
invoiced for meeting amounts that are still outstanding as of the date of the
meeting. Members discuss ways of not having to bill entities for meeting
attendance -and stated that maybe they should invest in a credit card IPAD tablet,
and look into purchasing one. This would allow those to pay by credit card and if
they did they would be charged the credit card transaction fee. Maybe having this
available would eliminate NEP having to bill those for attendance. Ms. Dennis
stated that she would get with Mayor Knaus when she returns to see if this can be
accomplished.
IV. Items of Interest by the Member Cities.
Mayor present were reminded of the TML Region 7 meeting in Kerrville tomorrow at
5:30 p.m. Mayor Carpenter stated that several members of Schertz will be attending and
if there are those that wish to ride with them, to please arrive before 4:00 p.m., at
Building #2.
Mayor Carpenter updated members of the City of Schertz General & Special election
which will be held on November 8, 2016.
Mayor Seiler City of Marion reminded and invited those who wanted to attend the
upcoming Marion Annual Sausage event to come and sit with him during the parade.
Mayor Members discussed the importance of NEP stating that now our group is
recognized and that we have a seat finally on MPO.
Mayor Dennis stated that on Saturday, they have their ribbon cutting ceremony on the
skate park.
V. Establish a Date, Time, & Location of the Next Meeting. (Next up is the City of
Santa Clara to host).
Mayor Carpenter indicated that next up would be the City of Santa Clara. Next meeting
will be hosted by the City of Santa Clara in September 2016.
VI. Adjournment
Mayor Carpenter adjourned the workshop at 7:15 p.m.
PAS APPROVED THIS I It' DAY OF AUGUST 2016.
Ma r Michael R. Carpenter, NEP Chairman