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| City of Weston Lakes City Council Meeting Weston Lakes, Texas 77441 Virtual Office 365 Tuesday, April 27, 2021 6:00 PM |
NOTICE OF REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA
To Join meeting “Click Here”
Or call in (audio only) +1 321-754-9478 Phone Conference ID: 928 583
- Call to Order
2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
3. Statement of rules regarding public comments and public comments
4. Mayors Comments:
5. FirstNet Phones Presentation then Q/A by FirstNet Team/AT&T with council.
6. Emergency Management Coordinator’s Update:
a. EM update
b. EM update on preparedness for 2021
c. Invitation to come to EM Quarterly Breakfast, May 1, 2021 at 9 AM
7. Financials and Investments:
a. Review and approve March’s financials.
Aldermen vote:
Case _____ Thomas _____ Ragle _____ Harnist _____ DeLuca _____
b. Treasurer’s Report
1. Total amount of money city has in all accounts:
2. Total in Wallis Bank:
3. Total in New First Sweep Account:
4. Total in New First Account:
c. Notice that Budget vs. Actuals will now be posted on the website monthly for financial transparency.
d. Advise council of Investment Committee’s meeting which took place on April 7, 2021 and give report – by Mayor, we accomplished a lot at our first meeting.
- Reviewed some of our policies and brought clarification to investment policies, investments will be made and we will inform council instead of asking them to approve as per Resolution 06-18.
2. We will have an annual finance report at each fiscal year end to inform all of what has occurred with city funds done by the investment officer.
3. Investments will be posted on the website, no longer on the budget as that information changes more often.
e. Consider and approve the City of Weston Lakes to go out for Request for Proposal Bank Depository Services and Investment Services. Quotes to go out to four local banks as recommended by the Investment Committee. These Request for Proposals are required by law every three to five years.
Aldermen vote:
Case _____ Thomas _____ Ragle _____ Harnist _____ DeLuca _____
f. Consider and take action on Resolution 02-21 Visa Bank Card Authorization.
Aldermen vote:
Case _____ Thomas _____ Ragle _____ Harnist _____ DeLuca _____
g. Consider and take action on Resolution 03-21 Policy regulating the movement of city funds from the designated Depository Bank to the designated Investment Bank as proposed by the investment committee.
Aldermen vote:
Case _____ Thomas _____ Ragle _____ Harnist _____ DeLuca _____
h. Consider and take action to approve the contract between the City of Weston Lakes and Sherri R. Scheffer, CPA, PLLC. To conduct the audit for FY 2019-2020.
Aldermen vote:
Case _____ Thomas _____ Ragle _____ Harnist _____ DeLuca _____
8. Review and approve Meeting Minutes:
March 23, 2021
September 22, 2020
Case _____ Thomas _____ Ragle _____ Harnist _____ DeLuca _____
9. Review update from council on latest developments on pursuing a contractual agreement between MUD81 and Aqua Texas to merge water supplies in cases of emergency and take appropriate action. Postponed last month due to after action plans after the freeze.
Aldermen vote:
Case _____ Thomas _____ Ragle _____ Harnist _____ DeLuca _____
10. Discuss and take possible action on the use of drones within the City of Weston Lakes. They are currently used by Real Estate Agents to take pictures of homes for sale and by any person who can purchase the device. Do we want to limit the use of drones or allow people to do whatever they wish? Limit use to not allow spying on neighbors, at what height above someone’s home can they hover, can they fly through the neighbor’s backyard, look into windows? Take pictures and or video, record what your front door locks look like?
Aldermen vote:
Case _____ Thomas _____ Ragle _____ Harnist _____ DeLuca _____
11. Consider and take possible action on 36A Resolution 05-21 in Support of the Amendment to the HGAC 2045
Regional Transportation Plan.
Aldermen vote:
Case _____ Thomas _____ Ragle _____ Harnist _____ DeLuca _____
12. Discuss and take possible action on FirstNet status being given to city council members, municipal officers and Emergency Management Team leaders for cell phone usage to include service on their personal phones at the city monthly rate. This could be done at no cost to the city.
Case _____ Thomas _____ Ragle _____ Harnist _____ DeLuca _____
13. Discussion and authorization for the Mayor to sign the Annual Franchise Payment Calculation with CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC implementing the adjusted franchise fee payment on July 1, 2021.
Aldermen vote:
Case _____ Thomas _____ Ragle _____ Harnist _____ DeLuca _____
14. Discuss and take possible action on the City of Weston Lakes once again hosting swimming lessons with grant monies from Fort Bend County.
Aldermen vote:
Case _____ Thomas _____ Ragle_____ Harnist_____ DeLuca______
15. Consider and take possible action on approving the city secretary’s job description.
Aldermen vote:
Case _____ Thomas _____ Ragle _____ Harnist _____ DeLuca _____
16. Discussion and appropriate action regarding Resolution No. 04-21. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Weston Lakes, Texas, establishing the 1093 Rails to Trails Local Government Corporation; and, accepting, approving, and adopting the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the 1093 Rails to Trails Local Government Corporation.
Case _____ Thomas _____ Ragle _____ Harnist _____ DeLuca _____
17. Discuss and take possible action on amending Resolution 02-09.
Aldermen vote:
Case _____ Thomas _____ Ragle _____ Harnist _____ DeLuca _____
18. Adjournment. Thank you all for attending.
CERTIFICATE: I, the undersigned, City Secretary of the City of Weston Lakes, do hereby certify that on the 22nd day of April at 5:00 PM, I posted a true and correct copy of the attached and following notice of a Regular Meeting of the City of Weston Lake City Council to be held on Tuesday April 27, 20210, at 6:00 PM by Virtual Office 365 meeting, which posting was done not less than three (3) full days prior to the date fixed for said meeting.
Signed J. McJunkin_____________________________
City Secretary
NOTICE
Policy of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Disability: The City of Weston Lakes does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or activities.
NOTICE
The City of Weston Lakes reserves the right to adjourn into executive session at any time during the course of this meeting to discuss any of the matters listed above, as authorized by Texas Government Code Sections 551.071 (Consultation with Attorney), 551.072 (Deliberations about Real Property), 551.073 (Deliberations about Gifts and Donations), 551.074 (Personnel Matters), 551.076 (Deliberations about Security Devices) and 551.086 (Economic Development).
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4/8/21
Emergency Management Quarterly Breakfast event has been postponed due to an abundance of caution and requirements of Chapter 551 or the Open Meetings Act. Once within the 72-hour period, notice was given that a majority or quorum wanted to attend. Requirements of the Act state that a notice must be given if a quorum or majority of council is going to be present at a city event. Since notice was received within the 72-hour window the event must be cancelled to be in compliance with the law. The event will be rescheduled and notification will be resent. If you would like to be emailed the notification, please email the Emergency Management Administrative Assistant, Rachel Durham, emadmin@cityofwestonlakes-tx.gov. Please save the date May 1, 2021.
Mayor Ramona Neal
3/31/21
Our lives are getting back to a more normal state with vaccinations now available to all who are interested. Many sources in addition to area hospitals are available around the county offering vaccines. Please watch emails frequently/daily once you sign up for additional information requested.
Mayor Neal and city council have worked hard to accomplish many things for the city and look to its future. Below are a few updates and highlights from meetings the latter part of 2020 to present:
- Upgraded phone and internet services for city hall
- Presentation of Weston Lakes Drainage Committee’s findings to city council and meeting attendees
- CenterPoint issue discussion and taking action with Mayor and council and allowed for discussion with citizens. CenterPoint Energy representatives (4) present at meeting to discuss power blips and outages, Q/A
- Discussed and made changes to various policies for the city and its employees
- GLO and TWDB grants were up for discussion but no motion made to discuss
- Rails to trails documentation approved
- Approval of Flood Plain Management/Flood damage Prevention Ordinance 1-20
- Approved benefit package for city secretary
- Representatives for Houston Galveston Area Committee named
- Public hearing and approval of budget for FY 2020-2021
- Approval of audit for 2019
- Approval of Mayor and council to have access to QuickBooks and all computer files
- Resignation of Emergency Management Coordinator
- Approval of renewal lease for city hall for two years beginning in January, 2021
- Gh-911 legislation support Resolution passed regarding 9-1-1 services
- Hired Emergency Management Administrative Assistant
- Appointed Emergency Management Coordinator and Deputy Coordinator
Currently discussions are ongoing:
- Regarding the 70 acres of property regarding drainage plans and permits
- Pursuing a contractual agreement between MUD81 and Aqua Texas to merge water supplies in cases of emergency
- Interlocal agreement between Fort Bend county and City of Weston Lakes to have county as Flood Plain Manager
- Adding a means of communication for City/Emergency Management to inform the citizens
Attended a walk through of the new fire station. The facility is really coming along and it is exciting to see the continuing work. Looking forward to its opening that is scheduled for October.
This week, reached out to LCISD to discuss getting some more information on the Morgan Elementary School. Children of Weston Lakes will be attending Morgan Elementary. This information may be looked up on their website: www.lcisd.org. Although the original plan was to open the building to new students this August, the timeline got behind and the plan is substantial. The completion is scheduled to be completed in November with students on campus January 2022. However, the school will be operational starting August-December 2021 and will be housed on the Huggins Elementary campus.
Emergency Management met with FirstNet and AT&T during March, 2021 to discuss product performance during severe winter storm Uri and we look forward to training taking place in April. We discussed our experience with communications during severe storm Uri both good and bad. Our city’s experience will be reported and discussed before the United States senators in the bi-annual report given to the Senate. Emergency Management is looking forward to learning about the equipment and technology offered by FirstNet and AT&T to help facilitate communications during possible future events.
During Uri, Emergency Management posted pertinent information on its website. As the city does not have the citizens email addresses, it relies on the POA to send out email blasts. On Wednesday, February 17th, the city asked the POA to send out an email blast directing citizens to the city website; however, the email was not sent out. If you would like to receive emails from the City of Weston Lakes, please email Rachel Durham at emadmin@cityofwestonlakes-tx.gov.
Mayor’s column in the Weston Lakes Country Club will no longer appear as the club owner has decided he will no longer support the publishing of this column nor allow me to address the citizens of Weston Lakes in his magazine.
I attended a mayor’s conference where we worked on legislative bills which may affect cities removal of city funds spent on lobbyists and will be going to Austin to testify on proposed legislation.
PPE is still available for those who may need it. Since March 1st, only two kits have been requested and received by residents. If you are in need of PPE, please contact (346) 257-7797 or email mediacoord@cityofwestonlakes-tx.gov and provide your name, address, phone number and email address so we can plan for distribution.
CARES Act funds have been reimbursed for the City of Weston Lakes’ payments for items covered under the plan. The city’s reimbursement was $7,571.67 on the programs within the city. The rental, mortgage and utilities program spent approximately $51,091. Office 365 was $8,438 for a full year. This was advised when the CARES Act funds were first available and all applicable rules of spending were still being learned by our CPA. Of the $8,438 spent, $3,744 was reimbursed. The installation of $950 was reimbursed 100%. We are certainly grateful for the ability to meet virtually while measures were being Implemented to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Emergency Management quarterly breakfast meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 10th from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at the city hall building, first floor, Suite 112. If you wish to volunteer, please save the date to attend.
The Regular City Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 27th at 6:00 PM.
Looking forward to a lovely Spring! I am grateful to be your mayor.
Respectfully submitted,
Mayor Ramona Neal
Mayor.neal@cityofwestonlakes-tx.gov
281.505.8436 cell
