STATE OF TEXAS             )( )(
                                                                                 COUNTY OF RUNNELS    )( )(
	                CITY OF BALLINGER        )( )(
	
	On this the 16th day of December 2019 the Ballinger City Council met in regular session at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chamber of City Hall located at 700 Railroad Avenue with the following members present:

	          Dawni Seymore                   Mayor
                    Jason Gore                          Commissioner # 1
                    Richard “Rick” Morrish         Commissioner # 2
	         Bob McDaniel                       Mayor-Pro tem
	         Kristi Goetz      	           Commissioner # 4

	City Staff:

	         Bonita Shields                       City Secretary
	         Tommy Turney, Jr.                City Manager
	         William “Pat” Chesser           City Attorney
	         Stanley Maresch                   Chief of Police
	          Chad Mercer			 Code Enforcement Officer
	     	     	
	Others present- Suzanne Riley, Loretta Stephenson, Sue Yancy, Linda Maynard, Joe Lopez, Elaine Paske, Frank Ortega, Benny Vela, Jr., Ginger Turner, B. Yancy, Charles Maynard, Carl Williams, Robert Langston, Barrett Smith, Sue Morrish, Betty Arp, Mike Riley, Jeff Smith, Christopher Sargent, Justin Busenhlner, Simon Mota-Citizens, Bill Hancock-Runnels County Register.

	CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Dawni Seymore called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Mayor
thanked Ginger Turner, Big Country Realty, Industrial Board, and anyone else that made a financial contribution to her trip to Washington, DC to the Women’s leadership conference. It was a good trip and she was able to make lots of resourceful contacts for the City.

PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
	 Bob McDaniel lead the group in a word of prayer and the pledge of allegiance.

VISITORS:
Sue Yancy thanked Tommy Turney, Jr, Barrett, and Bob McDaniel for fixing the alley behind the Donut Shop between Broadway and 7th Street.
Mike Riley asked about the City matching part on the recent grant that Ballinger was awarded.

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 
	Council Member Bob McDaniel made the motion to approve the minutes of the November 18, 2019 meeting, with noted corrections. Second by Council Member Jason Gore and was unanimously approved.

THE CITY COUNCIL MAY CONSIDER, DISCUSS, AND/ OR APPROVE A RURAL FIRE PROTECTION CONTRACT WITH RUNNELS COUNTY:
The Council reviewed the contract that they received from the County for the
annual contribution of $10,500. It was discussed that this is the amount that Runnels County has been paying since 2005. They did pay $21,000 for two years. Robert Langston suggested that the City request a separate fund from the County that would take care of fire department equipment when it is damaged fighting rural grass fires. Mr. Langston also suggested that the contract be looked over before final approval. After discussion, Council Member Bob McDaniel made the motion to table any action on the contract and authorized Tommy Turney, Jr. and Robert Langston to meet with Runnels County to negotiate more funding, revision of the wording in Section 3 of the contract and setting up funds to cover damages from rural fire protection. Second by Council Member Jason Gore and was unanimously approved.

THE CITY COUNCIL MAY CONSIDER, DISCUSS AND AUTHORIZE ACTION ON THE MONTHLY FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND AGING REPORT:
Rick Morrish told the Council that he requested this item to be put on the
agenda because he is still concerned about the financial state of the City of Ballinger. The City is spending money that was budgeted for this year’s expenses to pay for last year’s invoices and at the end of September 2020 we are going to be in the same state as last year. He suggested to get the City of Abilene paid first to protect the water contract. He also reminded the Council of the half million bond payment that will be due in June 2020. Mr. Morrish also questioned Tommy about putting gasoline in his personal vehicle instead of using the City vehicle that was furnished to him. The Council agreed for a gasoline allowance item to be placed on the next agenda.	

THE CITY COUNCIL MAY CONSIDER, DISCUSS AND APPROVE OF A
REQUEST FROM JUSTIN BUSENHLNER ON AN UPDATE ON EQUIPMENT- EQUIPMENT RENTAL AND WATER LEAK REPAIR PROCEDURE:
Justin Busenhlner met with the Council and thanked Rick Morrish for starting
to ask questions. He stated that the finances are a big concern of this town and the most important concern is future water supply for the City of Ballinger. The leak on the Ivie line by Bearcat Pump ran for three weeks and the City wasted approximately 252,000 gallons of water that we must pay for. Mr. Busenhlner also questioned why he is having to change the filters at his house every two weeks. This is costing him about $250.00 every two to three weeks.
	Mr. Busenhlner also questioned why it took the City from February 2018- October 2018 to get the equipment repaired and the hole covered back up. This cost the City approximately $49,000 for rental equipment.
	He also questioned Tommy Turney about the purchase of a John Deere excavator that  was not approved by the Council , and no payment has been made on.

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF BUILDING PERMITS:
Council Member Bob McDaniel made the motion to approve the following building
permits:
William Williams- Install 3’x4’ advertising sign- on property located at 1104 N. Broadway. Tract 2, Block 15- Wilke III Addition
Jim & Martha Speckels-Install 12’x20’x8’ portable building located at 900 Avenue A. Tract 2, Block 38- West End Addition
Hubert Wade- Install 24’x25’x8’ metal building- Located at 304 N. 8th Street. Lot 8, Block 106-First Railroad Addition. 
Second by Council Member Jason Goetz and was unanimously approved.

HEAR THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S BI-WEEKLY REPORT:
 Tommy Turney, Jr. reported to the Council that he requested that the
Council meeting start at 6:00 p.m. to allow him time to meet the BISD School Board about the property that they still own on 7th Street and Bonsall Avenue. The Park Board has requested to develop a park site and walking trail and renovated the tennis courts on the property in honor of Ebb Grindstaff. The Park Board was approached by the Lion Club about this project. Bob McDaniel questioned if Christmas bonuses were giving to City employees. He also questioned the use of credit cards by City employees.

HEAR COUNCIL REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
	The Council would like to discuss a procedure for travel policy and purchase orders. They would also like an update on the personnel policy handbook and response from auditor for the 2019 audit.

	ADJOURN:
	Council Member Bob McDaniel made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:44 p.m. Second by Council Member Jason Gore and was unanimously approved.

			_________________
		     Dawni Seymore
                                                                                      Mayor

ATTEST:
______________
Bonita F. Shields
City Secretary