STATE OF TEXAS             )( )(
                                                                            COUNTY OF RUNNELS    )( )(
	           CITY OF BALLINGER        )( )(

	On this the 6th day of April 2020 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
                    Jeff Smith                             Council Member # 1
                    Richard “Rick” Morrish         Mayor Pro-tem
	         Absent                                  Council Member #3
	         Mike Riley         	           Council Member # 4

	City Staff:

	         Bonita Shields                       City Secretary
	                                                       City Manager
	         William “Pat” Chesser           City Attorney
	         Stanley Maresch                   Chief of Police
	          Chad Mercer			 Code Enforcement
	     	     	
	Others present Michael New

	CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Dawni Seymore called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
	Council Member Mike Riley was asked to lead the group in a word of prayer and the pledge of allegiance and pledge to the Texas flag.

	COUNCIL REPORTS & REQUEST:
	Mayor Dawni Seymore told the Council that there has been a rumor going around town that employees from Tractor Supply and Tres Amigos have tested positive for the coronavirus. She has been in contact with both businesses and they have confirmed that the rumor is not true.
	Rick Morrish  reported that there is positive news to report which includes that the City of Ballinger is in good standing and current with the City of Abilene and Republic. The house on 8th Street and been demolished and removed and the street crew has started to demolish of the burnt house on 10th Street. The street crew is working with West Central Texas COG to get rid of all the tires at the recycling center. Residents are still finding new ways to still have services on Sunday. Congratulation to all the teachers for all the things that they are doing for the kids during this time. Take out Thursday is going great for the local businesses and thank Chief Maresch for the idea.

	CONSENT AGENDA: 
	Consider approval of building permits:
           Council Member Jeff Smith made the motion to approve the following building permit and move all other items to the business section of the agenda.
Larry Holder- renew permit to build an 8’x8’ laundry room-Located at 1600 N. 8th Street. Second by Comm. Rick Morrish and was unanimously approved.

	SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
           None

	PUBLIC HEARINGS & PUBLIC COMMENTS:
           None

	ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
	City Council may consider approval of the minutes of the March 2 and March 12, 2020 meetings.
Council Member  Rick Morrish made the motion to approve the minutes of the March 2, and March 12, 2020 meetings. Second by Council  Member Jeff Smith and was unanimously approved.

	BUSINESS:
	Consider and discuss contract with Snider Technology Services
           Council Member Mike Riley made the motion to table any action on a contract with Snider Technology Services for further study. Second by Rick Morrish and was unanimously approved.

	City Council may consider, discuss, and authorize the sale of tennis courts property behind the community center
           Council Member Rick Morrish made the motion table for further information. Second by Council Member Mike Riley and was unanimously approved.

	Consider and discuss posting city real estate services for bid.
	Council Member Jeff Smith made the motion to advertise for bids for real estate services. Second by Council Member Rick Morrish and was unanimously approved.

	Council may discuss, consider, and /or take action to allow Robert Martinez to assist the City with lawn care and maintenance at the Indian field for youth baseball practice.
	Council Member Jeff Smith made the motion to approve the request from Robert Martinez to be allowed to maintain the Indian baseball field on Sealy Avenue. Second by Council Member Rick Morrish and was unanimously approved.

	Update on Jag grant from Police Chief Stan Maresch.
	Chief Maresch reported that he has submitted the proper paperwork for the $30,000 reimbursement for the police vehicle.

	Consider and discuss action on changing the rates at recycle center based on information presented by Mike New.
Council Member Jeff Smith made the motion to discontinue taking tires on rims, tractor, and eighteen-wheeler tires immediately and authorize the City Attorney to draw up an ordinance with the new amended fees for the recycling center. Second by Council Member Rick Morrish and was unanimously approved.

	Council will discuss and consider hiring a CPA to prepare for upcoming audit.
Council Member Rick Morrish authorize the City Attorney to draw up a contract between the City and Willey Webb in the amount of $1,000.00 for Mr. Webb’s service to reconcile the City checking accounts and bring them up to date. Second by Council Member Mike Riley and was unanimously approved.

	Discuss and consider enacting an ordinance that will extend declaration of public health emergency issued by Mayor Dawni Seymore.
	Council Member Mike Riley made the motion to extend the declaration of public health emergency issued by Mayor Dawni Seymore. Second by Council Member Rick Morrish and was unanimously approved.

	City Council may discuss, consider, and take action to approve the incentive agreement for police department cadets.
Council Member Jeff Smith made the motion to approve the incentive agreement for police department cadets as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Riley and was unanimously approved.

	The City Council may discuss, consider, and take action on the press release and information to be placed on the City’s web site regarding COVID-10 and Governor Gregg Abbott’s new executive order.
	Council Member Mike Riley made the motion to approve the press release and information pertaining to the COVID-19 to be placed on the City's website. Second by Council Member Jeff Smith and was unanimously approved.

	EXECUTIVE SESSION:
	The City Council convened in executive session at 6:35 p.m. as authorized by Executive Session pursuant to Chapter 551.074 (Personnel Matters) of the Texas Government Code to discuss the following items:
	City Council may consider, discuss, and approve employment of Police academy cadet.
	City Council may consider, discuss insurance claims filed on City of Ballinger vehicle.
	City Council may consider and discuss the application received for Street Superintendent and City Manager position.

	RECONVENE:
	The Council reconvened into regular session at 7:23 p.m.
	Council Member Jeff Smith made the motion to hire Phillip Bryan Thomas as a police officer. Second by Council Member Rick Morrish and was unanimously approved.
	Council Member Mike Riley made the motion to take on action on hiring for the street superintendent  and city manager positions. Second by Jeff Smith and was unanimously approved.

	ADJOURNMENT:
	Council Member Rick Morrish made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:24 p.m. Second by Council Member Mike Riley and was unanimously approved.

			_________________
		     Dawni Seymore
                                                                                      Mayor

ATTEST:

______________
Bonita F. Shields
City Secretary