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

	On this the 2nd day of March 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
	         Ryan Lange                         Council Member #3
	         Kristi Goetz      	          Council Member # 4

	City Staff:

	         Bonita Shields                       City Secretary
	         Sidney “Buck” Laquey           Interim City Administrator
	         William “Pat” Chesser           City Attorney
	         Stanley Maresch                   Chief of Police
	          Chad Mercer			 Code Enforcement
	     	     	
	Others present: Christi Langston, Nancy Blackwell Joe V. Lopez, Ginger Van Story, Linda Maynard, Ginger Turner, Cheryl Buchanan, Julie Vela, Mario Mares, Randy Turner, B. Yancy, Sue Yancy, Jason Goetz, Michael A. New, Matt Seymore, Robert Ruiz, Carl Williams, Chad Hardy, Bill Hancock, Steven Gray, Jr., Kristi Smith Watkins, Barbi Egan, Chad McDuffee, Robert Langston, Brent Allen, Stella Gonzales, Ken Kvapil, Benny Vela, Sr., Chris Sargent, Sandra Cavazos, Frank Ortega, Suzanne Torres, Ramon Mota, George Cavazos- Citizens.

	CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Mayor Dawni Seymore called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m.

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

	SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
	Acknowledge of Thank you letter from Library
	Mayor Seymore read the letter from Carla Campbell and Carnegie Library thanking the City for the use of the community center for the Taste of Ballinger event. She also thanked the City for allowing the City employees to help with the set up and clean-up of the community center.

	Discuss and take necessary action to move forward with the dog park after presentation by Laura Brown
	Laura Brown met with the Council and told them that she was ready to get started on the project again and need a few things approved by the Council. Laura questioned the location of the fencing material that was taken down from the putt-putt. She also requested update on the sign of the rules for the park. She would like to install a tire jungle out of old tires and possibly get an old fire hydrant for decorations from the City. Council Member Kristi Goetz stated that she did not think the tire jungle was a good idea, and she wanted to make sure that a double gate was installed in case a dog got loose. Council Member Jeff Smith questioned the process for the City to get insurance on the dog park just in case of a claim. Council Member questioned the time that she would start on the project and Laura stated she plan to schedule a workday later in March or early April. Laura stated that she will keep in touch through Ryan Lange. After discussion, Council Member Jeff Smith made the motion to allow Laura Brown to continue with plan to complete the dog park area. Second by Rick Morrish and was unanimously approved.

COUNCIL REPORTS & REQUEST:
Updates from  the Mayor and Council Member on activities of community interest
Mayor Seymore reminded the Council and those present that the Women
Club is having their baked potato and salad luncheon tomorrow starting at 11:00 a.m. The next park board meeting is March 10, 2020 at 5:45 p.m.

Approval of minutes of February 18, 2020 meeting.
	Council Member Rick Morrish made the motion to approve the minutes of the February 18, 2020 meeting, with one correction. Second by Council  Member Kristi Goetz  and was unanimously approved.

PUBLIC HEARINGS & PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Chad Hardy questioned what the status of the excavator was at this time. 
Cheryl Buchanan mention that two members of the Council were recognized
at the Chamber Banquet. Rick Morrish received the Citizen of the Year and Jeff Smith with KRUN received the Business of the Year awards. She also questioned if the City Manager was required to have a physical address with the city limits of Ballinger.
	How many members were present at the reprimand and firing of Barrett Smith and was he given a reason for his firing. The state of Texas is an employment at will and no reason has to be given.
Stella Gonzales- 405 Ball Avenue-met with the Council to report her meeting
with Buck Laquey concerning the closing of  Ball Avenue between South 5th and S 6th Street. Mrs. Gonzales stated that the road on Ball Avenue was block off on February 25, 2020. She had brought this issue before the Council about 1 ½ year ago. When she called and talked to Mr. Laquey about them blocking off the road again that he was very rude, disrespectful, and unprofessional. She also talked to her Council Member representative. The Mayor stopped Mrs. Gonzales and requested that a meeting be set up for her to discuss this issue or it be placed on the next agenda or a meeting with Mr. Laquey for discussion. Mrs. Gonzales’ last statement to Buck was that she puts those words and that tone under the name of Jesus and forgive you and she  was not here to start chaos, but to move forward.
	Ginger Turner reported to the Council that through research she found out that Mr. Laquey has had two sexual harassment lawsuits  filed against him in a former county where he was city manager. He also filed a lawsuit against a county and sued them for office space. Mrs. Turner questioned why the Council if they knew of his background hired him. Mr. Laquey responded that the district judge required him to file the lawsuit. He stated that no good deed goes unpunished. He trained the people and then they turned around and sued him.
	Lalanie Dohrse stated that she was a nurse of a mental health facility and that he should not call people crazy because it is cruel and labeling.
	Julie Vela- Stated that the reason that everyone is upset is maybe the sometime way you present yourself or talk to people. The no extension notices across the board that was printed on the water bills this month was not appropriate.
	Linda Maynard- Stated her concerns about Mayor Seymore and Council Member Kristi Goetz having been taking it among themselves to make decisions for the City and leave other Council member uniformed. She also brought up an issue of severance pay for Tommy Turney, Jr.
	Steven Gray, Jr.-stated that the public perception of the Council is what has the residents upset. The minutes are not up to date. CHL classes

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
CONSENT AGENDA:
7.1 Consider and take action to decide fate  of land beside Glory Road Cowboy church.
The land beside the Glory Road Cowboy church, next to the river, is unkept.
The church is requesting fencing off and usage of the land, for grazing and offering to clean up. At no time is title pass to the church.

	7.2 City Council may consider, discuss, and act on approval for Debby Legg to the appointed as a member and Lola Murchison  to be appointed as secretary for the City of Ballinger Planning & Zoning Commission Board.

	7.3 Consider approval of building permits:
            Doris Hudson- carport located at 311 Largent Avenue

	7.4 Proposed new application for the city of Ballinger

	7.5 City Council may discuss, consider, and approve ordinance for installation of 4-way stop signs at Field and N. 5th Street.

	7.6 City Council may discuss, consider, and take action to approve the Justin Byler 5K route.

	7.7 Consider approval of equipment grant for 6 sets of structural turnout gear for the Ballinger Fire Department for the cost of $1,483.00.
	
	7.8 Consider training tuition grant for the Ballinger Fire Department for five firefighters for online firefighting class. Initial payment would be $1,000.000  with a $1,000.00 reimbursement upon completion of courses.
Council Member Ryan Lange made the motion to approve all the items listed under consent agenda as presented. Second by Council Member Kristi Goetz and was unanimously approved.

	BUSINESS:
	8.1 Consider and take action re: use of firearms at the City Lake
	Item was tabled for further information.
	8.2 City Council may discuss , consider, and take action on the prohibition of carrying firearms, while at work for the City, in/on any City property, equipment, or offices, or on City business in private vehicles
	The Council discussed this item and the residents presented felt that this type ordinance would be violating employees second amendment right. The Council felt that it should be rewritten, and Council Member Rick Morrish made the motion to table the issue for further discussion and clarification. Second by Comm. Krisiti Goetz and was unanimously approved
	
	8.3 City Council may consider, discuss, and take action to take up paying the electric bill for the girl scout hut on 5th Street from the Rotary club.
	Council Member Kristi Goetz made the motion to accept the responsibility of paying the electric bill for the Girl Scout Hut on 5th Street. Second by Council Member Rick Morrish and was unanimously  approved.

	8.4 Consider and take action on bids for the standpipe water tank
	The bids that were submitted for the 13th Street standpipe repair are as follows:
            Maguire Iron- South Dakota                                    $206,300
            Tri State Coating-Minnesota                                    $321,300
            TMI Coating- Minnesota                                          $338,800
            NG Painting-Kerrville                                               $212,300
	It was the recommendation of Jordan s. Hibbs, PE with Enprotec/Hibbs and Todd that the bid be awarded to Maguire Iron. Council Member Jeff Smith made the motion to accept the recommendation of Enprotec/ Hibbs & Todd to accept the bid from Maguire Iron in the amount of $206,300 dollars to repair the 13th Street standpipe. Second by Council Member Rick Morrish and was unanimously approved.

	8.5 City Council may discuss, consider, and approve scheduling a Council workshop
	Council Member Kristi Goetz made the motion to have a Council workshop on May 2, 2020 at the First Baptist Living Center starting at 9:00 a.m. Second by Council Member Rick Morrish  and was unanimously approved.

	EXECUTIVE SESSION:
	Council Member Jeff Smith made the motion to enter into executive session as authorized Texas Government Code, Section 551.074 Personnel Matter at 7:03 p.m. to discuss the following personnel matters. Second by Council Member Kristi Goetz and was unanimously approved.

9.1 Application for employment for Ballinger Police Department

9.2 Permanent placement of Mike New as Street Superintendent

9.3 Discuss the action, investigative processes, and policies in place to justify reprimand that were referenced by Buck Laquey during his investigation process, the reprimand, and subsequent firing of Barrett Smith.

RECONVENE:
Council Member Ryan Lange made the motion to close the executive 
session at 8:06 p.m. Second by Comm. Rick Morrish  and was unanimously approved.

ACTION  FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Comm. Rick Morrish made the motion to appoint Michael New as the 
interim street superintendent and to advertise and take applications for a new street superintendent for the City. Second by Council Member Kristi Goetz  and was unanimously approved.

	ADJOURN:
	Council Member Kristi Goetz  made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:11 p.m. Second by Council Member  Rick Morrish and was unanimously approved.

			_________________
		     Dawni Seymore
                                                                                      Mayor

ATTEST:

______________
Bonita F. Shields
City Secretary