City of Saginaw

Minutes of the City Council Meeting

Held on July 2, 2024

333 West McLeroy Boulevard, Saginaw, Texas 76179

 

Present at the meeting:

  • Todd Flippo, Mayor 
  • Paul Felegy, Mayor Pro-Tem
  • Nick Lawson, Place 2
  • Valerie Junkersfeld, Place 3
  • Brack St. Clair, Place 4
  • Mary Copeland, Place 6
  • Bryn Meredith, City Attorney
  • Trenton Tidwell, City Engineer 
  • Gabe Reaume, City Manager
  • Lee Howell, Asst. City Manager
  • Kim Quin, Finance Director
  • Janice England, City Secretary
  • Russell Ragsdale, Police Chief
  • Corey Burnett, Police Lieutenant 
  • Doug Spears, Fire Chief
  • Scott Craver, Asst. Fire Chief
  • John Cook, Fire Marshal 
  • Randy Newsom, Director of Public Works
  • Melanie McManus, Director of Human Resources
  • Ellen Ritchie, Library Director
  • Pedro Zambrano, Communications Manager
  • Elizabeth Thorp, Finance Manager 
  • Susy Victor-Trevino, Planning Manager 
  • Maria Hernandez, Planning Tech
  • Kristi Sinclair, Senior Center Supervisor 

Absent from the meeting: 

  • Cindy Bighorse, Place 5
  • Keith Rinehart, Director of Community & Economic Development 

Visitors at the Meeting:

John Morris

Megan Guynes

Janet Fick

Ronnie Horton

Austin Pittman

R. Menchaca

Kelly Stewart

Maria Guynes

Tanner Harris

Taylor  Harris

Jack Harris

Jeff Mayhue

Sheila Mayhue

Dustin Mayhue

Brittany Mayhue

Angie Garcia

Vanessa 

Valerie 

Monica 

Marcus

Rachel

Mike 

J.T. Manoushagian

Erin Harner

Hailee Slover

Jasmine Lallnas

Nirmala Sharma Pandey

Srijan Sharma

Linlin Peng

Zhehao Sun

Kevin Morales

 

1. Call To Order

1.A. Call to Order--Todd Flippo, Mayor

Mayor Flippo called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

1.B. Pledges--Pledge of Allegiance to the United States; Pledge of Allegiance to the State of Texas--"Honor the Texas Flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one State under God, one and indivisible"

1.C. Invocation--Dr. Mark Towns, First Baptist Church

Mr. John Morris, Worship Minister at the First Baptist Church, gave the invocation.

1.D. Audience Participation--Anyone wishing to speak during the discussion of an item listed on the agenda must complete an audience participation form. These forms are located by the Police Chief. After completing the form, give it to the City Secretary. She will give it to the Mayor. The Mayor will call on you when that item is discussed. You will have three (3) minutes to make your comments.

2. Consent Agenda

Councilmember Copeland requested that Item 2C be removed from the Consent Agenda.

Motion was made by Councilmember Junkersfeld with a second by Councilmember St. Clair to approve Items 2A, 2B, 2D, 2E, 2F, and 2G of the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 6-0-0-1 (Bighorse Absent)

2.A. Action regarding Resolution No. 2024-08, Authorized Bank Signatures--Kim Quin, Finance Director

Resolution No. 2024-08 designates the officials authorized to sign checks and documents with the City's depository bank. The resolution is necessary due to the recent change in the position of Mayor Pro-Tem. Staff is recommending approval of the resolution designating the following officials: Mayor Flippo, Mayor Pro-Tem Felegy, City Manager Reaume, Asst. City Manager Howell, and Finance Director Quin.

2.B. Action regarding Resolution No. 2024-09, Declaring intention to reimburse an amount not to exceed $17,800,000 for certain capital expenditures with proceeds from debt; and placing time restrictions on the issuance of tax-exempt obligations. --Kim Quin, Finance Director

The City expects to make expenditures for design of roadway projects in advance of the early spring 2025 bond sale. Available cash will be used from the Tarrant County reimbursement of the Knowles Phase 1 Project and if necessary, additional cash balances will be used and later reimbursed. Resolution No. 2024-09 addresses the reimbursement of capital expenditures related to roadway projects from bond proceeds.

2.C. Action regarding Individual Project Order with Kimley-Horn for McLeroy Phase 2a Final Design--Trenton Tidwell, City Engineer

The Individual Project Order (IPO) for McLeroy Phase 2a Final Design will cover the preparation of construction documents for roadway, drainage, water and sanitary sewer relocations, at-grade railroad crossings, quiet zone design, pavement markings and signage, traffic control plans, traffic signal, sidewalks, specifications as well as project management and coordination tasks for Phase 2a of McLeroy Blvd. The limits are from Business 287 to Spring Hollow Drive.

The total estimated cost for the basic services is $990,000 and the total estimated costs for the special services is $140,000. The overall total is $1,130,000. Funds for this IPO will come from the Tarrant County reimbursement funds from Knowles Phase 1 and future bond sales.

Councilmember Copeland requested that this item be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion. She pointed out that Task 1 mentions up to two (2) town hall meetings. She stressed the importance of publicizing the town hall meetings as much as possible to give residents time to make plans to attend.

** Item was Removed from Consent

Motion was made by Councilmember Junkersfeld with a second by Councilmember Felegy to approve Item 2C as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 6-0-0-1 (Bighorse Absent)

2.D. Action regarding Individual Project Order with Kimley-Horn for McLeroy Phase 3 Final Design--Trenton Tidwell, City Engineer

This Individual Project Order (IPO) covers the McLeroy Blvd. Phase 3 Final Design. It includes the preparation of construction documents for roadway, drainage, water and sanitary sewer relocations, pavement markings and signage, traffic control plans, shared-use paths, midblock pedestrian crossings, specifications, as well as project management and coordination tasks for Phase 3 of McLeroy Blvd. The limits of this project are from Knowles Drive to 200' West of Business 287. The total estimated financial impact is $1,320,000. Funds for this expenditure will come from the Tarrant County reimbursement fund from Knowles Phase 1 and future bond sales.

2.E. Action regarding Individual Project Order with Kimley-Horn for W. McLeroy 12" Water Line Phase 2--Trenton Tidwell, City Engineer

The proposed Individual Project Order (IPO) is for services related to the installation of approximately 700 LF of 12" water line beginning at the existing 12" water line on W. McLeroy Blvd. and continuing to its intersection with Old Decatur Rd. The water line is anticipated to be installed by open cut. The estimated financial impact will be $95,000. This project will be funded with impact fees.

2.F. Action regarding Individual Project Order with Kimley-Horn, Amendment No. 2 to North Old Decatur Road Project--Trenton Tidwell, City Engineer

The proposed Individual Project Order (IPO) is Amendment No. 2 to the IPO for North Old Decatur Rd. that was executed on March 3, 2020. The amendment is necessary due to additional services that are needed. The financial impact will be $130,000. This expenditure will be covered by 2020 Certificates of Obligation.

2.G. Action regarding Five Year Extension of Atmos Energy Franchise Agreement--Janice England, City Secretary

The current Atmos Energy Franchise Agreement was approved in 2013. The initial term of this franchise agreement expires on December 31, 2024. The agreement included, with approval of both the City and Atmos Energy, the option for two (2) additional terms of five (5) years each on the same terms and conditions as the current agreement. Atmos Energy is in agreement to a five (5) year extension with no changes to the current agreement. The amount of the franchise fee is 5% which is the maximum offered by Atmos Energy.

3. Proclamations-Presentations

3.A. Employee Recognitions/Presentations--Gabe Reaume, City Manager

The delegation of participants in the recent All America City Event in Denver were recognized for their efforts and participation. The delegation consisted of Ronnie Horton, Megan Guynes, Nirmala Sharma Pandey, Srijan Sharma, Janet Fick, Linlin Peng, Yuxi Sun, David Rugaza, Rosario Regina Beckham, Zhehao Sun, Paul Felegy, Gabe Reaume, Luisa Pina, Oscar Arenas, Kevin Morales, Nick Lawson, Ann Lawson, Todd Flippo, Jennifer Flippo, Travis Flippo, Lee Howell, Jayne Howell, Pedro Zambrano, Heather Hughes, and Jack Horton.

Police Chief Ragsdale recognized Dustin Mayhue for his promotion to Patrol Sergeant. He also recognized Angie Garcia for her promotion to Corporal. A pinning ceremony followed with the participation of family members.

Fire Chief Spears recognized Tanner Harris for his promotion to Apparatus Operator. Fire Chief Spears administered the Fire Department Oath to Apparatus Operator Harris. A pinning ceremony following with the participation of his family.

3.B. Six Month Update on Northwest Emergency Communications Center--J.T. Manoushagian, NWECC Executive Director

Mr. J.T. Manoushagian, Northwest Emergency Communications Center Executive Director, addressed the Council. He gave a six month update on the Communications Center.

4. Public Hearings

4.A. PUBLIC HEARING-- Consideration and Action Regarding a Request for a Specific Use Permit to Allow a Tobacco Shop at 1205-D N. Saginaw Blvd. --Susy Victor, Planning Manager

Mayor Flippo declared the public hearing for this item opened at 6:44 p.m. Planning Tech Hernandez explained the request for a Specific Use Permit to allow a tobacco shop at 1205-D N. Saginaw Blvd. She stated that letters of opposition to the request were received from Albertsons and Joe's Pizza. The Planning and Zoning Commission considered this request at their meeting on June 18, 2024 and voted to recommend denial to the City Council. The applicant was not present at the meeting. Mayor Flippo called for public input. There was none. Mayor Flippo declared the public hearing closed at 6:48 p.m.

Motion was made by Mayor Pro-Tem Felegy with a second by Councilmember Junkersfeld to deny the request. Motion carried unanimously. 6-0-0-1 (Bighorse Absent)

5. Business

5.A. Consideration and Action regarding Award of Contract for Basswood Blvd. Pedestrian and Traffic Improvements--Trenton Tidwell, City Engineer

City Engineer Tidwell stated that on June 27, 2024, bids were opened for the Basswood Blvd. Pedestrian and Traffic Improvements Project. He explained that two bids were received. Kimley-Horn and Associates has reviewed the lowest bidder's qualifications and verified the contractor's bonding company is licensed in the State of Texas. Based on these reviews, it appears that HQS Construction, LLC is the lowest bidder. The amount of their bid was $380,782. Funds for this expenditure are available in the remaining ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) Funds. Staff recommends award of the bid to HQS Construction, LLC.

Motion was made by Councilmember St. Clair with a second by Councilmember Junkersfeld to award the bid to HQS Construction, LLC in the amount of $380,782. Motion carried unanimously. 6-0-0-1 (Bighorse Absent)

5.B. Capital Improvements Plan Update--Trenton Tidwell, City Engineer

City Engineer Tidwell gave a Capital Improvements Plan update. The update included water, wastewater, drainage, community facilities, parks, and streets.

5.C. FY2024/2025 Budget Workshop--Kim Quin, Finance Director

Finance Director Quin gave a FY2024/2025 budget presentation covering the Crime Control and Prevention District Fund, the Police Expendable Trust Fund, the Street Maintenance Fund, and the Drainage Utility Fund.

5.D. Consideration and Action Regarding the Official Naming of the New Library and Senior Center Building.

Asst. City Manager Howell addressed the Council. He stated that the time has come to determine the official names of the new library and new senior center. Library Director Ritchie stated that the Library Board voted to recommend the name of the library be changed to "Saginaw Public Library" with the understanding that the name "John Ed Keeter" will be kept with the current library building. She explained that to comply with State Library rules the Council must vote on the name change.

Senior Center Supervisor Sinclair addressed the Council regarding the name for the new senior center. She explained that the current and upcoming 55+ community does not like the name "senior center" because it makes people think of elderly and not lively, active or social. The center is full of activities, programs, and events. She pointed out that many retirement communities have been renamed active adult communities. She suggested naming the center the "Saginaw Activity Center 55+" or "The Depot, Saginaw - Activity Center - 55+". She pointed out that "The Depot" incorporates Saginaw's history with trains. In regards to naming interior rooms after people, she suggested that the names stay descriptive such as "Fitness Room", "Arts & Crafts Room", etc. Unlike the Library name change, a motion was not required for the senior center naming. Asst. City Manager Howell asked for direction from the Council. The consensus of the Council was in favor of renaming the senior center "The Depot, Saginaw - Activity Center - 55+".

Motion was made by Councilmember Junkersfeld with a second by Councilmember St. Clair to change the name of the library from "John Ed Keeter Public Library" to "Saginaw Public Library". Motion carried unanimously. 6-0-0-1 (Bighorse Absent)

6. Executive Session

Mayor Flippo declared the meeting recessed into Executive Session at 7:40 p.m. (Councilmember Junkersfeld left the meeting at this time due to a conflict of interest.)

6.A. 551.071. Texas Government Code. Consultation with Attorney. The City Council may convene in executive session to conduct a private consultation with its attorney on any legally posted agenda item, when the City Council seeks the advice of its attorney about pending or contemplated litigation, a settlement offer, or on a matter in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with the provisions of Chapter 551, including the following items:

6.B. Any Posted Item

6.C. 400 S. Saginaw Blvd. and 405 S. Belmont St. -

Mayor Flippo declared the meeting back in Regular Session at 8:04 p.m.

7. Adjournment

7.A. Adjournment--Todd Flippo, Mayor

Mayor Flippo declared the July 2nd City Council Meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.

Motion was made by Councilmember St. Clair with a second by Councilmember Lawson to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. 5-0-0-2 (Junkersfeld & Bighorse Absent)