Council begins new year with new city manager
Examiner photo by Connie Clements: A week after his first day on the job, Navasota's new City Manager Jasoon Weeks joins council at his first official council meeting, Monday, Jan. 10.
On Monday, Jan. 10, the Navasota City Council held its first meeting of 2022 and its first meeting with newly hired City Manager Jason Weeks. Among the agenda items kicking off 2022 were a renewal of the City’s solid waste contract and the sale of city-owned property.
Trash pickup increases $1
City council approved a new 5-year contract with Republic Services for solid waste collection which will expire Dec. 31, 2027, and allows for three 1-year extensions. The current contract expires Jan. 31.
The new contract includes a $1 increase for residential customers and commercial customers can expect an increase based on frequency and roll-off size. The last rate change, a 30-cent increase for residential customers, was in 2018.
The new contract also includes construction of a convenience station ramp/ platform with handrails for drop-off at the City of Navasota Recycle Center, 501 Fifth Street.
City land goes to sealed bid
Responding to a request from local resident Jonathan Vacante to purchase five city-owned properties, city council members approved a motion to get four properties appraised and proceed with the sale utilizing the sealed bid method. The motion also stipulated the appraisal cost will be factored into the minimum bid. Other options available to council were a brokerage sale and public auction.
The properties being placed for sealed bid are R26434 on N. Jones Avenue, R20949 at the end of Davis Street, R24889 at 416 Baker St., and R20706 at 402 Lincoln St.
Not approved for sale was R31432 on Cullen Street at Spur 515 which is located within a 100-year floodway.
City to purchase software upgrade
Council approved Finance Director Lance Hall’s request to purchase a software upgrade from Tyler Technologies. The upgrade will increase the annual maintenance fee by $22,647, from $46,777 to $69,528.
According to Hall, the city would no longer have to maintain a local server and users can login from anywhere which will allow staff outside of city hall to have access.
Change order No. 2 for WWTP
Council approved Change Order No. 2 in the amount of $4,569 for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project. This brings the new contract amount to $443,821.
The additional work includes blasting or hand tooling existing steel clarifier center support forms and recoating in a protective epoxy which will extend the life of both clarifiers.
Other council action:
•Approved the first reading of Ordinance 988-22, amending Chapter 3 Building Regulations, adopting the 2021 International Building Codes and 2020 National Electrical Code.
•Approved the first reading of Ordinance 989-22, amending Chapter 5 Fire Prevention and Protection, adopting the 2021 International Fire Code.
•Approve Resolution No. 707-22 designating the persons authorized to sign checks and access bank accounts for certain purposes, removing Brad Stafford and adding Jason Weeks.
•Approved Consent Agenda Items which included the second reading of Ordinance No. 985-21 approving a zoning change application from James Hassell for Pecan Lakes Estates IV; the second reading of Ordinance 986-21 amending Signs on Public Property; and the second reading of Ordinance No.987-21 approving an alleyway abandonment.
•Reconvened from Executive Session in accordance with Section 551.072, Texas Government Code, taking no action regarding the sale of city-owned property.
•Reconvened from Executive Session in accordance with Section 551.086, Texas Government Code, taking no action on matters related to utility agreements.
Reports from City staff or City officials:
•Introduction of State Representative Kyle Kacal.
•Introduction of new Navasota Police Department employees: Jessica Glass, Communications and Patrol Officers Jonathan Hadley, James Connell and Karolina Krozel.
•Received an update on the Capital Improvement Project from contractor John Henry.
•Received a Navasota Housing Authority report from Board Chairman Dianna Westmoreland and Executive Director Terri Tates.
•Received a library activities update including the announcement that the Summer Reading Program theme will be “Oceans of Possibility.”
•Economic Development Specialist Rayna Willenbrink reported that the Navasota Economic Development Corporation voted to renew its agreement with the Retail Coach, and that various data sources indicate during the November-December holiday shopping period, the number of shoppers doubled from last year.
Public comments: Announcements were made regarding the Grimes County Crime Stoppers Law Enforcement Awards Dinner and a candidate forum for county and state candidates, hosted by the Grimes County Republican Party. Resident Audrey Sauls voiced displeasure with the City related to an undisclosed issue involving creation of a new school at the G.W. Carver building.
View city council meetings in their entirety at www.navasotatx .gov/city-council/pages/ meeting-videos.