Small Cities Advisory Council Meeting Minutes
Texas Municipal League
Small Cities Advisory Council
MINUTES
October 20, 2009
Omni Fort Worth Hotel – Fort Worth, Texas
Introductory remarks:
- The TML Small Cities Advisory Council (SCAC) Chair Leonard Reed welcomed members and called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
- SCAC members present:
- Chair Leonard Reed, Mayor, Willis
- Vice-Chair Kim Dobbs, Assistant City Manager, Heath
- Tom Blazek, City Manager, Rockport
- Walter Bowen, Mayor, Lake Worth
- Jared Bryan, Alderman, Morgan’s Point Resort
- Wayne Christian, Mayor, Graham
- Joe Cordina, Councilmember, Parker
- Randy Daniel, Mayor, Athens
- Frank Estrada, Mayor Pro Tem, Lockhart
- Jim “Fitz” Fitzgerald, Councilmember, Alpine
- Richard Fletcher, City Manager, Robinson
- Andres Garza, Jr., City Manager, Wharton
- Roger G. Garza, Councilmember, Pleasanton
- Joe Hermes, Mayor, Edna
- Susan Kirschner, Councilmember, Live Oak
- David Landis, City Manager, Perryton
- Dan Looten, Mayor, Panhandle
- John Markham, III, Councilmember, Ore City
- Jerry Marshall, Mayor, Rotan
- Dulani Masimini, Councilmember, Forest Hill
- Roy McDonald, Mayor, West Orange
- Larry Pippen, City Administrator, Karnes City
- Brenda Samford, City Manager, Carthage
- Brett Shannon, City Manager, Decatur
- Brad Stafford, City Manager, Navasota
- André Wimer, City Manager, Port Neches
- Greg Wortham, Mayor Sweetwater - Visitors/staff present:
- TML President-Elect Debra McCartt, Mayor, Amarillo
- Frank Sturzl, Executive Director, TML
- Karla Vining, Deputy Executive Director, TML
- Rachael Pitts, Assistant Director of Member Services, TML - SCAC members not present:
- Francene Allen-Noah, Mayor, Snyder (staff notified)
- Gary Brown, City Manager, Floydada (staff notified)
- Wanda Herd, Mayor, Wheeler (staff notified)
- Mary Anne Holcomb, Councilmember, Kemah (staff notified)
- Jeff Looney, City Manager, Fairfield (staff notified)
- Linda Shelton, Councilmember, Bowie
- Ken Thomas, City Manager, Early (staff notified)
Consider excused absences:
Motion made by Jerry Marshall, seconded by Joe Hermes, and passed unanimously to excuse the absences of members who had notified the staff.
Consider minutes of May 15, 2009, meeting:
Motion made by Walter Bowen, seconded by Joe Cordina, and passed unanimously to approve the minutes of the May 15, 2009, meeting.
TML President-Elect’s comments:
TML President-Elect Debra McCartt thanked members for the important work the TML Small Cities Advisory Council does for the small cities of Texas. McCartt expressed her eagerness to begin her year as TML President and shared her presidential theme of regional cooperation.
TML Executive Director’s report
TML Executive Director Frank Sturzl briefed members on a Public Utility Commission (PUC) issue involving telecommunications right-of-way fees, PUC Project No. 36830.
2009 SCAC retreat update
Karla Vining and Rachael Pitts provided an update on recommendations developed at the May 15, 2009, SCAC retreat.
Next SCAC meeting:
The next meeting of the SCAC will be held on Friday, March 12, 2010, at the TML offices in Austin. The meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m. A working lunch will be provided.
Other business:
Vice-Chair Kim Dobbs presented Chair Leonard Reed with a certificate of appreciation for his service as 2009 SCAC Chair.
It was noted that the SCAC has vacancies in TML regions 4, 10, and 12.
Since there was no other business to come before the SCAC, a motion passed unanimously to adjourn at 6:25 p.m.
Texas Municipal League
Small Cities Advisory Council
MINUTES
May 15, 2009
Stagecoach Inn Conference Center – Salado, Texas
Introductory remarks:
- The TML Small Cities Advisory Council (SCAC) Chair Leonard Reed welcomed members and called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
- SCAC members present:
- - Chair Leonard Reed, Mayor, Willis
- - Vice-Chair Kim Dobbs, Assistant City Manager, Heath
- - Tom Blazek, City Manager, Rockport
- - Walter Bowen, Mayor, Lake Worth
- - Rebecca Brewster, City Administrator, Van Horn
- - Dewey Cashwell, City Manager, South Padre Island
- - Wayne Christian, Mayor, Graham
- - Joe Cordina, Councilmember, Parker
- - Randy Daniel, Mayor, Athens
- - Richard Fletcher, City Manager, Robinson
- - Andres Garza, Jr., City Manager, Wharton
- - Joe Hermes, Mayor, Edna
- - David Landis, City Manager, Perryton
- - Jack Leonhardt, Mayor, Windcrest
- - Jerry Marshall, Mayor, Rotan
- - Roy McDonald, Mayor, West Orange
- - Larry Pippen, City Administrator, Karnes City
- - Avinash K. Rangra, Mayor Pro Tem, Alpine
- - Brett Shannon, City Manager, Decatur
- - Brad Stafford, City Manager, Navasota
- - Ken Thomas, City Manager, Early
- Visitors/staff present:
- - TML President-Elect Debra McCartt, Mayor, Amarillo
- - Rachael Pitts, Assistant Director of Member Services, TML
- - Karla Vining, Deputy Executive Director, TML
- - Mike Conduff, President and CEO, The Elim Group
- SCAC members not present:
- - Francene Allen-Noah, Mayor, Snyder (staff notified)
- - Gary Brown, City Manager, Floydada (staff notified)
- - Judy Edwards, Mayor, Wortham (staff notified)
- - Frank Estrada, Councilmember, Lockhart (staff notified)
- - Wanda Herd, Mayor, Wheeler (staff notified)
- - Mary Anne Holcomb, Councilmember, Kemah (staff notified)
- - Brenda Samford, City Manager, Carthage (staff notified)
- - Linda Shelton, Councilmember, Bowie (staff notified)
- - Toni Vanderburg, Administration Manager, Horseshoe Bay (staff notified)
- - Andre Wimer, City Manager, Port Neches (staff notified)
- - Greg Wortham, Mayor, Sweetwater (staff notified)
Consider excused absences:
Motion made by Joe Cordina, seconded by Andres Garza, Jr., and passed unanimously to excuse the absences of members who had notified the staff.
Consider minutes of February 6, 2009, meeting:
Motion made by Jack Leonhardt, seconded by Walter Bowen, and passed unanimously to approve the minutes of the February 6, 2009, meeting.
TML President-Elect’s report:
TML President-Elect Debra McCartt thanked members for the important work the TML Small Cities Advisory Council does for the small cities of Texas. McCartt recognized the significant impact that small cities have on the state and stressed the importance of all cities, regardless of size, to work together for the betterment of their areas and the entire state.
Special projects update:
TML Small Cities’ Problem-Solving Clinic review – Rachael Pitts announced that there are seven clinics scheduled through April, 2010: July 17, 2009, in Alpine; August 14, 2009, in Canyon; September 11, 2009, in Tye; December 4, 2009, in Salado; February 5, 2010, in Rio Hondo; April 16, 2010, in Diboll; and April 25, 2010, in Wharton.
TML Resource Fair – TML held a resource fair on March 27, 2009, in Lubbock. Twenty-one agencies and associations participated in the fair. Thirty city officials attended the fair. TML will not hold a fair in 2010.
Sales Tax Capture and Leakage Analysis Service – The Sales Tax Capture and Leakage Analysis Service offered by MuniServices, LLC, is the newest member of the TML Business Service Partner program.
Next SCAC meeting:
The next meeting of the SCAC will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2009, in Fort Worth, in conjunction with the TML Annual Conference and Exhibition. The meeting will begin at 5:00 p.m., and a dinner will follow.
Other business:
Chair Leonard Reed presented Jack Leonhardt, Avinash Rangra, and Rebecca Brewster with certificates of appreciation for their service on the SCAC. This is the last SCAC meeting for all three members.
The SCAC has vacancies in TML regions 4, 7, 9, and 12.
Since there was no other business to come before the SCAC, a motion passed unanimously to adjourn at 9:05 a.m. and begin a retreat, which was facilitated by Mike Conduff.
Texas Municipal League
Small Cities Advisory Council
MINUTES
February 6, 2009
Renaissance Austin Hotel – Austin, Texas
Introductory remarks:
- The TML Small Cities Advisory Council (SCAC) Vice-Chair Kim Dobbs welcomed members and called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
- SCAC members present:
- Francene Allen-Noah, Mayor, Snyder
- Tom Blazek, City Manager, Rockport
- Walter Bowen, Mayor, Lake Worth
- Rebecca Brewster, City Administrator, Van Horn
- Gary Brown, City Manager, Floydada
- Wayne Christian, Mayor, Graham
- Joe Cordina, Councilmember, Parker
- Randy Daniel, Mayor, Athens
- Vice-Chair Kim Dobbs, Assistant City Manager, Heath
- Frank Estrada, Councilmember, Lockhart
- Richard Fletcher, City Manager, Robinson
- Andres Garza, Jr., City Manager, Wharton
- Mary Anne Holcomb, Councilmember, Kemah
- Jack Leonhardt, Mayor, Windcrest
- Jerry Marshall, Mayor, Rotan
- Roy McDonald, Mayor, West Orange
- Larry Pippen, City Administrator, Karnes City
- Avinash K. Rangra, Mayor Pro Tem, Alpine
- Brenda Samford, City Manager, Carthage
- Linda Shelton, Councilmember, Bowie
- Brad Stafford, City Manager, Navasota
- Ken Thomas, City Manager, Early
- Greg Wortham, Mayor, Sweetwater - Visitors/staff present:
- TML President-Elect Debra McCartt, Mayor, Amarillo
- Rachael Pitts, Assistant Director of Member Services, TML
- Frank Sturzl, Executive Director, TML
- Karla Vining, Deputy Executive Director, TML - SCAC members not present:
- Dewey Cashwell, City Manager, South Padre Island (staff notified)
- Judy Edwards, Mayor, Wortham (staff notified)
- Wanda Herd, Mayor, Wheeler (staff notified)
- Joe Hermes, Mayor, Edna (staff notified)
- David Landis, City Manager, Perryton (staff notified)
- Chair Leonard Reed, Mayor, Willis (staff notified)
- Brett Shannon, City Manager, Decatur (staff notified)
- Toni Vanderburg, City Secretary, Horseshoe Bay (staff notified)
Consider excused absences:
Motion made by Jerry Marshall, seconded by Walter Bowen, and passed unanimously to excuse the absences of members who had notified the staff.
Consider minutes of October 28, 2008, meeting:
Motion made by Brad Stafford, seconded by Randy Daniel, and passed unanimously to approve the minutes of the October 28, 2008, meeting.
TML President-Elect’s report:
TML President-Elect Debra McCartt thanked members for the important work the TML Small Cities Advisory Council does for the small cities of Texas. McCartt recognized the significant impact that small cities have on the state and stressed the importance of all cities, regardless of size, to work together for the betterment of their areas and the entire state.
TML Executive Director’s report:
Frank Sturzl highlighted the results of TML’s 2009 municipal fiscal conditions survey and provided a status report on the state legislature’s activities. Sturzl also briefed members on the Texas Municipal Retirement System’s (TMRS’s) return-to-work issue.
TML SCAC retreat:
Karla Vining summarized the history of the SCAC and the two retreats the council has held since its formation. Vining recommended that the council hold its third retreat in May 2009. Jack Leonhardt agreed that is a good time to take a step back and review the group’s original goals and objectives. Andres Garza would like to discuss at the retreat opportunities for the League to utilize technology to assist small cities. Kim Dobbs would also like to review the council’s current meeting schedule and structure.
Special projects update:
TML Small Cities’ Problem-Solving Clinic review – Rachael Pitts provided a summary of the survey sent to participants in the September 26, 2008, clinic in Decatur and the December 5, 2008, clinic in Fredericksburg. Pitts also announced that there are two clinics scheduled through July 2009: February 27, 2009, in Shenandoah and July 17, 2009, in Alpine. Additional clinics will be scheduled for the fall and winter of 2009.
TML Resource Fair – TML will hold a resource fair on March 27, 2009, in Lubbock.
Next SCAC meeting:
The next meeting of the SCAC will be held May 14-15, 2009, in Salado. The meeting will include a day-long retreat.
Other business:
Roy McDonald provided an update on the long-term effects of Hurricanes Rita and Ike on the City of West Orange.
Jack Leonhardt updated members on a recent court decision regarding the applicability of initiatives and referenda to the issuance of debt. Mary Anne Holcomb discussed issues related to property tax evaluations in the City of Kemah.
Since there was no other business to come before the SCAC, a motion passed unanimously to adjourn at 2:55 p.m.
Texas Municipal League Small Cities Advisory Council
MINUTES
October 28, 2008
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center – San Antonio, Texas
Introductory remarks:
- The TML Small Cities Advisory Council (SCAC) Chair Brett Shannon welcomed members, made a few introductory remarks, and called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
- SCAC members present
:
- Chair Brett Shannon, City Manager, Decatur
- Tom Blazek, City Manager, Rockport
- Walter Bowen, Mayor, Lake Worth
- Rebecca Brewster, City Administrator, Van Horn
- Wayne Christian, Mayor, Graham
- Joe Cordina, Councilmember, Parker
- Randy Daniel, Mayor, Athens
- Kim Dobbs, Assistant City Manager, Heath
- Judy Edwards, Mayor, Wortham
- Frank Estrada, Councilmember, Lockhart
- Richard Fletcher, City Manager, Robinson
- Andres Garza, Jr., City Manager, Wharton
- Joe Hermes, Mayor, Edna
- David Landis, City Manager, Perryton
- Jack Leonhardt, Mayor, Windcrest
- Jerry Marshall, Mayor, Rotan
- Roy McDonald, Mayor, West Orange
- Avinash K. Rangra, Mayor Pro Tem, Alpine
- Leonard Reed, Mayor, Willis
- Brenda Samford, City Manager, Carthage
- Brad Stafford, City Manager, Navasota
- Rudy Villarreal, Mayor, Alamo
- Greg Wortham, Mayor, Sweetwater - Visitors/staff present:
- TML President Todd Pearson, Mayor, Rockport
- Rachael Pitts, Assistant Director of Membership Services, TML
- Frank Sturzl, Executive Director, TML
- Karla Vining, Deputy Executive Director, TML - SCAC members not present:
- Francene Allen-Noah, Mayor, Snyder (staff not notified)
- Gary Brown, City Manager, Floydada (staff notified)
- Wanda Herd, Mayor, Wheeler (staff notified)
- Mary Anne Holcomb, Councilmember, Kemah (staff notified)
- Janice Newman, City Secretary, Iowa Park (staff not notified)
- Larry Pippen, City Administrator, Karnes City (staff notified)
- Ken Thomas, City Manager, Early (staff notified)
- Toni Vanderburg, City Secretary, Horseshoe Bay (staff notified)
Consider excused absences:
Motion made by Jerry Marshall, seconded by Joe Cordina, and passed unanimously to excuse the absences of members who had notified the staff.
Consider minutes of June 6, 2008, meeting:
Motion made by Andres Garza, Jr., seconded by Jack Leonhardt, and passed unanimously to approve the minutes of the June 6, 2008, meeting.
TML President’s report:
TML President Todd Pearson thanked members for the important work the TML Small Cities Advisory Council does for the small cities of Texas and expressed his gratitude for his year of service as TML President.
National Association of Towns and Townships (NATaT) membership report:
Karla Vining summarized the first year of NATaT membership. Brett Shannon, Leonard Reed, and Joe Cordina gave an overview of the NATaT annual conference they attended on September 31-October 1, 2008, in Washington, D.C. Motion made by Joe Hermes, seconded by Andres Garza, Jr., and passed unanimously to not renew NATaT membership dues for small TML member cities.
Special projects update:
TML Small Cities’ Problem-Solving Clinic review – Four clinics have been held since the June 6, 2008, SCAC meeting: July 11 in Ganado (31 people attended), August 1 in Dimmitt (35 people attended), September 5 in Austin (30 people attended), and September 26 in Decatur (108 people attended). There are three clinics scheduled through July 2009: December 5, 2008, in Fredericksburg; February 27, 2009, in Shenandoah; and July 17, 2009, in Alpine.
Dutch treat networking dinner – The SCAC will host a Dutch treat networking dinner on February 7, 2009, in Austin in conjunction with the TML Elected Officials’ Conference and Legislative Briefing.
TML Resource Fair – TML will hold a resource fair on March 27, 2009, in Lubbock.
Next SCAC meeting:
The SCAC voted to next meet on February 6, 2008, at the Renaissance Hotel in Austin in conjunction with the TML Elected Officials’ Conference and Legislative Briefing. The meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m.
Other business:
Roy McDonald discussed the possible long-term effects of Hurricanes Rita and Ike on the City of West Orange.
Jack Leonhardt discussed cases and opinions that have found that charter initiatives and referenda cannot influence complex financial matters such as tax rates and issuance of debt.
Rudy Villarreal is going off the SCAC due to the City of Alamo’s population growth. Rudy was presented with a certificate for his service.
Brett Shannon was presented with a certificate for his service as 2008 chair of the SCAC.
Since there was no other business to come before the SCAC, a motion passed unanimously to adjourn at 6:15 p.m.
Texas Municipal League
Small Cities Advisory Council
MINUTES
June 6, 2008
Texas Municipal Center – Austin, Texas
Introductory remarks:
- The TML Small Cities Advisory Council (SCAC) Chairman Brett Shannon welcomed members, made a few introductory remarks, and called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m.
- SCAC members present:
- - Chair Brett Shannon, City Manager, Decatur
- - Tom Blazek, City Manager, Rockport
- - Walter Bowen, Mayor, Lake Worth
- - Rebecca Brewster, City Administrator, Van Horn
- - Randy Daniel, Mayor, Athens
- - Judy Edwards, Mayor, Wortham
- - Richard Fletcher, City Manager, Robinson
- - Wanda Herd, Mayor, Wheeler
- - Joe Hermes, Mayor, Edna
- - Jack Leonhardt, Mayor, Windcrest
- - Jerry Marshall, Mayor, Rotan
- - Roy McDonald, Mayor, West Orange
- - Leonard Reed, Mayor, Willis
- - Ken Thomas, City Manager, Early
- - Toni Vanderburg, City Secretary, Horseshoe Bay
- - Rudy Villarreal, Mayor, Alamo
- - Greg Wortham, Mayor, Sweetwater
- Visitors/staff present:
- - Bobby Gierisch, Coordinator, Texas Rural Innovators Forum (TRIF)
- - Rance McDonald, Team Lead, Communications and Outreach Department, Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA)
- - TML President Todd Pearson, Mayor, Rockport
- - Rachael Pitts, Assistant Director of Membership Services, TML
- - Frank Sturzl, Executive Director, TML
- - Karla Vining, Deputy Executive Director, TML
- SCAC members not present:
- - Francene Allen-Noah, Mayor, Snyder (staff notified)
- - Gary Brown, City Manager, Floydada (staff notified)
- - Wayne Christian, Mayor, Graham (staff notified)
- - Joe Cordina, Councilmember, Parker (staff notified)
- - Kim Dobbs, Assistant City Manager, Heath (staff notified)
- - Frank Estrada, Councilmember, Lockhart (staff notified)
- - Ricardo Garcia, City Manager, Mercedes (staff not notified)
- - Andres Garza, Jr., City Manager, Wharton (staff notified)
- - Mary Anne Holcomb, Councilmember, Kemah (staff notified)
- - David Landis, City Manager, Perryton (staff notified)
- - Janice Newman, City Secretary, Iowa Park (staff not notified)
- - Terre Noble, City Secretary, Center (staff notified)
- - Larry Pippen, City Administrator, Karnes City (staff notified)
- - Avinash K. Rangra, Mayor Pro Tem, Alpine (staff notified)
- - Brenda Samford, City Manager, Carthage (staff notified)
- - Brad Stafford, City Manager, Navasota (staff notified)
Consider excused absences:
Motion made by Rudy Villarreal, seconded by Joe Hermes, and passed unanimously to approve all excused absences.
Consider minutes of February 1, 2008, meeting:
Motion made by Randy Daniel, seconded by Tom Blazek, and passed unanimously to approve the minutes of the February 1, 2008, meeting.
TML President’s report:
TML President Todd Pearson thanked members for serving and for the important work the TML Small Cities Advisory Council does for the small cities of Texas.
Texas Rural Innovators Forum presentation:
Bobby Gierisch, the creator and director of the Texas Rural Innovators Forum (TRIF), gave an overview of past forums and encouraged city officials to participate in future forums.
Office of Rural Community Affairs presentation:
Rance McDonald, with the communications and outreach department of the Office of Rural Community Affairs, gave an overview of the agency’s funding structure and services provided.
Executive Director’s report:
Frank Sturzl gave an overview of the League’s policy development process and the status of TML legislative policy committees. Sturzl also provided a forecast of the top city-related issues the state legislature will likely consider during 2009 legislative session.
Special projects update:
TML Small Cities’ Problem-Solving Clinic review – Four clinics have been held in 2008 to date: January 25 in Alamo (33 people attended), February 22 in Madisonville (52 people attended), March 14 in Horseshoe Bay (29 people attended), and March 28 in Jefferson (30 people attended). There are four clinics scheduled for the remainder of the year: July 11 in Ganado, August 1 in Dimmitt, September 5 in Austin, and September 26 in Decatur.
Dutch Treat Networking Dinner – The SCAC hosted a Dutch treat networking dinner on February 1, 2008, in Irving in conjunction with the TML Elected Officials’ Conference. Thirty people attended the dinner.
TML Resource Fair – TML held a resource fair on April 4, 2008, in Nacogdoches. Nineteen state agencies, associations, and businesses participated in the fair, and 54 city officials attended.
National Association of Towns and Townships (NATaT) Conference – The National Association of Towns and Township’s annual legislative conference will be held on September 30 – October 1, 2008, in Washington, D.C. Members of the SCAC are encouraged to attend.
FOIA Systems – TML’s newest Business Service Partner is FOIA Systems, a web-based open records request management system. Information about FOIA Systems can be found on the TML Web site.
Next SCAC meeting:
The SCAC voted to next meet on October 28, 2008, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio in conjunction with the TML Annual Conference. The meeting will begin at 5:00 p.m.
Other business:
Since there was no other business to come before the SCAC, a motion passed unanimously to adjourn at 12:55 p.m.
Texas Municipal League
Small Cities Advisory Council
MINUTES
February 1, 2008
Marriott Las Colinas – Irving, Texas
Introductory remarks:
- Small Cities Advisory Council (SCAC) Chairman Brett Shannon welcomed members, made a few introductory remarks, and called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m.
- SCAC members present:
- - Chair Brett Shannon, City Manager, Decatur
- - Tom Blazek, City Manager, Rockport
- - Walter Bowen, Mayor, Lake Worth
- - Gary Brown, City Manager, Floydada
- - Wayne Christian, Mayor, Graham
- - Joe Cordina, Councilmember, Parker
- - Randy Daniel, Mayor, Athens
- - Kim Dobbs, Assistant City Manager, Heath
- - Judy Edwards, Mayor, Wortham
- - Frank Estrada, Councilmember, Lockhart
- - Andres Garza, Jr., City Manager, Wharton
- - Jack Leonhardt, Mayor, Windcrest
- - Jerry Marshall, Mayor, Rotan
- - Larry Pippen, City Administrator, Karnes City
- - Avinash K. Rangra, Mayor Pro Tem, Alpine
- - Leonard Reed, Mayor, Willis
- - Brenda Samford, City Manager, Carthage
- - Toni Vanderburg, City Secretary, Horseshoe Bay
- - Rudy Villarreal, Mayor, Alamo
- Visitors/staff present:
- - Mary Bradley, Administrative Assistant, Wylie
- - Sheri Campbell-Husband, Director of Neighborhood Services, Burleson
- - TML President Todd Pearson, Mayor, Rockport
- - Rachael Pitts, Assistant Director of Membership Services, TML
- - Frank Sturzl, Executive Director, TML
- - Karla Vining, Deputy Executive Director, TML
- SCAC members not present:
- - Francene Allen-Noah, Mayor, Snyder (staff not notified)
- - Ricardo Garcia, City Manager, Mercedes (staff was notified)
- - Glen Hackler, City Manager, Andrews (staff was notified)
- - Brian Henault, Councilmember, Hilshire Village (staff was notified)
- - Wanda Herd, Mayor, Wheeler (staff was notified)
- - Joe Hermes, Mayor, Edna (staff was notified)
- - Mary Anne Holcomb, Councilmember, Kemah (staff was notified)
- - Randy Kimler, City Manager, Port Neches (staff was notified)
- - David Landis, City Manager, Perryton (staff was notified)
- - Roy McDonald, Mayor, West Orange (staff was notified)
- - Janice Newman, City Secretary, Iowa Park (staff was not notified)
- - Brad Stafford, City Manager, Navasota (staff was notified)
- - Ken Thomas, City Manager, Early (staff was notified)
- - Greg Wortham, Mayor, Sweetwater (staff was notified)
Consider excused absences:
Motion made by Jerry Marshall, seconded by Joe Cordina, and passed unanimously to approve all excused absences.
Consider minutes of November 6, 2007, meeting:
Motion made by Gary Brown, seconded by Andres Garza, Jr., and passed unanimously to approve the minutes of the November 6, 2007, meeting.
“Texas Cities Work” presentation:
TML President Todd Pearson provided an overview of TML’s “Texas Cities Work” public education program. Mary Bradley, Wylie administrative assistant, and Sheri Campbell-Husband, Burleson director of neighborhood services, explained how their respective cities use the program to educate city staff and citizens on the many services that city governments provide.
TML Small Cities’ Problem-Solving Clinic review:
A clinic was held in Alamo on January 25, 2008, with 33 people attending. There are clinics scheduled for February 22, 2008, in Madisonville; March 14, 2008, in Horseshoe Bay; and March 28, 2008, in Jefferson.
Special projects update:
A briefing was given on special projects:
Resource Fair – TML will conduct a Resource Fair on April 4, 2008, in Nacogdoches. The Resource Fair will provide a venue for city officials to make contact with state agencies, businesses, and associations that provide services to cities.
Texas Rural Innovators Forum (TRIF) – TRIF conducts six to eight forums a year that focus on rural economic development issues. The next forum will be held on February 6, 2008, in Bastrop.
Executive Director’s report:
Frank Sturzl briefed the SCAC on the National Association of Towns and Townships (NATaT). The TML Board of Directors approved NATaT membership dues at its meeting on November 7, 2007. Sturzl also gave an overview of the TML policy development process.
Next SCAC meeting:
The SCAC voted to have its next meeting on Friday, June 6, 2008, at the TML offices in Austin. The SCAC will meet from 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. with a working lunch.
Other business:
The Dutch treat networking dinner, which will be hosted by the SCAC, will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Jack Leonhardt provided an update on the City of Windcrest’s resident welcome reception hosted quarterly by the city along with local businesses and associations.
Since there was no other business to come before the SCAC, a motion passed unanimously to adjourn at 11:45 a.m.
