I. Called to Order and Established a Quorum at 7 pm.

II. Roll Call: Janis Cooper, Amanda Adams, Benny Combs, Doug Franklin, PK Kirkpatrick, and Lindon Warden were present.

III. Invocation was led by Doug Franklin and the Pledges recited by all.

IV. Visitors (limit 3 minutes)
1. Steve Miller made a comment about the Ladonia Community Gardens and inquiries regarding the land, a memorial park for the former City Secretary Vicky Shaw Davis, and the minutes approving use of city owned land for the ‘Gardens’.
2. Cliff Isaacs said he would like to see the minutes of the meeting when the city owned land was approved for use by the ‘Gardens’. He also extended an invitation to Granny’s on May 14th for a ‘Business After Hours’ on the square event, and mentioned that the Ranch Rodeo was the same date.
3. Keith Jackson commented on the Open Meetings Act and closed session rules according to the Attorney General.
4. Mrs. Jackson spoke about community gardens being available to everyone and inquired as to the benefit to the town for the Ladonia Community Gardens to get free water.
5. Rose Woods expressed the concern of other citizens that the Police might be hard on black people in town. She also inquired as to Agenda item XI. A. regarding substandard structures.
6. Mrs. Jackson expressed concern for updating our City Ordinances, such as regarding keeping chickens.
7. John Ryder asked to get a new street light on Main St. and would get the information to the City Secretary regarding location. He expressed great concern about the number of houses without numbers indicating the address, since this is vital to emergency services. Mayor said that steps were being taken to advise residents of the seriousness of the issue.
8. Cliff Isaacs said the city should mail a notice with the bill in an envelope.
9. Matilda Pease of 803 Bonham said she had reported her ditch and sewage problem numerous times and still a problem.

V. Amanda Adams made a motion to approve Minutes of April, 2011 with one correction, noted by PK Kirkpatrick, in the Presentations section, VIII. 3. ‘Poker Run’ should be replaced with the appropriate terminology to be provided the following day. PK Kirkpatrick seconded the motion, motion carried 5-0

VI. A motion to approve transactions and accounts payable for April, 2011 was made by Doug Franklin, seconded by PK Kirkpatrick, and passed 5-0.

VII. Reports

1. Police Department – Mayor Cooper read the report for Chief Mayberry who was out of town at the Police Chief’s Conference. There were 37 calls for service to include six disturbance calls, three incidents, five civil calls, 10 follow up reports, two each assaults, public intoxication, animal complaints, arrests, and medical calls, with one each code violation, assist, and accident. Of the 31 traffic stops 29 warnings were issued and there were 5 citations issued. One reserve officer has completed training and will begin working mandatory hours once per month.

2. Public Works Department – Shane Tarpley reported that equipment maintenance consisted of fixing a flat on the jetter and the JD Tractor, greasing the tractors, and sharpening the blades on the shredder. Potholes were filled on Main St., Commerce St., Richard and Main intersection, and the West end of Mill St. Street signs were straightened at Mill and Nail and Commerce and Main. Two stop signs were replaced and Richards and Main, and Paris and Eastman. The sewer facility was struck by lightening that knocked out the automated controls. This was repaired, with insurance

3. Volunteer Fire Department – John Ryder reported that the fire department responded to 9 medical calls, 8 storm watches, one controlled burn, and one accident. He reported attendance to a Chief’s meeting on April 20th with Darrell Brewer for improved communication between storm watch and EMTs. Traffic training was presented by a representative from Collin County Sheriff’s Office. More training is planned for May.

VIII. Special Reports
1. Upper Trinity Regional Water District’s Update on Ralph Hall Lake and the permitting process presented by Doug Franklin. He spoke also about the Red River Ground Water Conservation District, an entity formed by law fairly recently that will be funded by fees, based on a rate, paid by entities or individuals that use water pumped out of wells. This Conservation District is an unfunded mandate of the legislature that will monitor the amount of water in order to control or restrict the depletion of aquifers in the area.

IX. Council Presentations

A. We have scheduled a special meeting for Monday May 16th to consider banking depository bids.

B. Early Voting began today at City Hall main office and runs through May 10 on business days only. The two twelve hour days are Tuesday May 3rd and Tuesday May 10th when the polls are open from 7 am to 7 pm. The other days, Early Voting coincides with City Hall regular hours of 8 am to 4 pm.

C. Regular Voting is on Saturday May 14, 2011 from 7 am to 7 pm at City Hall in the Council Meeting Room. All registered voters are asked to vote.

D. Questions about voting or this election can be addressed to Julie, the Early Voting Clerk.

X. New Business

A. Considered electric utility provider quotes for service. TXU, our current provider, did not provide a quote for service. Artie Rox from National 1 Energy made a presentation and provided quotes from various companies he represents. The offer from National 1 Energy through Green Mountain Energy provided for a rate of .067/kwh and meters fees of $0.00 (zero dollars). Mr. Rox suggested a term of 18 months to two years for the length of the contract. Doug Franklin moved to award the electric utility provider contract to National1 Energy using Green Mountain Energy as a retail provider beginning no earlier than May 24th at a rate of .067/kwh, with no recurring monthly meter fees or customer service charge fees, for a period of 24 months (two years). Lindon Warden seconded the motion and motion carried with a vote of 5-0.

B. Amanda Adams moved to use the City Attorney to advise and outline a step-by-step method of annexing the recently surveyed city owned property on Hwy 50. PK Kirkpatrick seconded the motion, motion carried 5-0.

C. Using the City Attorney to move forward with the P&Z Community Development Plan by identifying the actions, publications, and public hearings that must take place in order to adopt and enforce the Zoning Ordinance as stated in the Plan was approved by a motion from PK Kirkpatrick, seconded be Amanda Adams, and carried 5-0.

D. Amanda Adams moved to change the July Regular Council meeting to the second Monday (the 11th) in July since the First Monday is a Holiday, Lindon Warden seconded the motion, and motion carried 5-0.

XI. Old Business

A. A motion from Amanda Adams, seconded by PK Kirkpatrick, and carried with a vote of 5-0, authorizes the Police Chief to issue citations for City Ordinance violations at his discretion based on public health and safety standards.

XII. Council entered into Executive Session: Pursuant to Sec 551.074 (Personnel) and Sec. 551.087 (Economic Development) of the Government Code at 9:13 pm - CLOSED MEETING

XIII. Action in Open Session: the Council convened into open session at 9:41 pm. Action was taken by a motion from PK Kirkpatrick authorizing the creation of an employee handbook for review of first draft at the June meeting. The motion was seconded by Amanda Adams and motion carried with a vote of 5-0. Doug Franklin made a motion to restrict water demand sales to no more than ½ (.5) million gallons per day to any industrial customer. Amanda Adams seconded the motion and motion carried 5-0.

XIV. Motion to Adjourn at 9:48 pm from Amanda Adams.

I. Called to Order and Establish a Quorum at 7:03 pm

II. Present were Janis Cooper, Amanda Adams, Benny Combs, Doug Franklin, and PK Kirkpatrick. Lindon Warden was absent.

III. Invocation was led by Doug Franklin and the Pledges recited by all.

IV. Reports

1. The Mayor began by explaining that Canvassing must be done between 3rd and 11th day after election and qualifying to take office can not be done before the 5th day after the election. Between May 17 and 25th is the period to Canvass. Between May 20th and 25th candidates can be sworn and qualify to take office. Having a meeting to do both is suggested for Tuesday May 24th and an agenda will be posted no later than Friday May 20th at 4 pm announcing the date and time for the election to be canvassed and newly elected Councilmen to be sworn and take office. The City Secretary explained the requirements for Canvassing and the first meeting of the new Council. Electing a Mayor Pro Tem is the only required action after qualifying the new Councilmen.

V. New Business

A. Sealed bids were reviewed by Council and a comparison was made between four banks that submitted bids regarding interest rates, services, and fees. Council requested clarification of information but could not contact representatives for clarification.

VI. Meeting was recessed, to obtain clarification and more information from two of the banks, until Tuesday May 17th at 7:00 PM at 8:03 pm by a motion from Doug Franklin, seconded by PK Kirkpatrick, and carried 4-0.
VII. Meeting convened at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, May 17th.

A. Discussion continued regarding the proposals for banking services. The requested information, namely interest rates and rate clarification, was presented. PK Kirkpatrick moved to award the four year contract for banking depository services for the City to Guaranty Bond Bank. Amanda Adams seconded the motion and motion carried with a vote 4-0.

VIII. Adjourned.

I. Called to Order at 7:30 pm.
II. Roll Call: Janis Cooper, Amanda Adams, Doug Franklin and PK Kirkpatrick were present. Benny Combs and Lindon Warden Absent.

III. Doug led the Invocation and Pledges were recited by all.

IV. Reports - None

V. New Business

A. Mayor Cooper read the candidates and number of votes for each. PK Kirkpatrick made a motion to canvass the May 2011 election by Resolution 2011-5-24 declaring the three councilmen elected to be Amanda Adams, Chris Burch, and Cliff Isaacs. Doug Franklin seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Candidate             Number of Votes

C. D. “Chris” Porter      16
Lindon Warden             31
Cliff Isaacs                    45
Debra Scoggins              29
Chris Burch                   43
Amanda Adams             36
Johnny Ray Crosby        19
Thomas Mead               22
Cheryl Seilhan               30

B. Installation of new members of the governing body:

1. The three new members of the Council signed their Statement of Officer Forms.
2. The Oath of Office was administered to Amanda Adams and Chris Burch by Mayor Cooper. Cliff Isaacs presented the City Secretary with his Oath of Office Sworn earlier in the day by Laurine J. Blake, 336th State District Judge.

C. Mayor Cooper called for nominations for position of president pro tempore (Mayor Pro Tem) to serve a term of one year. Cliff Isaacs nominated Chris Burch. Chris Burch seconded the motion. Amanda Adams nominated PK Kirkpatrick. PK Kirkpatrick seconded the motion. Mayor called for votes for Chris Burch. Cliff Isaacs and Chris Burch voted for Chris Burch. Mayor called for votes for PK Kirkpatrick. Amanda Adams and PK Kirkpatrick voted for PK Kirkpatrick. Mayor Cooper then cast her vote for PK Kirkpatrick to break the tie, re-electing PK Kirkpatrick Mayor Pro Tem for one year. Votes were: PK Kirkpatrick – 3 and Chris Burch – 2.

D. Discussed renewal of designation of the City’s official newspaper as the Honey Grove Weekly Gazette. Cliff Isaacs moved to have the designated newspaper stay the same. Amanda seconded the motion, motion carried 4-0

E. Cliff Isaacs moved to not adopt a new resolution naming the time and place that the governing body will meet regularly. PK seconded the motion and motion carried 4-0.

F. Amanda Adams moved to adopt a resolution assigning signatories for bank accounts to the persons holding the positions of Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, City Secretary, and Interim City Secretary. PK Kirkpatrick seconded the motion and the motion carried 4-0

VI. Amanda Adams moved to adjourn at 7:40 pm.