City of Meridian settles lawsuit, earmarks funds for equipment

City of Meridian settles lawsuit, earmarks funds for equipment Subhead Council okays purchase of new backhoe, trailer News Staff Wed, 04/17/2024 - 05:37 Image

• The Meridian City Council met at the Memorial Library (Senior Center) on Monday, April 15, to take action on agenda items pertaining to city's public works equipment, grants for planning future infrastructure updates, and updating the city's ordinances. Nathan Diebenow | Meridian Tribune

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The Meridian City Council breathed a sigh of relief during its regular meeting on Monday, April 15, as it was announced the City of Meridian had received funds from a settlement related to a longtime lawsuit.

The City will receive a total of $215,000 as financial compensation for a piece of equipment broken in transit to Waco a few years ago.

Darr Equipment and JCB Manufacturing offered two different amounts independently from each other in the settlement.

The city council accepted the settlements during a special meeting on Monday, March 25. The funds are in the process of being dispersed to Meridian City Hall, Mayor Ryan Nieuwenhuis said.

During the council’s regular April meeting, the council members approved the purchase of a new backhoe after some discussion with the Public Works Director Gary Rohrer.

Rohrer received bids and expressed satisfaction with the quality of both John Deere and JCB machines, although he said he favored the John Deere line.

The council approved the purchase of the John Deere backhoe with its five-year warranty using funds from the settlement.

In addition, the council approved the purchase of a trailer with which to move a skid steer within the city limits.

The trailer was necessary to prevent wear on the city streets from the vehicle’s tracts, it was noted.

Through the accepted motion, the council placed a $9,000 limit on the trailer’s purchase.

“I want to do what’s best for the city,” Rohrer said after the council approved the purchases.

During the discussion, Mayor Nieuwenhuis expressed appreciation for City Administrator Kris Garza for keeping up with the city’s accounts.

The mayor said that City Hall is still receiving “surprise bills” from year’s passed, and cautioned the council members on the city’s spending in case more bills show up.

Garza said that last week City Hall had been in communication with the IRS for $13,000 in unpaid payroll taxes from 2017-20.

Garza said she is expecting a letter from the IRS stating that the city had no more outstanding payroll taxes.

Ordinance

The council discussed updates to the city’s ordinances pertaining to the city administrator position.

The council members reviewed language in the ordinance that outlined the chain of command among the city administrator and department heads as well as spending limits for the city administrator.

The mayor asked City Secretary Tiffany Gentry to make the suggested corrections available for review by the next council meeting.

Water conservation plan

In other new business, the council approved the city’s 2004 Water Conservation Plan and the 2024 Drought Contingency Plan as prepared by STV Infrastructure.

The resolution approved is a necessary and routine part of compliance with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Block grant

The council approved authorizing Grantworks to work on a community block grant through the Mitigation Resilient Communities Program on behalf of the City of Meridian.

Grantworks Client Services Manager Rob Barthen discussed the scope of the comprehensive plan, which will cover studies and mapping for the city’s water and sewer systems, among other areas.

With this plan, the City of Meridian will be better able to apply for state and federal grants for infrastructure repair and upgrades in the future.

“It will be future looking, so we’re looking to how to mitigate flooding and things like that,” Barthen said.

The funds to pay Grantworks’ consultants will come from the grant, at no charge to the City of Meridian.

City Secretary Gentry said the only proposal for grant management services City Hall received was from Grantworks after issuing several public notices.

Summer assistant The council approved the hiring of a second person in the Public Works Department this summer.

The funds to pay for this assistant will come from the sale of scrap metal on city property and cuts to overtime in the city’s budget, the accepted motion stated.

Car port

The council approved a one-time variance in the city’s ordinances to allow a metal carport to be located at 207 West Liveoak Street.

Mayor Nieuwenhuis said he appreciated the property owners –Sabrina and Dennis Harrison– working with Meridian City Hall on the project.

A few council members said they had reviewed the property and found the car port would not obstruct traffic along the street, which itself is not a major thoroughfare.

Consent agenda

The council approved the minutes from the meetings on March 11 and March 25.

The council tabled amendments to the budget until the next meeting, as requested by the city administrator.

Council members present for the meeting

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were Rubin Felan, Jackye Hatley, John Oldham, and Dana Williams. Mayor Pro Tem Sharon Wilson was not present.

Reports

Meridian Economic Development Corporation President Jerry Mobley reported that the MEDC had recently hired a new employee, Brooke DeZavala.

Meridian EDC Vice President Paul Hardcastle updated the council on the MEDC’s office renovation at Meridian’s Masonic Lodge building.

Hardcastle also requested that the Meridian Police Department review parking and parking signage around the Lodge building for future guests.

Public comment

Meridian Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Teresa McMahon reported on her experience welcoming visitors during the total solar eclipse weekend.

She said that although Meridian did not receive the crowds as expected, the city still attracted folks from the New England area as well as from France.

McMahon noted that an artist from New York marveled at the bluebonnets sprinkled across the county.

“He said, ‘Never in my life did I think I would see Texas bluebonnets,” she said, “They were just blown away. They were so sweet and appreciative.”

McMahon added, “A lady from Pennsylvania said, ‘I’m going home with a special place in my heart for Meridian.’” McMahon commended the city staff and first responders for preparing for the eclipse, noting that the out-of-town visitors noticed and appreciated their preparations.

During the public comment period, two residents encouraged the citizens to attend a public hearing at the Bosque County Commissioners Court at 9 a.m. on Monday morning, April 22.

The agenda item at the court meeting concerns a tax abatement for a large electricity storage battery system outside Meridian, they said.

The next Meridian City Council meeting is set for Monday, May 13, 2024, at the Memorial Library in Meridian.