By Gail M. Williams
Muleshoe Journal Correspondent

The regular meeting of the Muleshoe City Council took place on February 10, 2020, at the City Hall in Muleshoe. Present were Mayor Cliff Black; Mayor Pro-Tem Colt Ellis; and council members Lupe Mendoza, Earl Behrends and Gary Parker.
A motion to approve the minutes of the Jan. 13 council meeting was made, seconded and unanimously approved.
Randall L. Field presented the 2018-2019 audit report. A motion to receive the report was made, seconded and unanimously approved.
Chief of Police Gary McHone presented the 2019 Muleshoe Police Department annual contact data report, in accordance with the Sandra Bland Act. McHone said the most notable section was total number of stops, gender, race and ethnicity. A motion to receive the report was made, seconded and unanimously approved.
The council considered the Election Services Contract with Muleshoe Independent School District. City Manager LeAnn Gallman said the object of the contract was to have a one-stop shop, so that everyone votes at the same place, which is City Hall. A motion to approve the services contract was made, seconded and unanimously approved.
The council considered the Election Services Contract with Muleshoe Area Hospital District. A motion to approve the services contract was made, seconded and unanimously approved.
A motion to order the City General Election to be held on Saturday, May 2, was made, seconded and unanimously approved. Council Districts 3 and 4, held by Earl Behrends and Gary Parker respectively, are both up for election. Behrends and Parker have filed to run again. The filing deadline was 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14.
The council considered a motion to order the City Special Election to be held on Saturday, May 2, for the reauthorization of the local sales and use tax in the City of Muleshoe at the rate of ¼ percent to continue providing revenue for maintenance and repair of municipal streets. The tax expires on the fourth anniversary of the date of the election unless the imposition of the tax is reauthorized. A motion to order that election for that reauthorization was made, seconded and unanimously approved.
Council considered Resolution No. R-759-0220 Denying Southwestern Public Service Proposed Increase in Rates. Gallman said currently they’re asking for a 5.9 percent increase, and that in years past, after negotiations, the city has come back with something much smaller. A motion to deny the increase was made, seconded and unanimously approved.
Council considered Ordinance No. O 518-0220 Amending Article 6.04 of Code of Ordinances. The article sets the height of grass and weeds that Code Compliance will be working on with residents in town at 12 inches, so that anything in excess of 12 inches will be out of compliance and will receive a citation. Previously the ordinance mentioned high weeds without giving a height requirement.
McHone said John Page, the code compliance and animal control officer, has been with the department four weeks and is doing a great job. He said the amendment allows for more comprehensive enforcement and makes it easier to determine. If the weeds seem high, the officer can use a measuring stick, take a picture and give the company a citation.
Gallman remarked that this is the beginning of the season, and moisture tends to make weeds and grass grow faster, so citizens might want to get a head start on that this year.
A motion to amend the ordinance was made, seconded and unanimously approved.
The council considered Ordinance No. O 519-0220 Amending Fee Schedule of Code of Ordinances. The ordinance imposes a $45 fee for animals surrendered to the police department to alleviate related costs, including euthanization. A motion to amend the ordinance was made, seconded and unanimously approved.
The council considered Resolution No. R-760-0220 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MULESHOE, TEXAS, APPROVING A PROJECT OF THE MULESHOE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, TO WIT: A LOAN OF UP TO $450,000, WITH UP TO $200,000 OF THAT AMOUNT BEING FORGIVABLE, TO TRIPLE NICKLE INC. FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING ITS PULSE AND CORN FLOUR MILLING PLANT, CREATING FULL-TIME PRIMARY JOBS IN BAILEY COUNTY, TEXAS; COMPLYING WITH SECTION 505.158, TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE; PROVIDING FOR TWO SEPARATE READINGS; OPEN MEETING READING AND ADOPTION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Black said this was the first reading of the resolution, and since the city has changed from a Type A to a Type B corporation through Economic Development, two readings of the resolution are required. Another reading of the resolution at next month’s meeting will satisfy the legal process for that Type B corporation. A motion to approve the first reading was made, seconded and unanimously approved.
Council considered a recommendation of Muleshoe Economic Development Corporation to renew a contract for one year with Leading EDG.
Carina Reyes, Economic Development Director, said Leading EDG has been working in Muleshoe since 2017, providing services for more than 34 different business owners and entrepreneurs. Services include help with starting a business, expanding a business, and buying and selling a business.
“We believe they have been very beneficial,” Reyes said. “It’s a free service for any resident here in Muleshoe, so we hope that the public will take advantage of that. They’ve also been very helpful with assisting me as a new director, and so we’re asking to actually extend that contract and create more of a consistent schedule so that they can come to Muleshoe twice a month rather than once a month so that they’ll be more available, and we hope that that will create some deal flow as well in assisting businesses here in Muleshoe.”
Following a question, Reyes clarified that Economic Development has a contract with Leading EDG, and that services are free to citizens, not to the community.
“For any meeting with an individual, any services over the phone or in person at the training center, it’s free,” she said.
Black remarked that Muleshoe provides this service in the hope that the city can generate some interest and expansion in the community. Gallman remarked some folks come in and want to start a business, but when they lay it all out, it’s not a good plan
“Leading EDG can also counsel with folks, and we count it as a success if they don’t start a business that’s going to fail,” she said.
A motion to renew the contract with Leading EDG was made, seconded and unanimously approved.
A motion to receive the Financial Statement for the month ending Jan. 31 was made, seconded and unanimously approved.
Administrative Reports
The council welcomed Juan Flores, new Public Works Director for the City of Muleshoe. Flores assumed that position on January 27.
The city will hold a wellness clinic on Tuesday, Feb. 25, for city employees and their adult dependents in an effort to have a healthier workforce.
The Texas Municipal League Region III Meeting will be Thursday, March 26, at the Spirit Ranch in Lubbock.
Friday, Feb. 14, is the deadline to apply for a place on the ballot.
Gallman announced the Girl Scouts have started back up and are working to get the Girl Scout Hut ready for use.
Bid packets have been sent out for work on the fire department building. The bids will come back on Thursday, Feb. 20, so a recommendation will be made at the council meeting in March.
A planned cyber security class has been put on hold because the city will have to pay for it. The class may be rescheduled sometime after March.
The mayor congratulated the Girl Scouts on their reorganization.
The meeting adjourned.