Council approves reimbursements, contracts and schedule changes in brief session

Groves City Council approved several routine motions and agreements during its Jan. 13 meeting, including reimbursement to the Grove Chamber of Commerce for the 2024 Christmas Tree Trail, an agreement with the Groves Pecan Festival for dedication of a pecan sculpture, an ordinance to join an energy-service-area coalition at the Public Utility Commission (PUC) level, a contract with LJA Engineering for stormwater management consulting, adoption of a second-and-fourth Monday regular meeting schedule and the city invoice list for Jan. 13, 2025.

The approvals were taken as separate motions across the meeting; each motion passed on a voice or roll-call vote with no recorded opposing votes. The mayor and a majority of council members voted to approve each item.

Votes at a glance

- Approve minutes of Dec. 23, 2024 City Council meeting — Motion passed (Mayor: aye; Mayor Pro Temkinidis: aye; Council Member Holmes: aye; Council Member McAdams: aye).

- Grove Chamber of Commerce: reimbursement from hotel occupancy tax for the 2024 Christmas Tree Trail — Motion passed (same affirmative votes recorded). City staff and Chamber representatives clarified invoicing; a line-item transcription error referenced “8,000” but attendees confirmed the invoice line of $83.20 as entered in the packet.

- Agreement with the Groves Pecan Festival to dedicate the world’s largest pecan sculpture — Motion passed. Staff said the sculpture will be a city fixed asset and covered under the city’s insurance with no separate premium expected; routine minor maintenance anticipated.

- Ordinance 2025-1: authorize participation with other energy-service-area cities on PUC matters and authorize hiring of counsel and rate experts — Motion passed. Staff noted the city is joining a coalition of roughly 27 cities and that, by statute, any expenses that arise from contesting a rate increase are reimbursable under the cost-allocation mechanism used by the coalition.

- Approve calendar of regular council meetings for 2025 and adopt second-and-fourth Monday schedule — Amended motion to set second-and-fourth Mondays carried. Staff said the change reduces the number of regular meetings to 23 and preserves the city’s ability to call special meetings or workshops when needed.

- Establish Feb. 10, 2025 as the date for a joint public hearing with the Planning & Zoning Commission on a specific-use permit for a food truck at 5509 East Parkway Drive — Motion passed.

- Approve proposal from LJA Engineering Inc. for environmental consulting services to continue implementation of the city’s stormwater management program — Motion passed; staff reported the city’s share for the period shown in the packet as $16,002.50.

- Approve Jan. 13, 2025 invoice list — Motion passed. The packet’s invoice total recorded $60,065.98 and the finance presentation listed individual items including: landfill/disposal $5,200; developer rebate $7,099.87; cold-mix materials $6,476.34; ignition module $9,964.62; high-service motor replacement $13,495; sewage funds $10,770.45; rental equipment $7,059.63.

Several items were routine and short on debate. For items that generated discussion, staff provided clarifying details on amounts, insurance coverage and statutory cost-reimbursement mechanisms. No recorded motions failed. The council recessed for an executive session under Texas Government Code Sec. 551.074 to discuss personnel matters related to the city attorney and reconvened with no action taken.

Ending: The council completed the listed business and adjourned at 6:43 p.m.