Moody City Council approves grants, equipment purchases, policies and budget changes; radio purchase recorded with one abstention

The Moody City Council approved multiple routine and budget items during its Feb. 13, 2023 meeting, including acceptance of a federal fire grant, several equipment purchases, a budget amendment for holiday decorations, three policy resolutions, and charitable contributions.

Key outcomes "at a glance": • Hiring extension: Council approved advertising and hiring for front desk and custodial positions at the Civic Center through February 2024 (motion by Nick Rutledge; second Matt Morris; unanimous). • Parks equipment: Approved purchase of a John Deere Gator from Trigreen for $12,589.00 (motion Nick Rutledge; second Ellis Key; unanimous). • Fire grant: Accepted an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) for $150,000 to help purchase 21 air packs; total equipment cost listed as $175,455.21 with the city responsible for $25,455.21. Procurement will use the state/HGAC contract; funds from reserve project fund (motion Lynn Taylor; second Matt Morris; unanimous). • Grant-writing fee: Approved $7,142.86 to JMCM Consulting for securing the 2021 grant (motion Matt Morris; second Linda Crowe; unanimous). • Equipment and supplies: Approved hydraulic hose for the HURST tool ($736.52), uniform closet materials from Lowe's ($2,400), and replacement of patrol vehicle #347 motor ($8,000), all budgeted and approved unanimously. • Library subscription: Renewed ProQuest (HeritageQuest Online) March 1, 2023–Feb. 29, 2024 for $1,167.75 (motion Linda Crowe; second Ellis Key; unanimous). • Radios for police and fire: Authorized bidding and acceptance of the lowest bid for new radios (part of a county system) with cost not to exceed $245,000; motion carried with Council Member Matt Morris recorded as abstaining (motion Lynn Taylor; second Ellis Key). • IT purchase: Approved replacement computer and software for Building Department office manager from ALW Tech for $1,035.44 (motion Matt Morris; second Nick Rutledge; unanimous). • Holiday decorations & budget amendment: Authorized bidding for Parkway snowflake decorations (cost not to exceed $40,000) and amended the 2022–2023 budget to add $45,000 under Christmas decorations (01-522-2300) — $40,000 for Parkway snowflakes and $5,000 for trees, lights and other decorations — bringing the total budget line to $48,000 (motion Lynn Taylor; second Linda Crowe; unanimous). Note: the minutes list this budget line as 'Capitol Projects' in one place; that appears to be a typographical error and is understood to refer to Capital Projects/budgeting for the city’s capital accounts. • Resolutions: Adopted R2023-02-13 (City Capital Assets Policy), R2023-02-13A (City and Moody Fire Department Purchasing/Procurement Policy) and R2023-02-13B (Moody Fire Department Record Retention Policy); each approved unanimously. The minutes list 'Council Member Nick Taylor' as mover on one resolution vote; elsewhere the council roster and votes reference 'Nick Rutledge.' The minutes do not clarify whether these are distinct individuals or a typographical inconsistency. • Community support: Approved a $1,000 donation to the Friends of Moody Schools Foundation and a $5,000 sponsorship for the Miracle League (both budgeted). • Avalon paving: Approved repair and paving of sections of Avalon Subdivision under resolution R2022-05-09 with an estimated project cost of $102,809.62; funding listed as HOA 75% (HOA funds held in the city's escrow account) and City 25%; project included under city asphalt paving and repair bids (motion Matt Morris; second Nick Rutledge; unanimous).

The meeting closed at 6:17 p.m. The minutes record unanimous approval on most items; the radio authorization was the single item with an abstention. The minutes do not include verbatim public comment for the rezoning item and provide limited deliberation text for most votes.