Gilmer City Council authorizes Civic Center shelter MOUs and approves soliciting bids for roof replacement

The Gilmer City Council on July 9 authorized the mayor to sign memoranda of understanding allowing the Gilmer Civic Center to serve as a shelter and mass care facility with Little House Pre-K, New Diana Independent School District, the Upshur County Appraisal District and Spring Hill ISD, and later approved soliciting bids to replace the Civic Center roof.

Mayor Tim Marshall moved to authorize the memoranda of understanding; Councilmember Jasmine Cunningham seconded. The motion passed 4-0. The council’s action enables the Civic Center to be formally listed as a shelter partner with the four named entities; the memoranda themselves were not appended to the minutes and details about responsibilities or funding were not specified in the record.

Earlier in the meeting, the council voted to pass on the Quarterly City Investment Report for the period ending June 30, 2024 (no action taken). Later, after conducting an executive-session deliberation under Texas Government Code §551.072 concerning real property, the council reconvened in open session and moved to authorize City Manager Greg Hutson to solicit bids for replacement of the Civic Center roof. Mayor Pro-Tem Pete Herrmann made the motion to solicit bids, Councilmember Jerry Webb seconded, and the motion passed 5-0.

The council entered executive session at 5:19 p.m. and exited at 5:47 p.m.; Councilmember Jarom Tefteller entered the meeting at 5:32 p.m. The meeting was called to order at 5:15 p.m. and adjourned at 5:48 p.m. Two councilmembers — Councilmember Michael Chevalier and Councilmember Marty Jordan — were recorded as absent in the minutes. Staff present included City Manager Greg Hutson and City Secretary Kimberly Smith.

Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda (minutes, department reports, expense report, June financials): motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Pete Herrmann, second Jerry Webb — approved 4-0. - Memoranda of Understanding (Civic Center sheltering with Little House Pre-K, New Diana ISD, Upshur County Appraisal District, Spring Hill ISD): motion by Mayor Tim Marshall, second Jasmine Cunningham — approved 4-0. - Enter executive session under Texas Government Code §551.072 (real property deliberation): motion by Jerry Webb, second Pete Herrmann — approved 4-0 (entered 5:19 p.m.). - Exit executive session: motion by Jerry Webb, second Jasmine Cunningham — approved 5-0 (exited 5:47 p.m.). - Authorize City Manager to solicit bids for replacement roof at the Civic Center: motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Pete Herrmann, second Jerry Webb — approved 5-0. - Adjournment: motion by Jerry Webb, second Jasmine Cunningham — approved 5-0.

Details, context and next steps: The minutes record authorization to execute MOUs but do not include the signed agreements or detail operational responsibilities such as staffing, shelter activation criteria, cost allocation or timelines. The motion to solicit bids directs staff to begin a procurement process for a roof replacement; the minutes do not provide a project budget, estimated cost, or schedule for bid return and council consideration. The council did not set a date to consider the bids in the minutes.

The meeting took place at Gilmer City Hall, 110 Buffalo St., Gilmer, Texas. City Manager Greg Hutson will oversee the bidding process; no timeline was recorded in the minutes for when bids will be returned or presented to the council.