April 20, 2026 Regular Council Meeting Minutes

April 20, 2026

The Hamlin City Council met for a regular meeting on April 20, 2026, at 6:00 P.M.

Those present were Councilwoman Brooke Houghton, City Secretary Tonya Harughty, Councilwoman Shelby Teague, Police Chief Jay Strong, Officer Joshua Benavides, City Manager Brian Weaver, Waterworks Superintendent Andres Arce, Mayor Tucker Teague, Councilman Ronald Crouch, Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis, Cody Ellis, Peggy Davis.

Call meeting to order by Mayor Tucker Teague at 6:00 P.M. Invocation and pledge were led by Mayor Tucker Teague.

Roll call: Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis, Councilman Ronald Crouch, Mayor Tucker Teague, Councilwoman Shelby Teague, Councilwoman Brooke Houghton.

Councilman Caleb Gabriel was absent.

Open Forum-Person who sign in between 5:30 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. will be allowed not more than five minutes each to speak to the Council.

*General comments from visitors who have signed up to address the Council.

Cody Ellis introduced himself to the Council as the Municipal Manager for County Waste Service. This is the first time I have had the opportunity to visit the City Council with the City of Hamlin, so I appreciate the opportunity.  I have been with County Waste Service for about one year now and Municipal Supervisor for about six months.  I’m just now getting to the point where I can come to the city council meetings and visit with you, so I appreciate it.  Do y’all have any questions for me? I have worked with Chief Strong at the City of Tye.  I know Brian very well.  I enjoy working with the city staff. 

Visitors with appointments: No one with an appointment

ACTION ITEMS

Take appropriate action on the minutes from the previous Regular Meeting on March 16, 2026.

Councilwoman Shelby Teague made a motion to accept the minutes as written from the previous regular meeting on March 16, 2026, seconded by Councilwoman Brooke Houghton.  All in favor.  Motion carries. 

Take appropriate action on the minutes from the previous Special Meeting on March 24, 2026.

Councilwoman Shelby Teague made a motion to accept the minutes as written from the Special Meeting on March 24, 2026, seconded by Councilman Ronald Crouch.  All in favor.  Motion carries.

Consider and take any necessary action to adopt Resolution No. 26-003. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF HAMLIN APPROVING THE CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION AND BYLAWS OF TEXAS COALITION FOR AFFORDABLE POWER (“TCAP”), A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION CORPORATION; ACCEPTING MEMBERSHIP IN SAID CORPORATION; APPROVING THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT; AND COMMITTING TO BUDGET FOR ENERGY PURCHASES AND TO HONOR THE CITY’S COMMITMENTS TO PURCHASE POWER FOR ITS ELECTRICAL NEEDS THROUGH TCAP AND ADOPTING TCAP’S GEXA ENERGY’S COMMERCIAL ELECTRIC SERVICE AGREEMENT FOR POWER TO BE PROVIDED ON AND AFTER OCTOBER 1, 2027.

Councilman Ronald Crouch made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 26-003. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF HAMLIN APPROVING THE CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION AND BYLAWS OF TEXAS COALITION FOR AFFORDABLE POWER (“TCAP”), A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION CORPORATION; ACCEPTING MEMBERSHIP IN SAID CORPORATION; APPROVING THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT; AND COMMITTING TO BUDGET FOR ENERGY PURCHASES AND TO HONOR THE CITY’S COMMITMENTS TO PURCHASE POWER FOR ITS ELECTRICAL NEEDS THROUGH TCAP AND ADOPTING TCAP’S GEXA ENERGY’S COMMERCIAL ELECTRIC SERVICE AGREEMENT FOR POWER TO BE PROVIDED ON AND AFTER OCTOBER 1, 2027, seconded by Councilwoman Shelby Teague.  All in favor.  Motion carries.

Consider and take any necessary action on allowing a new water tap outside city limits at address 2889 FM 126.

Councilwoman Shelby Teague made a motion to deny allowing a water tap at 2889 FM 126, seconded by Councilwoman Brooke Houghton.  All in favor.  Motion carries.

Consider and take any necessary action on implementing a timeline for RV parks backflow prevention and TCEQ required CSIs.

Councilwoman Shelby Teague made a motion to implement a timeline for RV parks backflow prevention and TCEQ required CSIs to June 30, 2026, seconded by Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis.  All in favor.  Motion carries. 

Discuss a new trash policy for RV parks.

The council discussed that there is a lot of trash overflowing at the RV Parks and they are discussing having one four-yard dumpster per fifteen RVs. 

Consider and take any necessary action on purchasing new radios for the police department.

Councilwoman Shelby Teague made a motion to approve purchase of new radios for the police department from Stolz Telecom, seconded by Councilwoman Brooke Houghton.  All in favor.  Motion carries. 

Department Reports

City Administrator – Brian Weaver stated Calco will be here in May for three roads that we voted on.  We have new quotes for the sirens.  We are going to turn them into battery powered so it will run off solar power.  We are still looking at grants.  We did court clerk interviews.  We are looking to contract animal control and code enforcement from a private sector. 

Police Chief – Jay Strong stated we are down an officer, down an animal control officer and our evidence clerk is leaving May 15.  We have three interviews for those positions tomorrow.  I want to say to Arce and his guys, they were out there around the clock killing it on West Lake in not so good conditions.  I appreciate all of them.

City Secretary – Tonya Harughty announced that early voting started today.  Everybody needs to come out and vote.  I have reached out to Gerald Rodgers to help with reconciliation in Fundview to get it up to date.

MDD Director – not present.

Fire Chief – not present.

Municipal Court Judge – not present.

Public Works – Andres Arce stated he has a meeting tomorrow with the Jones County Solar Farm to finalize where they want the water meter hooked up.  With the leak on West Lake Drive, with all the problems we’ve had there in the past that may be a candidate for a grant. 

Council members – Councilman Ronald Crouch stated the guys worked hard on that leak.  The guys worked thirty hours straight.  Our guys did an excellent job. 

Mayor – Nothing at this time

Adjourn.

Councilwoman Shelby Teague made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:09 P.M., seconded by Councilwoman Brooke Houghton.  All in favor.  Motion carries.

ATTEST: __________________________                               _________________________

City Secretary Tonya Harughty                                                Mayor Tucker Teague