January 20, 2026 Regular Council Meeting Minutes
January 20, 2026
The Hamlin City Council met for a regular meeting on January 20, 2026, at 6:00 P.M.
Those present were City Secretary Tonya Harughty, Councilwoman Shelby Teague, Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis, Police Officer Eric Becerra, City Manager Brian Weaver, Waterworks Director Andres Arce, Councilman Caleb Gabriel, Councilman Ronald Crouch, Mayor Tucker Teague, Jo Anne Hines, Scott Neff, Roy Wilson, Doris A. Gonzalez, Jake Torrey, Lanett Ponder.
Call meeting to order by Mayor Tucker Teague at 6:00 P.M. Invocation and pledge were led by Mayor Tucker Teague.
Roll call: Councilman Caleb Gabriel, Councilman Ronald Crouch, Councilwoman Shelby Teague, Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis, Mayor Tucker Teague
Councilwoman Brooke Houghton was not present.
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.
No one spoke to the Council.
Visitors with appointments: No one with an appointment
ACTION ITEMS
Take appropriate action on the minutes from the previous Regular Meeting on December 15, 2025.
Councilwoman Shelby Teague made a motion to accept the minutes as written on the Regular Minutes on December 15, 2025, seconded by Councilman Caleb Gabriel. All in favor. Motion carries.
Consider and take any necessary action on Order of Election for a Regular Election on May 2, 2026, for electing two (2) council members and electing one (1) mayor.
Councilwoman Shelby Teague made a motion to accept the Order of Election for a Regular Election on May 2, 2026, for electing two (2) council members and electing one (1) mayor, seconded by Councilman Caleb Gabriel. All in favor. Motion carries.
Consider and take any necessary action to change the date to accept sealed bids on the decommissioned tanker.
Councilman Caleb Gabriel made a motion for Brian Weaver, at his discretion, to set the date to sell the decommissioned tanker, seconded by Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis. All in favor. Motion carries.
Consider and take any necessary action to allow use of the bank’s night deposit for daily deposits.
Councilman Ronald Crouch made a motion to allow the use of the bank’s night deposit for daily deposits, seconded by Councilwoman Shelby Teague. Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis and Councilman Ronald Crouch are for. Councilman Caleb Gabriel abstained. Motion carries.
Consider and take any necessary action on the allocation of the over deposits in the debt service fund.
Councilwoman Shelby Teague made a motion to purchase a lawn mower, $10,000 for tools and decals for the police department, $15,000 for code enforcement and table the milling machine for review until the next meeting, seconded by Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis. All in favor. Motion carries.
Consider and take any necessary action on appointment/hiring of a court clerk.
Councilwoman Shelby Teague made a motion to table this item until the next meeting, seconded by Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis. All in favor. Motion carries.
Discuss and take any necessary action on selling water to commercial sites and projects.
Jake Torrey spoke to the council about upgrading pumps to meet their needs as well as the chlorinator at skin out mountain, running a water line to a booster pump and a pumper tank where the Industrial Park is so they will have less of a demand on the City system to keep the flow more consistent.
At 6:54 P.M. Councilwoman Shelby Teague made a motion to go into executive session, seconded by Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis. All in favor. Motion carries.
At 7:35 P.M. Councilwoman Shelby Teague made a motion to go back into open session, seconded by Councilman Ronald Crouch. All in favor. Motion carries.
The council proposed one million dollars down payment up front held in the city funds for upgrades and repairs related to the project to be used by the City when needed. A take and pay agreement for a minimum of 250,000 gallons per day. A minimum of a two-year term once we sign the contract. We can’t provide more than 275,000 gallons per day. After the construction is over our water rate will revert for the following years to the yearly updated going commercial water rate of the City. The City will not be responsible for any maintenance or repairs on your side of the line. We will need a drop contingency clause that the water will be cut off if the City’s water supply is jeopardized due to drought or other acts of God. The agreement will be signable to any sales of ownership for the lifetime of the contract. Our proposed rate is $37.50 per thousand.
No action taken on this item.
Discussion on the quarterly budget review.
Brian Weaver stated we’re 90 – 95% solution on expenditures. We are close across the board. We are seeing a rise in water sales. We are at 23% expenditures and 25% revenue. On the water fund we brought in 24% of revenue, spent 23% on expenditures. On the overall funds, we are right there at the quarter.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
City Administrator – Brian Weaver stated he and Dr. Burks had a meeting with Haskell regarding their lessons learned. We’re ahead on investment of housing, but behind on some other things. The grant for water is a 100 percent grant that we are going to apply for. The comprehensive grant that we applied for is progressing quicker than expected.
Chief of Police – Had nothing at this time.
City Secretary – Had nothing at this time.
MDD Director – Not present
Fire Chief – Not present.
Municipal Court Judge – Not present.
Public Works – Andres Arce stated the street sweeper hose needs to be replaced and that it is doing a good job.
Council Members – Had nothing at this time.
Mayor – Had nothing at this time.
Adjourn.
Councilwoman Shelby Teague made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 P.M., seconded by Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis. All in favor. Motion carries.
ATTEST: __________________________ _________________________
City Secretary Tonya Harughty Mayor Tucker Teague