July 21, 2025 Regular Council Meeting

July 21, 2025

The Hamlin City Council met for a regular meeting on July 21, 2025, at 7:00 P.M. Those present were Mayor Pro Tem Shelby Teague, Councilman Ronald Crouch, Councilman Caleb Gabriel, Councilwoman Brooke Houghton, City Secretary Tonya Harughty, City Manager Brian Weaver, Municipal Development Direct Randy Burks, Police Chief Jay Strong, Ashley Fehrle, Jerry Dean, Mike Siglar, Shawna Siglar, JoAnne Hines, Scott Heff, Lanett Ponder, Margaret Somereve, Russ Ponder, Richard McCoy, Monti Green, Heather Perez.

Call meeting to order by Mayor Pro Tem Shelby Teague at 7:00 P.M. Prayer was led by Councilman Caleb Gabriel and pledge was led by Mayor Pro Tem Shelby Teague.

Roll call: Mayor Pro Tem Shelby Teague, Councilman Ronald Crouch, Councilwoman Brooke Houghton, Councilman Caleb Gabriel.

Mayor Tucker Teague and Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis were not present.

Open Forum-Person who sign in between 6:30 P.M. and 7:00 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.

JoAnne Hines has questions and concerns regarding the Ordinance concerning the golf carts.  She stated she believes the $200 fine is excessive.  She would like to know when the approval date will be.  She had questions about the Texas Transportation Code.  She asked how it is verified if a cart has inspections, lights, horns, etc.  She believes carts should be able to tow trailers.  She thinks the charge should be an in fracture, not a misdemeanor.  She believes it is perceived as harassment.  

Scott Heff stated it is incorrect that ATVs do not have safety features.  The only thing his does not have is an air bag.  Why not have towing requirements? 

Mike Siglar thanked everyone in the city of Hamlin.  He owns Pup & Tator.  He has been well received here.  Everyone is very welcoming.  The community is great.  Thank you everyone.

Richard McCoy spoke to the council.  He stated the website needs improvement.  The citizens should be able to vote on businesses.  They want businesses that don’t close.  Hamlin needs business incentives, free advertising.  Hamlin should put businesses on the website.  We need to build businesses for citizens.  We need to have events once a month. 

Visitors with appointments: No one with an appointment

ACTION ITEMS

Take appropriate action on the minutes from the previous Regular Meeting on June 16, 2025.

Councilman Ronald Crouch made a motion to accept the minutes as written from the Regular Meeting on June 16, 2025, seconded by Councilman Caleb Gabriel.  All in favor. Motion carries.

Take appropriate action on the minutes from the Special Meeting on July 15, 2025.

Councilwoman Brooke Houghton made a motion to accept the minutes as written from the Special Meeting on July 15, 2025, seconded by Councilman Ronald Crouch.  All in favor.  Motion carries.

Consider and take any necessary action on the FSA insurance.

Ashley Fehrle with Texas Health Benefits Insurance presented the Council with a handout and explained the FSA Insurance. 

Councilman Caleb Gabriel made a motion to offer the FSA Insurance to the employees, seconded by Councilwoman Brooke Houghton.  All in favor.  Motion passes.

Consider and take any necessary action on the Texas Coalition of Affordable Power.

Margaret Somereve with TCAP presented the Council with material regarding affordable energy rates and explained how their company works.

Councilwoman Brooke Houghton made a motion to table this action for further discussion and research, seconded by Councilman Caleb Gabriel.  All in favor.  Motion passes.

Consider and take any necessary action on MD Health Pathways telehealth program.

Jerry Dean spoke to the council regarding how the MD Health Pathways works.

Councilman Caleb Gabriel made a motion to table this item until next month in order to receive  community input, seconded by Councilwoman Brooke Houghton.  All in favor.  Motion passes. 

Consider and take any necessary action on Resolution 25-004, a Resolution to authorize the Hamlin Police Department to enter into an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for the temporary closure of State right of way for the 2025 Homecoming Parade to be held on September 19, 2025.

Councilman Caleb Gabriel made a motion to adopt Resolution 25-004, a Resolution to authorize the Hamlin Police Department to enter into an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for the temporary closure of State right of way for the 2025 Homecoming Parade to be held on September 19, 2025 with the amendment to change the date to September 20, 2025, seconded by Councilman Ronald Crouch.  All in favor.  Motion passes.

Consider and take any necessary action on adopting ORDINANCE NO. 25-005: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAMLIN, TEXAS REGULATING THE USE OF GOLF CARTS AND UTILITY VEHICLES ON PUBLIC STREETS OR HIGHWAYS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS; PROVIDING FOR A FINE OF NOT MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS ($200.00) FOR VIOLATION OF ANY PROVISION HEREOF; REPEALING ANY ORDINANCE INCONSISTENT OR IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; REPEALING ANY ORDINANCE INCONSISTENT OR IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR NOTICE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

Councilman Ronald Crouch made a motion to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 25-005: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAMLIN, TEXAS REGULATING THE USE OF GOLF CARTS AND UTILITY VEHICLES ON PUBLIC STREETS OR HIGHWAYS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS; PROVIDING FOR A FINE OF NOT MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS ($200.00) FOR VIOLATION OF ANY PROVISION HEREOF; REPEALING ANY ORDINANCE INCONSISTENT OR IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; REPEALING ANY ORDINANCE INCONSISTENT OR IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR NOTICE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE, seconded by Councilwoman Brooke Houghton.  All in favor.  Motion passes.

Consider and take any necessary action on adopting ORDINANCE NO. 25-006: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HAMLIN, TEXAS, REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. HEALTH AND SANITATION, CHAPTER 6 IN IT’S ENTIRETY; DEFINING AND ENUMERTING NUISANCES AND PROHIBITING SAME; PROVIDING FOR NOTICE AND ABATEMENT OF NUISANCES, PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE; PROVIDING A PENALTY OF A FINE NOT TO EXCEED FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00) FOR EACH OFFENSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

Councilman Ronald Crouch made a motion to table this item, seconded by Councilwoman Brooke Houghton.  All in favor.  Motion passes. 

Consider and take any necessary action on selling the City RV Park.

No action taken

Consider and take any necessary action on the Resilient Communities Program grant.

Russ Ponder addressed the Council regarding the Resilient Communities Program grant.

Councilwoman Brooke Houghton made a motion to accept the Committee’s recommendation to use Public Management for this project, seconded by Councilman Ronald Crouch.  All in favor.  Motion passes.

Discussion on quarterly budget review.

City Administrator Brian Weaver discussed the quarterly budget review.  He explained the numbers on July 15 were more accurate.  I do have the appraised certified values.  They need more information to do revenue calculations.  I will see the tax assessor tomorrow. 

VI. DEPARTMENT REPORTS

City Administrator – Brian Weaver had nothing further.

Chief of Police – Chief Strong announced the police department teamed up to provide school supplies for our district.  The first ever Back to School Bash will be August 7, 6:30 – 8:00 right after meet the teacher.  We will have bounce houses, face paint, pony rides, hot dogs, snow cones. 

City Secretary – Tonya Harughty had nothing at this time.

MDD Director – Dr. Randy Burks no findings on our audit.  Tina Aldape finished her term on the board so stepped away.  MDD is selling the animal shelter land to the city for approximately $3,000.00. The Website is not great but working on it.  We are trying to make the web cam at Tina’s active so people can see the traffic. The drug store in Haskell is close to approval for a remote pharmacy here.  We are working with new businesses coming to Hamlin.  The welcome center is in the planning stages but have a solid floor plan.  Have estimates of about $460,000.00.  We did a lot of work on core values.  Three phases: RV parks are going to be phase 1.  Second phase are duplexes. Third phase are custom homes. 

Fire chief – Mark Hernandez was not present.

Municipal Court Judge – Don Dennett was not present.

Public Works – Andres Arce was not present.

Council Members – Councilman Caleb Gabriel stated he drove down avenue J and it is great.  Very appreciative.   Ronald Crouch stated Avenue F is great, too.

Councilman Ronald Crouch announced he has heard a few complaints about the broadband going in. Those guys seem to be doing a good job. 

Mayor – Mayor Pro Tem Shelby Teague had nothing at this time.

VII. ADJOURN

Councilman Caleb Gabriel made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:27 P.M., seconded by Councilman Ronald Crouch.  All in favor.  Motion carries.

ATTEST: __________________________                               _________________________

City Secretary Tonya Harughty                                                Mayor Pro Tem Shelby Teague