Regular Council Meeting Minutes June 15, 2026

June 15, 2026

The Hamlin City Council met for a regular meeting on June 15, 2026, at 6:00 P.M.

Those present were City Secretary Tonya Harughty, City Administrator Brian Weaver, Councilwoman Shelby Teague, Mayor Tucker Teague, Councilman Ronald Crouch, Councilwoman Brooke Houghton, Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis, Fire Chief Mark Hernandez, Police Chief Jay Strong, Water Superintendent Andres Arce, Jr., Officer Joshua Benavides, Councilman Kenneth Williams, Billy Don Cooper, Ron Lewis.

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, Councilwoman Shelby Teague, Councilwoman Brooke Houghton.

Councilman Kenneth Williams arrived at 6:10.

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 signed up to speak 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 May 18, 2026.

Councilwoman Shelby Teague made a motion to approve the minutes from the previous Regular Meeting on May 18, 2026, seconded by Councilman Ronald Crouch.  All in favor.  Motion carries.

Consider and take any necessary action on appointment of Mayor Pro-Tem.

Councilman Ronald Crouch made a motion to nominate Councilwoman Shelby Teague as Mayor Pro-Tem, seconded by Councilman Kenneth Williams.  All in favor.  Motion carries.

Discuss changing residential speed limits to 20 mph.

Chief Jay Strong stated he is suggesting only changing streets that have the most activity, like residential areas around the schools where most of our children walk.  The Mayor and Council agree with the 20-mph speed limit. 

Consider and take any necessary action on Texas Health Benefits Renewal due June 30, 2026.

Councilwoman Shelby Teague made a motion to approve the Texas Health Benefits Renewal at $1,043.02 per employee and change the probation period from 90 days to 30 days, seconded by Councilwoman Brooke Houghton.  All in favor.  Motion carries. 

Consider and take any necessary action to adopt Resolution No. 26-006: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTING A WATER CONSERVATION PLAN FOR THE CITY OF HAMLIN.

Councilman Ronald Crouch made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 26-006: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTING A WATER CONSERVATION PLAN FOR THE CITY OF HAMLIN, seconded by Councilman Kenneth Williams.  All in favor.  Motion carries.

Consider and take any necessary action TWDB-WSIG Application Filing and Authorized Representative Resolution.

Councilman Ronald Crouch made a motion to approve TWDB-WSIG Application Filing and Authorized Representative Resolution, seconded by Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis.  All in favor.  Motion carries.

Consider and take any necessary action on fire truck grant.

Councilwoman Shelby Teague made a motion to table this item pending Fire Chief Mark Hernandez speaking to the bank, seconded by Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis.  All in favor.  Motion carries. 

Discussion regarding houses in Hamlin that need to be demolished.

Billy Don Cooper spoke to the council regarding demolishing approximately five houses in Hamlin. There are four on NE Ave B and the other on NW 2nd.   Mayor Tucker Teague suggested having CWS come to give a quote. 

Discussion on budget development timeline.

City Administrator Brian Weaver discussed the steps and the timeline for the deadline of the budget. 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

City Administrator – Brian Weaver stated NW 2nd and NW 3rd streets are done.  Southwest A AEP agreed to look at their budget to see if they can help with SW 4th Street.  I will get pictures of upcoming streets for the next budget.  The bid for the RV Park should be in the paper this week.  The deadline is July 17.   We should present it to the council at the next meeting. 

Police Chief – Jay Strong stated we will be doing Bexa scans with the Laura Bush Foundation at City Hall.  It is free for everybody in the community.  We are having a lot of problems with homelessness.  A big increase.  We are down to three officers.  We are working 24 on, 48 off.  We are competing with businesses that are giving $10,000.00 to $50,000.00 bonus and take-home vehicles.  We have our new vehicles.  One caught fire but it is at the facility.  The company is fabulous, taking care of it.  The new evidence clerk is amazing.  The animal control officer is great.  The officers are wonderful.  Our call volume is steady.

City Secretary – Tonya Harughty had nothing at this time.

MDD Director – Dr. Randy Burks was not present.

Fire Chief – Chief Mark Hernandez was not present.

Municipal Court Judge – Judge Don Dennett was not present.

Public Works – Andres Arce stated Public Works is fully staffed.  We hired another person two weeks ago.  I submitted the report for the month of May for the wastewater treatment plant and we broke permit.  I reported it to Abilene Regional office.  I haven’t heard anything.  I’m waiting to hear from Austin, which usually takes a few weeks.    They could either give us a fine or penalty.  It is getting better.  That plant is not designed to digest septic sludge.  I’m reseeding the sewer system to produce the bacteria that we need.  We are only accepting sewage from residents.  We can’t accept anything outside the city limits. 

Council Members – Councilman Kenneth Williams would like to commend the police department and the fire department and public works for the tremendous work they have been doing.  The city administrator is doing a good job.  Thank you, Mr. Cooper.  I think everybody is doing a really good job.  I’m impressed with the pavement on NW 2nd and NW 3rd and SW A.    Again, thank you public works and everybody.  You are going above and beyond.                  

Mayor – Mayor Tucker Teague had nothing. 

ADJOURN

Councilwoman Shelby Teague made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:28 P.M., seconded by Councilman Kenneth Williams.  All in favor.  Motion carries.

ATTEST: __________________________                                           _________________________

City Secretary Tonya Harughty                                                            Mayor Tucker Teague