March 2025 Meeting Minutes
The Hamlin City Council met for a regular meeting on March 17, 2025, at 7:00 P.M. Those present were Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis, Councilman Ronald Crouch, Councilman Rodney Dunham and Mayor Tucker Teague; City Manager Brian Weaver, City Secretary Tonya Harughty, Water Clerk Doris Gonzalez, Police Chief Jay Strong, Brooke Houghton, Lanett Ponder, Brooke Benavides, Gerald Barnett, Ben Gonzalez, Caleb Gabriel, Reagan McMillan, Ethan Kunkel, David Ratcliff, Peggy Covington Davis.
Call meeting to order by Mayor Tucker Teague at 7:00 P.M. Prayer and pledge were led by Mayor Tucker Teague.
Roll call: Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis, Councilman Ronald Crouch, Councilman Rodney Dunham, Mayor Tucker Teague.
Councilman Kenneth Williams and Councilwoman Shelby Teague were absent.
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.
No one signed up to speak.
Visitors with appointments: No one with an appointment
ACTION ITEMS
Take appropriate action on the minutes from the previous Regular Meeting on February 17, 2025.
Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis made a motion to accept the minutes from the Regular Meeting on February 17, 2025, seconded by Councilman Rodney Dunham. All in favor. Motion carries.
Consider and take any necessary action on ORDINANCE NO. 25-001.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAMLIN, JONES COUNTY, TEXAS, ORDERING A GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON MAY 3, 2025, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING THREE (3) CITY COUNCILMEMBERS AT LARGE; DESIGNATING LOCATION OF POLLING PLACE; ORDERING NOTICE OF ELECTION TO BE GIVEN AS PRESCRIBED BY LAW IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH ELECTION; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF JOINT ELECTION AGREEMENT; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Councilman Ronald Crouch made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 25-001. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAMLIN, JONES COUNTY, TEXAS, ORDERING A GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON MAY 3, 2025, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING THREE (3) CITY COUNCILMEMBERS AT LARGE; DESIGNATING LOCATION OF POLLING PLACE; ORDERING NOTICE OF ELECTION TO BE GIVEN AS PRESCRIBED BY LAW IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH ELECTION; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF JOINT ELECTION AGREEMENT; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE, seconded by Councilman Rodney Dunham. All in favor. Motion passes.
Consider and take any necessary action on ORDINANCE NO. 25-004.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAMLIN, TEXAS, ORDERING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE 3RD DAY OF MAY, 2025, IN THE CITY OF HAMLIN FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING A COUNCILMEMBER TO FILL THE VACANCY FOR THE UNEXPIRED TERM FOR COUNCILMEMBER PHYLLIS LEWIS; DESIGNATING LOCATION OF POLLING PLACE; ORDERING NOTICE OF ELECTION WITH SUCH ELECTION; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE ELECTION AGREEMENTS WITH JONES COUNTY; PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Councilman Rodney Dunham made a motion to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 25-004. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAMLIN, TEXAS, ORDERING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE 3RD DAY OF MAY, 2025, IN THE CITY OF HAMLIN FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING A COUNCILMEMBER TO FILL THE VACANCY FOR THE UNEXPIRED TERM FOR COUNCILMEMBER PHYLLIS LEWIS; DESIGNATING LOCATION OF POLLING PLACE; ORDERING NOTICE OF ELECTION WITH SUCH ELECTION; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE ELECTION AGREEMENTS WITH JONES COUNTY; PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE, seconded by Councilman Ronald Crouch. All in favor. Motion passes.
Consider and take any necessary action on naming Linda Howard, Tonya Harughty, and Doris Gonzalez as Early Voting Clerks and Cindy Reynolds as election judge for the City of Hamlin.
The Council may convene into executive session pursuant to Government Code Section 551.074, Personnel Matters. If an executive session is held, the Council may take action upon convening back into open session.
Councilman Ronald Crouch made a motion to name Linda Howard, Tonya Harughty, and Doris Gonzalez as Early Voting Clerks and Cindy Reynolds as election judge for the City of Hamlin, seconded by Councilman Rodney Dunham. All in favor. Motion passes.
Discuss Ordinance No. 25-002.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HAMLIN, TEXAS, DESIGNATING A PORTION OF SW AVE. F AS ONE WAY TRAFFIC IN THE CITY OF HAMLIN, TEXAS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; PROVIDING ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTY CLAUSES; PROVIDING ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTY CLAUSES; PROVIDING OPEN MEETINGS, SEVERABILITY, AND EFFECTIVE DATE CLAUSES; AND PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS.
City Manager Brian explained that this item is up for discussion not to take action. Any time we present an ordinance that will affect the lives of citizens ongoing that is going to change traffic patterns we put it up for discussion to see if you want to update anything. We will post it for thirty (30) days for the citizens to see and then vote on it at the next meeting. That will provide plenty of time for feedback.
Consider and take any necessary action on a water tap for Tony Watts located south of US Hwy 180.
Councilman Ronald Crouch made a motion to deny the request on a water tap for Tony Watts located south of US Hwy 180, seconded by Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis. All in favor. Motion passes.
Discuss approving a contract with qualified law firms for the collection of municipal court fines and fees owed to the City of Hamlin.
Reagan McMillan with McCreary, Veselka, Bragg and Allen law firm spoke to the council. He stated the services his firm offers there is no cost to the city. His office would add an additional thirty percent fee to the charge. Once collected, the city receives the original fee, and his office would receive the additional thirty percent.
Take action to approve contingent fee contract with Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott LLP for the collection of delinquent municipal court fees owed to the City of Hamlin and notice of said contract is posted with the agenda in accordance with Section 2254 of the Government Code.
Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis made a motion to decline the contract with Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott LLP for the collection of delinquent municipal court fees owed to the City of Hamlin and notice of said contract is posted with the agenda in accordance with Section 2254 of the Government Code, seconded by Councilman Ronald Crouch. All in favor. Motion passes.
Consider and take any necessary action to approve contingent fee contract with Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott LLP for the collection of delinquent utility accounts owed to the City of Hamlin and notice of said contract is posted with the agenda in accordance with Section 2254 of the Government Code.
Councilman Ronald Crouch made a motion to decline the contract with Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott LLP for the collection of delinquent utility accounts owed to the City of Hamlin and notice of said contract is posted with the agenda in accordance with Section 2254 of the Government Code, seconded by Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis. All in favor. Motion passes.
Discuss/Consider/Approve a contingent fee contract with the Law Firm of McCreary, Veselka, Bragg and Allen, P.C. pursuant to Tex. Code of Criminal Procedure section 103.0031, for the collection of delinquent municipal court fines and fees. Specifically, the Hamlin City Council will discuss and consider whether McCreary, Veselka, Bragg and Allen, P.C. is a well-qualified law firm based on demonstrated competence, qualifications and experience in collecting delinquent governmental receivables, and whether the contract negotiated between the City of Hamlin, Texas and McCreary, Veselka, Bragg and Allen, P.C. is for a fair and reasonable price.
Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis made a motion to approve a contingent fee contract with the Law Firm of McCreary, Veselka, Bragg and Allen, P.C. pursuant to Tex. Code of Criminal Procedure section 103.0031, for the collection of delinquent municipal court fines and fees. Specifically, the Hamlin City Council will discuss and consider whether McCreary, Veselka, Bragg and Allen, P.C. is a well-qualified law firm based on demonstrated competence, qualifications and experience in collecting delinquent governmental receivables, and whether the contract negotiated between the City of Hamlin, Texas and McCreary, Veselka, Bragg and Allen, P.C. is for a fair and reasonable price, seconded by Councilman Rodney Dunham. All in favor. Motion carries.
Discuss/Consider/Approve the termination of the current municipal court collection contract with Perdue, Brandon, Fielder, Collins & Mott, LLP.
Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis made a motion to terminate the current municipal court collection contract with Perdue, Brandon, Fielder, Collins & Mott, LLP, seconded by Councilman Ronald Crouch. All in favor. Motion passes.
Discuss/Consider/Approve a contingent fee contract with MVBA, LLC pursuant to Section 552.001(b) of the Texas Local Government Code, for the collection of delinquent utility accounts owed to the City of Hamlin.
Councilman Ronald Crouch made a motion to accept a contingent fee contract with MVBA, LLC pursuant to Section 552.001(b) of the Texas Local Government Code, for the collection of delinquent utility accounts owed to the City of Hamlin, seconded by Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis. All in favor. Motion passes.
Discuss/Consider/Approve the termination of the current utility contract with Perdue, Brandon, Fielder, Collins & Mott, LLP.
Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis made a motion to terminate the current utility contract with Perdue, Brandon, Fielder, Collins & Mott, LLP, seconded by Councilman Ronald Crouch. All in favor. Motion carries.
Discuss/Consider Ordinance 25-003.
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR A FEE TO DEFRAY COSTS OF COLLECTING DELINQUENT UTILITY ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE.
Councilman Ronald Crouch made a motion to table Ordinance 25-003, AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR A FEE TO DEFRAY COSTS OF COLLECTING DELINQUENT UTILITY ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE until the next meeting, seconded by Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis. All in favor. Motion carries.
Consider and take any necessary action on renting a room to Crystal Roberts.
Councilman Ronald Crouch made a motion to rent a room to Crystal Roberts in the amount of $100/month, seconded by Councilman Rodney Dunham. All in favor. Motion carries.
Consider and take any necessary action/discussion on the water tap with CWS/McCarthy
(council would like to consult with Brian Weaver and Gerald Barnett/Randy Kelly)
Councilman Ronald Crouch made a motion to table this item until further investigation can be done, seconded by Councilman Rodney Dunham. All in favor. Motion passes.
Department Reports
City Administrator – Brian Weaver had nothing at this time.
Chief of Police – Jay Strong had nothing at this time.
City Secretary – Tonya Harughty announced the drawing of place on ballot. Brooke Houghton, Phyllis Lewis, Michelle Davis, Rachelle Dennett, Ronald Crouch and David Moore as Full Term. Jacob Cox, Caleb Gabriel as Unexpired term.
MDD Director – Not present.
Fire Chief – Not present.
Municipal Court Judge – Not present.
Public Works – Not present.
Council members – They had nothing to at this time.
Mayor – Had nothing as this time.
VI. ADJOURN
Councilwoman Phyllis Lewis made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:47 P.M., seconded by Councilman Rodney Dunham. All in favor. Motion carries.