Gonzales City Council members sworn in Monday

Following a canvass of municipal election results, Gonzales City Councilmen Rob Brown, District 4, and Bobby O’Neal, District 3, were administered oaths at the Council meeting held Monday, Nov. 16.

In the 2020 municipal election, which had been postponed from May to coincide with the General Election due to safety concerns regarding COVID-19, Brown unseated incumbent Dan Blakemore in District 4, while Bobby O’Neal was reelected in District 3.

An appointment to the Gonzales Housing Authority Board was made by Mayor Connie Kacir, following the resignation of the previous resident board member. Donna Pick was appointed. Appointments were also made to the Main Street Advisory Board, for terms expiring in 2021 and 2022, following the resignation of two members. Britney Caka and Christine Presley were appointed to the board to fill those terms.

In other business:

• Budgeted purchases related to Capital Improvement projects including a forklift and contracting for a street sweeper service were approved.
• The 2020 Tax Roll was approved by the council, with $1,756,531.95 projected for the levy.
• Longevity pay was approved for the fiscal year 2020-2021.
• Resolutions allowing City Manager Tim Patek to execute a contract with the Gonzales County Restoration Association for the Pioneer Village Living History Center, as well as agreements with Preservation Gonzales regarding restricted use funds for the Gonzales County Jail Museum and Daughters of the Republic of Texas for the J.B. Wells House Museum.
• A work order in the amount of $100,000 for engineering, surveying, and project management of the 2021 Water and Wastewater Improvement Projects and authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract were approved.
• A professional services agreement with tank industry consultants for such services and rehabilitation of Tank No. 1, not to exceed $135,000 was approved for execution by the City Manager.
• The use of Downtown Square for an additional day of Winterfest, Dec. 4, and associated street closures, was approved.
• A resolution approving the 2021 insurance provider for city employees was tabled for further research into how proposed policies would be received by local pharmacies.
• Gonzales Main Street was authorized to add dedicated benches to Texas Hero Square and benches throughout town with the stipulation that the design, location and dollar amount be brought back to council.
• Funding for historical interpretive panels through the Convention and Visitors Advisory Board was approved by the council in the amount of $8,610.
• A resolution to allow a city vehicle to be used as a courtesy car was approved, as well as the car use policy with request for clarification regarding a radius and time limit for the vehicle’s use.
• A section of Center Street was closed and abandoned to its abutting property owner, and the council approved the City Manager to execute a real property contract.
• A repair to the Lynn Theater’s roof, not to exceed $45,000, was approved for expenditure by the Gonzales Economic Development Corporation.
• Amendments to the Code of Ethics and Conduct for City Employees were approved.
• The City Manager was authorized to negotiate an outside counsel agreement with Edison Electric Institute.