The city of Cumby discussed grant funding, monies owed to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), copier replacement and the resignation of a council member, among other items of business at an Aug. 17 special council meeting.
REGULAR BUSINESS
The council meeting was called to order at 6:34 p.m. No citizens presented themselves for comment during the public comment portion of the meeting.
The council then unanimously approved their consent agenda.
The council heard and unanimously approved a monthly maintenance report from the utility department.
The council went into executive session from 6:38 p.m. until 7:34 p.m. to “discuss some delicate issues of upgrading our security,” according to Mayor Doug Simmerman.
Items on the executive session agenda included “discussion of building security,” “upgrading cyber-security” and “possibility of selling city-owned land at 206 East Main Street and/or 102 Frisco Street.”
OLD BUSINESS
After emerging from executive session, the council voted unanimously to sell city-owned land at 206 East Main Street and 102 Frisco Street at a later, undetermined date.
Simmerman presented an update on the American Rescue Plan Act. As a municipal government, Cumby is eligible to receive funds from this legislation.
“We’ve gotten County Management to do all our paperwork for us,” Simmerman noted. “We will be moving forward with this money and we’ll be waiting on the final dates for that to move forward.”
Simmerman updated the council regarding a “Constellation [energy] statement [bill] from the February ice storm,” which the council previously determined was “an extremely large amount of money.”
Simmerman stated the city had contacted the office of State Rep. Bryan Slaton, who “had a representative that would get us in touch with the public utility commission… and they’re researching and investigating that to make sure it’s up to par.”
The council then discussed replacing the city copier machines, which Simmerman stated were “up and down” in functioning.
According to council member Ryan Horne, the city is in need of three copiers (one municipal, one court and one police) as the age of the machines is 12 years old or greater.
Simmerman stated the city looked into contracting with Dallas business Datamax Texas, which leases copiers and provides ink and toner for the cost of $263 per month.
Council member Wayne Mobley stated that his “ex-company” was willing to donate a copier to the city. However, city secretary Betty Jo Hardman stated she would prefer to contract with Datamax, as they provided on-site maintenance included in the cost.
With no further discussion, the council voted unanimously to contract with Datamax to replace two of three copy machines.