Teague City Hall will be closing at noon temporarily on Wednesdays through the months of November and December following a vote by City of Teague’s Aldermen during the Monday, October 21st, 2019 meeting.
Currently the City of Teague has a “lack of written standard operating procedures, policy and procedures, job description and other basic necessary and common documents,” City Administrator Theresa Prasil explained.
The hours the City Hall will be temporarily closed to give the office staff time to focus on drafting these documents.
Prasil also explains that, “This is a problem that has existed for many years and must be addressed and rectified to be able to be better serve our community and promote the success of our employees.”
The council also looked at the possibility of having the City Attorney draft the documents at a rate of $185 per hour.
The Council approved the closing of City Hall with a vote of three voting yes, Alderman Place 3 – Marie Hertenberger voting no, and Alderman Place 4 – Chris Nickleberry absent.
The continuing problems with the water bills and/or new meters were brought up by residents during the initial period when citizens were allotted their three minutes to speak.
Prasil explained that as of right now, “Public Works Director Jacob Cowling restructured how service and maintenance orders are being processed and addressed.”
Orders are forwarded directly to Public Works Director – Jacob Cowling, and he distributes them to appropriate staff. After completion, he reviews them before forwarding them back to the utility staff.
This is to decrease confusion and errors, while allowing Cowling and staff a more direct connection with citizens.
The Board of Aldermen passed a vote with four voting yes and one absent to amend the budget allowing the addition of an Administrative Assistant.
Teague City Hall is looking to hire a new Administrative Assistant to help the Utility Clerks lower the high demand placed on them.
Prasil and another staff member explained that the strain placed on the City Staff was only highlighted with the issues of the water bills and it was extreme enough for one employee to almost quit her job.
The addition of the new administrative assistant will help alleviate this problem, and keep the utility staff from being overwhelmed.
It will also allow staff to take time off without the added risk of the entire office falling behind.
The council approved the position of a new Utility Clerk Administrative Assistant to be hired, with a vote of three voting yes, Alderman Place 3 – Marie Hertenberger voting no, and Alderman Place 4 – Chris Nickleberry absent.
In a vote that passed unanimously with the present Aldermen, The City of Teague Aldermen agreed to go into a settlement meeting with the City of Fairfield. Teague Mayor – James Monk, Teague City Administrator – Theresa Prasil, and two aldermen of the Mayor’s picking will be attending for the City of Teague.
Also discussed:
–Presented to the Council was the Christmas in the Parks Committee’s presentation regarding the 2019 festivities.
–Renewal of the 50/50 matching grant for the Routine Airport Maintenance Program.
–Changes to the EDC’s by-laws
–Discussion of a possible Go Texan event at the 8th Avenue City Park
–Hired as new Police Secretary/Deputy Court Clerk, was Melissa Bowles.
The next meeting will be Monday, November 18th, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
Victoria Keng Reporting.