Departments within the City of Teague continue to improve, with new enhancements expected after approval of grant applications and expenditures during the Council’s January 16, 2017 meeting.
Aldermen approved resolutions, put forth by Chief of Police Dan Ramsey and Lieutenant DeWayne Philpott, allowing Mayor Earnest Pack to apply for grants benefiting the Police Department.
Chief Ramsey reported that the two, fully funded grants would help to bring the Department’s communication and computer equipment up to date.
The Homeland Security Grant will be used to replace all handheld mobile radios. It will also provide for extenders, devices that will allow for wireless microphones for officers.
The D.J. Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant will allow the Department to upgrade their decade old computer server.
Among the resolutions approved, the Mayor received approval to apply for a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $300,000, with a contribution of $45,000 required from the city.
The grant is designed to assist the City with increasing water lines on South Roberts, Jefferson, Ash & Spruce to 1st and 2nd Streets.
Aldermen voted to approve an amendment to the Economic Development Corporation’s budget in the amount of $75,000 for a new office building.
EDC Director Bill Elliott shared that their much improved space will located downtown, next to the office of Rachel Anderson Real Estate on the 400 Block of Main.
He assured the Council that they will work to restore the original look of the location, as well as provide an office for the Chamber of Commerce and updated amenities.
Turning their attention to personnel matters, specifically compensatory time, Aldermen began discussion regarding making changes to the City’s manual.
Interim City Administrator/Secretary Theresa Prasil informed the Council that the City has encountered issues with the accumulation of comp time by non-law enforcement personnel.
Currently, the personnel manual states that employees should earn overtime pay, unless comp time is requested by said employee and approved by the City Administrator. The manual also states that employees may accumulate up to 240 hours of comp time.
Prasil explained that the time collected may be paid out immediately or rolled over from month to month, however the State requires the City pay an employee’s owed comp time in entirety upon that employee’s exit from their position, which, in some cases, can be very expensive for the City.
Another issue arises with the lack of a time clock for City employees.
Prasil explained that employees fill out time sheets recording their total hours worked, to be reviewed and validated by their respective department’s director.
She informed the council that no employees are currently earning comp time, meaning that the Council has time to decide how they will proceed, and what, if any, changes will be made to the City’s personnel manual.
Alderman, and acting Mayor Pro-Tem, Ron Rasbeary argued in favor of doing away with the option of comp time, offering only overtime pay for additional hours worked.
Chief Dan Ramsey interjected, saying that taking away comp time would negatively affect officers, who are allowed to collect 168 hours per 30 day period.
Prasil reiterated that any change made to the manual would refer to non-law enforcement personnel only, with the Police Department’s policy remaining untouched.
Alderwoman Marilyn Michaud suggested that the Council table the item, giving them time to schedule a workshop to discuss proposed changes to the manual. With the Council’s agreement, the item was tabled to be addressed in detail at a later date.
Interim Administrator Prasil approached Aldermen regarding the issuance of a credit card for use by City Administrators.
She explained that the City’s current card, held in the name of previous City Administrator Judy Keally, did not list the City of Teague on the card, creating some problems when attempting to make purchases for various departments within the City.
She suggested setting up an account with Prosperity Bank, who will allow the card to carry the name of the City and each authorized director, with a total limit of $20,000.
Prasil further suggested that the cards be secured at City Hall to be issued as needed to directors when a purchase or payment must be made.
Aldermen agreed to the new account, naming account holders as Interim City Administrator/Secretary Theresa Prasil, Director of Public Works Gus Ramirez (who was re-hired to the position following the meeting’s executive session), Chief of Police Dan Ramsey, and Librarian Diane Willis.
Due to the need for more accurate 911 emergency addresses, Aldermen voted to change the names of the following streets:
–South 12th Avenue, Blocks 100-600, will become an unnamed alley
–700 Block of South 12th Avenue will become Yoakum Street
–South 13th Avenue will become South 12th Avenue
The change will affect approximately seven properties.
