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Regular Council Meeting September 14, 2015 Page 3 Regular Agenda 11. Conduct a public hearing, discuss and act on a Resolution authorizing the execution of a grant application through the Texas Department of Agriculture Texas Capital Fund Main Street Program for downtown sidewalks. City Manager John Godwin said for several years the City had applied for Texas CDBG funds to replace old downtown sidewalks and this was the annual application. He said if the City receives funds that sidewalks on 1St Street SW would be constructed in 2016. Mr. Godwin also said that action on this item needed to be delayed to the September 28 meeting pending additional information, but that a public hearing needed to be conducted because it had been advertised. Mayor Hashmi opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak in support or opposition of this item, to please come forward. With no one speaking, Mayor Hashmi closed the public hearing. 12. Approve the Visitors & Convention Council budget for fiscal year 2015 -16. Lamar County Chamber of Commerce executive director Ken Higdon presented the budgets for Visitors & Convention Council and the Love Civic Center. A Motion to approve both budgets (items 12 & 13) was made by Council Member Pickle and seconded by Council Member Frierson. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays. 13. Approve the Love Civic Center budget for fiscal year 2015 -2016. 14. Conduct the second public hearing on the City's proposal to increase tax revenues from the preceding tax year and to set the tax rate for 2015. Mayor Hashmi opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak for or in opposition of this item, to please come forward. With no one speaking, Mayor Hashmi closed the public hearing. 15. Discuss and provide direction on the City Manager's proposed budget for fiscal year 2015 -2016. Council Member Pickle read an article from the Dallas Morning News and stated that in the future the Council needed to start addressing the streets. He said he supported the budget, but they may need to increase the tax rate. Council Member Frierson said Mr. Godwin did a great job and that streets and drainage needed to be addressed in the future. Council Member Clifford agreed with Council Members Pickle and Frierson and said they needed to get a plan together to address the streets. Council Member Plata said he believed that all of the people working deserved a raise; that he did not believe the larger increase for police and fire would keep them from leaving; and that he hoped he was wrong. Council Member Jenkins applauded