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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-04-04 - Regular City Council MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING City of Stephenville - City Council TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 1989 - 7:00 P.M. The City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, convened in regular session on April 04, 1989 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall , 354 N. Belknap, with the meeting being open to the public and notice of said meeting, giving the date, time, place and subject thereof, having been posted as prescribed by Article 6252-17, Section 3A, V.T.C.S. , with the following members present, to wit: Mayor: George Swearingen Councilmembers: Bob Self Helen Martin Vicki L. Truss Maxine Dameron James L. McSwain Jim Bostic Joel M. Hillin Absent: Councilmember Allen Horne Others Attending: Kurt Ackermann City Administrator Joyce Pemberton City Secretary Charlene Young Director of Finance Joseph Chandler City Attorney Randy Thomas Assistant City Attorney Mayor George Swearingen called the meeting to order and declared a quorum pre- sent. 89-04-063: CONSIDER REQUEST BY MR. GARY WARD FOR A "STOP SIGN" TO BE PLACED AT THE CORNER OF PHELPS AND LYDIA STREETS. Mr. Gary Ward, 596 Lydia St. , had presented a request, signed by 24 persons on Lydia Street, requesting a stop sign be placed at the corner of Lydia and Phelps Street. Mayor George Swearingen assigned this to the Traffic Study Committee. 89-04-064: HEAR REPORT FROM STEPHENVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REGARDING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLANNING GOALS. Mr. Jerry Norris presented the Chamber' s community development planning goals for 1989. Mr. Norris said the goals fall into five broad categories: 1) Civic Center, 2) Highways and traffic control , 3) Tarleton State University, 4) water development, and 5) Bosque River development. Mr. Norris said the Chamber of Commerce feel these goals are very important to the community development and want to encourage the City Council ' s consideration of these goals. 89-04-065: CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE SETTING SPEED ZONES ON WEST WASHINGTON STREET. Councilmember Helen Martin made a motion to pass and adopt AN ORDINANCE ALTERING THE PRIMA FACIE SPEED LIMITS ESTABLISHED FOR VEHICLES UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 167 AND 169 OF ARTICLE XIX, R.C.S. 6701d, UNIFORM ACT REGULATING TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAYS, UPON THE BASIS OF AN ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC INVESTIGATION UPON CERTAIN STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, OR PARTS THEREOF WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF STEPHENVILLE AS SET OUT IN THE ORDINANCE: AND PROVIDING A PENALTY OF A FINE NOT TO EXCEED $200.00 FOR VIOLATION OF THIS ORDINANCE. Seconded by Councilmember Maxine Dameron, the motion carried UNANIMOUSLY. 192 89-04-066: CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE FROM CITIES OF TYLER AND ARLINGTON REGARDING PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO INCREASE FRANCHISE FEES. It was the consensus of the Mayor and Council not to support the proposed legislation to increase franchise fees. Mr. Jerry Singleton, manager of TU Electric, and Mr. Ken Burdick, manager of Lone Star Gas Co. , addressed the Council stating that their respective companies would oppose said legislation. 89-04-067: HEAR REQUEST FROM COUNCILMEMBER HELEN MARTIN REGARDING 9-1-1 TASK FORCE. Councilmember Helen Martin reported that the 9-1-1 Advisory Committee would be composed of citizens of Erath County. She proposed the Committee consist of two from Stephenville; two from Dublin; and six from the county. The Advisory Committee will be charged with developing a plan which will include a demographic profile, a project overview of 9-1-1, the public safety answering points, the types of equipment needed, the cost of said equipment, installation charges, and monthly costs to get this program implemented throughout the county. Mrs. Martin said the Committee will need advice and input from all law enforcement agencies, the Stephenville Fire Department, the postoffice, the telephone company, etc. She asked that two persons from the Stephenville Police Department, two from the Stephenville Fire Department and Allen Horne from United Telephone System be appointed to the Committee. She also asked for volunteers from the Council to work on this project. Councilmembers Maxine Dameron and Vicki Truss volunteered. 89-04-068: HEAR REPORT COUNCILMEMBER BOB SELF REGARDING HOMESTEAD TAX EXEMPTIONS. Councilmember Bob Self presented a proposal to increase the homestead tax exemption for resident over 65 years of age from the current level of $9,000.00 to $25,000.00. Mr. Self said that on the 1988 tax roll there were 1,244 "over 65" exemptions which would represent over $81,000.00 in tax breaks to the elderly. Mr. David Gay addressed the Council questioning the fact that the disabled were not included in exemptions. After a very lengthy discussion, Councilmember Jim McSwain made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Maxine Dameron, that the City Council pass and adopt the following resolution: RESOLUTION NO. 1989-3 WHEREAS, the Texas Property Tax Code allows for an elderly residence homestead exemption for City homeowners over 65; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, recognizes the effect of property taxes on elderly citizens who are on fixed incomes; and WHEREAS, an increase in the elderly residence homestead exemption would help to mitigate the effect of property taxes on elderly per- sons on fixed incomes; and WHEREAS, the elderly residence homestead exemption for City homeowners over 65 has not been increased since 1983; BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, in a meeting duly assembled and by the authority thereof, increase the elderly residence homestead exemption for City homeowners over 65 from $9,000.00 to $25,000.00. The motion carried unanimously by a roll call vote. Councilmember Vicki Truss asked that the exemption for disabled per- sons be put into committee for study and that Councilmember Bob Self help with the research on this committee. 193 COMMITTEE REPORTS: 89-04-069: DAMAGE CLAIMS COMMITTEE: 1. Councilmember Jim McSwain made the motion to award Mrs. Barbara Lancaster $521.36 in damages. Said damages being the results of an accident in which a city employee backed into Mrs. Lancaster' s 1982 Lincoln damaging the left rear fender as recommended by the Damage Claims Committee. Seconded by Councilmember Helen Martin, the motion carried UNANIMOUSLY. 2. Councilmember Joel Hillin made the motion to deny the damage claim of $449.24 filed by Mr. Clarence Lowery. Said claim being the result of Mr. Lowery going off the pavement on FM 988 to avoid hitting an on-coming car which was passing another car. Seconded by Councilmember Jim McSwain, the motion carried UNANIMOUSLY. 89-04-070:PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE: Chairman Jim Bostic reported the Committee had met and discussed the interlocal agreement for prisoners taken to the Erath County jail by the Stephenville Police Department. At this time City Attorney Chandler is in the process of drafting an agreement for committee review. 89-04-071: WATER PLANNING COMMITTEE: Chairman Joel Hillin reported that the Committee met to discuss the request for city water from AMPI. In the meantime AMPI has withdrawn their request, therefore a recommendation is not needed at this time. 89-04-072: CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION: Miss Ellen Skipper, Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, addressed the Council regarding implementation of civil service for the Stephenville Police Department passed by public election on January 21, 1989. Miss Skipper listed the following items for discussion at their next meeting: a. Discussion of office space for Civil Service b. Discussion of appointment of a Director c. Discussion of working hours and wage of Director d. Rules and Regulations for Conduct of Business e. Discussion of Police Officer Classification Mayor George Swearingen asked that the Civil Service Commission meet with the Council ' s Personnel Committee for study of these items. STATUS REPORT FROM COMMITTEES WITH WORK IN PROGRESS. 89-04-073: TRAFFIC STUDY COMMITTEE: Chairperson Vicki Truss advised that her committee has not met and does not have a report. 89-04-074: PERSONNEL COMMITTEE: Chairman Bob Self reported that his committee is still working on some of the items, such as, a) employee overtime, b) still developing information on exempt status for some employees, and c) TMRS Update. Councilman Self said he will have the information available for the budget workshops. CONSENT AGENDA: 89-04-075: Councilmember Helen Martin made the motion to approve the minutes of City Council meetings held on March 7th, March 21st, and March 24th, 1989, with correction of March 7th minutes, Item #89-03-048, para- graph 6, to change the word "inclusion" to "exclusion". Seconded by Councilmember Maxine Dameron, the motion carried UNANIMOUSLY by a roll call vote. 194 REPORT FROM PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION: 89-04-076: 1. Councilmember Helen Martin made the motion to approve the final plat of a replat of Block 18, South Side Addition, Erath County, Texas, as recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission. Seconded by Councilmember Maxine Dameron, the motion carried UNANIMOUSLY by a roll call vote. 89-04-077: 2. Councilmember Helen Martin made the motion, seconded by Council- member Maxine Dameron, to set Tuesday, May 2, 1989 at 7:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers at City Hall , 354 N. Belknap St. , as the date, time and place for a public hearing to consider amending the City of Stephenville Zoning Ordinance to include a definition zoning zoning classifications and special requirements for "Re- tirement Housing Complex". The motion carried UNANIMOUSLY by a roll call vote. BID CONSIDERATIONS: 89-04-078: 1. Bids for Water Line Replacement: Councilmember Helen Martin made the motion, seconded by Council- member Maxine Dameron, to award the following bids for the re- placement on Isla, Neblett and Lingleville Rd: a. 2,130 feet of 6" PVC pipe Stegemoller Construction Co. of Breckenridge, TX----$19,989.00 b. Water pipe, tee, cross gate valve and valve box. Rohan Co. (Items 1,2,5,6,9 &10)---------------------$18,252.10 Trans-Tex (Items 7 & 8)-----------------------------$ 526.25 Atlas Utility (Items 3 & 4)-------------------------$ 5,876.00 c. Service saddles and ball meter valves American Utility Supply (Item 1)--------------------$ 2,175.00 Rohan Co. (Item 2)----------------------------------$ 1,801.00 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: 89-04-079: 1. Councilmember Helen Martin made the motion, seconded by Council- member Maxine Dameron, to pass and approve AN ORDINANCE DECLARING THAT CERTAIN ALLEY RUNNING THROUGH BLOCK 26, OF FREY FIRST ADDITION ACCORDING TO KING'S 1956 MAP OF SAID CITY TO HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY ABANDONED BY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND ORDERING THAT A PORTION OF SAME CONTAINING 416 SQUARE FEET OF LAND TO BE CONVEYED TO JAMES A. STEVENS, JR. , UPON PAYMENT OF THE AMOUNT FOUND TO BE THE VALUE OF THIS LAND. The motion carried UNANIMOUSLY by roll call vote. 89-04-080: 2, Councilmember Helen Martin made the motion, seconded by Council- member Maxine Dameron, to pass and approve AN ORDINANCE DECLARING THAT CERTAIN ALLEY RUNNING THROUGH BLOCK 26 OF FREY FIRST ADDITION ACCORDING TO KING'S 1956 MAP OF SAID CITY TO HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY ABANDONED BY ORDINANCE CONTAINIG 1,128 SQUARE FEET OF LAND TO BE CONVEYED TO MARVIN BUNNELL AND MELVIN BUNNELL FINDING THE VALUE OF SAID LAND AND AUTHORIZING THE CONVEYANCE OF SAME TO MARVIN BUNNELL AND MELVIN BUNNELL UPON PAYMENT OF THE AMOUNT FOUND TO BE THE VALUE OF THIS LAND. The motion carried UNANIMOUSLY by roll call vote. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: ITEM III C(2) : Teletype System for Police Department: 89-04-081: After discussion, Councilmember Joel Hillin made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Jim McSwain, to accept the bid of Lone Star Computer in the amount of $5,912.00 as recommended by Police Chief Doug Conner. The motion carried UNANIMOUSLY by roll call vote. 195 ITEM III D(3) : Resolution for implementation of the National Standards for Youth Sports. 89-04-082: After discussion, Councilmember Helen Martin made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Bob Self, to pass and approve A RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the mayor and the City Council of the City of Stephenville recognize the need for continued quality youth sports programs; and WHEREAS, the City of Stephenville Parks and Recreation Department has been, by its own design, conforming to the recently published National Standards for Youth Sports; and WHEREAS, the National Standards for Youth Sports recommend a cer- tification program for youth sports coaches whereby the coaches are schooled in psychology of coaching youth sports, maximizing performance, injury prevention, and first aid; and WHEREAS, the National Youth Sports Coaches Association meets all of these guidelines by; teaching coaches to have a better understanding of organization, teaching proper techniques, safety, and bringing them up to a more knowledgeable level in psychological and physical needs of dealing with young athletes, and ensuring all childred obtain a wholesome experience in youth sports; and WHEREAS, through the implementation of the National Standards for youth sports and this certification program, the City of Stephenville will be assured of continued quality in its youth sports programs to the benefit of all persons involved. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council in a meeting duly assembled and by the authority thereof that the Stephenville Parks and Recreation Department begin official implemen- tation of the National Standards for Youth Sports, and through the implementation thereof all coaches of youth sports programs operating within the structure of the Stephenville Parks and Recreation Department and/or using City facilities shall be required to be cer- tified through the National Youth Sports Coaches Association Certification Program commencing on the date approve. PASSED AND APPROVED this 4th day of April , 1989. The motion carried UNANIMOUSLY by a roll call vote. PUBLIC HEARING: 89-04-083: Mayor George Swearingen opened the floor for a public hearing to consider rezoning, from R-1 "Single Family Dwelling District" to B-1 "Neighborhood Business District, 4 acres of the Wm. Motley Survey, Abst. 515, Erath County, Texas, known as 2535 Northwest Loop. There being no one present wishing to address the Council either for or against rezoning the above referenced property, Mayor George Swearingen closed the public hearing. Councilmember Helen Martin made the motion, seconded by Council- member Maxine Dameron, to rezone the 4 acres of the Wm. Motley Survey, Abst. 515, Erath County, Texas, known as 2535 Northwest Loop, from R-1 "Single Family Dwelling District" to B-1 "Neighborhood Business District". DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: 89-04-084: 1. Fire Marshal Gary Nabors presented a proposed "Dangerous Buildings Abatement Code". Mayor George Swearingen assigned this to the Public Health & Safety Committee for further study. 89-04-085: 2. Director of Public Works Danny Johnson presented the Pro-Rata Charges for the Northeast Loop Distribution Line-1988. 196 Councilmember Helen Martin made the motion, seconded by Council- member Joel Hillin, to approve and accept the pro-rata charge of $11.21 per foot as they request connection to the Northeast Loop Distribution Line, plus tapping charges, plus street restora- tion, plus connection fee. The motion carried UNANIMOUSLY. 89-04-086: 3. Director of Public Works Danny Johnson presented the Pro-Rata Charges for the South Outfall Sewer Line-1988. Councilmember Bob Self made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Maxine Dameron, to approve and accept the pro-rata charge of $12.23 per foot if a customer abutts the sewer line on one side; $24.46 per foot if a customer abutts the sewer line on two sides. the motion carried UNANIMOUSLY. 89-04-087: 4. Report from Director of Public Works regarding solid waste dispo- sal . Danny Johnson presented a very indepth report on the problems and possible consequences at the Sanitary Landfill . Mr. Johnson said he would like to have a council committee to work with him to study the problems, solutions to said problems and alternatives. Mayor George Swearingen advised that he would appoint an outside committee to work with Mr. Johnson on this problem. There being no other business to come before the Council at this time, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m. ATTEST: Georg wearingen, Ma r 0, ;bgIVPemberton, City Secretary 197