HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-04-16 - Special City CouncilMINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
City of Stephenville - City Council
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1996 - 5:30 P.M.
The City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, convened in special session on April 16, 1996,
at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 354 N. Belknap Street, 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 Chapter 551, Government Code, Vernon's Texas Codes Annotated, with
the following members present, to wit:
Mayor Lavinia Lohrmann
Councilmembers: Jim McCray
Barbara Terrell
Joel Hillin
Darrell W. Brown
Scott Evans
John Pollan
Billy Bob Hodges
Bill Corbin
Others Attending Don Davis, City Administrator
Cindy L. Stafford, City Secretary
Randy Thomas, City Attorney
I. CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Lohrmann called the meeting to order at 5 : 3 0 p.m. and
declared a quorum present.
11 PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE --Consider Contract with
Parker & Associates for Architectural Services
Councilmember Hodges reported for this Committee. Concerning the sale of Lot 11,
Block 19, South Side Addition (discussed at the April 2, 1996 meeting), James
Bachus, potential buyer of the property, withdrew his proposal made at the April 2nd
meeting.
Councilmember Hodges stated that the Committee had reviewed the proposed
contract with Parker & Associates to provide architectural services for the renovation
of the Stephenville Bank & Trust building, City Hall and Police Station, remodeling
of the Fire Station dormitory and the addition of truck bays to Fire Station No. 1.
April 16, 1996 Minutes
Mayor Lohrmann, recognizing Fred B. Parker in the audience, asked if he would like
to address the Council, which he did. He stated that he has met with City
Administrator Davis and Director of Community Development Betty Chew, and that
he is looking forward to the opportunity to working with the City.
Councilmember Hodges moved that the City contract with Parker & Associates for
the architectural services for the renovation of Projects 1, 2, 3, and 4 as set out in the
contract, with Project No. 2 being amended to read "Remodel of City Hall and Police
Station". Councilmember McCray seconded the motion, and the motion passed by
unanimous vote.
He PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Councilmember Brown stated that the Personnel Committee had not been able to
meet due to a lack of a quorum and that he would like City Administrator Don Davis
to brief the Council on the following matters.
A. Consider Increase in Premiums for Employee Health Fund
City Administrator Davis explained the renewal of the contract on the self -funded
Employee Health Insurance Programs. It is estimated there will be $50-60,000 in the
self-insurance fund at the end of the fiscal year, April 30. Considering the projected
cost for next year's health and life insurance coverage, an analysis projecting what
those costs would require in the way of premiums, and a history of our health
insurance rates, will result in an increase in premiums for the next year. The
Employee Personnel Committee has reviewed all of the information and is
recommending an increase of 5.57%, which will be an increase of $9.34 for the City
to pay on each employee.
Councilmember Brown made the motion to approve the 5.5 7% increase in health and
life insurance premiums, and Councilmember McCray seconded the motion, which
passed by a unanimous vote.
B. Public Officer Concept
Davis explained that after preparing cost estimates on the Public Safety Officer
Concept, the findings were not as good as expected. He reminded the Council that
the proposal was to cross -train the police and firemen to a full certification for all
disciplines. Davis stated that staff would like to continue looking at the possibility of
cross -training our police officers to the extent that we would pay $75.00 a month as
incentive pay for an officer to get the basic EMT certification (Emergency Medical
Technician). Each officer would be reimbursed his tuition cost upon successful
completion of the program.
April 16, 1996 Minutes
Councilmember Brown made the motion to authorize f $75.00 a month incentive pay
for each police officer who receives an EMT certification. Councilmember Pollan
seconded the motion which passed by unanimous vote.
C. Consider Modifications to Employee Handbook
Davis explained that upon advise by City attorneys, the word "probation" is being
replaced with "trainee", because of some court rulings. Councilmember Brown made
the motion to implement all the changes set out in the Employee Handbook as
presented by staff. Councilmember Hodges seconded the motion, and it passed by
unanimous vote.
D. Public Information Officer Position
Davis informed the Council that we received only one response for this position, and
the bid amount was higher than had been anticipated. Davis recommended that this
bid be rejected and this item be tabled. Councilmember Brown moved to reject the
proposal and instruct staff to seek other alternatives. Councilmember McCray
seconded the motion, which passed by unanimous vote.
IV. FINANCE CO TEE --Consider Amendments to the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund
Councilmember Corbin gave this committee report and stated the committee reviewed
the City's investments as of March 31. Investments earnings are range from 5.28%
to 7%, which are good earnings.
Corbin reported that the committee also reviewed requests from Hotel/Motel Tax
Fund. At the time money was budgeted for the Cowboy Appreciation Ball, it was
thought there would be sufficient money from that account for the calf roping held to
benefit TSU Rodeo Scholarship Fund, but there wasn't. Therefore, $1,000 has been
requested for the calf roping.
There has also been a request from the Cross Timbers Fine Arts Council in the
amount of $7,500 to help sponsor a free concert in the park featuring the Fort Worth
Symphony on June 21, 1996. This event will mark the first time the Fort Worth
Symphony her performed in a park outside of their own city.
Councilmember Corbin made the motion to fund the TSU Calf Roping in the amount
of $1, 000 and $7, 5 00 for the Fort Worth Symphony in the Park. Councilmember
McCray seconded the motion, which passed by unanimous vote.
April 16, 1996 Minutes
V. APPOINT AN ELECTION JUDGE AND AN ALTERNATE ELECTION
JUDGE
Councilmember Hodges moved to appoint Louise Skipper as Presiding Election Judge
and Gloria Taylor as Alternate Election Judge for the May 4 City General Election.
Councilmember Corbin seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
VI. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
City Administrator Don Davis reminded the Council that Mid -Year Budget Review
Work Session would be held on April 23 and 24.
A Special Council Meeting will be held on April 30 at 5:30 p.m. to begin the process
of establishing goals and objectives to be used in the employee evaluation.
VII. ADJOURN
There being no other business to come before the Council at this time, Mayor
Lohrmann adjourned the meeting at 6:20 p.m.
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Lavinia Lohrmaniiluyor
ATTEST:
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Cindy L. St ]A
City SecretUy
April 16, 1996 Minutes