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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-08-05 - Regular City CouncilMINUTES OF GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING City of Stephenville - City Council TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1997 - 7:00 P.M. The City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, convened on August 5, 1997, at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 354 N. Belknap Street, for the purpose of a General Business Meeting, 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 John Pollan Councilmembers Jerry B. Madkins Barbara Terrell Marshall Shelton Joel Hillin K. H. Conatser Billy Bob Hodges Bea Marin Absent Bill Corbin Others Attending Don Davis, City Administrator Cindy L. Stafford, City Secretary Randy Thomas, City Attorney I. CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Pollan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and declared a quorum present. He welcomed those present to the first Council meeting to be held at the new City Hall location, 298 West Washington Street. II. CITIZENS' GENERAL DISCUSSION John Moser, 988 Mockingbird, Stephenville, addressed the Council over his concern about the Police Department liberal citing of citizens for not wearing a seatbelt. (Letter attached) Glen Moody, 101-A Willow Lane, Stephenville, commended the Council and the Police Department for their fine program, "How Are You Today". He explained that this program is designed to check on homebound individuals through a computer operated telephone recording. Calls are made daily to those individuals who sign up General Business Meeting -- August 5, 1997 000561 for the free program. A recorded message greets the resident. and if no response is made by the resident, follow up is made to determine the condition of the individual. Moody commended the Council for this program's success. III. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE A. Consider Changes to Pay Policy Councilmember Madkins reported that there are two changes proposed. First, that employees be paid 105% of the market average. The second policy change was to set aside $5,000 to be used as merit awards for the top "outstanding" employees as determined by the evaluations. Madkins acknowledged that not everyone would be pleased with these changes, but that the committee worked hard to make fair changes. Councilmember Madkins moved to amend the pay policy to allow for an additional one percent (1%) to be added to the CPI adjustment for non -survey years until the "B" step of each plan represents 105% of the average pay as per the salary survey, and to budget $5,000 to be used as merit awards for the top "outstanding" employees. Councilmember Shelton seconded the motion which passed by unanimous vote. B. Results of the Salary and Benefit Survey Councilmember Shelton asked for discussion of this item so that he could voice his objections. He stated that although the general, public safety, and administrative pay plans were addressed in the same item, he preferred to vote on each division separately. He declared that his vote would be for approval of the general and public safety pay plans, but no to the administrative pay plan. He stated his reason was that many citizens had approached him with their concerns about the city organization being "top-heavy". Shelton also said that he was not satisfied with the survey as it addressed administrative pay. He mentioned that it is hard to compare administrative duties between cities because they vary too widely. Councilmember Madkins moved to approve the general, public safety, and administrative pay plans and include the appropriate amount of money in the proposed budget for 1997-98. Councilmember Marin seconded the motion. Councilmember Conatser asked for a roll call vote. The motion which passed as follows: A� Councilmembers Madkins, Terrell, Hillin, Shelton, Corbin, Hodges, Marin, and Mayor Pollan. Noes: Councilmember Conatser. General Business Meeting -- August 5, 1997 OU�56�. Iv. C. Evaluation Form It was noted that further work needs to be done on the evaluation form, and the Personnel Committee will be pursuing this in the weeks ahead. FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT A. Hotel/Motel Tax Councilmember Hodges made this report in Bill Corbin's absence. He noted that the City receives approximate $126,000 in Hotel/Motel Tax annually. By city ordinance, the Chamber of Commerce is given $54,000 (three cents), and the Fine Arts Council is given $18,000 (one cent). The City retains $54,000 (three cents) for discretionary use. The fund maintains a reserve of approximately $90,000. The City has not had a specific plan for this discretionary money; therefore, we receive requests for this money from other agencies (Chamber of Commerce, Historical Museum, City Recreation Department, and Lions Club). The committee received requests totaling $81,600. Councilmember Hodges moved to approve $68,600 from the Hotel/Motel Tax to be used to fund the following projects: Lions Club Cross Timbers Classic (basketball tournament) $1, 000 Historical House Museum Operating Funds (utilities, lawn care, etc.) $11, 000 Miscellaneous repairs 3,500 Chapel Roof 135000 Chamber of Commerce High School Football Play-offs 11500 National Gospel Singing 550 TSU Rodeo 950 Antique Car Show 600 FFA Judging Contest 500 City Recreation Department Athletic Special Events 8,500 Family Fun Fair 201000 Christmas in the Park 4, 000 Cowboy Appreciation Ball 2,000 Invitational Roping Event 15500 Councilmember Hillin seconded the motion which passed by unanimous vote. General Business Meeting -- August 5, 1997 00�56: B. Child Safety Funds Councilmember Hodges explained that this money is generated from a surcharge on traffic violations occurring within school zones and/or the passing of a school bus. The use of this money is restricted and must be used to fund programs that enhance child safety, health, or nutrition (including child abuse prevention and intervention and drug and alcohol abuse prevention). Councilmember Hodges moved to approve funding from the Child Safety Funds for Star Council's request of $1, 5 00 and the Stephenville Independent School District's request for $900 for a school crossing guard. Councilmember Conatser seconded the motion which passed by unanimous vote. C. Auditor Proposals Councilmember Shelton moved to accept the proposal from Rutledge, Crain and Company for audit services. Councilmember Hodges seconded the motion which passed by unanimous vote. V. WATER PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT --Consider Recommendation Concerning Long -Range Water Source Study Councilmember Terrell gave this committee report. She stated that the committee recognizes the need for long-range planning for water needs. The City solicited letters of interest and qualifications from engineering firms to prepare a report identifying future potential water sources for the City of Stephenville. Five letters of interest were received from engineering firms. Three firms were selected for interviews --Freese & Nichols, Inc.; CH2M Hill; and HDR Engineering, Inc. Following the interviews, members of the Water Planning Committee authorized staff to begin formulating a scope of services and proceed with contract negotiations with HDR Engineering, Inc. VI, PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION Mayor Pollan announced the opening of a public hearing for the purpose of rezoning Block 13, Frey First Addition from I "Industrial District" to R-3 "Multiple Family Residential District' Sneaking in Favor of the Rezoning: No one Sneaking in Onnosition of the Rezoning: No one General Business Meeting -- August 5, 1997 00,0564 There was no rebuttal and no discussion by the Council. Mayor Pollan closed the Public Hearing. Councilmember Conatser made the motion to adopt Ordinance No. 1997-9 rezoning Block 13, Frey First Addition from I "Industrial District" to R-3 "Multiple Family Residential District". Councilmember Hodges seconded the motion, and it passed by unanimous vote. Mayor Pollan announced the opening of a public hearing for the purpose of rezoning 1.453 acres, Henry Pearson Survey, A-613, Erath County, Texas, from R-1 "Single Family Dwelling District" to B-2 "Secondary and Highway Business District" Sneaking in Favor of the Rezoning: James Bachus, owner of the property together with his family trust. He advised that this property is currently in use as a real estate office and is located in the 3000 block of West Washington. This property has recently been annexed by the City. He asked that the Council waive the filing fee. Speaking in Opposition of the Rezoning: No one -= v Councilmember Terrell moved to adopt Ordinance No. 1997-10 rezoning 1.453 acres, Henry Pearson Survey, A-613, Erath County, Texas, and to waive the filing fees. Councilmember Conatser seconded the motion which passed by unanimous vote. E. Consider the Acceptance of the Final Plat, Heritage Acres at Heritage Hill Subdivision Councilmember Shelton moved to approve the final plat of Heritage Acres at Heritage Hills Subdivision. Councilmember Marin seconded the motion which passed by unanimous vote. VII. Consider the Approval for a Forward Refunding of Series 1988 Utility Revenue Bonds City Administrator explained that by issuing bonds with NationsBank and paying off the remaining eight years of the Series 1988 Bonds, the City will be saving $195,774. First Southwest Company, financial company, recommends that the city issue these bonds now because interest rates are so low. Councilmember Shelton moved to instruct First Southwest company to proceed with the refunding of the Series 1988 Utility Revenue Refunding Bonds. Councilmember Hillin seconded the motion which passed by unanimous vote. General Business Meeting -- August 5, 1997 � � '' '�61.�u�s VIII. Consider the Approval of a Jail Contract with Erath County Councilmember Hillin moved to approve the contract with Erath County for jail services. Councilmember Marin seconded the motion which passed by unanimous vote. IX. Consider the Appointment of a Representative to the North Texas Regional Library System Councilmember Hillin moved to appoint Mary Jo Clendenin as Stephenville's representative to the North Texas Regional Library System. Councilmember Marin seconded the motion which passed by unanimous vote. X. Elect a Representative to the Steering Committee of the Brazos River Authority Councilmember Shelton moved to appoint Barbara Terrell to the Brazos River Authority Steering committee as Stephenville's representative. Councilmember Hillin seconded the motion which passed by unanimous vote. XI. Consider Organizing an Advisory Board for the Senior Citizens' Center Councilmember Conatser made a motion that the City Council form a board consisting of five members to be recommended by the Nominations Committee; that this board review all programs and made recommendations and report to the Council concerning the Stephenville Senior Citizens program. Councilmember Shelton seconded the motion which passed by unanimous vote. XII. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Hillin moved to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: A. Approval of Minutes of the Regular Business Meeting on July 1, 1997 B. Request for Proposal --Depository Contract C. Bid Award --Downtown Auto Park Councilmember Shelton seconded the motion which passed by unanimous vote. XIII. City Administrator's Report Don Davis reminded the Council that budget work sessions are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. on August 11, 12, 13, and 14, and asked each councilmember to turn in their budget notebooks. General Business Meeting -- August 5, 1997 000?6(1 XIV. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 8.00 Mayor Pollan recessed the open portion of this meeting, and the Council went into executive session in compliance with the provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Law, Subchapter D, Closed Meeting, §551.071(l)(A), Government Code, Vernon's Texas Codes, Annotated, in accordance with the authority contained therein concerning Consultation with Attorney regarding pending or contemplated litigation. A. City of Stephenville v. Cecil Ford (condemnation) B. City of Stephenville v. Clovis Russell (condemnation ) XV. Action Taken on Matters Discussed in Executive Session At 8:24 p.m., Mayor Pollan called the Council back into regular session. No action was taken. XVI. Adjourn There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8 : 24 p.m. 10. 7 Q� & 00"�� Joh ollan, Mayor ATTEST: Cindy L. Ste;f rd Cit� Secriv General Business Meeting -- August 5, 1997 sp- 000564