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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-11-01 - Regular City CouncilMINUTES OF REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING City of Stephenville - City Council Tuesday, November 1, 2016, 5:30 P.M. The City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, convened on November 1, 2016, at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 298 West Washington Street, for the purpose of a Regular 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 Mayor Pro-Tem Council members Jerry K. Weldon II Alan Nix Mark McClinton Carla Trussell Doug Svien Brady Pendleton Rhett Harrison Sherry Zachery Jerry Warren Others Attending Wayne McKethan, Interim City Administrator Randy Thomas, City Attorney n Cindy L. Stafford, City Secretary Call to Order. The meeting of the Stephenville City Council was called to order at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1, 2016, by Mayor Weldon. Pledge of Allegiance to the Texas Flag —"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible." Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag Mayor Weldon led the audience in the pledge to the United States Flag and to the Texas Flag. III. Invocation was given by David Whiteman of Valley Grove Baptist Church IV. Citizens General Discussion. No one came forward to address the council. V. Proclamation Recognizing Veterans Day. Mayor Weldon presented the proclamation which follows to American Legion Commander Burton Smith; First Vice Commander, Chris Anderson; and Second Vice Commander, Ron Henry. Chaplain Leroy Griffin was unable to attend. WHEREAS, Veterans Day has its origins in the armistice which brought World War I to a conclusion at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918; and WHEREAS, the Allied victory in World War I affirmed the strength of great nations acting together for high purposes; and Regular Business Meeting —November 1, 2016 Stephenville City Council 7 WHEREAS, the people of the United States caused through their elected representatives the designation of November 11 as a federal legal holiday, which in 1954 became officially known thereafter as Veterans Day; and WHEREAS, Veterans Day continues to be celebrated and commemorated with solemn obser- vances in honor of all Americans who have served their country in times of war and conflict; and WHEREAS, the courage, honor, sacrifice, and dedication which veterans of the United States armed forces have displayed in the cause of justice, freedom, and democracy are most worthy of recognition. NOW, THEREFORE, I Kenny Weldon, Mayor of Stephenville, Texas do hereby call upon all citizens to commend America's veterans and observe with solemn pride November 11, 2016 as Veterans Day and to take part in as many ceremonies and events as possible, including the Veterans Celebration Day Parade and Tarleton State University's Veteran's recognition football game both scheduled to occur on November 5, 2016 in honor of these men and women. VI. TAX COLLECTION REPORT-- Jeff Brown, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP A. Delinquent Tax Collection Report Jeff Brown, attorney, thanked the council for its continued business. Brown stated that the city currently has a tax collection rate of more than 98.5%. He reported that the firm has sent more than 858 warning notice letters to delinquent taxpayers. Fourteen lawsuits against 16 parcels were filed seeking the collection of $10,614.27 in delinquent taxes, penalties, and interest. Eighteen lawsuits, concerning ten accounts, were dismissed during this reporting period which involved in excess of $11,705.65 in taxes, penalties, and interest. Courtroom judgments have been taken in five lawsuits concerning eight accounts involving more than $43,037.51. Judgments were released in seven cases concerning eleven accounts involving more than $8,197.25. Twelve tax sales involving twelve tracts of real property were prosecuted involving more than $12,265.14 in taxes, penalties, interest and attorney's fees. Brown summed up by saying, "By the use of all of our collection tools, including notice letters, specialized demand letters, and litigation, we have collected on your behalf just over $75,966.30 in delinquent taxes, penalty, and interest from September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2016." Brown complimented District Judge Jason Cashon for coordinating court time to facilitate this process. Jennifer Carey, Erath County Tax Assessor -Collector, was also in attendance and answered questions from council members. Regular Business Meeting —November 1, 2016 Stephenville City Council nr B. Consider Adoption of Resolution No. 2016-R-18 Providing for Additional Penalty on Delinquent Personal Property Taxes MOTION by Brady Pendleton, second by Mark McClinton, to adopt Resolution No. 2016-R-18. MOTION CARRIED by the following vote: Ayes: Council members McClinton, Trussell, Svien, Pendleton, Zachery, Warren, and Mayor Weldon. Noes: Council member Harrison. C. Consider Approval of Amendment No. 2 of Contract with Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP MOTION by Mark McClinton, second by Alan Nix, to approve Amendment No. 2 to the contract with Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. VII. Consider and take action on an Ordinance No. 2016-0-12 authorizing the issuance and sale of the City's Combination Tax and Revenue Certificates of Obligation, Series 2016 in the amount of $2,040,000 to fund costs of improvements to the city's sanitary sewer collection system and approving all other matters pertaining thereto Eric Macha with First Southwest Company, the city's financial adviser, and Dan Culver with McCall, Parkhurst & Horton LLP, the city's bond counsel, addressed the council in connection with the issuance of the certificates of obligation. MOTION by Doug Svien, second by Brady Pendleton, to approve Ordinance No. 2016-0-12. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. Vill. PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION —Consider Approval of a Preliminary Plat of 9.78 acres, William Motley Survey, A-515, Erath County, Texas, located at 100-700 blocks of Forest Lane and 2800 block of the Northwest Loop Noah Cullis, Director of Planning and Building Services, explained that this subdivision plans for 17 individual lots with a mixture of low- and medium -density residential and commercial development. MOTION by Jerry Warren, second by Doug Svien, to approve this preliminary plat. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. IX. STEPHENVILLE TYPE IV ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY REPORT —John Hubbard, Executive Director Hubbard gave an update on some projects. He has visited with a developer who is looking at an entertainment center, two different manufacturers, and ongoing negotiations with a couple of retailers. Regular Business Meeting —November 1, 2016 Stephenville City Council X. MONTHLY BUDGET REPORT —Walter Wood, Finance Director Interim City Administrator McKethan explained the format for this new type of reporting, which include 1) Budget vs. Current YTD Actual —Chronological Percentage Comparison of Revenue and Expense; 2) Prior Year Actual YTD vs. Current Year Actual YTD—Revenue and Expense; and 3) Programs/Fleet/Equipment Expenditures. He also stated that once the October report is finalized, it will be presented at the December council meeting; the November report at the January meeting and so on. XI. PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE REPORT A. Consider Approving Ordinance No. 2016-0-13 Amending the Parking Ordinance MOTION by Carla Trussell, second by Brady Pendleton, to adopt Ordinance No. 2016-0-13. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. B. Consider Approval for the Expenditure of Forfeiture Funds 1. Grant Match for Body Cameras 2. Equipment for Multi -Agency Response Team MOTION by Mark McClinton, second by Brady Pendleton, to approve the expenditure of forfeiture funds for body cameras and IR illuminators for the multi -agency response team. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. C. Municipal Court Technology Fund MOTION by Carla Trussell, second by Mark McClinton, to approve the purchase of electronic ticket writers and associated equipment. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. D. Consider Approval of Interlocal Agreement between the City and Tarleton State University for Parking Enforcement MOTION by Brady Pendleton, second by Mark McClinton, to approve the Interlocal Agreement to allow the Tarleton Police Department to enforce municipal parking regulations on city streets adjacent to property owned, operated, or controlled by Tarleton State University. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. E. Consider Approval of the Firefighter Equipment Program MOTION by Mark McClinton, second by Brady Pendleton, to approve an equipment purchasing program for the Fire Department similar to the one in place for the Police Department. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. Regular Business Meeting —November 1, 2016 Stephenville City Council XII. CONSENTAGENDA Council member Trussell requested that items B., C., and D. be removed from the Consent Agenda. MOTION by Carla Trussell, second by Jerry Warren, to approve Items A., E., and F. MOTION CARRIED. A. Approve Minutes 1. Regular Council Meeting on October 4, 2016 2. Special Council Meeting on October 11, 2016 3. Special Council Meeting on October 18, 2016 B. Approve Bid Awards 1. Landfill and Utility Pickups. MOTION by Doug Svien, second by Mark McClinton, to approve Item B.1. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. 2. Landscape Median Maintenance. Council member Trussell had questions concerning the bid proposal and options for performing this work in house. The matter was tabled. C. Renewal of Lawn Maintenance Contract with All American Lawn Services. MOTION by Mark McClinton, second by Brady Pendleton, to approve the renewal of this contract. MOTION CARRIED. D. Community Development Block Grant 1. Administrative Services Procurement 2. Professional Services Procurement Questions were raised concerning whether or not this work could be performed by city staff. Public Works Director Nick Williams explained that staff does not have the necessary time or experience to perform grant administration paperwork internally without significant risk of default. MOTION by Alan Nix, second by Brady Pendleton, to approve Item D.1. MOTION CARRIED by the following vote: Ayes: Council members McClinton, Svien, Pendleton, Harrison, Nix, Zachery, Warren, and Mayor Weldon. Noes: Council member Trussell. MOTION by Alan Nix, second by Mark McClinton, to approve Item D.2. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. E. Approve Resolution No. 2016-11-19 Accepting the 2016 Maintenance Program —Chip -Seal Project Regular Business Meeting —November 1, 2016 Stephenville City Council F. Approve the Sale of City Property 1. Catalytic Converters 2. Fire Department Vehicles a. 1981 Chevrolet C-60 booster truck b. 1996 GMC Rescue truck c. 1993 E-One H-160 pumper truck XIII. Comments by City Administrator Wayne McKethan highlighted upcoming activities and events: • Deadline to submit applications for citizen boards and commissions is November 4 • Zonta/SPARD Arts, Crafts and Gifts Fair at the Rec Hall on November 4 and 5 • Veterans Parade, November 5, at 5pm • Public Works Committee, November 8, 5:30pm • City offices closed on November 11 • Nominations Committee, November 15, 5:30pm • City offices closed for Thanksgiving on November 24 and 25 XIV. Comments by Council members Mark McClinton welcomed Wayne McKethan and reminded everyone to vote. Carla Trussell thanked Librarian Mary Meredith for the library participating with "Boos for Books" in the Safe Trick'R Treat event by providing books to the youngsters. Julie Crouch, Executive Director of the Cross Timbers Fine Arts Council, has again enabled the City of Stephenville to compete for a Levitt AMP grant to bring free concerts to our city. Mayor Weldon encouraged citizens to log on to the Levitt website to cast votes for Stephenville. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION. At 6:57 p.m., Mayor Weldon recessed the open portion of the meeting, and council went into executive session in compliance with the provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Law, Subchapter D, Government Code, Vernon's Texas Codes, Annotated, in accordance with: A. Sec. 551.074 Personnel Matters (a)(1) to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee —Deputy City Administrator position B. Sec. 551.071(a) Consultation with Attorney; pending or contemplated litigation 1. Hunewell 2. Upper Leon River Municipal Water District C. Sec. 551.087(1) Deliberation regarding economic development negotiations —Lone Star Arena Regular Business Meeting —November 1, 2016 Stephenville City Council i Council reconvened in open session at 8:52 p.m. XVI. Action taken on matters discuss in executive session (if necessary) MOTION by Mark McClinton, second by Doug Svien, to accept the recommendation of Interim City Administrator Wayne McKethan and appoint Jeremy Allen as the first ever deputy city administrator for the City of Stephenville. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. Mayor Weldon advised that the council will instruct the Interim City Administrator Wayne McKethan to call for a summit within 45 days to discuss the economic development of an events center for the community to include City of Stephenville, Erath County, Stephenville Economic Development Corporation, SEDA, Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Tarleton State University, and Stephenville Independent School District to ask that this meeting be conducted to inform those entities and request for input and cooperation as we as a community move forward to try to solve this problem together. We don't have any details on the agenda, but we are asking that the goal be to come up with a long-term strategy for our community for an events center." XVII. Adjourn MOTION by Rhett Harrison, second by Carla Trussell, to adjourn the meeting. MOTION CARRIED at 8:56 p.m. ATTEST: P Cindy L. St ord, dity Se ary Regular Business Meeting —November 1, 2016 Stephenville City Council 6 Jer K. a don, Mayor