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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-08-04 - Regular City Council (2)MINUTES OF REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING City of Stephenville - City Council Tuesday, August 4, 2015, 5:30 P.M. The City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, convened on August 4, 2015, 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 Jerry K. Weldon II Mayor Pro-Tem Russ McDanel Council members Mark McClinton Boyd Waggoner Rhett Harrison Alan Nix Sherry Zachery Jerry Warren Absent Doug Svien Others Attending Patrick C. Bridges, City Administrator Randy Thomas, City Attorney Cindy L. Stafford, City Secretary I. Call to Order. The meeting of the Stephenville City Council was called to order at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2015, by Mayor Weldon, who acknowledged Doug Svien's absence saying that his wife is undergoing treatment for a severe blood disease. He asked everyone to keep the Svien family in prayer. Council and the audience then sang Happy Birthday to Finance Director Walter Wood. II. Certificates of Appreciation Mayor Weldon recognized individuals who were instrumental in bringing back the Fourth of July celebration. Mayor Weldon read from the certificates of appreciation as follows: "In thanks for your leadership in coordinating the activities for the Fourth of July celebration. We further acknowledge your sacrifice in restoring this treasured family - oriented day of activities focused on the birth of the United States of America." Shelley Gilliland, Leader Jody Lee Caudle Amber Parks Mindy Henson John Wooley Danny Kennedy Regular Business Meeting August 4, 2015 Stephenville City Council III. Citizens' General Discussion Marion Cole, 432 Tanglewood Trail, Stephenville, told the council and audience about an event to benefit Stephenville Museum. "Sundown on the Square" will be held on Saturday, October 10, 5-9pm, on the west side of the courthouse square, and will feature the 1974 events that surrounded the escape of three men from a Colorado prison and their capture in Erath County following a murderous crime spree. Justin Allison, 614 Maplewood Drive, Stephenville, stated that he is asking the city council for the full and immediate reinstatement of building official Tom Heap and Director of Planning and Building Services, Judy Miller. He said that these two employees have been hard at work for months on behalf of the City of Stephenville trying to bring good paying jobs to our community. He said their service to the city truly epitomizes what good customer service should be. Mark Wallace, 1402 North Dale Avenue, Stephenville, also spoke against the dismissal of Judy Miller. He questioned the procedure that was involved in her removal. He asked council if the mandated procedure was followed. Wallace said that he and his family has the utmost respect for Miller and Tom Heap. He asked for the reinstatement of Miller and Heap. At this point, Mayor Weldon clarified possible confusion concerning the procedure for removal of city employees. He referred to Stephenville Code of Ordinances, Title III Administration, Chapter 31 City Employees, §31.39 Appointment and Removal of City Employees; Restriction on City Council. Rick Hale, 1479 Highland View, Stephenville, said he was disappointed in hearing of the dismissal of Judy Miller. He said there has been a lot of work done since the last two city elections, and he views this action as taking a step backwards. Hale told the council that he has been in the construction business for 38 years. He said for the past 20 years. Working with the city has been difficult; but for the last six months, it's gotten a lot better. He said that he believed any builder in the city would agree. He said that a lot of the credit for that goes to Judy Miller. He said that Miller had been a friend to the builders' association. Hale also complimented City Administrator Pat Bridges for his open door policy to help guide the builders. Hale closed by saying, "As long as I think we have staff members from the old administration wanting to go back and do business that's been done the last ten years and we've got what's left of the new administration staff along with the builders, the developers, the realtors, the citizens that want to watch this town grow and prosper. When you've got these two sides, I think we're gonna keep butting heads. I think it's gonna be a problem. I don't think we're going anywhere. Until we all get on the same page and try to go the same direction, there's gonna be a problem." Steve Lubers, 886 Mimosa Court, Stephenville, said that he wanted to reinforce the statements made by Justin Allison, Mark Wallace, and Rick Hale. He said that the relationship between the council, the building department, and the builders and developers is very important. Regular Business Meeting August 4, 2015 Stephenville City Council Lubers said that Judy Miller and Tom Heap are the people that are very important to the success of the building process in Stephenville, and he would like to see them reinstated to their positions. Vince Daddio, 420 West Lingleville Road, Stephenville, said that he has been a contractor in this area for about 38 years. He said that he previously experienced frustration and aggravation with the building process in Stephenville prior to Judy Miller. He said that Judy and Tom have done a very good job and that he hopes the council will get to the bottom of this issue to determine the correct action to take. Heidi Olson, 2485 FM 216, Iredell, Texas, President of the Stephenville Board of Realtors, said that she, as well as others in the audience, is trying to figure out "the true reason behind Judy's departure and Tom's administrative leave". She stated that on behalf of the realtors, she has never seen someone actively promote business within the City of Stephenville the way that Judy has. Olson said, "Any other direction than the direction of Judy Milller is backward." Carla Trussell, 406 Tanglewood Trail, Stephenville, said that she is disappointed with the firing of Judy Miller and is asking the council to reinstate her tonight. Trussell said that Miller has done a great job mending fences and moving the city forward. Milton Woodrow Horner, 210 Rowland, Stephenville, said that Judy Miller and Tom Heap were conducting business in a positive manner. IV. Atmos Energy Corporation, Mid -Tex Division —Chris Felan, Vice President of Rates and Regulatory Affairs —Follow-up to questions from the June 1, 2015 council meeting This matter is being postponed. V. PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION —Consider approval of the Final Plat of Lakewood Estates, IV, being 7.404 acres of land out of the William Sims Survey, A-683, Erath County, Texas MOTION by Russ McDanel, second by Alan Nix, to approve the final plat of Lakewood Estates IV. MOTION CARRIED. VI. Consider Approval of Contract with Freese and Nichols, Inc. to Develop a Thoroughfare Plan MOTION by Mark McClinton, second by Alan Nix, to approve the contract with Freese and Nichols, Inc. MOTION CARRIED. Regular Business Meeting August 4, 2015 Stephenville City Council VII. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2015-R-11 Adopting the Erath County Hazard Mitigation Action Plan, June 2015 Fire Chief Jimmy Chew reported that about a year ago, his department began work on this plan. He recognized Captain Stephen Apala, Fire Training Officer, for the work he has devoted to this effort. Chew said that this will become a part of the overall Emergency Management Plan. it identifies hazards such as tornadoes, erosion, etc. and enables the city to be eligible for grants to help alleviate costs. MOTION by Russ McDanel, second by Boyd Waggoner, to approve Resolution No. 2015- R-11. MOTION CARRIED. Vill. Consider Approval of Mutual Aid Agreement with Hamilton Healthcare Systems EMS MOTION by Alan Nix, second by Sherry Zachery, to approve the Mutual Aid Agreement with Hamilton Healthcare System EMS. MOTION CARRIED. IX. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2015-R-12 Authorizing the Stephenville Economic Development Authority MOTION by Mark McClinton, second by Alan Nix, to approve Resolution No. 2015-R-12. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. X. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Russ McDanel, second by Mark McClinton, to approve the consent agenda. MOTION CARRIED. A. Approve Minutes 1. Regular Council Meeting on July 7, 2015 2. Special Council Meeting on July 28, 2015 B. Approve Contract Amendment with Freese and Nichols, Inc. XI. Comments by City Administrator Pat Bridges announced that council budget work session will be held August 11-14. Special Council Meeting on August 18 and Council Committee Meeting on August 25. XII. Comments by Council members Council members McDanel and Harrison thanked those in attendance for coming to express their thoughts and concerns at the meeting. Regular Business Meeting August 4, 2015 Stephenville City Council XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION. At 6:34 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 Sec. 551.074 Personnel Matters (a)(1) to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee A. City Administrator's Evaluation B. Planning and Building Services Council reconvened in open session at 8:41 p.m. XIV. Action taken on matters discussed in executive session (if necessary). No action was taken. City Administrator Pat Bridges stated that after consultation with the city council, it is his decision to dismiss Judy Horn [Miller] from employment with the City of Stephenville under the "No Fault Separation Policy" in the Employee Handbook based upon attendance, performance, and conduct issues. Going forward, we will immediately seek to get better and quicker, and we will seek sustained, improved performance immediately. That search begins right away. Mayor Weldon added that one of the things that is paramount to the council, and we are in agreement with the city administrator's decision under one condition —that he is guaranteeing to us equal or better service than what we are experiencing today in the community. We are not going to tell him how to do it; we've told him what to do. What we've told him to do is to provide equal or better service to our community so that the perception that we are building —a community that is open for business —is heard loud and clear coming out of tonight's discussions. I would also like to reflect that we understand that the concerns expressed tonight was because there is a tremendous amount of positive momentum that is in place and thus our request for there to be equal or better service moving forward. Mayor Weldon also expressed a desire to meet with the builders' association to talk in more detail about the road ahead and how to ensure that the lines of communication stay open as we proceed with both the technical aspects of providing permits but also the executive level of support that these construction owners require. XV. Adjourn. MOTION by Russ McDanel, sec4KIrdron Zache r, to adjourn the meeting. MOTION CARRIED at 8:46 p.m. (, 11, Mayor ATTEST: J,G Cindy L. Oafford, CitlkVcretary Regular Business Meeting August 4, 2015 Stephenville City Council