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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-11-04 - Regular City Council Bill Corbin MINUTES OF GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING City of Stephenville - City Council TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1997 - 7:00 P.M. The City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, convened on November 4, 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 K. H. Conatser Billy Bob Hodges Bea Marin Marshall Shelton Joel Hillin 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. Mayor Pollan presented a Resolution of Appreciation (attached) to representatives from Norton Company for providing the funds for ?Sparky the Fire Dog? and ?McGruff the Crime Dog? costumes. Mayor Pollan also recognized the new Chamber of Commerce Director, Teresa Buske, and welcomed her to Stephenville. II. CITIZENS? GENERAL DISCUSSION No one addressed the City Council. General Business Meeting -- November 4, 1997 III. REPORT FROM THE FINANCIAL INVESTMENT ADVISOR City Administrator Don Davis introduced Linda Patterson of Patterson and Associates as the City?s investment advisor. Linda Patterson served as Treasurer for the City of Fort Worth for twelve years, then left to become a Deputy State Treasurer and Director of Investments for the Texas State Treasury. She left that position to form Patterson and Associates in March, 1994. Patterson is recognized as one of the most knowledgeable persons in the state on the Public Funds Investment Act and the Public Funds Collateral Act, both of which she authored and was instrumental with their passage. Davis stated that because of her background, experience, and hard work she has done an outstanding job for the City. Patterson then gave her annual report to the Council. (See attachments) She reviewed the City?s investment policy, which has as the first objective, safety; and second objective, liquidity. She stated that the City is fulfilling those two objectives. She said the City has funds that are available when needed, but also has assets which provide yield. Patterson reviewed what the market had done over the past year and how it has affected the City?s portfolio. Because of market activity, it is very important to have someone watching the portfolio. She explained that there was strong growth all through the year. The economy has been booming, and there has been no inflation. This has created an unrest, with the booming stock market, and rates staying very low. She then explained that the U. S. Treasury Market is the main market for the City?s portfolio. Patterson reported that the City has diversification of its investments. Overall, Patterson said she is very pleased with the portfolio--well diversified, matched in the short end to cover liabilities which might arise for the City, and performing well above market levels. IV. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT A. Merit award based on evaluations Councilmember Madkins reminded the Council that a new performance evaluation plan has recently been implemented. Part of the plan is to recognize employees who have consistently performed outstandingly during the grading period. However, no money had been budgeted for the monetary award. Councilmember Madkins moved to accept the merit award system for City employees and staff, and to make funds available in December, 1997 to recognize ten outstanding employees for a cash award of $500 each. Councilmember General Business Meeting -- November 4, 1997 Shelton seconded the motion which passed by unanimous vote. B. Employee Handbook changes Councilmember Madkins explained that ?housekeeping? changes had been made to the Employee Handbook, i.e. changes to the holiday schedule, changes in State policy, etc. Councilmember Madkins moved to accept the changed to the Employee Handbook. Councilmember Corbin seconded the motion which passed by unanimous vote. C. Rough draft of suggestion policy Madkins advised that the Personnel Committee is considering a suggestion program and requested suggestions and comments from other councilmembers. V. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT A. Specifications for the roof on the Chapel on the Bosque, located at the Stephenville Historical Museum grounds Councilmember Hodges reported that the committee considered ?look-a-like? wood shingles. He reminded the Council that $13,000 from Hotel/Motel Tax Fund has been set aside. Councilmember Hodges moved to approve the roof specifications for the Chapel on the Bosque; including A-LifePine Shingles manufactured by Tamark Manufacturing, LLC, or equal. Councilmember Hillin made the second to the motion, which passed by unanimous vote. B. Municipal Service Center Councilmember Hodges reported that several sites were considered for the placement of the Municipal Service Center, and the committee was recommending Site 1, 12.35 acres located across from the Erath County Jail; and Site 5, 12 acres located on the Alexander Highway just south of Kaylock Street. Hodges stated that the committee wanted to issue a letter of intent for engineering services, feasibility studies, and cost estimates for the design of the Municipal Service Center. Councilmember Hodges moved to allow staff to issue a letter of interest to qualified engineers for preparation of a needs assessment, master plan, cost estimates and design. Councilmember Terrell seconded the motion which passed by unanimous vote. VI. PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE REPORT General Business Meeting -- November 4, 1997 A. Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Councilmember Hillin made a motion to continue with the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program. Councilmember Madkins seconded the motion, which passed by unanimous vote. B. Exemptions to the Animal Control Ordinance Councilmember Hillin reported that the committee considered three applications for exception to the Animal Control Ordinance. Two of these related to animals kept in small enclosures, but on large lots. The committee interpreted the 1/4 acre requirement for goats, sheep, etc. to be the actual size of the area available, regardless of the size of the pen enclosing the animals. This interpretation eliminated the need to allow an exception for these requests. A third request from J. O. Bachus was for an exemption from paying the fee to register his livestock. Councilmember Hillin moved to deny J. O. Bachus? request for exemption from paying a fee. Councilmember Conatser seconded the motion, which passed by unanimous vote. C. Parking in State Rights of Way Councilmember Hillin made a motion that the City should enforce no parking areas on the street on Lingleville Highway from Graham Street west to the city limits. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Marin, and passed by unanimous vote. VII. CONSIDER A REQUEST FOR WAIVING PERMIT FEE FOR CHRISTMAS PARADE Brenda Lambert, representing the Downtown Business Association, asked the City Council to sanction their Christmas Parade. The parade is scheduled for Sunday, December 7, at 3:00 p.m. She explained that the day was chosen so that it would not conflict with church services, high school football playoff game, and Tarleton?s schedule. Eighty letters have been sent to civic groups and organizations soliciting their participation. Mayor Pollan suggested to Lambert that this event be held on the same day as the City and Chamber Christmas On The Square and In the Park, which is scheduled on Thursday, December 11. Pollan said having people downtown on a weekday would benefit the businesses located there. Lambert said that the members of the General Business Meeting -- November 4, 1997 Downtown Business Association would not be able to participate with the event if it were scheduled for a work day. Pollan explained that Lambert is asking for the parade permit fee of $750 be waived. Councilmember Marin stated that the DBA should have made its requests known to the City Council earlier in the planning stages. Marin said that if the City is going to sponsor an event such as the Christmas parade, then the City should be involved more in the planning of the event. Councilmember Conatser made a motion to waive the parade permit fee and deposit for the Downtown Business Association?s parade. Councilmember Shelton seconded the motion. In answer to a question posed by the Mayor, City Attorney Randy Thomas explained that by waiving the fees and deposit, the City would be liable for any accident that took place as a result of this parade. The motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Madkins, Terrell, Hillin, Shelton, Conatser, Hodges. Noes: Councilmembers Marin and Corbin. Councilmember Madkins stated that he agreed with Councilmember Marin?s concern for better planning and asked Ms. Lambert to keep this in mind next year when the association begins planning another parade. VIII. CONSIDER A CONTRACT WITH STEPHENVILLE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT AS INTERNET PROVIDER Finance Director, Mark Kaiser, reported to the Council that the Stephenville Independent School District has developed its own Internet server. House Bill No. 2128 has enabled school districts to do this at a lower cost. Because of our public library, the City is able to participate with the SISD at a low price as well. In answer to a question asked by Councilmember Conatser, Kaiser stated that the $3,000 to be expended in this contract is included in the budget. Mayor Pollan recognized citizen John Moser who expressed concern in every computer in the City coming ?on line?. Kaiser said that the true benefit would be for citizens to access information at the library through computers. The secondary benefit is for staff to have access. Councilmember Madkins moved to enter into a contract with the Stephenville Independent School District as the City?s Internet provider. Councilmembe General Business Meeting -- November 4, 1997 r Hodges seconded the motion which passed by unanimous vote. IX. CONSENT AGENDA: Councilmember Hillin made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: A. Approval of Minutes 1. Regular Business Meeting on October 7, 1997 2. Approval of Minutes of Special Meeting on October 21, 1997 B. CONSIDER SELLING FIRE TRUCKS AND AERATORS C. Bid Specifications 1. Food Service Inspector 2. Uniforms Councilmember Corbin seconded the motion, which passed by unanimous vote. X. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A NEW CITY LOGO Mayor Pollan announced that there would be no discussion on the item. XI. CITY ADMINISTRATOR?S REPORT City Administrator Davis reminded the Council that the City of Stephenville is hosting the Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Breakfast on Thursday, November 20, at 7:00 a.m. at Newman Hall. Davis also reported that the Library Advisory Board, Airport Advisory Board, Senior Citizens Advisory Board, and the Park and Recreation Advisory Board have held meetings during the past several weeks. City Attorney Randy Thomas announced that there was no need for an Executive Session because he had nothing to report regarding this matter. General Business Meeting -- November 4, 1997 XII. EXECUTIVE SESSION In compliance with the provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Law, Subchapter D, Local Government Code, Vernon?s Texas Codes, Annotated, in accordance with the authority contained in §551.071(1)(A) Consultation with Attorney; Closed Meeting, pending or contemplated litigation. Mitchell Williams vs. City of Stephenville, Cause No. 97-09-23698-CV, Erath County District Court XIII. ACTION TAKEN ON MATTERS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary) XIV. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:24 p.m. _____________________________________ John Pollan, Mayor ATTEST: ____________________________________ Cindy L. Stafford, City Secretary General Business Meeting -- November 4, 1997