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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-07-27 - Special City CouncilMINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING City of Stephenville - City Council MONDAY, JULY 27,1998 - 5:30 P.M. The City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, convened in special session on Monday, July 27, 1998, at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 298 West Washington 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, Vemon's Texas Codes Annotated, with the following members present, to wit: Mayor: John Moser Councilmembers: Others Attending: I. CALL TO ORDER. Marshall Shelton Joel Hillin K. H. Conatser Bea Marin Rusty Jergins Barbara Terrell Jerry B. Madkins Wm. H. (Bill) Stanley Don Davis, City Administrator Cindy L. Stafford, City Secretary Randy Thomas, City Attorney Mayor Moser called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and declared a quorum present. II. HEAR CITIZENS' INPUT AND QUESTIONS ON THE PRELIMINARY BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 1998 -99 Bill Corbin, President of the Stephenville Economic Development Foundation, Inc. spoke to the council about economic development. He stated that the Stephenville Economic Development Foundation, Inc. (SEDF) is a Texas non - profit foundation chartered in 1962. They currently have 114 members, and is managed by a thirteen - member board of directors. The purpose of the foundation is to promote and improve business and economic conditions in Stephenville and Erath County by rendering economic aid, services, and assistance to existing and potential businesses. The foundation has helped virtually all the local manufacturers in the 36 years of existence by providing land, loans, or cash grants. The foundation has no debt, July 27, 1998 - Minutes of Special Meeting about $350,000 in cash, two pieces of developed real estate in the city limits, 17 acres of undeveloped property, and 12 acres and an office building at the airport. Corbin reminded the council that several years ago, the council increased certain franchise fees that the utility companies pay (primarily Lone Star Gas because they were paying a lower rate than other companies). It was discussed that the additional monies be set aside for economic development. The current year, 1998, is the first year these additional fees have been collected. Mr. Corbin strongly encouraged the council to restrict those funds for future economic development. Joel Shawver, Volunteer Fire Chief, spoke to the council about the need for pagers. He read the following letter: "The members of the Stephenville Volunteer Fire Department wish to express our concerns regarding our pagers. Pagers are the only means of communication when called to help the Stephenville Fire Department. We assist with all major fires and wrecks in the city and the county. We currently have 32 volunteer members, and 11 have EMS training. Our pagers are 14 years old and outdated. They are in need of constant repair. More than 30% of our members do not have a pager or one that works improperly. As you know, we are on call 24 hours a day putting our lives at risk and our families being inconvenienced. We believe that the Volunteer Fire Department is invaluable to our community at very little cost to the taxpayers. Communication is invaluable to this group of volunteers when our community is in need. We would be grateful to receive the appropriate funding to replace our pagers so we would have the necessary tools for communication. We would like to replace at least ten pagers this budget year at a cost $330.00 each, and replace ten additional pagers the following budget year. The Stephenville Volunteer Fire Department will celebrate 100 years of continued service to this community this year, and with your support, will be able to better serve our community in the future." Gwen Bray, spoke on behalf of the Senior Citizens Center. The main concern of this group is the building. She said that it is in very bad shape. She stated, "The floors are rotten and the foundation beams are rotten, and probably has termites in them. The floor is uneven which makes the members stumble and trip some times. You can feel the floor give as you walk across the floor." She stated that the conditions are very unsafe for the senior citizens. She said that the $15,000 earmarked for repairs to the back entrance are needed more in other areas. She suggested that the upstairs be taken out and the wiring be fixed. She invited the council to attend the dances that are held at the center each Tuesday night. She said about 80 people attend. She mentioned that the band needs new plug -ins for their speakers and instruments. She also said that the senior citizens would like to know how the money is spent that is given to the center in the form of memorials and honorariums. July 27, 1998 - Minutes of Special Meeting She criticized Ronnie Isham for frequent trips he makes overseas to "set up this athletic funds ". She stated that "We [taxpayers] pay him to go over there and pay his expense, and then they drop a great a great big money hat in his lap." She asked if that was correct that the city pays him to go "over there ". Don Davis, City Administrator, answered, "No main, it is not! Mr. Isham takes vacation time and the city is not out any expenses for his involvement with the Olympic committee." She also expressed concern for the "dead end street at Harbin Drive ". Bray said, "That was a waste of money. There it sits, and no place for it to go. What are we going to do with it? It was just a waste of money." She continued, "the senior citizens that's paying the taxes and paying y'all's salary; that just kinda rubs us raw when we see wasted money like that." She also mentioned that the Downtown Plaza was another waste of money. Council member Jergins suggested that some of the concerns should be addressed to the Senior Citizens Advisory Board. Elizabeth Zickefoose echoed the same concerns of Gwen Bray, especially about the light situation. Al Hoag suggested getting bids for fuel and oil. He was advised that we presently do take bids for this service. Marilyn Ewers asked the council to allocate as much as possible for the library. She asked if there were any long -range plans for expanding the library, and was told that there are no plans. Mayor Moser encouraged her to address the Library Advisory Board about her concerns. Eva Mae Rogers expressed her concern for lack of personnel and asked the council to consider hiring another Animal Control Officer or train patrol officers so that they may address complaints about stray animals and nuisances caused by animals. She also suggested that the hours for Animal Control Officers be expanded to later in the day. Glen Moody, who is a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, asked the council to budget sufficient money so that all P &Z members might become certified. Moody said that he appreciates the training that he has received as a P &Z member, and that training is invaluable. Lavinia Lohrmann mentioned that the city street crews have just completed repairs to Prairie Wind Boulevard. She said these repairs made the street look great, but asked why not more attention is given to the streets in the older parts of town. She then told the council that she has heard comments from several citizens that the July 27, 1998 - Minutes of Special Meeting budget is too complicated. Lohrmann wondered if the budget could be simplified more for the citizens. Betty Heath expressed her support for the Downtown Plaza and that we are just beginning to see the wide variety of uses for this area. She invited the council to the musicals which are held at the plaza in the evening of the first Saturday of the month. She then reinforced her plea for the city to purchase a street sweeper. She said that the city crews would do a much better job than from a lease company. III. EXECUTIVE SESSION. At 6:38 p.m., Mayor Moser recessed the open portion of this meeting and called the council into 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 §551.074(a)(1) Deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee. Hiring a Police Chief At 7:25 p.m., Mayor Moser called the council back into regular session. IV. ACTION TAKEN ON MATTERS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary) No action was taken by the council. V. ADJOURN ATTEST: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m. C V o Moser, Mayor • July 27, 1998 - Minutes of Special Meeting