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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-10-19 - Special City CouncilMINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING City of Stephenville - City Council TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1993 - 5:30 P.M. The City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, convened on October 19, 1993 at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers at Belknap, with the meeting being open to the public and notic e giving the date, time, place and subject thereof, havin g prescribed by Article 6252 -17, Section 3A, V.T.C.S., with the present, to wit: Mayor: Lavinia Lohrmann Councilmembers: Alan Nix Donald L. Zelman Sam Taylor II John Wooley William F. (Bill) Johnson Bill Bailey in special session City Hall, 354 N. of said meeting, been posted as following members Absent: Scott Evans and Billy Bob Hodges Others Attending: Don Davis, City Administrator Joyce Pemberton, City Secretary Randy Thomas, City Attorney I. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Lavinia Lohrmann called the meeting to order and declared a quorum present. II. CONSIDER THE CONTRACTS WITH ERATH COUNTY FOR SHARED SERVICES. Councilman Nix explained that the Council had received in the agenda packet the dollar figure proposal that has been suggested. He said that, basically, the County had in the past paid the City $64,000 per year for fire suppression and $65.00 per run for emergency medical service. The City presented them with contracts requesting considerable increases in both of those services. They declined both contracts. Afterward, he and Councilman Evans met with two representatives from the Court, Judge Hailey and Commissioner Eberhart, and attempted to come up some kind of compromise, which would be acceptable to the Council as well as the Commissioners Court. We were not able come up with anything that either side would agree to. After the meetings, County Auditor James E. Young did some work with he and Councilman Evans and with the Commissioners and these figures are "sort of" a compromise between what the City requested and what they are currently paying. In an effort to accommodate their budget problems, we offered to let them implement the increases over a five (5) year period, with the understanding that this year's budget was already set, we offered to let them remain at the $64,000 figure for this year for fire suppression. Then, each year after that, for the next five (5) years, we'll pick up $13,600. In 1998 -99, we'll be up to the $132,000 annual payment for fire suppression. They offered $150.00 per run for the emergency medical service. Its more than what they are paying, but is substantially below what we requested. They offered to go ahead and pay the increase this budget year and each year it increases by $10.00 per run 0"1! up to the $200.00 in the fiscal year 1998 -99. This is below what we determined to be the actual cost of providing services to them. The Council needs to determine whether this is a suitable compromise, at least for the next six (6) years. The primary objective of the whole process was to establish some type of method or a formula to determine what these services should be; whether its a percentage of the budget or manhour cost or a per run cost. We did not accomplish that. These figures are arbitrary figures. They are not representative of any thing except dollar amounts. This proposal was presented to the Commissioners Court at their last meeting. The Commissioners Court approved it in concept. There are several details that need to be worked out, but the dollar figures and the concept was agreeable to them and they have passed it back to the Council. If it is agreeable with the Council, we should ask Randy to get with the County Attorney and try to firm up some contracts for the review at the November meeting. We could review these contracts, along with the contracts for jail services, tax collection and municipal court. Councilman Taylor commented that he felt one of the biggest disappointments that Councilman Evans and Councilman Nix had was the fact that "a methodo- logy" was not determined or ascertained for arriving at these figures. I applaud their efforts. Sometimes for the good of the community you have to make concessions and I believe the Commissioners Court made some con- cessions and the Council is making some concessions, if we do this. It is primarily what is best for the City of Stephenville and the County of Erath. I know both sides are not real happy with it, but I think it is a good compromise and I would support it. After discussion, Councilman Taylor commented that part of the proposal is that the City will continue to receive the revenue from individual billings on the EMS runs, which that will be revenue on top of the incre- mental increases received from the County. City Attorney Randy Thomas commented that he had received the other three contract from County Attorney Beth Barber today. He said he had not had time to look at them and review with staff. There is still some nego- tiating to do. He said he was not worried about the basic contract, but there are some small items to be negotiated. He said they will try to have all five contracts ready for the November meeting. Councilman Taylor moved that the City Council approve in principal the financial parameters for the fire suppression and EMS contracts, as set forth in the agenda and direct the City Attorney to get with the County Attorney and work out the specific details, which will be contained in the individual contracts. Second by Councilman Bailey. The motion carried UNANIMOUSLY by those members present. III. ADJOURN - There being no other business to come before the Council at this time, Mayor Lohrmann adjourned the meeting at 5:45 p.m. AT ce mberton, City Secretary /__ta Loh ann, Mayor