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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-04-13 - Special City Councila MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF STEPHENVILIE, HELD ON MONDAY, APRIL 13, 1987 - 5:00 P.M. ITEM I• CALL TO ORDER. The special meeting of the City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, was called to order by the Mayor with the following members present: Mayor: Larry Hammett Members: Bob Self Wm. G. "Bill" Brede Allen Horne Maxine Dameron James L. "Jim" McSwain Ray Reynolds Larry Tatum (5:20 p.m.) and with the following manbers absent: Others attending were: Kurt Ackermann, Joyce Panberton, Joseph Chandler, Charlene Young, Danny Johnson, Douglas Conner, Jimmy Mooney, Ronnie Isham, Travis Caulder, Gene Morrison, Cy Norris, Larry Bicket, None City Administrator City Secretary City Attorney Director of Finance Director of Public Works Chief of Police Fire Chief Director of Parks & Recreation Police Personnel officer TSU TSU TSU ITEM II• CITIZEN REQUESTS AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS. A. CaTmunications & Personal Appearances by Citizens: NONE B. Matters by Councilmenbers. 1. Discussion of Capital Projects Committee Report: Councilman Bob Self advised the Council that the listings on the Camnittee's report (included in agenda packet) was mainly just a listing of things brought to the attention of the Committee by the Department Heads. Most items listed are items that have been cut from budgets in years past. There are one or two new items, but mostly items that the Committee recognizes they are itens that have been put off but needed. The Committee took the approach that first, they needed a list of all these things; second, they needed to determine the cost. Then assign priorities to them as to the things they would like to see accomplished first and on down the line. The Water & Wastewater items would definitely need to be done with those Enterprize Funds, whereas the Fire, Ambulance, and Administrative would have to be done out of General Fund. The Committee, at this point, is asking the Council to authorize some architectural and engineering studies. Director of Finance Charlene Young passed out a memorandum listing possible source for covering unbudgeted engineering and architectural costs. (Copy attached to and becoming a part of these minutes). - 392 - City Administrator Kurt Ackermann advised that according to the memo that the expected increases in Cash Reserve for the current fiscal year should be sufficient to cover the engi- neering and architectural costs necessary to prepare for a bond issue. Councilman Bob Self said he felt there were about three items that very definitely need studies to determine sane kind of cost figures. 1) engineering study on update of the Camprehensive Plan which is the drainage improvements; the sewer line improvements; right - of-way purchases; a curb and gutter program; and street, water, and wastewater complex and maintenance facility. Most of this will cane out of water and wastewater revenue funding activity. 2) architectural drawings and advice concerning feasibility of redesign and possible add -on to current City Hall, Police Department and Fire Department and /or a new facility for any one of these or all three whatever is determined. 3) the Community Activities Center which is being pushed by the Chamber of Commerce. They have set up a Task Force to really encourage the Council to pursue that. After lengthy discussion, Councilman Self said this committee report is presented to the Council for their input, help and guidance. After more discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that Kurt and the Committee meet with an architect for discussion of proposed projects and try to get some cost estimates. City Administrator Kurt Ackermann commented that the Committee is at the point that they are saying we have identified several different projects, now do we have the Council's authority to do some cost estimates on these projects. The Council's question is do we have the money to do these studies? Charlene has shown us where we do have the money to do these studies. 2. Discussion of Franchise Utilities Cannittee Report on Demand Meter Charges. Councilman Allen Horne reminded the Council that his written report was that the full council take a look at the water rate structure we have in place now. Mainly on the request of Tarleton State University and sane private citizens on the demand meter charge. In last year's budget session (1987) we budgeted $1,590,000 for water revenue. He said he and the other committee members felt that the dollar amount cannot be cut therefore we have to come up with an alternative to getting that money either spread more throughout the cormunity or leave it as it is. The Council studied the data in a memo from the City Administrator giving budget data; alternative rate structures; and customer impact (copy attached to and becoming a part of these minutes). Mayor Larry Hammett commented that the rates might need to be adjusted some, but he felt that the persons putting the demand on the water system should be the ones to pay for it. Councilman Ray Reynolds ca mented that he believed that TSU is interested in conserving water too and if they are interested in working with the City and if we could figure out sane system to reward then for being conservative it would meet their needs and ours too. Councilman Allen Horne asked for the actual percentage of increase on a regular residential water meter over the larger meters? What is the percentage of increase in the water bill? If TSU's water bill increased 50% and a residential water bill only increased 10% that is not fair. - 393 - Councilman Bob Self answered that if the big users did not make such a demand on the systen the City would not have had to upgrade the system to the point it is now and that costs money. Councilman Ray Reynolds said now we are back to whether we want to go with the demand meter charges. Councilman Jim McSwain commented that if TSU removed all of their large meters and installed all 5/8" meters where is the projected revenue caning from? The whole question is what are we going to have to charge to get the money? Councilman Larry Tatum commented that if we had looked at in that light at budget time the cost per thousand gallons would have been much higher. Councilman Ray Reynolds said that if we could determine what the demand on the system is by TSU regardless of how many meters or what size meter then that could be built into the replacement of our capital requirements which is the philosophy we had in the first place. Director of Public Works Lanny Johnson commented that what is hurting TSU and the big water users is that the break in the water charges start at 51,000 gallons. This a low figure for the big users therefore if the break could start around 300,000 to 500,000 gallons it would really have an effect on TSU's total bill. Some cities have a summertime rate. Councilman Allen Horne said, in his opinion, the only fair way to charge for water regardless of the size of meter is if you use it you pay for it. Councilman Bill Brede suggested that the Council take the information received today and study it. He said he was not ready to make a decision at this time. The Council should keep working on this. Mayor Larry Hammett advised that he was going to call a meeting for next week if the Council thinks that will be sufficient time for study of the information presented today. Councilman Bob Self asked Danny Johnson to work with TSU as to what their actual demand is versus their potential demand. See if there is something there to work on. Also instead of 50,000 gallons @ $2.75/000, look to where they could be moved up to, with or without a higher rate per thousand at a certain point. See if something could be worked along that line. Mr. Cy Norris, representing TSU, addressed the Council stating that their problem is not the fact the demand access fee is based upon the meter. That is about 10% of the total cost of the bill. The cost of their bill has been escalated because when the water consumption goes over 50,000 gallons the rate goes up to $2.75 per thousand gallons of usage. TSU uses over 50,000 gallons in one day so after the first day TSU is paying in a penalty situation. TSU feels they are being penalized for being the City of Stephenville's biggest and best customer. TSU has other options which they hope they do not have to pursue. Mayor Larry Hammett asked Danny Johnson to work up what he could and the Council will look at it next week in another meeting. 3. Consider for Adoption the Police Procedures and Policy Manual. Chief of Police Doug Conner reported that this manual is still in the development stage. It is to the point where he would like the Council to approve it. If any changes, addi- tions, or deletions are needed now is the time for the Council's input. once it is approved by the Council, the - 394 - firm that put the manual together will assign an effective date to implement operation. A copy of the manual will be distributed to each person in the Police Department for their review and, at the end of the review period (approx. 10 days) the employee will sign a statement that they have read and understand the manual. Councilman Bob Self ca mented that there are same things he would like clarified. He said he realized this is a draft, but there are same typos, misspellings, etc. that need to be cleaned up. Councilman Bob Self had several items for discussion and clarification. After discussion, Councilman Ray Reynolds moved that Chapter 3, paragraph 3.15.003, #6, remain as it is stated. Councilman Allen Horne seconded the motion. the motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers Allen Horne, Bill Brede, Maxine Dameron, Jim McSwain, Ray Reynolds, Larry Tatum. NOES: Councilman Bob Self. The Council discussed the remainder of the manual. It was the consensus of the Council that no action be taken at this time. To review the manual again after the changes discussed at this meeting are made. ITEM III: CONSENT AGENDA: NONE. ITEM IV: PUBLIC HEARINGS: NONE. ITEM V: CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: NONE. ITEM VI: EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Larry Hammett recessed the open meeting and called the Council into executive session as provided in the Open Meetings Law, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6252 -17, Section 2(f), for the purpose of discussing: Hear report from Director of Public Works Danny Johnson regarding acquisition of sewer line easements. Mayor Larry Hammett reconvened the Council into open session. Councilman Ray Reynolds moved that the City Council authorize City Attorney Joseph Chandler to draw up the necessary papers to start condemnation proceedings on the property of Richard McDonald and J. N. Locklin for a sewer line easement. Councilman Allen Horne seconded the motion. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: All members present voted aye. NOES: None Mayor Hammett called a special meeting for Monday, April 20, 1987 at 6:00 a.m. at the Holiday Inn. ITEM VII: ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business to cone before the Council, at this time, Mayor Hanmett adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m. ATTEST: it ecretary - 395 - Larry i' 1". _