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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-05-06 - Regular City CouncilA10 REGULAR SESSION - TUESDAY MAY 6, 1980 - 7:00 P.M. CHAMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY HALL, STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS The City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, met in Regular Session, Tuesday, May 6, 1980 at 7 o'clock p.m. with Mayor Joe F. Cummings present and presiding. COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Mike Leese Raymond Anderson W. M. Irwin E. W. Ferguson William G. Brede Larry Hammett Charles Riggins David Clayton OTHERS ATTENDING WERE: City Administrator Marshall Shelton Administrative Assistant Kurt Ackermann Director of Public Works R. Y. Gann Chief of Police Mike Watkins Fire Marshall Kenneth Haley Director of Parks & Recreation Ronnie Isham City Attorneys Joseph and Randy Chandler Director of Utilities Danny Johnson Street Supt. Clinton Hicks Water Supt. J. D. Chapman City Secretary Joyce Pemberton Mr. Jerry Singleton Mr. Garland Sargent Mr. Donald R. Jones Mr. Jeremy Curtoys Mr. Calvin A. McGee Mr. Rich Ellis Mayor Cummings called the meeting to order. ITEM I: APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Councilman Leese moved, seconded by Councilman Riggins, that the minutes of the meeting of April 8, 1980, be approved as written. Motion carried unanimously. ITEM II: PRESENTATION OF PLAQUES - #40 Mayor Cummings advised that he was changing the order of business slightly in order to present Plaques of Appreciation to former Mayor Donald R. Jones and former Councilman Calvin A. McGee. Both Mr. Jones and Mr. McGee were present and accepted said plaques. ITEM III: ELECTION OF MAYOR PRO TEM - #84 Mayor Cummings asked for nominations for mayor pro tem. Councilman Irwin nominated Councilman Mike Leese. Councilman Irwin moved, seconded by Councilman Riggins, that nominations cease and Councilman Leese be elected Mayor Pro Tem by acclamation. Motion carried unanimously. a1 Mayor Cummings advised that Mr. Joe B. Walker, 1101 Lingleville Rd (corner of Prairie Wind Blvd. and Lingleville Rd) would like to address the Council on the question of whether or not he could cut a 16' drive through the median on Prairie Wind Blvd. He also advised that, as this was not an agenda item, the Council could not take any action at this meeting. Mr. Joe B. Walker came before the Council to discuss and explain the action he had taken and why. Mr. Walker said he had contacted Mr. Shelton about a month ago requesting permission to cut a 16' drive through the median on Prairie Wind Blvd. at no cost to the city so that he might get into his driveway without having to drive down and around said median. He stated that, after receiving permission from Mr. Shelton, he had started work and had done some excavation work when he received a telephone call from Mr. Shelton telling him he would have to stop work on the median as he.(Mr. Shelton) had received several complaints from persons in the surrounding area. That he (Mr. Walker) would need to address the Council regarding this problem. Mr. Walker said his purpose in appearing before advise the Council that he wanted his proposal to st; like to have the drive cut through the median and he back and beautify it at no cost to the city. Should request, he would expect reimbursement for the money as he did have permission from Mr. Shelton to do the the Council was to ind. That he would would put the median the Council deny his he had already spent work he had done. Mr. Shelton said that he and Mr. Walker had been visiting about this problem for about a year or longer. He didn't think anyone would object and, as long as Mr. Walker would bear the expense, he had told him to go ahead with it. After he had received several complaints., he had called Mr. Walker to stop work. Mr. Shelton stated that the reason he gave his permission for this work to be done was because he thought it would be helpful to Mr. Walker and would not be detrimental to anyone else. Mr. Shelton said he thought most of the objections was because the people thought this drive cut through the median would make it less. attractive. Mayor Cummings asked for a legal opinion from City Attorney Joseph Chandler. Mr. Chandler advised that this median could be changed only by council action and would need to be an agenda item. That no one had the authority to give Mr. Walker permission to change said median except the City Council. Councilman Leese questioned the advisability of allowing Mr. Walker to continue the work on the median because it might set a precedent to allow any individual to change or do any work they so desired on a city street. Mayor Cummings appointed Councilmen Clayton, Ferguson, and Leese as a committee to look into this situation. He also asked Mr. Chandler to check the legal ramifications and this will be an agenda item for the June meeting. Councilman Anderson suggested that the persons objecting to this median change be notified so they might attend the next meeting and voice their reasons for objecting. STEM V: PUBLIC HEARING ON RATE INCREASE REQUEST BY TEXAS POWER Mr. Jerry Singleton, local manager for Texas Power &.Light Company, came before the Council to discuss the rate increase requested by Texas Power & Light Company. Q Mr, Singleton advised the Council that on April 29, 1980, that the Public Utility Commission had approved an increase of $83.7 million of the $124 million first requested. He..said his purpose in appearing be- fore the Council at this time was to request the City Council of the City of Stephenville to approve the rate increase as granted by the Public Utility Commission, Mr, Singleton also advised that, if the City Council does not take any action, the increased rates will go into effect on the date set by the PUC. He said it is an appeal situation. If the City Council does not approve the increase, the increased rates will still go into effect on the date set by the PUC, but under bond until it could be considered by the PUC, By law, he has to appear before the Council to request approval of the rate increase. Councilman Irwin commented that the only recourse the city has is to appeal to the PUC for a ruling and, if that proves unsatisfactory, go to a court of law. There is no reason to think that the PUC would give this city a lower rate than it has approved for all the others. After considerable discussion, Councilman Riggins reported that the committee recommends that the City Council take no action at this time. There being no other discussion, Councilman Riggins moved, seconded by Councilman Anderson, that the City Council table action on the request by Texas Power & Light for a rate increase at this time. Motion carried unanimously. ITEM VI: PROPOSED PLAN FOR HOSPITALIZATION INSURANCE - #414 City Administrator Shelton explained that this proposal is a new concept in hospitalization insurance.. He said he would like for the Mayor and Council to hear the proposal and determine if they thought it might be worth looking into further. Mr. Rich Ellis with the INA Corporation presented the proposal. Mr. Ellis explained that this concept works best for the municipalties that, over the years, have paid in more in premiums than have been paid out in claims. Mr, Ellis reviewed the proposal (of which each councilmember had a copy) and explained how this concept would work, what would be the cost to the city, how and who would administer the claims and answered questions from;,the councilmembers. Mr. Ellis did point out that had the city had this type coverage last year, the city could have saved approximately $16,500.00 as the net difference between what was paid out in premiums and what was re- ceived back in the form of claims. After considerable discussion, Mayor Cummings appointed Councilmen Irwin, Brede and Anderson as a committee to study and examine this pro - posal and make a recommendation at the next meeting. ITEM VII: BID AWARDED FOR NEW AMBULANCE - #686 Councilman Anderson asked for discussion as to why the city is purchasing a new ambulance every year. Mr. Shelton advised that it was actually set up as a 2 year item. He said that as it was an emergency vehicle it was embarassing for the vehicle to break down when enroute to Fort Worth or anywhere with a patient.i Also that it was actually endangering the patient's life, if it was an emergency run. Fire Marshall Kenneth Haley addressed the Council on the need for a new ambulance. Mtn: Shelton-advised that the county had advertised for bids and had received none. They had authorized Mr. Ackermann that they would approve the acceptance of the low bid received by the city. 33 After much discussion, Mr. Ackermann presented the following bids for the purchase of 1 1980 Van type ambulance as per specifications: 1. Summers Ambulance Co.-_-- - -------------------- $21,988.22 Duncanville, Texas w/1976 trade- in---- - - - - -- $14,488.22 1979 Van type Ambulance per specifications - - -- $20,315.88 w/1976 trade- in---- - - - - -- $12,815.88 2. Springfield Equip :Co.------------------ - - - - -- $23,914.66 Springfield, Ohio 1979 Van type ambulance---------------- - - - - -- NO BID 3. Superior Southwest --------------------------- $21,230.28 Dallas, Texas w/1976 trade- in----- - - - - -- $19,230.28 1979 Van type ambulance ------ ---------------- $18,833.28 w/1976 trade- in----- - - - - -- $16,833.28 4. Prestige Vehicles ---------------------------- $20,546.50 Arlington, Texas w/1976 trade- in----- - - - - -- $19,046.50 After more discussion, Councilman Irwin moved, seconded by Councilman Clayton, that the bid submitted by Summers Ambulance Company, Duncanville, Texas, in the amount of $14,488,22 be accepted. Motion carried unani- mously. ACCEPTANCE OF FINAL PLAT OF TANGLEWOOD ESTATES QUM'' TIT T Q T nAT Director of Public Works R. Y. Gann presented the final plat of the Tanglewood Estates Subdivision. Mr. Gann advised that the plat was acceptable with one exception, that one (1) block of Briarwood Street in the Dale Avenue North Addition is left unpaved. Mr. Gann said that he had talked with Mr. Currier and Mr. Moore and he did not believe there would be any problems with this. Mr. Gann stated that he was recommending acceptance of the final plat of the Tanglewood Estates Subdivision, but that he did want the Council to be aware of this problem. After discussion, Councilman Irwin moved, seconded by Councilman Brede, that the final plat of the Tanglewood Estates Subdivision be approved, with the understanding that the one block of Briarwood off of Dale Avenue will be paved before building permits are issued. Motion carried unanimously. ITEM IX: PAT_PATTERSON APPOINTED TO THE PLANNING &()ZONING COMMISSION - #21 Mayor Cummings advised that Mr. Ron Jones had resigned from the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Council needed to appoint someone to replace.him. The Mayor said that Mr. Pat:Patterson had been recommended to him. Mr. Patterson had been contacted and had agreed to serve. There being no other nominations, Councilman Irwin moved, seconded by Councilman Anderson, that Mr. Pat Patterson be appointed to the Planning & Zoning Commission, Place 4 which was vacated by the resignation of Mr. Ron Jones. Motion carried unanimously. ITEM X: APPOINTMENT OF BOARD OF EQUALIZATION - #237 Councilman Leese moved, seconded by Councilman Irwin, that Mrs. Lillian Crow, Mrs. Helen Martin and Mr. Jeremy Curtoys be appointed as the Board of Equalization as recommended by Robert Groves and that the first meeting be no later than May 31, 1980, at the Board's discretion. Motion carried unanimously. XI: APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE TEXAS City Administrator Shelton explained that the purpose of this agree - ment between the City and the Texas Department of Highways and Public Transportation was that the city was guaranteeing the Highway Department that there will not be any utility lines in their way when they begin work on the West Long Street Project. The Highway Department is requiring the city to deposit a $500.00 check with them which will be returned at the end of the project, if they do not:run into any utility lines. After some discussion, Councilman Ferguson moved, seconded by Councilman Riggins, that said agreement be approved. .Motion carried unanimously. XII: BID AWARDED FOR PURCHASE OF A DELUGE NOZZLE FOR THE Administrative Assistant Kurt Ackermann presented the following bids for the purchase of one (1) deluge nozzle for the Fire Department: 1. W. A. Neel Associates --------------------- $1,080.00 Waco, Texas 2. Fire Apparatus Company of Texas ----------- $1,357.00 Wichita Falls, Texas After some discussion, Councilman Hammett moved, seconded by Council- man Ferguson, that the bid for one (1) deluge nozzle submitted by W. A. Neel Associates in the amount of $1,080.00 be accepted. Motion carried unanimously. ITEM XIII: A VOTING REPRESENTATIVE APPOINTED - 1358 Mayor Cummings appointed Councilman William G. Brede as the city's voting representative to the General Assembly of the North Central Texas Council of Governments. ITEM XIV: FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT - KENNETH HALEY - #367 Fire Marshall Kenneth Haley Department. In his report Mr. H, now being built - -- -the high weed truck chassis coming in soon maintenance program and the fire defense program, gave an annual report on the Fire iley discussed the new training field and grass ordinance - -- -the new fire -- the fire department's equipment department's participation in the civil COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Shelton advised that within the next few weeks the staff will start work on the next budget,process. Mr. Shelton said that the Highway Department is getting ready to start work on the .Harbin Drive extension.. They are suppose to let bids on the Long Street Project this month. Mayor Cummings asked that the Council study their copies of the proposed changes in the Zoning Ordinance as submitted by the Planning and Zoning Commission for action to be taken at a later date. Mayor Cummings announced that a committee from the Chamber of Commerce who is studying the future water development of the city will be going to the Brazos River Authority in Waco on Wednesday, May 14th and to the Water Resources Board in Austin on Thursday, May 15th and if any of the Council would like to go to either meeting to let him know and he would make arrangements for transportation.. Mr. Shelton announced that the Council has a Public Hearing set for Thursday, May 15th at 3:00 p.m. to consider Phase 3 of.the new sewer treatment plant. and will need to have a quorum present. There being no other business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 9 :30 p.m. Mayor ATTEST: tz ty Secretary X-5