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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-10-05 - Regular City CouncilMIM REGULAR SESSION - TUESDAY OCTOBER 5, 1976 - 7:00 P.M. CHAMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY HALL, CITY OF STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS The City Council met in Regular Session Tuesday, October 5, 1976, at 7 o'clock p.m. with Mayor Donald R. Jones present and presiding. Councilmembers Jim Chambers, W.M. Irwin, Charles Riggins, Raymond Anderson, Ermer Ferguson, Larry Hammett, and Betty Heath were present. Councilman Calvin McGee was absent. Oters attending the meeting were City Administrator Marshall Shelton, City Attorney Joseph Chandler, Assistant City Attorney Randy Chandler, Director of Public Works R.Y.Gann, Director of Utilities Danny Johnson, Administrative Assistant Kurt Ackermann, Accountant Betty Chew, Chief of Police Mike Watkins, Street Supt Clinton Hicks, Fire Marshall Kenneth Haley, J. D. Chapman, City Secretary Joyce Pemberton, Fred B.Parker Junior Ward and Reverend Jim Hall. Reverend Jim Hall of the Riverside Baptist Church gave the invocation. Councilman Irwin made the motion to approve the minutes of the meetings of August 3rd, August 20th, August 31st and September 7th as written. Councilman Chambers made the second. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Junior Ward and Mr. Fred B. Parker,Jr. came before the Council to give a progress report of the repairs and corrections on the new fire station. Mr. Ward explained that Mr. Parker had made a list of the items needing correcting that were on the plan- ed specs and those that were not on the planned specs. Mr. Ward stated that most of the items listed on the planned specs list had been corrected. Mayor Jones read a letter from Fred B. Parker, Jr., Architect, dated October 5th, 1976, stating that.his inspection of Fire Station #2 indicates all of the items on the punch list dated September 14, 1976, had been corrected and he recommended the City accept the structure. After considerable discussion of several items, such as the carpet, the windows, the tile in the truck room, the concrete floor in the truck room, the doors, etc., Council- man Irwin moved not to accept the building as it is. Councilwoman Heath made the second. Councilman Chambers asked the members objecting to the acceptance of the building to state their reasons. Councilwoman Heath explained she would not accept the building without an on -sight inspection and would like a thorough assessment of the City's legal position, as she does not believe the building meets the specifications. Councilman Irwin stated he would not accept it if it were his own and he would not want to pay the citizen's money for it and he could not go along with the quality of the workmanship. Councilman Chambers stated he agreed with councilmembers Irwin and Heath, but his con- cern was, if the architect certified it had been built according to specifications and is completed to his inspection, what the City's legal position would be if the City rejected it. i City Attorney Chandler explained that the City's position would be, "if the building is substantially according to plans and specifications, there might be some adjust- ments to be made before final payment, but if the architect gives his certificate, he is our agent; he is the man the City employed to supervise the work after he had made the plans for the work and the City is very, very dependent upon him." Fire Marshall Kenneth Haley came before the Council stating several items that were not up to specifications, such as, the floor in the truck room, the carpet, the tile in the truck room, the weather - striping, the doors and cleaning of the outside brick. Councilman Chambers stated he would like another opprotunity to look at the station again this week and see what can be worked out this week. Councilman Riggins agreed. After more discussion, Councilwoman Heath made a substitute motion that after consult- ing with out legal counsel and our experts, make an on -sight inspection of Fire Station #2, then consider acceptance or rejection at a later date. Councilman Riggins made the second. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Parker asked the Council to look at the options before making.a decision. Mr. Jack Heath, Mrs. Kay Walton, Mrs. Almabel Dunn, Mark Long, Dr. Mary Sue Staig, Mrs. Connie Birdsong and Mr. W. P. Showalter came before the Council speaking against the recent resurfacing of the brick on Frey Street. The reasons being the preservation of the historical value of the brick streets, the lower maintenance cost of brick streets and traffic moving faster on the asphalt streets. Councilwoman Heath read her own statement in behalf of keeping the brick streets and made the motion that the City Council assume the sole responsibility and be the de- ciding agent in the further over - paving of any of the remaining brick streets in Step- henville. Councilman Ferguson made the second. Motion carried unanimously. I M Mayor Jones opened the floor for a Public Hearing to consider the zoning of the recently annexed property, as illustrated by the zoning map presented by the City Zoning Board and Homer Hunter and Associates. There being no comment from the floor, Mayor Jones asked for discussion from the Council. Councilwoman Heath mentioned the Lockhart Property being zoned R -1 and the surround- ing area being rezoned to B -1, B -2 and INDUSTRIAL. After some discussion, Councilman Irwin moved to approve the zoning changes as re- commended by the City Planning Commission and the City Zoning Board and as shown on the zoning map. Councilman Chambers made the second. Motion carried unanimously. Judge L.L.(Blackie) Martin came before the Council in behalf of the Downtown Merchants regarding the city owned parking lot behind the Senior Citizens Center and the one adjacent to City Hall. Judge Martin said it was his and the Downtown Merchants' opinion that to charge for parking on said lots would hurt the downtown area, as the merchants will move from the downtown area and shoppers will go where they will have free park- ing. Councilman Chambers stated he felt the taxpayers should have some return on their money spent on the parking lots. Also that it was not the City's responsibility to make parking available for the employees of the Downtown Merchants, but maybe the County and the merchants would like to participate in providing parking for the shoppers or the employees. Judge Martin said the County could not participate as they did not have the money. Jess Elliott, manager of the Ridg -T Manufacturing Company, came before the Council stating that it was his opinion these lots should be used for the employees of the retail businesses and small industries in this area and the County and Government offices... Mr. Elliott also stated these parking lots should be free, not to bring shoppers to the downtown area, but to give the employees that are making money and creating industry in downtown Stephenville, a free place to park. Mayor Jones explained the parking problem was twofold (1) a question of recouping an investment with a rate of return on tax dollars spent and (2) the proper use of tax money in the first place. Is it the taxpayers' obligation, in general, to provide parking for businesses? After more discussion, Councilman Anderson moved to delay prior Council action on the permit parking at this time. Councilman Riggins made the second. Motion carried by a vote of 6 for and 1 abstained. Councilman Chambers abstained. Chamber of Commerce Manager Gerald Cook came before the Council and gave a Convention and Tourism Financial Report on funds derived from the Hotel -Motel Occupancy Tax. In his report, Mr. Cook stated there had been a total of 158 events held in Stephen- ville which brought a total of 39,893 visitors to the City. Mr. Cook estimated each visitor will spend $10 to $20 per day while visiting in the city. Mayor Jones commended Mr. Cook and his Committee for a job well done. After some discussion, Councilman Irwin moved that the City not offer the two acres next to the Presbyterian Church for sale. Councilman Hammett made the second. Motion carried unanimously. Administrative Assistant Kurt Ackermann came before the Council with a presentation for the purchase of Gestetner Duplicating Machine and Scanner. Mr. Ackermann quoted prices of $1615.50 for the duplicating machine and $1187.50 for the scanner and stated he and Mr. Shelton believed the machines would pay for themselves in a year's time, as the City would be able to print approximately 78% of their own forms. After some discussion, Councilman Chambers made the motion to authorize the purchase of a- gestetner Duplicating Machine and Scanner with the terms of financing to be made by Mr. Shelton. Councilman Irwin made the second. Motion carried unanimsouly. Mayor Jones explained that a hole had developed in the pipe on well #2 in the old water well field on the Alexander Road and Mr. Gann requested authorization of possible ex- penditures to put the well back in operation. After some discussion, Councilman Anderson made the motion to authorize expenditures up to $7000, if needed , to put the water well back into operation.. Councilman Irwin made the second. Motion carried unanimously. Chief of Police Mike Watkins came before the Council requesting the passage and adoption of three Resolutions for the purpose of filing the applications for a decreasing fed- eral grant for the purpose of establishing the position of Juvenile Officer within the Stephenville Police Department, establishing an I.D.& Records Unit within the Step- henville Police Department and establishing a Drug Education Program within the Steph- enville Police Department. i I H1 Chief Watkins explained this grant would be 100% the first year and decreasing 25% each year thereafter. Mayor Jones read the Resolutions. After some discussion, Councilman Anderson moved to pass and adopt the three Resolutions as read. Councilman Riggins made the second. Motion carried unanimously. RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE CITY COUNCIL OF STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS, TO AUTHORIZE MARSHALL L. SHELTON, CITY ADMINISTRATOR, TO SUBMIT TO THE TEXAS CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION, A GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING A DRUG EDUCATION PROGRAM WITHIN THE STEPHENVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT. WHEREAS, IT IS THE OPINION OF THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF STEPHENVILLE WILL BE SERVED BY THIS PROJECT IT PLEDGES ITS FULL SUPPORT TO THE IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATION OF A DRUG EDUCATION PROGRAM. RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE CITY COUNCIL OF STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS, TO AUTHORIZE MARSHALL L. SHELTON CITY ADMINISTRATOR, TO SUBMIT TO THE TEXAS CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION, A GRANT APPLI- CATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING AN I.D.& RECORDS UNIT WITHIN THE STEPHENVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT. WHEREAS, IT IS THE OPINION OF THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF STEPHENVILLE WILL BE SERVED BY THIS PROJECT IT PLEDGES ITS FULL SUPPORT TO THE IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATION OF AN I.D. & RECORDS UNIT. RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE CITY COUNCIL OF STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS, TO AUTHORIZE MARSHALL L. SHELTON, CITY ADMINISTRATOR, TO SUBMIT TO THE TEXAS CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION A GRANT APPLI- CATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING THE POSITION OF JUVENILE OFFICER WITHIN THE STEPHENVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT. WHEREAS, IT THE OPINION OF THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF STEPHENVILLE WILL BE SERVED BY THIS PROJECT IT PLEDGES ITS FULL SUPPORT TO THE IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATION OF THE POSITION OF JUVENILE OFFICER. The Rate Ordinance for Lone Star Gas was tabled at this time as the ordinance had not been received from Lone Star Gas. The Council went into Executive Session at 9:30 p.m. i The Council was back in open session at 9:55 p.m. I Mrs. Beverly Pack, 805 S. Graham St., came before the Council again requesting the City to put her house on the City's sanitary sewer system or help her get her septic tank fixed so that it will handle their sewage. Mayor Jones explained to Mrs. Pack that since the meeting of September 7th, at which time she came before the Council requesting to be put on the city's sanitary sewer system, the problem had been thoroughly checked. The committee appointed to investigate this problem had reported there was no way to put this house on the city sanitary sewer system except by installing a lift station at an approximate cost of $25,000 to $30,000. The State Health Department and the Texas Water Quality Board, when con- tacted on this date, had advised the City has no legal obligation in this regard and there is no way the City can justify this large expenditure for one or two individuals when there is no legal obligation on the city's part. Mayor Jones explained that in the recent city wide "clean -up" campaign, the members of the Gamma Sigma Sigma, Alpha Phi Omega and D.S.T. organizations at Tarleton State University had spent a full day cleaning weeds and trash from alleys near the square and he thought it would be appropiate to pass a Resolution thanking the three organiza- tions for their help and support in this "clean -up" campaign. Councilwoman Heath moved to pass and adopt said Resolutions. Councilman Irwin made the second. Motion carried unanimously. RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION WHEREAS, THE CITY OF STPEHENVILLE HAS RECENTLY BEEN INVOLVED IN A "CLEAN -UP" CAM - PAIGN TO IMPROVE THE APPEARANCE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND PROMOTE THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF ITS CITIZENS; AND WHEREAS, THE MEMBERS OF THE GAMMA SIGMA SIGMA, ALPHA PHI OMEGA, AND D.S.T. ORGANI- ZATIONS AT TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY, IN COOPERATION WITH THIS EFFORT, SPENT A FULL DAY CLEANING WEEDS AND TRASH FROM ALLEYS NEAR THE SQUARE; AND WHEREAS, IT IS THE UNANIMOUSL CONSENSUS OF THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THE ACTIVE SUP- PORT AND UNSELFISH ACTIONS OF THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD NOT GO UNRECOGNIZED; G2 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS, THAT THE EFFORTS OF GAMMA SIGMA SIGMA, ALPHA PHI OMEGA AND D.S.T. AND THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBER- SHIP OF EACH SAID ORGANIZATION, BE OFFICIALLY AND PUBLICLY RECOGNIZED, AND THE CITY COUNCIL HEREBY EXPRESSES ITS APPRECIATION TO SAID ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE CLEAN UP PROGRAM ON BEHALF OF THIS COMMUNITY. Mayor Jones announced the Texas Municipal League Convention in Dallas November 14 -16 and urged as many of the members of the Council to attend as possible. After some discussion, Councilman Irwin moved that the Council go on record as re- questing Texas Power & Light Company furnish the City electric service to the new water well field. Councilman Chambers made the second. Motion carried unanimously. There being no other business, Mayor Jones adjourned the meeting at 10:15 p.m. favor �ST: i '.City Secretn __ ___