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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-12-07 - Regular City Councilraw REGULAR SESSION - TUESDAY DECEMBER 7, 1976 - 7:00 P.M. CHAMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY HALL, CITY OF STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS The City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, met in Regular Session, December 7, 1976, at 7:00 p.m., with Mayor Donald R. Jones present and presiding. Councilmembers Jim Chambers, W.M.Irwin, Calvin McGee, Raymond Anderson, Ermer Ferguson and Betty Heath were present. Councilmen Charles Riggins and Larry Hammett,were absent. Others attending the meeting were City Administrator Marshall Shelton, Director of Public Works R.Y.Gann, Assistant City Attorney Randy Chandler, Director of Utilities Danny Johnson, Water & Sewer Supervisor J.D.Chapman, Accountant Betty Chew, Director of Parks & Recreation Ronnie Isham, Tax Assessor - Collector Robert Groves, City Secretary Joyce Pemberton, Paul Lansford, David Cheatham, Mr. & Mrs. G.B.Strother, Russell Wallace, and Bill Bledsoe. Mayor Jones called the meeting to order and the Reverend Jim Shipman gave the invocation. Councilman Chambers moved that the minutes of Council Meetings of November lst,Special Session, November 1st Regular Session, November 10th Special Session, November 23rd Special Session be approved as written, Councilman Irwin made the second. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. G.B.Strother, Dublin Highway, Stephenville, Texas, came before the Council requesting city water and sewer be extended to their home as it was annexed into the city by Council action. Mr. Strother stated he did not like to pay $25.60 in city taxes without receiving any city services. Mayor Jones explained it was city policy for the property owner to bear the expense of extending water and sewer lines to the property from the nearest city water main. No Council action was taken. Mr. Russell Wallace, representing his mother, Mrs. J.A.Wallace, 1426 Lingle - ville Road, Stephenville, Texas, came before the Council requesting reimbursement for damages received when city sewer backed up in her house. Assistant City Attorney Chandler advised the Council that the City was not liable for the damages, therefore, if the Council reimbursed Mrs. Wallace. it would be a misappropriation of public funds. No Council action was taken. Mr. Paul Lansford of the accounting firm of Cheatham and Lansford came before the Council and presented an overall report of the annual audit. In his report, Mr. Lansford listed several accounting procedures that needed to be corrected. After considerable discussion, Councilman Irwin moved that the audit report be approved and adopted as presented and that Mr. Shelton take the necessary steps to correct the accounting procedures listed. Councilman Chambers made the second. Motion carried unanimously. Director of Parks & Recreation Ronnie Isham came before the Council requesting authority to invite bids for picnic tables, grills, trash receptacles, benches, land- scaping and playground equipment. Mr. Isham explained that this would complete the 5 year Park Improvement Program, with the exception of some roads. Mr. Isham also explained that these were budgeted items and that 6 picnic tables were to go to the Jaycee Park. After discussion, Councilman Chambers moved to authorize the invitation of bids for picnic tables, grills, trash receptacles, benches, landscaping and playground equipment to be placed in the City Park and the Jaycee Park. Councilwoman Heath made the second. Motion carried unanimously. Tax Assessor - Collector Robert Groves came before the Council presenting a report on the Tax Department. In his report, Mr. Groves explained the need for a reappraisal of all property within the city limits and suggested a 4 year program in which one fourth of the city be reappraised per year. Mr. Groves also reported there was not a set procedure for the collection of delinquent taxes. He also explained the need for a new tax map. After considerable..discussion, the Council directed Mr. Groves to consult with City Attorney Chandler on setting a procedure for the collection of delinquent taxes and to file suit when necessary; to work with the ISD in the reappraisal of the 0 operty within the city limits; and to meet with the ISD and County to nsider a new tax map. Councilman Irwin, Chairman of the Garbage Franchise Committee, reported at after two meetings, one with Mr. Bledsoe and one without him, that the mmittee recommends the City offer the Franchise for bids and if the bids re sufficient to give the City enough income to cover the expenses incurred the operation of the,Sanitary Landfill os a portion thereof, then to accept • bid. If the City could operate the garbage collection at less cost, reject • bids and take over the entire garbage operation and that the Committee had ked Mr. Shelton to prepare some figures and specifications for taking bids. Mr. Bledsoe came before the Council and stated he would like to know as soon possible what the City intends to do so that he will know what he can do nancially on updating and expanding his business and equipment. After considerable discussion, Councilman Irwin suggested the Council let Shelton consult with Mr. Bledsoe and be working on some kind of solution d writing some specifications for taking bids. Mayor Jones advised the Council that a 100% funding Community Development ock Grant might be available for the Bosque River Project under the Parks d Recreation participation. After some discussion, Councilman Anderson moved to proceed with the application .d to set December 17, 1976, for a Public Hearing to inform the public of eligible tivities and funding ranges. Councilwoman Heath made the second. Motion .rried unanimously. Mrs. Steve Curtis was not present to make the presentation concerning a high .ter bill received October 1st. No Council action was taken. Mayor Jones advised the Council that a Resolution, providing the City will -ovide 20% of second year funding for operating expenses of the I.D. and Records Lit of the Police Dept.. Mr. Shelton said this would be approximately $1,400. Lis is a 100% funding grant for the first year and decreasing thereafter. After some discussion, Councilman McGee moved to approve and adopt the tsolution as read. Councilwoman Heath made the second. Motion carried by to following vote: AYES: Councilmen Jim Chambers, Calvin McGee, Raymond Anderson and Council- woman Heath. NAYS: Councilmen W.M.Irwin and Ermer Ferguson. ABSENT:Councilmen Charles Riggins and Larry Hammett. RESOLUTION RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE CITY COUNCIL OF STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS, TO PROVIDE FOR LEAST TWENTY PERCENT (20 %) OF SECOND YEAR FUNDING FOR OPERATING EXPENSES OF E I.D. AND RECORDS UNIT IF SUCH FUNDING IS REQUESTED FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, IMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION, FOR GRANT CONTINUATIONS. IF CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION NDS ARE NOT BUDGETED FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR'S OPERATING EXPENSE OF THIS PROJECT E CITY COUNCIL OF STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS, SHALL PROVIDE TO CONTINUE THE PROJECT TH ONE- HUNDRED PERCENT LOCAL FUNDING, ASSUMING THAT THIS PROJECT PROVES SUCCESSFUL D THERE IS A NEED FOR THE PROJECT TO CONTINUE. Councilman Ferguson advised the Council that, due to changing of shifts, e police officers were having to lead funerals when, actually, they were duty. The Council discussed this briefly but no action was taken. Councilwoman Heath had distributed memos to the Mayor and Council concerning Advisory Committee to work with Chief of Police Mike Watkins and the Juvenile After some discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that it would be appropriate for them to appoint a committee without first consulting with f Watkins. Mayor Jones suggested that Councilwoman Heath consult with Chief Watkins the Chief could appoint a committee without council action, but if the Chief not want a committee, it could be brought back to the Council for consideration. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned 10:45 p.m. ST: May