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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-10-10 - Regular City CouncilMINUTES OF REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING City of Stephenville - City Council Tuesday, October 10, 2017, 5:30 P.M. The City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, convened on October 10, 2017, at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 298 West Washington Street, for the purpose of a Regular Business Meeting, with the meeting being open to the public and notice of said meeting, giving the date, time, place and subject thereof, having been posted as prescribed by Chapter 551, Government Code, Vernon's Texas Codes Annotated, with the following members present, to wit: Mayor Jerry K. Weldon II Mayor Pro-Tem Doug Svien Council members Carla Trussell Mark McClinton Brady Pendleton Rhett Harrison Alan Nix Sherry Zachery Jerry Warren Others Attending Allen L. Barnes, City Administrator Randy Thomas, City Attorney Staci L. King, City Secretary Call to Order II. Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag Pledge of Allegiance to the Texas Flag —"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible." III. Invocation by Pastor Shannon Grubbs, First Christian Church IV. Citizens' General Discussion Gene Sherwin, 2520 FM 914, Stephenville, came forward to address an issue he has regarding a water line that is located under his home. Mr. Sherwin stated that he was not aware of the pipeline when the property was purchased and his was house built. He stated that the pipeline is very close to his house and, to date, no work has been done on the pipeline, but that in the event that work needs to be done, the city will be unable to access the line because there is no easement for the line. Mr. Sherwin stated that he wanted the easement in place to protect himself in the event that the line needs to be worked on. Mr. Sherwin hired attorney Bill Oxford in April 2017 to draw up an agreement between himself and the city, but he has not been satisfied with the city's response. Mayor Weldon asked Mr. Sherwin for a copy of the agreement Mr. Oxford had prepared. Councilmember Warren asked Mr. Sherwin if he had a survey completed prior to purchasing the property and building his house and he stated that he did not. Cindy Stafford, 2969 FM 914, Stephenville, came forward to address the council on behalf of retirees of the City of Stephenville. Mrs. Stafford voiced her displeasure with the removal of the cost of living adjustment in the city's retirement plan. She wondered if the retirees that E would be affected had been consulted or notified that this decision was being made. She stated that fewer than 39 percent of cities completely opted out of the cost of living adjustment with the Texas Municipal Retirement System. Ms. Stafford said that instead of opting to reduce the adjustment, the council chose to "amputate' the benefit in the interest of cutting the tax rate. She said that while she has always respected the council's right to do so, she could not understand the motivation behind the decision. Dr. Kyle McGregor, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Tarleton State University, came forward to inform the council that, as part of the university's Centennial Celebration, the Texas A&M Board of Regents meeting would be held in Stephenville October 18-20, 2017. He thanked the city of Stephenville for their current partnership and support, and for their past support which enabled Tarleton State University to become one of the founding universities of the Texas A&M System. The council and community were invited to the dedication of Rudder Way taking place on October 19. V. PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION A. Public Hearing: Case No. RZ2017-003 a. Applicant, James Randall Thompson, is requesting a Rezone of the property located at 203 Morgan Mill Rd., being Lot(s) 18, and 19A (PTS OF), Block 13, of the S5900 Sims Addition to the City of Stephenville, Erath County, Texas, from R-1 (Single - Family Residential District), to B-2 (Retail and Commercial Business District). Mayor Weldon opened the public hearing. No one came forward to speak in favor of, or opposition to, the rezone. b. Consider Adoption of Ordinance No. 2017-0-14 rezoning from R-2 (Single -Family Residential District) to B-2 (Retail and Commercial Business District) Lot(s) 18, and 19A (PTS OF), Block 13, of the 55900 Sims Addition to the City of Stephenville, Erath County, Texas, located at 203 Morgan Mill Road. MOTION by Brady Pendleton, SECOND by Sherry Zachery, to approve Ordinance No. 2017-0-14. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. B. Public Hearing: Case No. RZ2017-004 a. Applicant, Fernando Soto, is requesting a Rezone of the property located at 645 N. McCart, being Lot 3-N, Block 10, of the Shapard & Collins Addition to the City of Stephenville, Erath County, Texas, from I (Industrial District), to R-3 (Multiple - Family Residential District). Mayor Weldon opened the public hearing. No one came forward to speak in favor of, or opposition to, the rezone. b. Consider Adoption of Ordinance No. 2017-0-15 rezoning from I (Industrial District) to R-3 (Multiple -Family Residential District) Lot 3-N, Block 10 of the Shapard & Collins Addition of the City of Stephenville, Erath County, Texas located at 645 N. McCart. MOTION by Mark McClinton, SECOND by Carla Trussell, to approve Ordinance No. 2017-0-15. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. C. Public Hearing: Case No. RZ2017-005 a. Applicant, Beau Mayo, is requesting a Rezone of the property including 1381 South Hwy 108, 2491 South Hwy 108,1000,1010,1062,1146, and 1198 Old Hico Rd., being approximately a 5.56 acres tract of land out of the John B. Dupuy Survey A-0196, City of Stephenville, Erath County, Texas, from B-2 (Retail and Commercial Business District), to R-3 (Multiple -Family Residential District). Mayor Weldon opened the public hearing. Beau Mayo, 2699 CR 223, Stephenville, applicant, stated that the development on the Old Hico Road frontage would remain residential and would not be used for commercial development. Questions were raised about the ability of the infrastructure to handle additional traffic. Mr. Barnes informed council that he and Gene Calvert, City Engineer, had visited the property and Mr. Calvert felt confident that the road was sufficient for the proposed use. Councilmember McClinton stated that this case was a prime example of the fact that the city needed to update its future land use maps. b. Consider Adopting Ordinance No. 2017-0-XX rezoning from B-2 (Retail and Commercial Business District), to R-3 (Multiple -Family Residential District) approximately a 5.56 acres tract of land out of the John B. Dupuy Survey A-0196, City of Stephenville, Erath County, Texas, located at 1381 South Hwy 108, 1491 South Hwy 108, 1000, 1010, 1062, 1246, and 1198 Old Hico Rd MOTION by Brady Pendleton, SECOND by Sherry Zachery, to approve Ordinance No. 2017-0-16. MOTION CARRIED, Mark McClinton being the opposing vote. VI. Discuss Resolution for Employee Performance Measures Mr. Barnes stated that this was put on the agenda in order to get the council to begin to think about the establishment of performance measures for city employees. The council will hold a work session in January to discuss this issue further. VII. Tourism Committee Report —Sherry Zachery, Chairperson Councilmembers Zachery, Svien, and Trussell have met with the city administrator in order to begin working on performance measures for the use of the Hotel Occupancy Tax funds. A work shop is being scheduled with the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association to help the council better understand the uses of Hotel Occupancy Tax funds. Vill. Stephenville Type B Economic Development Authority Update— Dr. John Hubbard, Executive Director Dr. Hubbard gave updates projects that are in progress — many are almost completed and Stephenville is a finalist for two new manufacturing sites. He shared an image from Retail Coach that shows cell phone activity during special events to see how activity increases. He said that data is available for two years so he is able to go back to any special event in Stephenville to see how tourism activity increases with that event. IX. Public Works Update— Nick Williams, P.E., Public Works Director Mr. Barnes presented an update on the Asset Management Plan, the 2018 pavement management projects, and East Side Sewer. Councilmember Rhett Harrison asked that Gene Calvert, City Engineer, give updates to council on a quarterly basis. X. MONTHLY BUDGET REPORT —Monica Harris, Finance Director Mrs. Harris gave the following report: Property Tax: We received $8K in property taxes in the month of August, resulting in a $61K increase over funds collected through August 31st of last year. Erath County usually collects 99.85%of the City's property taxes by August 31st. The $5.28 million collected through August 31st reflects 98.75% of the total amount budgeted for property taxes this fiscal year, a little over 1% below the 99.5% norm. Sales Tax: We received $496K in sales tax in August, resulting in $143K over the target budget through August 31st. Projections indicate that we should receive about the same amount as last year. Revenue (Budgetary comparison): The 92% target budget for operating revenue is $22.3 million. We received $22.33 million in operating revenue, resulting in a $32K overage that is reflected in taxes and service charges. Expenditures (Budgetary comparison): The 92% target budget for operating expenditures is $17.5 million. We expended $16.4 million, resulting in $1.1 million under budget. Revenue (Prior year comparison): Operating revenue received last year was $22 million as compared to the current years $22.33 million, resulting in $345K increase due to property taxes, intergovernmental grants, and other income. Expenditures (Prior year comparison): Operating expenditures last year were $16 million as compared to the current year's $16.4 million, resulting in $400K increase. In the General Fund, the $130K increase was caused by prior year personnel vacancies and additions to personnel this year. And in the Special Revenue Fund, the $279K increase was due to the creation of n SEDA and the purchase of a signalized cross walk and electronic ticket writers. +j New Programs: We have spent $848K of the $886K budgeted for street improvements as of August 31st. We are on track to spend the entire amount. XI. CONSENTAGENDA MOTION by Brady Pendleton, SECOND by Mark McClinton, to approve the Consent Agenda. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. a. Approval of Council Minutes 1. Regular City Council Meeting— September 5, 2017 2. Special City Council Meeting— September 12, 2017 3. Special City Council Meeting— September 21, 2017 b. Approve Sale of City Vehicles c. Approve Lease/Purchase of Five (5) Vehicles XII. Comments by City Administrator • TAAF Gold Member City Recognition • Bygone Days on the Bosque & Sundown on the Square — Saturday, October 14 • Electronics Recycling Event - Saturday, October 21 • Tarleton State University Homecoming week — Sunday, October 22 through Saturday, October28th • Finance Committee, Public Works Committee, and Hotel/Motel Tax Workshop — Thursday, October 26 • Safe Trick'R Treat on the Square — Tuesday, October 31 f • Regular City Council Meeting —Tuesday, November 7 • Applications for Boards & Commissions due by Thursday, November 9 • Nominations Committee Meeting —Tuesday, November 14 XIII. Comments by Council members Councilmember McClinton wanted remind everyone that By -gone Days on the Bosque and Sundown on the Square were taking place on Saturday, and congratulate the Downtown Farmer's Market on their successful and growing event. Councilmember Trussell reiterated that By -gone Days was all day on Saturday, with Sundown on the Square taking place in the evening. Councilmember Nix wanted to note that all those present stood for the pledges of allegiance and showed respect for the flag. Councilmember Warren stated that he was sad to hear what Cindy had to say, but if there was anything anyone could do to make her happy, that would be good. Mayor Weldon asked that Mr. Barnes and Ms. Harris see what could be done regarding the cost of living adjustment for retirees. The application for the downtown historic district designation has made it through the application review, which is the most difficult step of the process. XIV. EXECUTIVE SESSION. In compliance with the provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Law, Subchapter D, Government Code, Vernon's Texas Codes, Annotated, in accordance with Section 551.087 - Deliberations Regarding Economic Development Negotiations — Project Blue Executive session was cancelled — staff did not have any new information to present to council. XV. Action taken in executive session (if necessary) No action taken. XVI. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 7:00. C• Jer K. We don, Mayor ATTEST: lam' Staci Kin , City Secrets