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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-12-05 - Regular City Council, REGULAR SESSION - TUESDAY DECEMBER 5, 1978 -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 Tuesday, December 5, 1978 at 7:00 p.m. with Mayor Donald R. Jones present and presiding. Councilmembers Calvin A. McGee, Charles Riggins, E. W. Ferguson, Larry Hammett, and Linda Chew were present. Councilmen Mike Leese, W. M. Irwin and Raymond Anderson were absent. Others attending the meeting were Administrative Assistant Kurt Ackermann, Director of Public Works R. Y. Gann, Chief of Police Mike Watkins, Director of Utilities Danny Johnson, Assistant City Attorney Randy Chandler, Fire Marshall Kenneth Haley, Building Inspector Hardy Lockhart, Mr. Paul Lansford, Mr. David Cheatham, Mr. Cecil Davis, Mr. Guy Lackey, Mr. Dean Cox, Mr. Gerald Cook, City Secretary Joyce Pemberton, and members of the press. Mayor Jones called the meeting to order and asked the members of the council to read their copies of the minutes of the previous meeting. ITEM 1: APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Councilman Ferguson moved, seconded by Councilwoman Chew, that the minutes of the meeting of November 14, 1978, be approved as written. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers McGee, Riggins, Ferguson, Hammett, and Chew. NOES: None ABSENT: Councilmen Leese, Irwin, and Anderson. ITEM 2: AUDIT REPORT BY PAUL LANSFORD: Mr. Paul Lansford with the accounting firm of Cheatham and Lansford presented the audit report for -the fiscal year October 1, 1977 to Sep - tember 30, 1978. In his report, Mr. Lansford quoted their opinion statement on page 1 as follows: "In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly the financial position of the various funds and groups of accounts of the City of Stephenville at September 30, 1978, and the results of oper- ations of the various funds for the year then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a basis consistent with that of the preceding year ". Mayor Jones asked if all deficiencies in last year's audit had been corrected. Mr. Lansford stated that, basically, they had been. Mr. Lansford discussed with the Council the firm's letter to management in which they had the following comments related to improving and maintaining the controls and procedures: 1. The Park Imprest Fund should have more complete records. 2. The use of the signature stamps should be controlled. 3. Approved purchase orders not always obtained. 4. The accounting for fixed assets still incomplete. 5. Payroll withholding deficiencies noted. After discussion, Councilman Riggins moved, seconded by Councilman McGee, that the audit report be accepted as presented, that the re- commendations of the auditors be adopted, and that the City Administrator and his staff invoke compliance with the recommendations and that a compliance or progress report be presented at a future meeting. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers McGee, Riggins, Fersuson, Hammett, and Chew. NOES: None ABSENT: Councilmen Lesse, Irwin, and Anderson. ITEM 3: REQUEST OF NATIONAL GUARD RELATIVE TO PAYMENT•OF RENT FOR Mayor Jones reminded the Council that at the November meeting, it was announced that the National Guard was requesting payment of rent on the building in which the Civil Defense supplies and some old parking meters, etc. were stored. No action was taken as this was a non agenda item. 2S 7 Administrative Assistant Kurt Ackermann explained that if the Council decided they would pay rent on the storage space at the National Guard Armory, that probably $10.00 to $15.00 per month would be sufficient, $25.00 at the most. Mr. Ackermann said the City Administrator felt that $10.00 or $15.00 per month was a reasonable charge for the storage space. Councilman Ferguson advised that the National Guard had a contract with the city regarding this storage space for the Civil Defense supplies, but he did not know if the contract provided for rental monies. Mayor Jones said he hated to agree to pay rent if the city has a contract for non - payment of rent. He suggested that the City Administrator check to see if there is a contract and, if so, what the nature and con- tent of said contract is. Also he would like an idea of what -- -the city has stored there and what needs to be stored and what can be thrown away and, if there is a sufficient amount that needs to be stored, the Council will then determine if they want to rent this space and at what price. ITEM 4: ZONING COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS: Mr. Dean Cox, Chairman of the Zoning Commission, presented the following recommendations: 1. That Lot 1, Block 150, City Addition, and Lot 5B, Block 33, South Side Addition, be rezoned from B -1 to B -2. 2. That Mrs. J. C. Braune be issued a "Special Use Permit" for the purpose of locating a retail.outlet for educational aids and supplies and a private educational learning center. Said property being located at 1400 N. McCart Street. 3. That all of Lots 1,2,and 3, Block 85, City Addition be rezoned from B -1 to B -2 for the purpose of locating mobile homes in this area. Said property being located on Clark Lane which runs beside the American Legion Hall off E. Washington Street. Mr. Cox advised the Council that he and Mr. Lockhart had looked at the Clark Lane property and there are 7 houses and 7 mobile homes that have been moved in without any permits being issued and part of them are in the flood zone. Mayor Jones explained that all the Council can do at this time is to set a date for a public hearing on these recommended changes. Councilman McGee asked what can /or could be done about the houses and mobile homes on Clark Lane that do not have permits? In answer to his question, Mayor Jones said that, regardless of the zoning, the administration would have to look into this as it is certainly a violation of some of the city ordinances. Mayor Jones read from Chapter 12, Section 4, Page 682, of the Code of Ordinances regarding the Mobile Home Ordinance which relates to the tie -in on water meters, sewers, etc. and there is no question that these people are not in compliance with the _ city regulations. The Mayor directed that Mr. Shelton, Mr. Gann, and Mr. Lockhart find out what the situation is and, if there are violations, they need to be stopped, regardless of what is done with the zoning recommendations. Councilman McGee moved, seconded by Councilwoman Chew, that a public hearing be set for January 9, 1979 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers for the purpose of council consideration of the above zoning recommendations. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers McGee, Riggins, Ferguson, Hammett, and Chew.. NOES: None ABSENT: Councilmen Leese, Irwin, and Anderson. Councilwoman Chew moved, seconded by Councilman McGee, that the January 1979, regular council meeting be moved to the second Tuesday of the month which would be January 9, 1979, rther than the first Tuesday of the month. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers McGee, Riggins, Ferguson, Hammett, and Chew NOES: None ABSENT: Councilmen Leese, Irwin, and Anderson. t ITEM 5: CONSIDERATION OF PURCHASE OF BUILDING FOR USE AT AIRPORT Mayor Jones explained that the Stephenville Savings & Loan had notified him that they had a building available that could be used as an,.airport terminal, if the city was interested in purchasing it. He said they had stated a specific amount and had raised the general range they thought they would need from the amount quoted in the first contact. The Mayor said he did not like to vote to purchase the building without knowing exactly what the cost would be. Councilman McGee stated that he did not think the building would stand up to being moved. After some discussion, Councilman Riggins moved, seconded by Council- man Ferguson, to table this item for the time being. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers McGee, Riggins, Ferguson, Hammett, and Chew. NOES: None ABSENT: Councilmen Leese, Irwin, and Anderson. ITEM 6: BID AWARDED FOR STATION WAGON FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT: The Council considered the following bids for the purchase of a new 1979 station wagon for the Fire Department: 1. Pollan -Blue Ford Co. - 1 1979 LTD ------------------- $6,490.80 with trade-in ---------------- $5,990.88 2. Bruner Chevrolet Co. - 1 1979 Chev.----------- - - - - -- $6,490.00 with trade-in ---------------- $5,880.00 3. Castevens Oldsmobile Co. - 1 1979 Olds -------------- $6,875.00 with trade-in ------------ $6,475.00 4. Harbin Buick - Pontiac - 1 1979 Pont .----------- - - - - -- $6,543.00 with trade-in ---------------- $6,043.00 Fire Marshall Haley recommended taking the low bid. After some discussion, Councilman McGee moved, seconded by Council- man Hammett, that the city accept the low bid of $5,880.00 with trade - in of the old 1971 Ford station wagon submitted by Bruner Chevrolet Co. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers McGee, Riggins, Ferguson, Hammett, and Chew NOES: None ABSENT: Councilmen Leese, Irwin, and Anderson. ITEM 7: ADOPTION OF POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICIES: Mayor Jones reminded the Council that copies of these policies had been distributed at the October 3rd meeting for their review. Mayor Jones then asked for any discussion regarding said policies. _! There being no discussion, Councilman Riggins moved, seconded by Councilman McGee, that the policies set forth for the Police Department be approved as written, Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers McGee, Riggins, Ferguson, Hammett, and Chew NOES: None ABSENT: Councilmen Leese, Irwin, and Anderson. ITEM 8: APPROVAL OF MOBILE HOME PARK TABLED;" Mayor Jones explained that, as a formal application for a Mobile Home Park had not been filed as per the Mobile Home Park Ordinance, he did not think the Council could take any action as to the approval or disapproval of a Mobile Home Park on Lot 8, Block 3, Sims Addition. After some discussion, Councilman McGee moved, seconded by Councilman Ferguson, that this item be tabled until such time as the proper application and plans have been filed according to the Mobile Home Park Ordinance. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers McGee, Riggins, Ferguson, Hammett, and Chew NOES: None _ ABSENT: Councilmen Leese, Irwin, and Anderson. ITEM 9: DISCUSSION OF EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE PLAN: Administrative Assistant Kurt Ackermann reviewed the discussion of the November meeting relating to the Educational Incentive Plan. He said there had been some questions concerning the types of training programs that were or were not available for some departments within the city. He said some plans had been worked out (copies of said plans had been distribued to each councilmember prior to the start of the meeting) for the Parks & Recreation Dept., Street Dept., and Customer Service Dept. Mr. Ackermann advised the Council that, after contacting Texas A & M, Tarleton State University, and personnel at the high school, etc., the courses and hours outlined in said plans seem to be in accordance with what the Department Heads felt could be used. In reply to Councilman Riggins' question, Mr. Ackermann said he thought all the Department Heads were satisfied with this plan. Mr. Ackermann advised the Council that $12,000 had been budgeted for this fiscal year, effective October 1, 1978, for those that now have their certification and that it has been discussed that, if there are some additional certifications, licenses, training programs, etc. com- pleted between October 1st and September 30th, they can be rebudgeted for the next fiscal year and paid on October 1, 1979. Any training costs for this budget year would have to come through.a budget revision. Mr. Ackermann also explained that Mr. Shelton had suggested that for training programs over and above the job requirements, the city pay 50% of the costs. Also that a lot of these type things will have to be resolved on a case by case basis. I The Council discussed whether or not the city should pay for the cost of additional training over and above the job requirements and then pay a bonus for having such training. Mayor Jones said he would like questions answered about whether or not all the employees will be able to get the training necessary for the incentive bonus other than on duty. If it is required on duty, are there going to be X number of days allowed for training? More specifics about the dollar amount this incentive plan will involve. The Mayor suggested, withi: the consent of the Council, that the Council dovetail the Educational Incentive Plan with the meetings on the budget which start in May, 1979. This would be keyed into the following year's budget and the money would be appropriated for a plan that had actually been adopted. Councilman Riggins suggested that, if it could be worked out to every- one's satisfaction, it could be picked up in the middle of the year. Mayor Jones said he would work with Mr. Shelton and Mr. Ackermann further on this and, if it can be worked out to everyone's satisfaction, it could be adopted earlier and it could be started this year. ITEMS DISCUSSED THAT WERE NOT ON THE AGENDA Mr. Guy Lackey of Granbury, Texas, came before the Council to discuss the purchase of the operations of the airport. Mr. Lackey said he would just like to have a little more information before making a decision. Mr. Lakey asked for infomration on the following items: 1._ Are there any plans to change the method of operation of the airport? 2. Would the Council consider a longer contract? 3. Would the Council consider having an airport manager paid by the city? Mayor Jones explained that the Council could take was not an agenda item. He also advised Mr. Lackey th to answer any questions as he had not read the present He said he would talk with Mr. Shelton and look at the if Mr. Lackey was rushed for time, poll the Council or to give him an answer as soon as possible. no action as this at he was not prepared contract with Mr. Davis. present contract and, call a special meeting Mr. Gerald Cook, manager of the Chamber of Commerce, presented the Council with a proposal of the city agreeing to pay the utilities for the Texas Employment Commission's office. Mr. Cook explained that it was the state's policy not to pay rent or utilities on one of their sub - offices. He said Mr. Grady Daniels had agreed to let them use his vacant real estate office, rent free, if someone would agree to pay the utilities. r Mr. Cook said he had presented this proposal to the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors who had agreed to pay $30.00 per month for a period of time (as long as they can afford it), therefore, he is not rushed for time for an answer from the Council. Mayor Jones advised Mr. Cook that he would like to check on the legality of the city paying utilities for a state office and that the Council could not take action at this meeting as this was not an agenda item, but would put it on the January agenda. Mayor Jones directed the City Attorney to check on the legality of this request. Mayor Jones announced that the extension deadline on the Lone Star Gas rate increase was February 28, 1979, and the appointed committee should be getting ready for a report to the Council. Mayor Jones advised the Council that there had been a request to lease 7 acres of city owned land east of the airport, but the Council cannot take action on a non agenda item. The Mayor asked that Mr. Shelton check this request to see that all is in order and he will call a special meeting if necessary. There being no other business to come before the Council, Mayor Jones adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m. ATTEST: 0 --2, - ity Secretary