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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-08-07 - Regular City CouncilAugust 7, 1973 Stephenville, Texas The City Council met in regular session on the above date with Mayor Donald R. Jones presiding and the following members present: Jim Chambers, Jack Curtis, Doug Smithey, Charles Riggins, Jesse Sexton and Larry Hammett. Others present were: City Administrator Shelton, Director of Public Works Gann, irector of Parks and Recreation Isham, Fire Marshall Ferguson and Water Supt. ohnson. Councilman Sexton moved the minutes of the previous meetings be approved as written. Councilman Smithey made the second. Motion carried. Mr. R. B. Bauer was not present so Mayor Jones tabled the discussion of a Livestock and Fowl Ordinance that Mr. Bauer had requested. The Mayor appointed the Sanitation Committee, with Councilman Hammett as Chairman, to meet with City Administrator Shelton and Bill Bledsoe to review the garbage pickup and to try to work out the problems that have arisen since the City started the billing and collecting of the garbage bills. This committee to report back to the Council at the next meeting. City Administrator Shelton reported that the City will be collecting approximately $18,000.00 total per year from the Landfill gate receipts and the 72J of the billing charges. Mayor Jones submitted the names of Mack Faust, Vernon Gunn, Velon Reese, James Young and Eddie Caudle for approval by the Council for the Building Board. This to be a one year term. Councilman Smithey moved to approve the above names as submitted. Councilman Curtis made the second. Motion carried. The Mayor submitted the names of Carroll Lunce, Lonnie Stokes, E. A. Blanchard, Sid Whitman and E. L. Stephens for approval by the Council for the Electrical Board. Councilman Curtis voiced the opinion that he did not think Mr. Lunce �. suitable for the job. After quite a bit of discussion, the names of Clinton Cox, Sam Goodman and Sam Smith were also submitted. Councilman Chambers made the motion, seconded by Councilman Hammett, to accept the five names originally Im submitted. After more discussion, the Mayor called for a vote on the above motion. Motion did not carry, with a vote of 3 for and 3 against. The Mayor did not vote. Councilman Curtis made the motion, seconded by Councilman Smithey, to accept the other four names submitted. Motion carried. Mayor Jones asked that the minutes reflect that Lonnie Stokes, E. A, Blanchard, Sid Whitman and E. L. Stephens were elected to serve one year terms on the Electrical Board. Water Supt. Danny Johnson came before the Council to make his recommendation for the purchase of a new street sweeper. Mr. Johnson stated that, after studying and visit- ing with other cities, he recommends the Mobil Street Sweeper. Mr. Johnson further stated that even though Mobil was not'the low bid, it would be to the City's advantage to purchase the Mobil Street Sweeper. Councilman Riggins made the motion, seconded by Councilman Chambers, to accept Mr. Johnson's recommendation to purchase the Mobil Street Sweeper at a bid price of $17,225.00 with a seven month delivery date. Motion carried. Mayor Jones read the bids for the City Depository received from The Farmers First National Bank and The Stephenville Bank and Trust Company. Councilman Smithey made the motion, seconded by Councilman Curtis, to accept the bid of the Stephenville Bank and Trust Company for the City Depository for the year 1973 -74. Motion carried. Only one bid was received for the work the contract work for the entire Phase Bureau of Outdoor Recreation on whethe If one bid is not acceptable will have This bid is good for a period of sixty sixty days on this bid are up. on the tennis courts This bid included all I Program. The Mayor suggested that we contact the or not they would let us accept the one bid. to reopen the bidding for a period of time. days. This to be discussed again before the Mayor Jones opened the public hearing for the rezoning from Residence I to Business I j 370' on the west side of Harbin Dr. along FM 2215 to City property on FM 988. Mr. Joe Cude, 1345 Lydia, came before the Council.mildly protesting the rezoning of this property. Mr. Cude requested that the eight foot alley not be disturbed as the trees give a natural barrier between Hillcrest Addition and this property. Mr. Cude stated that he would like to see some nature trails developed in this area. Mr. Lyle Lacy also came before the Council assuring the Council and Mr. Cude that he does not intend to cut down the trees and will leave as much of a.natural barrier as possible. Councilman Curtis moved to change the zoning from Residence I to Business I the above described property. Councilman Smithey made the second;. Motion carried. Mayor Jones asked that the zoning map be changed accordingly... Robert Groves, Tax Assessor - Collector, reported there would be approximately $25,000.00 increase in the city tax revenue for 1973 =74. Councilman Smithey moved to adopt the present tax rate of,$1.60 per $100.00 valuation and 33% of assessed valuation, to adopt the tax roll as presented and to dismiss the Equalization Board. Councilman Riggins made the second. Motion carried. City Administrator Shelton and Director of Public Works Gann spoke before the Council concerning the minimum water and sewer rates for two or more family dwellings where there is only one water meter. Mr. Gann stated that he believed that.the City'ys water and sewer rates were lower than most other cities of comparable size. He'further stated that the residents were given a choice of putting in separate meters for their apartments or?- paying the double minimum for water and sewer. These rates are set for the apartments occupied or not. After quite a bit of discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that these rates are fair and will remain as they are. Mayor Jones stated that these rates are city policy and should be enforced and that City Administrator Shelton has the authority to enforce these policies and that any changes in polic y should come before the Council..- After quite a bit of discussion, it was the consensus of the Council not to purchase the property adjacent to City Hall at a price of $60,000., paying $3,500. and assuming the note. It was suggested that City Administrator Shelton check with Mr. McCoy to see if he would be interested in trading this property for some that the City now owns., Councilman Curtis made-'the motion, seconded by Councilman Chambers, to adopt the budget as proposed. Motion carried. Public hearing to be at the next regular meeting. This to be published in the local newspaper. Councilman Curtis recommended, then put into a motion, seconded by Councilman Smithey, y to raise the Mayors salary to $200. per month and each member of the Council to $50. per month. Before calling for a vote the Mayor asked for discussion. Mayor Jones stated, after some discussion, that he would have no objections to raising the salaries for all the Councilmen and the Mayor's to $50.00 per month. Councilman Curtis then asked that his motion be changed to $75.00 per month.,for the Mayor and $50.00 per month for the Council members. Councilman Chambers recommended that the Mayor-'s salary be twice what the Councilmen's salaries are as the Mayor spends twice as much time on City business as the Council members do. Councilman Curtis then asked that his motion be changed to $100.00 per month for the Mayor and $50.00 per month for each member of the Council. After more discussion, the Mayor called for a vote. The motion carried. Councilman Sexton brought up for discussion the possibility of meeting twice a month. City Administrator Shelton suggested a monthly breakfast meeting for discussion of some__, of the long range plans and some of the Planning Commission's recommendations. -° Councilman Chambers suggested a meeting at the end of each month prior to the regular i meeting to discuss the coming agenda. Mayor Jones asked City Administrator Shelton to look into this and make his recommendations at the next meeting. 117 The Mayor reported that the Planning Commission would be presenting, in the near future, their proposals for The Comprehensive Plan. The Mayor stated that he had looked at these proposals and there would be some heavy expenditures and the five year program would need to be extended to a ten year program in order for the City to meet these, expenditures. Mayor Jones then dropped back to the salary classification. The Mayor asked the Council, if they had no objections, to adopt by Resolution the Position Classification and Salary Scale as a guideline for salary determination for City employees. After quite a bit of discussion, Councilman Chamber made the motion, seconded by Councilman . Sexton, to adopt by'Resolution the Position Classification and Salary Scale. Motion carried. Mayor Jones reported on the savings account of the Senior Citizens Center. He stated that after discussion with City Attorney Chandler, he and Councilman Chambers recommends to the Council that they authorize City Administrator Shelton to compose a letter to The Farmer's First National Bank notifying them of the minutes of this meeting of the Council, that the records of these funds be returned, advising them of our claim to these funds, asking that these funds be tendered into court and let the probate determine where they belong. Councilman Curtis made the motion, seconded by Councilman Smithey, to accept the above recommendations. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned. q F'' ATTEST: Cit Secretary"