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Home My WebLink About1973-10-02 - Regular City CouncilOctober 2, 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, Charles Riggins, Raymond Anderson, Jesse Sexton, Larry Hammett and Toby Stone. Others present were: City Administrator Shelton, Director.of Public Works Gann, Director of Utilities Johnson and Fire Marshall'Ferguson. Councilman Sexton moved, seconded by Councilman Hammett, to approve the minutes of the previous meetings as written. Mayor Jones asked that the minutes of this meeting reflect that in the September 18th minutes the Special Election to fill the vacancy on the Council)-;had been set for October 9th. After checking with City Attorney Chandler the date had to be changed to November 6th to comply with state election laws. Motion carried. The minutes were approved with the above change noted. Mr. Jack Harding was not present to discuss the double minimum billing of his water bill. Mr. Bob Herrin was not present with the petition for annexation into the city limits of his property on the Fort Worth Highway. Mayor Jones said the petition had not been filed nor had the metes and bounds description. Councilman Stone stated, that in his opinion, the city limits should be squared up when this pro= perty was taken in. There are several lots that should be taken into the city limits at the same time. Councilman Stone recommended that if Mr. Herrings petition was for his property only that the Council not accept it and that the Council use its annexation authority to extend the city limits line straight down to cannect all that property on the north side of the Fort Worth Highway. No +_.action was taken at this time. Mr. Mack Spurlock representing Warner Cable CCC of Stephenville, appeared before the Council requesting a franchise renewal and a rate increase. After Quite a bit of discussion, Councilman Chambers recommended that Mr. Spurlock ask his company for an audited statement and ask our auditor, Virgil Morgan, to look at it, analyze it and give us an idea of what the company is making now, its expenses and give us his advice. Mayor Jones said that if the Council had no objections he would accept Councilman Chambers! recommendation. Councilman Stone made the motion, seconded by Councilman Curtis, that Gulf- States Telephone Company be informed that the recent acceleration of the installation charge is excessive and the City of Stephenville demands that the old installation rates be reinstated, that all customers be refunded the difference between the old installation rate and the one charged the customers and in the future any instal - lation charge or rate increase be approved by the City Council before new rates or installation charges are put into effect. Mayor Jones asked City Attorney Chandler if he knew of any legal problems that might arise from this. Mr. Chandler stated that he knew of none. If the charges are unreasonable the Council has the right to question the charges. After more discussion, the Mayor called for a vote. The above motion carried unanimously. City Administrator Shelton reported that the City- County ambulance was involved in an accident caused by a rain slick highway. Mr. Shelton also reported that the am- bulance is now in the process of being repaired and in the meantime we are renting one at a cost of $10.00 per day. It was also reported that Mike Longley and Lloyd Dunson are in the process of working out a proposal for a franchise for the ambulance at a cost of approximately $1500.00 per month from the city and a like amount from the county. City Administrator Shelton reported the recommendations of the Planning Commission. He reported that the Planning Commission recommends including the north sewer out - fall line in the bond issue that is being contemplated at this time and let the south sewer outfall line go for the next three or four years. Mr. Shelton also reported that the chances for getting a federal grant for these outfall lines are very bad. The Planning Commission also recommended going ahead with the bond issue and include all on the high priority list in one secret vote of yes or no rather than breaking it down into separate items. The Council discussed at great length the cost of the north sewer outfall line, the houses to be served, how long before we need the line, con- sider taking bids, hiring own engineer rather than pay percentage for Consultant Engineer. Mr. Shelton said that the Planning "C`ommission also recommends' raising the present sewer rates fifty cents (50¢) per month. R. Y. Gann,.Director of Public Works, came forward and explained to the Council the importance of the north sewer outfall line in order not to flood the present lift station and the sewer lines so that the city can continue to grow in this direction. Mayor Jones said he would like to have Homer Hunter come over and talk to the Council on this sewer outfall line. Mayor Jones also stated that the Council was going to have to make a deter- mination on this and whether or not we are going to f6llow the Comprehensive Plan. No action was taken. The Planning Commission's recommendation concerning the extension of the two inch water line to the Toby Stone Property is as follows: Starting at the corner of S. Lillian and the South Loop that an eight inch line be run at city cost to a point that is equal distance from Mr. Stone's pro- perty as the two inch line then from that point all the way across the front of his property it be pro- rated. It be an eight inch line, the city pay for two inch line and Mr. Stone pay for six inch. No credit be given for two inch line behind Gibson's store. Or the alternative be: at the developer's option, to come from existing six inch line back across the front of Mr. Stone's property which would be 313 feet- - City pay for two inch line and Mr. Stone pay for six inch line. Mayor Jones stated at this time, that he thought there was some confusion as to what the City Policy was. Mr. Homer Hunter had brought up the point that this was developed property and pro- bably no one else would be tying onto this line, therefore the question of whether or not the developer should have to pay the entire cost of laying the line from the source of water to his property. Mayor Jones asked City Administrator Shelton to go a back to the previous minute books to try to develop in writing what our policy is and for us to evaluate it and have Mr. Homer Hunter evaluate it and if we are goixxg wrong then get in writing what the general policy is and if we have specific situations then they will be handled on an individual basis. Dany Johnson, Director of Utilities, came forward and explained to the Council the need for the eight inch line and the importance of following the Comprehensive Plan. After much more discussion, Council- man Riggins,maved, seconded by Councilman Hammett, that the City will pay for an eight inch water line from Fifth St. to Mr . Stone's west property line and the City will participate in the oversize'from thereon to Second St. and will give Mr. Stone credit for the 295 feet of two inch line at a cost of whatever he paid for it. Motion carried. Councilman Stone thanked the Council for the consideration. He also stated that the City does not have a policy for the extension of water lines and that this Council needs to write out a policy for the employees to go by. Councilman Stone further stated that he thought other developers should be reimbursed for money they spent in the extension of water and sewer lines that should have been paid for by the City. Mr. Gann came forward and read the City policy from the Sub - Division Ordinance and pointed out that this was the latest policy of the City. There was quite a bit more discussion on the City Policies. The Council discussed the request of Mr. Lee Orbison to use a triangle of land sur- rounding a water well owned by the City. Mr. Orbison wants to use this land for parking or for a driveway. No action was taken as the Council needed more informatinn. Mayor Jones reported,that he had been contacted by Mrs. Arlon Weems concerning the Girl Scout House that is on City owned property. The Girl Scouts are wanting to build a new house and wanted to know if the City would buy the Girl Scout house now in use. The Mayor asked City Attorney Chandler to check into the legality of this.and appointed • committee of Councilmen Chambers, Curtis and Riggins to contact Mrs. Weems and make • report to the Council. Councilman Chambers asked the status on the delinquent taxes, the Council of Governments, and the Santa Fe signal light. City Administratior Shelton reported that he has not heard from the request sent in to join the Central Texas Council of Governments. He also reported that City Attorney Chandler had written a letter that had been . mailed to all the tax payers that had de- linquent taxes and that some of them have already paid. Mr. Shelton said he had not yet contacted Santa Fe. Councilman Curtis asked about the status of the money x in the Senior Citizens sa savings account. City Attorney Chandler reported that a claim has been filed and will be tried in district court by the District Judge. Meeting Adjourned. Mayor ATTEST: Q, 6 4'X LC -Z t �' - it Secretary October 16, 1973