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Home My WebLink About1996-08-20 - Special City CouncilMINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING City of Stephenville -City Council TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1996 -'5:30 P.M. The City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, convened in special session on August 20, 19962 at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 354 N. Belknap Street, 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 John Pollan C ouncilmemb ers :. Jerry B . Madkins Barbara Terrell Marhsall Shelton Joel Hillin K. H. Conatser Scott Evans Billy Bob Hodges Bill Corbin Others Attending Don Davis, City Administrator Cindy L. Stafford, City Secretary Randy Thomas, City Attorney I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Pollan called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and declared a quorum present. II. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1996-97 Mayor Pollan announced the opening of a Public Hearing for the purpose of considering the budget for the fiscal year 1996-97. Speaking in Support of the Budget: None. August 20, 1996 Minutes of Special Meeting Speaking in Opposition of the Budget: Lavinia Lohrmann, 898 North Neblett, Stephenville, Texas, inquired of the Council if money had been appropriated in this budget for the televising of council meetings. Mayor Pollan informed Ms. Lohrmann that this money had been budgeted. Jane Pratt, 1160 West Pecan, Stephenville, Texas, wanted clarification on certain budget items. She called the Council's attention to the item "1995-1996 Projects Approved Not Fully Expended" ($1,090,000). She then pointed out the "Estimated Cash Balance 10/1/96" ($5,158,950), with $1,006,128 being unrestricted. She asked if that means had we fully expended the $1, 090, 000 that we would be "in the hole" in that account. City Administrator Don Davis told her that the answer to her question was "No". He explained that the $1, 090, 000 is included in "Expenditures ($6,36%090). She also inquired about the Senior Citizens expense account being 101.12%. She asked. if this would be adjusted at the end of the year. City Administrator Davis stated that it would be adjusted and explained the reason for this being over budget. This was a new account this year and there was not a good history of the account on which to base expenditures. After the budget was prepared and the contract was finalized with Senior Citizens Center, Inc., there were unanticipated expenditures (i.e. transportation and remodeling to include an office) that were made. Pratt then stated that she would like for the Finance Committee to develop a spending policy. She stated that money was being spent for items which she did not deem proper. One specific item that she mentioned were the "Friday shirts" (personalized shirts worn by office personnel each Friday). She said that this item was never on a Est of priorities that she was aware. There was no discussion of the Council on this issue. Mayor Lohrmann closed the public hearing. III. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1996-97 Councilmember Corbin moved to approve Ordinance No. 1996-22. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Shelton and passed by unanimous vote. IV. CONSIDER A PROPOSAL TO INCREASE TAX RATE Councilmember Evans made a motion to conduct a public hearing to propose the $.4393 tax rate at the City Council meeting on September 3, 1996. Councilmember Hillin seconded the motion which passed by a unanimous roll call vote. August 20, 1996 Minutes of Special Meeting v. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT --Request for Economic Assistance --Good Tree Subdivision Councilmember Hodges gave the report from the Plug and Development Committee who met on August 19, 1996, to consider the request from Brad Allen for City participation in the Good Tree Subdivision. He explained that Allen has filed two applications under the Economic Development Incentives Program. One for tax abatement on the assisted -living facility, and the other application for city participation in street construction associated with the property to be developed as duplexes. Two issues were considered. First, the Subdivision Ordinance requires that a minor collector street be placed in this development. Second, the property proposed to be developed as duplexes does not qualify under the Economic Development Incentives Program. The Committee is recommending that the Economic Development Incentives Program be amended (as presented at the August 6, 1996 Council Meeting) to include assisted -living facilities. The tax abatement will amount to approximately $31,000. Councilmember Shelton asked if a variance could be granted to the Economic Development Incentives Program rather than amending the policy. City Attorney Thomas explained that there is no provision in the Economic Development Incentives Program under which a variance could be given. Shelton stated that if a variance could be granted, then each application could be considered on an individual basis. Brad Allen then addressed the Council, pointing out the preamble to the Economic Development Incentives Program which states, in part, "The City of Stephenville is committed to the promotion and retention of high quality development within the City of Stephenville and to better the quality of life for its citizens." Allen suggested rather than listing a specific business, that Section II Definitions No. 23 be changed to include "health-care services" . He said that by changing the program in this way, health-care services would be promoted within the community. This would extend to private hospitals, private -care units, etc. He stated No. 23. "Regional Service Facility' is too vague in its definition. He stated that our economy will be expanding to service -type industries. Mayor Pollan stated that he is concerned about the interpretation of the term "health- care facility", and that it could be construed in a very broad, general meaning which would defeat the intended purpose of the Economic Development Incentives Program. City Administrator Davis added that the Property Tax Code (under which the Economic Development Incentives Program falls) states that any agreement of the abatement section must conform to the comprehensive zoning ordinance. Therefore, this matter becomes more of a zoning issue than one of tax abatement. August 20, 1996 Minutes of Special Meeting .4r Councilmember Hodges moved to amend ordinance No. 1995-28 to include in Section II Definitions `Assisted -Living Facility' means a facility with five or more living units providing long term care services for frail senior adults who need daily assistance with one or more tasks of daily living, including meals, bathing, and dressing, and/or administering medication." and "`Residential Property' means land and buildings used as dwellings for occupancy by a family including single-family dwellings, two-four family dwellings, multi -family dwellings (five or more units), townhouse and condominium dwellings, family home for disabled persons and retirement housing complexes. Residential Property does not include Assisted -Living Facilities." Councilmember Madkins seconded the motion, which passed by unanimous vote. VL ADJOURN ;. There being no other business to come before the Council at this time, Mayor Pollan adjourned the meeting at 6 : 0 5 p.m. Q6/im, Q � Jo 01ollan, Mayor ATTEST: 0. �_ 62,4100. Cindy L. tafford, 6 0 City Secretary August 20, 1996 Minutes of Special Meeting