HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-13 - Special City CouncilMINUTES OF SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
City of Stephenville - City Council
Tuesday, September 13, 2016, 5:30 P.M.
The Ciiyo4a^�.......__..,__ T.axas, convened on September r�10
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in the City Hall Council Chambers, 298 West Washington Street, for the purpose of a Special Council
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
Mayor Pro-Tem
Council members
Absent:
Jerry K. Weldon II
Alan Nix
Mark McClinton
Carla Trussell
Rhett Harrison
Sherry Zachery
Jerry Warren
Doug Svien
Brady Pendleton
Others Attending Patrick C. Bridges, City Administrator
Randy Thomas, City Attorney
Cindy L. Stafford, City Secretary
Call to Order. The meeting of the Stephenville City Council was called to order at 5:30
p.m. on Tuesday, September 13, 2016.
Public Hearing on the Tax Rate for 2016
Mayor Weldon opened a public hearing.
Justin Allison, 614 Maplewood Drive, Stephenville, made the following comments:
"Good evening Mayor and members of the Council,
"I am here tonight in favor of cutting the property tax rate. I believe that cutting taxes is
always the right thing to do. I believe the same as my political hero Ronald Reagan once
said, that "the government that governs best governs least". Our fellow townspeople are
struggling, and they are struggling in large part due to our high property tax rate. This
high property tax rate certainly helps grow the government, but it does not help the
people.
"I believe that the most direct way you can help your fellow citizens is not from growing
the size of government, it is not via the creation of new government programs, or new
( j government jobs, it is simply letting people keep more of their own hard earned
j money. For many people in our community, their most burdensome living expense is
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September 13, 2016—Page 1
their property taxes. It is an expense that is the difference between people having a good
quality of life, and a terrible struggle. When presented with the choice of helping people,
or helping the government, I will always side with the people. What is best for the people
is what is best for the government, but what is best for the government is not always what
is best for the people.
"I have seen our local government waste tens of thousands, and sometimes hundreds of
thousands of dollars each year on purchases that could best be described as wants and
not needs. I understand fully the difference between the two, and I implore you to reflect
on the same. Every purchase you say no to is money that could either be reallocated to
critical infrastructure improvements such roads, waterlines, and sewer lines, or to
lowering the property tax rate. If you simply choose to quit spending money on
monuments of governmental excess, outdated legacy services, additional government
employees, and new studies, then I am confident that you will not only have the resources
to redevelop our community's ailing infrastructure, but also give back to the people as
well.
"To those of you who say that the budget has already been determined, I would remind
you of the analogy my friend once opined. "A budget is like a grocery list, when you go
to the store you are not obligated to purchase everything that is on there". I say to you,
even now, everything is a choice. I ask you to please reflect on my words and begin to
contemplate that which is a want, and that which is a need.
"Please, do that which is right for the people of this community. Quit allocating our
money on wants, start spending it on needs, and refund the rest. I urge you, please, lower
our property tax rate, and spend our money wisely"
Mayor Weldon closed the public hearing.
III. Consider Approval of Contract with Texas Department of Agriculture for the 2016 Texas
Community Development Block Grant Program for Grant Award for Waterline
Improvements to the West Oak Street and East Elm Street Neighborhoods
Director of Public Works, Nick Williams, outlined this agenda item which provides for an
award of $275,000 in grant funding through the 2016 Texas CDBG Program. The project
consists of water line replacement on West Oak Street from 011ie Avenue to North Race
Street and on West Elm Street from 011ie Avenue to Clinton Street and proposes to replace
inadequate and undersized water lines with extensive repair histories as well as provide
for increased fire protection in the project area. The contract includes a grant -matching
amount from the City of $321,250, making the total project cost $596,250.
MOTION by Alan Nix, second by Mark McClinton, to approve the agreement with Texas
Department of Agriculture for the Texas Community Development Block Grant Program.
MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote.
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September 13, 2016—Page 2
IV. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2016-11-11 Authorizing the City of Stephenville to
Apply for Financial Assistance from the Texas Water Development Board for the
Eastside Sewer Project
Nick Williams presented this resolution and introduced Caaren Skrobarczyk, Regional
MannePr, Brazos Region of the I exas'vJd;cr E Czvc:Crmm.cInt Sczrd. `^.rilliams noted that this
does not obligate the City of Stephenville, if approved, to accept any funding, but is a
requirement of the state in order to seek funding from the TWDB.
Skrobarczyk explained the process for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The city will
submit its project information forms, and TCEQ and TWDB will prioritize them. The City
of Stephenville has qualified for 30% disadvantage funding, and has been invited for the
first round. She said that the city could expect to get a funding determination letter as
soon as two months from application.
MOTION by Alan Nix, second by Sherry Zachery, to adopt Resolution No. 2016-R-11.
MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote.
V. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2016-R-12 Allowing the City of Stephenville to
Reimburse Itself for Project Expenditures
MOTION by Mark McClinton, second by Sherry Zachery, to adopt Resolution No. 2016-R-
12. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote.
VI. Adjourn
MOTION by Carla Trussell, second by Mark McClinton, to adjourn the meeting. MOTION
CARRIED at 6:02 p.m.
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JerryK. W 1 on II, Mayor
ATTEST:
Special Council Meeting
September 13, 2016—Page 3