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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-06 - Regular City Counciln cy*w a V . * - MINUTES City of Stephenville Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 5:30 PM The Regular City Council Meeting of the City of Stephenville, Texas, convened on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, at 5:30 PM, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 298 West Washington Street, for the purpose of a Regular Business 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: COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Kenny Weldon Council Member Mark McClinton Council Member Carla Trussell Council Member Doug Svien Council Member Brady Pendleton Council Member Rhett Harrison Council Member Alan Nix Council Member Sherry Zachery COUNCILABSENT: Council Member Jerry Warren OTHERS ATTENDING: Allen Barnes, City Administrator Randy Thomas, City Attorney Staci King, City Secretary 1 Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. 2 Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag Pledge of Allegiance to the Texas Flag 3 Invocation by Pastor Ed Dittfurth, Cornerstone Assembly of God, Stephenville 4 Regular Agenda a) Citizens' General Discussion Mr. Jimmy Walker, Stephenville, addressed the council regarding the Stephenville Police Department. Mr. Walker presented council with statistics regarding crime statistics within the city. Mr. Walker stated that workload has increased, but case clearance has decreased. He stated that the staffing levels have remained the same. Mr. Walker stated that instead of giving raises, the money should have been used to increase staffing levels. Mr. Alan Nash, Stephenville, addressed the council regarding his disagreement with Mr. Walker's statistics. Mr. Nash stated that it was impossible for the statistics that Mr. Walker presented to council to be accurate. Mr. Nash stated that, in his professional opinion as the district attorney, as well as his own personal opinion, the Stephenville Police Department is second to none. b) Consider Approval of Applications for Hotel Occupancy Tax Funds Two applications were received to request Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Funds. Mark Eakin, representative of Tarleton Stampede Rodeo, stated that the rodeo has taken place each year since 1965. He said that there is no budget line -item for this event; it is completely student -funded via fundraisers and advertisement sales. Mr. Eakin said that it costs approximately $70,000 to produce the Tarleton Stampede Rodeo. He stated that during the rodeo, all hotel rooms are full and people often have to find hotel rooms in other cities. This rodeo is the final rodeo of the season, with seventeen colleges and universities competing. The southwest region awards ceremony is held on Sunday, so attendance is high as more families attend. Mr. Eakin stated that in Canyon, TX, the rodeo received $17,500 in HOT funds. He stated that the amount he requested, $20,000, was in line with the hotel rooms booked as stated in the application. Council member Pendleton made the motion to allocate $7,500 to the Tarleton Stampede Rodeo. Council member Harrison seconded the motion. Mayor Weldon expressed his displeasure that Tarleton State Univeristy has one of the largest rodeo teams in the nation, located in the "cowboy capital of the world," and smaller rodeo teams in smaller communities are receiving $17,000 in funding; the projected revenue for the HOT fund is over $400,000. He asked council to consider this in their decision. Stephenville Lions Club Spooktacular requested $500. The Lions Club anticipates 300 participants, with 75 overnight hotel stays. The Lions Club has historically received a minimum of $500. MOTION by Brady Pendleton, second by Rhett Harrison, to approve the allocation of $7,500 of hotel occupancy funds to the Tarleton Stampede Rodeo. MOTION CARRIED by the following votes: Ayes: Carla Trussell, Doug Svien, Brady Pendleton, Rhett Harrison, and Sherry Zachery Noes: Kenny Weldon, Mark McClinton, and Alan Nix MOTION by Mark McClinton, second by Alan Nix, to approve the allocation of $500 of hotel occupancy tax funds to the Lions Club Spooktacular. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. 5 Planning and Zoning Commission The request for rezone was withdrawn at the request of the property owner. a) PUBLIC HEARING — Case No. RZ2018-001 Applicant, Sundeyp Sing is requesting a Rezone of 903 South Drew, being Lots 16, Block 75 of the City Addition to the City of Stephenville, Erath County, Texas, from Retail and Commercial Business District (0-2) to One and Two Family Residential District (R-2). City Of Stephenville City Council - 06 Feb 2018 b) Consider Approval of Ordinance No. 2018-0-07 rezoning 903 South Drew, being Lots 16, Block 75 of the City Addition to the City of ll Stephenville, Erath County, Texas, from Retail and Commercial Business District (B-2) to One and Two Family Residential District (11-2). 6 Committee Reports a) Charter Review Committee Report Chairman Rhett Harrison gave the committee report. No action taken. b) Personnel Committee Report Chairman Mark McClinton gave the committee report. No action taken. c) Community Services Committee Report Chairman Sherry Zachery gave the committee report. The committee recommended that council approve an expenditure of $50,000 of park land dedication funds to renovate Bill Johnson Park. This will add a playground and renovate the basketball court. Council member Trussell wanted to thank Brad Allen and Jason Lovell for donating trees, as well as other donors that she may not be aware of. MOTION by Mark McClinton, second by Carla Trussell, to approve the expenditure of a n maximum of $50,000 from parkland dedication funds to renovate the Bill Johnson Park. Ij MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. d) Consider Approval of Airport Land Lease with Prime Building Components, LLC This item was removed from the agenda. No action taken. 7 MONTHLY BUDGET REPORT a) Budget report for the period ending December 31, 2017 Monica Harris, Director of Finance, gave the following report: In reviewing the financial statements ending December 31, 2017, the financial indicators are expected or better than expected. Property Tax - We received $2.4 million in property taxes in the month of December, resulting in a $189 increase over funds collected through December 31st of last year. Erath County collected 46% to 52% of the property taxes for Stephenville in the prior four years; the amount collected this year is 55% of budget. Sales Tax - We received $505K in sales tax in December, resulting in $98K or 6.81% over the target budget through December 31st. We have received $24K or 1.61% more than last year. Revenue (Budgetary comparison) - The target budget for operating revenue is $5.9 City Of Stephenville City Council - 06 Feb 2018 million. We received $7.2 million in revenue, resulting in $1.3 million over budget. This is a result of property taxes, which are billed in October and due by January 31. Expenditures (Budgetary comparison) - The target budget for operating expenditures is $4.79 million. We expended $4.791 million, resulting in $1,374 over budget. Considering we paid the annual insurance in a lump sum, we are really $329K under budget Revenue (Prior year comparison) - Operating revenue received last year was $7 million as compared to the current year's $7.2 million, resulting in a $234K increase due to property taxes and sales taxes. Expenditures (Prior year comparison) - Operating expenditures last year were $4.5 million as compared to the current year's $4.7 million, resulting in a $235K increase due largely to paying the liability insurance annually instead of quarterly. New Programs - Carpet was purchased for City Hall. The Fire Department purchased the Forcible Entry Door Simulator. The Landfill purchased the fuel trailer, and $15,530 of the $875K budgeted for Street Improvements has been spent. Stephenville Type B Economic Development Authority Ashleigh Feuerbacher, Director of Marketing and Administration, gave the following update: Project Blue - Progress continues to be made with this project.An environmental impact study was needed prior to the award of any TDA funding. This is underway. The cost of the environmental study is $6,000. The Project Blue developers have agreed to pay for half the cost of the study. Everyone is very involved and working harmoniously to see this final phase to completion. Local Contacts / Developer Connections - The SEDA office was happy to field phone calls from three local property owners. At their request, SEDA passed their contact information to interested developers. The developer expressed interest and we hope to continue assisting in anyway. Governor's Office follow-up - We have had a few follow up conversations with Janie Havel from the Governors office after the Economic Development 101. i look forward to utilizing her as a resource for Stephenville. Business Retention and Expansion - Ashleigh Feuerbacher completed IEDC course #3, Business Retention and Expansion. Her main take away was that this area of a community's economy is so crucial and vital to the overall heartbeat and the attraction you are looking to create. SEDA is beginning to schedule appointments with local manufacturers to create a dialogue with our industry leaders. SEDA also hosted the Downtown Merchant Association's Membership Mixer on 2/1/2018 to highlight our local downtown business owners. a) Consider Approval of Economic Development Incentive Policy and Application Gerald Cook, SEDA President, presented the policy to council. MOTION by Brady Pendleton, second by Mark McClinton, to approve the economic development incentive policy and application as presented. City Of Stephenville City Council - 06 Feb 2018 MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. b) Consider Approval of Contract for Consulting Services with John Hubbard Moved to executive session in compliance with Texas Government Coded Section 551.074 Personnel Matters. Mayor Weldon moved on to consent agenda. 9 CONSENT a) Consider Approval of Minutes Regular City Council Meeting - 02 Jan 2018 Special City Council Meeting - 11 Jan 2018 Special City Council Meeting - 23 Jan 2018 Joint Work Session - 21 Jan 2018 b) Approve Order of Election for May 5, 2018 C) 2017 Racial Profiling Report Dr. Alex del Carmen, Del Carmen Consulting, LLC, was unable to attend the council meeting for February, but will be in attendance at the March meeting to present the racial profiling report and answer any questions the council may have. This item is on the agenda to satisfy state law that states the report must be submitted to council by March 1. d) Consider Approval of Membership Agreement with National Joint Powers Alliance for Cooperative Purchasing MOTION by Mark McClinton, second by Alan Nix, to approve the consent agenda. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. 10 Comments by City Administrator • Update on Strategic Plan Asset management plan is progressing. Staff will be meeting with the graduate students at the University of Texas Arlington. Bids have been received for the street program and will start in March, most likely. East side sewer has been put on hold as staff waits to hear from the Texas Water Development Board after their March meeting. Staff is completing the proposals for the Utility Condition Index. • Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, February 13 • Last day to file for a place on the May ballot - Friday, February 16 at 5:00 p.m. • City Offices Closed Monday, February 19 for President's Day 11 Comments by Council members Council Member Mark McClinton wanted to recognize the Ministerial Alliance and their commitment to the community. The Ministerial Alliance is a group of local religious leaders who, along with giving the invocation prior to council meetings, take time to pray for our community and community leaders on a regular basis. Mr. McClinton said that Stephenville residents are blessed to live in a community that is so greatly supported. Mayor Kenny Weldon wanted to express his appreciation for Erath County's first responders. He City Of Stephenville City Council - 06 Feb 2018 n stated that the city and county are blessed to have such a professional emergency response force. He also acknowledged the families of these responders, who every day send their loved ones to work, not knowing if they will come home again. 12 EXECUTIVE SESSION In compliance with the provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Law, Subchapter D, Government Code, Vernon's Texas Codes, Annotated, in accordance with Section 551.072 - Deliberations Regarding Real Property 0.44 acre tract in the J.B. Dupuy Survey A196, located at 891 East Road, Stephenville, Erath, Texas • Section 551.074 - Personnel Matters - Annual Evaluations City Administrator City Attorney City Secretary The council convened into executive session at 6:35 p.m. 13 Action taken in executive session (if necessary) The meeting reconvened in open session at 7:25 p.m. a) Real Property MOTION by Mark McClinton, second by Alan Nix, to accept sealed bids, with a minimum bid of $110,000, for the sale of the above -described property located at 891 East Road, Stephenville. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. b) Consider Approval of Contract for Consulting Services with John Hubbard MOTION by Mark McClinton, second by Alan Nix, accept the contract as presented by SEDA Board President Gerald Cook, with a monthly report of contract -related expeditures. MOTION CARRIED, Carla Trussell being the opposing vote. c) Personnel Matters The meeting reconvened into executive session at 7:30 to conduct annual evaluations for the City Administrator, City Attorney, and City Secretary. No action taken in open session. 14 Adjourn A The meeting adjournedet $ 3J'p ti - - £ Jer K. eldon, Mayor �cORPOR�\�.O City Of Stephenville City Council - 06 Feb 2018