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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-01-08 - Regular City CouncilMINUTES OF REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING City of Stephenville - City Council Tuesday, January 8, 2013, 5:30 P.M. The City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, convened on January 8, 2013, at 5:30 p.m., 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: Mayor Jerry K. Weldon II Council members Joe E. Cude Malcolm Cross Doug Svien Russ McDanel Brady Pendleton Alan Nix Martha Taylor Scott Evans Others Attending Mark A. Kaiser, 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, January 8, 2013, by Mayor Weldon. He wished everyone a happy new year, and acknowledged the blessing of the recent rainfall that we have received. II. Citizens' General Discussion. Diane Netherland, 1481 West Park Street, Stephenville, stated that she was speaking on behalf of a friend of hers, Jo Butler. Netherland told the council that because of the recently adopted parking ordinance, Mrs. Butler is unable to leave her home. She explained that Mrs. Butler is handicapped, confined to a wheelchair, and owns a van and two school buses that she uses for transportation. The recently passed parking ordinance [Ordinance No. 2012-30] prevents her from parking one or more of these vehicles on the street, which she claims deprives her of the ability to access her vehicles. Ms. Netherland asked the council to repeal the fines and to allow Jo Butler to park her bus(es) on the street. Mayor Weldon told Ms. Netherland that council and staff will consider this situation and will be contacting Mrs. Butler. Regular Business Meeting J a nuary 8, 2013 Stephenville City Council III. Comprehensive Annual Financial Report —Todd Pruitt with Pattillo, Brown, and Hill, L.L.P. (separate cover) Todd Pruitt thanked council for the opportunityto make this presentation. He also thanked Finance Director Walter Wood and his staff for their assistance duringthe audit. Pruitt stated that there are two separate audits-1) audit of the financial statements included in the annual financial report and 2) compliance audit of the federal grant awards program. Three reports have been issued that are included in the annual financial report. The first is the unqualified opinion or clean opinion, which is the highest form of opinion that can be issued. The financial statements included in the report have been audited and are, in their opinion, free of any material misstatements and are presented fairly in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The second is the Report on Internal Control, which resulted in the finding of no significant deficiencies identified during the course of the audit. The final report is the Report on Compliance and indicates that there were no findings or questioned costs in relation to the federal grant programs for fiscal year ended September 30, 2012. MOTION by Doug Svien, second by Alan Nix, to receive the audit and refer it to the Finance Committee for further review. MOTION CARRIED. IV. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2013-01 Expressing Intent to Reimburse Costs of Sewer Line Replacements in the City from Proceeds of Certificates of Obligation or Other Debt, Which Costs are Paid Prior to the Receipt of the Borrowed Funds MOTION by Alan Nix, second by Russ McDanel, to approve Resolution No. 2013-01. MOTION CARRIED. V. Consider Approval of Contract with Erath County for Jail Services Mark Kaiser reported that the significant changes to the contract are 1) definition of a "day" to include any part of a 24-hour period; and 2) price per day is $100; and 3) the term is year to year with automatic renewal unless one of the parties seeks to initiate changes to the contract. MOTION by Joe Cude, second by Alan Nix, to approve the contract with Erath County forjail services. MOTION CARRIED. VI. Consider Appointment of Dennis Jones to Park and Recreation Advisory Board MOTION by Russ McDanel, second by Martha Taylor, to appoint Dennis Jones to the Park and Recreation Advisory Board. MOTION CARRIED. VII. Consider Approval of Grant Application to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Mark Kaiser reported that this application will be for $200,000 ($50,000 of which to be paid by City) in grant funds to extend the Bosque River Trail from the Graham Street bridge to City Park. MOTION by Alan Nix, second by Joe Cude, to approve the grant application to Texas Parks Regular Business Meeting J a nuary 8, 2013 Stephenville City Council and Wildlife Department. MOTION CARRIED. Vill. FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT A. Consider Adopting Resolution No. 2013-02 Approving Investment Policy, Approving Broker/Dealers and Investment Strategies. MOTION by Doug Svien, second by Russ McDanel, to adopt Resolution No. 2013-02. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. B. Consider Amending Purchasing Procedures. MOTION by Doug Svien, second by Alan Nix, to amend the purchasing procedures to require city employees to get three verbal quotes when making a purchase of $1,000 to $5,000 and written quotes for purchases of $5,000 to $25,000. MOTION CARRIED. C. Official Statement. Doug Svien, committee chairman, reported that the General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2013, have been given a ratingof"A+" by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services. Mayor Weldon responded by saying that the citizens of Stephenville should be pleased and proud with how well the finances are being conducted and tax dollars protected. He commended Mark Kaiser and Walter Wood, Finance Director, for their efforts in conducting the city's finances in a prudent manner. D. Strategic Planning. The committee reviewed the five-year capital replacement plan for the city and specifically discussed matters relating to the police and fire departments. IX. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT Scott Evans, committee chairman, presented the report. A. Airport. The committee reviewed Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Division Capital Improvement Program for 2011-2014. Project estimates for right-of-way acquisition associated with the future runway extension indicate total project costs of $1.4 million with the City's portion being $140,000. The estimated construction costs for runway extension are $3,417,250 with the City's portion being $341,725. B. Thoroughfares. The committee received a report from TxDOT outlining projects in Erath County for the next three years. Mark Kaiser reviewed the progress that has been made in street reconstruction over the last 20 years. This year's project will focus on Alexander Road from Long Street to the South Loop and will include stormwater drainage improvements as well as waterlines and sewer lines in the area. C. Railroad Crossings. Fort Worth & Western Railroad may be closing up to two railroad crossings within the city in the near future. No decision has been made at this time. D. Strategic Planning. Brief discussion. Training opportunities are being identified for members of the Planning and Zoning Commission. X. CONSENT AGENDA Regular Business Meeting J a nuary 8, 2013 Stephenville City Council MOTION by Russ McDanel, second by Joe Cude, to approve the consent agenda. MOTION CARRIED. A. Approve Minutes of December 4, 2012 Regular Council Meeting B. Approve Change Order No. 2 and Accept 2012 Street Project XI. Comments by City Administrator • Council retreat on January 28 • Filing to run for city council begins January 30 Police Chief Pat Bridges briefed the council on a new initiative of the police department in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut. On -duty uniformed police officers will make periodic and unannounced foot patrols at the school campuses within the city limits and will interact with school staff, teachers, and students. XII. Comments by Council members • Cross Timbers Family Services banquet and fundraiser is January 19 • Compliments to city staff for the success of Holly Jolly Christmas Mark Kaiser responded to questions about the economic development coordinator position. He reported that he has received a good response to the job advertisement and has received 20-30 applications. Mayor Weldon congratulated the 2012 3A Division I Yellow Jackets for their victory in the state championship game. XIII. Adjourn MOTION by Doug Svien, second by Joe Cude, to adjourn the meeting. MOTION CARRIED at 6:26 p.m. Jerry K. Weldon 11, Mayor ATTEST: Cindy L. Stafford, City Secretary Regular Business Meeting J a nuary 8, 2013 Stephenville City Council