Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-04-05 - Regular City CouncilMINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING ICity of Stephenville - City Council TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1994 - 7:00 P.M. The City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, convened in regular session on April 5, 1994 at 7:00 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 Article 6252 -17, Section 3A, V.T.C.S., with the following members present, to wit: I II. Mayor: Mayor Pro Tem: Councilmembers: Absent: Lavinia Lohrmann Scott Evans Alan Nix Donald L. Zelman John Wooley Sam Taylor II Bill Johnson Billy Bob Hodges Bill Bailey None Others Attending: Don Davis, City Administrator Cindy L. Stafford, City Secretary Randy Thomas, City Attorney CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Lavinia Lohrmann called the meeting to order and declared a quorum present. PRESENTATION OF EMPLOYEE SERVICE AWARDS. Mayor Lohrmann presented service awards to the employees listed below. Deanna Vaughn 5 years Police Communications Lynn Hughes 10 years Wastewater Treatment Dennis Wallace 25 years Fire Captain J. D. Chapman 25 years Customer Service Superintendent Dennis ( "Dink ") Wallace was presented with a Resolution of Appreciation and a painting in recognition of 25 years of service to the City of Stephenville. J. D. Chapman was presented with a Resolution of Appreciation, rod and reel, and tackle box in recognition of his 25 years of service to the City of Stephenville. III. APPROVE SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE 1994 STREET RENOVATION PROGRAM Ronnie Isham began his presentation by updating the Council on the Bond Program, explaining the specific treatments given to different areas of the city. He pointed out that the North Dale- Bluebonnet area had to be reworked due to poor construction when they were first laid. These streets have been seal- coated as a temporary solution, but they will now have to be totally reconstructed. During Phase I of the program in 1993, $396,000.00 was spent. Overhill, Dale, and Frey streets repairs required most of this expenditure. The cost of the proposed program for 1994 is approximately $350,000.00. Most of the repairs will be for reconstruction and correcting major drainage problems. Isham did point out that the streets in the older part of town are good streets because they were built properly and have a good base. Streets built in the last 15 -20 years; however, were not built according to the standards used in the older parts of town and are not as solid. Isham discussed the condition of curbs and gutters in the city. He suggested that the Council should aggressively seek a curb and gutter program before large amounts of money are spent on street repairs together with curb and gutter repairs. Only one street is proposed for repairs in 1995, that being Harbin Drive, at an estimated cost of $175,000.00. Isham advised that in 1994 $260,000.00 is spent out of the Bond Funds and $90,000.00 out of the General Fund. In 1995, the proposal is to use $100,000.00 of the Bond Funds and $75,000.00 from the General Fund. He also mentioned the Frey Street railroad crossing is being considered. Santa Fe Railway has been responsible for delaying this project. Isham feels that the problems have been resolved and we are ready to move forward. Councilmember Taylor moved to approve the plans and specifications for the 1994 Street Renovation Program and 122 authorize staff to solicit bids for the program. ` Councilmember Johnson seconded the motion. Motion carried by a UNANIMOUS vote. i IV. APPROVAL OF NEW DIRECTORS FOR STEPHENVILLE FOURTH OF JULY FUN FAIR COMMITTEE Councilmember Taylor reminded the Council that each year four directors go off the committee and four new directors are added. Taylor submitted the following list of couples to act as directors with the Council's approval: Connie and Dewayne Snider; Lynn and Debbie Boyd; Mike and Jill Scott; and Jerry and Marsha Norris. Councilmember Taylor moved that the Mayor and Council approve the above -named couples as new directors for the Stephenville Fourth of July Association. Councilmember Zelman seconded the motion. Motion carried by UNANIMOUS vote. V. AUTHORIZATION TO SELL CITY PROPERTY City Administrator, Don Davis, introduced Jeff Brown of the law firm of Calame, Linebarger and Graham whc represents the city in collection of delinquent taxes. Jennifer Schlicke, Erath County Tax Assessor - Collector, was recognized by Davis. Brown addressed the Council concerning the sale of property against which a judgment has been taken by the City. Attempt to sell property (1360 West Cage Street) in the name of Wendell McCrary was made on July 7, 1993, but there were no bidders at the tax sale. The property was "struck off" to the City as Trustee, who now holds the property in trust for itself and the other taxing jurisdictions involved in the judgment, which are the Stephenville ISD, Education District and Erath County. The total amount due at the sale was $4,700.00. A bid of $3,000.00 was submitted by Tony Wilson of Van Alstyne, Texas, after the tax sale on July 7, 1993. The City as Trustee is the first to consider accepting or rejecting the bid. Fair market value cannot be determined as the last appraised value included the structure which has since been demolished. It was further explained that costs in the approximate amount of $1,000.00 incurred in 123 the tax sale (i.e. court costs, citation costs, and attorney ad litem costs) would first be deducted from the sales price and the net would be paid in pro rata shares to the taxing entities. After discussion concerning the sale of this and other properties by the City together with the Stephenville ISD and Erath County, the Council authorized the Staff to meet with officials of the other taxing authorities to discuss plans for the sale of real estate. VI. PRESENTATION ON THE CLOSING OF THE WEATHER STATION City Administrator Davis introduced Skip Ely, Meteorologist in Charge and Area Manager for the offices of North Texas Weather Bureau, including the Stephenville office. Mr. Ely outlined the sequence of events involved with the accepting and commissioning new Dopler radar in Fort Worth. Once all installation and certification is completed in Fort Worth, the Stephenville radar will be decommissioned. The closing of the Stephenville station is scheduled for sometime around the end of this year. VII. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS Councilmember Evans moved that the Council approve the replat of Lots 1 and 2, Block 34, Frey First Addition, City of Stephenville. Councilmember Wooley seconded the motion. Motion passed by a UNANIMOUS vote. Concerning the site development plan, City Administrator Davis explained that Hardy Tidwell is proposing to build a facility where he will relocate an ice manufacturing business. Councilmember Evans moved that the Council approve the Site Development Plan, Lot 9, Block 34, Frey First Addition, City of Stephenville. Councilmember Johnson seconded the motion. Motion passed by UNANIMOUS vote. VIII. LANDFILL COMMITTEE Councilmember Taylor moved that the rates as presented by Waste Management at the February meeting be approved through October at which time they will again be reviewed based on the information and data accumulated at that time. Councilmember Zelman seconded the motion. Councilmember Wooley abstained from voting due to a conflict of interest. 124 IX X. XI. AYES: Councilmembers Nix, Zelman, Taylor, Evans, Johnson, Hodges, Bailey, and Mayor Lohrmann. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: Councilmember Wooley. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes - March 1, 1994. B. Bid Awards Waterworks Supplies C. Authorization for Disposal of Fixed Assets at Spring Auction. D. Change Order Nos. 4, 5, and 6 for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion. Councilmember Evans moved to accept the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Bailey seconded the motion. Motion carried by UNANIMOUS roll call vote. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT. Don Davis first recognized employees who were instrumental in the success of the Clean -Up Program: Betty Chew, Gary Nabors, Ronnie Isham, who led the effort; Tony Gonzales, and the Street Crew. Thirty -three substandard structures were demolished and 11,964 cubic yards of trash and debris. Davis reported that he has discussed recycling efforts with Waste Management, and they have some good plans for promoting and advertising recycling here in Stephenville. Davis mentioned the Joint Work Session of the Council with the Planning & Zoning Commission scheduled for Tuesday, April 19. COUNCIL /CITIZENS GENERAL DISCUSSION Jane Pratt: Advised the Council that the Landfill sign is down. Kay Conatser: Had questions concerning the out -of- pocket expense of the Clean -Up Program. 125 XII. EXECUTIVE SESSION. At 8:20 p.m. Mayor Lohrmann recessed the open portion of this meeting and called the Council into executive session in compliance with the provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Law, Article 6252 -17, Section 2(e), V.T.C.S., in accordance with the authority contained in LEGAL to discuss the following: Don Blackwell v. City of Stephenville Mayor Lohrmann reconvened the Council into open session at 8:23 p.m. and the following actions were taken: XIII. ACTION TAKEN (if anv) ON MATTERS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. Don Blackwell vs. City of Stephenville - No action taken. There being no other business to come before the Council at this time, Mayor Lohrmann adjourned the meeting at 8:24 p.m. ATTEST: Cindy Staffor , City ecretary Lavinia L rmann, Mayor 126