The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1983-09-15 - Special City Council5 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS, HELD ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1983 - 3:30 P.M. The special meeting of the City Council of the City of Stephenville was called to order by the Mayor with the following members present: Mayor Joe F. Cummings Counci7members: Ray Reynolds Councilmembers: Charles Riggins Floyd Gordon William G. Brede David Clayton James L. McSwain and with the following members absent: Councilmembers John E. Pollan and G.A.Swindle. City Administrator Kurt J. Ackermann, City Secretary Joyce Pemberton, Director of Finance Charlene Young, Fire Chief Larry May, Director of Utilities Danny Johnson, and members of the press were present. Also present were David Cheatham, Paul Lansford, James E. Young, and Virgil Morgan. ITEM I: SELECT AUDITING FIRM FOR COMING YEAR. The Council discussed the following proposals from two local CPA firms during the process of selecting auditors for the coming year. 1. Cheatham & Lansford-------- - - - - -- Estimated Audit Fee ----------- $5,500. to $6,500. P.O. Box 936 140 S. Virginia St. Stephenville, TX 76401 2. Boucher, Morgan and Young-- - - - - -- Estimated Audit Fee----- - - - - -- $4,300 to $4,800. 130 N. Graham Stephenville, TX 76401 Adifference of---------------------------------------------- - - - - -- $1,200 to $1,700 After a general discussion, Councilman Clayton moved to retain the auditing firm of Cheatham & Lansford as the city has used this same auditing firm since 1974 and there have been no problems. Councilman Riggins seconded the motion. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Councilmen. Riggins, 'Brede, -Cordon, Clayton, and Mayor Cummings. NOES: Councilmen Reynolds and McSwain ITEM II: COTMTTEE REPORT REGARDING C.A.D. LEASING CITY PROPERTY. Councilman Reynolds reported that he had been unable to get his committee together therefore he did not have a recommendation. Mayor delayed action on this item until the next meeting. ITEM III: CONSIDER PROVISIONS FOR CITY TAX COLLECTIONS DURING THE COMING BUDGET YEAR. Mayor C=iings reminded the Council that this is to determine who will collect the city advalorem taxes for the coming budget year; to wit: the city, the county, or the C.A.D. Mayor Cummings asked the councilmembers to refer to exhibit 3 of their agenda packets for the comparison figures as follows: 1. City - $25,500.00 2. Central;,Appraisal District - $17,356.00 + $ 2,000.00 - separate mmeilout of city statements + $ 200.00 - one time charge for separate run of 19,556.00 city statements because they were not sent in with other statements this year. 297 3. County - $9,787.00 + $1,500.00 - Publication charges + ? - Outside audit Director of Finance Charlene Young discussed these comparison figures with the Council. After considerable discussion, Councilman McSwain moved to accept the proposal from Erath County Central Appraisal District to collect the city's advalorem taxes for the coming year. Councilr.�n Reynolds seconded the motion. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: All members present voted aye. NOES: None ITEM IV: AWARDING OF DEPOSITORY BIDS FOR COMING YEAR. After opening of the sealed bids and general discussion of said bids, Councilman Reynolds moved that the depository bid be awarded to the Stephenville Bank & Trust Co. for the coming year. Councilman Clayton seconded the motion. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Councilmen Brede, McSwain, Reynolds, Gordon, and Clayton NOES: None ABSTAINED: Councilman :Riggins -and- he did not enter into discussion of bids. ITEM V: AWARD BIDS FOR MATERIALS FOR THE WATER DEPARTMENT. Director of Utilities Danny, Johnson presented the following bids for various materials for the water department: 1. Coburn Supply Co. - - - -- P.O. Box 3437 Baton Rouge, LA. 2. Western Equipment Co. -- 3601 Central Wichita Falls, TX ------------- - - - - -- $5,878.75 ,717.36 Councilman Clayton moved acceptance of the low bid of $4,171.36 from Western Equipment Co. as recomrended by Mr. Johnson. Councilman Brede seconded the motion. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: A11 members present voted Aye NOES: None Director of Utilities presented the following bids for the purchase of two (2) chlorine scales: 1. Newman Engin. Co. P.O. Box 20616 Dallas, TX 2. Metro Quip Inc. - -- 3600 Pioneer Arlington, TX - $4,725.00 ----------- - - - - -- $4,600.00 Councilman Riggins moved acceptance of the low bid of $4,600.00 from Metro Quip Inc. as reconmended by Mr. Johnson. Councilman Gordon seconded the motion. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: All members present voted aye. NOES: None. ITEM VI: TO CONSIDER REPORT REGARDING CITIZEN COMPLAINT. Mayor Cummings asked the Council to refer to the report (attached to and becoming a part of these minutes) from the City Administrator included as exhibit 6 of their agenda packets and asked for conments. Councilman Clayton commented that he thought the report from the City Administrator was very good and he did not feel there was any intentional deception. He said the Street Department was just trying to save a little time. He cools also understand why someone would think city personnel and city equipment was being used. In the future it might be better to drive further to dump the scrap materials. Councilman Riggins agreed with Councilman Clayton. He said some people were just looking for any little wrongdoing that persons working for the city might do. Councilman Reynolds comuiezted that they were communicating, what was going on all along, therefore, he did not feel they were trying to hide anything. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Mayor and Council that no action was needed. Councilman McSwain commented that #3 of the conclusion of Mr. Ackermann's report was placing the ,Street Superintendent in the position of deciding who could and who could not have the waste material from job sites. It might be better if this material was not available at all to the public. All material to be hauled to a designated dump site for disposal After more discussion, it was the consensus of the Mayor and Council to use this waste material for the improvements of city property when possible, otherewise, such waste materials will be hauled to approved dumpsite for disposal. Mayor Cummings asked Mr. Ackermann to convey to the personnel concerned that the Council certainly is not suggesting that there was any misconduct officially, but does expect in the future the procedures are to be followed to the letter. Its just one of those situations that has to be done that way when you are in the public eye. Lillian Street Project Report: Mayor Cummings reported that he and Mr. Ackermann talked to the sub - contractor who is in charge of digging the ditch across Lillian St. With the A & M Building Inspector there, he was suppose to pur it in two separate pieces. They poured the first Monday and should be ready to pour the next section tommorrow. The A & M Inspector makes him wait five days and then he'll be ready to fill it in. However, to follow our ordinances, he has to fill that in with sand and it has to be compacted to 95% and then has has to put the cement over it. He kept hinting that if we'd just let him push that in he'd be through a lot quicker. He said he realized we are in a terrible bind, but he stayed with the ordinance. With that in mind and he agreed to put on extra crews, etc. I intend to go by tommrrow to see how they are progressing. He said they would be through a week from this week -end (Sept.23rd). If they are not, I have a couple of other ideas I want to try. Mayor Cummings, with the consent of the Council, appointed Councilman Brede as the UN Day Committee Chairman for the City of Stephenville. There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m. Cum. gs , yor ATTEST: t ecret; Y arY