Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-02-03 - Regular City CouncilREGULAR SESSION - TUESDAY FEBRUARY 3, 1981 - T:00 P.M. CHAMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY HALL, STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS The City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, met in Regular Session Tuesday, February 3, 1981 at 7:00 p.m. with Mayor Joe F. Cummings present and presiding. COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Mike Leese W. M. Irwin William G. Brede Charles Riggins COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Raymond Anderson OTHERS ATTENDING: City Administrator Kurt Ackermann City Secretary Joyce Pemberton City Attorney Joseph Chandler Director of Finance Charlene Young Director of Public Works R. Y. Gann Chief of Police Mike Watkins Director of Utilities Danny Johnson Water Superintendent J. D. Chapman District Attorney Randy Chandler E. W. Ferguson Larry Hammett David Clayton Conrad Callicoatte Cecil Davis Virginia Dorris Don Metsgar Norman Hubbard Members of the press and many others. Mayor Cummings called the meeting to order and declared a quorum present. I: APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES. Councilman Irwin moved, seconded by Councilman Riggins, that the minutes of the council meetings of January 6th, 13th and 15th, 1981 be approved as written. Motion carried unanimously. ITEM II: REPORT FROM AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD. As there was no one present from the Airport Advisory Board, Mayor Cummings explained that prior to the meeting he had received a letter advising him of their recommendations and copies have been provided for the council. The Mayor and Council discussed the recommendations listed which included construction of 8 new aircraft hangars - - repair and modern- ization of the lounge facilities - - leasing ground for construction of new hangars to be built by individuals. After discussion, Councilman Irwin moved, seconded by Councilman Brede, that land be made available at the airport to lease to individuals wishing to construct hangars at their own expense, subject to confor- mation to the Airport Master Plan and contractural considerations which would have to be agreed on by all parties.concerned. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Cummings advised that he would continue to be in touch with the Texas Aeronautics Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration to obtain more specific information on the financing possibilities for some of these improvements recommended and would try to have this in- formation ready for the next regular meeting. ITEM III: RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION. Councilman Leese moved, seconded by Councilman Clayton, that the City Council accept the recommendation of the Planning & Zoning Commission that Block 79, City Addition, be rezoned from B-1 to B-2. Motion carried unanimously. I Mayor Cummings set Tuesday, March 3, 1981 at 7:OO p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall as the date, time and place for a public hearing to consider a change of zoning on Block 79, City Addition, from B-1 to B-2 as recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission. Mayor Cummings advised that the recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Commission pertaining to the sign at the entrance to the River North Phase I Subdivision is being taken care of now by the Sunbelt Savings & Loan. He said he had been told that.the brick was on the site and they are in the process of getting a sign built which will designate the entrance to a new subdivision and distinguish a change in the name of 0llie Street to Prairie Wind Blvd. Mrs. Virginia Dorris came before the Council and explained that it was a very difficult decision for the Commission to make when they allowed the Savings & Loan to change the name of 011ie Street to Prairie Wind Blvd. They only allowed said street change because Prairie Wind Blvd. was to be used throughout the entire subdivision and they were to erect a sign designating entrance into .a new subdivision. This was all discussed in 1977 when the preliminary plat was presented and, as the Planning & Zoning Commission does not see the final plat, it is up to the Council to see that all recommendations are carried out. Also, before the Council can accept another development from the Sunbelt Savings & Loan, they are sup- pose to completely fullfill all their obligations on the first one. Mrs. Dorris said it is important that any developer who presents a subdivision plat to the Council be required to follow the Subdivision Ordinance as it is set up. Mrs. Dorris said this sign is a minor thing„ but it points out something that is a very strong point with complying with the ord- inance of the city. Mrs. Dorris also advised that the recommendations also included that the area be lighted with a street light, otherwise the sign will not be visible. Mayor Cummings directed the City Administrator to follow up on these recommendations to see that the sign is installed and to check with Texas Power & Light regarding another street light at that intersection. ITEM IV: CITY OFFICERS ELECTION CALLED. Councilman Irwin moved, seconded by Councilman Ferguson, that the Regular City Officers Election be called for Saturday, April 4, 1981, for the election of four (4) councilmembers. One each .for council places 1, 3, 5, and 7. Mr. Curtis Anglin be appointed as Election Judge and Mr. Raymon Pack be appointed as Alternate Judge. The Judges and clerks receive $3.50 per hour with an additional $20.00 to the Election Judge. Motion carried unanimously. V: DISCUSS TRADE WITH City Administrator Kurt Ackermann reminded the Council that this is the same water tank discussed last month when the Council: authorized the invitation of bids for sale of said tank. Tarleton State University has expressed an interest and need for this 75,000 gallon water tank. The city is considering an even trade with the University of approximately one (1) acre of land the University owns which the city needs for the proposed.extension.-of Harbin Drive for the water tank with Tarleton to stand the expense.of moving said tank. Mr. Ackermann said the Tarleton officials felt this would be a fair trade, but they needed to get the approval of the Board of Regents and he wanted to get Council approval. After discussion, Mayor Cummings advised that no further action was necessary at this time as the Council.was in agreement to make this trade if and when the Tarleton State University Board of Regents approves. S.4 ITEM VI: DISCUSS SALE OF MCNEILL STREET PROPERTY. City Administrator Kurt Ackermann advised the Council that this city owned property (Lots 1 and 4, City Addition,) has East McNeill Street on the north and East Long Street on the south and is presently being used by the Soil Conservation employees for a parking lot. He said that, as far as he could determine, the city has no future plans for this property and he was wondering if the Council.would be interested in selling said property. ¢ Councilman Riggins said that the property was purchased for the 4 purpose of a downtown parking area. In the meantimeWjigginbothamsv&-4'4"" developed ImiiOLUC behind the Senior Citizens building for parking and this land was never used. Councilman Riggins suggested that, maybe, the Planning & Zoning Commission should look at this to see if the city would have any use for these lots in the future. Mayor Cummings appointed Councilmen Brede, chairman, Irwin and Hammett as a committee to look at this property and, maybe, meet with the Planning & Zoning Commission to see if they might have or know of any future plans for this property and be prepared to make a recom- mendation to the Council at the next regular council meeting. ITEM VII: DISCUSS FUNDING OF WATER WELLS City Administrator Kurt Ackermann advised the Council that Water Well #1 was about 50% complete. After talking with the Director of Finance, Charlene Young and Mr. Gann, he felt that the city could finance Water Well #2 without having to borrow funds. He said the city will have to go through the bid process for the second well, but he is hoping to get a good bid from R. L. Myers who is drilling Well #1 and he could just move his equipment to the second site. Mr. Ackermann said Mr. Gann has a projected cost of Well #2 of $160,000. The two wells should put an additional z million gallons of water in the distribution system by May, 1981. He advised there were several things to look at regarding the funding of Wells #3 and #4, but for now, he is requesting council approval for the city to fund Water Well #2 and let him go ahead with the invitation of bids. After discussion, Councilman Irwin moved, seconded by Councilman Riggins, that the city invite bids for the drilling of Water Well #2 and pump on a specified site. Motion carried unanimously. ITEM VIII: BID ITEMS REQUIRING COUNCIL ACTION. A. 4,760' of 16" water pipe and fittings. Conrad Callicoatte presented the following bid: 1. American Ductile Iron Pipe ---------------- $71,394.40 2. U.S. Pipe & Foundry Co.-------------------$71,507.67 3. Clow Corporation -------------------------- $72,012.56 4. Gifford -Hill American --------------------- $73,018.40 5. U.S.Pipe & Foundry-conc.pipe-------------- $76,826.40 After discussion, Councilman Irwin moved, seconded by Councilman Leese, that on Mr. Callicoatte's recommendation, the city accept the bid of $71,394.40 from American Ductile Iron Pipe for the purchse of 4,760' of water pipe and fittings, subject to the confirmation, by letter, of 2-3 weeks delivery. Motion carried unanimously. Director of Utilities Danny Johnson presented the following bids: B. 1 - 50 horsepower W.S. electric motor 1. Allied Belting & Transmission -------------- $1 645.00 Dallas, Texas 2. W. M. Smith Electric Co.-------------------$2,118.20 Dallas, Texas 3. Metro-Matic, Inc .-------------------------$24,776.00 Arlington, Texas Councilman Clayton moved, seconded by Councilman Riggins, that, on the recommendation of Danny Johnson, the city accept the low bid of $1,645.00 from Allied Belting & Transmission Co. for one (1) 50 horsepower W.S.electric motor. Motion carried unanimously. 95 C. Three (3) Square D well guard control panels. 1. City Electric Co.--------------------------$4,217.40 Stephenville, Texas 2. Graybar Electric Co., Inc .-----------------$4,602.00 Fort Worth, Texas 3. Dealers Electric Supply -------------------- $5,582.67 Fort Worth, Texas Councilman Ferguson moved, seconded by Councilman Hammett, that on the recommendation of Danny Johnson, the city accept the bid of $4,217.40 from City Electric Co. for the purchase of three (3) Square D well guard control panels. Motion carried unanimously. ITEM IX: REPORT ON COMPUTER SYSTEM BY CHARLENE YOUNG. Mrs. Young reported that since Burroughs Corporation had employed another field representative,,.had installed a disk cartridge unit and the city employees have become better acquainted with the computer operations the problems have been greatly reduced. She said she felt the system was doing as well as it ever would. Mrs. Young reminded the Council that the city had stopped payments on the system in July, 1980, to encourage Burroughs to give more help with the installation and the problems that had been encountered. Mrs. Young recommended to the Council that they approve the city resuming payments on the system. Mrs. Young did advise.. the Council that Burroughs had installed the disk cartridge unit with the understanding that it was to be used for 3 or 4 months to determine if it would eliminate the "space problems" before they billed it to the city.and apparently it has. Councilman Irwin brought up for discussion the expenses the city had incurred during, the installation of the B 800 computer system due to the incompetency of Burroughs personnel; to wit, employee overtime wages and $1,700.00 paid to Bill Bledsoe for garbage charges that were not collected. He said he was wondering if the city should be compen- sated by Burroughs Corporation for these expenditures. Mrs Young advised that the city did not have anything in writing to support the promises the Burroughs salesman made when selling the system. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Mayor and Council that Mr. Ackermann check with the City Attorney to see what recourse the city might have on these expenditures before resuming payments on the computer system. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Cummings called the Council into executive session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation as provided in ARTICLE 6252-17, VERNON'S TEXAS CIVIL STATUTES, Section 2 (e) and 2 (g). Mayor'Cummings reopened the council meeting in Open Session. Councilman Irwin moved that, in connection with the discussion in the executive session regarding the tax suit filed by Wayne Barham against the City of Stephenville, the City Council direct the City Administrator to employ, on behalf of the City, one (1) local certified appraiser and one (1) out of town appraiser to appraise the property in question in said suit. Councilman Brede made the second. After more discussion, Councilman Irwin amended his motion and Councilman Brede amended his second, to authorize the City Administrator to employ a local certified appraiser to appraise the Wayne Barham pro- perty designated in said tax suit filed against the City of Stephenville. Motion carried unanimously. 96 Councilman Irwin moved, seconded by Councilman Riggins, that Kurt Ackermann be appointed to the position of City Administrator, to serve at the Council's pleasure, effective March 1, 1981, at a salary of $25,000.00 per year. Motion carried unanimously. There being no other business to come before the Council, Mayor Cummings adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Mayor ATTEST: C�CJ ty cretary.