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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-02 - Regular City CouncilMINUTES OF REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING City of Stephenville - City Council Tuesday, April 2, 2013, 5:30 P.M. The City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, convened on April 2, 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'sTexas 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, April 2, 2013, by Mayor Weldon, who offered thanks to the good Lord for the recent rain. II. Citizens' General Discussion. No one came forward to address the council. III. PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION A. Consider Final Plat of Lakewood Subdivision Phase 2, being 1.355 acres of land in the William Sims Survey, Abstract 683, City of Stephenville, Erath County, Texas Betty Chew, Director of Community Development, presented the staff report pointing out that this final plat is comprised of four lots that are one quarter to one third acre in size. MOTION by Scott Evans, second by Alan Nix, to approve the Final Plat of Lakewood Subdivision. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. B. Consider Final Plat of Lot 1, Block 2, Washington Square Addition, being 11.16 acres of land in the William Motley Survey, Abstract 515, City of Stephenville, Erath County, Texas. Betty Chew reported that this final plat for an 11.16 acre subdivision located at the southwest corner of Wolfe Nursery Road and West Frey Street, is fora one -lot subdivision. The owners propose to develop this with a 198-unit student housing apartment complex. Regular Business Meeting April 2, 2013 Stephenville City Council MOTION by Scott Evans, second by Russ McDanel, to approve the final plat of Lot 1, Block 2, Washington Square Addition. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. IV. PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE REPORT A. Consider Purchasing Outdoor Warning Sirens. MOTION by Russ McDanel, second by Joe Cude, to purchase six used outdoor warning sirens from the Comanche Peak location for $35,300. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. B. Consider Approval of Forfeiture Fund Expenditure. MOTION by Russ McDanel, second by Doug Svien, to approve the use of forfeiture funds to purchase two body -worn camera systems for patrol officers and a new scope forthe police department's tactical rifle for $4,900. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. C. Consider Adoption of Ordinance No. 2013-01 Amending the Parking Schedule. MOTION by Russ McDanel, second by Martha Taylor, to approve Ordinance No. 2013- 01. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. V. FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT A. Airport Fund Forecast. Committee Chairman Doug Svien reported that since 1995, the city has invested just over $1 million in matching funds to generate over $10 million in capital assets at the Stephenville Clark Regional Airport. B. Consider Adoption of Ordinance No. 2013-02 Amending the Fee Schedule, 0801— Planning Services, Park Land Dedication. MOTION by Doug Svien, second by Alan Nix, to approve Ordinance No. 2013-02. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. C. Consider Approval of Contract with Schrader & Cline, LLC Regarding the Process and Advisability of Creating a Tax Increment Financing Reinvestment Zone (TIF). MOTION by Doug Svien, second by Brady Pendleton, to approve the contract with Schrader & Cline, LLC. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. VI. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT A. Consider Approval of Employee Benefit Package Employee benefit package recommendations are: 1) Blue Cross Blue Shield, health insurance, reduction of 3%; 2) Assurant Dental, dental insurance, increase of 19.7%; 3) CareFlite at a cost of $12 per year per employee, to provide air and ground ambulance transfers for each family member. Regular Business Meeting April 2, 2013 Stephenville City Council Mayor Weldon recessed the council meeting at 6:00 p.m. and called to order the Employee Benefit Trust meeting. The city council reconvened in regular session at 6:03 p.m. MOTION by Scott Evans, second by Martha Taylor, to fund the employee benefit package. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. B. Consider Approval of Pay Plan Consultant. Chairperson Martha Taylor reported that the committee has charged the city administrator with searching for a consultant to advise the council on the employee pay plan. C. Consider Eliminating the Economic Development Coordinator Position Chairperson Taylor reminded council that this position was approved in October 2012 and appropriations were made to the budget for $100,000, and the city administrator began taking applications. Since that time, there has been concern that the amount funded for this position may not be adequate. Also, the city has no tax structure dedicated to economic development, and the committee voted to recommend the elimination of this position and begin to explore other avenues more compatible with the structure of the City of Stephenville. MOTION by Martha Taylor, second by Alan Nix, to eliminate the economic development coordinator position. Russ McDanel and Doug Svien both stated that they would be voting against the motion. Mayor Weldon took the floor saying that the council and city staff are charged with three functions —ensure public safety, provide adequate infrastructure, and provide for quality of life. The mayor identified three options to deal with the financial burden: 1) cut programs and services; 2) raise taxes; and 3) grow the tax base, which means economic development. Weldon said, "Economic development is important, and I don't think the council is in disagreement with that at all." He said that for us to be successful economically it is notjust the city council or city staff; it's the city, county, chamber of commerce, STEDCO, and Tarleton coming together as a group saying, "We care enough to make this a priority." Weldon said that he is convinced that we will be successful. He said that if the council is truly committed to economic development that we should not eliminate the position but allow it to be defined in a manner that sets us up for success. Following discussion among council members, vote was taken on the motion. MOTION CARRIED by the following vote: Ayes: Council members Cude, Cross, Pendleton, Nix, Taylor, and Evans. Noes: Council members Svien and McDanel. Regular Business Meeting April 2, 2013 Stephenville City Council VII. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE and PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT A. Consider Approval of 2012-2023 Capital Street Project Bid Award MOTION by Scott Evans, second by Alan Nix, to approve the 2012-2013 Capital Street Project bid asfollows: Alexander Road (South Loopto Long Street), Mcllhaney(Washington to Vanderbilt), Tarleton (Mcllhaney to 011ie), and Dale (Washington to Frey) for a total project amount of $1,109,070.95 submitted by Jay Mills Contracting of Stephenville. MOTION CARRIED. B. Consider Approval of Contract for Professional Services for Paving and Drainage Improvements to Forest Lane MOTION by Scott Evans, second by Martha Taylor, to approve the contract with Schrickel Rollins & Associates, Inc. for paving and drainage improvements to Forest Lane (Northwest Loop to Thornhill). Contract amount is $105,000, representing 7.25% of the estimated project construction cost of $1,458,640. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. C. Consider Approval of Contract for Professional Services for Paving and Drainage Improvements to Tab Road Chairman Evans reported that the scope of this project has changed, and he asked that this matter be tabled until the council receives a revised contract. D. Consider Approval of 2013 Slurry Seal Maintenance Project MOTION by Scott Evans, second by Russ McDanel, to approve the slurry seal project for this year, which area is Dale Street from West Frey to Northwest Loop at an approximate cost of $47,500. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. E. Overview of Street Infrastructure Evans reported that the committee reviewed a city map that was divided into 16 sections with each section cataloged by street miles, surface type, curb and gutter, etc. A cost estimate for replacement was calculated based on current day costs. A complete analysis will be presented prior to the budget work session. F. Overview of Water and Sewer Utility Infrastructure Alan Nix, Chairman of the Public Works Committee, reported on the overview of water and sewer utility infrastructure indicating $175,000 is appropriated annuallywhen an estimated $1.6 million annual maintenance appropriation is necessary forthe long-term maintenance of existing infrastructure. Regular Business Meeting April 2, 2013 Stephenville City Council G. Consider Approval of the 2013 Sanitary Sewer Line Rehabilitation Project and Contract with Schrickel Rollins and Associates, Inc. for Engineering Services The proposed project areas were identified by previous basin evaluations; however, the proposed project scope does not address all of the issues identified in the respective basin evaluations. MOTION by Alan Nix, second by Scott Evans, to approve the professional services proposal from Schrickel Rollins & Associates, Inc. for $63,500. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. H. Consider Adoption of Ordinance No. 2013-03 Amending Chapter 50: Sewer and Water Service and Providing for a New §50.027 Grease Ordinance MOTION by Alan Nix, second by Brady Pendleton, to adopt Ordinance No. 2013-03. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. I. Consider Approval of Contract with The Retail Coach for Economic Development Strategy MOTION by Alan Nix, second by Russ McDanel, to employ The Retail Coach, L.L.C. for a flat fee of $750 to conduct a workshop to address community retail recruitment and development issues and opportunities. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. Vill. Consider Filling Vacancy on Senior Citizens Advisory Board MOTION by Malcolm Cross, second by Russ McDanel, to refer this matter to the upcoming Nominations Committee meeting. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. IX. Consider 2012 Consumer Price Index Adjustment to Municipal Telecommunications Right - of -Way Access Line Rates MOTION by Joe Cude, second by Russ McDanel, to not acceptthe Consumer Price Index rate and leave the charge at the current rate at $0.59. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. X. CONSENTAGENDA Alan Nix asked that Item D be removed from the consent agenda. MOTION by Russ McDanel, second by Scott Evans, to approve Consent Agenda Items A., B., and C. MOTION CARRIED. A. Approve Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting on March 5, 2013 B. Approve Minutes of the Special Council Meeting on March 22, 2013 C. Approve Order of Cancellation of May 11, 2013 City General Election D. Approve Interlocal Purchasing Agreement with Region 4 Education Service Center Regular Business Meeting April 2, 2013 Stephenville City Council Kaiser explained that the agreement provides for a cooperative purchasing program as provided in the Texas Government Code, Title 7, Chapter 791 and also the Local Government Code, Title 8, Chapter 271 that allow savings to member school districts and public entities through volume purchasing. MOTION by Alan Nix, second by Joe Cude, to approve Resolution No. 2013-04. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. XI. Comments by City Administrator Upcoming events: • Tarleton Round Up on April 6 • Leadership Stephenville Recycling Effort on April 6 • Electronics Recycling, April 27 • Native Plant and Heirloom Fair at the Museum, April 27 XII. Comments by Council members Malcolm Cross announced that the Nominations Committee will be considering possible revisions to the city charter if anyone has recommendations to make. Scott Evans reported that as a result of citizen concerns about health issues possibly caused by electric smart meters, a bill is before the State Legislature that will allow residents to opt out of the smart meter program. Evans stated that Oncor has been accommodating with regard to this situation, and he thanked state legislators for acting on this matter. Mayor Weldon highlighted a new program called Stephenville Connect between the city and Tarleton which establishes a formal relationship between student organizations and community non -profits with a goal to create a lasting relationship between the student body and the Stephenville community. XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION. At 7:36 p.m., Mayor Weldon recessed the open portion of the meeting, and council went into 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 Sec. 551.072 Deliberations about Real Property and Sec. 551.087 Deliberation Regarding Economic Development Negotiations-20.811 acres, William Motley Survey, Stephenville, Erath County, Texas Council reconvened in open session at 8:20 p.m. XIV. Action taken on matters discussed in executive session (if necessary) Regular Business Meeting April 2, 2013 Stephenville City Council XV. Adjourn MOTION by Russ McDanel, second by Joe Cude, to adjourn the meeting. MOTION CARRIED at 8:20 p.m. W Jerr K. Wkkon II, Mayor ATTEST: CindyL. ford, eitySe ary Regular Business Meeting April 2, 2013 Stephenville City Council