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Home My WebLink About2013-11-05 - Regular City Council1i MINUTES OF REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING City of Stephenville - City Council Tuesday, November 5, 2013, 5:30 P.M. The City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, convened on November 5, 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 Casey Hogan Malcolm Cross Russ McDanel Brady Pendleton Alan Nix Scott Evans Absent Doug Svien Others Attending Mark A. Kaiser, City Administrator Randy Thomas, City Attorney Cindy L. Stafford, City Secretary I. Call to Order. The meeting of the Stephenville City Council was called to order at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5, 2013, by Mayor Weldon. Mayor Weldon introduced Jackie Greenroy, who presented information aboutthe program, "Cross Timbers Backpack Buddies". This group works closely with school personnel to feed hungry children. She shared statistics from the Tarrant Area Food Bank for at -risk groups in Stephenville —Central Elementary, 73%; Chamberlin Elementary, 56%; Hook Elementary, 55.2%; and Gilbert Intermediate School, 49%. Shelf -stable food is picked up from the food bank then placed in sacks [backpacks] for distribution to the students most at risk of being hungry on the weekends. The food is distributed on Friday afternoon at their schools and provides food for the students and their school -aged siblings. Greenroy encouraged those listening to donate to or volunteer to work on this program. II. Citizens' General Discussion. No one wished to address the council. III. Delinquent Tax Collection Report —Jeff Brown, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP Jeff Brown, attorney, thanked the council for their continued business, stating that he has represented the City of Stephenville for more than 25 years. He reported that the firm has sent more than 416 warning notice letters to delinquent taxpayers. Fourteen lawsuits against 14 parcels were filed seeking the collection of $11,986.61 in delinquent taxes, penalties, and interest. Twenty-one lawsuits were dismissed during this reporting period which involved in excess of $23,957.40 in taxes, penalties, and interest. Regular Business Meeting November 5, 2013 Stephenville City Council Courtroom judgments have been taken in six lawsuits concerning seven accounts involving more than $4,168.97. Judgments were released in four cases concerning eight accounts involving more than $6,428.37. Three tax sales involving three tracts of real property were prosecuted involving more than $18,653.52 in taxes, penalties, interest and attorney'sfees. Brown stated that the City of Stephenville has a good base of taxpayers, reporting that the city collects approximately99% of taxes assessed. Brown summed up by saying, "By the use of all of our collection tools, including notice letters, specialized demand letters, and litigation, we have collected on your behalf just over $96,440.60 in delinquent taxes, penalty, and interest from September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2013." Jennifer Carey, Erath County Tax Assessor -Collector, was also in attendance and answered questions from council members. MOTION by Alan Nix, second by Brady Pendleton, to accept the report on delinquent tax collection. MOTION CARRIED. IV. PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION A. PUBLIC HEARING to consider request to rezone from R-1 "Single -Family Residential District" to R-3 "Multiple Family Residential District", Lot 8#, Block 139, City Addition, located on the 2200 block of West Tarleton Street Mayor Weldon opened a public hearing. Betty Chew, Director of Community Development, reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommends approval of this rezoning. Speaking in Favor of Rezoning: Applicant, Brad Allen, addressed the council stating that the plan for development of this area is to build high -end apartments. Speaking in Opposition of Rezoning: No one. Mayor Weldon closed the public hearing. B. Consider Adopting Ordinance No. 2013-19 rezoning from R-1 "Single -Family Residential District" to R-3 "Multiple Family Residential District", Lot S#, Block 139, City Addition, located on the 2200 block of West Tarleton Street MOTION by Alan Nix, second by Casey Hogan, to adopt Ordinance No. 2013-19. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. V. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT —Middle Trinity Groundwater Conservation District; Joe Cooper, General Manager Alan Nix, Chairman, reported that Joe Cooper, General Manager of the Middle Trinity Groundwater Conservation District gave a presentation regarding the workings of the groundwater district. Regular Business Meeting November 5, 2013 Stephenvilfe City Council VI. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT A. Planning and Zoning Report. Scott Evans, Chairman, reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission members are reviewing three specific issues —"Permitted Uses in All Districts", "Landscape Requirements/Exterior Fagade Requirements" and "Annexation". B. Task Force Update. The task force has met with the builders and developers. The new commercial building packet has been posted on the city's website, and the technical boards will begin their review and update of the 2012 International Codes. Vll. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMM ITTEE--ConsiderApproval of Contract Proposal with Progressive Waste Solutions MOTION by Brady Pendleton, second by Alan Nix, to authorize staff to finalize negotiations with Progressive Waste Solutions to include a proposed residential rate of$11.34 per month for current services. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote. Vill. PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE REPORT A. Ordinance Regulating the Keeping of Bees Russ McDanel, Chairman, reported that no action is sought on an ordinance at this time; however, the committee will continue to monitor this situation. Milton Horner, a local bee keeper, spoke to the council about the importance of bees and the significant impact bees have on our environment.. B. FAST powered by Nixie MOTION by Russ McDanel, second by Casey Hogan, to use Nixie as the city's public alert warning system at a cost of $9,500.00. During discussion of this item, Dr. Cross made comments stating that while he supports a public alert warning system being made available to the citizens, he said that he has concerns and questions, which he listed as follows: • Does the county have such a system? • Are city residents' taxes helping to pay for the county system? • Are city residents already being protected by the county system? • If citizens are already paying for the county system and are being protected by it, why must we have a city system as well? • If city residents are helping pay for the county system but are not being covered, why not? Following discussion, vote was taken. MOTION FAILED by the following vote. Ayes: Council members Hogan and McDanel, and Mayor Weldon. } Noes: Council members Cross, Pendleton, Nix, and Evans. Regular Business Meeting November 5, 2013 Stephenville City Council IX. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Scott Evans, second by Alan Nix, to approve the consent agenda. MOTION CARRIED. A. Approve Minutes 1. Regular Council Meeting on October 1, 2013 2. Special Council Meeting on October 22, 2013 B. Acceptance of Kaylie Subdivision X. Comments by City Administrator Mark Kaiser reported that a certificate of occupancy has been issued for Fire Station 2. XI. Comments by Council Members Mayor Weldon announced activities for Veterans Appreciation Weekend with activities beginning on Friday and continuing through Veterans Day on Monday. XII. Adjourn MOTION by Russ McDanel, second by Alan Nix, to adjourn the meeting. MOTION CARRIED at 6:38 p.m. ATTEST: Cindy L. afford, City ffretary Regular Business Meeting November 5, 2013 Stephenville City Council Jzz�mi. LiLL'M-- Jer I K. a don ]I, Mayor