HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-01-05 - Regular City Council
MINUTES OF REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING
City of Stephenville - City Council
Tuesday, January 5, 2016, 5:30 P.M.
The City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, convened on January 5, 2016, 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
Mayor Pro-Tem : Russ McDanel
Council members : Mark McClinton
Boyd Waggoner
Rhett Harrison
Alan Nix
Sherry Zachery
Jerry Warren
Absent : Doug Svien
Others Attending : Patrick C. Bridges, 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, January 5, 2016, by Mayor Weldon. The mayor began by quoting from
Proverbs 6:3 “Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.”
Mayor recognized the Stephenville Faith Knights and welcomed the players, coaches,
families, friends and classmates who were present at the meeting. Mayor Weldon
presented them with the following proclamation:
“
Whereas, the Stephenville FAITH Knights won its fifth consecutive state
championship over Plano CHANT on November 28, 2015 in a 28-20 decision in the Texas
Association of Independent Athletic Organizations, Division II six-man league; and
“Whereas, this achievement was the result of determination, sacrifice, skill, and
dedication; and
“Whereas, the Stephenville FAITH Knights have distinguished themselves and
brought great honor to Stephenville by their actions on and off the field; and
“Whereas, the entire community wishes to express their admiration and
gratitude.
Regular Business Meeting January 5, 2016
Stephenville City Council
“Now, Therefore, I, Kenny Weldon, Mayor and on behalf of the Stephenville City
Council and the citizens of Stephenville, do hereby congratulate the Faith Knights on their
accomplishment and call on all citizens to join me in expressing our sincere appreciation
to the players, coaches, families, school officials and loyal fans.”
Mayor Weldon also thanked council and staff for their service in 2015. He noted the
following:
Community Services employees, police officers and fire fighters for their extra
measure of service recovering from the damage caused as a result of the historic
rains we received;
No ad valorem tax increase;
A balanced budget;
Increase of 5.7% in sales tax from $5.4 In 2014 to $5.8 In 2015;
Formation of Stephenville Type B Economic Development Authority;
City’s first Strategic Plan for Economic Development;
Customer friendly, customer oriented, citizen’s-focused government review;
Approval of $100,000 to design $1M in street repairs;
Authorization of a Pavement Management Plan and Thoroughfare Plan;
TxDOT funding received for extension of Bosque River Trial from Tarleton Street
to FM 8;
TxDOT approval for the extension of the airport runway;
Variety of community events—Summer Concert Series, citizen-generated Fourth
of July celebration, Rodeo Heritage Week, Veterans Parade, Sundown on the
Square, and Holly Jolly Christmas.
II.Citizens’ General Discussion. No one wished to address the council.
III.Phil Greer and Maddison Melton, Greer’s Ranch Café—Impact of Alcoholic Beverage
Laws on the Local Restaurant
Phil Greer explained to the council some of the complexities involved in meeting the
requirements of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission pertaining to private club
license holders. Greer said that he is required to log driver license information from each
customer who orders an alcoholic beverage. He explained that customers who are
unfamiliar with TABC laws find this practice intrusive. He said that he hopes to file a
petition calling for a local option election which would alleviate some of the current
restrictions by allowing him to qualify for a different type of licensing. Greer left
information concerning this process with the city attorney for his review.
IV.Presentation by Texas State Guard
th
Colonel Lloyd Lietz, Commander of the 19 Regimen, Texas State Guard, advised that
approximately 300 state guardsmen will be in our area January 21-24 to conduct a major
training event. He explained that the Texas State Guard is an unarmed auxiliary to the
Texas military forces. The overall mission is to augment and provide additional support to
local authorities in the event of disasters—mainly weather-related disasters.
Regular Business Meeting January 5, 2016
Stephenville City Council
V.Planning and Building Services, Agreed-Upon Procedures Report, September 1, 2013 to
July 31, 2014--Melanie Taylor, CPA/CFE, Boucher, Morgan & Young
Taylor addressed the council concerning the Independent Accounts’ Report on Applying
Agreed-Upon Procedures that was conducted by her team to evaluate the permits and
certificates of occupancy issued by the City of Stephenville for the period from September
1, 2013 to July 31, 2014. She noted that during this timeframe there were 649 building
permits issued with documentation for 61%. The number of permits signed by an official
was 215 or 33%. Plans were found for 218 permits, or 34%. There were 78 certificates of
occupancies with documentation for 15. She pointed out that the money trail was very
easy to follow. There was not a question in either of the reporting years that any money
was missing.
MOTION by Russ McDanel, second by Alan Nix, to accept the report and include the
memorandum from Fire Chief Jimmy Chew addressing certain facets of the report.
MOTION CARRIED.
VI.Economic Development Update
A.H.B. Restaurants, Inc.
Mayor Weldon reported that the council had considered a request filed by H.B.
Restaurants, Inc. for sales tax rebate. The council took action; however, SEDA should have
been involved in the process. Proper procedure is being mapped out by attorneys in order
to address the requests of H.B. Restaurants, Inc.
Mayor Weldon opened this item for comments from the audience. Those who spoke are
listed below:
Mike Ballow, owner of Montana Restaurant, said that he has lived in Stephenville most of
his life. He has been a realtor, builder, businessman, and restauranteur with his brother-
in-law David Watkins, a Stephenville native. Throughout his history in the restaurant
business here, Ballow said he has not received any tax abatement. Ballow said, “I can’t
think of any business here that would love to see another business from out of town come
in here and get a tax abatement that’s in competition.” He said that tax abatements
should be used to bring companies that will add significant numbers to the workforce.
V. W. Stephens, owner of City Limits and Bosque River Center, does not support tax
abatement to promote a commercial business. He said, “We’re not going to create any
more ‘food’ than what’s already here. You’re going to take from Mr. Greer, Montana,
myself. I don’t see where you have any reasoning to do anything with commercial, unless
it’s something that’s huge that brings in 100 employees.”
Quincy Ellis, Lone, Texas, is a principal in The Matrix Assessment Group. H.B. Restaurants
is one of his clients. He said that he has over 40 years of experience in economic
development. Ellis clarified that H.B. Restaurant’s request was not for any type of tax
Regular Business Meeting January 5, 2016
Stephenville City Council
rebate or abatement but rather was for a tax rebate program under the Chapter 380
program, which goes straight to the city council. Ellis said that it was never the intention
of H.B. Restaurant to request assistance or funding from SEDA.
City Administrator Bridges reported that attorney Jeff Moore is working on drafting the
appropriate documents for the council to consider on the Chapter 380 request. Bridges
reported that action taken at the December 14, 2015 Special Council Meeting was null
and void.
B.Economic Incentive Policy
A draft policy has been distributed to council members and SEDA directors for their review
and action at an upcoming meeting.
C.SEDA
City Administrator Bridges reported that 53 applications have been received for the SEDA
Executive Director position, and three applicants have been interviewed at this time with
other interviews scheduled. SEDA hopes to bring a recommendation for SEDA Executive
Director to the February 2, 2016 council meeting.
VII.NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT—Prayer at Council Meetings
Rhett Harrison reported that the committee voted to recommend that council participate
in prayer before each monthly regularly scheduled meeting. Committee members will
meet with the Stephenville Ministerial Alliance for additional counsel on the matter.
VIII.PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE
Police Chief Jason King presented necessary changes and notices to comply with Penal
Code 46.035 as it pertains to the new “open carry laws”.
A.Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2016-R-01 Regarding the City’s Prohibition of
the Carrying of Openly Carried Handguns in City Council Chambers
MOTION by Alan Nix, second by Russ McDanel, to adopt Resolution No. 2016-R-01.
MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote.
B.Approve Changes in Employee Handbook to Provide for a New Section 10.32
Weapons
MOTION by Russ McDanel, second by Mark McClinton, to approve changes to the
Employee Handbook to provide for a new Section 10.32. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous
vote.
Regular Business Meeting January 5, 2016
Stephenville City Council
IX.FINANCE COMMITTEE—Consider Approval of Professional Services Proposal from
Schrickel Rollins and Associates, Inc. to Provide Plans and Specifications for the
Development of Phase I and Phase II of the East Side Sewer Project
MOTION by Russ McDanel, second by Mark McClinton, to approve the Professional
Services Proposal from Schrickel Rollins and Associates, Inc. MOTION CARRIED.
X.CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Russ McDanel, second by Mark McClinton, to adopt Items A.1., 2., and 4., and
B. of the consent agenda. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION by Russ McDanel, second by Mark McClinton, to approve Item A.3., December
14, 2015 minutes with the change to reflect that on the vote for “Item II. Consider
Approval of Application for Sales Tax Refund/Rebate filed by H.B. Restaurants, Inc.”, that
Council member Warren did not vote. MOTION CARRIED.
A. Approve Minutes
1.Special Council Meeting on November 30, 2015
2.Regular Council Meeting on December 1, 2015
3.Special Council Meetings on December 14, 2015
4.Special Council Meeting on December 15, 2015
B.Approve the Sale of City Property
XI.Comments by City Administrator
City offices will be closed on January 18 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Key Programs Update
Bridges gave an update on the following:
Purchase order issued for equipment to replace
PD patrol vehicles ordered
Received proposal from Freese and Nichols, Inc. (FNI) for Subdivision Ordinance
Update
FNI to make presentation on the Thoroughfare Plan and on the Pavement
Management Plan on January 26
Construction on 2015-2016 Street Improvement Project estimated to begin in
February
Bosque River Trail Corridor Phase II—Completing environmental analysis and
closing on the final two properties
Community Center Assessment—Expended $36,000 in concept design and
feasibility studies. Presentation made at December 15, 2015 council meeting
City engineer has been hired and will begin work this month
Regular Business Meeting January 5, 2016
Stephenville City Council
XII.Comments by Council members
Boyd Waggoner said that he hopes economic development efforts will result in H.B.
Restaurant, Inc. opening a restaurant here in Stephenville.
Russ McDanel thanked those who came to the council meeting as well as those watching
on television and by live streaming.
Mayor Weldon thanked the council members and others who sacrifice their time in
meetings and deliberations for the good of the community.
XIII.Adjourn
MOTION by Russ McDanel, second by Alan Nix, to adjourn the meeting. MOTION CARRIED
at 8:08 p.m.
_______________________________________
Jerry K. Weldon II, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________
Cindy L. Stafford, City Secretary
Regular Business Meeting January 5, 2016
Stephenville City Council