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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/20/1978 City Council MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING CITY OF THE COLONY MARCH 20, 1978 THE STATE OF TEXAS ) ) COUNTY OF DENTON ) The City Council of the City of The Colony, Denton County, Texas, convened in Regular Session, open to the public, at the United Methodist Church in the City of The Colony, Denton County, Texas at 7:30 P.M., Monday, March 20, 1978, and the roll was called of the members of the Council, to wit: Linda Adams Mayor Pro Tern Cathy Bock Alderman Dave Dall Alderman Joe Gaulden Alderman Sandra Shearer Alderman Alderman Gaulden was not in attendance; however, a quorum was established. Also present was Janice Carroll, City Secretary and members of the audience. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Adams. The Council members were introduced and the members of the audience were welcomed. The first agenda item was the approval of the minutes for the Regular Council Meeting held March 6, 197~'. Mayor Pro Tem Adams asked for corrections. On page four the statement credited to Emma McDaniel was made by Pam Mayo, Mayor Pro Tern Adams stated. It was so noted. Alderman Dall moved that the minutes be approved as corrected. Alderman Shearer seconded the motion. The motion was carried by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None Mayor Pro Tem Adams asked that agenda item two be presented as a later item since the City Treasurer, Tony Marchioli, had not yet arrived. The Street Light Agreement with TP&L was agenda item number three. Mayor Pro Tem Adams explained that Fox & Jacobs had requested that the city take this cost over as of January, 1978. This agreement is the standard rate agreement used by TP&L. At this time Alderman Dall moved that the city enter into this agreement with Texas Power & Light. Alderman Bock seconded this motion. Prior to voting Mayor Pro Tem Adams asked for comments. Ida Longo was recognized and asked what the cost would be. The cost is figured at $6.75 per lamp Mayor Pro Tem Adams advised. Edward Rose asked the Council if there was an alternative to this contract. Mayor Pro Tem Adams answered that no street lighting is the alternative. Bill Longo was concerned with the procedure on lamp replacement. Alderman Dall answered that the city does purchase the lamps; however, TP&L replaces them at their expense. There being no further comments, Mayor Pro Tem Adams called for a vote. The motion was carried by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None Two Animal Control Department contracts were to be considered as item four on the agenda. Mayor Pro Tem Adams read the con- tract with F.D. Holt, D.V.M. to treat sick animals and to put animals to sleep when necessary. There being no comments from the Council, Alderman Bock moved that the Council resolve to authorize Mayor Pro Tem'Adams to sign this agreement for the city with Dr. Holt. Alderman Shearer seconded the motion. Mayor Pro Tem Adams asked for comments from the members of the audience prior to calling for a vote. Gene Pollard was recognized and stated that he was concerned with the cost to the city. Mayor Pro Tem Adams explained that Dr. Holt charges $7.50 for a call and $4.00 for each animal treated during the call. There followed a general discussion of the practical application of this contract by the Animal Control Officer. Lupe Sanditen was concerned if the three day waiting period was sufficient prior to putting an animal to sleep. Alderman Dall answered that this is a judgment -2- decision made by the Animal Control Officer. If it is obviously a pet the Animal Control Officer would retain the animal for a longer time period and try to find the owner. As a protective measure, Alderman Shearer suggested that citizens notify the city when they are on a vacation and their pet will be left at home. John Luce was recognized and asked when our own Animal Control Officer would be trained to put animals to sleep. Mayor Pro Tem Adams answered that two to three months should be an adequate training period, but there are problems in this area that must be solved. After further general discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Adams called for a vote. The resolution was passed by the following vote: Ayes: Ail members present voted aye Noes: None The second contract considered was between the city and the Houri' House, Inc. for animal impoundment. Alderman Shearer stated that this was a necessary move to insure that the animals would be cared for adequately and free the Animal Control Officer for other responsibilities. After a brief discussion, Alderman Shearer moved that the Council resolve to authorize the Mayor Pro Tem to sign this contract with Houri' House, Inc. Alderman Bock seconded this motion. The motion was carried by the following vote: Ayes: Ail members present voted aye Noes: None At this time Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated that Mr. Marchioli, City Treasurer, is now present and that agenda item two could now be presented. Mayor Pro Tem Adams turned the meeting over to Mr. Marchioli to present the monthly financial statement for February. The total revenues for this month was $18,469.65. The expenditures by department were: General Department - $16,526.13; City Secretary $1,118.88; Municipal Court - 0; Police Department $6,142.90; Animal Control $797.95. Pam Mayo was recognized and asked what was the largest -3- expenditure for February. Mr. Marchioli answered that the payment to the City Attorney in the amount of $13,000 was the largest single expenditure. There followed a brief discussion on the validity of this payment. Bill Longo was recognized and stated that he has re- quested a copy of all the legal bills, and he has not received them. Mr. Longo further explained that he had requested this from Janice Carroll, City Secretary, and was told by Mrs. Carroll that the Mayor Pro Tern was checking on this request. This conversation occurred approximately five weeks ago. Mayor Pro Tem Adams answered that he had never 'con~acted her or a member of the Council on this subject. Alderman Dall aSsured Mr. Longo that he would have the bills by Thursday. Regarding Police Department salaries, Ed Rose was con- cerned that the allocated amount for the year is not sufficient. Robert Brown, a member of the audience, answered that the adjusted budget went into effect March 1, 1978, which does reflect the corrected figure for the fiscal year. Consideration of the Land Annexation Ordinance was agenda item six. Mayor Pro Tem Adams paraphrased the ordinance and stated that the three tracts of land generally located northwest of FM~423, south- west of FM#423 and southeast of FM.~423; all tracts being generally located north of Highway 121. There being no comments, Alderman Dall moved that the Council approve the Land Annexation Ordinance. Alderman Bock seconded the motion. The motion was carried by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None After the passage of this ordinance, Ed Rose did have a question regarding the revenues and cost this land would incur for the city. Mayor Adams replied that the city would receive tax revenue on this land. The city would be responsible for policing this area but there would be no immediate cost to the city. Gary Shipman asked if this area is within the MunicipaI Utility District? Mayor .Pro Tem Adams replied that it is in the Municipal Utility District. Bob Brown asked what was the total acreage? Frank Graham, Fox & Jacobs, answered that it was approximately 800 to 1000 acres. --4-- There being no further agenda items, Mayor Pro Tem Adams asked for general questions and comments from the audience. The Mayor Pro Tem recognized Michael Mayo. Mr. Mayo was con- cerned with the $2,084.00 spent for vehicle maintenance by the Police Department during the month of February. Alderman Dall advised Mr. Mayo to drop by City Hall and ask the Police Department for an explanation of this figure. Pam Mayo asked why the first police car was leased rather than purchased. Mr. Marchioli explained that at that time this was the most economical avenue for the city to take. Alderman Dall added that the service fee to lease was less than borrowing the money from the bank. Butch Warden was recognized and stated that he would like to make a public statement against the purchase of the "Jaws of Life" for The Colony Volunteer Fire Department by the city. Bill Sessum then addressed the Mayor Pro Tern asking permission to discuss this controversial topic at this time. Mayor Pro Tem Adams and the Council agreed. Mr. Sessum then introduced Fire Chief Chuck Kimberling. Chief Kimberling stated that the "Jaws of Life'' is wanted by all twenty-eight members of the Fire Department. He stated that they saw the tool in use by a Lewisville fireman at a wreck that occurred on Thanksgiving night. However, to justify this purchase Chief Kimberling introduced Mr. Phil Stout of the Fire Fox Corporation to explain the advantages of the "Jaws" Mr. Stout explained that the various tools neec~ed to take the place of the '~Jaws" would require more room on a truck and it takes more time to set up and use these tools in an emergency situation. Several members of the audience asked questions concerning the comparative use the tools in question would have. George Witkovsky stated that he had checked cost figures and had them available. Mr. Warden also stated that they had figures available. Mayor Pro Tem Adams suggested that all of this information be presented to the Council in writing. Gene Pollard was recognized and requested that Mr. Witkovsky give -5- his cost figures at this time. Mayor Pro Tem Adams agreed. Mr. Witkovsky then listed the tools needed to replace the "Jaws" and their current costs as follows: 1) Porta Power - $1076.09; 2) Hydraulic Shears - $2000.00; 3) K-12 - $510.25; 4) Accessory kit - $119.05; 5) Blades - $10.95; 6) Air Chisel - $479.20; and 7) a ~'come along:' - $71.16. This is a total expenditure of $4,658.34. Mayor Pro Tem Adams advised the concerned parties that this will be evaluated by the Council. Ed Rose was recognized and asked Chief Kimberling if he felt the "Jaws of Life" to be more important than the purchase of a second ambulance. Chief Kimberling replied that he did consider it more important. Regarding the newly annexed land, Bob Brown stated that he quickly figured the tax revenue to be approximately $6,000. Gene Pollard stated that he was concerned with the cost to develop this land. There being no further action to be taken by the Council, Alderman Bock moved that the meeting be adjourned. Alder- man Shearer seconded this motion. The motion was carried by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Pro Tern Adams. J ar~'i ce Carroll C~tty Secretary -6-