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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/30/1988 City Council ..00304 . MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON JULY 30, 1988 The Work Ses~i~f~ the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to order at.8:00 a.m. on the 30th day of July, 1988 at City Hall with following Council roll call: Don Amick, Mayor Present Rick Harris,Mayor Pro-tem Absent Johnny Spears,Councilman Present Michael Robinson,Councilman Absent Steve Glazener,Councilman Absent Dick Weaver,Councilman Present Joel Marks,Councilman Present and with four members present a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 1. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF THE PROPOSED MUNICIPAL BUDGET FY 1988/89 Mayor Amick stated that the budgets of the Police and Fire Departments would be covered in this session. Councilman Weaver said he would like to comment before beginning the discussion, stating that he had been through the entire budget in detail and had visited with Councilmen Spears, Glazener and Marks regarding the budget. Councilman Weaver went on to say that he feels the major objective is to get the budget down to $.70 - $.74 and that he cannot accept any higher figure. Councilman Weaver said that the Council has hired Bill Hall to spend the city's money with Council's knowledge and that the Council should give Mr. Hall a policy on limitations and not individual items within the budget. He went on to way that he has confidence in Mr. Hall and James England and trusts them to do a good job. Councilman Weaver then stated that he had not found any money in the budget alloted to the improvement of the Eastvale area, reminding Mayor Amick of his statement to the citizens regarding these improvements and asked if this should be included in this budget. Councilman Weaver concluded by reiterating that he would not vote for a budget over $.74. Councilman Spears agreed with Councilman Weaver, stating that the work sessions go into too much detail. Councilman Spears said the Council does not need to determine which capital items should be purchased, stating that the staff knows what they need and the Council should give staff a dollar amount and let them decide how to spend it. Mayor Amick said all that may be true, however, he is going to continue with the detailed work sessions on the departmental budget. The Mayor stated that those who wished to leave may do so, but that he feels better when he has an idea of what is actually included in the budget and these sessions give him an opportunity to ask questions of the department heads that may have come up. Mayor Amick then said that he came into this year with the same philosophy as last year, stating that the City cannot afford an increase or a decrease in taxes. The Mayor said if we start to cut taxes now, then very soon we will be forced to increase them again. Mayor Amick explained that in the past, the practice has been for Council to give the staff guidelines with regard to capital expenditures, in line with the Council's perception of needs in the city as made know to them by their constituents. The Mayor cited an example; we have talked for years about signal lights in the city and there is nothing in this budget for them. Councilman Spears said he has no objection to reviewing the departmental budgets, he just does not think Council should tell staff what to cut, except in total dollars. Councilman Spears oo3o4a said the questions is, can we afford this budget or not? Councilman Weaver agreed with Councilman Spears. Fire Department Chief Van Morrison was present to answer questions regarding the budget for his department. Mayor Amick addressed capital expenditures first, asking if the radios are replacements. Chief Morrison said they are, stating that the current radios are very old and do not work well. Mayor Amick asked where a gas detector would be used. The Chief said besides the Fire Department, the utility department would use it to detect leaks, noting the item would detects 30 different types of gases. There were no further questions regarding capital expenditures, however, Chief Morrison stated that there is a need which was not included in this budget request. The Chief said the character generator in the police dispatch area, which, via cable T.V., is used to inform the citizens of activities in the city and when an emergency situation does exist loses all information when there is any voltage drop. Chief Morrison said this happens often and that we are in need of a power pack for that generator, which would keep that from happening, going on to say the cost is about $800.00. In Personnel Services, the Mayor asked why the part-time salaries is going down and full-time going up. Chief Morrison stated that he is requesting to transfer his part-time secretary to a full- time position, noting that when the budget was prepared there was $8600.00 too much added into salaries and the total should actually be $367,108.00 Mayor Amick asked why dues was going up so much and the Chief explained that previously dues and memberships had been taken from various accounts and this year all dues and memberships are being taken from this one account. Mayor Amick asked about the increase Professional Services. Chief Morrison said that for the past three years, the doctors at Trinity Medical had been instructing the paramedics on procedures at no cost to the city, but that this year Trinity passed a policy stating they would charge $.20 per capita which does include educational services at $500.00 per man. The Chief said that the paramedics must have the instruction from doctor before they can take any action and they are required to have 160 hours within a four year period to maintain their certification. Mayor Amick asked why electrical is up and Mr. Hall stated that he had been advised there is a proposed rate increase of 6-8% so each department should show an increase in that line item. The Mayor asked how vehicle maintenance can remain so consistent. Chief Morrison said he expects it to go up this year, but in light of past history with budgets, he felt he should keep it the same. Mayor Amick said if $8000.00 is not realistic then the figure should be increased. James England, said according to the figures so far this year, he feels this is a realistic amount. There were no further questions regarding the Fire Department budget. Police Department Chief Nick Ristagno was present to answer questions regarding the budget for his department. In capital expenditures, Mayor Amick asked why the amount had been decreased from the original proposal. Chief Ristagno said he originally had budgeted for a fully equipped animal control truck and has subsequently changed the budget request to a 3/4 ton pick up, on which they will pUt the existing cage. The Chief went on to say that the department would benefit from a back up truck if a used one, perhaps from another department ever becomes available. Chief Ristagno handed out a new capital expenditure list, which he said had been prioritized. The list is as follows: TLETS $ 8,500.00 A/C Truck $12,000.00 (finance) Vehicles $75,000.00 (finance) Shields $ 5,500.00 Closed Circuit $ 500.00 (book-in area only) Drag Sled $ 600.00 Total $102,100.00 There was a brief discussion regarding the TLETS system, however, it was noted that there is really little choice in this item, since without it the department would be cut off from any communications with Austin. In Personnel Services, Councilman Weaver asked if there were currently any openings and the Chief stated there were none, that the department had been at full staff all year with the exception of replacing one Animal Control Officer. Bill Hail noted that general insurance is a major expenditure. James England said he and the Chief had talked and that this figure will go up substantially this year, going on to say that law enforcement liability increased from $23,000 in 86/87 to $38,000 in 87/88 and if the 20% increase is consistent then this should go up another $8000.00. Mr. England said we should probably budget $63,000-$64,000 for this insurance. There followed a general discussion regarding insurance in all departments. There were no questions regarding supplies, however, Chief Ristagno stated that when he was directed to cut 5% by the City Manager, he feels he cut Chemicals too much, leaving only $900.00. The Chief said that account needs to be doubled. Chief Ristagno also said he was forced to take more out of miscellaneous than he should, stated that $7000.00 will not be enough. Mayor Amick instructed the Chief to come back with a more realistic figure. There were no more questions regarding the police department budget. Mayor Amick called a 5 minute recess at this time. 2. CLOSED DOOR SESSION AS AUTHORIZED BY ARTICLE 6252-17, V.A.C.S., SECTION 2G, REGARDING PERSONNEL, TO-WIT: A. PROPOSED 1988/89 MUNICIPAL BUDGET - PERSONNEL - BENEFITS EMERGENCY AGENDA ITEM 1. CLOSED DOOR SESSION AS AUTHORIZED BY ARTICLE 6252-17, V.A.C.S., SECTION 2E, REGARDING LITIGATION, TO-WIT: A. CITY OF THE COLONY VS JAY HAWKS ESTATE There was no action to be taken regarding the closed door session. Mayor Amick directed the City Secretary to post budget work sessions for August 1 and August 8, 1988. With no further business to address, Councilman Marks moved to adjourn the meeting and Councilman Weaver seconded the motion which carried with all members voting Aye. Mayor Amick adjourned the meeting at 10:40 a.m. 0030:;O APPROVED: Don ~i~k', 'Ma~f~' ' ATTEST: Patti A. Hicks, City Secretary