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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/08/1988 City Council 00306 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON AUGUST 8, 1988 The Work Session of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on the 8th day of August, 1988 at City Hall with the following Council roll call: Don Amick, Mayor Present Rick Harris, Mayor Pro-tem Present Johnny Spears, Councilman Present Mike Robinson, Councilman Absent Steve Glazener, Councilman Absent Dick Weaver, Councilman Present Joel Marks, Councilman Present and with five members present, a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 1. WORK SESSION ON THE PROPOSED MUNICIPAL BUDGET FY 1988/89 Utility Administration Mr. James England, Finance Director was present to answer questions regarding this budget. Mayor Amick asked why the large difference in worker's comp and Mr. England said we had received a credit from last year which made this year's expenses go down. The Mayor also asked about contract labor. Mr. England explained that covers programming for the new computer system and it was for last year only, stating that shouldn't be needed this year. Mayor Amick asked why contract maintenance went down and Mr. England said that as of August 1, the maintenance on the Burroughs computer was dropped, going on to say previously both the Burroughs and the NCR were covered. Mayor Amick and Councilman Spears both asked why the amount of uncollectible accounts is going down and Mr. England said that projection is based on getting the accounts to the collector more readily. Mayor Amick asked about the $5000.00 in equipment rental and Mr. England said that was for updating the memory to the NCR system and he doesn't fee that will be needed this year, however, he said we will not know until Spring. Mayor Amick said that some of that out. There was no other discussion regarding the utility adminstration department budget. Public Works Tommy Turner and Ken Leverich were present to answer questions regarding this budget. Mayor Amick asked if the 1% increase in salaries includes the step raises for employees. Mr. Hall said that it does as well as some changes in personnel during the years. Mayor Amick asked why contractual services is down and Mr. Hall said that is for contract mowing and Ken Leverich has re- structured his department and is handling some mowing in-house, as well as the State picking up the mowing of 423 again. Councilman Harris stated he feels we have lost some of the quality maintenance in the parks by doing the mowing in-house going on to say that the parks seem to be deteriorating. Mr. Hall said it is not the same division working in parks as is doing the rough cutting. Councilman Harris said he is concerned that the mowers are busy in summer and have nothing to do in the winter and if that is so, then we have too many people and need to make some cuts or maybe the people are in the wrong department, going on to say he thinks that needs to be re- evaluated. Mayor Amick said he remembers 2 years ago, the Council was concerned that this department would continue to grow and that hiring people is costly. The Mayor said it is always cheaper to use contract labor because the City doesn't have to pay benefits. He said we have to think in terms of money 003065 invested in having good parks, ie, hydromulching. Mayor Amick went on to say he does not feel that has been done properly and that he shares the concerns of Councilman Harris, going on to say it does not appear the parks are being manicured as they should. The Mayor said they do not look like parks that are irrigated should look, and he said he would monitor this one more year, but whatever the problem is it needs to be addresed. Councilman Spears suggested that we need a line item for sign replacement, so that people are aware of what it costs in taxes to replace the signs lost due to vandalism. Councilman Weaver asked about the plan for improvements to Eastvale. Mr. Turner said first the ditches must be cleaned before the roads can be graded. Mayor Amick asked why we had stopped on lake Highlands. Ken Leverich and Tommy Turner both responded stating that there are 900 phone lines and all water lines to be moved before anymore can be done. Mr. Turner said he hopes the grant will help in that area. Councilman Weaver said noting is happening with the grant. Mr. Hall explained that we won't receive any help until the planning grant is complete and that is on a December timetable. Mr. Hall went on to say there will be the same amount of money this year to go this work with. Mr. Leverich said we have done 1 mile of work and there is a total of 2 1/2 miles to be done, going on to say it will not be finished this coming year either. Mr. Turner said we will spend the 25 - 30 thousand dollars each year and go as far as we can with that amount. Mr. Turner asked for direction regarding the mowing. There followed a lengthy discussion regarding contract mowing vs in-house mowing. Mr. Turner said a bat-wing mower for $21,000 will be helpful and Councilman Harris said lots of contract mowing can be bought for $21,000. There then followed a lengthy discussion regarding crack sealing and mud jacking of streets. Mayor Amick said this year contract the mud jacking of some streets and then perhaps next year purchase our own machine. Mayor Amick asked if there is money in the budget for a signal light at Blair Oaks and N. Colony Blvd. Mr. Hall said there is nothing at this time for this project, stating we do have some old equipment and Hal Jones, traffic engineer is checking it out to see if it is usable for this project. There was a discussion regarding a 4 way stop at that intersection and Councilman Marks suggested placing a police officer there during school hours. Mr. Hall said a traffic count is being done and we should know soon if that intersection warrants a signal light. Councilman Spears said we could finance a signal light for that location. At this time, Mayor Amick called a 5 minute recess. Water Department Tommy Turner answered questions on this budget. Councilman Spears asked if there is an increase in Dallas water and Mr. Turner said yes, 9%. There were some questions regarding uniforms and Mr. Turner said they had always purchased their own uniforms. There were no further questions. Wastewater Department Kenneth Huffman was present to answer questions. Mr. Huffman noted that the uniform account includes boots and rain gear. There were no questions regarding this department budget. Vehicle Maintenance Department Don Owens was present to answer questions regarding this budget. ()0306 Councilman Marks asked why fuel is so high. Mr. Hall explained that this department falls under the Utility Fund and Mr. Owens buys all fuel for all departments, and the cost is charged back to the individual departments in the Utility Fund and the General Fund Departments actually purchase fuel from Vehicle Maintenance, stating it is an Enterprise Fund. There were no further questions. Mr. Hall said that Mr. Owens has done some great things since coming to work for the City. City Secretary There were no questions. Tax Department Mayor Amick asked what Contractual Services is for and Mr. England stated it is for the Appraisal District. There were no further questions. Finance Department There were no questions. General Administration There were no questions. Mayor Amick said there would be no Closed Door Session tonight because everyone is not present and directed the City Secretary to be sure Glazener and Robinson would be present next week. At this time, the Council went over Capital Expenditures. Police Department Mayor asked if everyone agreed with Chief Ristagno's last proposal on Capitals. Councilman Marks asked if other cities have ballistic shields and stated that perhaps we should crawl before we walk. Councilman Harris said this is a small investment to ensure safety of our officers. Mayor Amick said even if they are never used it is worth it. Councilman Marks said that if we find we need to cut he wants the shields cut. Library Cut the VCR Pool Buy the fire extinguisher now. Cut the dry deck, scuba equipment and tables. Park and Recreation Cut the mirrors. Leave the weight mats in if they fit the budget. May not buy a typewriter, since Councilman Spears is checking into computers for several departments, one of which is P&R. Inspections Leave in the computer Public Works Cut the strobe light. Leave everything else in. Fire Department Cut the safety equipment. Leave the rest up to the City Manager. 00306b City Secretary No cuts General Administration Cut the postage meter. Leave computer, panic bar and landscaping. Court No cuts Utility - Water and Wastewater Leave up to City Manager, if it fits the budget, all O.K. 2. CLOSED DOOR SESSION AS AUTHORIZED BY ARTICLE 6252-17, V.A.C.S., SECTION 2G, REGARDING PERSONNEL, TO-WIT: A. PROPOSED MUNICIPAL BUDGET - PERSONNEL - BENEFITS There was no closed door session. With no further business to address, Councilman Harris moved to adjourn and Councilman Spears seconded the motion which carried with all members voting Aye. APPROVED: Don A-~ick, 'Ma~ ..... ~ ATTEST: ~ ick~s ,' C~e/~tary