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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/10/1992 City Council 004452 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON AUGUST 10, 1992 The Special Session of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on the 10th day of August, 1992 at City Hall with the following Council roll call: William W. Manning, Mayor Present Mike Lynch, Councilman Absent Billy Sharp, Councilman Present Joe Agnew, Councilman Present Tom Bogan, Councilman Present John Dillard, Councilman Absent (Arrived 7:10) Joel Marks, Mayor Pro-rem Present and with five present, a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 2. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE CANVASSING AND DECLARING THE RESULTS OF AN ELECTION HELD IN THE CITY ON THE 8TH DAY OF AUGUST, 1992 Mayor Manning read the caption of the ordinance as follows: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF THE COLONY, TEXAS, CANVASSING THE RETURNS AND DECLARING THE RESULTS OF AN ELECTION HELD IN SAID CITY ON THE 8TH DAY OF AUGUST, 1992, FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE ADOPTION OF AN ADDITIONAL ONE HALF CENT SALES AND USE TAX WITHIN THE CITY OF THE COLONY TO BE USED FOR IMPROVING AND PROMOTING ECONOMIC AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BY THE CITY OF THE COLONY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, TO BE IMPOSED FOR FIVE YEARS; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE Mayor Manning read the results of the election, stating a total of 930 votes were cast, 234 for the proposition and 696 against the proposition. Mayor Manning declared that the proposition to adopt an additional 1/2 cent sales tax for economic development failed. Motion to approve the ordinance as written - Sharp; second - Agnew. Motion carried with a unanimous roll call vote. 2 004453 3. CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENT OF A COUNCILMEMBER TO SERVE ON THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL Mayor Manning reminded the council that Bob van Til was directed to get more information regarding the commitment involved in this appointment before a decision would be made. Mr. van Til said the sub-committee would be meeting only on one day the week of August 23 - 28, 1992 for approximately 3 - 4 hours. Councilman Bogan volunteered to serve on the sub-committee for the Regional Transportation Council. Motion to appoint Councilman Bogan to serve on the committee - Agnew; Second - Sharp. Motion carried with a unanimous roll call vote. 4. WORK SESSION REGARDING THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET FY 1992-1993, ADDRESSING THE FOLLOWING DEPARTMENTS: Bill Hall advised the council that Version 2 of the budget as presented to them was the preliminary budget, which had been prepared without valid figures in several areas; insurance, electrical service, etc. Mr. Hall said staff has been advised that all out of town travel has been frozen until the end of this fiscal year and only training directly related to certification will be approved. Going on, Mr. Hall told the council that staff has been asked to review Education, Training and Travel for 1992-93 and remove any training that is not necessary. With regard to other reductions, Mr. Hall said there has been a reduction in the employee insurance premiums, and electrical service in some departments. To date, Mr. -" Hall said there has been approximately $116,000 cut in the General Fund and approximately $171,000 cut in the Utility Fund. Mr. Hall told the council that staff is still working on the budget and that he sees no way to avoid instituting a freeze on promotions and a reduction in force. FIRE - Chief Van Morrison Mayor Manning questioned the increase in over time. Chief Morrison explained this is necessary to cover vacation and sick time in order to keep a 3 man crew on at all times. There was a lengthy discussion regarding using volunteers and how to get them more active. Chief Morrison said there are 23 active volunteers and that now they are required to spend 12 hours a month in the station, working with the paid staff and, which will allow them to respond first to calls. The Chief said there has been friction between the paid employees and the volunteers and he hopes the changes made will eliminate that friction and bring an increased interest in the program. Councilman Dillard asked if the police and fire volunteers are cross trained. Chief Morrison said no and advised the police reserves are required by the state to train 48 hours a quarter. Councilman Bogan asked about the difference in the hospitalization and Mr. Hall explained that $250.00 per person had been projected for insurance but with the new plan, there is now a $90.00 decrease per employee. ----~ 3 Chief Morrison advised council the lease purchase expenditure is the payment on the 80ff'l~nZ radio system and explained that contractual services included the contract with Metrocrest Medical Services for Medical Control and Continuing Education services through Trinity Medical Center. Mayor Manning asked about the 6.22% increase shown in salaries and Mr. Hall advised that public safety employees are on different pay plans than other employees, noting that there are 5 steps and employees in police and fire top out in 18 months instead of 5 years. Councilman Sharp asked about volunteer compensation and Chief Morrison said each volunteer is paid $5.00 per response, which is given to them in one lump sum each year just before Christmas. Councilman Marks asked what it would take to get Station 2 operational. Chief Morrison said there would have to be 6 personnel for that station so each shift would have a two man crew. There followed a lengthy discussion regarding response time from both stations to all parts of the city, the plan to open Station 2 and various options. POLICE - Captain Mike Carroll Mayor Manning asked about the 11% increase in salaries and Mr. Hall said that is the step increases, stating there are more employees in the police department topping out and the last step is a big increase. Councilman Dillard asked what the money for Special Investigations is and Captain Carroll explained the money is set aside for covert operations/special purchases for investigations, but noted it has only been used one time since it was set up several years ago. Councilman Bogan questioned radio maintenance. Captain Carroll said most of the amount is the cost of the maintenance agreement. There followed a discussion regarding other sources for repair of radios and whether the cost of the agreement is justified and worthwhile. Mr. Hall advised the council, staff is debating on whether to renew the agreement or not. Councilman Marks asked about the performance of the portable radios and Captain Carroll said they do not have the best reception because The Colony is on the fringe of Denton County's system and to work right we should have a passive repeater (cell) in the city or Denton would have to build a taller tower. Captain Carroll went on to say that Lewisville may be moving their system to the Vista Ridge tower and if so, we are investigating going with that system. Councilman Bogan asked why the reduction in overtime and Captain Carroll said that is only a reduction from the 91-92 projections, but actually there is a $2500.00 increase over what was budgeted. Regarding fuel and lubricants, Mayor Manning asked if logs are kept on personal mileage and city mileage. Captain Carroll said no logs are kept. Mr. Hall advised we are looking at contracting fuel and lubricants with Diamond Shamrock and they have a system that will track such information. Mayor Manning asked if any consideration had been given to the take home car policy this year. Captain Carroll said it still pays for itself through maintenance and life of the vehicles, noting there are still 1984 vehicles in use, which would not be the case with a fleet system. Councilman Bogan asked if vehicles are to be kept in the city and Captain Carroll 4 004455 said marked cars are kept in the city, however unmarked cars can be taken home if the employee lives within 10 miles. Mayor Manning noted the reason for the take home car ~ policy is high visibility and stated that taking a car home outside of The Colony does not give high visibility. Councilman Dillard asked what the average personal miles are and Captain Carroll estimated 50 - 75 miles a month. There were general discussions regarding the jail and vehicle maintenance PARK AND RECREATION - Pam Nelson, Assistant Director Ms. Nelson said the 14% increase in salaries reflects the transfer of the licensed chemical applicator to P & R from the Water Department, as well as regular step increases. Councilman Agnew asked what is included in Contractual Services. Ms. Nelson advised that line item includes the contract with SPAN ($5000.00), instructors' fees, referees, etc., the latter of which was in part time salaries. Councilman Agnew asked why the chemical applicator was transferred and Ms. Nelson said because most of the chemicals are applied in and around parks. There was a discussion regarding Building Maintenance. Councilman Marks said he has had several complaints regarding the appearance and condition of the center, stating he thinks more money should be spent on building maintenance so the building doesn't fall apart. Chet Pannell explained what is included in the Park Maintenance line item, stating it is gravel, sand and other materials, explaining the 35% increase could be attributed to the improvements made at the various parks in the turf. Pam Nelson added that there was a --~ new athletic field on Taylor Street, which could account for part of the increase. ~ Councilman Sharp asked how many maintenance people there are and Mr. Pannell said they have a 4 man crew to work on the athletic fields and some parks, noting that there are still some parks maintained by Public Works. Mr. Pannell said in the winter the crew paints cleans the gym floor, repairs the facility and equipment. Mayor Manning asked if job tickets are kept and Mr. Pannell said they do not but that a monthly report is prepared. Councilman Agnew asked about awards and Ms. Nelson explained this includes, trophies, t-shirts, and other awards for athletics, parades, and Chili Cook-off. There was brief discussion regarding Stewart Creek Park. Councilman Agnew asked about a courtesy dock. Ms. Nelson said one is planned for this year if there is enough money left. She said the projects were the road, the swim/beach area and the dock, noting the road was just finished and the swim/beach area is almost complete, next is the dock. Ms. Nelson advised that improvements planned for next year include concrete pads for R.V.'s, primitive camping sites, another sand lot volley ball court and if not done this year, a courtesy dock. Councilman Marks suggested a sign on FM 423 pointing the way to the park would be helpful. Councilman Sharp said the courtesy dock is high on his priority list and Ms. Nelson said it is next on the list of projects, noting there is an. estimated $5600.00 left in that account. There followed a general discussion regarding the dock, it's proposed location and it's importance to the citizens that use the lake. All council agreed this project should be done as soon as possible. Mayor Manning suggested talking to Pier 121 Marina about .._ 5 donating one, provided we would allow their adVertisement on the dock. POOL- Elise Knox Ms Knox advised the council that the Contractual Services is for instructors fees, which were previously taken from part time salaries, as well as spraying, water testing and the security system. There was a brief discussion regarding electrical and natural gas costs to heat the pool in winter and Mayor Manning asked what would be saved if the pool closed during the winter months. Jeff Nohe stated the pumps would still have to be exercised and that he did not think there would be a substantial savings, going on to say it is hard to keep the building dry and warm, thus humidity in the winter is a big problem. Ms. Knox explained that park maintenance covers anything not connected to the pipes of the pools, ie, replastering of the lagoon, sprinkler system repair, shrub replacement, sand in the volley ball court, and repair of the life guard stands. Councilman Dillard noted that there are several areas in need of repair. PUBLIC WORKS - Ken Leverich Councilman Marks stated that maintenance of the medians needs to be improved. Councilman Agnew asked how much money it would take to repair all the roads and allies, to which Mr. Leverich responded, millions. Councilman Agnew asked if the $53,000 would begin to catch us up and Mr. Leverich stated it would not, going on to say that the city does very little preventive maintenance. There followed a lengthy discussion regarding street repair and options available to us. Mr. Leverich advised the council that he does not need more money until there are more people to do the work. Mayor Manning asked if Mr. Leverich was satisfied with the quality of streets and alleys being put in by F & J and he said yes, noting that since the initiation of the two year maintenance bond, the quality has improved, plus when something does go wrong within that two year period, F & J is required to repair it. Mr Leverich said the greatest need is for equipment in the drainage department. With no further business to address, Mayor Manning adjourned the meeting at 10:15 p.m. · ' . ' g, ~viayor~____xx,' ATI'EST: Patti A. Hicks, CMC/AAE,City Secretary