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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/18/1992 City Council 004467 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON AUGUST 18, 1992 The Special Session of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to order at 7:20 p.m. on the 18th day of August, 1992 at City Hall with the following Council roll call: William W. Manning, Mayor Present Mike Lynch, Councilman Present Billy Sharp, Councilman Present Joe Agnew, Councilman Present Tom Bogan, Councilman Present John Dillard, Councilman Present Joel Marks, Mayor Pro-tem Present and with seven present, a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 1. WORK SESSION REGARDING THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET FY 1992-1993, ADDRESSING THE FOLLOWING DEPARTMENTS: PERSONNEL - Margaret Burkett Councilman Agnew questioned the 47% increase in Contractual Services. Ms. Burkett explained this covers the contract with Litton Donnelly, the company which covers our claims with T.E.C., as well as Driver's License checks for each new employee. Councilman Sharp asked about the medical expenses. Bill Hall said this covers physicals for all employees and the proposed random drug testing. Councilman Marks noted the increase in the line item for awards, stating he is glad to see recognition for employees. Ms. Burkett said that account may need to increase about $100.00 to cover plaques for three employees who will reach their fifteenth year within the next year. Councilman Lynch, noting that Education and Training is down, asked if this account was cut purely to decrease the budget or if it was cut because Ms. Burkett felt it should be cut. Ms. Burkett said it was cut to reduce the budget, but that only those general conferences were deleted and those dealing specifically with personnel matters were left in the budget. MUNICIPAL COURT - Patti Ristagno Mr. Hall noted that Education and Training and Travel accounts had been cut in Court from $400.00 to $250.00 and $350.00 respectively. Mayor Manning asked about Professional Services and Ms. Ristagno stated that is to pay the Judge and the Prosecutor. There was a brief discussion regarding the fees for the prosecutor. Mr. Hall said the new version of the budget will reflect a reduction in those fees. 2 004463 Councilman Sharp made a general statement regarding salaries, stating he likes to see the small increase in salaries rather that those reflected in the last work session of 10% and 11%. LIBRARY - Joan Sveinsson Councilman Lynch asked if the Education budget is sufficient and Ms. Sveinsson said it is. Councilman Lynch also asked if the Library can keep up with only a 7% increase overall. Ms. Sveinsson said the Library is falling behind in books and periodicals. Councilman Bogan said he would like to see the Books and Periodicals budget back up to the original proposal of $33,000.00, going on to say he thinks the Library should be expanded even in a tight year. Councilman Lynch asked about the proposed public access work-stations for the automated card catalog system and Ms. Sveinsson said it would take about $11,000 to implement that program, noting however, that it would save staff time and would be more effective and efficient. There followed a lengthy discussion regarding the merits and pitfalls of the proposed automated card catalog system. Most council agreed this system might ultimately save money through salaries and reducing the need for new personnel. Councilman Dillard reminded the council that we need to be careful how we spend money this year. The Councilman went on to say we as a council have already made it known this will be a tight budget year and yet most of the council has just discussed how to spend an additional $11,000.00. Councilman Lynch said he wants the Library budget re-worked with the automated card catalog system included, not as a capital purchase but in the line item budget. Mr. Hall stated this purchase would have to be a capital expenditure. Councilman Dillard asked Ms. Sveinsson if she would rather have books or the computer system, and Ms. Sveinsson replied she would have to choose the books. Councilman Bogan said he wants a survey of per capita spending from surrounding cities, stating again that we need to spend more on the Library. Councilman Lynch asked Ms. Sveinsson if $27,500 in Books and Periodicals would be enough to keep the Library up to date, and Ms. Sveinsson said it would not, noting that $33,000 would get the Library in better shape. Ken Wood, Library Board member told the council members to call one of the board members if they have a question regarding the budget. FINANCE - James England Mr. England noted the amount budgeted for the audit has been increase by $1,000.00 and printing has increased this year because it will be necessary to have Purchase Orders and checks printed. Mr. England noted that Purchase Orders and checks are purchased in large quantities and are not printed each year so the amount budgeted is not always the same. UTILITY ADMINISTRATION - Jackie Carroll 3 Councilman Sharp asked about the increase in Professional Services. Ms. Carroll stated this is for the computer programmer to implement the cycle billing this fall. Mayor Manning .asked about uncollectible accounts. Mr. England stated uncollectibles are about 1/2 of one p~r~er~t' and went on to say they are looking at increasing the deposit this year to better cover the cost of uncollected accounts. There followed a discussion regarding proposed amounts deposits on both residential and commercial accounts. INSPECTIONS/ANIMAL CONTROL - Bill Hall and Sandra Long Mr. Hall explained that he (Hall) would be responding to questions dealing with Inspections since Mr. Rolbiecki had been out most of the time while the budget was prepared and since Mr. van Til is on vacation. Mayor Manning asked if Mr. Rolbiecki had been gone on military leave for most of last year, why the salary projection is almost the same instead of down, asking if he was paid for the entire time he was gone. Bill Hall explained that Mr. Rolbiecki was paid for 30 days last year and 15 days this year, but that during that time one position in Animal Control was upgraded from part time to full time and part of Mr. Rolbiecki's salary was used for that upgrade. Mr. Hall noted also that recently a Code Enforcement Officer left the City and the position will not be filled, all of which accounts for the projection in salaries. Councilman Lynch asked about overtime. Ms. Long said that covers 200 hours a year for each Animal Control Officer as well as other Animal Control Personnel. Mr. Hall said $880.00 is for Inspections personnel to cover during vacations, etc. Councilman Lynch also asked about Janitorial Services noting that he thought the upgrade was to help keep the shelter clean. Ms. Long said this is for the office area of the shelter, not the animal area. Councilman Bogan asked what is covered under Contractual Services. Mr. Hall explained this covers Texas Waste Management dumpster service, and mowing and trash pick up on unoccupied properties. Mr. Hall noted that we do file a Laborer's Lien on those properties so that some of the costs is recovered. Ms. Long explained to Councilman Lynch that the Professional Services account handles the veterinarian services for euthanasia of animals. Mayor Manning said there will be another work session on August 25, 1992 at 7:00 p.m. to address capital expenditures and reminded the council of the next work session on August 20, 1992. Mr. Hall said that staff has been directed to cut their capital requests to the top five items and that he will have all department heads present at the meeting on the 25th to address those items with Council. Mr. Hall went on to say he is holding meetings tomorrow for city employees to get answers to why the budget is so tight this year and to answer questions regarding the proposed cuts and proposed lack of raises. Mr. Hall advised the council that even with all the cuts he is prepared to make the budget is still approximately $200,000.00 short. Mr. Hall said he understands council does not want to make any transfers from the land fund, but at this point without the transfer, the budget simply will not work. Mr. Hall said that he will be proposing extreme measures in personnel and noted that this budget does not include any capital expenditures. There followed a lengthy discussion regarding options, 4 004470 contracting of services and selling of certain city services to increase revenue. There was also a discussion regarding the repair of the above ground storage tank on N. Colony and Mr. Hall said it can be repaired by using money from the Stonebriar agreement fund, with council approval. With no further business to address, Mayor Manning adjourned the meeting at 9:20 p.m. APPROVED: ~ilham W. Manmng, Mayor ~ ATTEST: Patti A. Hicks, CMC/AAE, City Secretary 5