HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/25/1992 City Council 004482
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON
AUGUST 25, 1992
The Work Session of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to order
at 7:10 p.m. on the 25th day of August, 1992 at City Hall with the following Council roll call:
William 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. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF MUNICIPAL BUDGET FY 1992-93
Bill Hall advised that as of this date, the following transfers of equipment had been
made which allows a reduction in the capital expenditures requests for this budget year.
Computer in City Manager's office to Finance Department
Typewriter in secretary's office to Municipal Court
Typewriter in Personnel to Inspections
WATER DEPARTMENT - Miscellaneous items - $9480.00
Gas Detector - $1475.00 - Councilman Sharp asked about the gas detector the Fire
Department has and David Yordy advised it is a different kind. Mr. Yordy said this
equipment detects the presence of methane gas before someone has to go into the man
hole. Mr. Yordy said going into a manhole that has methane gas in it can be deadly, and
this equipment would prevent anyone from entering an unsafe area. Mr. Yordy said right
now, employees do not go into a manhole unless it is an extreme emergency. In that case,
Mr. Yordy, said the hole is evacuated with a fresh air blower and after about two hours, the
hole can be entered, but he noted this is not the best and safest way to operate.
Shoring Equipment - $5000.00 - There was a lengthy discussion regarding different
types of shoring equipment. Mr. Yordy said now, his department uses plywood and 4x4
posts, which works but is not the best method. Council asked for more specific details
regarding what exactly would be purchased.
3-way recovery system - $2530.00; Aluminum Tripod - $475.00 - Mr. Yordy said these
two items go together, going on to say this allows someone to enter a manhole, with a
harness around them and this equipment will lower them straight into a hole. Mr. Yordy
noted that some manholes in the city are 28 feet deep.
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Mr. Yordy also addressed the proposed rehabilitation of the high pressure jet truck,
which is a capital project. Mr. Yordy said the truck is 12 years old and the back area is ,
worn out, not able to maintain enough pressure to do the needed work. He said this truck
needs to be kept up because it saves the city money, by enabling his department to clean
out the sewer lines on a regular basis, thus slowing down deterioration. Mr. Yordy said
without the truck up and running, it is sometimes necessary to call an outside company
which is very expensive.
UTILITY ADMINISTRATION - Computer - $2500.00
Jackie Carroll said a personal computer is needed in the Utility Department even
though the large main frame computer is housed there. She said staff still uses a typewriter
for many jobs and stated the request is for a computer with word processing and data base
software. There followed a discussion regarding the need for a whole new system, which
Ms. Carroll estimated at $38,000.00. Council also discussed networking with the City Hall.
Councilman Agnew asked if there is a written plan for automating the city and went on to
say there should be. The councilman said if we are spending money on computers we need
to do it intelligently looking forward to where we want to be.
800 MHZ RADIO SYSTEM - Captain Mike Carroll reminded Council of the coverage
problem with the new radio system and of the negotiations Lewisville and Coppell have
been carrying on with regard to Coppell tying into Lewisville's tower. Captain Carroll said
that the Lewisville City Council, today approved moving the Lewisville system to the Vista .... ,
Ridge tower, whether Coppell joins them or not. Going on, Captain Carroll said if The
Colony tied in with that tower, it would mean much better coverage.
Captain Carroll said there is a one time fee of $10,000 for Lewisville's system to be
re-programmed to accept our units, which Lewisville has said can be paid out over two
years. Going on, Captain Carroll said the cost to re-program our units to fit the Lewisville
system is $2,000.00. Captain Carroll said there is also an annual user fee of $7000.00, noting
that we currently pay Denton County $6500.00.
Captain Carroll said he had not received any valid information regarding a passive
repeater. Captain Carroll said if the coverage for portables is as good as the coverage for
mobile units, then his recommendation would be to go with the Lewisville system.
WASTEWATER - Miscellaneous items - $4650.00
Ice Maker - $1050.00 - Kenneth Huffman explained this is a commercial type ice
maker to provide ice for keeping samples cool until they are taken to the lab.
Refrigerator - $800.00 - Mr. Huffman said this is to replace a 14 year old refrigerator
which is used to store BOD samples.
Loop Calibrator - $950.00 - Mr. Huffman explained that it is a requirement to keep
all instruments calibrated to ensure accuracy of readings and right now the department is
using a home built unit.
Operating Pressure Washer - $1250.00 - This equipment is used to wash the weirs,
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which are now being washed manually.
Drill Press - $600.00 - Mr. Huffman said the drill press they are using was fabricated
using 6id eqtiil3ment.
Councilman Marks making a general statement, said it seems that departments have
been using borrowed and used equipment for a long time, and he would like to see the
council approve the purchase of new equipment that will last awhile or not purchase
equipment at all. Councilman Marks said he does not think we need to suggest shopping
at salvage yards and pawn shops.
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE - Miscellaneous items - $2300.00
Freon Recovery machine - $850.00 - Mr. Don Owens said freon recovery will be a
requirement as of January 1, 1993 and went on to say the $850.00 will not really be
sufficient to purchase the type of machine required. Mr. Owens said that rulings which were
handed down in July 1992, after the budget was prepared, require a much more involved
program. Mr. Owens said there is a machine that can be used not only on vehicles, but on
all buildings and the estimated cost is $4000.00. There followed a lengthy discussion
regarding the new requirements, and future changes in the laws concerning freon.
Council discussed briefly the other items requested; Puller set - $420.00, Air Impact
Wrenches - $600.00, 5 ton jack stands $210.00, Cobalt Drill Bit Set - $220.00.
Mayor Manning announced that two Budget Work Sessions are set for August 31 and
September 1, 1992 at 7:00 p.m. and with no further business to address adjourned the
meeting at 8:40 p.m.
APPROVED:
William W. Manmng, Mayor
ATFEST:
Patti A. Hicks, CMC/AAE
City Secretary
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