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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/09/1992 City Council 004 16 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON SEPTEMBER 9, 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 9th day of September, 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 Absent Joel Marks, Mayor Pro-tem Absent (Arrived 7:50 p.m.) and with six present, a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 1. WORK SESSION REGARDING THE 1992-93 PROPOSED MUNICIPAL BUDGET Mr. Hall advised council on several questions which had been asked at the previous work session: Cross-walk guards - Proposal had been to cut the 1/2 hour from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. to save money, however surveys indicated that several children do cross in that 1/2 hour and perhaps it would not be best to cut that time period. Lengthy discussion regarding what the peak time would be and perhaps to place cones at the cross walks, to help call attention to the area when a guard is not present. Mr. Hall said it would cost approximately $900.00 to purchase enough cones. The council agreed that the cones should be purchased and used and requested further study to determine which hours are peak at the cross walks and to determine which times could be cut from the present hours. Mr. Hall stated that Ms. Brantley has recommended closing the Recreation Center on Sunday and 1 hour early on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The consensus of the council was to go along with this recommendation. There was also a lengthy discussion regarding asking the sports organizations to take over maintenance of the athletic fields. 7:50 p.m. Councilman Marks arrived. The council discussed charging sports organizations a user fee for maintenance. Councilman Marks said the organizations should be contacted and asked what they can do to help the city during these tight budgetary times. Mr. Hall suggested that perhaps the organizations could contract with the city for the maintenance of the fields. 2 004516 All council agreed that the city should continue to handle everything on the fields except mowing and weed eating. Councilman Bogan suggested the city cut the mowing in half and if the organizations want the fields mowed more often they can take care of that. Councilman Marks said that should be talked about throughout the city. After lengthy discussion, Council agreed that we need to find $25,000 either by cutting 1 person in the department or by getting the organizations to do the mowing and weed eating or by contracting with the organizations for those functions. Council also discussed the electrical usage at the fields and discussed asking the organizations to pay for that usage. Mr. Hall noted that of the $31,000 budgeted for 92-93, $9000.00 is for lighting fields, going on to say the fields are metered and the costs can be broken down individually. He said charging this back to the organizations is a viable option and then the organizations would have control over the usage. Councilman Marks said he does not think any of the organizations can afford to pay the electrical costs, and went on to suggest that the hours of play be cut by one hour per night. Councilman Marks said cutting all games off at 10:00 p.m. would save money. All agreed that the lights on all fields should be turned off at 10:00 p.m. and requested an item be placed on a future agenda to make that a requirement. It was noted that the adult softball league is already in mid- season and they do have games scheduled at 10:00 p.m. so this action will~take place after the Fall season is over. Margaret Burkett addressed the council regarding the renewal of dental insurance coverage for employees, stating she did get quotes from Jefferson Pilot for a yearly maximum benefit of $1000.00 but noted that this would preclude a lot of employees from receiving any benefits at all because their annual charges go over $1000.00. Ms. Burkett went on to say that the employees want to keep the $2000.00 annual maximum and want to stay with Jefferson Pilot. Council consensus is to stay with Jefferson Pilot and keep the $2000.00 annual maximum benefit. Mr. Hall addressed the closing of the Aquatic Park, stating that after considering all the programs involved and the agreement with LISD for usage of the pool in exchange for usage of their gym, that closing the pool year-round or even through winter would not be prudent. Mr. Hall did note that closing the pool completely would save $200,000 per year, but it would also decrease revenue. Going on, Mr. Hall said staff recommendation is to close the pool for the months of December and January, which would save the city approximately $19,500, however, that amount includes salaires. Mr. Hall said after salaries are deducted the net savings would be about $2000.00, but closing those two months would give employees time for maintenance at the park. 9:08 p.m. Recess - 9:10 p.m. Executive Session 2. EXECUTIVE SESSION AS AUTHORIZED BY ARTICLE 6252-17, V.A.C.S., SECTION 2G REGARDING PERSONNEL, TO-WIT: A. 1992-93 BUDGET PROPOSALS 00451 12:25 a.m. Reconvene in Open Session. With concurrence from council, Mayor Manning directed Mr. Hall and Mr. England to bring back figures indicating no tax increase, a one cent tax increase and a two cent tax increase. Mayor Manning also said to figure the personnel projections with three firefighters eliminated and with three fire fighters left in the budget. With no further business to address, Mayor Manning adj0.urned .the meeting at 12:30 a.m. APPROVED: William W. Manning, Mayor,...._._~ ATTEST: Patti A. Hicks, CMC/AAE City Secretary [SEAL] 4