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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/12/1996 City Council MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON August 12, 1996 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 12th day of August, 1996 at City Hall with the following Council roll call: William Manning, Mayor Present Bill Longo, Councilman Present Mary Watts, Councilman Present David Stanwick, Coundlman Present Wilma Avey, Councilman Present John Dillard, Councilman Present Dave Kovatch, Councilman Present and with seven present, a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 1. REVIEW OF THE PROPOSED MUNICIPAL BUDGET FY 1996-97 Mayor Manning advised everyone this is a tight budget and there are not many projects being recommended. Tony Johnston, Finance Director, handed out the recommendations from the Personnel Connmittee as well as adjustments he has made in revenues and expenditures. He said adjustments in revenues had to be made to accommodate the added expenditures being recommended. Mayor Manning noted that staff had turned in many personnel requests, the Committee had cut that to about 3-1/2 new people and then asked the City Manager to find the money to pay for them. Mr. Johnston continued explaining the division of the ad valorem taxes between the general fund and debt sex-dee. He said the goal is a 60/40 split and this year he is looking at 59.5% to the general fund and 40.5 t° debt service. He outlined some other adjustments in revenues and then covered the personnel recommendations He said he is reducing some of the money in contractual services to help pay for additional hours by the computer specialist. The purchasing agent was deleted. Mr. Johnston said he felt the computer spedalist was needed more than a purchasing agent at this time. A lengthy discussion followed. Councilman Watts said her concern is about how the bid specifications are being written and that she would like to see us hire a purchasing agent who can review every bid the city sends out to ensure that the specs are correct before they are sent out. Patti Hicks explained that a great many of the specifications are written by engineers, architects or other professionals and that it would be difficult to find one person who would have expertise in all fields. She went on to say that in comparison to the number of bids that are sent out each year, the number of incorrect specifications is very low. Discussion continued. Councilman Dillard said a purchasing agent will not solve the problem, noting that even professionals make mistakes. Margaret Burkett said she had been talking to the City of Frisco about sharing a person to work in this capacity. She will continue to pursue this avenue and the possibility of a purchasing agent will be looked at again in mid-year. A part-time clerk is being recommended in Municipal Court. It is the belief of staff and the committee that the increased revenue will more than pay for that person. It is recommended that a part-time maintenance worker for Parks & Recreation be upgraded to full-time. This person could be shared with the Aquatic Park. Other items listed were: a part-time page at the Library, Community Service Officer in Police, Certificate pay for police dispatchers and inspectors, a planning intern, increased legal fees, new tables in the council chambers for staff and the press, an additional 5% increase in hospitalization, cost of water for dty uses, refurbishing of The General, and a photo I.D. system for Parks & Recreation and the Aquatic Park. The system could also be used for city employee I.D. cards and the Library cards. In the Utility Fund, a water distribution operator is recommended. General discussion continued about the photo I.D. system. The proposed cost will be $2.00 per card and a $25.00 annual fee for non-residents. Councilman Watts suggested giving a reduced rate to The Colony High School students who live in Carrollton. Councilman Watts also asked about putting in sand lot volleyball courts at Perryman Park. The cost is about $3,000.00 per year. After discussion, it was decided this should be brought up at mid-year. Councilman Longo asked why the city was no longer using the web page services of Dale Therio and why we are moving full speed ahead with getting our own web page. Mr. Smith explained that he had discovered that Mr. Therio was selling advertisement on his web page and that the City, of course, would not have control over the type of advertisement this might be. Mr. Smith continued stating that he had seen a copy of one advertisement and he felt it was inappropriate that the City be connected with this type of commercial information. He has talked to Mr. Therio and explained the situation. Dennis Watson is investigating what it would cost to get the City's own web page, but no money has been expended or budgeted for this purpose. Before anything is done, the Council would have to approve it. Mayor Manning said he is not sure this is the time for the City to have its own web page. He said it would put an extra load on staff. With regard to recycling, Mr. Smith said the recommendation is keep Janice Brady at part-time, but to increase her salary from $7.75 to $10.00 per hour. She will be given a vehicle from the police department. The council discussed the recycling program in general and whether or not it is successful. Mayor Manning suggested the $1.85 that citizens pay per month now for recycling could be put to better use in paying for capital improvements. Several options for recycling were discussed. The Solid Waste Committee will review the options and make a recommendation to the council. Mayor Manning stated that the 1996-97 budget is basically complete and asked if any Councilmember felt another meeting was needed. General feeling was that another meeting would be beneficial. Mayor Manning asked the Councilmembers to get their questions turned in by meeting time on August 19, 1996. Councilman Longo said he would like to see how we are doing on the 1995-96 budget. Mr. Johnston said a report would be forthcoming. 9:14 p.m. Recess 2. EXECUTIVE SESSION AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 551.074 REGARDING PERSONNEL, TO-WIT: A. 1996-97 MUNICIPAL BUDGET · 10:56 p.m. Reconvene 3. CONSIDERATION OF ANY APPROPRIATE ACTION TO BE TAKEN AS A RESULT OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION There was no action to be taken, and with no further business to address, Mayor Manning adjourned the meeting at 10:58 p.m. APPROVED: William W. Manning, Mayor ATTEST: Patti A. Hicks, TRMC City Secretary