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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/26/1996 City Council MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON August 26, 1996 The Special Session of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to order at 6:40 p.m. on the 26th day of August, 1996, at City Hall with the following Council roll call: William W. Manning, Mayor Present Bill Longo, Councilmember Present Mary Watts, Councilmember Present David Stanwick, Councilmember Present Wilma Avey, Councilmember Present John Dillard, Councilmember Present Dave Kovatch, Councilmember Present and with seven present, a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 6:42 p.m. Recess 6:45 p.m. Convene into Executive Session 4. EXECUTIVE SESSION AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 551.074 RELATING TO PERSONNEL; TO-WIT: A. CITY SECRETARY/DIR. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES REVIEW B. CITY MANAGER REVIEW 10:38 p.m. Reconvene into Open Session 3. WORK SESSION TO DISCUSS THE 1996-97 MUNICIPAL BUDGET Mr. Smith advised the council that Ms. Michele Self has requested a bridge be built across the drainage channel behind the Aquatic Park. She presented a petition to the City Secretary this evening. After a brief discussion, it was agreed this should be added to the Comprehensive Plan 1. Capital Purchases budgeted for 1996-97 Tony Johnston handed out the list of capital purchases as presented to council earlier. There have been no changes. The police vehicles were discussed briefly. Mr. Smith and Chief Clark are recommending that the current van used by the City Manager be given to the Police Depamnent to be used as the Crime Prevention vehicle. This will cut down on the annual 2 mileage and prolong its useful life. They further recommend the City Manager be given the new van included in the recently received bids for police vehicles. Because the City Manager puts more than 15,000 miles per year on a vehicle, this van would qualify as an alternative fuel vehicle. All Council agreed with this recommendation. Councilman Longo questioned whether it is prudent to spend more money to remodel the Utility Building. He suggested either building a new building at the old Civic Center site or swapping buildings with the Utility Administration personnel and the Public Works personnel. Brief discussion followed. Mr. Smith agreed it is a "band-aid" but it is an economical way to increase the life of the building. He said we may be 5 years away from a new building. Jackie Carroll, Utility Administrator, agreed that the addition will help the building last a little longer. All council agreed to remodel the building. Councilman Avey asked why the restrooms had not been built at Stewart Creek when they were budgeted for 1995-96. Ms. Nelson explained we had to wait for water and sewer to be connected. Mr. Johnston advised the money was just moved from 95-96 to 96-97 for this project. 11:03 p.m. Councilman Avey left the meeting. 2. 1995-96 Capital Purchases There was a general discussion regarding items which have been purchased during this year. Mr. Johnston explained how some items cost less thereby leaving a balance in some areas. Other items may have cost more or items may have been purchased that were not budgeted in the beginning of the year. He explained that any funds not spent for capitals this year will go into the fund balance as savings. Mr. Smith noted that the Electronic Voting System for the Council chambers has not been received and that we may have to go to another vendor for the product. The cost will be much more than was estimated. He went on to say there is not enough left in the City Secretary's budget for the increased price, but money can be taken from the City Manager's budget to make up the difference. Mr. Johnston and Mr. Smith explained that according to the Charter they have the authority to do line item transfers as long as they stay within the budget. Councilman Longo asked if we really need the pavement breaker. Mr. Dunlap explained his plan for handling street and alley repair and that this piece of equipment is needed. He said he plans to contract for sidewalk repairs. Discussion followed regarding the amount of money budgeted for street repairs and the council asked if that is enough. Mr. Dunlap said it is not enough and he needs more people to get caught up. Councilman Dillard said more money needs to be added to the budget for street repairs. The estimate of $2,000,000 was given for the repair of Paige and S. Colony. Councilman Longo said we need to have a bond issue for all street repairs. 3 4. Volley Ball Courts Mr. Smith said staff had understood from the previous work session that this was to be reviewed at mid-year but that Councilman Watts thinks the need justifies moving it up. He advised that the preliminary reports from the Comprehensive Plan Survey show a need for entertainment. Councilman Kovatch and Councilman Longo said we should wait until spring to build any new courts. Several locations were discussed. Councilman Watts said what she wants is 2 more courts that are free to the public. Councilman Stanwick agreed that this should wait for mid-year review. The cost is about $3,500.00 each. Proposed locations are Perryman Park, Stewart Creek Park and the Aquatic Park. 5. Gazebo at Stewart Creek Park Councilman Watts said Rusty Nichols has informed her that his builders will look at this project tomorrow and that it may cost the city little or nothing to have a gazebo built. She feels that if the full council and the city staff supports it, the cost may be nothing. Any money spent would come from Stewart Creek Fund. It was noted that the fund is not going to have very much left at the end of this year due to the low water in the lake. Councilman Watts said the gazebo could be used for weddings, concerts, etc, and would help to enhance the revenues at the park. All the council agreed this is a good idea, but that it should go to the Parks & Recreation Board and that more information is needed before any decisions can be made. 6. Boat Councilman Watts said she will continue to ask for a boat (to patrol the lake). Brief discussion followed. There was no real support from the rest of the council. Councilman Kovatch suggested reviewing this at mid-year. 7. Access to the lake by mowing a path behind McDonald's Councilman Watts said she wants this done to provide citizens with access to the lake without them having to pay a fee. Councilman Longo suggested asking McFadden Ranch to do the work, noting there would have to be a plan first. Pam Nelson said the Parks & Recreation Board has reviewed this and decided to wait until Fall to pursue. They want to come up with a simple plan. The Corps has said this will not be a problem as long as the impact is low and that the area can be tied to the lease at Stewart Creek Park. Mayor Manning advised that the Mormon Church has offered to volunteer their services for this type project also. Mr. Smith said volunteers are frae as long as there is a city employee present to supervise. Mayor Manning advised the rest of the items will be postponed until a later meeting. After a brief discussion, a budget work session was set for September 5, 1996 at 6:30 p.m. 5. CONSIDERATION OF ANY APPROPRIATE ACTION TO BE TAKEN AS A RESULT OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION 4 Motion to give a salary increase of 5% to the City Manager, Johnny Snfith, and a salary increase of 4 % to the City Secretary, Patti Hicks - Dillard; second - Stanwick, carried with a unanimous roll call vote. With no further business to address, Mayor Manning adjoumed the meeting at 12:03 a.m. APPROVED: William W. Manning, Mayor ATTEST: Patti A. Hicks, TRMC City Secretary 5