HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/27/1998 City Council 00693!
7/27/98
MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF COUNCIL
HELD ON
JULY 27, 1998
The WORK SESSION of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to order
at 6:10 p.m. on the 27th day of July, 1998 at City Hall, with the following council roll call:
Mary Blair Watts, Mayor Absent (personal)
Bill Longo, Councilmember Present
Bernetta Henville-Shannon, Councilmember Present
David Stanwick, Councilmember Present
Al Garcia, Councilmember Present
John Dillard, Councilmember Absent (arrived at 6:45 p.m.)
Dave Kovatch, Councilmember Present
and with five present a quorum was established, the following items were addressed:
1.0 DISCUSSION: 1998-99 MUNICIPAL BUDGET
Lanny Lambert, City Manager, presented Council with a memorandum outlining revenue
projections and both General and Utility fund expenditures to be considered.
After lengthy discussion regarding all the items proposed, the following items were
agreed upon, in addition to items addressed in City Manager's memo: Personnel Issues
T.M.R.S. increase to 6% ($58,283)
Hire two new firemen - one in January and one in April (decreases overtime)
Hire computer specialist ($57,000)
Mid-year review of personnel issues
Capital Items
New City Council Budget (revision)
· Move legal services to another fund and reduce to $30,000 (initiate RFP's for
new city attorney)
· Terminate internet service for all councilmembers
· Education and training - adjust budget to $6,300 and limit number of
councilmembers to attend programs and conferences
· Travel -reduce to $10,625 to reflect limited number of councilmembers
· Cellular telephones - review further. Keep pagers.
Pro~rams/Proiects
Fleet replacement program (reviewed annually) - 6 police vehicles
Discussion followed regarding the reduction of property taxes. Mayor Pro-tern Kovatch
proposed a 1½¢ reduction in rates. Council was not in favor. Tony Johnston, Finance Director,
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gave a brief overview of the current debt structure and how taxes will be affected in future years
as debt reduces. Consensus of Council was to proceed with proposed 1 ¢ rate reduction.
9:15 p.m. Recess
9:30 p.m. Reconvene
Clark Switzer, President of the Telecommunications Board, made a presentation of
expenditures needed for audio/video production. Mr. Lambert suggested lobbying TCI
Cablevision to provide equipment. Discussion followed regarding moving existing equipment to
the new city hall. Mr. Switzer stated that TCI (according to franchise) only has to install one
drop, which is the same as the current city hall. He added that they are not required to move or
provide new equipment. Councilmember Dillard suggesting improving the audio/video in stages
rather than expend so much at one time. Mr. Switzer explained the inadequacies of the current
system and offered that the proposed budget is only for minimal improvements. Mr. Lambert
said he believes the architect has set aside $50,000 for audio/video for the new city hall. Council
consensus was to have Mr. Lambert verify figures with the architect and possibly donate 10% of
the franchise revenue to this Board's operating budget.
Motion to adjourn - ltenville-Shannon, second - Garcia, carried with all members voting
aye.
With no further business to address, Mayor Pro-tem Kovatch adjourned the meeting at
10:15 p.m.
APPKOVED:
Patti A. Hicks, TRMC, City Secretary
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