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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/08/2003 City Council September 8, 2003 MINUTES OF REGULAR SESSION OF COUNCIL HELD ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2003 The Regular Session of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas, was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on the 8th day of September 2003, at City Hall, 6800 Main Street, The Colony, Texas, with the following roll call: John Dillard Mayor Present Allen Harris Councilmember Present Scott Ward Councilmember Present Joe McCourry Mayor Pro-tern Present Lynda Bayliss Councilmember Present Perry Schrag Councilmember Present Joel Marks Councilmember Present And with seven present a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 1.0 ROUTINE ANNOUNCEMENTS, RECOGNITIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS: Call to Order Invocation - Tony Johnston, Asst. City Manager Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag Salute to the Texas Flag Citizen Input Announcement of upcoming civic events and activities * Mayor Dillard announced the opening of the new skate park on September 9, 2003. He praised the city council for their professional actions during the recent transition on city council. 12.0 I CONSENT AGENDA I 2.1 Consideration of approval of the minutes of the council meetings held August 18, 19, & 27, 2003 (Hicks/Vqilson) Motion to approve the minutes as written - McCourry; second - $chrag carried with ail ayes. 2.2 Consideration and approval of an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Euless for the purchase of ticket writing hardware and software in the amount of $27,699 (Sparkman) Motion to approve as presented - McCourry; second - Schrag carried with all ayes. 2.3 Consideration of approval of an ordinance authorizing the city to offer health benefits coverage to City of The Colony retirees (Burkettl Councilmember Harris asked how much this would cost the city. Margaret Burkett, Human Resources Director said there is no cost to the city. The city only offers the benefit and it is up to retirees if they want to take advantage of it. · These items are strictly public service announcements. No action will be taken and no direction will be given 1 regarding these items. September 8, 2003 Citizen Diana Hill asked the cost to the city. Ms. Burkett re-stated there is no cost to the city. She said the cost this year for a retiree to take the insurance would be $534.00 per month. Motion to approve as presented - Harris; second- McCourry carried with all ayes. 2.4 Consideration and approval of a Resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into Interlocal Agreements for cooperative purchasing (Sparkman) Motion to approve as presented - McCourry; second- Schrag carried with all ayes. 2.5 Consideration of ratifying expenditure of funds in the amount of $85,627.00 for emergency repairs at well site//3 (Johnston) Councilmember Schrag asked for an explanation. Mr. Johnston advised that July 28, 2003 one of the well motors at well site #3 caught fire causing the well to shut down. The fire damaged wiring insulation in the motor and electrical wiring. He further stated the removal of that well from service was critical because it provides 20% - 25% of the water to our residents. Because it was an emergency situation we expended the funds for the repairs without going through the usual bid process and approvals. This item is to ask the council ratify the actions taken by approving the expenditures. Motion to ratify the expenditure - Schrag; second - McCourry carried with all ayes. 3.0~REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS 3.1 Consideration of approval of an ordinance authorizing the issuance and sale the City's Combination Tax and Limited Surplus Revenue Certificates of Obligation, Series 2003; Levying an annual Ad Valorem tax and providing for the security and payment of said certificate (Koo) Rebecca Koo, Finance Director advised the council that we received 11 bids earlier today. Staff is recommending sale to Hanis Trust and Savings Bank at 4.0786%. Doug Hartman with First Southwest gave a presentation regarding the sale of bonds. He said there was lots of interest and recommended approval as presented to Harris Trust and Savings Bank at 4.0786%. Mr. Hartman read the following paragraph at the request of Mayor Dillard. "The stable outlook reflects the expectation that the city will continue its sound financial management; maintain strong reserve levels while managing growth pressures as the tax base expands ". Motion to approve the ordinance as written - McCourry; second - Marks carried with all ayes. 3.2 Consideration of approval of an ordinance approving the revised budget for the fiscal year 2002-2003 and adopting the budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2003 and ending September 30, 2004 (Koo) *These items are strictly public service announcements. No action will be taken and no direction will be given 2 regarding these items. 007885 September 8, 2003 Rebecca Koo, Finance Director, covered the highlights of the proposed 2003- 2004 budget. General Fund budget - $15,581,580.00 New Positions: 5 in police and 5 in fire Merit increases of 1% - 3% 5.5% increase in health coverage for employees $2.00 a month increase in longevity $20,000 Increase in transfers to Hidden Cove Park In the General Fund there is a $145,993 increase in revenues for current budget year and a decrease in expenditures of $20,710. Utility Fund budget - $ 8,913,001 No new positions Merit increases of 1% - 3% 5.5% increase in health coverage for employees $2.00 a month increase in longevity Increase in Dallas Water Utilities purchase from 5mgd to 6 mgd effective June 4, 2004. In the Utility Fund there is a $345,160 increase in revenues for current budget year and a decrease in expenditures of $198,791. Motion to approve the budget as presented- Schrag; second- McCourry carried with all ayes. 3.3 Consideration of approval of an ordinance to adopt the City of The Colony tax rate of $.720 per $100 valuation for fiscal year 2003-2004 (Koo) Ms. Koo stated the rate to be adopted is $.720 per $100 valuation. She further stated the tax rate has been decreasing for the past 10 years, noting the 02-03 year is a ½ cent decrease. Councilmember McCourry explained that the notice in the newspaper stated there was a proposed increase in the tax rate, but stated that relates to the increase in property values and the amount of tax revenue the city gains from that increased value. Motion to approve the ordinance as written - Bayliss; second- Harris carried with all ayes. 3.4 Discussion regarding scheduling a council retreat (Dillard) Mayor Dillard said he wants to have a council retreat where department heads can make presentations to the city council. He wants to discuss goals. After brief discussion a date of October 11, 2003 was set. Location to be determined. 4.0 [ EXECUTIVE SESSION I 4.1 Executive Session as authorized by Section 551.074 of the Government Code, regarding Personnel, to-wit: A. Annual Evaluation - City Secretary B. Sec. 4.06 of the Home Rule Charter regarding residency *These items are strictly public service announcements. No action will be taken and no direction wild be given 3 regarding these items. 0t}7886 September 8, 2003 Diana Hill, 5544 Big River Drive asked what the Home Rule Charter says about residency. Mr. Bob Hager, city attorney read section 4.06 of the Charter as follows, "The __ city manager and city secretary as may be prescribed by ordinance, shall be required to live within the city limits of The Colony. All persons hired for such positions shall be allowed one (1) year to comply with this provision. The city council may waive the residency requirement.)" Ms. Hill said she is surprised only two employees are required to live in the city and stated that more positions should be required to do so. 7:40 p.m. Recess 7:45 p.m. Convene in Executive Session 8:45 p.m. Reconvene in Public Session 4.2 Consideration of approval of a resolution waiving the residency requirements for the city secretary as provided in section 4.06 of the Home Rule Charter (Council) Before taking action on this item, Mayor Dillard gave the floor to Patti Hicks, City Secretary. Ms. Hicks read the following letter: Honorable Mayor Dillard and Members of the City Council: It is with somev~hat mixed emotions that I advise you of my intention to retire from the City of The Colony effective January 31, 2004. -- I have been employed with the City since June 13, 1979. I have been serving as City Secretary since July 1, 1985. The City of The Colony has been my home, my employer and my life for a very long time. It will be difficult to leave; however, lam excited about retirement and look forward to the next chapter of my life. I cannot begin to express how much the City has meant to my family and me over the past 24 years. I have enjoyed my position as City Secretary and even through the trying times, I believe I have made a difference for good in The Colony. The support and encouragement I have received from elected officials has afforded many opportunities that I would not have otherwise had. I have known some of you for many years and some I have only just begun to get acquainted with, but I respect the commitment all of you have made to serve our City and make it a better place to live and raise a family. I know you will all continue to work toward the common goals of enhancing the quality of life in The Colony. Again, thank you all for the opportunity to serve you and for all the memories. Respectfully submitted, Patti A. Hicks, TRMC City Secretary Ms. Hicks continued, by telling the council that she agrees with the Charter provision which requires the city manager and city secretary to live within the city limits. -- She said she believes that living and working in the city gives one a greater sense of ownership. Ms. Hicks said this decision was not made hastily and but that it was one that had been made about two years ago. She explained that (because of retirement) she is *These items are strictly public service announcements. No action will be taken and no direction will be given 4 regarding these items. September 8, 2003 requesting a waiver of the charter provision in Sec. 4.06 and that she respectfully asks the council to grant the waiver. Motion to approve the resolution granting the waiver of the residency requirement in sec. 4.06 of the Home Rule Charter for Patti Hicks, the city secretary- Harris; second - Marks carried with all ayes, except Councilmember Ward, who voted No. 4.3 Consideration of any other appropriate action to be taken as a result of the Executive Session (Council) Mayor Dillard advised that the council is giving Ms. Hicks a 4% increase. Motion to approve a 4% increase for the city secretary- Marks; second- Ward carried with all ayes. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to address the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. APPROVED: Jo~n'Dillarr(, Mayor ATTEST: Patti A. Hicks, TRMC, City Secretary *These items are strictly public service announcements. No action will be taken and no direction wilI be given 5 regarding these items.