HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/08/2005 City Council
June 8, 2005 Work Session
I MINUTES OF WORK SESSION OF COUNCIL
HELD ON
JUNE B, 2005
The Work Session ofthe City Council ofthe City of The Colony, Texas, was called to order at 7:05
p.m. on the 8th day of June 2005, 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 Absent
And with six council members present a quorum was established and the following items were
discussed:
I 1. Council and staff to discuss finance and budget related issues regarding services and
programs for 2005-2006 (Cheatham)
City Manager Dale Cheatham advised the council of the rough estimates for
revenues/expenses for 2005-2006. He also posed several questions to the council for
feedback on how the city should proceed on possibly cutting some services, staffing, salary
adjustments, debt refinancing, and fire stations. He noted that he started the budget
discussions earlier this year due to last year's council expressing the desire to start the
process earlier.
There was considerable discussion among council members and staff regarding
increasing certain fees (mainly in Parks and Recreation) and possibly cutting back hours for
the Senior Center (preferably on Saturdays) and the Library. Council felt a nominal non-
resident fee should be charged for use of the Senior Center. Fees charged for trips should
include all costs incurred, including the salary of the chaperone. The consensus for the
Library was to possibly eliminate the Thursday morning hours but only during the nine
months of the year while school is in session. The Library will also fill the currently open
position of reference librarian, which has been vacant.
Councilmember Mikulec asked Dale to check whether the city would be eligible for
fuel purchasing contracts.
Discussion on the order of priority for the planned fire stations resulted in the
following projection:
I North Colony- 2007-2008
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June 8, 2005 Work Session
Austin Ranch- 2008-2009
Wynnwood Peninsula-2009-2010
.
Assistant City Manager Tony Johnston reminded the council that it takes
approximately eighteen months from design through construction completion for a building
project. Also, some fire equipment must be ordered approximately a year in advance of
delivery. It was decided that a design contract for the North Colony and Austin Ranch
locations will be presented to council in the near future (one contract for both). Also, council
directed Dale to proceed with adding three firefighters in the budget. The number of
personnel to staff these new stations was discussed. Chief Mike Nolen said he is applying
for some federal grant money for firefighter positions.
The disparity ofthe police officer starting salaries compared to surrounding cities was
discussed at some length. Chief Joe Clark added that it is difficult to keep officers with less
than five years seniority because The Colony's salary structure is no longer competitive. It
was noted that all departments, not just police, are comparatively below other cities in the
area of salaries.
Dale Cheatham asked the council to consider how much they wish to allocate for
salary increases, how to get the money, and then how the money will be allocated. He
suggested that salaries and personnel be considered early in the budget process, rather than
waiting and using what's left after other expenses. -,-
Ways to help fund the salary adjustments included possibly reallocating some taxes
currently being levied. Dale will check with the city attorney on the possibilities.
Councilmember Schrag voiced his concern at the idea of refinancing current debt, not
wanting to stretch it out further.
Council asked the city manager to prepare projections and options for various fee
increases and salary adjustments, including a tax increase.
And with no further business to discuss the work session was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
~~ ~1o~
hristie Wilson, TRMC, City Secretary'-
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