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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/02/2010 City Council-WSAugust 2, 2010 Work Session MINUTES OF PRE-COUNCIL WORK SESSION HELD ON AUGUST 2, 2010 The Pre-Council Work Session of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas, was called to order at 6:02 p.m. on the 2nd day of August 2010, at City Hall, 6800 Main Street, The Colony, Texas, with the following roll call: Joe McCourry Allen Harris Richard Boyer Jeff Connelly Kirk Mikulec Perry Schrag Joel Marks Mayor Councilmember Councilmember Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Present Present (arrived at 6:11 pm) Present Present Present (arrived at 6:25 pm) Present Absent And with four council members present a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: A. Call to Order B. Council to receive information on specific Preliminary Budget items. Assistant City Manager Tony Johnston presented the preliminary budget to the council. He gave a brief history of the process, discussed the tax base and adjustments that were made at the department level to create the balanced budget. The general fund has a fund balance of $6,202,961, equating to 102 days. To reduce expenses, employee benefits were reviewed. The TMRS cost of living increase for retirees was removed and the employee medical insurance will changed to reduce the overall cost. Both benefits will be re-evaluated. Mr. Johnston reported the budget did include the step raise plan for public safety employees, but no other employee raises. The utility fisnd has a fund balance of $3, 866, 583, equating to 110 days. Mr. Johnston stated the proposed budget included a 2.5% reduction in fees for utility services. The hotel occupancy tax fund (HOT) was reduced based on this year's revenue. The capital projection administration was increased to include a new position for the construction liaison to help citizen satisfaction during the construction project. The child safety fund includes a $75, 000 transfer to pay for crossing guards. The citizen donation fund has a small balance of approximately $2000. Additional August 2, 2010 Work Session information will be sent out to citizens via water bill notices to increase participation. Mr. Johnston reported if the Council added the two jailer positions and a supervisor position, the funding of $140, 669 would need to be deducted from the fund balance, equating to 2.32 days. He also provided scenarios to add a one percent (I cost of living increase for all employees. City Manager Troy Powell suggested a one-time stipend to a HSA (Health Savings Account) account to help offset the increased out ofpocket expense for the change in medical insurance. Councilman Connelly asked if public safety employees would be included in the COLA due to receiving step increases. Mr. Johnston explained not all public safety employees were receiving the step increases. Councilman Schrag asked for clarification on the citizen donation fund, NTMWD in Austin Ranch and the reduced expenditures versus the number of days in utility fund. Councilman Boyer asked if there is a cost related to each employee having a HSA for the one- percent (]Yo) stipend. Mr. Powell said employees would be encouraged to have the HSA because it is pretax and they will see more benefit for the money. Councilman Harris asked if the amount being transferred to the general fund for the crossing guards could be increased to cover more of the expense. Mr. Johnston agreed it could. Mayor McCourry agreed and asked if more of the child safety funds could be allocated to the Children's Advocacy Center. Councilman Harris suggested a I% COLA and I% allocated to a HSA for the employees. He would not consider a tax rate reduction to keep the funds in the general fund. The council discussed various scenarios related to the fund balance days. Mayor McCourry preferred to keep the number of days at 90. C. Council to receive supplemental information from staff or answers to questions regarding the August 2"d agenda items as follows: 2.1 Consider approving minutes of council meetings held July 20, 2010 [Mikulec absent] (City Secretary) No discussion on this item. 2.2 Consider approving a resolution casting the city's vote for Troy Powell to serve on the Denco 9-1-1 Board of Managers (Council) No discussion on this item. 2.3 Consider approving the operating budget for the 2010 American Heroes festival to be held November 6, 2010 at the Five Star Complex, and consider waiving usage fees for the American Legion to host 1 mile, 5k and l Ok runs at Stewart Creek Park in conjunction with the festival (Parks and Recreation) No discussion on this item. August 2, 20 10 Work Session 2.4 Consider approving a reso Agreement Regarding Ground Lea Peninsula, L.P. (Johnston) Kristian questions regarding the agreement agreement and if it was revolving. agreement had a seven year term. ution authorizing the e regarding financing Telelki from Matthews Councilman Schrag Mr. Teleki responded city manager to execute an development of Wynnwood Southwest was available for asked about the term of the it was not revolving and the 2.5 Consider approving a resolution adopting the city's Quarterly Investment Report for the period ending June 30, 2010 (Finance) No discussion on this item. 2.6 Consider approving an ordinance scheduling a public hearing for the City of The Colony's proposed Municipal Budget for fiscal year 2010-2011 at 7:00 p.m. on August 17, 2010 (Finance) No discussion on this item. 2.7 Consider approving a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a License and Use Agreement with Carnival Americana, Inc. to hold a carnival November 4-7, 2010 at Five Star Complex, and authorizing extended hours of operation (Parks and Recreation) No discussion on this item. 3.1 Discuss and consider approving a resolution directing publication of Notice of Intention to Issue Certificates of Obligation (Finance) No discussion on this item. 3.2 Presentation of the City of The Colony Preliminary Municipal Budget for FY 2010- 2011 and discuss possible dates for a budget work session (Finance) No discussion on this item. 3.3 Discuss and provide direction regarding the F.M. 423 streetscape design, landscaping, utilities, and other roadway enhancements (Parks and Recreation) No discussion on this item. D. Council to provide direction to staff regarding future agenda items. Councilman Connelly would like to fast track the housing codes. Planning Director Mike Joyce stated the updates would be presented to the Code Enforcement Board on August 26, 2010. Once they have reviewed, the information will be brought to the council in September. E. Council to discuss community beautification including use of city brand and street light maintenance. Councilman Connelly would like the branding consistent across the city. He stated he would like to see the street light poles straightened and painted. F. Council to discuss sign removal requirements for nonresidential property and provide direction to staff regarding possible amendments to the ordinance. Councilman Harris said he would like to leave the ordinance as is for the removal ofsigns for closed businesses. City Manager Powell stated he had discussed an issue regarding removal of the large 'for lease " signs once the building is leased. Mayor McCourry explained it looks like "we are August 2, 2010 Work Session open for business" if the for lease signs are gone and would support 30 days. Councilman Mikulec agreed with the Mayor. Economic Development Director Keri Samford suggested changing the timeline for removal of the for lease signs to match that of removal of closed business signs. G. Council to discuss Code of Ordinances Section 19-12 as it relates to parking on the grass and provide direction to staff regarding possible amendments. City Manager Troy Powell stated the regulations related to parking on the grass need to be reviewed to alleviate the problem. He will bring the topic back at a future meeting. J. Adjourn And with no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 7:01 p.m. APPROVED: Joe- McCou9 or City of rTh~e Co y ATTEST: i . 1 i Christie Wilson, TRMC, CMC ~ P ~ City Secretary c f C~ N_ ~ Y a