The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About08/02/2011 City Council August 2, 2011 MINUTES OF REGULAR SESSION OF COUNCIL HELD ON AUGUST 2, 2011 The Regular Session of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas, was called to order at 7:09 p.m. on the 2nd day of August 2011, at City Hall, 6800 Main Street, The Colony, Texas, with the following roll call: Joe McCourly Mayor Present Allen Harris Councilmember Present Richard Boyer Mayor Pro-Tem Present Jeff Connelly Councilmember Present David Terre Councilmember Present Perry Schrag Councilmember Present Joel Marks Councilmember Present And with seven council members present a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 1.0 ROUTINE ANNOUNCEMENTS, RECOGNITIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS: Call to Order Invocation - Holy Cross Catholic Church Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag Salute to the Texas Flag Community Image Department to Recognize Volunteers- Mayor McCourry recognized Al's Hugs and Hammers for their volunteer assistance to the city and residents. Upon acceptance of the certificate of appreciation a representative of the group spoke saying the organization was fonned in remembrance of Al Gober (who passed away recently). Citizen Input- none Announcement of upcoming civic events and activities 1- Presentation from the Library Director regarding current and upcoming programs, events, and service improvements. Mayor McCourry said that his son left today to join the military. [Later in the meeting Mayor McCoury added an announcement about the Town Hall Meeting on August 3rd at 7 p.m. regarding the Cultural Arts Master Plan.] 2.0 CONSENT AGENDA 2.1 Consider approval of minutes of council meetings held July 19, 2011 [Schrag absent] (City Secretary) 2.2 Consider approving council expenditures for the month of June 2011 Council) 2.3 Consider nominating the City of The Colony Human Resources Director Margaret Burkett to represent Region 8 on the TML Intergovernmental I These items are strictly public service announcements. No action will be taken and no direction will be given regarding these items. 1 August 2, 2011 Employee Benefits Pool Board of Trustees for a three (3) year term beginning October 1, 2011 (Human Resources) 2.4 Consider adopting a resolution casting a vote for Allen Harris to serve on the Denco 9-1-1 District Board of Managers (Council) 2.6 Consider accepting Jack Turner's resignation from the Technologies Board (Council) Motion to approve above consent agenda items- Boyer, second by ,Schrag; motion passed with all ayes. David Terre requested item 2.5 be discussed separately. 2.5 Consider approving a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with Denton County for the collection of property taxes for the city for fiscal year 2011-2012 (Finance) Councilmember Terre stated that the agenda request form for this item incorrectly stated that the cost "remained the same" at $ .71 however should say "reduced to". The city attorney advised that since the actual agreement is worded correctly then the motion would not need special phrasing. Motion to approve agreement has presented]- Terre; second by Boyer; motion passed with all ayes. 3.0 REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS 3.1 Presentation of the City of The Colony Preliminary Municipal Budget for FY 2011-2012, and discuss and consider approving an ordinance scheduling a public hearing for the proposed budget at 7:00 p.m. on August 16, 2011 (Finance) Tim Miller provided the city council a revised version of the Preliminary Budget, adding it had been adjusted to increase the fund balance by $200,000 from the original document. The goals for this budget are to reduce the tax rate by '/4 cent, increase transparency, implement cost allocation, fund $1M in capital projects and fund a 2% salary stipend for employees. The certified tax roll for FY 2011-12 is $2,155,995,108, an increase of 2.94% over the current year. With the tax rate being reduced from .6855 for the current year to the proposed .6830 for FY 2011- 12, the average home would see a $4 reduction in annual property taxes. The tax rate reduction equates to $54,000 in revenue. Tim told the council that there is a change to the.fund structure with this budget; the general fund, utility fund, and parks fund are the major groups. The general fund and parks fund balances are at 101 operating days each and the utility fund is at 100 days. With the limited amount budgeted for capital improvements, the council discussed reducing the number of fund balance days to fund more items from the capital project list. Council members stated their preferences on how some of the extra dollars could be used as follows: McCourry, Connelly and Boyer- streets; Terre- police car replacement and sidewalk repairs; Harris- public safety radio system; Marks- ambulance for Station 2. After much discussion it was determined that reducing the general fund to 90 days, the utility fund to 80 days, and the parks fund to 80 days would provide an additional $1,717,847 towards capital improvements. 2 August 2, 2011 Mayor McCouriy requested that expenditures from these additional fields be staggered throughout the year, in the event something unforeseen occurs. Motion to approve an ordinance setting the budget public hearing date for August 16, 2011- Schrag; second by Harris; motion passed with all ayes. 3.2 Discuss and consider approving a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an amendment to the North Colony Boulevard construction contract to include drainage improvements on North Colony Boulevard west of Main Street (Engineering) Engineering Director Gordon Scruggs advised that due to poor drainage on eastbound North Colony Boulevard west of Main Street (right lane) staff is requesting a contract amendment to the North Colony construction contract ((Tiseo Paving Company) to add two storm drain inlets. The total cost of this project is $80,908.75 and will reduce the landscape portion of the North Colony project budget by that amount, which is funded by Denton County and the North Central Texas Council of Governments. It will take approximately four weeks to complete. Citizen Joyce Fulco asked why this problem was not foreseen in the original engineering. City Manager Troy Powell advised that a storm drain upgrade was originally planned to be included in a later project. Motion to approve- Terre, second by Harris; motion passed with all ayes. 3.3 Discuss and consider a resolution authorizing a consulting services agreement and related mutual non-disclosure agreement for the purpose of analyzing operational cost reduction solutions and recommending modifications to the city's purchasing methods (Administration) Tim Miller provided a brief overview of this agreement. Councilmember Connelly asked what would happen if the anticipated savings didn't transpire. City Manager Powell assured the council that staff will carefully review any proposed changes to be sure they are beneficial to the city in all respects. Executive Session was convened at 8:45 .m. 4.0 EXECUTIVE SESSION 4.1 A. Council shall convene into a closed executive session pursuant to Section 551.071 of the TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE to seek legal advice from the city attorney regarding litigation between John McDonald and the City of The Colony. B. Council shall convene into a closed executive session pursuant to Sections 551.071 and 551.072 of the TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE to seek legal advice from the city attorney about pending or contemplated litigation concerning the possible foreclosure on an approximately 0.2077 acre tract of land located in Block R, Lot 1, of the I2idgepointe Addition Phase 4, City of The Colony, Denton County, Texas. 3 August 2, 2011 Reconvened Open Session at 9:09 p.m. 4.2 A. Any action as a result of executive session regarding litigation between John McDonald and the City of The Colony. Not addressed. B. Any action as a result of executive session regarding pending or contemplated litigation concerning the possible foreclosure on an approximately 0.2077 acre tract of land located in Block R, Lot 1, of the Ridgepointe Addition Phase 4, City of The Colony, Denton County, Texas. No action. And with no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. APPROVED: J e McCou , Mayor City of The Colony ATTEST: ristie Wilson, TRMC retaiy City Sec, 4 T€--x 4