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Home My WebLink About09/02/2014 City Council September 2,2014 MINUTES OF COUNCIL SESSION HELD ON SEPTEMBER 2,2014 The Regular Session of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas,was called to order at 7:05 p.m. on the 2"d day of September, 2014, at City Hall, 6800 Main Street, The Colony, Texas,with the following roll call: Joe McCourry Mayor Present Kirk Mikulec Councilmember Present Richard Boyer Councilmember Present Jeff Connelly Councilmember Present David Terre Mayor Pro-Tem 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—First United Methodist Church Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag Salute to the Texas Flag Citizen Input- Joan Lux announced the City Manager's Arts Committee's Art Quest event, including locations where local artists' works will be on display during September and October. Robert Lux spoke about streets that need repair, not with asphalt but with cement. He asked that the tax rate not be lowered but to use the funds for these repairs. Roosevelt Johnson challenged the city council members to participate in the ALS Challenge in support of Lou Gehrig's Disease, and for them to challenge surrounding city councils to do the same. Announcement of upcoming civic events and activities I- Presentation from the Library Director regarding current and upcoming programs, events, and service improvements. Councilmember Terre announced the final Concert in the Park scheduled for September 12th and encouraged everyone to attend. City Manager Troy Powell introduced the new police chief David Coulon. 2.0 CONSENT AGENDA The Consent Agenda contains items which are routine in nature and will be acted upon in one motion. Items may be removed from this agenda for separate discussion by a Council member. 2.1 Consider approving minutes of council meetings held August 14th (McCourry, Mikulec) and 19th,2014 (City Secretary) These items are strictly public service announcements.No action will be taken and no direction will be given regarding these items. 1 September 2,2014 2.2 Consider approving Council expenditures for the month of July 2014 (Council) 2.3 Consider approving a resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into an agreement with CoSery Electric for construction, maintenance, power, and installation of LED street lighting in the public right of way at the Grandscape Development(Maurina) Motion to approve-Schrag;second by Mikulec; motion passed with all ayes. 3.0 REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS 3.1 Conduct the second of two public hearings and discuss the proposed 2014- 2015 tax rate not to exceed $.675 cents per $100 valuation for the taxable value of all property, real and personal, located within the City of The Colony, and announce that the tax rate will be voted on September 16, 2014 at 7 p.m. at The Colony City Hall, 6800 Main St. (Finance) Assistant City Manager Tim Miller told the council that in order to accomplish their desired additional quarter-cent reduction in the tax rate (direction given at the August l9th council meeting), staff is recommending the Water Master Plan be held until next year's budget, and that there not be a $20k transfer from the General Fund to the Special Events fund in the upcoming budget. The result will be a half-cent reduction in the tax rate from the current year's rate rather than the quarter-cent that was originally proposed. Included in the budget is a planned bond sale that will allow for $3M for four (4) street replacements. There is also $500,000 budgeted for street and sidewalk repairs. The desired half-cent tax rate reduction will not impact the street repairs and replacements that are planned. Mr. Miller further explained that this next year there is a 9% net ad valorem tax increase. Councilmember Boyer added that this next year the city has an opportunity to include in the budget some of the items that have been postponed in previous years when the city's funds were tight. The public hearing was opened at 7:40 p.m. Citizen Jeremy Langless asked council why they would lower the taxes rather than use the revenue on projects. Mayor McCourry explained that the council's desire to lower the rate is for the benefit of the residents, and that this is the council's way of sharing the anticipated future revenue of the city. The goal is to make The Colony the desired location for people to live and businesses to locate. Citizen Christi Martin also spoke in favor of the city keeping the extra money to use it on programs, adding that the few dollars would not mean much to most residents. The Mayor responded by saying that a reduction this year also affects future years' tax rates and the dollars eventually add up for each person. Councilmember Connelly said lower tax rates keep us competitive while still offering the right services. Councilmember Boyer stated that developers realize the council's philosophy of lowering tax rates and the mission to give back when other (neighboring cities) have raised their rates. Councilmember Mikulec also commented that many children in the city are on reduced lunch rates at school. Councilmember Terre stated that public safety is a high priority for residents and it has to be balanced by lowering taxes. Councilmember Schrag thanked the staff for the team effort. Councilmember Marks stated this year's budget was the easiest he's been involved with. Citizen Robert Lux thanked the council for sharing their thought 2 September 2,2014 processes for this budget approach. The public hearing was closed at 7:51 p.m. Mr. Miller stated staff will proceed with a half-cent tax reduction. 3.2 Discuss and consider approving an ordinance canceling the November 4, 2014 city council election for single-member district Place 5 and declaring the unopposed candidate elected (City Secretary) The City Attorney Jeff Moore advised the council that there's a provision in the Election Code that authorizes a single member election be canceled if there is only one candidate. This ordinance cancels only the election for Place 5. City Secretary Christie Wilson told the council that Councilmember Schrag will be sworn in following the election canvas along with the other council members elected. Motion to approve-Marks;second by Mikulec; motion passed with all ayes. 4.0 WORK SESSION 4.1 Discuss a proposed policy for selecting volunteers and independent contract instructors (Swain) This item was pulled from the agenda and not discussed. Executive Session was convened at 7:55 p.m. 5.0 EXECUTIVE SESSION 5.1 A. Council shall convene into a closed executive session pursuant to Section 551.074 of the TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of the City Manager. B. 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 Stewart Peninsula Golf Course/Anderson Express Lane, Inc. C. 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 pending or contemplated litigation - 7525 Glenturret Circle. Reconvene to Open Session at 9:15 p.m. 5.2 A. Any action as a result of executive session regarding the city manager's evaluation. Motion to authorize an amendment to the city manager's contract as discussed in executive session-Boyer;second by Mikulec; motion passed with all ayes. B. Any action as a result of executive session regarding Stewart Peninsula Golf Course/Anderson Express Lane, Inc. No action. 3 September 2,2014 C. Any action as a result of executive session regarding pending or contemplated litigation—7525 Glenturret Circle. Motion to authorize the city attorney's office to file a lawsuit against the property owners of 7525 Glenturret Circle on the terms as discussed in executive session- Terre;second by Marks; motion passed with all ayes. And with no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 9:17 = . A' 'ROVED: —411( 'oe cCourry, ay. Dt t'13 City of The Colony /IA &p Pry '1e,.,' ATTEST: Christie Wilson, TRMC ; c,�,:• :70 City Secretary �. SEAL ).() TEXAS• • , 4