HomeMy WebLinkAbout1965-07-20SS
CALLED MEETING
CF THE
EULESS CITY COUNCIL
JULY 20, 1965
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor W. G. Fuller called the meeting
to order in the Library at the Euless City Hall, at 7:45 P. M., with the
f o l l o w i n g present: Councilman B i l l Byers, Bobby Fuller, Frank Douglass
and Harold Samuels. (Absent: Don Warren)
Also present were City Manager Lee
Cowell and City Secretary Vada Ferris.
PROPCSED 1965 -66 BUDGET
City Manager Cowell proceeded to explain
the proposed budget, copies of which had been presented to each councilman
at the regular meeting on July 13, Mr. Cowell explained the General Budget
Summary, which is based on nine (9) months actual expenditures and revenue
and three (3) months estimated revenues and expenditures. He went into
detail to explain the General Interest and Sinking Fund, stating that the
surplus in this fund is desirous to the Bond Advisors.
Mr. Cowell further commented on the
monthly financial statement which is presented to each councilman and each
department head shortly after the first of each month - this report details
_ expended in each category. City Manager Cowell stated that each department
head had been very co- operative and had studied their monthly report in
guiding them in future expenditures. Councilman Byers stated that, in his
opinion, a department head should not be permitted to make last- minute
expenditures just because he or she has surplus in this budget. City
Manager Cowell stated that a I I request are approved by him before a purchase
is made and that, in his opinion, the department heads are very conservative
in their requests.
City Manager Cowell explained that the
Expenditures by Classification details totals and shows a considerable
increase in salaries due to additional departments being added to the City.
He commented that the proposed budget indicated $54,270.00 to be transferred
from Bond Funds, which would a i d i n f i n a n c i n g the proposed engineering depart-
ment. Councilman Samuels stated t h a t he i s wondering i f the C i t y w i l l be in
a position to transfer monies from bond funds after this year - that, if we
need to use bond funds in the 1965 -66 year and are unable to in future years -
what position would the city be placed in financially. City Manager Cowell
stated that, for several years, bond funds could be used in this manner and,
that, if a source of revenue was not forthcoming to finance the new proposed
department, they could be phased - out.
City Manager Cowell informed the council
that he would have a Water and Sewer Department Budget prepared by August
1st, in case negotiations for acquisition of the water and sewer system
should materialize by that time.
City Manager Cowell explained the Estimate
of Ad Valorem Taxes.
City Manager Cowell stated that he would
(Page Two - Minutes of Called Meeting of City Council July 20, 1965)
attempt to answer questions concerning the departmental proposed budgets,
if the council so desires. Mayor Fuller inquired about the longevity
plan under which the City now operates. He was advised, by the City Manager,
that longevity is $3.00 per month for the first three years, and that an
employee begins benefiting from this plan at the beginning of his third year,
retro- active to the first year - re: an employee would draw $108.00 after
working for the city three years, or $9.00 monthly. Mr. Cowell stated that
the maximum is $60.00 monthly - or $720.00 yearly. After discussion, Mayor
Fuller stated that he requests that the City Manager secure longevity plans
from other cities to determine if the plan for the City of Euless is in
order.
Mayor Fuller inquired about the increase
in Administration Car Allowance and City Manager Cowell stated that he had
increased this figure in the proposed budget over last year's budget in
order for the Mayor's car expenses to be expended from this account rather
than from Travel Expense and Meetings. In answer to a question by Council-
man Byers, City Manager Cowell stated that the $100.00 monthly car allowance
he is granted in the current budget is not adequate.
Councilman Samuels inquired why the
figure for Attorney's fees was increased in the proposed budget over the
1964 -65 budget. City Manager Cowell stated pending lawsuits, which would
possibly be very prominent in the city's program in the coming .year, had
prompted him to increase this figure. He stated that he considered the
attorney's to have been very fair in the statements for the city's work in
the past year.
Councilman Byers inquired about the tax
attorney's fee - he stated he would like to know what percentage the city of
Euless pays the tax attorney.
In answer to a question, City Manager
Cowell explained that he had proposed an increase in salary for Mrs. Geneva
Armstrong - that Mrs. Armstrong spends many hours in the library and is
doing a fine job, and, that this increase will place her more in line with
librarians in the surrounding area.
Councilman Byers inquired as to the
$10,000.00 in the engineering department - how much is attributable to the
water and sewer system. City Manager Cowell stated that he would present
engineering figures to the council at the regular meeting on July 27.
City Manager Cowell stated that a mis-
calculation in figuring the retirement would result in reducing the Retire-
ment Figure in Account No. 12, Non - Departmental and that the amount not
needed in this account would be transferred to Account No. 32 for Building
Maintenance. Councilman Byers stated that a full -time person for mainte-
nance might need to be considered when the new civic center buildings are
completed.
The council then proceeded to discuss
the salary schedule which had been presented. The City Manager stated
that he would like approval of the following pay scale:
57
(Page Three - Minutes of Called council Meeting Jolly 20, 1965)
FCR POLICE DEPARTMENT
Patrolmen
$378.00
per
month
beginning
salary
403.00
per
month
after six
months
415.00
per
month
after one
year
435.00
per
month
after 24
months.
Sergeant
$440.00 per month beginning salary
465.00 per month after 12 months
485.00 per month after 24 months.
Dispatcher
$260.00
per
month
beginning salary
275.00
per
month
after six months
290.00
per
month
after 12 months
305.00
per
month
after 24 months.
C i t y Manager Cowell stated t h a t . t h i s salary scale w i l l place the City of
Euless in line with our neighboring cities.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
City Manager Cowell stated that the
Fire Department salary scale is $15.00 per month under the Police Depart-
ment scale.
Councilman Samuels stated that he had recent-
ly had an occasion to visit in the Police Department and ride in a patrol car
with Officer Livermore. He stated that he was very impressed with Mr. Liver-
more who seemed to be very capable and conscientious. Councilman Samuels
stated that he was surprised that the City had so few officers. City Manager
Cowell stated that the Chief of Police has had a difficult time securing and
keeping competent officers and that Mr. Livermore is an exception. The coun-
cil agreed that an employee should be advanced to another position when an
opportunity presents itself and not held back due to the Department Head be-
ing reluctant to lose this person.
City Manager Cowell informed the council
that the contract for construction at Midway Park between Buck Conway and
the City of Euless is scheduled to be completed soon and he is recommending
the creation of a Parks Department with Buck Conway as Parks Superintendent
at $600.00 monthly salary. He stated he considered that such a department
would be very advantageous to the City in care and maintenance of the present
park and construction and maintenance of future parks. City Manager stated he
recommends that the council authorize the preparation of a two - months budget
in order for construction and general maintenance work to continue at Midway
Park. He stated that Mr. Schrickel, Land Planner endorses this proposal.
After discussion, Councilman Douglass stated
he would like to study this recommendation and have further discussion.
Councilman Byers inquired if any plans were
pending for securing housing for our street and park equipment. He stated
�4 •
(Page Four - Minutes of Called Council Meeting July 20, 1965)
he is desirous of the City's equipment being in out of the winter weather.
Mayor Fuller, Councilmen Byers, Fuller,
Douglass and Samuels, requested that City Manager Cowell and City Secretary
Vada Ferris, be dismissed from the called meeting in order for the council
members to discuss the proposed budget without the presence of paid personnel.
The council agreed on the following items and Mayor Fuller was requested to
advise the City Manager of the results of this executive session, which are
as follows:
City Manager Cowell be granted a $300.00 yearly increase in salary
with car allowance to remain at $1200.00.
Mrs. Geneva Armstrong's salary to be $335.00 month rather than
$350.00 per month as requested by City Manager Cowell.
City Manager Cowell prepare a two months budget (August and September,
1955) for the two new departments he has requested in the proposed
budget - Engineering and Parks Department.
ATTEST:
City Secretary
APPROVED:
�� , 2-; -
Mayor