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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1966-06-09 (special called)Called Meeting of the Euless City Council June 9, 1966 CALL TO ORDER 59 Mayor W. G. Fuller called the special meet- ing to the Euless City - Council to order at 7;40 P. M. in the Council Chambers at the Euless City H a l l , with the following Councilmen present: Councilmen B i l l Byers, Bobby Fuller, Harold Samuels and Frank Douglass. (Councilman Don Warren was ab= sent from the meeting.) Also present were City Manager Lee Cowell, City Attorney James Cribbs and City Secretary, Vada Ferris. VISITORS Visitors in attendance were: Messrs. Merrill Mosong and Henry Keller, Financial Advisors of Eppler, Guerin and Turner, Inc., Mrs. Betty Potthoff, reporter with the News Texan; and Mr. Gene Schrickel, Planning Consultant. BOND SALE Mayor Fuller stated thatthis meeting had been called for the purpose of discussing the proposed bond sale and consideration of the School Board's recent decision of tax re- evaluation ofi 65 %. Mr. Henry Keller informed the Council that he has been advised by Tax Assessor - Collector, Mr. Richard Parks, that the estimat- ed evaluation for the coming year is $33,000,000.00; however, this is unofficial. Considerable discussion followed, and Mayor Fuller' expressed that he did not wish to expand the City's program beyond the $1.00 tax rate; that the Administration had informed the people that thirty cents (3O0 is adequate for the bond program, and he is desirous of keeping faith with the people. Mr. Keller stated that he and Mr. Morong are conscious• of this fact, and that they, too,desire to keep this faith. It was discussed that $400,000.00 bonds could -be sold to be disbursed as follows: $ 75,000.00 - Park Bond $1 15,000.00 - Library $210,000.00 - Street and Drainage Councilman Byers inquired if the City would be placed in an unfavorable position, should they advertise for bonds and then refuse to sell. Mr. Morong stated that he did not think so, unless you immediately advertise, within a week or two for another sale. 60 (Page Two, Minutes of Called Meet_ing,_ Euless City Council, June 9, 1966) Councilman Samuels asked several questions of the City Manager, 1. How long before we need money in our Capital Imrpovements Program. Mr. Cowell stated that we needed money by August first. 2. When will the Administrative Offices be in a position to ascertain the amount of money needed to operate the City for the next fiscal year. The City Manager stated that he would hope to have the pre- liminary budget For the Council's consideration by June twenty- first. Councilman Samuels stated that he is in favor of accepting the school's figure of 65% evaluation, and that the tax rate be kept within the percentage, so as not to have an increase in tax rate to the citi- zens this year. Also, to give the City Manager sufficient funds to operate the City and to cut back on the Capital Improvements Program, if necessary. . It was explained that the operating costs'.. would not be helped by butting the Capital Improvements Program. City Manager Cowell stated that he would like to know if the City Council will permit a tax raise. He stated that he does not wish to up -grade the budget and then have it turned down by the City Council; that considerable work goes into the budget plann ing. Mayor Fuller introduced a letter from, School Superintendent Odell d e t a i l i n g the School Board's decision on the 65% eval- uation. (A copy on f i l e in the Office of the City Secretary.) Mayor Fuller stated that he does not agree that the Capital Imppovements Program should be cut back; that if we need more'money to operate the City, it should not be acquired by cutting the Capital Improvements Program. Councilman Samuels stated that he does not think that a tax raise would be favorable at this time. However, that a tax raise in the future, is inevitable. Considerable discussion followed, concern- ing the tax rate, and it was discussed that we can reduce Operating Tax from 7O t o 55 and I n t e r e s t and Sinking Fund f i g u r e from 30 t o 22c, and that 77 w i l l be the same as the $1.00 rate now, with the adjustment in evaluation. Councilman Samuels stated that he would I i ke to see the Council accept the 65% evaluation and reduce the rate to 77 . After further discussion, Mayor Fuller stated that he recommends that the Council accept the Financial Advisor's recom- mendation and sell the bonds, but a decision on the tax rate does not need to be decided at this time. Mr. Morong stated that he recommends that the Council sell $400,000.00 and wet the rate at $O . Councilman Samuels inquired if the City needs a library as large as is planned if Federal Funds are used. Mayor Fuller (Page Three, Minutes of Called Meeting, Euless City Council, June 9, 1966.) stated that he is of the opinion that the building would not be too large and that all space would be utilized. After still further discussion,-Councilman Samuels made the motion that'the City accept the 65% evaluation and concur with the Financial Advisors recommendation to advertise Bond Sale for July 12, 1966, in the amount of $400,000.00, Councilman Byers seconded the motion, and the vote is -as follows: Ayes: Councilmen Byers, Samuels, Douglass and Fuller Nays: None Mayor. Fuller declared the motion carried. CONTRACT - SOUTH EULESS PARK, MR, GENE SCHR I CKEL Mr. Gene Schrickel informed the Council that bids had been opened and tabulated on Thursday, June 2, 1966, for the South Euless Park Recreational Facilities, and after discussion by the landscape archi- tect, the recommendation is that the low bid be awarded to S. R. 0. Asphalt, in the amount of $7,343.55 for Items II, 1II, IV, and V, plus $325.00 for Item 1. Also, that the Shull Construction Company be authorized to proceed with Item VI, Park Equipment Installation, in the amount of $600.00. Mr. Schrickel stated that the landscape ,achitects are desirous of proceeding with these facilities, in order to have some type of Park at South Euless for the Fourth of July activities. Mr. Schrickel stated that he had received authorization from the City Manager to nego- tiate for clearing and grading and had employed Mr. Mansfield, at a figure not to exceed $600.00, for this work. Councilman Fuller made the motion to concur with Mr. Schrickel1s recommendation and to award the contract to S. R. 0. Asphalt Company, in the amount of $7,668.55, to Shull Construction Company, in the amount of $600.00, for park equipment installation. Councilman Samuels seconded the mo- tion, and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Councilmen Fuller, Samuels, Byers and Douglass - Nays: None Mayor Fuller declared the motion carried. (A copy of bid tabulations is filed in the Office of the City Secretary.) 111. PROPOSED SWIMMING POOL Mr. Schrickel stated that he has met re- cently with the Recreation Committee, and that they are interested in determining the amount the City plans to participate in the pool construction at Trinity High School. He stated that this will be a twenty -five (25) meter pool and will cost approximately $113,000.00. Mr. Schrickel stated that he reoommends that the City state that they will participate in the amount of $100,000.00. 62 (Page Four; `.M inutes .of Called Meeting; 'Euless City Council, June 9;1966:)' City Attorney Cribbs stated that he has not investigaped this matter, to determine if the City may enter into such an agreement legally, He stated that he does not feel that the City should be commit- ted until all legal details have been checked thorougf+y. Mayor Fuller stated that, in his opinion, we should not ify the School District that the City will participate, if the State Statutes will permit. Mayor Fuller stated further that the pool should be heated and be an indoor pool, City Attorney Cribbs was authorized to se- cure the legal information for presentation at the next Regular Council Meeting, City Manager Cowell stated that the Bark and Recreation Committee will submit a report,'with recommdndations for the new pool, and that he suggests that the Council delay any decision until after their review of this report, IV. MIDWAY PARK CLEAN -UP Mayor Fuller inquired of Mr. Schrickel concerning Midway Park, He stated there arc several things that'are'incamplete: Open ditches, plants that need watering, and numerous items. Mr. Schrickel stated that the improvements to the park should be complete within the next few days. Mayor Fuller stated that he would like to see a clean -up in the park; that it is not at its best appearance, at this time, LITIGATIONS V. DE- ANNEXATION City Attorney Cribbs reported cm City's litigations, and stated that he is still working on the brief to be presented to the Supreme Court on June fifteenth, in the de- annexation case. He stated that one brief had been filed, but that he is of the opinion that the second b, i of is better. He informed the Council that he had been consulting with Mr. Henry Kucera, former City Attorney of Dallas, and Mr, Kucera plans to travel to Austin for the Supreme Court hearing with Mr. Cribbs. Mr. Cribbs stated that there are several facts to be considered in this case, but that he feels very confident and hopeful, and that he will make the major argument for the City of Euless. He stated that he feels that the argument will be finished in the morning, but that a- decision will not be forthcoming at that time. He advised the Council that Mr. Peters, Attorney for the group desiring to de- annex, will present an argument for thirty minutes, before the Supreme Court, Mr. Cribbs will then argue for thirty minutes, and Mr. Peters will be granted another thirty minutes. If time permits on the Court Docket Mr. Cribbs will be allowed another period for argument. Mr. Cribbs stated that he had requested Mr. Bill Ratliff to prepare an overlay mdp, which he feel will be of value to him in his argument to the Supreme Court, The City Attorney explained (Page Five, Minutes of Called Meeting, Euless City Council, June 9, 1966.) that he does no believe t h a t Ordinance No. 192 w i l l be declared invalid; however, there is a possibility on Ordinances Nos. 189 and 190. He further informed the Council that, in the event the City should nbt be favored in the Supreme Court's decision, a re- hearing may be granted, with a new approach. BEI IY KENNY CASE City Manager Cowell inquired of Mr. Cribbs concerning the Betty Kenny Case. Mr. Cribbs stated that it is scheduled for trial in a few weeks. VI. RIGHT -OF -WAY (HARWOOD ROAD) Mayor Fuller inquired about the necessary •right -of -way for Harwood Road. The City Manager stated that Mr. Warren Fuller has been making efforts to secure the necessary fight -of -way, and that he is aware that the construction work is being delayed, due to the fact that we have not been able to obtain a l l of the needed right -of -way. VII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:15 B. M. APPROV D Mayor ATTEST: °Lid, g,„:47 City Secretary