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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1966-08-31 (special called - budget)Called Meeting of the Euless City Council August 31, 1966 CALL TO ORDER 137 The Called Meeting of the Euless City Coun- cil was called to order by Mayor W. G. Fuller, in the Council Chambers of the Euless City H a l l at 7 : 1 5 A.M., w i t h the following present: Councilmen B i l l Byers, Frank Douglass 'and Bobby Fuller. (Councilmen Don Warren and Harold Samuels were not present.) Also present were City Manager Lee Cowell and City Secretary Vada Ferris. PROPOSED BUDGET - 1. 966 -67 Mayor Fuller announced that this early morning meeting was called to discuss the proposed budget for 1966 -67 which had been presented by City Manager Lee Cowell previously. (The meeting was called for 6:00 A.M.) Councilman Douglass made several inquiries concerning the revenues: 'Estimated revenue from Police Department for 1965 -66 year i s $23,000.00 and for next year, 1966 -67, City proposes to collect $35,000.00. City Mana'ger Cowell informed Mr. Douglass th'at, at present, we have nine (9) uniformed police officers, and by increasing the number of- persons in the Police Department, and by following through on appeals, he is of the opinion that this estimated revenue is in order. He stated that he has discussed this with Chief Sustaire and Corporation Court Judge Gordon Morrison and they are in agreement with him. Councilman Douglass stated that the Police Department is not under - staffed at the present time -- that based on population, the City of Fort Worth has 1.4 police officer, Dallas - 1.7 and Euless 1.6, based on 1,008 population. City Manager Cowell stated that he did not agree with these figures. Councilman .Douglass inquired why the pro- posed interest income was less than the current year. City Manager stated that, last year, we were .in.a position to invest a large portion of1our :Bond Monies, and,,this year, the City did not sell as many bonds, and the money was allocated to be spent in the near future; therefore, not allowing adequate time for investment. Councilman Douglass inquieed about dog pound fees; stating that this year, the City had not collected nearly what had been projected, yet, the proposed budget calls for the same amount as budgeted last year. City Manager Cowell stated that the Animal Warden; picks tip approximately ninety (90) dogs monthly, but very few are claimed. Therefore, the revenue is down, because the income i s derived from persons being fined for permitting their dogs to run at large and the necessity of securing a dog tag. Councilman Douglass stated that, if we are not going to enforce our animal ordinance, then we should not project a figure we cannot meet. 138 (Page Two, Minutes of Called Meeting, Euless CityhCouncil, August 31, 1966.) Councilman Douglass inquired about Mis- cellaneous Income. It was explained that there were several one -time items in the current budget, which had been placed in Miscellaneous Income due to the fact, there was not a revenue category for this particular item - specifically, $1,500.00 collected for street -cut repair from Municipal Service Company. r • Counpi 1 man Douglass and, Mpyor, Ful 1 e r questioned rental income-a,nd- were informed; that this, derives; from the, houses on Sheppard Drive', which the, City owns and rents a,t the. present time, Counci Iman Fuller stated that he would like to have all Council Members present when sa_Iaries are discussed. . Mayor Fuller stated that he wants the City to have a Salary Schedule. It was agreed that the Council would meet in Called Session, September 6, 1966, . at 7:30 P.M., to discuss the proposed budget. 14. TELEPHONE SYSTEM AT CIVIC GETTER BUILDINGS The City Manager inquired as to the type telephone system desired by the Council in the new Civic Center Buildings. He stated that, in his opinion, the Water Department should have aepapate iith s:; the Pol ice .Department should retain the BU3-1526 number and have a separate telephone system, and the -City Offices acquire a new number for the Administrative Offices. to further commented, that there will be telephones in some of the offices which have a built -1n feature to permit you to communicate with a mobile unit. Mr. Cowell commented that: our present ;tele- phone system is at eapac i ty use. Councilman Douglass stated that. the oaf - -, fices.wilh be so close in the new buildings, that -he does not see-'the necessity of an intercom system. Mayor Fuller stated that he does not think we should have separate telephone and intercom systems. City Manager Cowell informed the Council that for appiroximatety $375.00 nonthl:y, a system can be furnished that he considers adequate . - , There was no action in this matter; Members of the Counci 1 were in agreement with the City. Manager to secure the cheaper system. r .I1 1. DEDICATION OF NEW CIVIC CENTER BUILDINGS Councilman Douglass stated that he thinks Dedication Ceremonies should be held after moving into the buildings. City Manager Cowell stated that Mayor Fuller has suggested that, perhaps, each City Civic Group might wish,to have a day for holding Open House and then, the City award a plaque for the Club having the Most in attendance. City Manager Cowell inquired about sending out invitations. 139 (Page Three, Minutes of Called Meeting, Euless City Council, August 31, 1966.) Members of the Council agreed that Mayors and dignitaries of surrounding towns should receive an invitation, and then a gen- eral invitation to all other employees. Also, newspapers could publish dedication program. Councilman Douglass stated that, for the speaker, we might invite Mr. John Tower and Mr'. Waggoner'Car, Mayor Vandergriff's name was also mentioned, as speaker. The City Manager requested the Council'.s opinion of soliciting local merchants in the dedication. Councilman Fuller stated "No ". Other CouncAlfiember.s agreed. Mayor Fuller stated that a Committee should handle the dedication arrangements. It was agreed that ;Councilmen Fui ler, `Douglass and Byers work with the City Manager and City Secretary on the dedication program. I V. FIRST READING: ORDINANCE SETTING TAX RATE City Secretary Vada Ferris presented First Reading of an ordinance setting tax rate at 77 cents for 1966 -67 fiscal year, with 22 cents to General Interest and Sinking Fund and 55 cents to General Operating Budget. Councilman Fuller made the motion to'a prove First Reading.of Ordinance, setting tax rate at 77 cents for Fiscal Year 1966 -67. Councilman Douglass seconded the motion, and the vote is as follows: r Ayes: Councilmen Futler, Douglass and Byers Nays: None Mayor Fuller declared the motion carried. (Second Reading - September 13, 1966.) V. $U8-LEAS.. LNG PORTION OF BUI LDI NQ AT 20.1 WEST FULFSS BOULEVARD City Manager Cowell requested the Council's opinion of sub- leasing a portion of the offices 'now Occupied by the Administrative Staff, after they move to the new buildings. It was agreed that the City Manager should check into this matter further and, if'feasible, arrangements should be made with the building owner, Mr. Ross Cannon, for a reduction in rental. fee, for. portion re- tained by'the,City,for Library use, and.that Mr. Cannon should handle any sub -leas- ing. VI. SETTING DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON BUDGET Councilman Fuller made the motion that September 20, 1966 be declared as date' for a Public Hearing on the Budget for 1.966 -67,. _ C.ounc.i lman. Byers seconded the motion, and the vote is as follows: Ayes: .Cou.ncilmen Fuller, Byers and Douglass Nays None Mayor Fuller declared the motion carried. 140 (Page-Four, Minutes of Called Meeting, Euless City Council, August 31, 1966.) VII. FURT -ER BUDGET DISCUSSION Councilman Douglass commented that he had numerous questions on the proposed budget -- the number of hours worked by employees in relation to salary. It was agreed that a l l questions would be discussed. at the. meeting on September ,6, 1966. VIII. RESOLUTION NO . 149, CALL I NG ELECTION, PROPOSED CONSOLIDATION EULESS AND BEDFORD City Secretary Vada Ferris presented a Resolution calling an election for the purpose of voting on -the proposition of Bedford's merger with Euless, as prepared by the City Attorney, James Cribbs. Courrci lman Douglass made the motion to approve Resolution No. 14.9, as presented. Councilman Byers seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Councilman Byers, Douglass and F u l l e r Nays: None Mayor Fuller declared the motion carried. RECESS MEETING recessed until further notice. September 7, 1966 Mayor Fuller announced that thi_s-.meeting is The Council reconvened at 12 :05 P.M. in the council chambers at City Hall with the fol lowing 'present: Mayor W. G. Fuller, Councilmen Frank Douglass, Bill Byers, Bobby Fuller, and Harold 'Samuels. • Also present were City Manager Lee Cowell, and City Secretary Vada Ferris. •1 . REPORT ON BEDFORD PROPOSED CONSOLI DATION Mayor Fuller informed the Council that he had been informed that the Town of Bedford had been advised -by their Attorney, Mr. Shirley Peters, that the petitions received by the City of Euless and the. Town of Bedford-were invalid, and that the Mayor, of Bedford should request a copy of the petition which had'been presented to Euless. REPORT ON ANNEXATION Mayor Fuller informed the Council that he had received a letter from Mr. J. P. Smith, who resides in the area between Trailwood Addition and Harwood Road (Horseshoe), stating that he w i I 1 n4 b sign the petition to be annexed into the City of Euless,'as he has lived, at this ,location several years and is not afforded the facilities provided other areas of Euless. PROPOSED 1966 -67 BUDGET This meeting was called for the purpose of reviewing the proposed budget. Mayor Fuller inquired if the new salary schedule (furnished members of the Council by the City Manager on August 26:, 1.966), would fit into the proposed budget, as presented several weeks ago by the City Manager. Mr. Cowell answered negatively. Mayor Fuller stated that a budget should be prepared that would be based on the tax rate recently set by the Council. Councilman Fuller commented on the positions proposed in the budget, which do not exist in the current budget. He asked City 141 (Page Five; Minutes of Called .Meeting, Euless City Counc i.l , Re- convened September 7, 1966.) - 'Manager Cowe11._ if the elimirietion of these positions would bring the budget more into line, with the 77 tax rate. M'r. Cowell stated that this is correct. Councilman Byers stated that he does not wish t o imply that there w i l l not be some salary increases; that he suggests that some of the positions which are proposed but are yet unfilled, be eliminated. Councilman Douglass stated that he is very confused; that the salary increases in the proposed budget and the salary schedule do not compare. City Manager Cowell stated that they were not intended to be compared. -- that the Council has requested a pay schedule, and he has presehted one.' Councilman Douglass stated that, in his opinion, the ssalary schedule should be for Euless, -and that, if the proposed salary schedule is approved, some of the present employees would receive a decrease in salary. City Manager Cowell stated that this pro- posed salary schedule is• an attempt to correct some inequities. Councilman Douglass commented that the proposed budget does not comply with the Charter -- and he read from the Charter, Article VII, Section 2. City Manager Cowell stated that last year, the Administrative Offices presented a l l these items to the Council, and that Mayor Fuller had commented, as well as others, that too much material had been given. Therefore,- this year, the Council' was furnished only what was considered to be es- sential in a preliminary budget -- that the bond program is well established and a 11 the items indicated in the Charter w i l l be included In the final budget. Councilman Douglass stated that we have been getting by on a shoe string basis, and Euless is large enough now to have a format, and that he has a format for the Council's consideration. City Manager Cowell stated that the Ad- ministrative Staff w i 11 welcome any suggestions, and we are desirous to comply with the Counc il's wishes . Mayor Fuller commented that he i s not • pleased with the salary schedule which was presented and suggested that another be drafted on a different basis. ,He presented a rough draft of a .salary schedule and organizationdl chart for the Recreation Department, which had been presentdd by Mr. W. J. "Doc" Hyde. (Members of the Council reviewed these items briefly.) City Manager Cowell commented that he has mentioned, previously, that he desires to have a consultant prepare a pay scale and job classification plan -- that the City is not staffed to perform this task; that the one p'r4sented to the Council is patterned after one from the City of Mesquite, which was prepared by a consultant. 'Mayor Fuller stated that he is not op- posed to having a consultant on this matter, if funds are avai - fable. Mayor Fuller stated that he is disturbed about the flow of money in the city government. He mentioned, as an example, the swimming pool -- do we have tickets or just permit someone to take the money -- can 142 (Page Six, Minutes of Called- Meeting, Euless City Council., August 31, 1966, re- convened September' 7, 1966.) - we be assured that a l l monies go i n t o the C i t y Treasury? The Mayor commented fur- ther, that a l l monies should come to the Office of the City Secretary. and be re- ceipted and deposited from that office. Mayor Fuller commented that he is disturb- ed by action taken by the Council while he was on vacation - the permission to the Police Association to operate vending machines in the new buildings -- that, if the City is going to be. responsible. for the upkeep and maintenance, the City should have the funds derived from the machines. Councilman Fuller informed the Mayor. that the Police'Association had requested to operate these machines to secure funds for benevolent purposes. Mayor Fuller commented that we must be sure that all monies are used for the purpose for which they are intended. Counci Iman Douglass commented .on the per- centage of the salary increases' - -. stating that they are too varied. +, City Manager Cowell stated that he,had based the salary increases on work performed - that he had made every effort not to permit personalities to enter into his decisions. Mr. Cowell commented that, if the Council desires, each position on the salary I i st can be taken individually and permit the Council_ to set .the salary -- he stated that some of the _positions assume more work than others - some Tess. Councilman Douglass state'd tha't, in his opinion, the Council should not set salaries -- that, he does not want city em- ployees contacting him if a salary increase i s not permitted. -r City Manager Cowel 1 stated that - city_ em- ployees should not discuss matters with the Council, -- that all- matters' co-ncerning employees are administrative affairs, and Members of the Council should,back the City Manager in his position. The City Manager stated that he has pro- posed several salary increases, and if the Council is not satisfied with his, re- quests, they should go through the budget and make changes where t'hey wish. Discussion centered on merit increases, and City Manager Cowell explained that merit raises are for a specifitc.time and over and above base salary - not a permanent increase. He stated that in cities where merit raises are a practice, they are very effective. Mayor Fuller commented that he is of the opinion a merit increase of this nature would be detrimental -- that an employee would be dissatisfied at the time the merit - increase terminated,. and he was reduced to his old, salary. Councilman Fuller inquired if the budget would be within the 77 cent tax figure by deleting the new positions proposed and salary increases. . The City Manager stated that he would not comment definitely on this, at this time. Councilman Byers inquired if salary in= creases could be given and proposed new positions deleted and remain within the 77 cent tax figure. Councilman Douglass stated that he is doubtful that sewer rates can be increased in the Town of Bedford -- that the fran- chise agreement states that the City of Euless must have the consent of the Town 143' (Page Seven, Minutes of Called Meeting, Euless City Council', August 31, 1966, re- convened September 7, 1966.) of Bedford Council, to change rates. Councilman Samuels stated that he does not think the proposed sewer rate increase should even be discussed in connection with the budget. Mayor Fuller stated that he is still of the opinion that the budget should be approved, based on the 77 cent rate, and, if later in the year it appears necessary to amend the budget, the Council may do so. Councilman Byers stated that, if it ap- pears that more money is needed during the year, there is certainly no disgrace in borrowing money. It was pointed out that positions proposed, as the Fire Captain, Director of Public Works, three janitors for the new buildings, etc. might be deleted for the time being.' Councilman Douglass stated that the City Manager should give some justification for requesting these employees -- the three janitors for the new buildings -- are they all to be employed October first - or as needed, if proved needed? The City Manager stated they were to be employed as of October first -- that, in his opinion, they would be needed to main- tain the new buildings. Councilman Douglass stated that he dis- agrees; that one man would, probably, not be over - worked. City Manager Cowell stated that it is necessary to ask for new personnel a year in advance, in order to assure salaries for them in the new budget. Councilman Douglass stated that new per- sons had been employed in the past, without being approved. Mayor Fuller stated that he thinks salaries for Water Department personnel should be on the same basis as all other employees. City Manager Cowell inquired if the Coun- cil wishes to delete the $31,000.00 from the budget revenues. After considerable discussion, the Council agreed that $31,000.00 should be deleted from the revenues, and the budget prepared to conform to the 77 cent tax rate. Mayor Fuller stated that, several months ago, the Council requested that the City Manager present a salary schedule, person- nel policy and organization chart - and that these are needed to afford the city government proper administration. Mayor Fuller commented that he would like to see the budget prepared without raises and then, if funds are available, raises can be given. City Manager Cowell commented that, if additional persons are to be hired, even later in the year, they must be approved in the budget. The City Manager stated that most cities have consultants for various tasks; that the City Administrative Office is 144 (Page Eight, Minutes of Called Meeting, Euless City Council., Au.ust, 31 1966 re- convened September 7, i 9bb. ) under - staffed at present, and it is very difficult to perform some of the tasks requested by the Counci 1, due t.o the numerous' complaints receive'd at City Hall, numerous people to be seen and problems arising daily, which are not planned for and are unforeseen. Councilman Douglass stated, that i f there . is one time during the year that the City Manager is going to have to work over- time, it is during the preparation of the budget. v. ADJOURNMENT Councilman Ful I e r made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Councilman Samuels seconded the motion, and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Councilmen Fuller, Samuels, Byers and Douglass Nays: None Mayor Fuller declared the motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 1:45 P.M. APPROVED: ATTEST: City Secretary Mayor