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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1966-09-20 (special called)163 Called Meeting of the Euless City Council September 20, 1966 CALL TO ORDER Mayor W. G. Fuller called the meeting to order at 7:50 P.M. with the following present: Councilmen Bobby Fuller, Frank Douglass, Bill Byers and Harold. Samuels. (Absent - Councilman Don Warren.) Also present were City Manager Lee Cowell, City Attorney James Cribbs and City Secretary Vada Ferris. 'VISITORS Visitors present were: Mrs. Betty Potthoff (Mid- Cities Daily News Reporter), Mr. and Mrs. J. 0. Lamar, Mr, and Mrs. Charles Penry, Messrs. Billy Owens and W. J. "Doc" Hyde. t. PUBLIC HEARING: 1966 -67 BUDGET Mayor Fuller opened the Public Hearing on the 1966 -67 Budget and asked City Manager Lee 'Oowel1 to review the budget for those present. Mr, Cowell briefly reviewed the Water and Sewer Department budget t o t a l s which required l i t t l e discussion. Mr. Cowell ex= plained that the expenditures are paid from income derived from the water and sewer system. Mr. Cowell explained the 'General Fund Revenues proposed in the amount of $362,730.00 and stated that tax collections pro- vide the larger amount of general fund revenues. Mr. Cowell stated the General Fund proposed expenditures are $377,064.00. . City Manager Cowell stated that several people have questioned Police Department salaries, with some concern. He proceeded to explain Police Department base salaries, as follows: Dispatchers Fireman Pol iceman Fire Lieutenant Police Sergeant Fire Captain Police Lieutenant Pol ice'Captain . $339.00. $397.00 $408.00 $410.00 $474.00 $545.00 $545.00 $590.00 He further explained that salaries for all City employees are fair, but supplies are at a minimum; also that this i s a conservative budget. 164 (Pa •e Two Called Meetin• Euless C.it Counci 1 Se•tember 20 1966.) Mr. Charles Penry inquired about supplies for the Fire Department, noting there i s a decrease in the Fire Department budget over the 1965 -66 fiscal year. The City Manager explained that, in 1965 -66, the City had purchased a station wagon for the Fire Department and did not plan such an expenditure this year, and that an acceptable minimum of supply items has been pro- posed. Mrs. J. 0. Lamar stated that the Police and Fire Departments are used during the entire year, whereas the Park, Recreation and Swimming Pool Departments are used only during certain months; yet the proposed bud- get for these departments' are, in percentage, out of proportion in comparison to the other departments. City Manager Cowell stated this is due to the opening o f the new Civic Center, which w i l l include the Community Building -- which requires staffing, supplies, maintenance and utilities. He stated that this b u i l d i n g w i l l afford year -round act,i-v i t ies fpr a l l age groups. Mrs. Lamar stated that she is selfish; that she never contacts the City unless she ,wants something -- that she wants the Police Department, and others providing year -round service, to have some of the funds, rather than a few which provide activities a few months out of the year. She stated that the dog situation is de- plorable and that, in her opinion; Police Officers should not have to serve as Dog Catchers -- that a licensed Animal Warden should handle this task. She stated, on several occasions, Police Officers have had to chase dogs in her neighborhood and get all hot and dirty -- and she does -not think the Police Department should be in the dog - catching .bus iness. The City Manager explained that the City employs a man as Animal Warden, who is under the direction of the Police Department. Also, that the City has an Ordinance for licensing dogs and other animals -- that animal clinics are held each year in an attempt to encourage owners to license their pets. (Councilman Bob Fuller and City Attorney James Cribbs left the meeting.)' Mrs. Lamar inquired about the number of persons employed in the Police Department -- also a clothing allowance for Police Officers. She stated that the cost of cleaning clothes is tremendous and that when she read in the paper recently of the salaries of Euless Police Officers -- she was really "shook ". She stated that City employees represent the people, and they should earn a salary.to enable them to give a favorable impression -- no matter where they are. In answer to a question, City Manager Cowell stated there is one Police Officer per one thousand (1000) persons. Mrs. Lamar stated that she had.read there are 18,000 people in Euless - and that, if true, the ratio mentioned.by'Mr. Cowell, was erroneous. Mrs. liamar'stated that all persons are entitled to a living wage, not only in the Police Department, but all City Departments. Mrs. Potthoff inquired if additional per- sonnel wi 1 I be employed in the Police Department. The City Manager explained that two new school patrol guards are scheduled for employment, which will release two Police Officers for other duties. 1` 6 5 (Page Three, Minutes of Called. Meeting, Euless City Council, September 20, 1966.) Mr. Penry inquired of the number of Police Personnel. Mr. Cowell stated there are, presently, fourteen (14), with several proposed. Mrs. Penry asked how many Police Officers. The City Manager stated thete are nine (9) at the present time -- that we have a fine Police Department -- one Euless can be proud of. Mrs. Potthoff inquired if raises are pro- posed for the Fire Department personnel. The City Manager answered affirmatively. Mrs. Lamar commented on the Fire Department budget in the amount of $28,515.00 -- in comparison to Park, Recreation and Pool Budget, in the amount of $61,446.00. The City Manager stated that the City Coun- cil did not wish to raise taxes this year -- that the School District had a tax increase and the Council did not want. to cause an additional burden on the tax payers; that the City Administration had carefully analyzed the budget -- that each Department Head had been requested to submit an acceptable minimum budget. Mr. Cowell commented that the City now has approximately sixty (60) acres of Park lands which require budgeting -- that the City has tried to furnish services for all its citizens, including parks, recreational facilities„ as well as the other services, normally expected, such as fire and police protection. Councilman Samuels mentioned the f a c i l i t i e s of the Fire Department -- the cooperation of the City of Euless and the City of Fort 'Worth in operati,pg Fire Station 11. The City Manager stated that Euless built the station,, which is ,staffed, and equipped by, the City' of Fort Worth', Mrs. Lamar stated that the School District, obviously, did not mind raising taxes -- tind that, if the City needed additional funds to finance City operations, she did not think many people would object to a tax increase. Mr. Billy Owens stated that he notes the revenue page of the proposed budget indicates a considerable increase in Police Department income. He stated that lie does not want the City of Euless to acquire the reputation of being a "speed trap" -- that he does not think that Police Offi- cers should be given a salary increase and then advised to write sufficient tickets to merit the increase. City Manager Cowell explained that the City has not had sufficient personnel to enforce traffid laws; however, with the new personnel the City proposed to employ in the Police Department, the laws can be more adequately enforced, which wi 11 increase the income from the Police Department. He further explained that a portion of the projected Police Department income would be derived from the City being in a position to "fight" the appeals -- that, a f u l l - t i m e Corporation Court Clerk w 1 1 1 enable the City to appeal some of the fines. Councilman Douglass stated that he considers that the City gf,Eul;ess should determine if the fines are comparable to those in other towns. Mr. Owens stated that he is of the opinion that the Council should be complimented on this budget and that since the Animal 166 (Page Four, Minutes of .Called Meeting, Euless City Council, September 20, 1966.) Warden had become a unit of the Police Department, the dog situation in his neighbor- hood has been improved. Mr. Owens also complimented the Park and Recreation De- partments for their fine work. Councilman Douglass presented statistics of surrounding cities, relating to Police Department personnel and.population, and commented that the City of Euless is understaffed in the Police Department. Mayor Fuller stated that the City Council nor the City Manager, to the best of his'knowledge, have informed Police Department personnel to earn their salaries. City Manager Cowell commented that, with an increase in personnel, he is of the opinion that laws can be more adequately enforced and 1 ives saved. Mr. Owens stated that near the Buddie's Store on Highway 183, the traffic situation is bad during early morning rush hour, even with Police Officers on duty; that, the situation is conducive to someone getting hurt; that he feels something should be done at this critical traffic cross ing. Mayor Fuller commented that two (2) years ago, the City requested assistance from the Highway Department, which has. not been furnished. Mr. Owens commended the City's Recreation Committee and personnel,' stating that he and his family have enjoyed, the Park and recreational facilities -- that if more 'taxes 'a're needed for salaries, parks, recreation 'facilities and other services for Euless citizens, he would not object to a tax .increase. He stated a good recreation program helps make a good city -- that we do not want a City of slum areas, gang fights and, in his opinion, a good park and recreation program w i l l help keep these undesirable elements from our City. City Manager Cowell commented that monies spent i n park and recreation programs and faci 1 i ties i s a good investment. Mr's. •Potthoff asked about expenditures listed as Non - Departmental. City Manager Cowell stated that these are expenditures for all departments, rather than one -- such as Social Security, Retirement, etc. Councilman Byers stated that a tax increase was needed this year; however, the Council did not raise taxes because of the School District tax increase. Mrs. Lamar commented that a Recreation De- partment, or any other department, is no good without a Police Department; however, she does not object to the Park and Recreation Department -- she just desires to see the Police Department personnel receive a decent salary to enable them to live and support their families adequately. Councilman Samuels stated that he commends the City Manager and City Secretary for their work on this budget. Mayor Fuller stated that Councilman Samuels' remark should be recorded in the minutes. (Page Five, Minutes of Called Meeting, Euless City Council, September 20, 1966.) There being no further comments, Mayor Fuller declared the Public Hearing closed and thanked those present for their attendance, comments and interest in the City's Budget. Councilman Douglass made the motion to approve the budget, with the total departmental figures as presented. Councilman Byers seconded the motion, and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Councilmen Douglass, Byers and Samuels Nays: None Mayor Fuller declared the motion carried. II. ADJOURNV ENT ATTEST: City Secretary The meeting adjourned at 8 :55 P.M. APPROVED: 67 1.68 J