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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-08-22Regular Meeting Euless City Council August 22, 1978 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Euless City Council was called to order at 8 :00 p.m., in the Council Chambers of Euless City Hall by Mayor Harold Samuels. Other members present were Mrs. Willie Mae McCormick, Messrs. Raymond Ozebek, Glenn Walker, Robert Pippin, and Charles Hunt. Also present were City Manager W. M. Sustaire, City Secretary Della Houy, City Attorney Bob McFarland, City Engineer Greg Dickens, and Assistant City Manager John Lynch, IV. VISITORS Visitors in attendance were Messrs. R. C. Parish, R. J. Byers, Frank Knickerbocker, B. Knickerbocker, Milo Choate, David Hughes, Phil Bunker, Jim Hickerson, Lynn Shackelford, and Mrs. Phil Bunker. INVOCATION Charles Hunt. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The invocation was given by Councilman The minutes of the regular meeting dated August 8, 1978, were approved as written. CONSIDER PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT - TRACT A, BLOCK 3, PARK ADDITION Mr. Frank Knickerbocker stated he is with the firm of Epsey, Hustin, and Associates and is representing the Choate Enterprises. He stated they are seeking the approval of this plat for a subdivision of .298 acres presently zoned "C -2" Community Business District and the property is located on the corner of Midway Drive and FM157. Mr. Knickerbocker stated they propose to locate a Mr. M Convenience Store with 2200 square feet, and self- service gasoline pumps. He stated there is existing screening that is available on the site and the remainder of the screening fence will be installed at the time the remainder of the commercial property is developed. He stated they are attempting to save two of the more prominate trees in front of the site. He stated they are proposing an enclosed site for the dumpster location to match the exterior of the building, which will be a one story masonry building. (Page Two, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, August 22, 1978) He stated the dumpster site will be six (6) foot in height, towards the front of the store and adjacent to one of the trees. Mr. Hunt stated that Euless has a number of convenience stores and service - stations, and inquired if Mr. Knickerbocker sees any problem with the location of another convenience store? Mr. Knickerbocker stated no, that whay they look for in a site is approximately one -half mile radius for community support. He stated this site may be premature since the property on the west side of FM157 has not developed, but they think it is an ideal location. Mr. Milo Choate, developer, stated the property on the west side of FM157 is in the development stages at this time. Mr. Hunt inquired if in their survey, they were aware that there is a service station less than one -half mile that has closed because of lack of business? Mr. Knickerbocker stated yes, but gasoline facilities at a convenience store is for convenience only, it is not designed for heavy service station type use. Mr. Hunt inquired if they anticipate any problems being across the street from Trinity High School? Mr. Knickerbocker stated there is always a potential problem, but it can be controlled by proper management of the store. He stated there could be a problem with littering but the store manager should be kept abreast of the problem. He stated they do not forsee any problem with loitering because it is too open and can be seen from the principal's office. the store be facing. North Industrial Boulevard. gasoline pumps? Mr. Walker inquired what direction will Mr. Knickerbocker stated will face Mr. Pippin inquired the location of the Mr. Knickerbocker stated they would be at the southwest corner, but would be set back aside the twenty foot easement, back away from the corner to respect the site distance at the corner. He stated the parking lot is arranged so that none of the stalls back directly into the pump area. the gasoline pumps and the building? Mr. Walker inquired the distance between Mr. Knickerbocker stated it will .be (Page Three, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, August 22, 1978) approximately thirty -two feet from the edge of the pump island to the sidewalk and eight feet from the sidewalk to the building. Mrs. McCormick moved to concur with the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approve the preliminary and final plat of Tract A, Block 3, Park Addition. Mr. Ozebek seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Mrs. McCormick, Messrs. Ozebek, Hunt, Walker, and Pippin Nays: None PUBLIC HEARINGS Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. REALLOCATION OF REVENUE SHARING FUNDS FOR 1977 -78 AND REVENUE SHARING FUNDS FOR 1 .978 -79 Mayor Samuels opened the public hearing on the reallocation of Revenue Sharing Funds for 1977-78 and Revenue Sharing Funds for 1978-79 and stated the City staff wouldpresent their recommendations and then the Council will hear from any proponents or opponents. Mr. Lynch stated the City staff held a public hearing on proposed uses of Revenue Sharing Funds for the upcoming fiscal year and in conjunctionNith the proposed expenditures of those funds, they have requested that the Council consider reallocating the funds for the current fiscal year, 1977 -78, because the items that are recommended will ex- ceed the amount of money the City anticipates receiving during the fiscal year 1978-79. He stated rather than having a complicated system of priorities they propose to include them all in the same priority system. Mr. Lynch stated, that based on the hearing and the budget work session, the staff would recommend the following uses for the funds that are available, He stated we anticipate receiving approximately $203,000 in the 1978 -79 fiscal year, and anticipate having approximately $100,000 - $130,000 available from the 1977 -78 year. Remodel City Hall $130,000 Street Department Tractor 17,000 Two Ton Dump Truck 11,000 Fire Department Generator 4,000 Van 9,000 (Page Four, Regular Meetinq, Euless City Council, August 22, 1978) Planning Department Aerial Photo of City 12,000 Master Plan for City 20,000 Park Department Irriagtion System 14,000 Greenhouse 11,000 Van 7,000 Tractor- Seeder 9,400 Traffic Safety Update of Signal Lights 6,000 School Zone Warning Light 4,500 Post, Street Name Signs, etc. 3,000 Energy Management System 10,000 Mr. Lynch stated the staff is proposing these items as priority number one, that a second priority be established for the purpose of purchasing equipment, furniture and fixtures for the City in items that would supplement the budget for 1978 -79, and the third priority would be for other city equipment, street and drainage improvements, and correction of city health hazards. Mayor Samuels asked the City Attorney to review the guidelines for spending revenue sharing funds. Mr. McFarland stated the federal revenue sharing program is a program of the United States Congress that is not on a continuing basis and is funded for each successive year. He stated that legis- lation has been offered each year, since its adoption, to abandon and abolish the federal revenue sharing program. He stated the suggestions and guidelines from Congress, with respect to the use of the funds, are that these funds are to be used for long term, non - recurring items, which follows the recommendations of the City staff. Mr. Lynch stated that all items listed are non - recurring items and will not have to be replaced for at least ten years, and if the City looses the funds, we wouldn't be burdening the budget by purchasing items that have to be replaced next year. Mrs. McCormick stated that the third priority, improvements and corrections to city health, she wondered if side- walks on North Main Street could be included in this? Mayor Samuels stated he thinks it could be included because it is a health hazard. He stated in the last newsletter there were four items that he requested the citizens to list as their priorities and the first was public safety and the second priority was the sidewalks on North Main Street. Mrs. McCormick stated she would like for the sidewalks to be in priority number two. j (Facie FiVe. Regular Meeting. Euless City Council. August 22. 1978) Mr. Hunt inquired where the sidewalks would be located? Mayor Samuels stated they would be on the west side of North Main Street between Harwood Road and Midway Park. Mr. Lynch stated there isn't any restrictions in terms of spending funds for installing sidewalks, but there are some very restrictive terms in acquiring the right -of -way with federal funds. He stated the additional costs of acquiring the right -of -way according to federal guide- lines would make it impossible to obtain the right -of -way. Mayor Samuels stated that the City could obtain the right -of -way from other funds and could build the sidewalks with revenue sharing funds. Mayor Samuels inquired if the City could buifd the sidewalks with the Community Development funds the City is receiving or would this be prohibited by their guidelines? Mr. Lynch stated it would not be prohibited, but sidewalks are low on the list of priorities and the guidelines are such that it would be almost impossible. He stated the guidelines are such that they force you to spend the money on areas with low to moderate income. He stated the city is going to receive $125,000 in Community Development funds and they plan to use $75,000 for street and drainage, reconstruction of Midway Drive, and $50,000 for the rehabilitation of some of the houses in Midway Park. He stated if the city spends any federal funds for sidewalks, he recommends using revenue sharing funds. Mrs. McCormick inquired if the priority for sidewalks were not contingent on the fact of obtaining right -of -way, could the city use revenue sharing funds to construct the sidewalks? Mr. McFarland stated he doesn't think the city would have any problem in creating an allocation for sidewalks. subject to acquisition of right -of -way from other funds. Mr. Sustaire stated he doesn't see any problem in funding the construction of the sidewalks if the right -of -way can be obtained. Mrs. McCormick stated that in her opinion the city needs the sidewalks more than new furniture and fixtures. Mayor Samuels inquired if there were any proponents; there being none, he inquired if there were any opponents; there being none, he declared the public hearing closed. Mr. Hunt moved to approve the reallocation of revenue sharing funds for 1977 -78 and the anticipated revenue sharing funds Pa •e Six Re•ular Meetin• Euless Cit Council Au•ust 22, 1978) for 1978 -79 as recommended by the city staff, reserving the right to put a higher priority on the sidewalk project on North Main Street. Mr. Pippin seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Hunt, Pippin, Ozebek, and Mrs. McCormick Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. BUDGET FOR 1978 -79 Mayor Samuels opened the public hearing on the proposed city budget for the fiscal year 1978-79 and stated the city would present their recommendations and then the Council would hear from the pro- ponents and then the opponents. Mr. Lynch stated the city does not see any major increase for city revenue for 1978 -79 and feels like this is the biggest problem for the city. He stated this budget does not include a tax increase, since the last tax increase there has been a 20% increase in the inflation index projected by the Department of Commerce, and inflation has increased 10.7% in the second quarter of this year. He stated they see a small increase in revenue and attribute this to minor increases in the various revenue sources. He stated they anticipate a very limited amount of development that will be added to the tax rolls for the tax year that will effect this budget. He stated they see no major city service improvement as there was last year with the only area of cost increase will be that to effect the personnel pay ad- justment. Mr. Lynch presented some charts indicating the various expenditures and revenues to people in attendence. He stated they are pleased with the way the budget looks this year, it is very tight but does look workable. He stated the figures reflect a six percent (6 %) across the board raise with a $60.00 minimum for the lowest paid employees. Mayor Samuels stated if the City goes above that, the monies have to come from other sources. the expenditures? 6% raise with $60.00 minimum. Mr. Perkins inquired the total amount of Mr. Lynch stated $5,765,800, including the Mayor Samuels stated that at the work session they asked the City Manager the balance that is anticipated to be held over from this year's budget without a tax increase, and they wanted to divide it among the employees and that amount worked out to be a raise of 6% with a minimum of $60.00. a Seven Re.ular Meetin• Euless Cit Council Au•ust 22 1978) Mr. Perkins inquired if the employees were aware of this increase? Mayor Samuels stated there have not been any meetings with the employees because until the budget is approved in an open meeting, there is no definite figure. Mr. Lynch stated there is less revenue than the anticipated expenditures and the city must rely on the remaining balance from 1977 -78. Mayor Samuels stated they are transferring some funds from previous balances and we have some cash balance from this year. Mr. Sustaire stated the expected balance from 1977 -78 is approximately $400,000 and that is included to balance the budget. Mayor Samuels stated if the city had not had this balance, they would have had to have a tax increase in order to balance the budget. Mayor Samuels inquired if there were any proponents; there being none, he inquired if there were any opponents; there being none, he declared the public hearing closed. Mr. Walker moved to approve the budget as presented, with the following changes - that the employees raise be increased to eight percent (8 %) and a minimum of $60.00, whichever is greater on first reading of ordinance. Mr. Ozebek seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Walker, Ozebek, Hunt, Pippin, and Mrs. McCormick Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. III. AUTHORIZE CITY MANAGER TO TRANSFER FUNDS Mr. Ozebek moved to authorize the City Manager to transfer $50,000 from the Enterprise Fund to the General Fund in the current budget for the purpose of implementing the change to the budget figure in the form of employee benefits. (Page Eightz Reqular Meetin Euless City Council, August 22, 1978) Mrs. McCormick seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Mr. Ozebek, Mrs. McCormick, Messrs. Pippin, Walker, and Hunt Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. IV. INSTRUCTION FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF MERIT RAISE PROGRAM Mrs. McCormick moved to instruct the City Manager to develop a merit raise program for the employees and report back to the Council within six (6) months. Mr. Walker seconded the motion. Mr. Sustaire stated he is very happy to see the Council implementing merit type increases and would suggest they include a review board, other than the supervisors, to review for these increases. The vote on Mrs. McCormick's motion is as follows: Ayes: Mrs. McCormick, Messrs. Walker, Ozebek, Pippin, and Htint Nays :, None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. V. CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. 436 AUTHORIZING TRINITY RIVER AUTHORITY TO PROCEED WITH EXPANSION OF THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT Mr. Pippin moved to approve Resolution No. 436 authorizing Trinity River Authority to proceed with the expansion of the water treatment plant. Mr. Walker seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Pippin, Walker, Hunt, Ozebek, and Mrs. McCormick Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. (Page Nine,_ Regular Meeting ,Euless Cit Council, August 22, 1978) VI, CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. 437 CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING ON ZONING CASE NO. 271 - REQUEST OF B. G. HARRIS FOR CHANGE OF ZONING FROM "R -1" SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT ON LOT 26A, ALEXANDER - CULLUM ADDITION Mrs, McCormick moved to approve Resolution No. 437 calling a public hearing on September 12,1978, for change of zoning on Lot 26A, Alexander - Cullum Addition from "R -1" Single Family Dwelling District to "R -2" Two Family Dwelling District. Mr. Ozebek seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes:.Mrs. McCormick, Messrs. Ozebek, Pippin, Walker, and Hunt Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. VII. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. McFarland stated he reported on pending litigation at the pre - council meeting. CABLE TELEVISION INQUIRIES Mr. McFarland stated he has received responses from two companies on the questionnaire concerning cable television, that there is a third company that has not returned their questionnaire and the City Manager gave him a fourth inquiry tonight. He stated he is assuming there is not that much of a rush toward simulating a total package for the Council's review. He stated while none of the companies have asked for a total exclusivity, some are asking for twenty -four months, others suggesting similar terms, and he views it as exclusive in nature since a company may not want to invest a large amount of money on installations if another company has already started installing their equipment, He stated he Is assuming the Council will want to see the best that is available. He stated he has had some inquiries concerning deadlines and he tentatively responded that the Council has not set any deadline. He stated they will continue to review the new applicants and their proposals as they are received. Mr. Hunt inquired if any of the applicants indicated any urgency for the Council to make a decision? Mr. McFarland replied no. (Page Ten, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council , August 22, 1978) Mr. Ozebek inquired who was going to draw the specifications and will it be a joint effort with Hurst, Euless, and Bedford? Mr. McFarland stated that if the three councils select a franchise, the attorneys from the three cities will collectively work out a franchise agreement for presentation to each council. Mayor Samuels stated the three cities could work together but they would need technical expertise in writing the specifications. He stated the Council could assist in working on the rates, time of performance, and franchise tax, etc. Mr. McFarland stated he has correspondence going out to two cities requesting copies of their specifications. Mr. Ozebek stated he would like to compli- ment whoever compiled the questionnaire, that they had a good idea. CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT VIII, NORTH MAIN STREET IMPROVEMENTS Mr. Dickens stated the south portion of North Main Street is complete except for some general grading, cleanup and adjusting some water valves. He stated the subcontractor has completed three - fourths of the culvert on the north portion and there has been some backfill worked in. He stated there has been no other real construction started at this time, but the contractor advised him that he is planning to begin further work this next week but he wanted at least one -half of the culvert complete before he started the excavation work so he can detour traffic over the completed culvert. Mr. Hunt inquired if Mr. Dickens satisfied that there has been a sufficient amount of work done that he could recommend that the Contractor is progressing in a normal fashion. Mr. Dickens stated that anytime you have a contractor working on a project, they have to work around other projects they have. He stated the contractor has worked with him as far as talking to him and getting things done, but the main thing with all contractors is getting the scheduling of the subcontractors and the box culvert was sub- contracted out. He stated the contractor has not submitted any estimates for payment on either of the projects. Mr. Lynch stated there has been some excessive delays, but not abnormal delays. (Page Eleven, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, August 22, 1978) Mr. Hunt stated his concern is that a contract is a contract and he can not look too favorably on a situation where you can see, visually, that there are several days in a row where there is no progress being made, and then the Council will be asked for an extension of time and inquired if the contractor was aware of the time schedule? Mr. Dickens stated that nothing has been discussed about it at this time. Mayor Samuels stated we have a contract with a completion date and we expect the contractor to honor it, and this was discussed at the last meeting. Mr. Lynch stated the contractor has requested two extensions and he was advised that they would be taken under advisement. He stated the first was the delay in receipt of the steel for the box culvert, and the second was because of the delay in the relocation of the utilities. IX. PUBLIC WORKS AND PARK FIGURES Mr. Lynch reported that he has some supportive information on the public works department that may be informative to the Council. He stated the city has seventy -seven (77) miles of improved public streets - $15 Million, one hundred (100) miles of water lines - $6 million, nine (9) water well sites and storage facilities - $3 million, ninety -six (96) miles of sewer fines - $5.1 million for a total of approximately $30 mi11ion, and if the city had to replace these it would cost approximately $60 million. He stated there are twenty -two (22) employees doing the maintainence on this. He stated there are one hundred nine (109) acres of park land and eight (8) employees to take care of this. ADJOURNMENT adjourned at 9:10 p.m. ATTEST: /s/ Della Houy X. There being no further business the meeting APPROVED: /s/ Harold D. Samuels Mayor City Secretary