HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-08-01 budget worksession MINUTES OF A
WORK SESSION OF THE
EULESS CITY COUNCIL
August 1, 2015
A work session of the Euless City Council was called to order at 8:05 a.m. on
Saturday, August 1, 2015, at the Texas Star Golf Course and Conference Centre,
1400 Texas Star Parkway, Euless, Texas, for the purpose of discussing the
proposed annual budget and related items for Fiscal Year 2015-2016.
Those attending included:
Mayor Linda Martin
Mayor Pro Tern Tim Stinneford
Council Member Jeremy Tompkins, Place 2
Council Member Eddie Price, Place 3
Council Member Linda Eilenfeldt, Place 4
Council Member Harry Zimmer, Place 5
Council Member Perry Bynum, Place 6
City Manager Loretta Getchell
Deputy City Manager Bob Freeman
Assistant City Manager Chris Barker
Deputy City Secretary Lindsay Wells
Finance Director Janina Jewell
City Manager Loretta Getchell opened the meeting and reviewed the agenda for
the day.
City Manager Loretta informed the City Council of the final proposed property tax
rate as well as water, wastewater, and sewer rates that will go into effect October
1, 2015.
Discussion ensued regarding increased water rates and area cities comparisons.
City Manager Getchell also provided a brief explanation as to how and why the
property tax rate was decreased last fiscal year.
The Capital and supplemental budget update was presented and discussion
ensued regarding staffing levels, future budgetary needs, and employee
satisfaction.
The Euless City Council participated in a Walk of Champions induction ceremony
at the Parks at Texas Star at 9:35 a.m.
Following the ceremony, the Euless City Council reconvened the meeting in the
Travis Room at 10:51 a.m.
Council Member Bynum inquired about flood mitigation funds. City Manager
Getchell discussed flooding issues on Shenandoah Drive and Live Oak Court and
the City purchasing certain properties.
Budget Worksession Minutes Page 2 of 3 August 1, 2015
Council Member Bynum stated that he would be interested in developing a policy
for purchasing properties in flood plains.
City Manager Getchell discussed upcoming dedications of City facilities including
the Glenn Walker 18th Hole Bridge at Texas Star Golf Course, the Charlie Miller
entrance to The Parks at Texas Star, and the Glenn Porterfield Practice Area at
Texas Star Golf Course, and stated that the City Council will take formal action to
approve the dedications at the August 11, 2015 regular meeting.
Staff advised Council of the following items:
- Christmas parade route;
- May 2016 General Election voting schedule;
- Fire hydrant ordinance update; and
- Dr. Pepper Stars Center concessionaire.
Assistant City Manager Chris Barker provided an update on the water meter
change out program and stated that the program will take a year to implement. He
provided information on the vendor, supplier, and benefits of the new system
including increased accuracy and efficiency.
Discussion ensued regarding meter accuracy, and residential and commercial
service.
City Manager Getchell advised that the Euless Library Foundation Annual Meeting
will be held Sunday, September 20, 2015, at 5:00 p.m., and will include the
unveiling of the Tile Project.
The worksession was recessed at 12:01 p.m.
Mayor Martin reconvened the worksession into Closed Session at 12:29 p.m.
Deliberation regarding the following:
The purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property as authorized by Section
551.072 related to:
■ Dickey Drive
■ Westpark Way
Economic development incentives as authorized by Section 551.087 related to:
■ Discuss or deliberate regarding commercial or financial information that the
City has received from business prospects that the City seeks to have
locate, stay, or expand in the City and with which the City is conducting
economic development negotiations; deliberate the offer of a financial or
other incentive to a business prospect.
Mayor Martin reconvened into the worksession at 2:01 p.m.
Budget Worksession Minutes Page 3 of 3 August 1, 2015
City Manager Getchell reviewed the proposed August 11, 2015 regular agenda as
well as several upcoming budgetary items and advised of a special called budget
meeting on September 1, 2015.
The City Council discussed the daytime curfew ordinance and Deputy City
Manager Bob Freeman explained that police officers have a legal right to stop
minors not in class based on truancy laws and the daytime curfew allows for the
threat of a citation.
Mayor Martin discussed scheduled events through 2016 and the importance of
Council members attending community events and thanked the City Council for
their efforts. She stated that she felt the group is working well together.
Council Member Bynum suggested to staff that consideration be given to discuss
the tax rate for the next budget year with the City Council earlier in the budget
planning process.
Council Member Eilenfeldt requested an update in a few months on basic sales
tax information for certain areas of the city including Glade Parks and the SH 183
expansion.
Deputy City Secretary Lindsay Wells advised that a public web portal for access
to city records, including minutes, ordinances, and resolutions will be added to the
City's website the week of August 2, 2015.
Mayor Martin adjourned the meeting at 2:54 p.m.
PREPARED BY:
K m tutter, TRMC
City Secretary