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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-01-26MINUTES 00 A REGULAR MEETING OF THE EULESS CITY COUNCIL ON JANUARY 26, 1982 CALL TO ORDER 1982-019 A regular meeting of the Euless City Council was called to order at. 810 P.M.., Tuesday, January 26, 1982,in the Council Chambers of the Euless Municipal Building, by Mayor Harold D. Samuels. Councilmembers present were Mayor Pro Ten Willie Mae McCormick, and Councilmen Glenn Walker, Ron Sternfels, Robert Pippin, and Bob Eden. Staff Members Present W. M. Sustaire, City Manager Bob McFarland, City Attorney James Knight City Engineer Kay Rainey, City Secretary Lynn Shackelford, Superintendent of Streets !,-; Utilities Kent Flynn, Director of Planning Development Diana Kopecky, Secretary Gary Kopecky Don Perkins Becky j. Henderson Warren Hinkley Wayne B. Vice Paul Unzicker R, L. Saleh Bill Harrison INVOCATION Visitors Joseph C. Hurst J. 0. Madewell, jr. Buck Hubbard Don Brown Sam Huston John Collins Joanne Collins The invocation was given by Councilman Robert Pippin. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of a were approved as written. Regular Meeting on January 12, 1982, 1982••020 Euless City Council Regular Meeting - January ?F3, 1982 - Pa5e. Two ITEM SECOND AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 693 FOR LONE STAR GAS COMPANY FRANCHISE Mrs. McCormick moved to approve second and final reading of Ordinance No. 693, for the Lone Star Gas Company franchise Mr. Walker seconded the motion_ Ayes: Mrs. McCormick, and Messrs. Walker, 3 Pippin, and. St.ern-fels Nays: None Mayor Sainue15 declared the motion carried. ITEM IT: SECOND AND .FINAL READING 011 ORDINANCE NO. 696 TO ADOPT THE 1981 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE: Mr. Sternfels moved to approve second and fi.nal reading of Ordinance No. 696, to adopt the 1981 rational Electric -.1 Code. Mr. Walker seconded the motion. Ayes: Messrs' „ Sf: €~.rr..fe.Ts, Walker, Eden, and Pippin., and Mrs. McCormick Nays: None Mayor Samuels decla'r'ed. the motion carried. IT EM TIT: CONSIDERATION OF BOARD APPOINTMENTS TO THE LIBRARY BOARD Mrs . :McCorm...ck moved to appoint Mrs. Sue Ann E.i.che1. };erge.r to the Library Board, and to appoint Mr. Bale Haig1er as an Alternate to the Library. Board Mr. Ster.nfe.is seconded the motion. Ayes. MTS. Mc ormi:k, and M €ssrs. Ste nf l 3 Eden, Pippin, and Walker Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. 1982-021 Euless City ioi_IrF: "i.l. Regular Meeting _ January 26, l.,`9ii':G - Page Three ITEM IV: CONTINUATION OF A PUBLIC HEARING FOR WATER RATE INCREASE Mayor Samuels re °opened. the Public Hearing for citizen input regarding a water rate increase. He explained that the Public. Hearing was held. on January 12, 1982, and was continued to this meeting on January 26, 1982, to enable citizens who could not attend. the January 12th meeting to have an opportu.nit.y to speak. Mayor Samuels recognized Mr. Raymond L. Saleh, 1.400 Driftwood Drive, Euless. Mr. Saleh stated that he had attended the meeting on January 12, 1982, but had some additional comments to make. He said he had figured an approximate increase based on the proposed rate increase and found. that the average bill would be increased by more than 300- a month. He advised that his billing for 40,000 gallons of water would now be $38.95; with the proposed. increase in water rate the same 40,000 gallons of water would cost him $49.9 0, He proposed that instead of leaving the minimum charge at $6.00 for the first 2,000 gallons, change the minimum charge to $7.00 and leave the four -tier structure that is presently in effect. Mayor Samuels explained the various ways that City Staff had presented a proposed rate structure. He also told Mr. Saleh that the Council sas attempting to keep the minimum charge of $6.00 in an effort to be fair to those persons with fixed and. limited .incomes, and to be competitive with other area cities on the minimum rate, M'. Walker remarked that raises on ,y $21,000, and. $177,000 is needed_ which. leaves the City $150,0(0 or so short. Mr. Saleh stated this would really hurt customers in the hot summer .months, especially. with electric hills going �7 up, and other price increases . He asked that the Council not maintain the attitude of gradually implementing the raise, but to put it into effect all at once to shock the citizens into putting forth some public sentiment. He stated that he knew w the increase was necessary due to the cost increase to the City, but that the problem needed to be carried to the source. Mayor Samuels explained that the pending court case would keep the Council from knowing the maximum increase that may be necessary. At this time the Council was considering t..aat a minimum increase now would bring in enough funds so the maximum later would he a Little less than. tic court case necessitated. 1982-022 Euless City Council Regular Meeting - ..January 26, 1982 - Page Four Mr. Joseph. C. ]Hurst, 1200 C;.iiffwood, Euless, asked why the water .iri. -Euless is so unique that it Costs so much more than the water in surrounding cities, since it comes from the same source. Mayor Samuels advised Mr. Hurst that not all the cities buy their water •at. the same rate, though the source may he the same, Other cities get a better rate because they receive credit from the fact that years ago their taxpayers built Lake Arlington, Lake Worth, and Eagle Mountain Lake, They pay the same :f'or new water , but the Tarrant County Water District then gives them a credit for the funds that were expended years ago for the building of the lakes and some of the treatment plants, etc. Mayor Samuels also stated that some of the other cities will subsidize their water funding with ad valorem taxes or other revenues, The City of Euless has not taken up th.i.s pract.ice, and. the operation of the water depart - ment is one of the most efficient -ic}.exit }.n the area. Euless has One of the lowest number of personnel in the water department considering the amount of gallons trumped each year. The bond. indebtedness is not out of line with other cities. Mayor Samuels stated that he felt our city is doing all it can to keep. the water costs down. Mr. Hurst asked if the water revenues paid only for the purchase of water, or for other items also. Mayor Samuels advised Mr. Hurst that the revenue received paid for the purchase of water, operating costs of the water office, maintenance of the water and. sewer system, the computer system, and the bond indebtedness of the system. He said the City Manager could expand on. this. Mr. Sustaire stated that the bulk of water revenue is spent to pay the Trinity River Author.it.y for the purchase of water. The water revenue coming in today is about $177,000 short of supporting the ,'pater operation system, The contracts with. the Trinity River Authority exceed one million dollars a year just for these payments; then you have maintenance of lines and operation of the system, wells to maintain, etc. These total about $2,900,000 a year to operate the water and sewer system. in Euless, The water sales a.Lone do not generate enough to pay for the system. The department has cut costs in every area pos ib1.e to keep these expenses down. The water department is three men short of the number emplo'y'ed seven years ago, and are producing more work, Mx. Hurst asked about the bonds purchased in 1965. Mr. Sustaire stated these were purchased in 1965 for fort; years, and that a Le i) good i 4 i Zs t rate was obtained. 1982 023 Euless City Council Regular Meeting - January 26, 1982 - Page Five Mr. Hurst asked what the TPA cost was per thousand gallons. Mr. Sustaire answered that at the present time the cost is 7 S for treated water per one thousand gallons, and the City is charging 751: per gallon for the water to customers. When. the lawsuit is settled this will increase. Raw untreated water today costs us 22.6 per one thousand gallons. This will increase to an unknown figure. This is the cost of water as we receive it into our lines. Mayor Samuels asked Mr, Sustaire to inform the audience of the cost for sewer treatment. Mr. Sustaire stated that it costs 80 '. per one thousand gallons for sewer water treatment, and that if the Environmental. Protection Agency raises standards, it will cost more Mr. John Collins, 905 Fayette Drive, Euless, asked . why the water sometimes has a bad taste. Mayor Samuels answered by explaining how the City at times must switch over to well water usage due to weather, eduipment maintenance, and supply of reserve water. Mr. Bill Harrison, Shelmar Drive, Euless asked why the City could not purchase water from other, cheaper, sources. MT. Sustaire stated that. the Tarrant County Water District has the rights to all water within .150 miles of area lakes. The Dallas County Water District has those rights to the east. Mayor Samuels asked if there were any other comments or questions from the audience. There being none, he asked if there were any other opponents to the water rate increase. There being none, he asked if there were any questions or discussion of the Council. There being none, he declared the Public Hearing closed. Mr. Eden stated that he would like to study the water rate proposals further before making a final decision, Mr. Pippin said he, too, would like to look. at the situation longer, and attempt to find a compromise between raising the minimum and increasing one or more of the four -tier structures. Some compromise should be reached because Euless does not have 10,000 people who would be hurt b a. SOq or minimum rate increase, and this could help augment that very . high usaFe. He stated that Mr,Saleh'S point was well taken. 1982-024 Euless City Council Regular Meeting - January 26, 1982 - Page Six Mayor Samuels stated that no action would be taken at this time, pending further study and consideration. date. Mr. Pippin moved to table action until a future Mr. Walker seconded the motion. Ayes Messrs. Pippin, Walker, Eden, and Sternfels, and Mrs, McCormick Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. ITEM V: CONSIDERATION OF A CONTRACT WITH THE HURST-EULESS BEDFORD CHAMBER. OF COMMERCE Mayor Samuels explained. that the City of Euless has previously contracted with the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Chamber of Commerce for services of marketina and advertising for the community. These services are paid for with hotel/ motel tax revenues which are essentially paid by visitors to Euless. The State of Texas is very descriptive of what is al lowed for usage of this tax revenue, and. one of the things allowed is for the means of attracting additional citizens to the area. Mrs. McCormick moved to enter into contract with the Hurst-Euless-Bedford. Chamber of Commerce for marketing and advertising and ether services to the City of Euless. Mr. Walker seconded the motion, Ayes: Mrs. McCormick, and Messrs. Walker, Eden, Pippin, and Sternfels Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. Mayor Samuels stated that the City Council had met with the Huist-Euless-Bedford Chamber of Commerce tonight and had received a progress report of 1981 and a proposal of 1982 activity. Mr, Sustaire stated the contract figure for this year would be $16,350,00. 1987-025 Euless City Council Regular Meeting - Januar y 26, 1982 - Page Seven ITEM VT: CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR TARRANT COUNTY WASTE DISPOSAL COMPANY RATE INCREASE REQUEST Mr. Walker Moved to call a Public Hearing on February 23, 1982, for consideration. of a rate increase request from Tarrant County Waste Disposal Company. Mr. Sternfels seconded the motion. Ayes: Messrs. Walker, Sternfels, Pippin, and Eden, and Mrs, McCormick Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. ITEM VII: CONSIDERATION OF CORRECTED PLATTING OF SAGEPOINT ADDITION Mr. Eden moved to approve the corrected platting of Sagepoint Addition, in accordance with the recommendations of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mr. Pippin seconded the motion_ Ayes: Messrs. Eden, Pippin, Sternfels, and Walker, and Mrs. McCormick Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. ITEM VIII: CONSIDERATION OF REPLATTING OF INTERNATIONAL/ REGIONAL INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX Mr. Eden moved to approve the- replatting of Lot 2, Block -A, International/Regional Industrial Complex, in accordance with the recommendations of the Planning and Zoning. Commission, Mrs. McCormick seconded the motion_ Ayes: Mr. Eden, Mrs, McCormick, and Messrs. Walker, Pippin, and Sternfels Nays : None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. 1982-026 Euless City Council Regular Meeting - January 26, 1982 - Page Eight ITEM IX: CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 82-519 REGARDING AN AGREEMENT FOR PAIMENT u AD VALOREM. BANK STOCK TAX Mrs. McCormick moved to approve Resolution No. 82-519 authorizing an agreement for the payment of ad valorem bank stock tax. Mr. Pippin seconded the motion. Ayes : Mrs. McCormick, and Messrs. Pippin, Walker, Eden, and Sternfels Nays : None Mayor Samuels declared the motion•carried. ITEM X: CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING CITY MANAGER TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS -Mayor Samuels stated this item was for authorizing the City Manager to advertise for bids for police vehicles and electronic typewriters, Mr. Hurst inquired. why the City's computer system could not be utilized for this purpose. Mr. Sustaire stated that it could, at the cost of $27,500, but the City was in hopes of obtaining lower bids. Mr. Hurst agreed that was an expensive price and discussed other computer systems and electronic typewriters that might possibly be available. Mr. McFarland stated that he had reviewed. the IBM System Six equipment with two terminals and one printer and the cost was about $27,000 that would be ,compatible with the present computer system. Mayor Samuels stated. that the City wanted to entertain bids for these items and was requesting a motion to authorize the City Manager to advertise for bids. Mrs. McCormick moved to authorize the City Manager to advertise for bids for police vehicles and electronic type writers. Mr. Pippin seconded the motion. Ayes: Mrs. McCormick, and Messrs. Pippin, Eden, Walker, and Sternfels Nays: None Mayor •Samuels declared the motion carried. 1982-027 Euless City. Council Regular Meeting -- January 26, 1982 - Page Nine ITEM XII: CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO, 82-520 TO SUPPORT COMPLETION OF HIGHWAY 560 THROUGH EULESS CITY LIMITS Mr. Eden moved. to approve Resolution No 82-520 to support completion of the extension of Highway 360 through the city limits of Euless. Mr. Pippin seconded the motion. Ayes: Nays: Messrs. Eden, Pippin, Walker, Sternfels, and Mrs. McCormick None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. ITEM XIII: CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. McFarland stated he had nothing further to report, ITEM XIV : CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT Mr. Knight stated the Dickey Drive reconstruction project is progressing well. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M. APPROVED: _e)tVY1A Harold. D. Samuels, ,'<ayor ATTEST: Ray mty, ecretary