HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-08-22 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
EULESS CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 22, 2000
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Euless City Council was called to order by Mayor Mary Lib Saleh
at 4:10 p.m. on Tuesday, August 22, 2000, in the Administration Building Conference
Room. Those present included: Mayor Mary Lib Saleh, Mayor Pro Tem Leon Hogg and
Council Members Carl Tyson, Bobby Baker, Charlie Miller, Glenn Porterfield, and Veva
Lou Massey. Closed session was held to discuss personnel matters as authorized by
Section 551.074 of the Texas Government Code. Precouncil discussion was held on
agenda items and other scheduled items.
COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF SCHEDULED ITEMS - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
The Euless City Council continued their meeting in the Council Chambers at 7:08 p.m. for
the consideration of scheduled items.
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
City Manager Joe Hennig, Deputy City Manager Gary McKamie, City Attorney Bob
— McFarland, Deputy City Secretary Becky Null, Director of Finance Loretta Getchell, Fire
Chief Lee Koontz, Police Chief Leonard Carmack, Director of Administration Tom Cox,
Public Works Director Randy Byers, Director of Community Services Rick Herold, Director
of Economic Development Andrea Baxter, Director of Planning & Development Bo Bass,
Assistant Director of Public Works Ron Young, Police Captain Harland Westmoreland,
Police Captain Joey Ziemian, Planning & Development Manager Eric Wilhite, Finance
Accounting Manager Janina Jewell, Budget & Treasury Manager Vicki Rodriquez, Police
Lieutenant Steve Eskew, Police Sergeant Joe Foran, Police Corporal Sam Katoa, Library
Administrator JoAnn Rogers, Fire Captain Ronnie McClendon, Library Circulation
Supervisor Paula McLain, Information Services Manager Dan McLain, Court Clerk Roslyn
Moore, Court Clerk Linda Minor, Court Clerk Emily Murphy, Records Secretary Diane
Rasor, Communications/Marketing Manager Lori De La Cruz, and Reserve Police Officer
Clyde Cullum.
VISITORS
Visitors are noted in the visitors' register.
INVOCATION
Council Member Bobby Baker gave the invocation.
..... PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Charlie Miller led the pledge of allegiance.
City Council Minutes Page 2 of 9 August 22,2000
ITEM NO. 1 PRESENTATION OF EMPLOYEE SERVICE PINS
Police Chief Leonard Carmack introduced Police Captain Joey Ziemian and his family,
receiving his 30-year service pin; Police Lieutenant Steve Eskew, receiving a 20-year
service pin; and Police Officer Sam Katoa and his family, receiving a 5-year service pin.
Fire Chief Lee Koontz introduced Fire Captain Ronnie McClendon, receiving his 25-year
service pin. Library Administrator JoAnn Rogers introduced Librarian Paula McLain and
her family, receiving her 5-year service pin. Finance Director Loretta Getchell
introduced Municipal Court Clerk Roslyn Moore and her family, receiving her 10-year
service pin.
Mayor Saleh noted that Firefighter II/Paramedic Cole Brown was unable to attend the
meeting to receive his 20-year service pin.
ITEM NO. 2 PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING J. PAUL
LUCAS
Council Member Carl Tyson introduced J. Paul Lucas and Mayor Saleh presented him
with a proclamation recognizing him for bicycling from Seattle, Washington, to
Washington, D.C., in support of the American Lung Association.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council Member Miller motioned to approve Consent Agenda Items No. 3 through 7, 9,
11, and 12 as follows:
ITEM NO. 3 APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 00-1072
Approval of Resolution No. 00-1072 opposing proposed legislation limiting Texas cities'
authority to levy and collect impact fees.
ITEM NO. 4 APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 00-1073
Approval of Resolution No. 00-1073 opposing proposed legislation reducing municipal
franchise fees for public utilities and restricting municipal authority for management of
its rights of way.
ITEM NO. 5 APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 00-1074
Approval of Resolution No. 00-1074 opposing proposed legislation restricting cities'
authority to regulate the location of manufactured housing.
ITEM NO. 6 APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 00-1075
Approval of Resolution No. 00-1075 urging caution in proposed legislation increasing
''�- period and scope of the sales tax free holidays.
City Council Minutes Page 3 of 9 August 22,2000
ITEM NO. 7 APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 00-1076
Approval of Resolution No. 00-1076 supporting rapid transit development in Tarrant
County.
ITEM NO. 9 APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 00-1078
Approval of Resolution No. 00-1078 supporting the redirection of the diversion of state
transportation funds from non-transportation purposes back to Fund 006.
ITEM NO. 11 APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 00-1080
Approval of Resolution No. 00-1080 supporting authority to issue state bonds for
transportation projects.
ITEM NO. 12 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of August 8, 2000.
Council Member Massey seconded the motion.
Ayes: Mayor Saleh, Mayor Pro Tem Hogg, Council Members Tyson, Baker, Miller,
Porterfield, and Massey
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Nays: None
Mayor Saleh declared the motion carried.
ITEM NO. 8 TABLING OF RESOLUTION NO. 00-1077
Council Member Tyson motioned to table Resolution No. 00-1077, to a future date,
supporting proposed legislation to improve efficiency and streamline implementation of
state transportation measures.
Council Member Porterfield seconded the motion.
Ayes: Mayor Saleh, Mayor Pro Tem Hogg, Council Members Tyson, Baker, Miller,
Porterfield, and Massey
Nays: None
Mayor Saleh declared the motion carried.
ITEM NO. 10 TABLING OF RESOLUTON NO. 00-1079
�"— Council Member Tyson motioned to table Resolution No. 00-1079, to a future date,
supporting optional sales tax increase to fund rapid transit.
City Council Minutes Page 4 of 9 August 22,2000
Council Member Miller seconded the motion.
Ayes: Mayor Saleh, Mayor Pro Tern Hogg, Council Members Tyson, Baker, Miller,
Porterfield, and Massey
Nays: None
Mayor Saleh declared the motion carried.
REGULAR AGENDA
ITEM NO. 13 PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING MASONRY EXCEPTION CASE NO.
00-03-CC
Mayor Saleh opened the public hearing at 7:35 p.m. regarding Masonry Exception Case
No. 00-03-CC.
Director of Planning & Development Bo Bass stated that Quick Way Stamping has been
in business over 35 years at its current location, and they are requesting a masonry
exception for the construction of a 30' x 30' addition to the existing structure. The lower
8' of the total 16' height wall is to be brick, with the top portion being metal. The façade
treatment will match the existing structure.
On behalf of the owner, Bill Byers, 308 Shadow Lane, stated that the exception will
allow the new addition to match the existing structure.
There being no additional proponents, or opponents, Mayor Saleh closed the public
hearing at 7:38 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tern Hogg motioned to approve Masonry Exception Case No. 00-03-CC for
the request by Quick Way Stamping for an exception to the 100% masonry requirement
in order to construct a 30' x 30' addition to match the existing structure, located at 902
Heather.
Council Member Baker seconded the motion.
Ayes: Mayor Saleh, Mayor Pro Tern Hogg, Council Members Tyson, Baker, Miller,
Porterfield, and Massey
Nays: None
Mayor Saleh declared the motion carried.
ITEM NO. 14 PUBLIC HEARING FOR EULESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
(EDC) BUDGET FOR FY 2000-2001
Mayor Saleh opened the public hearing at 7:40 p.m. regarding the Euless Development
Corporation (EDC) Budget for FY 2000-2001.
City Council Minutes Page 5 of 9 August 22,2000
Finance Director Loretta Getchell stated that the budget is funded by the half cent sales
tax with approximately $400,000 budgeted for park operations, $330,000 for library
personnel and $150,000 for economic development. There is $970,000 budgeted to
pay for the bonds issued to build the library and do park improvements at the Parks at
Texas Star. Items added to the baseline budget this year are for additional library
materials, landscaping to correct drainage problems in front of the library, senior citizen
center supplies, and parks irrigation. The proposed budget is balanced and provides for
a $250,000 undesignated contingency and an estimated ending fund balance of
$600,876.
There being no proponents or opponents, Mayor Saleh closed the public hearing at 7:42
p.m.
ITEM NO. 15 APPROVAL OF EULESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (EDC)
BUDGET FOR FY 2000-2001
Council Member Baker motioned to approve the Euless Development Corporation
(EDC) Budget for FY 2000-2001.
Council Member Miller seconded the motion.
Ayes: Mayor Saleh, Mayor Pro Tern Hogg, Council Members Tyson, Baker, Miller,
Porterfield, and Massey
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Nays: None
Mayor Saleh declared the motion carried.
ITEM NO. 16 RATIFICATION OF EULESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
ACTION OF AUGUST 14, 2000
Economic Development Director Andrea Baxter stated that on August 14, the Euless
Development Corporation approved a resolution authorizing the expenditure of $30,000
of interest money for improvements along Main Street. This expenditure will free up
$30,000 non-restricted general fund monies to develop signage guidelines and
prototypes, renderings, public involvement opportunities, and signage program
elements.
Council Member Baker motioned to ratify the Euless Development Corporation actions
of August 14, 2000, authorizing a project involving improvements along Main Street and
the expenditure of $30,000 of interest earnings for right-of-way acquisition along Main
Street.
Council Member Porterfield seconded the motion.
Ayes: Mayor Saleh, Mayor Pro Tem Hogg, Council Members Tyson, Baker, Miller,
Porterfield, and Massey
City Council Minutes Page 6 of 9 August 22,2000
Nays: None
Mayor Saleh declared the motion carried.
ITEM NO. 17 PUBLIC HEARING ON OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET
Mayor Saleh opened the public hearing at 7:45 p.m. regarding the City of Euless
Operating and Capital budget for the City for FY 2000-2001.
Finance Director Loretta Getchell stated that a copy of the proposed budget for Fiscal
Year 2000-2001 is in the Library for public view and thanked her staff members for their
hard work on the budget. She stated the budget contains a competitive salary package
and takes into consideration the effect that recent debt issues will have on this budget
and the effect that planned debt issues will have on future budgets. The budget also
continues to include funds for the street overlay programs, traffic signalization, sidewalk
programs and a systematic approach to replacing the water and wastewater lines
throughout the City on an annual basis. She stated the capital improvement plan has
been updated and is intended to give the citizens and Council Members an easy way to
see all of the City's capital needs at a glance. A five year plan was prepared to
understand future needs and the funding sources that will be required to meet those
needs. She reported that the FY2001 budget includes increased revenues of$600,000,
primarily from sales tax and increased property values as well as a transfer from the car
rental tax of $506,000. The new funding sources will fund a salary package of
approximately $670,000 and will fund a reserve for a Fire Department ladder truck that
is due to be replaced in FY2003. The new personnel included in this budget consist of
four public safety officers who will be needed for the new Police Department facility, and
an internal auditor and a clerical position. Overall the operating budget includes less
than a one per cent increase. The debt payments for 2001 will increase by $965,000
due to the sale of bonds for Harwood Road and the construction of the Police and
Courts facility. The Crime Control and Prevention District quarter cent sales tax that
was continued by the voters recently will fund $500,000 of the Police and Courts facility
debt payment. The balance of $465,000 will be paid from ad valorem tax revenues.
The City also intends to issue additional debt for Main Street, Glade Road and Pipeline
Road, with a cumulative effect of these issues being $1.3 million in 2002 and increases
to $1.6 million in the following two years. If those debt issues are paid solely from ad
valorem taxes, they would require approximately six cents on the ad valorem tax rate. It
is planned to use significant car rental tax revenues and property tax increases to cover
the increasing debt payments. It is estimated the transfer from the car rental tax for
2002-2004 would need to be approximately $1.4 million per year and property tax
increases would not exceed one to one and a half cent in any of the next three years. It
is also planned to use $350,000 of car rental tax each of those years to continue
building reserves needed for a Fire Department ladder truck and a pumper truck and to
cover the City's participation in the Trinity Rail Express. In Fiscal Year 2005 the City will
pay off a substantial portion of its debt and should be able to stabilize or even reduce its
ad valorem tax rate at that point.
"�- Ms. Getchell stated that the water and sewer fund has relatively no change in its
baseline budget, except for the addition of one new position for a computer support
specialist. There are, however, some capital items that will be funded from excess
City Council Minutes Page 7 of 9 August 22,2000
reserves in the water and sewer fund. They include $300,000 for street overlay,
$100,000 for sidewalks, $100,000 for traffic signalization, $280,000 for the renovation of
a Parks Department Administration building, $457,000 for sewer rehabilitation through
participation in the Community Development Block Grant Program, $175,000
contribution to the insurance fund, a Fire Safety Training trailer, three thermal imagers
and a defibrillator and monitor for the Fire Department, a new Parks Maintenance
building, erosion control and improvements at Softball World entryway.
Mayor Saleh stated those who had signed up to speak would be heard. Carroll Scott,
1701 Tanglecrest Court, Euless, Texas, stated his opposition to the tax rate.
City Attorney Bob McFarland, noted that Mr. Scott's comments were actually in
reference to the tax rate increase and would be noted under Item #19.
Mr. Ned Burleson, 1914 Windlea, Euless, Texas, suggested that funds be expended to
acquire a better public address system for the Council chambers, to hire more police
officers and to pay the police personnel better. He stated he did not support spending
money subsidizing Trinity Railway Express and that he was opposed to general funds
being spent on the golf course.
Alex Horton, 806 Little Creek Drive, Euless, Texas, representing the Library Board and
Foundation, thanked the council for their support and funding and invited them to attend
some of the Library Board and Library Foundation meetings and the Casino Night
fundraiser being sponsored by the Library Foundation on October 28.
There being no additional proponents, or opponents, Mayor Saleh closed the public
hearing at 8:00 p.m.
ITEM NO. 18 APPROVAL OF FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1441
Council Member Tyson motioned to approve the first and final reading of Ordinance No.
1441 adopting the official Operating and Capital Budget for the city for FY 2000-2001,
with the following revenue changes: (1) additional $219,369 be moved from car rental
fund so that ad valorem tax rate will not have to be increased this year; (2) $700,000 for
the golf course erosion be a loan from the car rental to be paid back by revenue
generated by the golf course; and (3) $1.2 million for equipment facility for the parks and
recreation department to be financed over a 5-year term with bonds.
Council Member Massey seconded the motion.
Ayes: Council Members Tyson, Miller, Porterfield, and Massey
Nays: Mayor Saleh, Mayor Pro Tem Hogg, and Council Member Baker
Mayor Saleh declared the motion carried.
City Attorney Bob McFarland stated that the ordinance will require a second reading on
September 12, due to the lack of five affirmative votes on this first reading.
City Council Minutes Page 8 of 9 August 22,2000
_, ITEM NO. 19 PUBLIC HEARING ON FY 2000-2001 AD VALOREM TAX RATE
Mayor Saleh opened the public hearing at 8:06 p.m. regarding the FY 2000-2001 ad
valorem tax rate.
Finance Director Loretta Getchell stated that the proposed tax rate is 0.529754, a 1.5
cent increase from 0.514754, costing an average homeowner an additional $0.93 per
month or $11.16 per year. A senior citizen would pay an average of$0.48 per month or
$5.76 per year. The tax rate consists of the debt rate and maintenance and operating
rate. The debt component is required by law to be established at a rate sufficient to pay
our debt service. The debt component increased this year from 15.80 to 17.80 due to
debt payment on Harwood Road and police and court facility debt not covered by the
Crime Control and Prevention District. That left a net increase to be paid from ad
valorem tax of $465,000. The maintenance and operating component was reduced
from 35.60 to 35.10 and under this proposal, the city would still receive additional
revenue of approximately $290,000. If the council chooses to adopt the current rate of
$0.514754, that 1.50 will need to come off the maintenance and operating portion of the
rate and that rate will then become 33.60 instead of 35.10, being a net impact of
$41,000 revenue, as opposed to $290,000, with the difference being made up from the
car rental tax.
Geri Sorg, 1308 Shady Hollow Court, read her letter in support of the proposed tax rate
increase.
Lou Baum, 1400 Tanglewood Trail, read a letter requesting unity, harmony and
statesmanship.
Boyce Byers, 308 Shadow Lane, urged unity among the council on this issue.
Bill Pasteur, 1900 Trailwood Drive; Bobby Edwards, 603 Ascot Drive; Naomi Jo
Svochak, 1603 N. Main Street; Ned Burleson, 1914 Windlea Drive; Katie Edwards, 603
Ascot Drive; Mike Utzman, 811 Rock Creek Drive; and Carroll Scott, 1701 Tanglecrest
Court, all spoke against the tax rate increase.
Mayor Saleh asked City Attorney Bob McFarland to read letters and comments from
citizens unable to attend or not wanting to speak.
City Attorney Bob McFarland read a letter from Donna Mickan, President of Morrisdale
Neighborhood Association, who was unable to attend the meeting but was in favor of
the tax rate increase.
City Attorney Bob McFarland then read letters and comments from the following citizens
who did not want to speak, or were unable to attend, but wanted to register their
opposition to the tax rate increase: Willie Mae McCormick, 2300 N. Main Street; Larry
G. Bradford, 1112 Meadowview Drive; Irene Rosecrans, 507 West Cliff Drive; Edwood
'"'' Craft, 506 Martin Lane; George W. Zahn, 701 Royce; Kathy Haecker, 403 John Vernon;
Bill Tarin, 807 Chipwood Ct.; Mike Daniel, 803 Peterstow; Jack Hill, 616 Bent Tree
Drive; Rose Miller, 608 Creekside Drive; Colette Miles, 17 Abbey Lane; Ann Rogers,
City Council Minutes Page 9 of 9 August 22,2000
211 Arbor Glen; Ellen Dinkins, 402 Arbor Creek Drive; John O'Brien, 803 Oakwood
r.. Drive; Jean Fuller, 1709 Windlea Drive; Walter & Iris Elliott, 604 Clebud Drive; Donald
E. McPherson, 607 Canterbury Street; Bettie Daniel, 122 Travis Drive; Maurine Butler,
604 Harwood; Richard L. McNeese, 302 Whitener; Alton & Rita Ray, 302 Trailwood
Drive; Wes Scott, 1802 Toplea; David Schumann, 1900 Shenandoah; Steve Corcoran,
1709 Toplea Drive; Billy Owens, 508 Sunset Drive; Scott Hadley, 609 Lamar; and Joe
W. Cannon, 907 Rusk Drive.
There being no additional proponents, or opponents, Mayor Saleh closed the public
hearing at 8:53 p.m.
Mayor Saleh noted that there would be another public hearing regarding the tax rate on
Thursday, August 31, at 7:00 p.m.
ITEM NO. 22 ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Saleh adjourned the meeting at 8:54 p.m. and Items No. 20 and 21 were not heard.
APPROVED:
U Mary Lib eh
Mayor
ATTEST:
usan Crim, C
City Secreta