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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-09-26 CCPD Minutes .-� TEMPORARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS PROPOSED CRIME CONTROL AND PREVENTION DISTRICT MINUTES SEPTEMBER 26, 1995 The Temporary Board of Directors of the proposed Euless Crime Control and Prevention District met at the conclusion of the City Council Meeting at 8:35 p.m. on Tuesday, September 26, 1995, in the Council Chambers, Euless Municipal Complex, 201 North Ector Drive, Euless, Texas. Members present included Bobby Baker, Tom Hart, Charlie Miller, Mary Lib Saleh, Todd Smith, Carl Tyson and Glenn Walker. CALL TO ORDER Board Member Mary Lib Saleh called the meeting to order at 8:35 p.m. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Board Member Bobby Baker nominated Carl Tyson as Chairman. Board Member Todd Smith seconded the motion. The motion was approved and Board Member Carl Tyson was appointed Chairman of the Temporary Board. Board Member Bobby Baker nominated Charlie Miller as Vice-President. Board Member Glenn Walker seconded the motion. The motion was approved and Board Member Charlie Miller was appointed Vice-President. Board Member Todd Smith nominated Bobby Baker as Secretary. Board Member Bobby Baker nominated Todd Smith as Secretary. Board Member Glenn Walker seconded the nomination of Todd Smith as Secretary. A voice vote was taken as follows: FOR Todd Smith as Secretary: Board Members Walker, Miller, Saleh, Baker and Tyson. FOR Bobby Baker as Secretary: Board Member Smith ABSTAIN: Board Member Hart Board Member Todd Smith was appointed Secretary of the Temporary Board ' TEMPORARY CRIME CONTROL BOARD SEPTEMBER 26, 1996 PAGE 2 GENERAL DISCUSSION OF CRIME CONTROL AND PREVENTION DISTRICT ISSUES Chairperson Tyson announced that a public hearing would be held Friday, September 29, 1995, at 5:30 p.m. to hear public input on a proposed crime control and prevention district. Board Member Walker asked that Police Chief Gary McKamie be allowed to make a presentation on the information he distributed regarding the proposed district and the budget. Police Chief Gary McKamie stated that four goals along with strategies to reach those goals have been established including strengthening neighborhoods, reducing juvenile crime, increasing community involvement and providing safety and security in the expanded parks system. An evaluation method has also been established to ascertain whether or not these goals are being met. Chief McKamie reviewed the budget and how the strategies are tied into the budget figures and also pointed out some duplications from the FY95-96 general fund budget and the proposed crime control district budget, including a CRIMES computer,two officers and a radio system, totalling over$200,000. Mr. McKamie pointed out that crime tax funds could not be used to offset existing budgeted items, such as replacements cars. City Attorney Bob McFarland stated that at any time after the district has been established by the electorate, the city could reduce the tax from one-half to one-quarter cent. However, the statute is not clear whether the city has the authority to reduce it to zero. Board Member Walker asked if the city chose to reduce the crime tax to one-quarter cent, could the city hold an election for a quarter-cent sales tax to reduce ad valorem taxes. City Attorney McFarland replied that it could or the city could choose to hold a quarter cent crime tax and a quarter cent ad valorem tax reduction election at this time. However, the quarter cent ad valorem tax reduction election could not be held in November because of time limitations on calling the election and publication, etc. according to the election code for uniform election dates. Board Member Baker pointed out that the discussion taking place is more pertinent to the City Council and the meeting being held is for the temporary board of the proposed crime control and prevention district. Board Member Smith felt that the crime tax and ad valorem tax reduction could not be discussed separately. Board Member Miller stated that there are several options available and that more time was needed for adequate research before an election is held either for the crime tax or ad valorem tax reduction. Board Member Smith said that if the mall does not become a reality, the city may need a half cent crime tax. However, if the mall is built, there are many options available including reducing ad valorem taxes and still financing the programs proposed for the police department. Board Member Saleh stated she felt that the citizens should be the ones to choose whether or not to have a crime tax. Then, if the citizens turn it down, it would be up to the Council to decide how to pay for the items needed for the police department. ' TEMPORARY CRIME CONTROL BOARD SEPTEMBER 26, 1996 PAGE 3 Board Member Smith stated that he trusted the citizens to say what they want, but this is a policy decision about whether and when to submit a crime tax or a property tax reduction tax. Board Member Baker stated that the half cent crime tax would generate approximately $10 million in five years, without the mall. At the end of five years, the tax could be allowed to lapse and then a half cent tax for ad valorem tax reduction could be implemented. City Attorney McFarland agreed to advise whether or not an election could be called November 7 for a quarter cent sales tax to reduce ad valorem taxes. Board Member Miller asked what would be required to call this election in November. City Secretary Susan Crim responded that a special meeting would have to be called sometime after 9:30 p.m. September 29 in order to meet time restrictions for calling the election. City Attorney McFarland agreed to contact the City Secretary the following morning to let her know if a sales tax election for ad valorem tax reduction could be held in November. Several options were discussed about when either or both of the sales tax option elections could be held. Chairman Tyson pointed out that the timing of cash flows would need to be taken into consideration when deciding about when and if to hold the elections. Discussion took place about whether or not to hold the scheduled public hearing on September 29 if the City Attorney determined that the ad valorem tax reduction election could not be held in November. City Attorney McFarland said the public hearing could be cancelled, but the Council voted to establish the proposed crime district and a notice of the hearing was published. It would be best if the Board was uniform in their decision about holding an election. Board Member Saleh said she felt it would be unfair to the citizens to cancel the public hearing at this point. Chairman Tyson pointed out that the public hearing could be held, but the Board did not have to decide on November 7 as the election date. Mr. McFarland agreed that the Board did not have to take action at their September 29 meeting. However, if they chose to have the election November 7, they would need to call the election in order to meet various deadlines. However, the Board could not call a January election, because of a stipulation of the Election Code which states that an election cannot be called more than 75 days prior to the election. A subsequent meeting of the Board would have to be called within the proper time frame to call a January election. The consensus of the Board was to hold the September 29 public hearing, and if the option is available to hold the quarter cent sales tax for ad valorem tax reduction election in November, a special called meeting of the City Council will be held September 30, 1995 at 10:00 a.m. in order to call that election. Kathy Haecker, 403 John Vernon, asked why there were no citizens on the temporary crime board. City Attorney Bob McFarland stated that because of various deadlines for the November 7 election, decisions were made very quickly in order to meet these time requirements and since the Board was required to have seven members, it was decided to have the Council serve as temporary Board Members. Geri Donworth, 1308 Shady Hollow Court, said she favored the half cent crime tax and felt it was only fair to let the voters decide what they want. Kathy Haecker pointed out that it seemed that the mall investors would look TEMPORARY CRIME CONTROL BOARD SEPTEMBER 26, 1996 PAGE 4 more favorably on Euless as a site for the new mall if there would be added police protection for that mall. Chairman Tyson said he would like to see numbers that would show what the FY96-97 budget projections would be and to see if the ad valorem tax projection would be adequate to meet those budget needs before proceeding with the ad valorem tax reduction election, whether it is to be held in November or at a later date. ADJOURNMENT Board Member walked moved to adjourn the meeting. Board Member Saleh seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 10:02 p.m. APPROVED: 1 C art Tyson, airman ATTEST: ( Todd Smith, Secretary \wpwin minutes-26-95.cb /cd