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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-08-27MINUTES OF A REGULAR METING OF THE EULESS CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 27, 1991 CALL TO ORDER 1991 --172 A regular meeting of the Euless City Council was called to order by Mayor Harold Samuels at 4 :00 p.m., on Tuesday, August 27, 1991, in the downstairs Administration Building Conference Room. August Those present were Mayor Harold D. Samuels, Mayor Pro Tem Mary Lib Saleh, and Council Members Bobby Baker, Frank Douglass, Todd Smith, and Peter Stairs. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF SCHEDULED ITEMS - COUNCIL CHAMBERS The Euless City Council continued t.hei.r meeting in the Council Chambers at 7;O4 p.m., for the consideration of scheduled items. Staff Members Present Tom Hart, City Manager H. Kay Godbey, Assistant City Manager Bob McFarland, City Attorney Susan Grim, City Secretary Steve Norwood, Asst. to City Manager Debra Forte', Dir. of Fiscal and Human Resources John Craig, Director of Development Paul Kruckemeyer, City Engineer K. B. Fuller, Chief of Police - Lee Koontz, Fire Chief Tom Cox, Director of Administrative Services Rod Tyler, Asst. Director of Development Eldred Pruitt, Environmental. Health Manager Jean Harris, Deputy City Secretary Visitors Dan Grant Alan Moberg Nancy Smith James Garlow Alli Haj:i.ck Roy Power and other visitors as shown on register PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilman Bobby Baker led the pledge of allegiance. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Mayor Harold D. Samuels. 1991-174 Euless City Council Regular Meeting of August 27, 1991 -- Page Two CONSENT AGENDA Councilman Smith moved to approve consent agenda items as follows: ITEM NO. I) SECOND AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1053: Charter Election called for November. 5, 1991 ITEM NO. 2) SECOND AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1 054: Authorizing Texas Municipal Retirement System update service credits ITEM NO. 3) MINUTES: Minutes of Regular Meeting of August. 13, 1991 Councilman Baker seconded the. motion. Ayes: Council. Members Douglass, Smith, Baker, Saleh, and Staks Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. REGULAR. AGENDA OLD BUSINESS ITEM NO. 4) APPROVE REST OF CITY OF COLLEYVILLE City Manager, Tom Hart, introduced Mr. Bob Stripling, City Manager of Col.ievvitle, and explained that Paul Kruck.emeyer had met with the City Engineer of Colleyv:i.11e concerning this request. The staff's recommendation is to grant the request to waive Euless' impact fee requirement for the proposed Albertson's on Glade Road at S. H. 3.21. Mayor Pro Tem Saieh moved to grant this request with the stipulation that the project he inspected in six months by Euless' City Engineer, that the City of Colleyville return to the City of Euless with a new request if the project is not complete in one year, and that the City of Coile.yville pay full impact fees 1 if they choose to tie into the. Euless water a line permanently. Councilman Baker seconded the motion. Ayes: Council Members Douglass, Smith, Baker, Saleb., and Staks Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. 1991-175 Euless City Council Regular Meeting of August 27, 1991 T Page Three Imo! NO. 5 APPROVAL OF SIGN VARIANCE Er. James Carlow, Pastor of Metroplex Chapel, was present and introduced Dan Grant. Mr. Grant stated the proposed sign would replace the current sign and would be in the same location as the present sign, that their intent is to renovate the entire building and property, that tenant space will be provided on the proposed sign, and that they intend to eventually use the entire 4.4 acres for church growth. Councilman Douglass requested Metroplex Chapel provide adequate. space for any future tenants on the proposed sign. Councilman Staks moved to approve the request of Metroplex Chapel for a sign variance. as presented. Councilman Smith seconded the motion. Ayes: Council Members Douglass, Smith, Baker, and Staks Nays. None Abstain: Mayor Pro Tem Sal.eh Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. ITEM NO. 6) PUBLIC HEARING ON 1991 -1992 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET Mayor Samuels opened the public hearing on the 1991 -9rF iscal Year Budget. The Director of Fiscal and Human Resources, Debra Forte', presented the objectives the staff worked with in preparation of the budget and reviewed the process through which the budget had been established. She illustrated where the money comes from that the City operates on and gave examples of how the City's money is spent. The budget, which is approximately $24.9 million, is set forth by department in the summary of the complete budget. The 1991 Ad Valoren, tax rate per one hundred dollar ($10.0) valuation on all taxable property within. the city of Euless will be $.42488 for the General. Fund and $.14372 for the Interest and Sinking Fund for a total levy of $.56860. Ms. Forte' advised that there was a recommended water rate and fee increase and a tax increase included in the proposed budget along with. many budget_ cuts. Mr, Charles Miller raised a question concerning the seven "frozenf° positions. Tom. Hart, City Manager, explained that these were vacant positions that will not be filled, therefore cutting funds for those positions from the budget. Mr. Miller expressed his concern for cutting positions that would affect. city services and stated that he would rather see a tax increase rather than cut any of the City's services. Mr, Hart explained that, if those positions were approved, there would be an additional tax increase, but that there were legal limitations on the amount taxes could be increased. There being no other questions or comments, Mayor Samuels closed the public hearing. 1991 -176 Euless City Council Regular Meeting of August 27, 1991 - Page Four ITEM NO. 7) APPROVE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1055 City Manager Tom Hart recommended approval of the budget. Councilman Baker moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 1055 adopting the 1991-1992 Fiscal year Budget. Mayor Pro Tem Saleh seconded the motion. Ayes: Council Members Douglass, Smith, Baker, and Saleh Nays: Council Member Staks Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. ITEM N0. 8) APPROVE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1056 Councilman Douglass moved to approve first reading of Ordinance No. 1056 adopting the 1991 Tax Roll. Councilman Baker seconded the motion. Ayes: Council Members Douglass, Smith, Baker, Saleh, and Staks Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. ITEM NO. 9) APPROVE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1057 Councilman Smith moved to approve first reading of Ordinance No. 1057 adopting the 1991 Ad Valorem Tax Rate; providing for certain exemptions. Councilman Douglass seconded the motion. Ayes: Council Members Douglass, Smith, Baker, and Saleh Nays: Council Member Staks Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. ITEM NO. 10) APPROVE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE N0. 1058 Mayor Pro Tern Saleh moved to approve first reading of Ordinance No. 1058 adopting new water utility rates and fees as follows: Add: Service Initiation Fee $10 00 Transfer Fee 10 00 Recheck of Meter Read 5 00 1991-177 Euless City Council Regular Meeting of August 27 , 1991 - Page Five All customers allowed one recheck every six months at no charge; charge for all others unless meter has been misread. Emergency cut-off by City personnel No charge (broken pipes or freeze damaged pipes) Cut-off for plumbing repairs $7 50 per trip The curbstop at the meter belongs to the City; all customers should have a working cut-off close to house. Delinquent Accounts: Home collection $ 7 50 Allow serviceman to collect check or money order at door on delinquent accounts. (No additional deposit, no reconnect fee.) Disconnect $15.00 Additional. Deposit 15.00 Service Charge Locked or plugged meter 15.00 Additional Deposit 30.00 Service Charge Turn on Fees If deposit is paid or transfer of service received before noon, service can be connected that same afternoon. If deposit is paid or transfer of service received after noon, service can be connected the following working day. No specific times can be designated ether t.hart two hour. increments (8-10, 10-12, 1 -3, 3 -5). If customer insists on having service turned on immediately, initiate fee.. Revise: Water service within corporate limits. . . . . . . . . . .$ 6.50 plus $ 2.15 per 1,000 gallons Councilman Baker seconded the motion. Ayes: Council_ Members Douglas, Smith, Baker, Saleh, and Staks Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. 1 991. -1.78 Euless City Council Regular Meeting of August 27, 1991 -- Page Six ITEM NO. 11) APPROVE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1059 Councilman Staks moved to approve first reading of Ordinance No. 1.059 amending Ordinance No. 1042 concerning write-in candidacy in City elections. Councilman Smith seconded the motion. Ayes: Council Members Douglass, Smith, Baker, Saleh, and Staks Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. ITEM NO. 12) APPROVE AGREEMENT WTTH TARRANT COUNTY City Manager, Tom Hart, explained that Ad Valorem taxes for the City had been collected. previously through the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District, but that the City could save approximately $20,000 each year through this agreement. with. Tarrant County for Ad Valorem Tax Billing Services. Councilman Smith moved to approve the agreement with Tarrant County for one year. Councilman Douglass seconded the motion. Ayes: Council. Members Douglass, Smith, Saleh, and Staks Nays: Council Member Baker Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. ITEM NO. 13) REPORTS a) City Manager b) City Attorney c) Staff Eldred Pruitt, Environmental Health Manager d) City Council (A) None (B) None (C) Eldred Pruitt, Environmental Health Manager, reviewed the activities of his department for the past year and stated that the contract with the C:i.ty of Grapevine for inspection of food establishments was being considered for a two -year renewal. He advised that the. City had received $22,000 from the present contract, 1991 -179 Euless City Council Regular Meeting of August 27, 1991 -- Page Seven City Manager, Tom Hart:, complimented Mr. Pruitt's Department on the decreased number of animal complaints in the City. In answer to questions of the City Council, Mr. Pruitt stated that. Pit Bulldogs had been a problem in the past, but not recently; that fees are charged to owners reclaiming their pets; that the Voice Mail system has taken some of the work load off of the two animal control officers and the secretarial staff in the Development Department; and that there have been no reports of rabid animals in our City in the past 10 years. (d) Councilman Smith thanked Ms. Forte' for her presentation on the budget both in Salado and tonight and for the expenditure figures she had supplied him from last_ year's budget for comparison purposes. He stated after comparing these expenditures, he realized the increase was only 3.6% and feels this is within the inflationary confines. He also stated. that even though the increase in property tax was 8%, the number of real dollars to the City amounted to a 3.5% increase. because of the effects of decreasing property values. He added that he felt the most controversial portion of the budget was the water rates and fees increase, but requested that the Council consider not only the raw dollars a particular proposal would generate, but also how the tax burden would be distributed among the citizens of Euless in the future. Mayor Pro Tem Saleh thanked Eldred Pruitt for the presentation concerning the Environmental Health Department and thanked. Mr. Charles Miller for his interest and questions during the public hearing for the 1991 -92 Fiscal Year Budget. Councilman Staks expressed his thanks to Eldred Pruitt for his- presentation and the good work his department is doing. He asked that a letter of thanks be sertt to Southwestern Bell for their contribution to the Chamber of Commerce for the S. H. 10 project. He stated that the Police Department is to be commended. for the way they handled. the first day of school in the area of Bear Creek Elementary. He also stated that he had ridden with a Police. Officer one evening and was impressed with the professionalism of the Police Department and advised that the goings on before dark and after are two different things. Councilman Staks went on to explain why he voted Nay on Items Nos. 7 and 9 regarding the budget and tax rate. He stated he would like to reallocate some funds prior to the second reading of the budget ordinance, in areas where some soft cost reductions in the general. fund were made initially. He stated he feels the exposure of representatives at our schools warrants our attention. He also stated he realizes the City is in need of increasing revenue, but feels our citizens should benefit from the increase.. Mayen- Samuels stated he was pleased that the City could keep the homestead exemption in place. Police Chief, K. B. Fuller, advised the Council that Officer Pam Byers, present in the Council meeting this evening, was there because she wanted to be, that she had been written a letter stating he felt she is made of what community leaders are made of, that she has given countless hours to areas of our City that are low income, that she has been adopted by the Oakwood Elementary students, is on the Honor Guard, and a member of the Tactical Team. 1991 -180 Euless City Council Regular Meeting of August 27, 1991 - Page Eight Mr. Charles Miller asked the Council if the School Board could be approached concerning school taxes being used to help fund police representatives at the area schools, Mayor Samuels advised that the City of Euless would be pursuing this same idea with the City. of Bedford because Bedford residents attend Trinity High School as well as Euless residents. THE CITY COUNCIL RECONVENED INTC> PRE - COUNCIL SESSION AT 8 :31 P,M. , FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING THE DRAINAGE UTILITY DISTRICT. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9 :40 p.m. APPROVED: f� ;f, C Harold D. Samuels,` Mayor ATTEST: Susan Crizn, CMC, City Secretary Minutes taken and prepared by Jean Harris, Deputy City Secretary