HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 0809 min232
The Plainview City Council met on August 9, 2001, at 11:30 a.m. at the Plainview
Convention Center, 2902 West 4th Street, Plainview, Texas. The agenda for this meeting
was posted in City Hall at 11:00 a.m. on August 6, 2001. Mayor Lloyd C. Woods
presided. Councilmembers present were: Sam Parker-District 1; Mary Jane Shanes-
District 2; Mike Hutcherson-District 4; Ross Owen-District 5; and Buddy McGehee-District
6. Councilmembers absent were: Rey Rosas-District 3 and Irene Favila-District 7
Staff members present were: James P. Jeffers-City Manager; John Berry-Director of
Public Works; John Castro-Director of Community Development; Gary Glass-Fire Chief;
Wally Hatch-City Attorney; Sean Lanier-Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer;
William Mull-Chief of Police; Dale Simpson-Director of Civil Service; Matthew Tsakanikas-
Main Street Coordinator; and Belinda Hinojosa-City Secretary.
Guests present were: Gene Darr, Sales Representative with Southwestern Public
Service; James Wirier; Grady Elder, Executive Director of Plainview/Hale County
Industrial Foundation; Brian Thomas, Director of Convention and Visitors Bureau; Brian
Pohlmeier, 1st Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce; and Jim Ferrell, Executive
Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce.
News media representatives present were: Richard Orr-Plainview Daily Herald.
Councilmember Shanes delivered the invocation.
Councilmember Rosas-District 3 and Councilmember Favila-District 7 were granted an
excused absence for this meeting.
The Council and Staff then reviewed the agenda for the City Council meeting of August
14, 2001.
Mr. Jeffers stated that based on his preliminary figures his recommendation will be to
keep the tax rate for 2002 at $.4375, which is the current tax rate. The assessed
property value for 2001 was at $575,089,594 with the assessed tax being $2,516,017.
The proposed assessed property value for 2002 is $596,152,069 with the assessed tax
being at $2,608,165 if the tax rate remains at $.4375. The Council indicated they would
leave the rate at $.4375.
Mr. Jeffers advised the Council that they needed to be thinking about resolutions for the
2001 Texas Municipal League Annual Conference.
Mr. Jeffers stated that the current Hale County fire contract is due to expire on October
11, 2001. The current contract calls for $875 per unit, per call. He stated that the Mayor
and Hale County Judge had met and their recommendation is to keep the rate at the
current rate of $875.00 per unit, per call. Discussion was had on the ramifications if
negotiations were had to increase the charge. Such will be on the next agenda for action.
Mr. Jeffers stated the City contracts with the Plainview Hale County Industrial
Foundation at $25,000.00 a year for economic development. The contract is set to
expire in October 2001. He stated the majority of the monies received by the Foundation
comes from its members. The Foundation's annual budget is $150,000.00. It is the
Council's desire to become more involved with economic development. There have been
some issues that have fallen between contracts. The addition of the Council's
City of Plainview City Council Minutes August 9, 2001 Page 1 of 2
involvement would bring ideas on what to improve. Mr. Grady Elder, Executive Director
of Plainview/Hale County Industrial Foundation stated the primary goal of the Foundation
is to create jobs. He stated the Foundation welcomed input from the Council, but felt that
industrial development should be kept within the organization due to the need to keep
secret the prospects. Mr. Jeffers recommended that the Mayor and CoUnty Judge be
made voting members of the executive committee of the Industrial Foundation. Such is to
be considered at a later time.
Mr. Jeffers stated the Chamber of Commerce is currently housed in a city owned
building and receives $100,000.00 in hotel/motel tax. There are some issues as to how
this money is spent and the Council feels there should be some changes in the contract.
The contract is due to expire in January 2003. Jim Ferrell, Executive Vice President of
the Chamber of Commerce stated they welcomed more involvement by the City Council.
The Industrial Foundation and the Chamber contracts are to be looked at by October 1st.
Mayor Woods adjourned the meeting at 12:42 p.m.
Belinda Hinojosa
City Secretary
233
City of PlainvieW City Council Minutes August 9, 2001 Page 2 of 2