Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11 0908 minThe City Council met on September 8, 2011, at the Plainview Convention Center, 2902 West 4 Street, Plainview, Texas. The agenda for this meeting was posted in City Hall at 4:15 p.m. on September 4, 2011. Mayor John C. Anderson presided. Councilmembers present were: Charles Starnes District 1, Cathy Waggoner- District 2, David Garcia District 3, V. O. Ortega- District 4, Ron Trusler- District 5, Wendell Dunlap District 6 and Roland Nash District 7. Staff members present were: Greg Ingham -City Manager, Jeffrey Snyder- Assistant City Manager, Leslie Pearce -City Attorney, Sarianne Beversdorf- Director of Finance, Rusty Powers -Fire Chief, Mike Gilliland- Director of Public Works, William Mull Police Chief, Daniel Born Information Technology Specialist, Katherine Egger- Deputy City Secretary, Tammy Adams Accounting Coordinator, Kelli Shurbet- Nursing Supervisor, and Belinda Hinojosa -City Secretary. News Media Present: Jessica Thornton, Plainview Herald Guests Present: Dr. Kent Webb, Alfred Henderson, Lazaro Perez, Jr., Ruben Ramirez, Norma Torres, Margie Thompson and Christine Cummins Councilmember Trusler led in the Invocation. Dr. Kent Webb, Chairman of the Redistricting Commission made a presentation of a proposed plan to redistrict the City's single- member district boundary lines. He thanked the Council for the opportunity to service. The Commission moved the lines to a minimum and kept close to the Austin firm's recommendations. The numbers on the plan proposed by the redistricting commission ended up a little better and represented the city a little better and the plan is keeping with equal voters, equal people non retrogression. Councilmember Starnes stated the map is hard to expand in detail and had trouble trying to figure out where his house was. Ms. Leslie Pearce, City Attorney stated she had a bigger map in her office. She stated she would get map in more readable format. Mayor Anderson presented for discussion and possible action to adopt a final plan to redistrict the City's single- member district boundary lines to come into compliance with one person -one vote obligations. He asked for public comment. There was no public comment. Councilmember Trusler moved to accept the 2011 Redistricting Plan as proposed and recommended by the City of Plainview Redistricting Commission. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember Starnes. Councilmember Starnes reiterated his desire for a more readable map and charged city staff to get such a map. Councilmember Starnes also stated that on the accompanying table we are reasonably close within the 5 He commended the Commission for doing a thorough and excellent job especially for including certain neighborhoods in a continuous fashion. Mayor Anderson asked for a vote on the motion. The motion carried by unanimous vote. Mayor Anderson read the caption for Ordinance No. 11 -3559, an Ordinance of the City of Plainview, Texas, Adopting a New Redistricting Plan Thereby Revising City Council City Council Minutes September 8, 2011 Page 1 of 6 35 36 Member District Boundaries in Response to the 2010 Census, Providing for the following: Findings of Fact; Adoption of a Plan; Election Districts; Severability Clause; Cumulativeness Clause; Conflicts Clause; Effective Date; and Publication. This is being considered on first reading. Mayor Anderson presented to discuss and take necessary action regarding the final plan (Ordinance No. 11 -3559 First Reading) to redistrict the City's single- member district boundary lines to come into compliance with one person -one vote obligations. He asked for public comment. There was no public comment. Councilmember Dunlap moved to adopt Ordinance No. 11 -3559 on first reading. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember Waggoner. Councilmember Ortega stated that federal law allows for up to a 10% deviation, while City charter allows up to a 5% deviation. He asked why the City placed additional requirements upon themselves? He stated that it looked like demographics are already shaping up. He stated he would like staff to review City Charter and remove the 5% deviation requirement. Ms. Pearce stated a change to the Charter would require a vote by the citizens. The current charter was passed by the citizens. If we decided to redo charter we would have to do the same thing. Councilmember Ortega reiterated that he thinks this needs to be looked into in the future to take that requirement off. Mr. Ingham, City Manager stated that looking at the charter is a much larger deal. He said staff would look into it and work the process out. Mayor Anderson asked for a vote to adopt the 2011 Final Plan to redistrict the City's single- member district boundary lines to come into compliance with one person -one vote obligations as stated in Ordinance No. 11 -3559 First Reading. The motion carried by unanimous vote. Mayor Anderson thanked the Commission for the job they have done. Dr. Kent Webb adjourned the redistricting commission meeting at 12:00 noon. Mr. Ingham presented information on the public hearing on the proposed tax increase. The budget document presents in financial terms the overall plan for providing municipal services during the coming twelve months. This budget provides funds for the current level of services and provides a basis for a higher level of services in the future. It also provides funds to comply with State and Federal mandates and provides for improvements to the City's infrastructure that are necessary to ensure progress and development. As the national recession drags on, Plainview continues to fare better than many areas of the country, however we are experiencing the challenges of increasing prices for the supplies and materials the City needs to provide services to its citizens. The Municipal Cost Index (made up of consumer price index, construction cost index, and production City Council Minutes September 8, 2011 Page 2 of 6 price index) is up 5.1% and the Consumer Price Index is up 3.6 The City's sales tax continues to move in a positive direction, interest rates continue to be flat at very low levels and we are experiencing the impact of funding cutbacks at the State and Federal level. In Texas, local government is paid for at local level. Some of the things we have done in 2010 -2011 are as follows: Worked with ten other member cities of the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority and executed contract with Mesa, Inc. which when finalized will nearly double the amount of groundwater owned by CRMWA; Issued certificate of obligation to rehabilitate water and sewer lines in Highway 70, build two new water towers; rebuild wastewater lift stations; and add a backup generator at the wastewater treatment facility; Rolled out new website in 2010 -2011 provide better information to our citizens; Worked with Chamber of Commerce and Plainview Hale County Industrial Foundation to consolidate their operations in one location and working with Chamber to provide marketing information to Plainview retail businesses. Redistricting commission update maps Working on regional level with SPAG and Garza County, we have one of two regional mobile command vehicles which is a part of the regional emergency communications system which is stored in Armory that we co -own with County which we plan to use as an Emergency Operation Center; Upgrade fire class rating through Insurance Services Office from Class 4 to Class 3. The total budgeted expenditures for Fiscal Year 2011 -2012 are $30,698,870. The total budgeted revenue for major operating funds is $21,654,740 and the total budgeted expenditures are $21,634,065. The General Fund Revenues for fiscal year ending September 30, 2012 is $11,629,525. The sales tax is being projected to show a slight increase. The property tax rate has remained pretty flat. There is a possible additional employee in the police department because the Plainview Independent School District asked the City to consider adding a second School Resource Officer. The school district would pay 75% of the cost for the officer and 75% of the cost for all equipment including an additional vehicle and the City would pay 25 The revenues have been coming in stronger and the expenditures are coming under, so we are acquiring some items in the current fiscal year such as cameras, SWAT equipment, and firing range improvements for the Police Department; air bottles and specialized rescue jack systems for Fire /EMS; and some items for other departments that had originally been requested for the upcoming fiscal year. We are financing the purchase of some equipment through the Equipment Replacement Fund, and utilizing grant funds when available to try to keep on track with our equipment replacement and upgrade efforts. We are replacing items such as 6.25 Police vehicles and equipment; a 1972 Mack Fire pumper; a 1996 dump truck; two riding lawn mowers and one 3 /4 ton pickup for Parks. We are putting touch screen computers in three Fire Engines and a laptop in the Fire Marshal's vehicle. City Council Minutes September 8, 2011 Page 3 of 6 37 3 In the budget is a two and a half percent (2.5 adjustment in base salary for Fire /EMS and police and an increase in certification pay for EMT Intermediate and EMT Paramedic certified employees by twenty percent (20 The rollback rate for 2011 -2012 fiscal year is $0.6267; the proposed tax rate for 2011- 2012 is $0.5785; the adopted tax rate for 2010 -2011 is $0.5785 and the effective tax rate for 2011 -2012 is $0.5713. Councilmember Trusler moved to open the public hearing on the proposed tax increase. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember Ortega and carried by unanimous vote. Mayor Anderson asked for public comment. There was no public comment. Councilmember Nash moved to close the public hearing. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember Garcia and carried by unanimous vote. Mayor Anderson closed the public hearing at 12:23 p.m. Mayor Anderson announced that a vote on the first reading of the Ordinance to adopt the proposed tax rate will be held on September 22, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. at the Plainview Convention Center, 2902 W. 4 Street and a vote on the second and final reading of the Ordinance to adopt the proposed tax rate will be held on September 27, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 901 Broadway. Mr. Ingham presented information on the 2011 -2012 Budget. Since he had already reviewed the portion on the general fund, he began with the Solid Waste Management Fund. The Solid Waste Management Fund is an enterprise fund which means that it supports itself with the revenues it generates. It does not use the Equipment Replacement fund for equipment purchases but instead pays cash or sometimes uses the Solid Waste Improvement Fund for the equipment that is needed. The Solid Waste Management Fund revenues for fiscal year ended September 30, 2012 is $3,036,600. The expenditures are $3,437,320. This year we will be replacing a 2002 grader ($230,000); a 1997 Forklift ($30,000); a 2002 landfill compactor ($425,000); and a 2001 frontload collection truck ($220,000). When the Capital Outlay plan for Solid Waste Management is reviewed for the next five years it shows that we will be averaging nearly $900,000 a year for capital replacement. In order to meet the operating needs of these departments and to develop an appropriate revenue stream to help fund these major equipment purchases we have included a 5% increase in solid waste fees. This will increase the base residential bill from $17.82 per month to $18.71. The Water and Sewer Fund revenues for fiscal year ending September 30, 2012 are $6,976,510 and the expenditures are $13,461,010. The major increase in this fund is due to the cost of buying additional water rights through the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority and this is the first year that the full impact of the debt that was issued in 2010 will appear in the fund. In order to cover the Water Sewer Operating Fund's increased costs to CRMWA, adequately address its debt service, and to keep the Fund on sound footing we have proposed at a minimum, increasing the base residential water rate from $18.50 to $21.50 per month. The rate per thousand will be increased in January 2012 from $1.65 to $1.70 per thousand under 25,000 gallons. The rate per thousand over 25,000 gallons will go from $1.84 to $1.95. One thing that is not in this budget is an overall adjustment to the pay plan. This is an issue that we must keep at the forefront because our employees are the heart of this organization. It is because of their commitment that we were able to control our costs so City Council Minutes September 8, 2011 Page 4 of 6 that we could strengthen the financial position of the City. He is asking the Council to approve a one -time incentive payment of 2.75% to all employees at the end of the 2010 -2011 fiscal year. This one -time payment will have no salary impact going forward and it will have no impact on the 2011 -2012 fiscal year. The cost of this one -time payment has been included in the projected 2010 -2011 total column. The Fair Theater continues to be an active asset for the community. We continue to have a variety of entertainment, school, and training functions in the Theater. The Service Center will not fully support itself through revenue generated through the shop functions because it provides other services that are not directly related to the vehicle maintenance activities. We are supporting this internal function with transfers from the user funds in addition to the hours billed. Our other Internal Service Funds such as the Health Insurance Fund and Cafeteria Plan continue to function pretty much as designed. We have had a more negative year in the Health Insurance Fund than we have experienced in a while, and have increased the charges for health insurance in this budget. We will be monitoring this fund as we move forward and making additional adjustments as necessary in future fiscal years. The Hotel /Motel Tax Fund has continued to be active through our Main Street/CVB operations and has worked to actively encourage groups to use our facilities for meetings and seminars, as well as encouraging general tourism. A new Public Address system for the Civic Center part of the facility has been budgeted for the 2011 -2012 Fiscal Year. Councilmember Starnes moved to open a public hearing on the 2011 -2012 City of Plainview Budget. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember Trusler and carried by unanimous vote. Mayor Anderson asked for public comment. There was no public comment. Councilmember Starnes moved to close the public hearing. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember Trusler and carried by unanimous vote. Mayor Anderson closed the public hearing at 12:44 p.m. Mayor Anderson announced that a vote on the first reading of the Ordinance to adopt the budget will be held on September 22, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. at the Plainview Convention Center, 2902 W. 4 Street and that a vote on the second and final reading of the Ordinance to adopt the budget will be held on September 27, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 901 Broadway. Kelli Shurbet, Nursing Supervisor presented for consideration to authorize Mayor John C. Anderson to sign Contract No. 2012 039435 -001 between the Department of State Health Services and the Plainview -Hale County Health District for Local Public Health Services. This contract is effective from September 1, 2011 through August 31, 2012. It has been reduced from $63,082 to $51,096.42. It provides for the environmental health inspector, training and supplies, PPD antigen, and TB testing for local restaurant workers. Mayor Anderson asked for public comment. There was no public comment. Councilmember Nash moved to authorize Mayor John C. Anderson to sign Contract No. 2012 039435 -001 between the Department of State Health Services and the Plainview Hale County Health District for Local Public Health Services. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember Ortega. City Council Minutes September 8, 2011 Page 5 of 6 39 40 Councilmember Starnes asked about the TB tests. They are given to employees after hiring and are good for one year. The environmental health inspector goes and checks to make sure that every employee has their cards. Mayor Anderson asked for a vote on the matter. The motion carried unanimously. Kelli Shurbet, Nursing Supervisor presented for consideration to authorize Mayor John C. Anderson to sign Contract No. 2012 039616 -001 between the Department of State Health Services and the Plainview -Hale County Health District for Immunization Services. This contract is for the period from September 1, 2011 through August 31, 2011 and remains at the same amount as last year of $129,459. This grant is for the immunization nurse, immunization clerk and IMTRAC Coordinator; antigens for vaccines for children, adult safety net for ages from 19 to 65 years of age, supplies for vaccines, flu vaccine for 6 months to 18 years of age. It does not include the herpes and shingles vaccines. Mayor Anderson asked for public comment. There was no public comment. Councilmember Dunlap moved to authorize Mayor John C. Anderson to sign Contract No. 2012 039616 -001 between the Department of State Health Services and the Plainview -Hale County Health District for Immunization Services. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember Waggoner and carried by unanimous vote. The Council and staff reviewed the agenda for the City Council meeting of September 13, 2011. There being no further business, Mayor Anderson adjourned the meeting at 12:54 p.m. Belinda Hinojosa City Secretary City Council Minutes September 8, 2011 Page 6 of 6