HomeMy WebLinkAbout02 1210 minThe Plainview City Council met on December 10, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. in the City CounCil
Chambers of the Plainview City Hall at 901 Broadway. The agenda for this meeting
was pOsted in City Hall at 9:00 a.m. on December 3, 2002. Lloyd C. Woods presided.
Councilmembers present were: Kelvin Tipton-District 1, Mary Jane Shanes-District 2,
Belinda Pena-District 3, John N. Bertsch-District 4, Buddy McGehee-District 6 and Irene
Favila-District 7. Councilmember Ross Owen was absent.
Staff members present were: James P. Jeffers-City Manager, Elizabeth Regner-
Assistant City Manager; Dale Simpson-Civil Service Director, John Berry-Director of
Public Works, Wally Hatch-City Attorney, John Castro-Director of Community Services,
Will Mull-Police Chief, Phyllis Wall-Literacy Coordinator, Ricky Summers-Parks
Crewleader and Belinda Hinojosa-City Secretary.
Guests present were Becky Summers, John C. Anderson, Rollie Hyde and Bandy Ivey,
Brian Pohlmeier, Jim Ferrell and Brian Thomas
News Media Representative: Richard Orr-Plainview Daily Herald
Councilmember Pena delivered the invocation.
Mayor Woods led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Jim Jeffers, City Manager presented the City Manager's Award of Excellence to
Phyllis Wall and Ricky Summers
Councilmember Shanes moved to adopt the consent calendar. The motion was duly
seconded by Councilmember Tipton and carried by unanimous vote. Items approved
on the Consent Calendar included: approval of the minutes of November 26, 2002 and
December 5, 2002; receipt of departmental reports; approval of expenditures and the
granting of an excused absence to Councilmember Ross Owen. The Council
approved the signing of the Lease Agreement between the City of Plainview and the
Plainview Independent School District for the joint use of Stoneham Park. The Council
awarded the bids for five police vehicles to Bob Gardner Chevrolet in the amount of
$17,381.40 each for a total cost of $86,907.00. The only other bid received was from
Plainview Dodge at a cost of $19,955.00 for a total cost of $99,775.00. The Council
approved upon second reading Ordinance No. 02-3362, an Ordinance Amending The
City Of Plainview Code Of Ordinances Chapter Administration, Establishing The
Collection Of A Technology Fund By Municipal Court; Cumulativeness Clause;
Conflicts Clause; Severability Clause; And Effective Date. This ordinance adds a $4.00
technology fee as a cost of court to defendants convicted of a misdemeanor offense in
municipal court. The Council approved upon second reading Ordinance No. 02-3363,
an Ordinance of the City of Plainview Amending Ordinance No. 02-3350 To Appropriate
Funds In The Solid Waste Management Fund In The 2002 - 2003 Budget For Prior
Years Uncollected Sales Tax On Landfill Operations; Cumulativeness Clause;
Severability Clause; Conflicts Clause; And Effective Date. This ordinance authorizes
entering into an agreement with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts for the
payment of uncollected sales tax in the amount of $268,964 for the last four years. The
agreement limits the liability to the last four years with no penalty or interest charged
and limits the liability to one-half of the total ($134,482) with a four-year pay out of
$33,621. Ordinance No. 02-3363 is a budget amendment for the initial payment of
$33,621 to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. The Council approved upon
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second reading Ordinance No. 02-3364, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of
Plainview, Texas amending the Plainview Code of Ordinances, Chapter 7, Article 6,
Entitled "Peddlers, Itinerant Vendors and Solicitors." Due to the increasing difficulty
in acquiring bonds for vendors, the City Council has waived the requirement of a bond
and will increase the license fee from $25.00 to $75.00 for the applicant. The Council
approved Resolution R02-115, a Resolution supporting the regional effort of volunteers,
including the North West Texas Museum Association, Inc. in the Application for the
Texas Plains Trail Designation.
Don Taylor presented information on the West A&M University Incubator Program.
The program is used to create new or expand businesses that generate bulk revenue
from outside the area. It uses a two-step process. First you find a fertile egg (have a
profitable idea) and bring strength and independence (three to four year process). The
building they are currently interested in is located at 800 Ivey Street and is a 21,000
square foot shell with a truck dock at the end. He stated they chose Plainview because
of their community and county strength, areas of need, desire or attitude of community
towards economic development, and outside resources. WTAMU: provides cash of up
to $100,000 for renovation and construction and the City provides the building.
There was no public comment and the Council chose to defer until they go into closed
session.
Brian Thomas, Convention & Visitors Bureau Director presented a report on activities of
the past year. Among some of the projects in the works are a hotel tracking system to
track what events actually bring in guests to the City; making the website larger;
networking and training for himself and targeting marketing such as Tech sporting
events and highway travelers.
Jim Ferrell, Manager of the Chamber of Commerce of 606 West 9th Street addressed
the Convention & Visitor's Bureau (CVB) budget. He stated the Chamber started
handling a portion of the hotel/motel tax in 1985. A record of the time sheets for three
years was used to establish what amount of the hotel/motel tax money could be used.
It was discovered at that time that 53% of Mr. Ferrell's time was going towards CVB
matters. The current budget projects 35% of Chamber salaries are to be funded with
hotel/motel tax, a reduction from the 40% spent last year. Even though the Chamber
has reduced the amount of hotel/motel tax money used to fund Chamber salaries, he
still spends 50% of his time working with the CVB Director. He apologized for being lax
in reporting to the City Council and stated he would like to report on time and stated he
should have taken the initiative to do so. Mr. Ferrell stated it was hard to separate the
CVB and the Chamber of Commerce and felt the two entities should be kept together.
Brian Pohlmeier, Chamber of Commerce President of 4202 West 3~d Street stated he
appreciated the partnership between the City and the Chamber and agreed too many
dollars were being spent. In 1999, when this was taken a look at they began the
process of stair stepping down from 50% to 35%. With 30% being projected for the
following year and 25% the next. He mentioned that CVB would not be as effective
standing on its own. The Chamber currently has 650 members. His recommendation
to the Council would be that everything continue as presented.
There was no public comment.
City of Plainview Minutes
December 10, 2002
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Councilmember McGehee moved to table a decision on the Chamber Budget until the
next meeting on December 19th. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember
Favila and carried unanimously.
City Manager Jim Jeffers presented information on the Management Contract for the
Convention and Visitors Bureau. He stated the existing agreement expires at the end of
this month. The new contract calls for a strategic plan for hotel/motel tax providing
specific goals. Any requests by the Chamber to transfer funds from one line item to
another within the budget shall be approved in advance by the City Manager. All
expenditures by the Chamber of hotel/motel tax revenue must be properly documented
by voucher statement or other written description, and said expenditure must relate to
the promotion of tourism and convention or other purposes authorized by state law.
The Contract also states the Chamber shall maintain a Tourism and Convention
Committee to make recommendations on the expenditure of funds. The Tourism and
Convention Committee shall consist of fifteen members, of which seven shall be
appointed by the City Council and eight by the Chamber for terms to be determined by
the Chamber. The City Manager or her/his designee shall serve as an ex-officio
member of the Tourism and Convention committee. The Contract calls for reports to be
made quarterly. The Mayor shall serve as a voting member of the Chamber and shall
also serve as a voting member on the Chamber Executive Committee. Either party may
terminate the Contract with 90 days notice.
Brian Pohlmeier stated he agreed with each point of the Contract. He stated the
strategiC plan was an excellent idea.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Woods moved to table decision on the Contract until the December 19th meeting.
The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember McGehee and carried unanimously.
Councilmember Favila moved the Council go into Closed Session to deliberate the
purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property for West Texas A&M University
Incubator Program. This meeting is authorized by the Texas Government Code
Section 551.072. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember Shanes and
carried unanimously.
Mayor Woods recessed the meeting into closed session at 8:33 p.m.
The Council reconvened in open session at 8:48 p.m.
Councilmember Shanes moved the Council enter into contract with WTAMU on the
Incubator Program. The motion was duly seconded by Mayor Woods and carried
unanimously.
Councilmember McGehee moved the Council proceed with real estate transaction as
discussed in closed session. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember Favila
and carried unanimously.
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There being no further business, Mayor Woods ad.iourned the meeting at 8:49 p.m.
Belinda Hinojosa
City Secretary
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