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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 0220 min144 The City Council met on February 20, 2003 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 5:00 p.m. on February 16, 2003. Mayor Mary Jane Shanes presided. Councilmembers present were: Kelvin Tipton-District 1, Belinda Pena-District 3, John N. Bertsch-District 4, Ross Owen-District 5, and Buddy McGehee-District 6. Mayor Woods and Councilmember Irene Favila were absent. Staff members present were: Elizabeth Regner-Assistant City Manager, John Berry- Director of Public Works, Will Mull-Police Chief; Wally Hatch-City Attorney, John Castro- Director of Community Services, Rick Cox-Street Superintendent, Gary Glass-Fire Chief, Brice Clements-Assistant Director of Public Works/Engineer, Lt. Bobby Chandler- Police, Jack Keller-Budget Manager and Belinda Hinojosa-City Secretary. Guests present were: Ron Trusler News Media Representative: Richard Orr-Plainview Daily Herald Ron Trusler delivered the Invocation. Mayor Woods and Councilmember Favila were granted excused absences. The Council and staff reviewed the agenda for the City Council meeting of February 25, 2003. Assistant City Manager Elizabeth Regner stated Councilmembers Tipton and Pena have declared a conflict of interest and will refrain from any comment regarding the enterprise zone. She stated the enterprise zone is designed to encourage job creation and capital investments in areas of economic distress within Texas. Councilmember McGehee expressed concern that the proposed zone did not include the industrial area east of downtown. John Castro, Director of Community Services stated the proposed zone had been created to meet the specific state guidelines regarding the state's unemployment rate. Mrs. Regner opened the public hearing. The proposed Ordinance states the City shall provide the following incentives in the proposed enterprise zone, including tax incentives, which are not applicable throughout the City: (1) The City may abate taxes on the increase in value of real property improvements for non-retail businesses that locate in a designated enterprise zone. The level of abatement shall be based on the investment and/or the extent to which the business receiving the abatement creates jobs. (2) The City may provide Tax Increment Financing in accordance with State Law. (3) The City will work with qualified businesses to submit Enterprise Project applications. (4) Reduced building permit fees, subdivision fees, zoning fees and alarm ordinance fees. (Offered exclusively within the zone.) (5) Transfer of city owned surplus land at below market prices for the public purpose of economic development. (Offered exclusively within the zone.) City of Plainview Minutes February 20, 2003 Page 1 of 3 (6) Capita] 'improvements in water and sewer facilities and road improvements. (7) The City will apply for training grants for new permanent jobs as available and appropriate to the industry. Grady Elder of the Plainview/Hale County Industrial Foundation stated the Foundation supports the project and stated the enterprise zone will be of benefit to the community. Jim Rathke, General Manager of Excel stated they are in the process of adding 220 jobs in the next five years and planning to spend approximately 50 million in renovation of the plant. Councilmember Bertsch asked how approval of the enterprise zone would assist Excel and Mr. Rathke stated Excel would get dollars back from the state after five years. There was no other public comment and Mrs. Regner closed the public hearing. Mrs. Regner again stated Councilmember Tipton and Pena had declared a conflict of interest and would refrain from any discussion and voting on the matter. She presented information on an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Plainview and Hale County to jointly pursue the creation and establishment of an enterprise zone and to share in the expenses incurred in establishing such zone proportionately. There was no public comment. Councilmember Owen moved to approve the Interlocal Agreement. The motion was duly seconded by Mayor Shanes. The motion carried with Mayor Shanes, Councilmember Bertsch, Owen and McGehee voting "for" the motion and Councilmembers Tipton and Pena abstaining. Mrs. Regner presented for first reading Ordinance No. 03-3370, an Ordinance of the City of Plainview, Texas nominating an area as an Enterprise Zone pursuant to the Enterprise Zone Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 2303), providing tax incentives; designating an authorized representative to act in all matters pertaining to the nomination and designation of the area; and further designating a liaison to act on all matters pertaining to the Enterprise Zone once designated by Texas Economic Development. She stated Councilmembers Tipton and Pena had declared a conflict of interest and would refrain from any discussion and voting on the matter. There was no public comment. Councilmember Owen moved that Ordinance No. 03-3370 be approved upon first reading. The motion was duly seconded by Mayor Shanes. The motion carried with Mayor Shanes, Councilmember Bertsch, Owen and McGehee voting "for" the motion and Councilmembers Tipton and Pena abstaining. Will Mull, Chief of Police presented information on converting the present firing range to a public firing range. He stated the estimated costs to upgrade the current range would be $25,000 with an estimated annual maintenance cost of $10,000. City Attorney Wally Hatch stated the liability on this would be unlimited and even though the policy covered the City for up to one million dollars, the City would be responsible for any amount over this amount. Councilmember Tipton asked how the City of Amarillo handled the public firing range. Wally Hatch stated their City Attorney had told their council the same thing regarding the liability. They had also prepared releases and waivers for individuals to sign. It was the majority consensus of the Council to pursue the matter. City staff is to develop proposals. 14,5 City of Plainview Minutes February 20, 2003 page 2 of 3 146 Mrs. Regner stated support and opposition to specific legislation is usually made by the Mayor and City Manager with the City not always accepting the recommendation of the Texas Municipal League. She asked the Council if they wanted to continue the same procedures where the City Manager and Mayor would decide what legislative to support or oppose. It was the major consensus of the Council to leave the current procedure as is. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:32 p.m. Belinda Hinojosa City Secretary City of Plainview Minutes February20,2003 Page 3 of 3