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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 0225 minThe Plainview City Council met on February 25, 2003 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 11:00 a.m. on February 19, 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, Buddy McGehee-District 6 and Irene Favila-District 7. Mayor Lloyd C. Woods was absent. Staff members present were: James P. Jeffers-City Manager, Dale Simpson-Civil Service Director, Wally Hatch-City Attorney, Will Mull-Police Chief, Gary Glass-Fire Chief, John Berry-Director of Public Works, John Castro-Director of Community Services, Dennis Harkins-Police Captain, and Belinda Hinojosa-City Secretary. News Media Representative: Richard Orr-Plainview Daily Herald Guests present were: Dwain Dodson, Norbert Bublis, Rollie HYde, Grady L. Elder, Jr., Jim MOck, Jay Laird, Jeane Browning, Diane Dowdy, Tom Adamson, John Browning and Roger Dowdy Councilmember Tipton delivered th'e invocation. Mayor Shanes led in the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilmember Favila moved to adopt the consent calendar. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember Bertsch and carried by unanimous vote. Items approved on the Consent Calendar included: approval of the minutes of February 11, 2003 and February 20, 2003; receipt of departmental reports; approval of expenditures and the granting of an excused absence to Mayor Woods. The Council awarded the bid on the emergency response (bio-terrorism) vehicle to Shamrock Chevrolet of Lubbock in the amount of $31,152. Shamrock Chevrolet was the lowest bidder. Other bids received were: Philpott Ford, Nederland, Texas - $32,281 and Gardner Chevrolet, Plainview, Texas - $33,886. The amount budgeted for this vehicle is $46,600 less the estimated cost of the conversion package and radios ($15,000) for a total of $31,600. The Council awarded the conventional cab and chassis truck bids to Lubbock Truck Sales in the amount of $46,450. Lubbock Truck Sales was the lowest bidder. Other bids received were from the following: Metro Ford -$46,500, Amarillo Truck - $49,215, Marshall Ford - $50,658, Bartlett Motors - $50,877, Shamrock Chevrolet - $51,341, West Texas Peterbuilt - $55,345, Bruckners - $55,465 and Roberts Truck Center - $56,178. The amount budgeted for this was $50,000. Since no bids were received on the mosquito spraying contract, the Council chose to rewrite the bids to allow for a guarantee based on the bid price. The Council approved upon second reading Ordinance No. 03-3368, an Ordinance Of The City Of Plainview Amending Ordinance No. 02-3350 To Appropriate Funds In The Hotel/Motel Room Occupancy Fund In The 2002- 2003 Budget To Increase Estimated Hotel Tax Revenue To Equal Approved Convention And Visitors Bureau Budget ("CVB,); To Increase Special Projects Account For Main Street Strategic Plan; To Increase Expenditures For CVB Pass Thru Monies And Projected CVB Allocations; Cumulativeness Clause; Severability Clause; Conflicts Clause; and Effective Date. The Council approved upon second reading Ordinance No. 03-3369, an Ordinance of the City of Plainview providing for changing the name of a portion of Purcell Drive from Columbia to Hutcherson Air Service to Hutcherson Drive, Cumulativeness Clause; Severability Clause; Conflicts Clause; and Effective Date. The Council approved upon second reading Ordinance No. 03-3367, an Ordinance i4 ? City of Plainview Minutes February 25, 2003 Page I of 4 148 Amending the Zoning Map of the City of Plainview By Issuance of a Specific Use Permit To Operate a Mausoleum in an Agricultural (A) Zoning District Said Parcel Being a Tract of Land 0.39 Acres Located in the SE Part of the WI2 of Section 40, Block JK-2; Cumulativeness Clause; Conflicts Clause; Severability Clause;And Effective Date, The Council approved the signing of the Softball Field Lease Agreement between the YMCA and City of Plainview. The agreement would be the same as in the past and would be for three years. The Council approved upon first reading Ordinance No. 03-3371, an Ordinance of the City of Plainview Amending Ordinance No. 02-3350 To Appropriate Funds From The Replacement Fund To Purchase Computer Equipment; Cumulativeness Clause; Conflicts Clause; Severability Clause; Effective Date. This would be for the purchase of computer equipment using monies from the equipment replacement fund. Donald Pace and Michael Hartman gave a brief presentation on Merritt Housing. Mr. Pace stated Phase one would include the construction of 64 single-family homes. There would be 24 four-bedroom homes and 40 three-bedroom homes. Funding for the project would be through the Texas Department of Housing tax credit program. Tenants after two years would be able to use a portion of their rents for the purchase of a home should they wish to do so. The property would have a clubhouse and a community room that would include a computer lab for the kids. He stated that Hunt Management would provide the financial. They are a for profit corporation and would always pay property tax on their property. Mayor Shanes asked for public comment. Norbert Bublis with Bublis Enterprise, Jeane Browning of 708 Lexington, Dwain Dodson of 1108 Zephyr, Jay Laird of 1510 W. 10th, Diane Dowdy of 101 Aileen, Tom Adamson of 415 Mesa Circle, John Browning of 1810 W 18th and Roger Dowdy of 101 Aileen all asked the Council to deny the request from Merritt Housing for the letters of support. There was no further public comment. Mayor Shanes asked for questions from the Council. Councilmember Tipton stated he needed something in writing stating Merritt Housing would not ask for the CHOTA exemption. He also did not understand why Lubbock lumberyards could not be used. Mr. Michael Hartman stated the application submitted to the Texas Department of Housing would not ask for the CHOTA exemption. He stated it would take longer than a day to put together in writing an agreement that Merritt would continue to pay property taxes, but such could be furnished. Mr. Donald Pace stated the lumber for the Lubbock project was ordered in such a huge dollar volume that none of the local companies had the credit to purchase. They did however purchase other material such as plyWood locally in the Lubbock project. He stated a percentage of the work would be performed by local contractors. Councilmember Pena asked about the background checks on the tenants. Mr. Pace stated they perform a criminal check, credit check, 10-year employment check, and a 10- year rental check. Individuals can have one misdemeanor charge on their record, but are not allowed to have any felonies. Councilmember Pena also asked about use of the clubhouse. The size of the clubhouse in Lubbock is 5000 square feet and tenants have full use and may reserve for special occasions. City of Plainview Minutes February 25, 2003 Page 2 of 4 Councilmember Bertsch asked if the hOuses would haVe garages. The garages would be a 1-~ car garage and the houses would be all brick. The project could be started right after the notification of award and would take about ten months with the first house being available for rent in seven to eight months. The three bedroom houses would be 1250 square feet and 240 square feet for the garage. The four bedroom houses would be 1375 square feet and 240 square feet for the garage. Councilmember Bertsch asked Jeane Browning how could he say no to the project? Mr. Browning stated there are several existing homes that are available for sale and there are several houses for rent in Plainview. Councilmember Owen stated he'd looked at the project in Lubbock and said it was a great project, but he did not feel the City should be involved in housing. Mr. Hartman confirmed that all renters Would have to an income of $25,000 or less based on the current median income. Councilmember McGehee asked about landscaping, Mr. Hartman stated they have an award for lawn of the month and would have an irrigation meter. Councilmember Favila asked what percentage of the 64 homes would be available for Section 8 HUD vouchers. Mr. Pace stated none are dedicated; however they must accept vouchers because it is illegal under the Fair Housing Act to refuse. Councilmember Favila applauded them for wanting to come to the City. Their project would hire local people to do local construction. She stated Plainview seems to only attract industry that pays Iow wages and for that reason we need affordable housing. Mayor Shanes asked if the tax credits woUld still be given to someone else, if Plainview chose not to present the letter of recommendation. She was told that all tax credits wOuld be given out to someone in the region, regardless of whether Plainview authorized the letter or not. Merritt is requesting from the City of Plainview the following: (1) letter stating in conformanCe with comprehensive plan; (2) letter of support from Council; and (2) zoning letter. Councilmember Tipton asked Grady Elder whether any industry has decided not to come to Plainview because of the lack of affordable housing. Mr. Elder stated such had not been an issue. CounCilmember Favila called for the question. Motion failed for lack of second. Councilmember Favila moved Merritt Housing be given a letter of support for the project with a statement stating that Merritt will pay property taxes. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember Pena. The motion failed with Mayor Shanes, Councilmember Pena and Favila voting "for" the motion and Councilmembers Tipton, Bertsch, Owen and McGehee voting "against." Jim JefferS, City Manager stated Councilmembers Tipton and Pena have declared a conflict of interest on the matter concerning the enterprise zone. Mr. Jeffers presented for second reading Ordinance No. 03-3370, an Ordinance of the City of Plainview, 149 CitY of Plainview Minutes February 25, 2003 Page 3 of 4 15.0 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 Act once designated by Texas Economic Development. Mayor Shanes asked for public comment. Grady Elder from the Industrial Foundation stated he recommended approval of the enterprise zone and said it was valuable for the community. John Browning asked if the area could be expanded to include some of the other small private industry. He was informed by Mr. Elder that this is the only area that qualified for the zone. Mr. Elder expressed appreciation to John Castro and stated the enterprise zone did not just benefit Excel, but other areas. Councilmember Bertsch moved that Ordinance No. 03-3370 be approved upon second reading. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember Owen and carried unanimously with Councilmembers Tipton and Pena abstaining. Mr. Jeffers presented Resolution R03-117, a Resolution of the City of Plainview nominating Excel Corporation for the Enterprise Project Designation. He stated Councilmember Tipton and Pena have declared a conflict of interest and would refrain from discussion and vote on the matter. There was no public comment. Councilmember Owen moved to adopt Resolution 03-117. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember McGehee and carried unanimously with Councilmember Tipton and Pena abstaining. Police Chief Will Mull and Police Captain Dennis Harkins presented the Racial Profiling Report. Councilmember Owen moved the meeting be adjourned. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember Tipton and carried by unanimous vote. There being no further business, Mayor Shanes adjourned the meeting at 8:57 p.m. Belinda Hinojosa City Secretary City of Plainview Minutes February 25, 2003 Page 4 of 4