HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 0417 min162
The City Council met on April 17,-'2003 at 1'1:30 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 April 14, 2003. Mayor Mary Jane Shanes presided.
Councilmembers present were: Kelvin Tipton-District 1, Belinda Pena-District 3, John
1'4. Bertsch-District 4, Ross Owen-District 5, Buddy McGehee-District 6 and
Councilmember Irene Favila-District 7.
Staff members present were: Jim Jeffers-City Manager, Dale Simpson-Director of Civil
Service, Brice Clements-Assistant Director of Public Works/Engineer, Will Mull-Police
Chief, Jack Keller-Budget Manager, Wally Hatch-City Attorney, John Castro-Director of
Community Services, John Berry-Director of Public Works, Del Essary-Landfill
Superintendent, Jason Thompson-Main Street Coordinator, and Belinda Hinojosa-City
Secretary.
Guests present were: John Anderson, Ron Trusler, Brian Thomas, Jim Ferrell,
Rollie Hyde and Larry Burnside
News Media Representative: Richard Orr-Plainview Daily' Herald
John Castro, Director of Community Development delivered the Invocation.
The Council and staff reviewed the agenda for the City Council meeting of April 22,
2003.
Since the City's representatives to the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority could
not be' present, the matter concerning the Canadian River Municipal Water
Authority's potential purchase of additional water rights has been deferred to the
May 8, 2003 Council meeting.
Brian Thomas presented the Convention and Visitor's Bureau quarterly report. He
stated they are working on the new website to make it more user friendly, bids for a
permanent sign on the Interstate, new slogan for the City, and a wine symposium.
Councilmember McGehee asked how the CVB was functioning. Mr. Thomas stated out
of the 36 members, 27 or 28 are attending.
Councilmember Bertsch asked what was being done to reach out to the TDCJ training
academy attendees. Brian Thomas stated that Chris Gregg, CVB Chairman was
working on a packet with coupons from some of the local businesses.
Upon questioning from Jim Jeffers, City Manager, Brian Thomas provided the following
responses to the following questions:
Status of CVB Audit? - Board awarded bid to Coleman Williams. It will be
at least May before he can begin work and should have by June 1,2003.
Where do you get numbers on visitors? - Use hotel nights; don't know of
any other way to track.
City of Plainview Minutes
April 17, 2003 Page 1 of 3
1.63
Regarding expenditures, do you understand cannot exceed without
council aUthorization? Such is understood.
CVB minutes state discussion was had on possibility of a new convention
center. Such was brainstorming session and is not necessarily serious.
Status of 3-year strategic plan - Has not fine-tuned, should have within
one to one and one-half weeks.
What are you doing to recruit conventions? - Networking with other
CVB's, looking at one magazine entitled Southeast Trade Association
Magazine which covers southern cities.
Mr. Jeffers stated regarding the optimist league, advertising dollars were spent in town,
dollars shOuld be spent out of town attracting out of toWn. Mr. Thomas said this matter
would be addressed and State law would be complied with.
It was noted by Mr. Jeffers that salaries for support by the Chamber of Commerce were
ahead of schedule. Mr. Ferrell was informed expenditures could not exceed the
budgeted amount without Council authorization. Mr. Ferrell stated he understood.
Jack Keller, Budget Manager presented the Quarterly Investment Report for the
quarter ending March 31, 2003. The beginning book value Was $18,367,030 and the
ending book value was $17,471,194. Interest earned for this period was $145,753.
Jim Jeffers brought up the subject of the chamber building lease. The City Attorney
has drafted a lease agreement for a 30-year term, which requires the Chamber to
promote convention/tourism, promote quality of life, and promote retail. The Contract
allows the City to spend monies on the building, requires liability insurance, building
insurance and worker's comp. insurance. It gives the City preemptive rights and it
allows the meeting room to be available to the public for a fee. City staff is asking for
guidance from the Council as what the Council wants in the lease.
Councilmember Owen stated worker's comp. insurance is not mandatory and such
should not be included in the Contract. He felt the Chamber should be responsible for
liability insurance, but that the City should continue to pay the building insurance as in
the past.
Councilmember McGehee stated the part regarding the meeting room being available to
the public for a fee should be omitted and it should be left up to the chamber whether a
fee is charged or not.
The Council felt the part about promoting retail and quality of life was pretty broad.
Councilmember Tipton suggested that maybe it should state the Chamber should be
open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday with someone available to
answer phones, etc.
City Manager Jim Jeffers stated City staff would take the Council's wishes into
consideration and rework the lease.
City of Plainview Minutes April 17, 2003 page 2 of 3
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Mr. Jeffers discussed green waste prohibition placement in city refuse receptacles
and landfill. He stated other cities have curbside pickup and are able to enforce such
an ordinance. Such would be difficult here since several residences share waste
receptacles. He stated however if the City had an ordinance banning yard waste in the
waste receptacles, then the City would be eligible for reimbursement of some state fees.
Councilmember McGehee stated if such an ordinance existed it would make people
aware and they would comply. He stated in order to receive monies from the state, an
ordinance would have to be in place, and would not necessarily have to enforce.
Councilmember Oweh stated that there is already a lot that is unenforceable and felt
such would be defrauding the government.
Councilmember Shanes felt education was the biggest tool.
Councilmember Tipton was advised the savings would be approximately $2,000 per
year if such an ordinance were in place.
With the exception of Councilmember Owen, the Councilmembers agreed City staff
should look into possibly proposing some type of commercial yard waste ban.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:09 p.m.
Belinda Hinojosa
City Secretary
City of Plainview Minutes
April 17, 2003 Page 3 of 3