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The City Council met on May 8, 2003 at 11:30 a.m. atthe 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 May 5, 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, Buddyl 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:
and Norman Wright
Mayor Elect John Anderson, Kent Satterwhite, Glenn Bickel
News Media Representative: Richard Orr-Plainview Daily Herald
Councilmember Kelvin Tipton delivered the Invocation.
The Council and staff reviewed the agenda for the City Council meeting of May 13,
2003.
Kent Satterwhite, Director of the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority
introduced the City of Plainview Board Members, Glenn Bickel and Norman Wright. Mr.
Satterwhite stated thero are water rights currently available for sale in Roberts County.
The projected cost to the City of Plainview for the proposed purchase would be
$177,000 annually. He stated he is interested in purchasing 170,000 to 200,000 acres.
All of the member cities he has visited have agreed to pursue the purchase of
additional water rights. It was the consensus of the City Council that the Authority
look into the purchase of additional water rights.
Elizabeth Regner, Assistant City Manager presented the mid-year financial report.
She stated the General Fund has a forecasted fiscal year end deficit of $210,880.00.
The finance department has proposed a contingency plan to help deal with the deficit.
The proposed contingency plan would include the following:
1)
Postpone capital improvements such as the park building
($108,000) and downtown curb and gutter ($21,196);
2) Evaluate vacant employee positions ($31,012)
3) Enhance revenues- EMS, Municipal Court, Service Center
4) More realistic budgeting
She advised there were other steps that could be taken if necessary such as freeze
business and education expenses, freeze hiring of seasonal help, freeze step' r~ises,
increase user fees, reduce/eliminate services, and freeze on hiring/layoffs/wage
reduction.
City of Plainview Minutes
May 8, 2003 Page 1 of 2
'Mrs. Regner stated the Solid Waste Fund has a forecasted fiscal year end balance of
$22,900 due to the enhancement of revenues (20% increase in user fees), elimination
of one full time position and construction costs of new cell were $45,000 less than
anticipated.
The Water and Sewer Fund has a forecasted fiscal year end deficit of $603,813. She
gave as reasons for the deficit: water production costs are higher than water sales and
raw water costs have dramatically increased. The finance department proposes a water
rate increase of $1.35 per 1,000 gallons for the first 25,000 gallons and $1.50 per 1,000
gallons for any amount over 25,000 gallons with the $8.25 minimum charge remaining
the same. This would generate an additional $632,771 in income. The City of
Plainview offers the lowest rates compared to other cities in the Canadian River
Municipal Water Authority.
City Manager Jim Jeffers presented wording for a proposed Water Conservation
Ordinance, it states "It shall hereby be declared to be unlawful for any person,
corporation, or association, whether residential, governmental, commercial or industrial,
to intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, negligently or wantonly, permit or allow any
sprinkler, sprinkler system or any other water device, including, but not limited to, those
used to wash motor vehicles, to emit water so as to allow such water to run in streets,
alleys, curbs or gutters." The majority of the Council agreed such was not necessary.
The Council discussed street solicitation. Chief Mull stated the street solicitors have a
legal right to be there and cannot be singled out. The group currently soliciting funds
has permission from the Attorney General's office. Christopher, a student observing the
meeting, stated the Council should look into making it mandatory that solicitors wear
safety vests. Councilmember Bertsch recommended City staff look into that possibility.
The Council discussed green waste prohibition of placement in city refuse receptacles
and landfill. Mr. Jeffers suggested that all commercial lawn services be required to
register with the City and be required to use the green boxes. The majority of the
Council agreed such would be difficult to enforce. Councilmembers McGehee and
Bertsch were in favor of the requirement, with Councilmembers Shanes, Owen, Pena,
Favila and Tipton against. The Council agreed to table the issue.
City Manager Jim Jeffers presented Resolution R03-120, a Resolution of the City
Council of the City Of Plainview, Texas canvassing the special election held on May
3, 2003 and declaring the results for the election of a mayor. 1,169 votes were cast
with John C. Anderson receiving 908 votes and Blake "Gunny" Villanueva receiving 261
votes.
Councilmember Shanes moved to approve Resolution R03-120. The motion was duly
seconded by Councilmember Favila and carried by unanimous vote.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:05 p.m.
Belinda Hinojosa
City Secretary
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City of Plainview Mi nutes May 8, 2003 Page 2 of 2