The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About01-27-2015 Council minutesThe Plainview City Council met on January 27, 2015 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 3:25 p.m. on January 23, 2015. Mayor Wendell Dunlap presided. Councilmembers present were: Charles Starnes -District 1, Larry Williams - District 2, Norma Juarez -District 3, Teressa King -District 4, Susan Blackerby-District 5, and Lionel Garcia -District 6. Councilmember Eric Hastey-District 7 was absent. Staff members present were: Jeffrey Snyder -City Manager, Leslie Spear Schmidt -City Attorney, Andrew Freeman -Assistant City Manager, Mike Gilliland -Director of Public Works, Sarianne Beversdorf-Director of Finance, Ken Coughlin -Police Chief, Rusty Powers -Fire Chief, lsauro Gutierrez -Information Technology Specialist and Belinda Hinojosa-City Secretary. News Media Present: Homer Marquez -Plainview Herald Guests Present: Beverly McCaskill, Cody Lindeman, Sandy Lindeman, Herman Lindeman, Nora Ramos, Debbie McPherson, Mike Fox, and Nicolle Crouch Councilmember Lionel Garcia delivered the invocation and led in the pledge of allegiance. Mayor Wendell Dunlap and Rusty Powers, Fire Chief presented a proclamation to Herman Lindeman and Dulaney's in appreciation for their assistance to the Fire Department. Mayor Pro Tem King moved to approve the consent calendar. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember Blackerby and carried by unanimous vote. Items approved on the consent calendar included the granting of an excused absence to Councilmember Eric Hastey; the approval of the minutes of January 13, 2015, and approval of the Financial Reports for the period ending December 31, 2014. Jeffrey Snyder, City Manager presented for consideration the request of Plainview/Hale County Economic Development Corporation to hire a consultant to provide Economic Development Related Services. As part of the Agreement with the EDC, we had a requirement that they collaborate with an independent consultant. They are going to make a request for $25,000. We will work closely with the EDC in completing the objectives. Mike Fox with the Plainview/Hale County Economic Development Corporation stated that a few weeks ago a committee was formed consisting of members from the City Council, the County Commissioners and the EDC. The committee met with three economic development consultants, Jason Grey with JD Grey Group, Mike Barnes with Mike Barnes Group and Gary Lawrence. After meeting with the three it was a consensus to select Gary Lawrence. Mr. Lawrence has a long history of success in the economic development and banking fields. He will continue full time duties at Centennial Bank but has received permission from upper management to assist the EDC. He is asking Council to approve the proposal from Gary Lawrence as the consultant for the EDC. City Council Minutes January 27, 2015 Page 1 of 4 405 406 Mayor Dunlap asked for public comment. There was no public comment. Mayor Pro Tem King moved to authorize Mayor to sign the Addendum to pay $25,000 to EDC to hire an economic development consultant for six months. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember Juarez. Councilmember Starnes stated Mr. Lawrence gave a long list of accomplishments. What do you think might be most important to accomplish? Mr. Fox stated we have discussed those things with him and he has outlined a series of objectives that we will have him focus on: 1. Funding 2. Workforce development — evaluate and document work force quality and skill levels, recruitment and retention 3. Incentive matrix — assist in developing a formula for economic incentives 4. Business park — assist city and county in planning, organizing and building 5. Monitor process 6. Help with documents that will be furnished to prospective industries. Mayor Dunlap asked if he foresaw working on computer site. Mr. Fox stated this is an area where he will get some guidance. Councilmember Starnes stated website could fall under item 6- documents to prospects. An accurate website is a key document. Mayor Pro Tem King thanked Council because on November 11 the Council made true for economic development. Thanks to Mike Fox and Danny Glenn. It is important to let public know that this Council, the EDC and the County are working towards progress and the real winners are the citizens in our community. Councilmember Garcia stated as a Council, we made a commitment not only on November 11th but also before then when we set aside money for the EDC. This is another step in moving forward in achieving our ultimate goal. Investing in a consultant is a step in the right direction. We feel strongly we have the right person directing the EDC. Economic prosperity is a long process and not something we will see in next few days. This is groundwork for whatever is going to be in those years to come. Mr. Fox thanked the Council and stated it takes a team effort to be successful. Mayor Dunlap added that we must be patient with process. The main thing is we are giving best effort. This is going to take more dollars and that has to come from somewhere. We are going to have to make some commitments financially. Mayor asked for a vote on the matter. The motion carried by unanimous vote. Mayor Dunlap presented for consideration on second reading, Ordinance No. 15-3618, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Plainview, Texas Leasing the Real Property at AB 500 Blk JK -2, N40 100x140 Corner Lot, Same Being 501 Denver, Plainview, Texas; Authorizing the Mayor to Sign Said Lease; and Declaring that the Policy Serves a Public Purpose. Since this was the second of two readings, the Council City Council Minutes January 27, 2015 Page 2 of 4 chose to forego staff briefing and asked for public comment. There was no public comment. Councilmember Starnes moved to adopt Ordinance No. 15-3618 on second reading. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember Blackerby and carried by unanimous vote. Ken Coughlin, Police Chief presented for consideration to award bids for five 2015 Police Vehicles. We went out for bids for the 2015 year. We received two bids as follows: 1. Caldwell Country Chevrolet — five 2015 Chevrolet Impalas - $19,545 each for a total of $97,725; and 2. Banclease Acceptance Corp. — five 2015 Ford Taurus - $23,334.77 each for a total of $116,673.85. Staff recommends award of bid to Caldwell Country Chevrolet for a total cost of $97,725. Councilmember Garcia asked if they come equipped or are they transferring from another vehicle. He was advised we will transfer from another vehicle. Councilmember Blackerby asked if any local dealerships participated. She was advised no. Councilmember Starnes stated state price requires high volume which local dealers can't match. He asked how many miles do you get. Chief Coughlin stated about 100,000 miles. Councilmember Starnes asked if we had considered shifting to SUV's. Chief Coughlin stated more departments are migrating to SUVs. With SUV's you can get seven years and you can get about 130,000 to 150,000 miles. They are more dependable. They are built specifically for police work and are safer for officers and citizens. Councilmember Starnes asked if it would be something we would consider for long term transition. Chief Coughlin stated they are about $4,500 higher. Gas price is where you see costs. It is about 400 cheaper to operate bigger vehicle and maintenance is significantly less. Councilmember Garcia asked if it would be possible to transition now. Chief Coughlin stated that we try to stay within budget. Councilmember Garcia asked what if we bought four SUVs now. He did research and found that idle time on vehicles affects vehicle. SUV engines would last longer than these we have now. He also expressed concern about the size of people and getting them in the back seat. Mr. Snyder stated that the Council asked last year to bring discussions into budget workshops. Councilmember Blackerby asked what is the approximate replacement schedule. Chief stated police officers drive them for five years and detectives drive them for 10 years. City Council Minutes January 27, 2015 Page 3 of 4 407 408 Mayor Dunlap asked for public comment. There was no public comment. Councilmember Starnes moved to approve purchase of new Chevy Impalas from Caldwell Country Chevrolet in the amount of $19,545 each for a total of $97,725. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember Juarez and carried by unanimous vote. Mr. Snyder presented for consideration Award of Proposal for the HOME HRA Professional Consultant Services and authorize Mayor to sign the Interlocal Governmental Cooperation Contract for Administrative Services between the City of Plainview and SPAG to administer the Plainview HOME HRA Program. In October, the City renewed the Agreement to participate in the HOME program through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. We have participated in the past. Since we renewed the agreement with the State, we have an administrative agreement to review. We went out for proposals and staff recommends approval of agreement with the South Plains Association of Governments. We have been working on this since 2012. It is a very competitive program. Four homes were funded through the process. The homes that were awarded are 705 Cedar, 1809 Houston, 915 Fir and 600 W. 21St Street. Mayor Dunlap asked for public comment. There was no public comment. Councilmember Williams moved to authorize Mayor to sign the Interlocal Governmental Cooperation Contract for Administrative Services between the City of Plainview and SPAG to administer the Plainview HOME HRA Program. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember Starnes and carried by unanimous vote. There being no further business, Mayor Dunlap adjourned the meeting at 7:38 p.m. Belinda Hinoj City Secretary City Council Minutes January 27, 2015 Page 4 of 4