HomeMy WebLinkAbout94 0818 min MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
August 18, 1994
The City Council of the City of Plainview met in a Work Session on Tuesday, August 18, 1994, at
City Hall, 901 Broadway, Plainview, Texas. Mayor Woods called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m.
Councilmembers present were: Alton Jackson Sr.- Precinct 1, Mary Virginia Kirchhoff - Precinct 2,
Rey Rosas - Precinct 3, Dwain Dodson - Precinct 6, and Irene Favila - Precinct 7. Absent were
Councilmembers Mike Hutcherson - Precinct 4 and Barbara Dorman - Precinct 5.
Staff present were: James P. Jeffers - City Manager; John Berry - Assistant Director of Public
Works; Roy L. Osborne - Director of Public Safety; Wally Hatch - City Attorney; Muff London -
Director for Community Development; Norman Huggins - Director of Finance; Bruce Watson - Fire
Chief; and Karen McBeth - City Secretary.
Guests present were: Whit Hunt, Paul Lyle and Randy Ballinger, members of the Board of
Adjustment.
News media present were: Cathy Frye - Lubbock Avalanche Journal and Richard Orr - Plainview
Daily Herald.
THIS IS A WORK SESSION AND NO ACTION CAN BE TAKEN
The City Council reviewed the agenda for the upcoming meeting of August 23, 1994. The Council
studied the topics of today's meeting.
There were no Liaison reports.
CITY MANAGER REPORTS:
Board of Adjustment - Muff London, Director for Community Development, introduced Randy
Ballinger, Chairman of the Board of Adjustment. Mr. Ballinger explained that one of the most
important boards serving the city is the Board of Adjustment. When someone wants to build
something, or build onto and/or change an existing structure, which does not specifically meet all
criteria of the zoning ordinance, they must ask for a variance from the Board of Adjustment. The
Code of Ordinances states quite clearly that the request for a variance must be based on a
"hardship," a true hardship. It has become habitual for people wanting to build a carport or
accessory building to ask the Board of Adjustment for a variance and expect it to be granted
automatically. Mr. Ballinger stated he did not believe this Board was meant to be a "rubber stamp"
group for anyone wanting to do something against the Zoning Ordinance. Whit Hunt, another
member of the Board of Adjustment stated the reason they were here today was to request some
direction from the Council so as to ascertain how strictly, or how leniently, the Council wanted the
Board of Adjustment to enforce the Zoning Ordinances. He invited all the council to attend the Board
of Adjustment meetings so they can understand the dilemma they face and thereby offer some
definitive guidelines. He stated the written rules are quite specific. Mr. Hunt asked the Council how
closely they wished the Board to follow the written ordinances and how tight the hardship rules
should be interpreted. He told the Council the most frequent request they receive is for a variance
to erect a carport. The Council expressed intent to attend Board of Adjustment meetings to better
understand these specific problems and to determine if any changes in city ordinances are needed,
Cable TV - Mr. Jeffers told the Council he was still in need of any additions, changes or deletions
they wish addressed to the Cable TV representatives during the upcoming cable television
refranchising negotiations. City Attorney Wally Hatch reported the new rates may be lower for the
first tier of programs available to viewers. The Council expressed an interest in seeing the blacked
out channels filled with programs.
Southwestern Bell Telephone Company - SWBT has raised their access rate. Mr. Hatch
reported this was done without asking the Public Utilities Commission. He said Plainview was joining
a group protesting this rate raise. Mr. Hatch said if anyone from SWBT contacts any of the Council,
it would be wise to refer them to the city attorney.
Texas' Department of Transportation - Muff London, Director for Community Development,
attended a recent public hearing in Plainview held by the TDOT. She reported the bids would be
let for Quincy Street repaying soon; signals lights for 1-27 and Olton Road, and some ADA
requirements are the only things the TDOT plans to do within the city for the next year. The
remainder of their budget will be spent in the county. She reported the TDOT stated they would only
"look" at the SW 3rd project. Merlin Bennett, of TDOT, told Mrs. London more documentation was
needed on the amount of use this street would get.
EMS Insurance - Bruce Watson, Fire Chief, reported that Methodist Hospital has been paying the
indemnity insurance for Dr. Loggins but Administrator Don Shouse has informed the EMS they will
no longer do so. The City can pay for this coverage or ask help from the County, State, or other
health groups for assistance.
Federal Immigration Litigation · Texas Attorney General Dan MOrales - Mr. Jeffers stated the
city had the option to support Mr. Morales lawsuit regarding the Federal Government's mandate that
the city support, educate and provide medical services to illegal aliens. They could wait until more
information was available. The Council expressed no opinion in remaining a part of the suit.
Fire - County - Councilmember Dwain Dodson asked the Mayor to appoint him to chair a committee
to work on Fire and EMS relations with Hale County. He will report back to the council when the
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they meet in Work Session. The Mayor made the appointment.
Mayor Woods adjourned the meeting at 1:05 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED on the /~ day of September, 1994
ATTEST:
Lloyd C. Woods, Mayor
Karen McBeth, City Secretary
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