HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 1214 minThe Plainview City Council met on December 14, 2004 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 4:30 p.m. on December 10, 2004. Mayor Pro Tem John N.
Bertsch presided. Councilmembers present were: Kelvin Tipton-District 1, Mary Jane
Shanes-District 2, Belinda Pena-District 3, John N. Bertsch-District 4, Ron Trusler-
District 5, Wendell Dunlap-District 6 and Roland Nash-District 7. Mayor John C.
Anderson was absent.
Staff members present were: Greg Ingham-City Manager, John Berry-Director of Public
Works, Wally Hatch-City Attorney, Dale Simpson-Director of Civil Service, Will Mull-
Police Chief, Gary Glass-Fire Chief, Jack Keller-Budget Manager and' Belinda Hinojosa-
City Secretary.
News Media Representative: Richard Orr-Plainview Daily Herald
Guests present: Elder Russell Wise, Emmanuel Church of God in Christ, Glenn Bickel,
Norman Wright, Chad Pernell, Jack Oswald, Ephraim Lorenz, Kalen Riley and Ethan
Barnes
Elder Russell Wise, Emmanuel Church of God in. Christ delivered the invocation.
Ephraim Lorenz, Kalen Riley and Ethan Barnes of Cub Scout Pack 206 led in the
Pledge of Allegiance.
Councilmember Pena moved to adopt the consent calendar. The motion was duly
seconded by Councilmember Trusler and carded by unanimous vote. Items approved
on the consent calendar included approval of the minutes of November 23, 2004 and
December 9, 2004; and granting an excused absence to Mayor John C. Anderson.
The Council approved the following board appointments:
1. Appointment of Rosie Rendon to the Runningwater Draw Retired & Senior
Volunteer Program Community Advisory Group to fill the unexpired term
vacated by Eisa Cooper with said term to expire December 2005
2. Reappointment of Sally Cole, Nicki Logan, Minnie Ruth Rigler, Dr. Dana
West, and Olene Yates to the Runningwater Draw Retired & Senior
Volunteer Program Community Advisory Group with said terms to expire
December 2007
3. Reappointment of Ricky Mason as master electrician representative and Roger
Dowdy as master plumber representative to the Building Trades/Fire Code
Board of Appeals with said terms to expire January 1, 2009.
4. Reappointment of Kenny Brown and Max Browning to the Board of
Adjustment with said terms to expire January 1, 2007
5. Reappointment of Terry Carter, Cel Castillo and Paul Drager to the Planning
and Zoning Commission with said terms to expire on January 1,2007.
6. Appointment of Chris LeFevre as alternate to the Planning and Zoning
Commission with said term to expire on January 1,2007
7. Reappointment of Terry Carter to the Board of Minimum Housing Standards
with said term to expire on January 1, 2007
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City Council Minutes
December 14, 2004
Page 1 of 5
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The Council chose to award a 3% variance to Gardner Chevrolet on the four police
vehicle bids. Gardner Chevrolet's bid was $71,539.12. Other bids received were from
Jack Mords Ford - $82,836.20 and Bayer Chevrolet - $69,480.00 - $71,564.40 with 3%
variance. The Council awarded the pickup truck bid to Bayer Chevrolet in the amount
of $18,784.000. Other bids recei~/ed were as follows: Jack Morris Ford - $23,263.05
and Gardner Chevrolet - $21,665.00. The Council approved upon second reading,
Ordinance No. 04-3437, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 2, Article VIII Division 2, of
the City of Plainview Code of Ordinances to Regulate and Restrict the Height of
Structures and Objects of Natural Growth, and Otherwise Regulating the Use of
Property in the Vicinity of the Hale County Airport By Creating the Appropriate Zones
and Establishing the Boundaries Thereof; Providing for Changes in Restrictions and
Boundaries of Such Zones; Defining Certain Terms Used Herein; Referring to the Hale
County Airport Zoning Map Which is Incorporated in and Made Part of This Ordinance;
Providing For Enforcement; And Imposing Penalties; Cumulativeness Clause; Conflicts
Clause; Severability Clause; And Effective Date.
Greg Ingham, City Manager presented for consideration Resolution R04-142, a
Resolution by the City of Plainview, Texas, authorizing an increase in the amount of
project construction costs in the City's Conjunctive Use Groundwater Supply
Agreement with the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority. He stated;the current
level of Lake Meredith is 64.55 feet. This is coming off of the lake's record Iow of 58.41
feet which was established in June 2004. ,The record high level was 101.85 feet which
was established in April of 1973. When the level of Lake Meredith gets Iow, not only
does it become a supply problem, it becomes a quality issue. At the current levels, the
water coming directly out of Lake Meredith would exceed the secondary water quality
standards for salinity. By mixing the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority's
("CRMWA") existing groundwater with the lake water they have been able to provide not
only an adequate water supply, but also a higher quality water supply.
In the prior two calendar years over 60% of the City of Plainview's water supply came
from the CRMWA. Due to reduced water availability from CRMWA in 2004, only about
50% of the City's water supply has come from CRMWA. The remainder of the City's
water supply is being provided by its ground water supply.
In calendar year 2003 the City of Plainview used 92.36% of its CRMWA water
allocation, or 1,288,518,000 gallons of its 1,395,150,000-gallon allocation. The City of
Plainview's 2004 allocation, like that of CRMWA cities was reduced to 71%, which for
Plainview meant an allocation of 987,576,000 gallons.
As the City maintains and evaluates it existing water wells, we are starting to see some
reductions in pumping capacity. This means that the City will need to drill additional
water wells just to maintain its current pumping capacity levels and will have to further
increase the number of wells drilled if it is necessary to actually increase its ground
water pumping capacity. The City has one new water supply well included in its 2004-
2005 budget.
This proposed project would acquire a minimum of 32,000 acre feet of new water rights
and more if possible and build infrastructure to develop and utilize the additional water
rights - this would include new water wells, supply lines, and any other system
improvements necessary to utilize the new water rights and get the water to the existing
City Council Minutes
December 14, 2004 Page 2 of 5
system. The estimated cost for water rights, development cost and contingencies is
$50,000,000. The estimated cost of financing is $7,000,000 but with the current interest
rate environment it could be significantly less than that if the project moves forward in
the near future. The City of Plainview's portion of the debt issue will be approximately
$1.85 million, which is based on the City's 3.691% participation in the CRMWA.
Preliminary estimates from CRMWA on the cost of increased debt service indicates that
the City's cost of water from CRMWA would increase by approximately six cents in the
first year of the project, an additional five cents in the second year, and another two
cents in the third year just for the City's portion of the debt service payments. This does
not include any additional costs incurred for maintenance and operation.
Mr. Ingham stated the City had some options in terms of how the City pays for the
project. One option would be to reduce reserves, but the City is facing increased
demands in the area of water supply maintenance and new water wells. A second
option would be for the City to go with a 'level' payment schedule rather than having the
new debt wrapped around the existing debt as proposed by the CRMWA - this would
give users the full .13ยข increase immediately and could reduce the City's debt capacity.
The other option would be to participate in the debt issue as proposed by CRMWA and
that is what staff recommended.
Mr. Ingham recommended approval of Resolution R04-142.
Mayor Bertsch asked for public comment. Jack Oswald stated this was a wise decision
and it was a fair and reasonable price.
There was no other public comment.
Councilmember Pena asked how much into the future would the current water rights
cover? Chad Pernell with Canadian River Municipal Water Authority stated that their
goal is to get 50 to 100 years of supply with current water rights. This of course would
depend on development in the area. Goal is to cover 50% of water in the future.
Councilmember Mary Jane Shanes moved to approve Resolution R04-142. The motion
was duly seconded by Councilmember Dunlap and carried by unanimous vote.
Mr. Ingham presented for consideration and to take necessary action to establish Main
Street Coordinating Board and approve the By-Laws. He stated the National Main
Street Program's key to a successful program is having a broad based community
board. This board would oversee the main street program. He advised there is great
potential to consolidate the CVB in with Main Street program.
The Texas Historical Commission states this a good approach to take. A couple of
cities have a board that oversees both functions. He stated both functions would not
immediately be under the board.
Mr. Ingham stated he is asking the Council to approve the by-laws for the Main Street
Coordinating Board and to move forward to hire a Main Street Coordinator. He thanked
the individuals who served on the committee.
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City Council Minutes
December 14, 2004
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Mayor Bertsch asked for public comment. Jack Oswald of Place 21, Westridge Square
of Plainview, Texas asked who would hire the Main Street Coordinator, the board or
council? Mr. Ingham advised that the Main Street Coordinator would report to the City
Manager and that they would provide the staff support for the Main Street Coordinating
Board. He may ask for input from some of the board on the hiring of the Main Street
Coordinator.
Mr. Oswald stated he hoped a job application would be available to anybody in this
community, whether they worked for the City or Chamber. He was advised it would be
an open application process for both local and out of town applicants.
Councilmember Shanes asked if the person would be a full-time employee of the City.
She was advised that this person would be a full-time employee of the City of Plainview.
Councilmember Trusler moved to establish the Main Street Coordinating Board and
approve the By-Laws. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember Tipton and
carried by unanimous vote.
Greg Ingham, City Manager presented for consideration insurance coverage for
airport properties. He stated Hale County handles administration of the airport. They
are increasing the insurance deductible to $25,000. In looking at the list of properties,
they had some properties that fell below that deductible. Since the City is a 50/50
participant, they asked the City what was our thought in what to drop off. Mr. Ingham
stated he met with the operators of the airport and found the following: (a) a tower
which has no real value and could be, dropped off; (b) a storage shed which is 200
square feet which is insured for $22,000 and is currently used for record storage which
could be dropped off; and (c) a hangar insured for $16,000 which everyone felt is
underinsured. He stated it is his recommendation that the City drop the tower and
storage shed and request that the hangar be covered at an adequate amount which
would be determined by the Airport Board working in conjunction with the County's
insurer.
There was no public comment.
Councilmember Dunlap moved to take the necessary action in regards to insurance
coverage for the airport and to take the recommendation from Mr. Ingham. The motion
was duly seconded by Councilmember Tipton and carried by unanimous vote.
Greg Ingham presented for consideration action regarding request from U.S.
Fiberglass to waive platting requirements for water connection for fire service. U.S.
Fiberglass is in the north part of City, just outside the city limits. There is a large city
main running by this property. They would like to connect to this water main for fire
service purposes. They understand there will be connection fees and tie in fees to be
paid, but because it is unplatted property; the Council would need to waive the platting
requirements. It is a 52-acre tract they are not planning on developing at this time, if at
any time any developments are made, the City could then go back and look at the
platting requirements. He stated U;S. Fiberglass is an active employer in the
community.
There was no public comment.
City Council Minutes
December 14, 2004
Page 4 of 5
Councilmember Tipton moved to waive the platting requirements. The motion was duly
seconded by Councilmember Shanes and carried by unanimous vote.
Councilmember Pena moved to go into closed session to deliberate the appointment,
employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline or dismissal of a public officer
or employee, or to hear a complaint or charge against an officer or employee. [Tex.
Gov't. Code Section 551.074]. City Attorney. The motion was duly seconded by
Councilmember Trusler and carried by unanimous vote.
Mayor Bertsch recessed the meeting at 7:29 p.m.
The Council came back into open session at 7:41 p.m.
There was no action taken regarding the City Attorney.
Councilmember Tipton moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was duly seconded
by Councilmember Shanes and carried by unanimous vote.
There being no further business, Mayor Bertsch adjourned the meeting at 7:44 p.m.
Belinda Hinojosa
City Secretary
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City Council Minutes December 14, 2004 Page 5 of 5
