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HomeMy WebLinkAbout99 0923 min MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION September 23, 1999 The Plainview City Council met on Thursday, September 23, 1999, at 11:30 a.m. at the Plainview Convention Center. Notice of this meeting was posted in City Hall on September 20, 1999, at 11:00 a.m. Mayor Woods presided. Councilmembers present were: Sam Parker- Precinct 1, Mary Jane Shanes-Precinct 2, Mike Hutcherson-Precinct 4, Ross Owen-Precinct 5, Bobby McGehee-Precinct 6 and Irene Favila-Precinct 7. Councilmember Rey Rosas-Precinct 3 was absent. Staff present: Jim Jeffers-City Manager, Dale Simpson-Civil Service Directors, John Castro- Community Services Director, John Berry-Public Works Director, Will Mull-Police Chief, Norman Huggins-Finance Director, Wally Hatch-City Attorney, and Karen McBeth-city secretary. Guests present were: Pete Strom-TCA Cable TV, Denzil McMillan and Kevin Carter-Optimists Club, and Nikki McCarthy-Plainview Humane Society. News media present: Richard Orr-Plainview Daily Herald. Mayor Woods called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m. Following the invocation, City Manager Jim Jeffers introduced Nikki McCarthy, who in turn introduced her husband Mike. Mrs. McCarthy is Treasurer of the Plainview Humane Society and she told the Council the Society is broke and as of September 3re, the Society let all their paid employees go. The Society is working a restricted work schedule with volunteers. How the Society will handle animal adoptions is still being worked out. City animal control officers have taken over cleaning the kennels and the City may hire a part-time or a full-time person to take over cleaning the kennels and other duties. Mr. Jeffers said this would enable the City to expand the on-call schedule and keep the shelter open during regular business hours. A part time person hired for 20 hours per week would cost $8,216; a 32 hour per week person would cost $13,146; and a full-time 40 hour per week person would cost $16,432 in wages, $4,273 in fringe benefits and $250 in uniforms. Mrs. McCarthy said the main thing the Humane Society would continue with is re-uniting animals with their owners and letting the public adopt animals. On a contract/agreement basis the City has paid the Humane Society $10,000 a year, and in turn the Humane Society keeps the office open, answers the phone, collects fees, takes in animals, arranges adoptions, cleans the shelters, and waits on the public. Mrs. McCarthy said the Humane Society is most willing to coordinate services with the City and accept the guidance of the City. She said Humane Society volunteers could possibly be at the Animal Shelter on Friday and/or Saturday. She said there is an answering machine on the telephone and she monitors it daily. City Manager Jeffers recommended the City hire an individual, for 20 hours per week to keep the shelter clean. This could be done for approximately the same amount City was giving the Humane Society. Councilmember McGehee said this seemed the best approach and it would minimize the City's involvement with the "adoption" process. Councilmember Parker stated he saw no reason a part- time person would not work out, especially if some "community service" individuals could be used occasionally. Mayor Woods said he agreed with the City Manager's recommendation of a Worksession Minutes 99 0923 Page 1 of 3 part-time employee. Councilmember Owen said this would define the "accountability" roles. Mr. Jeffers recommended the animal adoption process remain withthe Humane Society. The consensus was to hire a 20-hour a week part-time employee of the City to work at the Animal Shelter and keep the adoption process with the Humane Society. Review September 28, 1999 City Council Agenda. The Council reviewed the agenda for the Tuesday, September 28th meeting and the only item discussed was the re-naming of Jaycee Park to Bulldog Park. The Parks Advisory Commission recommended per the request of the Optimist Club, the name change. City Council Reports. Councilmember McGehee attended the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority board meeting and it was decided to increase the allotment of water to member cities to 100%. This will help save the underground water supply for cities. Mr. McGehee said he would like for the City to receive in excess the amount the City sells Excel. Mr. John Castro reported the meeting with the Lopez's regarding the E. 70-sewer project went well, although no minds were changed. The property owners said they were concerned with property easements and although they understood the process, they disagreed with it. Review of draft policy on funding Social Programs. Mr. Jeffers told the Council the City has funded Crimestoppers, Senior Citizens Center, Humane Society, Literacy Program, Parents Place, Chamber of Commerce Convention & Tourism, Industrial Foundation for Economic Development, S.A.F.E., YMCA, and the Fair Theatre. The majority view was to have a process by which all requests are considered during the budget process. An amended draft will be available prior to the next work session. Report on EPA wastewater treatment plant inspection. Representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency inspected the wastewater treatment plant and lab last week. The comments were favorable. There were three "violations" regarding the lab, which were considered minor. One "violation" is the construction of a bermed pond area in which the water from the de- watering box is deposited until a more permanent arrangement is completed. The water in this "pond" is evaporating. Mr. Jeffers said he is optimistic about the City coming off the Administrative Order. Consider Community Room plans for Seventh Street Park. Dale Simpson displayed sketches of the proposed Community Room as prepared by L. James Robison, Architect. Mr. Robison was told the City only had $98,000 to spend on this project and yet his plan would cost $190,000. The architect is retiring and is not in town much. The Council agreed to look at a proposal for a building to be planned "in-house." There were no objections to canceling the contract with the architect. The possibility of the Lions Club contributing money to this project was discussed, and the Council agreed to consider the proposal. Review of IIB 1777 (telecommunications) and the impact it will have on the City of Plainview. Mr. Hatch said HB 1777 will create a flat amount paid to each city as opposed to an amount based on a percentage of gross receipts. The flat amount will based on an historical dollar figure rather than future receipts. Plainview would be guaranteed what was received in 1998. Worksession Minutes 99 0923 Page 2 of 3 Mayor Woods adjourned the meeting at 1:25 p.m. Passed and approved on October 12, 1999. Karen McBeth, City Secretary Worksession Minutes 99 0923 Page 3 of 3