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HomeMy WebLinkAbout99 0805 min MINUTES PLAINVIEW CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION August 5, 1999 The Plainview City Council met in a Worksession at 11:30 a.m. at the Plainview Convention Center with Mayor Lloyd C. Woods presiding. Councilmembers present were: Ross Owen- Precinct 5, Bobby McGehee-Precinct 6, and Irene Favila-Precinct 7. Councilmembers absent were: Sam Parker-Precinct 1, Mary Jane Shanes-Precinct 2, Rey Rosas-Precinct 3 and Mike Hutcherson-Precinct 4. There was not a quorum present, so no action was taken. Staff members present were: Jim Jeffers-City Manager, Sean Lanier-Assistant Director of Public Works, Cynthia Williams-Waste Water Treatment Plant Superintendent, John Berry-Director of Public Works, John Castro-Director of Community Services, Dale Simpson-Director of Civil Service, Will Mull-Police Chief, Wally Hatch-City Attorney, and Karen McBeth-city secretary. News media present: Richard Orr-Plainview Daily Herald. Guests present: Helen Fields-Executive Director of the Hale County Senior Citizens and Dr. Tom Longnecker-Board member and Trustee of the Hale County Senior Citizens. OPEN MEETING 1. Invocation was given by Councilmember McGehee. Review agenda for Council Meeting of August 10, 1999. Items on the August 10, 1999 agenda that were discussed were: g) Consider an agreement for the use of the Softball Complex in Running Water Draw Regional Park by the Plainview Independent SChool District. Mr. Jeffers said the agreement was almost identical to the baseball agreement with PISD except it was for the women's softball teams. They will be using only one of the fields. 5. Consider a request from the Hale CountY Senior Citizens Association for funding. Mrs. Helen Fields, Executive Director of the Hale County Senior Citizens Association, introduced Tom Longnecker, Board Member and Trustee of the Hale County Senior Citizens Association. Mrs. Fields said the Center is located on City property. The association is organized for, and run by, seniors in the community. In 1995 the association asked the Council for $60,000 (in decreasing increments over a six year period) so they could forego federal and state government funding. Combined with their money this would enable them to spend less time on reporting and red tape and more time and money spent on senior programs and menu selection. When the association severed ties with the Texas Department on Aging they were able to cut out one full-time staff person. Mrs. Fields said they hoped they would not have to ask for more funding from the City, but utilities, wages, food, and insurance have all gone up. Mrs. Fields Said the association is asking the City for $10,000 a year, for the next five years. The Center serves well balanced, nutritious meals every day (Monday thru Friday) for $3.50 a day. 99 0805 WorkseSsion Minutes Page 1 of 3 Last year they served 1,215 meals to seniors. Many meals are carried to individuals who are unable to come to the center. Mrs. Fields said they receive about $20,000 from the United Way, about $5,000 from Hale County, and $30,000 from income from trust funds and annuities. Dr. Tom Longnecker told the Council the Senior Center has three trust funds given by John McKallip, which the association can spend the income from, but never the principal. Another memorial given by the Allen family allows the income to be used also. Councilmember Owen asked how many people from Plainview use the Center, and how many from surrounding areas? Mrs. Fields said 90% of the people who use the Center are from Plainview and the remaining 10% are from outside the city. 3. City Council Reports - There were none. 4. Purchasing - 3% local bid preference. Mr. Jeffers told the Council the Legislature passed a bill which allows a city to give bid preference to a local bidder so long as the locale is their principal place of business and the bid difference is no more than 3%. The city may go with the local bidder. This is for real and personal property bids. 5. Review of Hale County Fire Con tract. The present contract with Hale County ends December 31, 1999. Mr. Jeffers recommended renewing the contract with no changes. Mr. Jeffers spoke with Judge Hollars and the Judge suggested it might be a two year contract. The contract says it can be cancelled by either party with 60 days written notice. There were no objections. 6. Review of Energas Franchise Agreement. Mr. Jeffers said Councilmember Favila has signed a declaration of Conflict of Interest regarding any discussion or dealings with Energas. He said Energas has filed a rate increase. The last rate increase was over two years ago. At that time the City joined a coalition of cities who came back with a counter proposal. The rate case will be suspended until such time an agreement is reached or it goes to the Railroad Commission. Mr. Jeffers said the coalition will meet soon and hire a consultant to study the rate issue and make recommendations. The franchise agreement with Energas expires in the 2007. The franchise agreement allows Energas the use of city right-of- way for a fee. The city may charge up to 5%. 7. Review of Plainview/Hale County Industrial Foundation agreement for economic development services. The present agreement expires December 31, 1999, and says the City will pay $25,000 per year for industrial growth services. No one expressed any objections. 8. Review of water system improvements. 99 0805 Worksession Minutes Page 2 of 3 The City will replace 170,000 linear feet of existing 2-inch water line with 4-inch PVC water line at $20.60 per linear foot. The total cost will be $3,500,000 and it is anticipated this project will be spread over two fiscal years. This estimate was provided by Enprotec. The water treatment plant improvements will include renovating sand filters ($220,000), new controls ($181,500), replacement of filter valves and actuators ($163,500), covers for filters/clarifiers ($103,000), renovate chemical storage ($68,950), renovate backwash basin ($15,000), renovate clarifier mechanism ($507,500) standby generator ($343,000) and miscellaneous ($108,750), for a total of $1,745,100. In addition to the improvements at the plant itself, there is transmission pipeline(S824,100), booster pump improvement ($150,400) and miscellaneous improvement costs ($37,500), for a total of $1,012,000. The estimate was provided by Parkhill, Smith and Cooper. 9. Discuss social program funding. At one time the City did not fund or subsidize any social programs. At the present time, some funding is done on a case-by-case basis. Mr. Jeffers asked the Council if the city should continue on these terms or is it time to develop a written policy which would determine how such programs receive money? One option is just to provide seed money; another option is to fund only established programs. Mr. Jeffers said the city is getting more and more requests for funding every year. Councilmember Owen asked what would the policy be? Mr. Jeffers said it would set up a process, much like the United Way, and set up a budget. Councilmember Owen said he liked the idea ora budget amount, and when it is gone, it's gone. Mayor Woods said he liked the budget idea and it should be dispensed on a first come/first serve basis. Councilmember McGehee said he felt any amount, budgeted or not, should be on a case-by-case basis. Mayor Wood said if a limit is not established, like a budgeted amount, it could get out of hand. Mr. Jeffers said part of the policy would make requests for one year and become part of the budget process. 10. Ordinance No. 99-3227 An Ordinace of the City of Plainview amending Ordinance No. 98-3186 to appropriate funds within the Wastewater Treatment Plant Department to acquire a de-watering box and associated equipment for the fiscal year 1998-1999. Director of Public Works John Berry told the Council the sludge at the wastewater treatment plant is a severe problem. It is not drying and therefore cannot be removed to the landfill in a timely manner. This has been an ongoing problem and is responsible for keeping the ammonia level higher than is acceptable. The de-watering box does what the name implies; removes moisture from the sludge at a greater rate than the drying beds. Once the sludge is dry, the box can be loaded onto a truck and taken directly to the landfill. The roll-off truck will be used to take the sludge to the landfill. 11. Adjournment. Mayor Woods adjourned the meeting at 1:15 p.m. Passed and approved on August 24, 1999. Kar-'x en McBeth, City Secretary 99 0805 Worksession Minutes Page 3 of 3