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HomeMy WebLinkAbout99 0506 min MINUTES City Council Work Session May 6, 1999 The Plainview City Council met in a Work Session on Thursday, May 6, 1999, at 11:30 a.m. at the Plainview Convention Center. The Notice of this meeting was posted in City Hall at 10:00 a.m. on May 3, 1999. Mayor Lloyd C. Woods presided. Councilmembers present were: Sam Parker-Precinct 1, Mary Jane Shanes-Precinct 2, Rey Rosas-Precinct 3, Mike Hutcherson-Precinct 4, Ross Owen-Precinct 5, Bobby McGehee-Precinct 6 and Irene Favila-Precinct 7. Staff members present were: Jim Jeffers-City Manager, Wally Hatch-City Attorney, John Berry-Assistant Director of Public Works, Norman Huggins-Director of Finance, John Castro-Director of Community Services, Greg Zielinski-Code Enforcement, Cindy Gasaway-Main Street, Dale Simpson-Civil Service Director, William Mull-Police Chief, and Karen McBeth-city secretary. Guest: Terry McEachern, District Attorney. News media: Richard Orr, Plainview Daily Herald. OPEN MEETING: 1. Invocation - Councilmember Ross Owen Review Agenda of May 11, 1999. The fn-st thing discussed on the Agenda for May 11, 1999 was item f) on the Consent Calendar: Consider entering an agreement with the Plainview Independent School District and the Plainview Optimist Club for the maintenance of the Broadway Park Baseball Complex. Mr. Jeffers said the Optimist Club has agreed and he has not heard fi.om Mr. Richard Watson, of PISD, as yet. The only change is increasing the scheduling by one month, for the Optimists. Regular Agenda Item 6: Consider the construction of a City park in the Westgate Subdivision near the intersection of Pecos Drive and Garland Street. Mr. Jeffers told the Council there is a 300 x 400 foot area on East Pecos Drive, which is unpaved, which may be used for a park. This land belongs to the Plainview Independent School District. The school will probably allow the City to use the land with a lease agreement and no money will be spent until negotiations are complete. Sprinklers, play equipment, picnic tables, park benches, etc. for a start up would total $25,000. Some residents of Westgate Subdivision have agreed to attempt to match the $25,000. On Tuesday night there may be residents of Westgate both for and against the park proposal. Should the Council decide to proceed with establishing a park in the area, it should be included in the 1999-2000 Budget. Regular Agenda Item 7. Ordinance No. 99-3216. Plumbing Code Amendment. An Ordinance of the City of Plainview, Texas, amending Chapter 20 of the Plainview Code of Ordinances to adopt the most recent edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code copyrighted in 1997; Severability clause; Cumulativeness clause; Conflicts clause; And effective date. First reading. Greg Zielinski, Code Enforcement, explained this would bring all building code regulations up to date. One change is the City will begin collecting the $5 to inspect the installation/replacement of hot water heaters. This inspection will promote safety. A master plumber or a homeowner can apply for the plumbing permit. Regular Agenda Item No. 8. Consider adoption of a Tax Abatement policy. Mr. Jeffers said the proposed policy has been sent to the Plainview Independent School District, Hale County, the Chamber of Commerce and the Industrial Foundation. The School District and Hale County have not replied. The Chamber of Commerce and the Industrial Foundation have both replied favorably. Mr. Jeffers emphasized that once abatement is granted in a "zone", everyone in that "zone" gets the same abatement. That is one reason zones are small in size. Councilmember McGehee said a five year abatement on residential property improvement would encourage people to building and improve their property. Mr. Jeffers asked if there were any objections to a five year abatement in the older pans of town? No one expressed any objections. Regular Agenda Item No. 9a. For Kids Sake. District Attorney Terry McEachern explained to the Council a program called For Kids Sake which teaches parenting skills. He said there are many young parents, as young as 14 years old, are raising children with no idea of how to take care of a child. He said Susan Wilson has developed a program to teach these skills. He said every couple getting a divorce, with children, is required to take this course and the couple pays for it also. The program is for parents and children, and for parents with children going through a divorce. He said the program needs money to continue. His department is contributing $5,000. He asked the City to consider helping with this worthwhile program. WORK SESSION 3. City Council repons. Mayor Woods said the Industrial Foundation has hired Steve Rogers Inc. From Amarillo to COnduct a housing survey. The survey and it will cost $1,800. 3. Review of comprehensive planning process. Director of Community Services JOhn Castro said the Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended the formation of a new committee to study and make any necessary changes in the comprehensive plan. Mr. Jeffers said there will be numerous public hearings and meetings prior to the Council voting on a new comprehensive plan. Review of Broadway Beautification project. The City Manager said the curb cuts and ADA requirements plan to be done at 3 intersections downtown, along with tree grates and trees will cost approximately $198,470. There will be 2 corners done on 6th St~; 4 corers done on 7th St.; and 4 corners done on 8th St. This does not include any electrical connections. A grant may be a tool for doing anything further to beautify the downtown area. The proposed curb cuts, etc. does not include doing anything to produce a "pocket park" in the empty space behind the Post Office and on Broadway St. There will be no medians on Broadway. Councilmember McGehee said tax abatement might encourage business/property owners to participate. Mayor Woods stated he hopes the Downtown Association and the Chamber of Commerce will participate in the beautification process. Retreat. Mr. Jeffers asked the Council if they were interested in doing a Retreat, since it has been over six months since the last one. The consensus was to do one Retreat a year, and not at this time. Review of street improvement policy. Mr. Jeffers said the CounCil agreeing to improve 21st St. And 14th St. were exceptions to the street improvement policy. A change in the policy itself was not made. He asked the Council to read and review the policy. 7. Mayor Woods adjourned the meeting at 1' 12 p.m. 1 Passed and approved on May 25, 1999. Karen McBeth, city secretary Minutes 99 0506