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HomeMy WebLinkAbout99 0209 min MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MF.F. TING City of Plainview February 9, 1999 The Plainview City Council held a meeting at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 9, I999 in the Council Chambers of the Plainview City Hall at 901 Broadway. The Council met in Pre-Session at 7:00 p.m. The notice and agenda for this meeting was posted in City Hall at 5:00 p.m. on February 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, Gary Glass-Fire Chief, Dale Simpson-Civil Service Director, John Castro-Director of Community Services, John Berry-Assistant Director of Public Works, Wally Hatch-City Attorney, William Mull-Police Chief, and Karen McBeth-city secretary. News media present: Richard Orr-Plainview Daily Herald and Wayland Baptist University television crew. Guests present: John C. Anderson and Rollie Hyde of the Plainview/Hale County Industrial Foundation; Mike Perry and Richard Watson of the Plainview Independent School District; Johnny McDonald, 2801 W. 19th St.; Mary Burton, 3209 Fisher; and Arnold Pardo, 1002 Borger. OPEN MEETING Invocation - The Honorable Mike Hutcherson Pledge of Allegiance - Mayor Woods 2. Recognitions 3. Consent Calendar - Councilmember Favila moved to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Councilmember McGehee seconded the motion. The Mayor and Councilmembers Parker, Shanes, Rosas, Hutcherson, Owen, McGehee and Favila voted in favor of the motion. None voted against. a) b) c) d) Minutes of January 21, 1999 and January 26, 1999 were approved. Departmental Reports were accepted. Expenditures were approved. Excused Absences - None requested. e) Ordinance No. 99-3207. Zone Case 673.Consider approval of an application for closing portions of streets from the Plainview Independent School District in the West Hillcrest Addition. Second reading. Passed and approved City Council Minutes for Feb. 9, 1999 Page 1 of 5 Consider bids for physical plant equipment maintenance (heating & cooling). Bids were received from: Honeywell in the amount of $21,374.00; Chilton Heating & Air in the amount of $30,000.00; and Anthony Mechanical Services, Inc. in the amount of $25,200.00. The bid was awarded to Honeywell, Inc. for $21,374.00. g) Consider approval of the Combination Plat of McDonald Subdivision of the NE Part of Block 87, College I-fill Addition, Plainview, Hale County, Texas. The Combination Plat was approved. REGULAR AGF. NDA ITEMS Zone Case 671 - 402 & 404 W. 17t~ St. Ordinance No. 99-3202. An ordinance amending the zoning map of the City of Plainview, Texas to rezone property located at 402 & 404 W. 17~ Street fi.om a M-l/C-3, light manufacturing and general commercial to a R-2 residential district; Cumulativeness clause; Conflict clause; Severability clause; And effective date. Second reading. Director of Community Services John Castro explained this ordinance would allow Jose Pardo to build a house on these lots. The lots are on a corner and the south half is zoned manufacturing/general commercial. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommends approving this zone change and city staff sees no problem with the change. Councilmember Favila moved to approve Ordinance No. 99-3202 and Councilmember Rosas seconded the motion. Councilmembers Parker, Shanes, Rosas, Hutcherson, Owen, McGehee and Favila and Mayor Woods voted "yes" to the motion. No one voted against. Zone Case 672. Ordinance No. 99-3206. An Ordinance amending the zoning map of the City of Plainview, Texas to rezone property located at 2009 E. 5th Street from an Agricultural (A) Zone to a General Commercial District (C-3); Cumulativeness clause; Conflicts clause; Severability clause; And effective date. First reading. John Castro, Director of Community Services, told the Council this property has remained Agricultural since its annexation and this request is made by David Barrett so he may open a car sales lot at this location. The Planning and Zoning Commission has approved this request and recommend Council approval. Councilmember Rosas made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 99-3206 and Councilmember Hutcherson seconded the motion. Councilmembers Parker, Shanes, Rosas, Hutcherson, Owen, McGehee, Favila and Mayor Woods voted "yes" to the motion. None voted against. 6. Consider amending the contract for economic development services with the Plainview/Hale County Industrial Foundation, creating an Economic Development Incentives Committee and providing for funding. Mr. Jeffers explained the by-laws of the Plainview/Hale County Industrial Foundation will need to City Council Minutes for Feb. 9, 1999 Page 2 of 5 be amended, as well as the contract the City has with the Plainview/Hale County Industrial Foundation should the Council decide to participate in an Economic Development Incentives Committee. The proposal requires the City and Hale County to each place $40,000 annually into an "incentives fund" until the fund reaches $500,000 with the Industrial Foundation initially putting $150,000 in the fund, which will likely be a one time contribution. The purpose of the fund will allow the community to react quickly to industrial prospects and these efforts should help broaden the tax base and create more employment oppommities. The incentives committee will consist of the County Judge, the Mayor and the President of the Industrial Foundation and the committee will determine what prospects will be offered "incentives" from the fund. The City can withdraw fi.om the arrangement should it prove unproductive. However, it is imperative that the County, the City and the Foundation all participate. The City now contributes $25,000 per year to the operating cost of the Foundation, the $40,000 would be in addition to the $25,000 but would be used solely for economic development incentives. John Anderson, a member of the Incentives Committee of the Industrial Foundation, addressed the Council and expressed support for the proposed fund and committee. The purpose is to make Plainview/Hale County competitive with other communities in recruiting business and industry to Plainview and Hale County. It is comparable to the ½¢ sales tax dedicated to economic development. Mr. Anderson congratulated the Mayor and Council for taking the lead in pursuing a progressive attitude in the economic development of the City and County. Councilmember Parker stated he is proud the City is taking the initiative in this matter and if the County agrees to participate, he is for the proposal. Councilmember Shanes asked if once the fund has been used, would the Industrial Foundation again put $150,000 into it? Mr. Anderson said, no, they couldn't. Councilmember Shanes asked if we had such a fund in place, would we have gotten other industries in the past? Mr. Anderson said it would certainly have made us a player, and we would have had a better chance. Councilmember Shanes asked if the fund could be used to expand an existing business? Mr. Anderson said yes, absolutely. Councilmember Rosas stated the idea is good, but asked if there is a time limit on this contract? Mr. Jeffers said yes, the existing contract with the Foundation is 1 year. Councilmember Hutcherson stated it showed foresight on the part of the Mayor and the Judge. The Foundation has done a good job for the City. Councilmember Owen asked if there are any stipulations as to what is given? Will it be cash, land, or infrastructure? Mr. Anderson said no stipulations have been defined yet, we must first determine if the community is interested in such a proposal. Most likely incentives will be determined on a case by case basis. If all three members of the committee approve a project, then the executive committee of the Foundation must approve the expenditure also. Councilmember McGehee said incentives are given to encourage new business. The State Legislature has sanctioned the use of tax monies to promote economic development and other cities have done this, but other cities have voted to use the tax for this purpose. Plainview cannot do this because we already have reached the maximum amount of sales tax allowed. However, the Charter has a referendum provision where citizens can petition for elections to make their wishes known. Councilmember McGehee asked to see a petition for an election to allow voters to express their approval. Councilmember Favila stated she supports the incentives program and hopes the County will do the same. Mayor Woods said we are all elected to City Council Minutes for Feb 9, 1999 Page 3 of 5 represent the people, and the voters have a right to object to what we do. If we can bring jobs to Plainview, this can only be good for all citizens. He said this will be another good tool for industrial recruitment. Mayor Woods made a motion the contract with the Industrial Foundation be amended to create the PHIF Incentives Committee. Councilmember Favila seconded the motion. Councilmember McGehee moved to amend the Mayor's motion, that any monies appropriated be contingent upon voter approval, and Mayor Woods seconded the motion. Voting on the amendment, McGehee voted for the amendment, Councilmembers Parker, Shanes, Rosas, Hutcherson, Owen, Favila and Mayor Woods voted against the motion to amend. The motion to amend failed with 1 vote for, 7 votes against. On the original motion Councilmembers Parker, Shanes, Rosas, Hutcherson, Owen, McGehee, and Favila, and Mayor Woods voted "yes." None voted against. 7. Consider altering how the Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Plainview is selected. City Manager Jim Jeffers said prior to 1992 a Councilmember was elected Mayor Pro Tem and served as long as that person was on the Council. In 1992 an annual rotation system was adopted based on seniority. The Charter states the Mayor Pro Tern will be elected atter each election. It has been suggested that the Mayor Pro Tem position should be filled by the most qualified person and not rotated as an honorary position. Councilmember Shanes stated she liked the rotation system, but it should be on a two year basis. Councilmember Rosas said the rotation basis should continue, but should be for a two year period. Councilmember Hutcherson said it should be for a two year period also. Councilmember Owen said the position of Mayor Pro Tem should be given serious consideration and should be filled by the person most capable of serving in place of the Mayor. He said the person should be elected Mayor Pro Tern after each election on the basis of their qualifications. Councilmember McGehee said the person should be elected every two years, as set out in the Charter, not necessarily on a rotating basis. Councilmember Favila said the current rotating system has been good and it should be left as it is. Councilmember Parker said because the rotation system allows the Council to learn about the responsibilities of Mayor, it should not be scrapped. He said having the term for two years would be good and it should be based on seniority. Mayor Woods stated he liked the rotation system of two years. In the year 2000 the Council can elect a Mayor Pro Tern for two years. Councilmember Rosas moved to leave the rotation system the same, and in the year 2000 the position be for two years, on a rotating basis by seniority. Councilmember Parker seconded the motion. Those voting "yes" on the motion were Councilmembers Parker, Shanes, Rosas, Hutcherson, McGehee and Favila, and Mayor Woods. Councilmember Owen voted "no." The motion carded. Consider affirmation of the City of Plainview Personnel Policy as approved by the City Manager. City Manager Jim Jeff.ers said the Personnel Policy has been revised and updated and he has approved it. He asked the Council to consider affirming the Policy. Mayor Woods moved that the Council affirm the Personnel Policy, as approved by the City Manager. Councilmember Hutcherson seconded the motion. Councilmembers Parker, Shanes, Rosas, Hutcherson, Owen, McGehee, Favila, and Mayor Woods voted "yes" on the motion. None voted against. City Council Minutes for Feb. 9, 1999 Page 4 of 5 o Annual report of the Unger Memorial Library and the Literacy Program. John Sigwald, Librarian of the Unger Memorial Library, told the Mayor and Council about the many programs and services of the library. Besides Mr. Sigwald, there are four library assistants and a part time literacy coordinator. The library has 50,000 books, 100 magazines and newspapers, 600 books on tape and 1,300+ videos. In fiscal year 1998-99, $28,000 was spent on books, $8,500 on magazines and $2,500 on videos and books on tape. The library received a $2,500 grant from the Texas Book Festival, $200 from the Plainview Junior Service League, $750 from the Plainview Cultural Arts Council, and Burger King donated $500 to Friends of the Library. The Hale County Literacy Program, is funded by United Way and the City of Plainview. The Literacy Council is composed of 20 members. The Literacy Program has formed alliances with various local and national organizations to promote literacy in all age groups. The Library sponsors pre-school story time during the school year, summer reading programs, and evening programs in the children's section for children and parents. Mayor Woods thanked Mr. Sigwald for the report and stated he appreciated the professionalism with which he does his job. 10. Open Forum. Hear citizens requests and comments per Open Forum Policy. No one spoke on the Open Forum. 11. Appointments to Boards, Committees and Commissions. Human Relations Commission. The city secretary said Michael Black, of 128 Bullock, had applied for a place on the Human Relations Commission. Mr. Black meets all the qualifications for serving on the Commission. He was a member of the original Diversity Task Force and was later appointed to the Diversity Oversight Committee, which has been disbanded due to lack of attendance. Mayor Woods moved to appoint Michael Black to the Human Relations Commission. Councilmember Owen seconded the motion. Councilmembers Parker, Shanes, Rosas, Hutcherson, Owen, McGehee, Favila and Mayor Woods voted "yes" on the motion. None voted against. 12. Adjournment. Mayor Woods moved to adjourn and Councilmember Owen seconded the motion. The motion carded unanimously among the eight members present. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Passed and approved on the 23~ day February, 1999. Karen McBeth, City Secretary City Council Minutes for Feb. 9, 1999 Page 5 of 5