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HomeMy WebLinkAbout99 0204 min MINUTES CITY COUNC]I, WORK SESSION February 4, 1999 The Plainview City Council met in a regularly scheduled Work Session on Thursday, February 4, 1999 at the Plainview Convention Center. 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. The agenda for this meeting was posted at 3:00 p.m. on January 29, 1999. Staff members present were: Jim Jeffers-City Manager, Cindy Gasaway-Main Street Coordinator, John Berry-Assistant Director of Public Works, John Castro-Director of Community Services, Dale Simpson-Civil Service Director, Gary Glass-Police Chef, William Mull-Police Chief, Pat Hernandez- Municipal Judge, Norman Huggins-Finance Director and Karen McBeth-city secretary. News media present: Richard Orr-Plainview Daily Herald. 1. Councilmember Ross Owen gave the Invocation. Action Item: 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. City Attorney Wally Hatch explained this request is to close and vacate the fight-of-way of this street, which was never opened. Richard Watson of the Plainview Independent School District said closure would allow the school system to enlarge the school by 10 classrooms without encroaching on anyone's property. They will also re-route bus traffic. Mr. Hatch said the Planning and Zoning Commission approved this change without stipulation. Councilmember Favila moved to approve Ordinance No. 99-3207 for first reading and Councilmember Parker seconded the motion. Mayor Woods and Councilmembers Parker, Shanes, Rosas, Hutcherson, Owen, McGehee and Favila voted "yes" on the motion. None voted against. Action Item: Consider acceptance of dedication deed from the Plainview Independent School District for a street dedication in the West Hillcrest Addition on West Roselawn Street. City Attorney Wally Hatch told the Council this street and 15 feet of right-of-way was never dedicated to the City, and the City has been maintaining the street since its construction. The deed will correct that error. Councilmember Owen moved the City accept the dedication deed and Councilmember Rosas seconded the motion. Mayor Woods and Councilmembers Parker, Shanes, Rosas, Hutcherson, Owen, McGehee and Favila voted in favor of the motion, none voted against the motion. 4. Review City Council Agenda for February 9, 1999. The following items from the agenda C:\MyFiles\Work Session Minutes\90 0204 wsm~n.wpd Page 1 of 5 were discussed: Consider approval of the Combination Plat of McDonald Subdivision of the NE Part of Block 87, College Hill Addition, Plainview, Hale County, Texas. John Castro, Director of Community Services, told the Council the owners of the property have met all the platting requirements, but they are asking to be allowed to postpone paving the alley until their neighbor to the West can participate. 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 reviewed the ordinance, explaining the property has been zoned for agriculture since its annexation and the owners want to open a used car lot, which is compatible with the surrounding properties. The only complaint is from the adjoining property owners regarding the driveway, which is on state right-of-way. The customers, and owners, of the car lot use it as an point of entry as do the property owners next door, but as this is in the state right-of-way the city cannot regulate its use. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval. 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 present contract with the Industrial Foundation provides that the City contribute $25,000 a year, the County contributes $25,000 a year, to cover operating expenses. The proposed changes would require the City to put in $40,000, the County to put in $40,000 each year, and the Industrial Foundation to make a one time donation of $150,000 to be made available for an Economic Development Incentives Committee to use for incentives to bring new business and industry to Plainview which will bring jobs for Plainview citizens. The funds cannot be disbursed without the express approval of 2 of the 3, the Mayor, the County Judge and the President of the Industrial Foundation. This proposed change must meet the approval of the Hale County Commissioners Court also. It is possible that other communities would gain businesses also via this funding, but the majority would be in Plainview. Councilmember Owen asked if the Industrial Foundation should contribute annually the same as the City and County? Mr. Jeffers said they will make additional contributions over time, but at the present time they do not have it in their financing. Councilmember McGehee said he did not think this money should be used to recruit businesses which would be in competition with existing businesses. Mr. Jeffers said that historically, they do not do so. Councilmember Owen asked if this agreement could be canceled? Mr. Jeffers said yes, the agreement is on an annual basis. Councilmember McGehee asked if cities usually vote on this? Mr. Jeffers said yes, but the City has reached the maximum sales tax rate and cannot hold an election for designating sales tax for economic development. He said the Charter has a referendum provision where citizens can petition to hold an election on this issue. C:\MyFiles\Work Session Minutes\99 0204 wsmin.wpd Page 2 of 5 7. Consider altering how the Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Plainview is selected. Prior to 1992, the Mayor Pro Tem was elected by the Council and served in this capacity until they were out of office. In 1992 a policy was adopted providing the position be rotated on a annual basis. The Charter now stipulates that the Mayor Pro Tern be elected after each election, which would be every two years. Councilmember Owen has suggested the present policy of rotation makes the position an "honorary" one rather than a practical one. He thinks the Mayor Pro Tem should be a more serious position and be filled by the person most capable of actually fulfilling the duties of Mayor. Councilmember McGehee asked if they should establish a nominating procedure? Mr. Jeff.ers said the Council could implement whatever system they wished, but it would be good to require at least 23 months on the Council, or any specific period of time, so the person would have some experience regarding how the City's business is conducted. Councilmember Owen asked if previous "time served" qualifies? Mr. Jeff.ers said that would be for the Council to determine. Consider affirmation of the City of Plainview Personnel Policy as approved by the City Manager. Mr. Jeff.ers said the Personnel Policy of the City of Plainview has been rewritten. The rewrite has taken over a year because it was studied and reviewed chapter by chapter. This study resuked in no substantive changes, but the policy was added to because of State and Federal laws. He is asking for affirmation from the Council so as to circumvem any questions which might arise as to his authority to make personnel policy decisions and changes. The charter says the City Manager does the Personnel Policy, but the Council's affirming it in open session removes any questions. Councilmember Favila asked when the last policy was done? Mr. Jeff.ers said in 1986, with some additions to it through the years. Councilmember McGehee asked if the employees had to sign off on it? Mr. Jeff.ers said they sign stating they have received, read and understand it. 11. Appointments to Boards, Committees and Commissions. Human Relations Commission. Mr. Michael Black has applied for appointment to the Human Relations Commission. Mr. Jeff.ers told the Council Mr. Black was a member of the Diversity Task Force, and then appointed to the Diversity Oversight Committee, which has never been able to seat a quorum. Mr. Jeff.ers said he would be an excellent addition to the I-IRC. 5. Paving Phase Two. City Manager Jim Jeff.ers handed out the prioritized list of streets to be considered for paving and/or repairs. He asked the Council to review such and be prepared to discuss at the next meeting. He will have a specific proposal at that time. 6. Park Improvement recommendations. Mr. Jeffers said the Parks Advisory Commission has recommended Lakeside Park get four new park benches, subject to the school district's approval, and Frisco Park get three new benches along with some small play structures. The Commission also recommended the development of a Park in the Westgate neighborhood. Mr. Jeffers said a park in C:\MyFiles\Work Session Minutes\99 0204 wsmm.wpd Page 3 of 5 this area was proposed once before, but the people there told the City they did not want one. Now, the people living in Westgate have come to the Council and asked for a park. The Park Advisory Commission has reviewed their request and are recommending the City pursue building a park for this neighborhood. If the Council decides to do so, a specific plan will be developed and presented to the school system for their approval as the park will be built on school land. In 1992 the school said the City could use the land for a park until they needed it for a school. Even when they build a school the park would continue on a limited area. The school will have input into the layout of the park and the equipment placed there. The citizens of Westgate have offered to match dollar for dollar what the City puts into the park. Councilmember McGehee said before he considers developing a park there he would like to know how much water it will require to maintain. Councilmember Favila said she would like a copy of the Minutes of the Parks Advisory Commission meeting where these recommendations were made. She was interested in how each member voted. 6. Housing Survey. The last time the Council discussed doing a survey to determine housing needs for the City of Plainview was June 1998, and the Council voted not to do a survey. Councilmember Favila has asked the Council reconsider a survey. Ifa survey is done, it can be done in-house or contract with an outside group. Cost estimates on having it done by an outside entity ranged from $2,000 to $50,000. Some Councilmembers have said they do not think there is a housing shortage, but a money shortage. Others believe there is a housing shortage. Councilmember Favila stated she feels strongly abut the housing situation. She said both Lubbock and Amarillo are going to participate in the $121 million First Time Home Buyer program. The City participated in this program last year with Caprock Community Action administering it. She said the program was not administered well and they sent approximately $160,000 back. She said there is a workshop planned for this program which will be held at Coronado school. She said there were at least 100 families left on the list from the previous program. She said this indicated a housing shortage in Plainview. Councilmember McGehee asked how a survey would affect the First Time Homebuyer program7 Mrs. Favila said it would address the rental issues for low-to-moderate income citizens. Mayor Woods asked, if we do a survey then what7 He stated the City does not need to be in the housing business. Houses should go on the tax rolls. Mr. Jeffers said a survey might allow Plainview to administer a home buyer grant rather than Lubbock or Amarillo and it might give a clearer picture of where a shortage is, if there is one, he asked if the Council were willing to do this? Councilmember Rosas said the First Time Homebuyer program is an excellent program and the City should apply for it, but also a survey would tell the City if there is a housing shortage and then let the private sector take care of the need. Mr. Castro said ifa City has a grant it is currently administering, it cannot get another one and the City presently has a rehab grant. Councilmember Shanes asked how much each home was allowed under the rehab grant? Mr. Castro said $40,000 each. Mayor Woods said the City needed to help get livable housing for all Plainview citizens. Mrs. Shanes asked who in the City would administer a First Time Homebuyer grant? Mr. Jeffers said John Castro would administer it. Mrs. Shanes stated we should be certain not to return any money, be sure it is all used for its stated purpose. The consensus of the Council was not to do a housing survey. 7. Tax Abatement policy. Councilmember McGehee said he would like to see tax abatement offered to owners of buildings and houses in the older parts of Plainview. He stated this would encourage both business owners and homeowners to upgrade and refurbish their property. Mayor C:\MyFiles\Work Session Minutes\99 0204 wsmin.wpd Page 4 of 5 Woods said the taxes on the increased value caused by investment should be abated. Councilmember Owen asked if boundaries should be established to determine what areas this abatement was available? Mr. Jeffers said yes, boundaries would be determined. The consensus of the Council was to proceed with developing a plan for tax abatement in the older parts of Plainview. Mayor Woods adjourned the meeting at 1:25 p.m. Passed and approved on February 23, 1999. Karen McBeth, city secretary C:\MyFiles\Work Session Minutes\99 0204 wsmin,wpd Page 5 of 5