HomeMy WebLinkAbout99 0107 min MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
January 7, 1999
The Plainview City Council met in a Work Session at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 7, 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, Ross Owen-Precinct 5, Bobby McGehee-Precinct 6 and Irene Favila-
Precinct 7. Councilmember Mike Hutcherson-Precinct 4, received an excused absence.
Staff members present: Jim Jeffers-City Manager, Roland Asebedo-Fire Marshall, Gary Glass-Fire Chief, Dale
Simpson-Civil Service Director, John Castro-Director of Community Services, John Berry-Asst. Director of Public
Works, Arthur Wall-Street Supervisor, Pat Hernandez-Municipal Judge, Norman Huggins-Director of Finance,
William Mull-Police Chief, Wally Hatch-City Attorney and Karen McBeth-city secretary.
Guests present: Pete Strom-TCA Cable TV.
News media present: Richard Orr-Plainview Daily Herald.
Mayor Woods called the meeting to order at 11:45 a.m. Fire Chief Gary Glass gave the Invocation.
The Council reviewed the Agenda for January 12, 1999 Topics discussed were:
g) Bids: Materials for annual seal coat program: asphalt and gravel: and Excel Water
Distribution Pipeline.
John Berry told the Council the cost for asphalt is a little lower this year, but the cost of gravel is a
little higher, so it will average out to about the same as this past seal coat season. He explained the
City will do the seal coat in-house again because it is 6¢ a yard cheaper in-house than contracted out.
Councilmember McGehee asked if the coated rock used by the State was more expensive? Mr. Berry
said yes, 3 to 4¢ a sq. yd. more. We have the same labor cost whether we do the seal coat program
in-house or contract it, the crews do other maintenance in the winter when street seal coating cannot
be done.
Mr. Jeffers said the Excel water distribution pipeline will be paid for by Excel, but since the pipeline
will belong to the City, the money will go through the City accounts. John Berry said the bids were
lower than projected. He expects it to be completed in July. Councilmember Parker asked if all the
bidders got the same plans/specifications? Mr. Berry said yes. Councilmember McGehee asked who
makes sure the project is completed correctly and timely? City Attorney Wally Hatch said the City
does, by way of a performance bond required of the construction company.
Precinct 2 Meeting. Mr. Jeff`ers reminded everyone the Council Meeting of January 12, will
be at Hillcrest School in Precinct 2.
5. Hale County Appraisal District annual report.
Mr. Jeffers said Mrs. Jaynes will give the annual repOrt. He told the Council State law requires that
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all property be appraised at 100% of value, with a 10% deviation. At one time there were no uniform
rules, in the late 1970's the Legislature created central appraisal di'stricts.
6. Fire Code. Ordinance No. 99-3204. First reading.
The building codes were recently updated and Fire Marshall Asebedo said it was important that the
fire codes be updated as well, as they worked together. He said one change are fire lane requirements,
they are now more user friendly. He said the last changes the city made in the fire code was in 1988.
Changes are driven by technology and the proposed changes make building/fire code up to date.
7. Cable Franchise. Ordinance No. 99-3205. First reading.
Mr. Jeffers told the Council the cable franchise ordinance was still a work in progress. The ordinance
will have the first of two readings on Tuesday, January 12. There are some on going negotiations
on internet availability, a government channel and a review clause after eight years of a fifteen year
contract. Wally Hatch, City Attorney, said the rates charged by the cable company are regulated by
the Federal government and TCA Cable TV are well within the guidelines. One stipulation in the
contract is the City has the first right of refusal should the cable tv service sell. The city is asking for
a government channel which can be used by the city, as well as other governmental entities, and at
night it can be "blacked out" and used as an emergency alert system. Mr. Hatch said the city is asking
to use the fiberoptic cable system as a network connecting all the city's facilities. He said the city has
deleted the security fund amount, but doubled the amount of the required security bond. He said the
city has dropped the extra-territorial jurisdiction provision, as it would be too costly to litigate. He
said TCA has given in on a number of requests and we gave up the security fund requirement. The
franchise fee is passed through to the consumer.
Mayor Woods asked Mr. Strom if we would still have to use the "boxes" once the rebuild is
complete? Mr. Strom said the boxes would only be needed for the premium channels and pay-per-
view telecasts. Mr. Strom handed out a listing of all the listings that will be available.
Councilmember Owen asked when the new channels would be available? Mr. Strom said on February
1, 1999 in the Northeast portion of the city, and all customers by the end of March. City Attorney
Wally Hatch said TCA has asked the city to adopt an ordinance making it a Class C misdemeanor to
steal the services. Mr. Hatch said the city has agreed to do so.
Councilmember Rey Rosas left the meeting at 12:40 p.m.
8. Water allotment to Cactus Feeders, Inc.
Mr. Jeffers said a new contract to fumish water to Cactus Feeders, Inc. has been signed. The contract
states if they use more than 500,000 gallons per day, they will pay a rate of 1 ½ times the agreed
rate. Cactus has asked that they be allowed to use up to 600,000 gallons per day. If the City Council
approves the increased amount, it should be only for one year, then the allowed amount will drop to
500,000 per day. Mr. Jeff.ers said this would give the city a good indication of how serious they are
about an alternate water source. He said the water rate in the current contract is twice the rate in the
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old contract. Councilmember McGehee asked if they regularly used 500,000 gallons? Mr. Jeffers said
yes. Mr. Jeffers said Excel will use an average of 200,000 gallons per day. Councilmember McGehee
asked if we would supply Excel first, then Cactus Feeders, and if necessary discontinue Cactus
Feeders? Mr. Jeffers said this is correct.
8. Rio Concho Mobile Home Park living barrier.
John Castro told the Council the owners of Rio Concho asked that they be allowed to plant Boston
Ivy, as opposed to a juniper type tree and not put in a drip type irrigation system. Councilmember
McGehee said he would consider ivy, or any vine type plant that does not lose its leaves.
Review of Selection of Mayor Pro Tem
Mr. Jeffers said prior to 1992, the Mayor Pro Tem was elected by the Council. In 1992, the position
was rotated every year. Councilmember Owen maintains this procedure needs to be changed. The
Charter says the Council shall, at the first regular meeting following the regular scheduled election
for Council, elect a Mayor Pro Tempore, who shall act as mayor during the absence or disability of
the mayor and, if a vacancy occurs, shall become mayor until a new mayor is elected. He said while
it is an honor to be Mayor Pro Tem, that person should be capable of covering for the Mayor.
Councilmember Owen said it is a nice honor, but should be a more serious appointment, and it should
be someone who could realistically serve as Mayor, should the Mayor not be able to do so.
Councilmember Owen stated it should definitely be changed. Mayor Woods said he served on the
Council from 1976 to 1984, and only had two Mayor Pro Tern appointments. He stated it would be
good to have something more permanent, and tenure should be considered. Councilmember
McGehee stated since the Mayor Pro Tem is to be elected following each election, it would be good
to establish a nominating committee. Councilmember Favila asked how long a term would it be?
Councilmember Owen said it would have to be for at least two years, because that's how often we
hold an election. He restated k should be the most capable person of running the City in the Mayor's
absence. Mr. Jeffers observed, since it was the consensus to change the present policy, a draft policy
will be forthcoming with options.
Paving Phase Two
Mr. Jeffers asked the Council to review the Phase Two Paving list and let him know if any streets
needed to be added.
Adjournment Mayor Woods adjourned the meeting at 1:20 p.m.
Passed and approved on January 26, 1999
K~ren McBeth, city secretary
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