HomeMy WebLinkAbout98 1217 min MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
December 17, 1998
The Plainview City Council met in Work Session on Thursday, December 17, 1998 at the Plainview
Convention Center. Mayor Lloyd C. Woods called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m. Councilmember present
were: Sam Parker-Precinct 1, Rey Rosas-Precinct 3, Mike Hutcherson-Precinct 4, Ross Owen-Precinct 5,
Bobby McGehee-Precinct 6 and Irene Favila-Precinct 7. Mary Jane Shanes-Precinct 2, was granted an excused
absence.
Staffmembers present were: Jim Jeffers-City Manager, Del Essary-Solid Waste Superintendent, John Berry-
Assistant Director of Public Works, Gary Glass-Fire Chief, John Castro-Director of Commumty Services,
Rusty Reese-Parks Superintendent, William Mull-Police Chief and Karen McBeth-city secretary.
News media present: Richard Orr-Plainview Daily Herald.
OPEN MEETING
Following the Invocation by Irene Favila, the Council reviewed the agenda for December 22, 1998.
The following items from that agenda were discussed:
e) Cactus Feeders water contract renewal for one year. Mr. Jeffers explained the present
contract with Cactus Feeders for water expires January 4, 1999. He said the new contract is for one
year, not five years. It states they must take 200,000 gallons per day, but not more than 500,000.
This water is taken directly from the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority aqueduct. The one
year contract is because of expected changes, such as salinity control, Roberts County water project,
and Excel water contract. Councilmember Owen asked if they have an alternate water source, or can
they drill wells? Mr. Jeffers said the water is weak in the Tulia area, however Slaton may want to sell
them water. Councilmember Owen said he did not want to see a contract longer than one year.
Councilmember McGehee said he would like to see the price of the water sold to Cactus Feeders
include all costs, including the bonded debt from CRMWA. Mr. Jeffers said they will pay about $.40
per thousand-. Mayor Woods said this should be the last year water is sold to Cactus Feeders. Mr.
Jeffers said the contract will include the bonded debt. He stated if we don't sell water to Cactus
Feeders, Excel will probably buy their portion.
f) Speed Zone Ordinance for Columbia Street. Police Chief Will Mull reviewed the
proposed ordinance explaining it will increase the incoming traffic by five miles per hour, to 35 miles
per hour, which will not make any appreciable difference but will expedite the flow oftraffc through
Plainview. Councilmember Parker asked if the train traffic across Columbia will present a problem?
Chief Mull said the railroad company always sends an employee out with flags and flares to warn
traffic. He said it was not a problem before and he did not see it being a problem with the 5 mile an
hour increase.
g) Fire Service Agreement with Hale County. Mr. Jeffers told the Council he expects the
agreement to be signed on December 31, 1998.
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h) Consider award of bids. The Council reviewed the bids for a vehicle for the Parks
Department, 3 cu. yd. sideload containers, a cab and chassis and a 17 yard scraper for the Sanitation
Department, and a forklift for the Recycling Center. Mr. Jeff.ers explained the forklift is not
budgeted, but it is needed.
5. Zoning Ordinance at 109 Broadway. John Castro explained a church has purchased the old
Lowe's supermarket building and are asking to use the building as a youth center. A specific use
permit will be required and no one responded to the notifications sent out by the Planning and Zoning
Commission. There will be a nominal admission fee so those in charge can control the clientele.
None of the games will be coin operated. The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the
specific use permit.
9. Board, Committee and Commission appointments. The Council reviewed applications for
appointments to various boards, committees and commissions of the City. An application from
Bernie Vering, who sits on the Appeals Board, for appointment to the Human Relations Commission
was questioned. City Attorney Wally Hatch said he could sit on both boards.
City Council Reports: Mayor Woods reported the telecommunications industry wants to do away
with the franchise fees cities are allowed to collect and they are heavily lobbying the State Legislature.
He said Southwestern Bell Telephone has 116 lobbyists, while The Texas Municipal League only has
two.
Cable TV Franchise: Mr. Jeffers said this will be on the agenda of the first meeting in January, 1999.
Infrastructure report: Dale Simpson reported the bids for the new Fire Station should go out by
the first of 1999. The building at 121 West 7th Street has been occupied by the water department,
finance/accounting department, and personnel as of December 1, 1998. A few items remain to be
completed, such as the fire alarm system which will be done in January, and the parking lot will be
striped as soon as the Street Department can schedule it. The area in City Hall that Municipal Court
will be occupying is scheduled to be painted in the upcoming week and be finished the middle of
January. The Community Building in the 7th Street Park will be planned by Mr. Robison as soon as
he finishes with the Fire Station. The Women's Building cannot be moved until February. Plans for
the Vector building should be ready by mid to late January.
John Berry reported the curb and gutter is in place on 26th Street, and the North curb and gutter is
in place on 32na Street, the South side should be completed this week. The equipment for the traffic
signals at Joliet & 24th and 20th & Yonkers has been received and field construction is planned to
begin in February. Some technical memorandums from Parkhill Smith & Cooper have been received
on the water treatment plant. The survey for the East Hiway 70 sewer line is being done and should
be finished within the next three weeks.
Jaycee Baseball Park Improvements. Ms. Muff. London, 1100 Holliday, addressed the Council
about improvements needed at the Jaycee Baseball Park. She said the City and the Plainview
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Independent School system share the expense of the baseball park and there are some things that need
attention before baseball season starts. A committee has been formed, and has met, and compiled a
list of improvements. She proposed a permanent governing board be established to oversee the
facilities and that two members be from the City. She said special dirt needs to be brought in and
placed around base lines, batting tunnels and batting cages are needed, and a permanent public
address system is needed. The fence and signs on the fence need to be redone. The ball park is used
by the public school system as well as the Optimist summer baseball program. It was used by
Wayland Baptist University until they recently built their own facility. When they stopped using
Jaycee park, they took their batting tunnels and batting cages with them. Ms. London said the
cormnittee estimated the cost of the improvements is $25,200 which divided between the City and
the School District is $12,600 per entity. Councilmember Owen said the athletic programs from the
city and school used these facilities extensively and the City should fund their part. Councilmember
Rosas stated that approximately 700 kids take part in the summer baseball program and asked how
much they are charged? Ms. London said approximately $30 to $45 apiece, depending on age. Mr.
Rosas asked what this money is used for? Ms. London said it used for new equipment and taking
care of the park. Councilmember Rosas asked how much money goes to the commission and how
much goes to the Optimists? Ms. London said she was unsure, this would need to be directed to the
Optimists Club. Councilmember Favila said all the baseball fields should be looked at, not just the
Jaycee ball field. Mayor Woods stated that since the Optimists run the total summer baseball
program, the fields must be upgraded to handled this program. Councilmember McGehee asked who
else helped support this field? Mr. Jeffers said the Plainview Independent School District, the City
of Plainview and the Optimists Club; the Optimists pay the operating expenses on the fields.
Councilmember Parker asked why it is called Jaycee Ball Park? Mr. Jeffers said because they built
it. Mr. Jeffers said there are improvements needed at this ball park and the capital improvement costs
are shared by the schools and the city. Councilmember Rosas said he has not seen a report where the
money the Optimists receives is spent. Councilmember McGehee stated that since so many entities
use the field, from Optimists to all the schools and the YMCA, the improvements need to be made
now and the particulars sorted out later. Mr. Jeffers said the Optimists program funds will be
reported later. A committee will be formed and get all entities concerned involved. (At this time, 1:00
p.m., Councilmember Rosas asked to be excused and left the meeting). Mayor Woods said the
improvements needed now should be approved now, then get a committee and set a time to receive
financial reports. Mr. Jeffers said there is $10,000 budgeted for maintenance which can be used for
this project. Councilmember McGehee said the obvious need justifies using the money in this way.
Councilmember Owen said the baseball field needs to be upgraded and these improvements are
needed now. Mr. Jeffers said he would handle the improvements administratively through the money
already budgeted. No one objected.
Mayor Woods declared the meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED on January 12, 1999.
Karen McBeth, city secretary
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