Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout98 1119 min MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 19, 1998 The City Council of the City of Plainview met in a Work Session at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 19, 1998 at the Plainview Convention Center. Mayor Lloyd C. Woods presided. Councilmembers present were: Sam Parker-Precinct 1, Mary Jane Shanes-Precinct 2, Ross Owen- Precinct 5, Buddy McGehee-Precinct 6 and Irene Favila-Precinct 7. Mike Hutcherson-Precinct 4 was granted an excused absence. Councilmember Rey Rosas-Precinct 3 arrived at 12:15 p.m. Staff members present were: Jim Jeffers-City Manager, Gary Glass-Fire Chief, Dale Simpson-Civil Service Director, John Castro-Director of Community Services, Kathy Curry, R.N.-Plainview/Hale County Health Department, Cindy Gasaway-Main Street Coordinator, John Berry-Assist. Director of Public Works, Wally Hatch-City Attorney, Will Mull-Police Chief, and Karen McBeth-city secretary. OPEN MEETING 1. Invocation - John Castro Review City Council Agenda for November 24, 1998. The Council reviewed the upcoming agenda and discussed the following items: 6. Appeal to City Council of the decision of the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding the request of Rio Concho Mobile Home Park for altering fencing requirements. Director of Community Services John Castro explained the present fencing around Rio Concho Mobile Home Park had mostly fallen down. The owners of the Mobile Home Park have requested, through the law firm Owen Lyle Voss & Owen in Plainview, they be given a permanent waiver from the fencing requirements in the Planning and Zoning Ordinance. The current ordinance states a solid fence is to act as a barrier between R-1 residential districts and non-R 1 districts, and it specifically states solid fence. Mr. Castro said the owners are not objecting to putting up a fence, just not a solid one. They want to erect a chain link fence. Mr. Castro said they received three written objections and several people came to the P&Z meeting to object to a waiver of the solid fence. Jarred Melton, attorney, spoke on behalf of the owners, stating the owners are more than willing to construct a chain link fence around the entire park. They just don't want to put up a solid fence. He stated three reasons: the report of drug trafficking behind the solid fence, away from sight; the chance of fire with a solid wooden fence, noting there has been a history of fires being set outside the fence line; and the difference in cost. Staff recommendation was to grant a temporary waiver, let the Park erect a cyclone fence until such time as the property around the mobile home is developed, then the owners (whoever they may be) will have to construct a solid fence as described in the ordinance. However, Mr. Castro reported, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to deny the request C:\MyFiles\Work Session Minutes\98 1119 wsmin.wpd Page I of 5 in its entirety. The property owners are now appealing to the City Council for a temporary waiver from the solid fence requirement. Jarred Melton, stated that Mr. Castro's report is essentially the request he will be making at the next Council meeting. He stated his clients, the owners of the mobile home park, are asking for a temporary waiver of the "visual" requirements of the ordinance. Mr. Castro said the Planning and Zoning meeting had much more discussion than just the visual aspects of the fencing, and the fence requirement was not for "seeing out" but to minimize "seeing in." Councilmember Owen asked ifa chain link fence would make all parties involved happy? Mr. Castro said most persons involved would be satisfied with a chain link fence. Councilmember McGehee asked if the ordinance states "fence" or "visual barrier"? Mr. Castro said both, it says "fence" and then says "visual barrier" which could also be a living barrier, like tall shrubs or trees. Mr. Melton advised when the area behind the park is developed the owners could build a living barrier. He assured the Council the owners want to work with the City. He said people living in the park also want to see out of the park and a tall, solid fence prohibits thisl Councilmember Parker asked why have a fence at all? Mr. Castro explained that mobile home parks are required to be fenced for the protection of property owners. Councilmember Shanes asked if the owners were asking for a temporary or permanent waiver from the ordinance? Mr. Melton said, which ever they could get. Councilmember Owen stated it appeared the owners are interested in fence cost, and since the surrounding property is farm land, a visual barrier that is solid would need to be on the front, toward highway 194, but a chain link fence might work on the other three sides. Councilmember McGehee said that as far as the drug traffic problem is concerned, it needed to be solved by some other method than simply the kind of fence that is erected. 7. Ordinance No. 98-3199. An Ordinance amending the zoning map of the City of Plainview, Texas to rezone property located at 3401 SW 34 Street (Fire Station) from an MF- 2, Multi-family district to a C-3, Commercial General Business District; Cumulativeness clause; Conflict clause; Severability clause; And effective date. Community Services Director John Castro explained this area is presently zoned for multi-family dwellings and to build the new fire station at this address, the zoning ordinance needed to be changed. The proposed zoning class is in keeping with the Comprehensive Plan. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the proposed change. There were five responses to inquiries sent out by the Commission; three in favor and two against. 3. City Conncil Reports. There were none. 4. Review of Conncil Relations Policy Ordinance. City Manager Jim Jeffers asked the Council if they had decided whether or not to make the Council Relations Policy an Ordinance? After a short discussion, it was unanimously decided to leave it as a policy. Mayor Woods said if it is a policy, it should be followed. Councilmember Owen said he remembered signing the policy as a Councilmember and stated this should be done each time new members are elected. 5. Hale County Fire Service Agreement. Mr. Jeffers said the present Fire Agreement with Hale County expires on December 31, 1998. Under the present agreement Hale County pays $875 per C:\MyFiles\Work Session Minutes\98 1119 wsmin.wpd Page 2 of 5 call, per unit, which the City makes outside the city limits into the County for fire suppression. Mr. Jeffers recommended the present agreement be renewed as is. Historically, in addition to the payments generated under the contract, Hale County paid the Fire Department $5,400 per year for EMS. This year the Commissioners deleted this payment from their budget. The Commissioners said they have paid so much to the City, they would not pay the $5,400 again. Fire Chief Glass visited with the Commissioners and assured them they would only be charged for the units that are used at a fire, not the number of units sent. The Commissioners said the $5,400 should be put in the contract when it renews. City Attorney Wally Hatch said he had no problem with including the $5,400 along with the cost per mn. Chief Glass assured the Commissioners the Fire Department appreciates their cooperation and the cooperation of all the other fire departments in the County. Mr. Jeff`ers explained that when the City began EMS service, they asked the County to participate but the County said no, but gave the City $5,400 anyway and in light of the $250,000 loss the City sustains, the $5,400 is not a lot of money. Mr. Jeff`ers continued, that the citizens of Plainview are also citizens of Hale County and 50% plus of the taxes the County receives comes from Plainview residents and it was logical that Hale County pay 100% of the Fire Department costs. Councilmember Owen said in the past the County has not always paid in a timely fashion, are they paying now? Chief Glass said yes. Councilmember Owen asked if $875 per unit, per call, is a fair price? Mr. Jeffers said it was not really, but the County should not get a free ride and this was agreeable. Councilmember McGehee said we need to be sure and keep the City covered first. He asked if EMS is included in this contract? Mr. Jeff`ers said no. Mr. McGehee said then lets agree on a contract and tell them to take it or leave it. Mr. Jeff`ers said we will always respond when life is in danger. Mr. McGehee agreed the City should not refuse to send an ambulance. Mayor Woods said he agreed with presenting them with a contract and telling them to take it or leave it. Mr. Owen remarked that $875 was better than nothing. 6. Broadway Beautification. Main Street Coordinator Cindy Gasaway reported the asphalt has been removed from Broadway and the brick streets underneath are in remarkably good shape. There are a few holes that will need repair and a manhole cover or two will need lowering but it is has been a very successful project. Ms. Gasaway told the Council there are 100 buildings in down town Plainview that are in the National Historic Register and this is something to be proud of. The beautification of down town Plainview is a longstanding project of the businesses in the down town area. She said beautification is also very subjective. There are several plans in the making to beautify Broadway. One such plan is to install medians down Broadway from 5th to 10th Streets; another plan is to place "pocket parks" in vacant areas with benches, greenery and further street scaping. She handed out a cost estimate sheet on the medians. To remove brick, lay electric and water lines, concrete work, install an irrigation system to five medians, trees with ground cover, and other incidentals will cost approximately $145,912. She continued that a beautification program needs to be a partnership between the City and the downtown businesses. A marketing/strategic plan should be devised to insure long range plans for not only beautification, but revitalizing business in the downtown area. Ms. Gasaway said an application to the Texas Capital Grant Fund could be made. This grant uses existing money to be matched by the state and can be used for infrastructure and beautification projects in historically significant areas, as a Main Street city, Plainview is eligible. Ms. Gasaway said she spoke with the National Register office and the Texas Historic Commission. They did not recommend a median, as it would alter the historic district. However, other beautification C:\MyFiles\Work Session Minutes\98 1119 wsmin.wpd Page 3 of 5 methods are eligible. She said applications to the Texas Capital Grant Fund are due in September of each year. Mayor Woods said he asked Jeff Noble to get a committee of downtown business people to work with Gasaway and the City on a beautification plan for downtown Plainview. Councilmember McGehee asked if there is a grant application fee7 Ms. Gasaway said no application fee, but the grant has to be for something "historic" either to preserve, replace or compliment. Councilmember Parker asked if medians would hinder emergency services? Chief Glass said in some instances, yes it possibly could. Mayor Woods said he hopes the Council will think positively on this project because he is convinced this will help revitalize downtown and help economically~ Councilmember Rosas said he would like to see something happen before next September. Councilmember Owen said many buildings in the downtown area are dilapidated and he would hate to see the City spend a lot of money "beautifijing" an area that is boarded up. He said he would like to see the property owners invest some money in this program. Ms. Gasaway said if the alterations that are done are not historically correct it can inhibit the ability to get funding. Councilmember McGehee asked what we could start now? Ms. Gasaway said some things can be started now. She said the "matching funds" can be in-kind services. Mayor Woods said the downtown area is vital to the community. He said he wants the City to work with the committee and not wait a year to do something. 7. Canadian River Project Prepayment Act. Mr. Jeffers said the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority has clearance to prepay bonds to enable them to begin work on the ground water alternate supply project. The City has tentatively agreed to participate in the CRMWA larger group financing and not independently. Mr. Jeffers asked if thc Council was still in agreement with this course of action? No one objected. 8. Infrastructure Report. Mr. Jeffers told the Council the Fire Station plans are being completed by Mr. James Robison and should let bids by the first of the year. More detailed specifications will be available soon. The SPS building is nearing completion, with painting completed this week. He said a few minor things are remaining such as smoke alarm system, fire extinguishers, door locks and ADA signs. He reported bids for carpet for the Municipal Court area and new counter glass have been received. The paint bids will be done soon. He said plans for the Community Building in the 7th Street Park will not be started until Mr. Robison is finished with the Fire Station plans. Mr. Thrasher, the mover said he could not move the present building until February. In the event we need the area cleared sooner, we may consider demolition. The Vector Building to hold chemicals has not been planned yet. Mr. Robison said he could get the preliminary floor plan as soon as we could get a site plan. This must be ready before we can purchase chemicals for mosquito spraying, next season. 9. Board, Committee and Commission Appointments. Mr. Jeffers encouraged the Council to solicit people to serve on the numerous boards, committees and commissions of the City. C:\MyFiles\Work Session Minutes\98 1119 wsmin.wpd page 4 of 5 10. School Crossing Guard. Mr. Jeffers reported an incident at Joliet Street, by Coronado Junior High, where a youngster crossed against the light and was involved in an accident. The flashing lights were working at the time, but it did not avert the incident. Plainview Independent School District has agreed to pay one-half, about $1,600 ora school crossing guard with the City paying the other half. The consensus was to hire a school crossing guard for this busy intersection. 11. City Manger Reports. Mr. Jeffers said he would meet with the school trustees to ask them to waive the re-imbursement on the utilities for La Mesa Subdivision. 12. Adjournment. Mayor Woods adjourned the meeting at 1:10 p.m. Passed and approved on December 8, 1998. Karen McBeth, city secretary C:\MyFiles\Work Session Minutes\98 1119 wsmin.wpd Page 5 of 5