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HomeMy WebLinkAbout98 0723 min MINUTES -- July 23, 1998 Ci.ty Council Budget Work Session The Plainview City CoUncil met in a Budget Work Session on Thursday, July 23, 1998 at 9:00 a.m. Mayor Lloyd C. Woods presided. Councilmembers 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. Absent was Mary Jane Shanes-Precinct 2. The City Manager provided introductory remarks of the proposed 1998-1999 Budget for the City of Plainview. Councilmember Favila introduced the S.A.F.E. program for discussion. She noted the City provided $20,000 to the program, a very small part of the total cost. She felt the City should increase the funding because of the positive impact the program had on youth in the community. The $20,000 funding is listed under Youth Activities in the Non-departmental account of the General Fund. Councilmember McGehee noted he did not object to the concept of S.A.F.E. but did not feel it should receive the entire $20,000 appropriated. Councilmember Owen noted that funding in the Budget is listed for Youth Activities and that the S.A.F.E. program should be cut to a half day, insisting it was not a daycare program, and a portion of the $20,000 should be distributed to other youth programs such as the YMCA. Mayor Woods noted he agreed with Councilmember Owen, noting the money should be spread around to other programs and if the City sponsors the S.A.F.E. program it should be restricted to Plainview youth. Councilmember Hutcherson stated he felt the funds should be spread around to other youth groups and not restricted to funding S.A.F.E. Councilmember Rosas noted the S.A.F.E. program has been a great program and there is not enough money to go around to other groups. Rosas noted the YMCA does a great job and they need all of the $20,000 and possibly more. Councilmember Parker stated he had visited the S.AiF.E. sites and that we owe a debt to our kids and the $20,000 is a small part of the overall program. It was the consensus of a majority of the Council that $20,000 will remain appropriated fOr the youth activities fund and the money would be "spread around" to other programs, including S.A.F.E. Councilmember McGehee introduced the topic of Park Watering. He noted some of the Parks are a lush green and the City should conduct a watedng audit of the Parks. McGehee suggested the watering budget (1-40-6512) $55,000 be cut by 10%. Councilmember Owen agreed that an audit should be conducted and the City should monitor watedng closely, but he felt the City should maintain what it has and not cut watering efforts unless justified. Mayor Woods noted that the South portion of Broadway Street Park was very lush and not used much, therefore it could use less watering. Councilmember Hutcherson stated he felt a 10% cut would be in order. Councilmember Rosas inquired as to who paid for the water on the Optimists fields, noting the users of the fields should pay for watering. Councilmember Rosas stated he felt all fields should be taken care of, but not over watered. Councilmember Parker agreed with Councilmember Rosas on the baseball fields and stated he felt we could cut the amount of water applied to the Parks. Councilmember Favila noted if we built new Parks more water would be required. It was the consensus of a majority of the Council that the parks water budget for the 1998-1999 fiscal year be cut by 10%. Councilmember Owen introduced the topic of taxes. Owen felt the tax rate should be left as is and not lowered. Norman Huggins noted if the tax rate were 1.5¢ higher it would generate an additional $75,000 per year. The City Manager noted that if the tax rate were left as is, the City would have to advertise there was a tax increase since it is 1.5¢ higher than the effective tax rate. City of Plainview Budget Worksession Minutes - July 23, 1998 - Page I of 3 Mayor Woods suggested the City study leaving the rate as is to be sure there are adequate monies in the future. Councilmember Rosas stated he felt the tax rate should be left as proposed. Councilmembers Parker and Favila agreed the tax rate should be left as proposed. Councilmember McGehee suggested the tax rate be decreased more. It was the consensus of a majority of the Council that the tax rate be left as proposed by the City Manager at 46.56¢. Mayor Woods introduced the topic of merit increases arguing that exceptional employees should be rewarded. Councilmember Hutcherson stated he felt the step plan the City had was adequate and it should be left as is. Councilmembers Rosas, Parker and Favila agreed with Councilmember Hutcherson. Councilmember McGehee noted a medt system is difficult to operate and the current pay plan should be left in place. Councilmember Owen stated he liked medt pay, noting tenure alone does not make a good employee. It was the consensus of the majority of the Council that the 3% cost of living pay increases for City employees would remain in place with the step system. Councilmember Hutcherson introduced the topic of hotel/motel tax and how the Chamber of Commerce manages those funds. Councilmember Rosas stated he felt the Budget should be changed and the City should keep more of the hotel/motel tax monies, looking at maybe a 50/50 split or a 40/60 split with the City keeping 60%. Councilmembers Parker and Favila agreed the current arrangement with the Chamber of Commerce for use of hotel/motel tax should be reviewed in depth. Councilmember McGehee suggested the Chamber should have more accountability to the City on the expenditure of the funds. Councilmember Owen said he would like to look at an in-depth schedule as to how the hotel/motel tax monies are being spent. Mayor Woods noted this is a volatile issue. It was noted the Chamber may be spending too much money on salaries and not enough on actual promotion of tourism and conventions. It was the consensus of the Council to conduct an in depth review of the current contract and funding arrangements with the Chamber of Commerce for use of hotel/motel tax. Councilmember Parker introduced the topic of Park development noting there are requests for a new park in Westgate, additional development in the Lakeside Park and additional playground for the Fdsco addition. Parker noted he attended a work shop on grants at the AMCC conference and he felt the City could secure grant monies to help fund additional park development. Councilmember Favila noted she was not against additional park development but the issue needed to be studied carefully to make sure that existing parks could be maintained before new parks are developed. Councilmember McGehee expressed concern about additional parks, noting it would require more water. Councilmember Owen noted the Westgate area has changed significantly and Westgate residents have proposed to provide matching funds for the development of a park in the area. Councilmember Owen suggested the City appropriate $25,000 for the Westgate park and look at an additional appropriation for improvements to the Lakeside and Frisco parks. Mayor Woods noted the Westgate residents are getting organized and he expects they will raise money to match what the City of Plainview might put into a Westgate park. Councilmember Hutcherson felt the issue should be reviewed carefully. Councilmember Rosas stated the City should first finish development of existing parks before construction additional ones, noting the need for trees at the Lakeside park. It was the consensus of the Council this matter be referred to the Parks Advisory Commission and funding not be considered until a definitive plan is presented.. Councilmember Hutcherson left the meeting at 1:20 p.m. Councilmember Favila introduced the topic of Capital Improvements. The City Manager provided a status report. Councilmember McGehee requested a report on the street planer. McGehee also City of Plainview Budget Worksession Minutes - July 23, 1998 - Page 2 of 3 noted the City had appropriated $150,000 for one water well and he felt the City should study the feasibility of drilling two water wells for the same price. Councilmember Owen noted he still abided by the philosophy of pay as you go, noting the money for the current improvements were coming from reserves. Mayor Woods noted the City should be in the old Southwestern Public Service building (107 W. 7th St.) within the next two months. The finance department will occupy that facility with the municipal court moving to City Hall. Mayor Woods suggested the Council look at concreting the parking lots at City Hall, the Police Station and the property just South of City Hall, it was the consensus of the Council to fund the re-paving in the next budget. Councilmember Rosas inquired about the video/audio cameras placed in police cars, noting he supported all police cars eventually having said units. Councilmember McGehee requested a review of the debt service of the City. Norman Huggins, Director of Finance provided that review. Councilmember Rosas noted the City provides uniforms to most City employees. He felt the City should provide the Mayor and Council with "shirts" noting the "salary" for Councilmembers does not cover all expenses. It was the consensus of the Council that the City would pay for "shirts" for the Mayor and Council. If Councilmembers want to reimburse the City for those expenses, they may do so. Councilmember Parker asked for a review of the employee drug testing program. The review was provided by the City Manager. Councilmember Favila stated she felt the City needed another code enforcement officer. The City Manager noted the City staff had not yet begun marketing code administration and he preferred to pursue a marketing effort in hopes of holding down staffing levels. Councilmember Rosas noted he felt the City needed another officer also. Councilmember Parker stated the City may need another officer, but he felt the City should look at marketing efforts first and something needed to be done about code administration uniforms, noting they look unprofessional. It was the consensus of the Council that the City Manager and the Director of Community Services pursue making code administration more efficient and effective before the City considers hidng additional personnel. Councilmember Rosas led a bdef discussion on the sick leave policy. Councilmember McGehee asked the digester cleaning be placed in the wastewater treatment plant budget. It was the consensus of the Council to do so. Mayor Woods asked that as part of remodeling efforts that the City look at new chairs and a sound system for the Council Chambers. Councilmember Rosas asked about a pay raise for the City Council. It was the consensus of the City Council that the City Manager provide a report on this topic. The meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m. Passed and approved on August 25, 1998. er Gity of ¢lainviow Budflot Worksossion Minutos - ,July 23, 1@@8 - Parle 3 of $