HomeMy WebLinkAbout97 1218 minCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Plainview City Council
December 18, 1997
The City Council of the City of Plainview met in a regularly scheduled Work Session at
11:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 18, 1997, at the Piainview Convention Center. Notice
of this meeting was posted in City Hall on December 12, 1997 at 5:00 p.m. Mayor Lloyd
C. Woods presided. Councilmembers present were: Larry Dickerson-Precinct 1, Rey
Rosas-Precinct 3, Mike Hutcherson-Precinct 4, Ross Owen-Precinct 5, Bobby McGehee-
Precinct 6 and Irene Favila-Precinct 7. Councilmember Mary Virginia Kirchhoff-
Precinct 2, was absent.
Staff members present were: Jim Jeffers-City Manager, John Castro-Director of
Community Services, Gary Glass-Fire Chief, Dale Simpson-Civil Service Director,
Cindy Gasaway-Administrative Assistant, Norman Hug,ins-Director of Finance, Ches
Carthel-Director of Public Works, Wally Hatch-City Attorney, Will Mull-Police Chief
and Karen McBeth-city secretary.
News media present: Richard Orr with the Piainview Daily Herald.
THIS IS A WORK SESSION AND NO ACTION CAN BE TAKEN:
1. Following Mayor Woods calling the meeting to order, Norman Hug,ins gave the
InvocatiOn. It was noted that Mary Virginia Kirchhoff, Councilmember Precinct 2, had
called in to say she could not attend the meeting today.
2. The Mayor, Council and Staff reviewed the agenda posted for the City Council
meeting of Tuesday, December 23, 1997.
Liaison Reports:
Mike Hutcherson reported the Hale County Appraisal Board rejected all the bids
received for the remodeling/construction of their building because they were all
too high. They are looking into acting as their own contractor and subcontracting
each phase of the remodeling reconstruction. They discussed the possibility of
using prisoners as labor to do much of construction work. They estimated to save
approximately $150,000 if they can use prison labor. No concrete plans have been
adopted to date.
4. CitY Manager Reports: Building Committees
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Seventh Street Park: Dale Simpson reported it would not be economically feasible to
remodel the building in the Seventh Street Park. He said it was constructed from World
War II barracks and it would be too costly to fix. He said the structure might be sold
and then a new building constructed in its place. Without brick, a nice building could
be constructed for approximately $60,000. At a later date the City might consider
bricking it.
Municipal Court: The City has been approached to buy the Southwestern Public Service
building on 8th Street. It has been discussed the 'finance, personnel and water
departments could be moved to that location. The ADA compliance requirements are
being studied. The location has good parking areas. The building can be purchased for
$175,000 and $6,000 might take care of the ADA compliance needs. The Appraisal
District has it on the tax rolls at $130,000 and the building has 2,900 square feet. A new
building might cost $700 a square foot. The Southwestern Public Service personnel
should be out by January 1, 1998.
Fire Station: No property in the original preferred area is readily available. The City
is looking at alternative areas. Of the five sites being considered, one is below flood
plain. A final proposal will be submitted later. There is one site that might possibly be
free and its access to US 70 is good. Property along SW 3~ would be good. At this time
there are no firm considerations or offers.
Newsletter: Cindy Gasaway reported on the progress of the City's newsletter. The first
of the quarterly publication should be completed about January 19, 1998. It will be
printed through the Plainview Daily Herald. It will be distributed with their Sunday
newspaper and through the South Plains Plus publication. The use of recycled paper is
being seriously considered, this might make it more cost effective. Ms. Gasaway said it
will be written by the employees of the City and she will act as Editor. She said the
name of it will be the "Town Crier" and many issues will be addressed through the
newsletter. She thanked the Council for approving the funds to make it a reality and
said it will be a good public relations tool.
Charter: Conflict of Interest Provisions. Mr. Jeffers said the new Charter mandated the
issue of Conflict of Interest be covered by ordinance. The ordinance would of course
reflect State law, but anything not covered by State law that the Council wanted
addressed would have to be formulated. Following a short discussion, there was no
objection to an ordinance following State law. City Attorney Wally Hatch will draft the
ordinance for the Council to consider.
Open Forum: The recently changed Open Forum policy was discussed. Mr. Jeffers told
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the Council that there should be no "surprises" from this forum, and when an individual
requested to appear on the Open Forum the exact topic of the person's speech must be
very clear. Mayor Woods stated, that no one will be allowed to verbally attack a
Councilmember. He said constructive criticism is quite different from personal attacks.
Mr. Jeffers said the policy should offer a level playing field to the public.
Mayor Woods adjourned the meeting at 12:47 p.m.
Passed and approVed on January 13, 1997.
Karen McBeth, city secretary
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