Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout93 0805 minOO70 MINUTES City Council Work Session August 5,1993 The City Council of the City of Plainview met in a Work Session at 11:30 a.m. at the Plainview Country Club, 2902 West 4th Street, Plainview, Texas. Mayor E. V. Ridlehuber presided. Councilmembers present were: Alton Jackson, Sr. - Precinct 1, Don Dickson - Precinct 3, Medlin Carpenter- Precinct 4, and Irene Favila - Precinct 7. Absent were Mary Virginia Kirchhoff - Precinct 2, Barbara Dorman - Precinct 5, and Dwain Dodson - Precinct 6. Staff members present were: James P. Jeffers - City Manager, William R. Hogge - Director of Public Works, Terry Powers - Director of Human Resources; Barbara Sullivan - Municipal Court Judge, Wally Hatch - City Attorney, Roy L. Osborne- Director of Public Safety, Norman Huggins - Director of Finance, Bruce A. Watson -Fire Chief, Muff London- Director of Community Development and Karen McBeth - City Secretary. THIS IS A WORK SESSION AND NO ACTION CAN BE TAKEN OPEN MEETING Mayor Ridlehuber called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m. The Council reviewed the agenda of the upcoming meeting of August 10, 1993. Mayor Ridlehuber asked City Manager Jim Jeffers to present his reports. Council Fax Machines - Mr. Jeffers reminded the Council that three years ago it was proposed that the City furnish each council member with a FAX machine whereby important documents, information and data could be submitted to each council member at any time, as opposed to holding all documents in their respective mail boxes. It would mean that the Council would have immediate access to information' regarding the city. Recently Councilmember Alton Jackson requested this idea be discussed again. Mr. Jeffers asked if the Council was interested in this proposal and the Council asked that this be placed on an agenda for their consideration. Budget/ClP Workshop - After a brief discussion the Council decided to meet at City Hall on August 17, 1993, at 1:00 p.m. for a capital improvements work session. Country Club- Wally Hatch, City Attorney, reported to the Council that the proposed new building for the Plainview Country Club originally called for sprinklers but the architect did not put them in the final plan specifications. The architect thought that by using strategically placed fire walls and fire doors the need for sprinklers could be averted, except for the ballroom. After code enforcement officials and the fire marshall, along with the city attorney, reviewed this plan it was determined that due to the construction material of the building itself, the sprinklers would be necessary throughout the propOsed building. Mr. Hatch reported that the Country Club officials have been extremely cooperative and are eager to comply with the necessary fire codes. Final cost figures are not available on the addition of the sprinklers. Sanitation/Landfill - Legal Assistance (Robin Lloyd)- Attorney Robin Lloyd has been assisting the city 1 of 3 0071 in its struggle to be exempted from some of the more stringent regulations imposed by the Texas Water Commission regarding the new sanitary landfill. To date there has been no impact made on these requirements, but this is as expected. Mr. Jeffers proposed that he speak with Mr: Lloyd regarding a long term strategy for gaining some relief from these regulations as well as getting a cost figure from Mr. Lloyd for these proposed services. The council had no objection to this proposal. Sanitation ,Landfill Life - Bill Hogge, Director of Public Works, reported that the first cell of the new landfill will not last as long as originally hoped for because it is much smaller than originally planned. He reported that the city has the money to open the second cell and that while the city, with Mr. Robin Lloyd's help, is attempting to get some of the regulations lifted, these rules will not be changed in time to affect the construction of this second cell. He reported this second cell will not be nearly so expensive as the first, because the road, gatehouse, berm, etc. costs will not have to be dealt with again. An engineer will be required to oversee the work so as to be cost effective and get the approval of the Texas Water Commission. Telephone Expanded Local Calling - Muff London, Director for Community Development, explained there is a proposal to make any city within 22 miles a local telephone call, as opposed to a long distance call. This expanded local service would be at a cost of $3.50 per phone line. There is also a proposal to make this calling area available up to 50 miles, if it can be considered a "hardship" (this would include the Lubbock area for Plainview telephone users). The Public Utilities Commission is still writing the specifications for this proposal and city administration will monitor this closely and report to the Council. TML Resolutions - Mr. Jeffers reminded the Council that if there were any state laws or regulations they felt needed to be addressed by Texas Municipal League, the deadline for submitting those resolutions to TML is September 20, 1993. Code Enforcement - Roofers - The question of whether roofers should be required to purchase annual permits, in the amouht of $50, was discussed. At the present time there ~s an ordinance requiring roofers to pay this, however it is not enforced. Electricians, plumbers and other type carpenters do not have to pay this type fee. At the present time roofers also have to carry a $5,000 surety bond. Mr. Jeffers reported that after studying this problem, Code Enforcement has recommended the $50 annual fee be deleted, but a $25 permit fee for each roofing job be maintained. Mr. Jeffers stated a new ordinance is being prepared stating this. There were no objections. Hale County Appraisal District. Mr. Jeffers handed out copies of a letter from the Hale County Chief Appraiser, Linda Jaynes, reporting on the effective tax rate for the City of Plainview. If the Council wants a full explanation, Mr. Jeffers suggested the Council go by the Appraisal District office and make such inquiries. Mr. Jeffers stated there is also a new method of electing individuals to the Board of the Appraisal District. Cable TV - Mr. Jeffers reported the latest date set for cable rate regulation implementation is October 1, 1993. At the present time Plainview Cable TV is having an on going discussion with Channel II (NBC) in Lubbock regarding cable carrying their station. Channel 11 has already invoked the non-duplication privilege, which means Plainview wil not see Amarillo commercials. Channel 11 is asking Plainview Cable to pay a certain price to carry their station, Cable TV is not eager to pay the requested amount. Mr. Jeffers will report further at next Work Session. 2 of 3 0072 Fire - County Contract - Don Dickson asked Mr. Jeffers about the present status of the fire contract with Hale County. Mr. Jeffers stated that Commissioner James Belk had visited with him and stated that Hale County will not be cancelling the fire contract. With no further business to discuss, Mayor Ridlehuber declared the meeting adjourned at 12:35 p.m. E. V. Ridlehuber, Mayor ATTEST: Karen McBeth, City Secretary 3 of 3