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HomeMy WebLinkAbout89 0304 minO0 025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING SPECIAL SESSION AMARILLO SHERATON INN MARCH 4-5, 1989 MINUTES The Plainview City Council met in Special Session on Saturday, March 4, 1989, from 9:30 a.m., until 6:00 p.m. and on Sunday, March 5, 1989, from 8:30 a.m., until 12:00 noon, in the Brazos Room of the Sheraton Inn, in Amarillo, Texas. Mayor E.V. Ridlehuber was presiding. The following Councilmembers were present: Alton Jackson, Terry Clements, Don Dickson, Bobby James, Barbara Dorman, Junior Brown and Ross Owen. Staff present: City Manager, James P. Jeffers and City Attorney, David A. Blackburn. Chief of Police, Roy L. Osborne, was present on March 4, to discuss Police/Fire Consolidation and Police staffing levels. Guest present: None, CIVIL SERVICE. The City Council discussed the possibility of the Firefighters petitioning the City for a Civil Servi~e Election. The City Council requested that staff complete an analysis by September 29, 1989, on the pro's and con's of Civil Service. SALARY ADJUST~RNTS. The City Council stated that the remainder of the SMC, personnel salary recommendations, were to be implemented, if financially possible, at the beginning of the 1989-90 fiscal year. In addition, a merit system should be implemented during the upcoming fiscal year, and the personnel policies are to be implemented by July 31, 1989. CITY ATTORNEY SECRETARY. It was the consensus of the City Council that the City Manager may restructure staffing in City Hall, in order to provide the City Attorney with a Secretary. The Council was advised that the Budget would need to be amended in order to allow for an increased salary and to meet additional equipment needs. The Council was also advised of the possibility that additional staff may be needed in the future, in order to replace the Word Processing position which was being eliminated, with the individual occupying said position being transferred to the City Attorney's Department. GRANT WRITER. The City Council reviewed a proposal to hire a Grant Writer. It was the consensus of the City Council that said proposal be pursued. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS. The Council agreed that the Director of Public Works, in conjunction with the City Manager, should prepare a proposal for the creation of a new position of Assistant Director of Public Works. Funding for this position would come from the soon to be vacated position of the Director of Environmental Services and Municipal Safety. PERSONNEL MANAGER. The Council requested that the need for a Personnel Manager continue to be monitored. It was the consensus of the Council that such a position was not needed at this time. 1 of 4 TRAVEL POLICIES. It was the consensus of the Council that the ~Travel Policy would remain basically unchanged except, that the City Manager, through the Council Update, was to advise as to which Councilmembers were attending meetings out of the City. It was also the consensus of the Council that the City would pay for all events which are sponsored by the entity putting on the meetings. TMRS - FIREMEN'S PENSION FU~D. The Council requested they be presented with information on the administration of the TMRS and Firemen's Pension Fund prior to July 1, 1989. CONSOLIDATED POLICE AND FIRE. The Chief of Police pr-esented a proposal on consolidated Police and Fire. It was the consensus of the City Council to pursue this proposal as soon as practical. POLICE STAFFING. The Chief of Police discussed the need for additional staffing. As outlined in a memorandum entitled, "Police Personnel/Overview" dated January 4, 1989. The City Council was not interested in pursuing a Reserve Police Force, but expressed interest in the Warrant Officer position in conjunction with consolidation. CITY MANAGER. The City Manager requested, and the City Council agreed to consider a Contract for Services. The Council also expressed a desire to grant the City Manager a 10% salary increase. The City Council instructed the City Manager to initiate a Self Evaluation Process for his office and to share those results with the Council on an annual basis. SERVICE CENTER. Per the recommendation of the City Manager, the City Council agreed to continue to operate the Service Center but requested that Service Center activities continue to be monitored. PURCHASING MANUAL. The City Council noted the Purchasing Manual was past due and that a new time frame for completing such would be developed and submitted to the Council for consideration. BUDGET PREPARATION PROCESS. It was the consensus of the City Council to leave the Budget Preparation Process alone, but to add, in Council Pre-Sessions, Department Head explanations of special programs and/or projects. PARKS MAINTENANCE - MASTER PLAN. The Council requested that City Staff develop a proposal, in conjunction with the upcoming Budget, to develop a Master Plan addressing Park Maintenance. LIBRARY. The Council expressed a desire to continue to have a conservative attitude on funding of the Library, but, the Council would like to explore the possibility of more community education through the Library. 2 of 4 O0 027 FREE PORT STATUS. The City Council agreed to allow the City Manager to work with the School and the County in the development of a proposal which would call for the abandonment of the Wal-Mart tax abatement in return for Free Port Status if it is approved by the voters in November. FUTURE TAX INCREASES. The City Council expressed an interest in continuing to increase taxes in order to continue to improve the financial condition of the General Fund. WATER RATES - SETH WARD. The City Council reviewed a proposal for the rates on Seth Ward, as prepared by McMorries and Associates, and also instructed Staff to prepare a rate analysis on the City's water system as soon as prabtical. SANITATION RATES. The City Council reviewed the proposed increase in Sanitation Rates, which currently calls for a $2.00 increase in Residential Rates and a similar percentage increase in commercial rates. BOND ISSUE. The City CounciI discussed, the need for a Bond Issue and questioned the need for a General Obligation Bond Issue but, continued to express an interest in the need for a Bond Issue in the water and sewer area as well as the solid waste area. COUNTY JAIL. The City Council discussed the County's proposal to construct additional cells for the County Jail. The City Council stated that the City should offer assistance in marketing the proposal if the County requests such. Concern was also expressed about the perceived lack of juvenile facilities. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION. The City Council discussed the Human Relations Commission and encouraged Staff, as well as Council Liaison Junior Brown, to continue to work closely with said Commission in order to improve the quality of life in Plainview. FIRE PROTECTION - COUNTY. The City Council instructed staff to take a neutral position on the upcoming expiration of the Fire Contract. The Council also encouraged Staff to continue to discuss privately, the issue with individual Commissioner's. EMS - COUNTY PARTICIPATION. The City Council encouraged Staff to work individually with County Commissioners in hopes of securing County support for the City of Plainview Fire Department EMS. LIBRARY - COUNTY PARTICIPATION. Council instructed Staff to continue to seek additional funds from the County for funding the City of Plainview Library. The Council also suggested that the Senior Citizens be solicited for support of the City's position with the County. REDISTRICTING - COUNTY. The Council requested that Staff present a legal analysis of the redistricting issue to the Council by November 15, 1989. 3 of 4 C~kRTER. Staff is to have prepared recommendation by January 15,-1990. Charter amendment MASTER PLAN. The Council was encouraged to attend a Special Work Session with the Planning and Zoning Commission on March 30, 1989. The Council was also asked to remain sensitive to the cost associated with implementing new regulations of the Plan. ANNEXATION - WESTRIDGE. The Council requested that Staff complete an analysis of the proposed Westridge Annexation no later than September 1, 1989. At that time, the City Council would decide as to whether or not the Annexation should be pursued. BEAUTIFICATION. The Council requested that voluntary compliance be sought on legal "junk yards" on 5th Street. ALCOHOL. The Council discussed the need for a liquor referendum and stated it would be up to the private sector to initiate such, and the City should not be involved. WATER RIG~ES/CONSERVATION. After the Hunter report, the City Council requested that 'Staff make a presentation about the need for future water rights for the City of Plainview. At that time, the City Council would also make a determination as to whether or not an in depth analysis of the City's Water Rights, and the need for future Rights should be initiated. The Council also requested more detailed information on the infrastructure needs of the Water and Sewer Departments. INDUSTRIAL RECRUIT~RNT. The Council requested that Staff develop a Policy Statement concerning Industrial Recruitment with special emphasis paid to environmental issues and water consumption issues as well as annexation issues. This Policy Statement is to receive a high priority of Staff. DOWNTOWN. The City Council briefly discussed Downtown Plainview and opted to take no action until after Athe Hunter Report is completed. .~V~.R~.~ J~mes P. ~7/effers/~,~~r / 4 of 4