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Home My WebLink About00 0217 min6i MINUTES PLAINVIEW CITY COUNCIL MEETING February 17, 2000 The Plainview City Council met on February 17, 2000 at 11:30 a.m. at the Plainview Convention Center, 2902 West 4th Street, Plainview, Texas. Mayor Lloyd C. Woods presided. Councilmembers present were Mary Jane Shanes, Precinct 2; Mike Hutcherson, Precinct 4; Ross Owen, Precinct 5; Bobby McGehee, Precinct 6; and Irene Favila, Precinct 7. Councilmembers Sam Parker, Precinct l, and Rey Rosas, Precinct 3, received excused absences for this meeting. Staff members present were Jim Jeffers, City Manager; John Castro, Director of Community Services; Cynthia Williams, Water Reclamation Superintendent; Dale Simpson, Civil Service Director; John Berry, Director of Public Works; Gary Glass, Fire Chief; Will Mull, Police Chief; Sean Lani er, Engineer; Wally Hatch, City Attorney; and Karen McBeth, City Secretary. Guests present were Terry Carter, Dickie Wall, David Almager with the Census Bureau, Ron Trusler of MHMR, and Gilbert Patino and his father. Richard Orr of the Plainview Daily Herald. OPEN MEETING Councilmember Ross Owen gave the Invocation. Review February 22, 2000 City Council Agenda. These items were discussed. e) Consider participation in the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority rainfall enhancement program. The General Manager of the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority John Williams has said he does not believe the program would impact Lake Meredith. Most cities are part of an enhancement program already. Councilmember McGehee said if part of our ad valorem taxes go to pay for a local rain enhancement program now, Plainview does not need to participate. Mayor Woods said he was not in favor. Councilmember Owen said he could see no reason to participate. The consensus was not to participate. g) Resolution No. R00-103. A Resolution of the City of Plainview affirming support for neutral tax treatment of Internet purchases; Defining opposition to the Intemet Tax Freedom Act; And establishing an effective Date. Mr. Jeffers explained that the resolution asks that the Federal government remain neutral - not get involved - in the taxation of purchases made from the Internet Each state should determine whether or not to tax without Federal involvement. There were no objections. 5. Ordinance No. 00-3239. Zone Case 685. An Ordinance authorizing the issuance of a Specific Use Permit to operate an Arcade in a Central Business (CBD) zoning district, O0 0217 Worksession Minutes Page 1 of 3 ¸62' address being 622 Ash St,; Cumulativeness clause; Conflicts clause; Severability clause; And effective date. First reading. Mr. Jeffers said Staff was still studying the implication of the 20% rule, those property owners within 200 feet of the proposed Arcade, which need notification. John Castro, Director of Community Services said he had three letters against the business and one vote in favor. Mr. Patino, the proprietor of the proposed business, asked who objected? Mr. Castro said he would get that information to him. Councilmember Rosas asked what his hours of operation would be? Mr. Patino said from 10 am to 10 pm weekdays, 10 am to 12 pm on Saturday, and 10 am to 2 pm on Sunday. Councilmember Shanes asked if parking was the problem? Mr. Patino said not at night when he would have the most clients. Mayor Woods asked if the body shop next door would be required to make any changes? Mr. Castro said yes, they would have to install air- cleaning equipment. Mr. Jeffers pointed out the Council would have to have six votes in favor of the Specific Use Permit because of the 20% rule. Councilmember Favila asked that this item be tabled for further study. She stated she will not be at the next Council Meeting and she felt the entire Council should be present to vote. Resolution No. R00-102. A Resolution of the City of Plainview regarding a rate change request from Energas Company; And recommendation from the Cities Steering Committee and Diversified Utility Consultant, Inc. that no increase in rate is justified at this time; Rejecting the proposed rate increase; And providing an effective date. Mr. Jeffers explained cities have original jurisdiction regarding approval of rate increases for utility companies. Energas has asked for 22.7% rate increase. The Steering Committee composed of the cities involved in the rate increase, has recommended a 6.1% reduction in the baSe rate. In 1996 Plainview approved a gas rate increase. If the cities adoPt this resolution and deny a rate increase, it appears the case will be submitted to the Railroad Commission for a final ruling. Councilmember Favila has deClared a Conflict of Interest regarding this agenda item and will not vote, nor participate in the discussions. ~ 8. Select finalist for engineering services for the wastewater treatment plan improvements~ Director of Public Works J6hn Berry reviewed the requests for proposals from five engineering firms regarding the renovation of the wastewater treatment plant. Scoring produced the following list (in descending order): CamP, Dresser & McKee Inc.; Freese & Nichols; Alan Plummer PSC; HDR; and Enprotec: The City Manager and staff will begin negotiating scOpe of ServiCes and price if the Council approves. All of the equipment in the Plant Will need to be evaluated as to efficiency and effectiveness as well as increase the capacity of the plant to 5 million gallons per day. A decision will then be made to determine whether t6 make such repair/rePlacements or to build a new plant. The plant is'25 years old and we are not able to get replacement parts. Councilmember McGehee asked what primary points would be negotiated? Mr. Berry said the percentage fee as well as the scope of the work. Councilmember Owen asked if there would be a timeline for this project? Mr. Berry said he has a timeline in the proposal request. It should be O0 0217 Worksession Minutes Page 2 of 3 finished in 2002 Councilmember McGehee asked if the staff would have a hands-on approach to this project? Mr. Berry said yes, very much so. There were no City Council Reports. Development policies as it pertains to City infrastructure. Terry Carter, a local contractor who lives at 4503 West 2"a St., addressed the Council concerning property located at Quincy and S,W. 3ra St. He said this property is ready to be developed and it would be ideal for affordable housing. It can be replatted into 140 lots and he has house plans which can be economically constructed. However, the cost of constructing water and sewer lines drives the cost of lots so high that even a small home is no longer affordable. He said a 1,400 square foot partially bricked home, with fence, yard and double carport can be sold for around $68,000. If the contractor has to pay for water lines to this property it will add $20,000 to the cost of each house, and this is not affordable housing. Councilmember McGehee asked if there was a method of financing this infrastructure construction that could be paid for by the users? Mr. Jeffers said yes, but this would also drive up the price of homes. Councilmember Shanes asked how this property is presently zoned? John Castro said it is zoned Agricultural. Mayor Woods asked Mr. Carter if 140 houses was all he planned to develop? Mr. Carter said that when he sold the first 140 homes he plans on developing another 100 lots. Mr. Jeffers asked Mr. Carter if he would like for the Council and staff to look into developing options for infrastructure construction and finance? Mr. Carter said he would certainly appreciate it. Councilmember Owen asked if building more houses would be a problem for the water production and wastewater treatment plants? Mr. Jeffers said no, it would compliment it The more customers the city has, the more there are to pay for it. Mr. Carter stated he would pay for curb, gutter and paving. Councilmember Favila asked Mr. Carter if he had done a housing survey? Mr. Carter said no. Mr. Jeffers said city staff would develop optional plans for financing and/or providing infrastructure. Change starting time for Tuesday evening Council meetings. Mr. Jeffers asked if the Council was interested in starting Council meetings earlier in the day instead of at 7:30 p.m.? After a brief discussion the Council said they would consider Census 2000. Mr. David Almager with the U.S. Census Bureau addressed the Council about the upcoming census. Mayor Woods adjourned the meeting at 1:15 p.m. Passed and approved on March 14, 2000. Karen McBeth, City Secretary 068 O0 0217 Worksession Minutes Page 3 of 3