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MINUTES
PLAINVIEW CITY COUNCIL
June 22,2000
The Plainview City Council met on June 22, 2000 at 11:30 a.m. at the Plainview Convention
Center, 2902 West 4th St., Plainview, Texas. Notice of this meeting was posted in City Hall at
11:00 a.m. on June 19, 2000. Mayor Lloyd C. Woods presided. Councilmembers present were
Sam Parker-District 1, Mary Jane Shanes-District 2, Rey Rosas-District 3, Ross Owen-District 5,
and Bobby McGehee-District 7. Councilmembers Irene Favila and Mike Hutcherson were away
with excused absences.
Staff members present were Jim Jeffers-City Manager, Dale Simpson-Civil Service Director,
Gary Glass-Fire Chief, Sean Lanier-City Engineer, Greg Zielinski-Code Administrator, Norman
Huggins-Finance Director, Wally Hatch-CitY Attorney, Will Mull-Police Chief, and Karen
McBeth-City Secretary.
Guests present were Ron Trusler, MHMR, and Gilbert and Joe Patino, 2102 West 4th St.
OPEN MEETING
Mayor Woods called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m. Councilmember Mary Jane Shanes gave
the Invocation.
The Mayor, Council and Staff reviewed the agenda for the council meeting of June 27, 2000.
Items on that agenda which were discUssed were:
Ordinance No. 00-3258. Sign COde Amendment. An Ordinance of the City of
Plainview, Texas amending Chapter 19 of the Plainview Code of Ordinances;
Severability clause; Cumulativeness clause; Conflicts clause; And effective date.
(First Reading). Greg Zielinski, Code Administrator, reviewed the proposed change to
the sign code ordinance governing portable and temporary signs. He said the primary
reason for changing this section of the ordinance was for public safety. The ordinance
language will read "a. (7) Portable signs that will be in place for seven days or less
will not require a permit, h. Portable display signs shall meet all the setback
requirements as for other signs, shall be anchored to the ground, and all electrical
connections shall meet current City of Plainview Electrical Code requirements.
Portable sign permits shall be for a maximum period of ninety (90) days. No more
than one (1) portable sign permit shall be issued within a six (6) month period for the
same lot/tract."
Councilmember Ross Owen asked if a person got'a permit, positioned the sign behind the
setback limit and had it wired correctly, they icould leave it up 90 days each six months of the
year? Mr. Zielinski said yes. Mr. Owen stated he did not feel comfortable telling someone what
they can do with their property and their advertising dollars. Councilmember Sam Parker stated
he felt wind is a safety factor where portable signs are concerned. He said often times the
lettering and portions of the sign itself get blown into the street and other property. Mayor
Woods stated he was in favor of the ordinance. Councilmember Rosas said he was definitely for
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having the signs at the proper distance from right-of-way and being electrically safe.
Councilmember Shanes said she was for the ordinance. In response to Councilmember
McGehee's inquiry about permanent signs, Mr. Zielinski said another provision of the sign code
covers height, stability and permitting. Mr. McGehee said he felt the portion concerning signs,
which are only displayed less than seven days should definitely be approved. Mr. Owen pointed
out that Code Administration has already stated "portable" signs that are presently on display
will be checked to see if they meet the setback requirements and electrical safety code presently
in place whether this ordinance is passed or not. Councilmembers asked about a "grandfather
clause" and Mr. Jeffers said city staffwould develop a proposal.
Ordinance No. 00-3259. Specific Use Permit. Zone Case No. 691. An Ordinance
amending the Zoning Map of the City of Plainview, Texas by issuance of a Specific
use Permit to operate a private club in a Commercial Retail (C-2) Zoning District,
said parcel of land being 600 West 5t~ St.; Cumulativeness clause; Conflicts clause;
Severability clause; And effective date. (First Reading).
Code Administrator Greg Zielinski reviewed Case No. 691 stating the applicant is Cindy
Jemigan, who also operates a private club at the Days Inn. Mr. Zielinski said the applicant has
met all the requirements of a specific use permit. The Planning and Zoning Commission has
approved the request. One of the requirements was landscaping, and Ms. Jemigan said this
would be done very soon. Of the inquiries mailed out to bordering property owners, there were
no letters received in favor of granting the permit and two were received against the request. Mr.
Zielinski read the two letters; from Mr. Marion Gion and Mr. Henry Woodall. Councilmember
Owen asked if this location had a specific use permit issued before? Mr. Zielinski said yes, but
the business never opened Mr. Jeffers said we have done this in the past. Councilmember Rosas
asked if there were enough exits? Mr. Zielinski said yes, there were two. Councilmember Sam
Parker asked if the proprietor was qualified to operate such an establishment? City Attorney
Wally Hatch replied the alcoholic beverage code controls this. The City Manager said staff
could acquire a resume from Ms. Jernigan and the application she made to TABC. Mr. Parker
asked if there was enough lighting in the parking area? Mr. Zielinski said the Planning and
Zoning Commission did not require any additional lighting. Councilmember Rosas asked about
the hours of operation? Mr. Hatch said the TABC regulates via the permit the hours of operation
and local government could not pre-empt. Councilmember Owen asked if the Council should
review the minutes of previous Specific Use Permits for private clubs and see if there was
common ground where all would have the same requirements. Mr. Jeffers explained that the
term Specific Use Permit should be site and need specific because each application was unique,
but minutes would be pulled and a checklist developed.
Council Reports. Councilmember Owen made a request of the Council to recognize Jack
Williams for his contribution to the golf tournament bearing his name held in Plainvew annually.
He is a "hometown boy" who has done well for himself and Plainview and should be recognized
for it. Mayor Woods said he would be happy to issue a congratulatory certificate
Councilmember Parker said he visited the Unger Library this past week and the new computers
for intemet access will be a great asset to the library and the area.
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Councilmember Rosas had a concern about the phone service with Southwestern Bell. He said
that more and more often when he tries to make a phone call, locally, he gets a computer
generated message that all circuits are busy. Several of the Councilmembers said they had the
same concern.
Review of proposed wastewater rates to finance improvements to the wastewater treatment
plant. Mr. Jeffers reviewed comparative rates of 20 largeest users, showing what they pay now
and what they would pay at the proposed rate: Councilmember McGehee asked what rate is used
for businesses? Mr. Jeffers told' him the same per 1,000 rate as residences, without a cap. Mr.
Huggins said one exception is apartments; the base rate is charged for each apartment with no
maximum amount. Each additional units base rate is discounted. He said Plainview's current
rates are ~A of what they are throughout the state in cities with like population. Councilmember
Owen asked the proposed increase is enough so it would only have to be done one time? Mr.
Jeffers said he believed so, there is a cushion built in the increase. A lot will depend on water
consumption. Councilmember Parker asked if any of these major consumers have been contacted
regarding the proposed increase? Mr. Jeffers said no. He said there will be some negative
feedback and the newspaper will do articles explaining on the increase. Mayor Woods said
water rates would have to be raised also. Councilmember McGehee inquired what the prison
rate was. Huggins noted the Wheeler Unit and Formby Unit is paying what everyone else is.
The Formby Unit still has some time left on a rate guarantee.
Excused Absences: Councilmembers Irene Favila and Mike Hutcherson.
Councilmember Rey Rosas left the meeting at 12:45 p.m.
Request of West Texas A&M University, Division of Agriculture, to acquire a water tap from
Canadian River Municipal Water Authority to supply "emergency water" for the Nance
ranch. The City Manager said the college runs about 600 head of cattle and wants to acquire an
emergency water supply. They have a water supply and indicated most years they would never
use any CRMWA water. Mr. Jeffers said that if they were a private entity, the answer would be
an unequivocal "no", but since they are an institution of higher learning and agriculture/ranching
is important to this area, it should be considered. Mr. Jeffers said their agreement would not be
renewed. Mr. McGehee asked if we would charge WTA&M the same rate as Cactus Feeders?
Mr. Jeffers said yes. The consensus was to work out an agreement with them.
Executive Session. Mr. Jeffers said an executive session regarding right-of-way acquisition on
FM 3466 road would not be needed.
Mayor Woods moved the meeting adjourn Councilmember Owen seconded the motion. Mayor
Woods adjourned the meeting at 12:55 p.m.
Passed and approved on July 11, 2000.
Karen McBeth, City Secretary
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