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Home My WebLink About00 0720 min119 MINUTES PLAINVIEW CITY COUNCIL MEETING July 20, 2000 The Plainview City Council met on July 20, 2000 at the Plainview Convention Center, 2902 West 4th St. Notice of this meeting was posted in City Hall at 11:00 a.m. on July 17, 2000. Mayor Lloyd C. Woods called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m. Councilmembers present were Sam Parker-Precinct 1, Mary Jane Shanes-Precinct 2, Rey Rosas-Precinct 3, Mike Hutcherson- Precinct 4, Ross Owen-Precinct 5 and Bobby McGehee-Precinct 6. Councilmember Irene Favila-Precinct 7 was absent. Staff members present were: Jim Jeffers-City Manager, John Castro-Director of Community Services, Rusty Reese-Parks Superintendent, Dale Simpson-Administrative Assistant, Gary Glass-Fire Chief, Scan Lanier-City Engineer, John Berry-Director of Public Works, Will Mull- Police Chief, Wally Hatch-City Attorney, Norman Huggins-Finance Director, and Karen McBeth-City Secretary. Guests present were: Vickie Bennett with Cox Communications, and Bill Guy, Junior Aston and Mike Dearmond with Energas Company. OPEN MEETING John Castro, Director of Community Services gave the invocation. The Council reviewed the July 25, 2000 agenda. Items discussed were: e) Consider approval of Texas Department of Health funding contracts for 2000-2001 in the amount of $114,933 John Castro reviewed the two grants, one is for immunizations (perform population based assessments to assess immunization levels, provide weekly data transfers to the State immunization registry, conduct immunization audits of certain providers and authorizes overtime pay for individual who works in director support of immunization services). The other is for environmental services and operations. Award of Bids for playground equipment. Parks Superintendent Rusty Reese reviewed the bids received for playground equipment. Play-Well Group (an alternate design bid) of $20,927.32; Hunter Knepshield for $24,874.58; and the Play-Well Group for $25,416.35. Staff recommends the Hunter Knepshield bid. 5. Zone Case #692 - Specific Use Permit. Ordinance No. 00-3260. An Ordinance amending the zoning map of the City of Plainview by issuance of a Specific Use Permit to operate a medical equipment sales and service facility in a Commercial Retail (c-2) Zoning District, said parcel of land being 2207 W. 24~h Street; Cumulative clause; Conflicts clause; Severability clause; And effective date. (First Reading) John Castro said all requirements for a Specific Use Permit have been met and only favorable reply was received. The Council had no questions. Minutes O0 0720 Page 1 of 3 Action on Energas Rate Case. Jim Jeffers reviewed the events to this date. The original rate request from Energas was $9.8 million. The coalition of cities steering committee agreed to a mediated settlement with these stipulations: Energas would receive a revenue increase of $3,010,000 per year with new rates effective for gas service on October 1, 2000. This amounts of a 6.5% and 9.4% increase for average residential and commercial customers, respectively, excluding the cost of gas. When gas costs are included the increases at 2.7% and 2.97% respectively. Energas may not implement another rate increase before October 1, 2003. However, any city may initiate a rate decrease during that time period should Energas experience excessive earnings. Rate case expenses (estimate $700,000 to date-75% Energas) would be surcharged to ratepayers over 3 years. · Energas agrees to cooperate in municipal aggregation of gas purchases. · Energas proposed depreciation rates would apply until the next rate request, substantially reducing their future rate base. As of July 19, 2000 40 cities approved the mediated settlement. Cities rejecting the settlement include: Lubbock, Anton, Earth, Shallowater, Brownfield, Lamesa, Levelland and Big Spring. The City of Plainview can accept the negotiated settlement, with its "favored nation" clause, or reject it. Mr. Jeffers recommended accepting the mediated settlement. He said if Lubbock secures a better rate before the Railroad Commission, then Plainview can take advantage of it. Excused absence was granted to Councilmember Irene Favila. City Council Reports There were none. Cox Cable TV. Ms. Vickie Bennett, Public Relations director of Cox Communications, reviewed the program line-up and rate changes scheduled to take place on August 14, 2000. Ms. Bennett said the basic cable rate will be going down. Also, they will remove two Amarillo stations. The expanded line-up will cost more, but will include more channels. Those subscribers that get the expanded programming will have the converters changed, as well as the "traps". She said digital cable will be available. Councilmember Owen asked if he would still need a "box"? Ms. Bennett said yes, for the premier channels. Councilmember Rosas asked how many Hispanic channels there will be? Ms. Bennett said seven. Councilmember Shanes asked who in the organization decided what channels go to what cities? Ms. Bennett said the marketing department in Lubbock. She said the stronger channels go in the basic tier. City Attorney Wally Hatch stated that there was really not a reduction in the basic cost-per-channel rate, it was because of the removal of the two Amarillo channels. Councilmember Ross Owen left the meeting at 12:40 p.m Councilmember Rosas left the meeting at 12:45 p.m. Stormwater Phase II. Mr. Jeffers said changes will be coming with the Stormwater Phase II rules and regulations. The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission oversees the EPA directives concerning Stormwater Phase II. The rules and not been fully established. He said it Minutes O0 0720 Page 2 of 3 121 may cost over $70,000 to comply. At present they propose to use a "best management" approach to regulating. This includes public education and outreach on stormwater impacts; Public involvement/participation; Illicit discharge detection and elimination; Construction site stormwater management in new development and redevelopment; Pollution prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations. Councilmember McGehee asked if this will affect counties? Mr. Jeffers said yes. Mayor Woods asked if the City should begin saving now for the proposed fees? Mr. Jeffers said no, because it is not yet known what we will have to do. Councilmember McGehee asked if an arid land exemption might apply? Mr. Jeffers said unlikely, for this is National not State. Districting Commission 2000. Mr. Jeffers said a short, simple questionnaire about why they are interested in serving on this commission would be prepared for nominees to the Districting Commission to complete. Those nominated to date are: Lou Balenton by Parker, Favila and Rosas Dwain Dodson by Woods Rocky Favila by Favila Vickie Flores by Rosas Jimmy Holmes by Woods Daniel Rascon by Woods Paul Reynozo by Favila Gayle Thompson by Hutcherson Ron Trusler by Woods and Rosas Yolanda Vargas by Favila Rosa Zuniga by Favila Jerry Bratcher by McGehee Tiffin Wortham by Owen. Mayor Woods adjourned the meeting at 12:50 p.m. Passed and approved on August 8, 2000. Karen McBeth, City Secretary Minutes 00 0720 Page 3 of 3