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CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL AND REGULAR SESSION
MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2006
MUNICIPAL BUILDING
3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD.
5:30 P.M.
The City Council convened in Special and Regular Session in the Municipal Building (3800
University Blvd.) on October 9, 2006, with the following members present: Mayor Ballanfant
presiding, Council Members Cohen, Segal, Woods and Yehle. The City Manager, City Secretary,
City Attorney, Finance Director, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director, Fire Chief,
Police Chief, Human Resource Manager and Assistant to the City Manager were also present.
The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, Chapter
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551, on the 5 day of October 2006 at 4:30 p.m.
City finances, facilities, programs, 2006 tax rate and the 2007 Budget.
Matters related to city finances, facilities, programs, 2006 tax rate and the 2007 Budget including
revenues and expenditures for current and future years for all funds, and capital improvements,
priorities and related programs and expenditures, including recreation facilities, parkland and
other park projects, police and public works facilities, street lighting, sidewalks, drainage and
flood control, traffic and parking and other public improvements.
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City Manager Michael Ross stated that at the City Council budget workshop on September 30,
Council provided direction requiring a reduction in the Maintenance & Operation Tax Rate from
the proposed 19.4 Cents to 19 Cents. This .4 Cent reduction from the proposed M&O rate
requires a net adjustment to the overall 2007 Budget in the amount of approximately $149,530.
Council may consider an option to use the Effective Tax Rate of 40.2 Cents, which would
generate an additional $63,800 in revenue and could be applied to capital projects, such as,
implementation of the City Street Light Program or any other project the Council may deem
necessary.
Below is a summary of the adjustments made:
Property tax was reduced to 40
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Proposed
Cents (M&O ? 19 Cents / Debt 21
BudgetRevised Budget
BUDGET REVISIONSInc./(Dec.)
Cents).
REVENUES:
Sales tax revenues were refined.
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Property Tax$6,223,260$6,095,760
Delinquent tax collection assumes
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Sales Tax Revenue$715,500$755,500$40,000
greater success in collections.
Debt Service Fund$6,694,670$6,667,770
Franchise fees were refined using
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Delinquent Tax Collection$10,000$37,500$27,500
performance to date.
Franchise taxes$932,000$942,000$10,000
Employee healthcare benefits
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increases were reduced from 15%
EXPENDITURES:
to 10%.
Employee Healthcare Benefits$819,750$789,700
Recreation Specialist in Parks was
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Recreation Specialist - 12 mos. to 6 mos.$52,000$29,420
funded for only 6 months.
Employee tuition$10,000$0
Travel and training$110,000$100,000
Net Increase / (Decrease:)
City Council Regular Session, October 9, 2006
Employee tuition was double budgeted and corrected.
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Travel and training were reduced from $110,000 to $100,000 per Council?s request.
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Summary of Changes in the 2007 Budget from the 2006 Budget:
Staffing Refinements:
Increase from 119 FTE?s to 121 FTE?s.
IT / Communication Manager ? being reassigned from Fire Department to Administration
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and upgraded.
IT / Communication Technician ? new position created in Administration.
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Vacant Captain is eliminated and filing the vacant Lieutenant position. (reflects a 2006
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change)
Cashier position in Finance & Court will become Senior Court/Collection Clerk full-time
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and no longer job-shared between part time employees.
Administrative Assistant position being upgraded to Administrative Manager in Parks &
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Recreation.
Facility Maintenance Manager position is being upgraded in Parks & Recreation.
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Maintenance Worker III is being upgraded to Crew Leader in Parks & Recreation.
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Maintenance Worker I position transferred from Public Works to Parks & Recreation.
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Fees:
Development Service fees are being adjusted to reflect more accurate charges.
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Does not propose a fee increase for solid waste service.
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Wages & Benefits:
Increase base salary ranges by the CPI (3.5%)
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Provides an average 3% merit increase
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Provides for a 10% increase in employee health benefits.
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Added the new ER1 salary range category and current ER categories were renumbered.
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The City Council asked numerous questions about the proposed budget.
The City Council agreed that the Recreation Specialist position would be appropriated mid-year
in the 2007 budget but the position would not be filled until further approval by the City Council.
Council Member Woods asked how much of the City?s sales tax revenue was dependent on the
Kirby corridor.
Finance Director Walter Thomas responded that the State did not provide this level of detail to
the City.
The City Council requested that the Staff look at the charges to Southside Place to make sure
they are reflecting actual costs.
The Council and Staff discussed a tax rate of 40.2 cents and using the additional funds for
streetlights, the design of the Emergency Operation Center or other capital projects.
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City Council Regular Session, October 9, 2006
Mayor Ballanfant stated that there could be additional state sales tax revenue as a result of an
audit due the City so that money would be added to the General Fund. He commented that he
was in favor of a tax rate of 40 cents per $100 valuation.
A motion was made by Council Member Segal, seconded by Council Member Cohen, to adopt a
tax rate of 40.2 cents per $100 valuation for the 2007 budget.
After further discussion by the City Council, an amended motion was made by Council Member
Segal, seconded by Council Member Cohen, to adopt a tax rate of 40.2 cents for the 2007 budget
and using the $63,800 to set up a contingency capital project fund to be used as decided by
Council.
A vote was taken on the amended motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Council Members Cohen, Segal, Woods and Yehle
Voting Nay: Mayor Ballanfant
Absent: None
The motion passed 4-1.
Bond Election and Open House.
Matters related to the Bond Election and an Open House to provide information about the
propositions on the ballot and conceptual plans.
The City Council agreed that the Staff should hold a Town Meeting as part of the Open House to
allow for questions and answers in an open forum.
They also requested that the City Attorney review the flyer that was being sent to the residents.
A motion was made by Council Member Cohen, second by Council Member Yehle, to adjourn
the Special Session.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Cohen, Segal, Woods and
Yehle
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
The City Council adjourned the Special Session at 6:45 p.m.
Formal Session
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City Council Regular Session, October 9, 2006
Citizen Comments.
Mayor Ballanfant invited citizens who wished to address the City Council to come forward as
their names were called.
Joni Fichter, 3733 Arnold, spoke in favor of the bond propositions.
Rhoda Ferris, 6426 Wakeforest, stated that there was inadequate street lighting in the City and
requested that the Council move forward with correcting the problem.
Sue Jensen, 3714 Plumb, requested that the Staff and Council provide additional information on
the bond propositions including which areas would have citizen input.
Anne Furse, 6430 Wakeforest, requested that the City Council move forward with the
replacement of streetlights.
Sherilyn Krizmanic, 2728 Carolina Way, requested that the City Council move forward with the
replacement of streetlights.
Public hearing (Tax Rate).
Public hearing to consider ad valorem taxes, including the proposed tax rate for 2006 and related
matters.
A public hearing was not held during this meeting.
Friends of West University Place Parks Fund.
Matters related to the Friends of West University Place Parks Fund including Resolution No.
2006-22 reappointing members to the Board.
A motion was made by Council Member Cohen, seconded by Council Member Segal to approve
Resolution No. 2006-22 reappointing Sue Hanna, Joni Fichter and Katy Holt as members of the
Friends of West University Place Parks Fund Board.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Cohen, Segal, Woods and
Yehle
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
Address numbers.
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City Council Regular Session, October 9, 2006
Matters related to address numbers including Ordinance No. 1833.
Mayor Ballanfant read the caption of Ordinance No. 1833 as follows:
An ordinance relating to address numbers; amending the code of ordinances of the City of West
University Place, Texas; and containing findings and provisions relating to the subject.
Copies of Ordinance No. 1833, in the form proposed for adoption, were available in the Council
Chambers.
Chris Peifer, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director, reported that Section 18-60 of the
Code of Ordinances regulates the issuance, location, and size of address numbers for each
building within the city limits. Displaying or posting a correct, visible, and legible address on all
buildings is necessary for routine identification purposes, but becomes even more important in
emergency situations when the slightest delay might make the difference between life and death,
or minor and major damage. In this regard, Staff considers this ordinance an enhancement for
the safety and well-being of residents.
Staff proposes amendments to Section 18-60 that encourages visibility and legibility of address
numbers by emphasizing the contrast, size, and location of the address numbers. Also included
in this ordinance is a means of obtaining an alternate approval and provisions for existing
numbers to be brought into compliance. Several staff members participated in the promulgation
of these amendments, and the Building Standards Commission contributed suggestions at their
regular meeting held on Thursday, October 5.
A motion was made by Council Member Cohen, seconded by Council Member Yehle, to adopt
Ordinance No. 1833 on the first reading.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Cohen, Segal, Woods and
Yehle
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
Bond Election and Open House.
Matters related to the Bond Election and an Open House to provide information about the
propositions on the ballot and conceptual plans.
This item was not discussed during the Regular Session.
City Council minutes.
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City Council Regular Session, October 9, 2006
Matters related to the minutes of the Regular and Special Session conducted on September 25,
2006 and Special Session conducted on September 30, 2006.
A motion was made by Council Member Cohen, seconded by Council Member Segal, to approve
the minutes as amended.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Cohen, Segal, Woods and
Yehle
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
Council Reports.
There were not any reports given during this agenda item.
City Manager Report.
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Mr. Ross reported that an infrastructure completion celebration would be held on October 27 at
6327 Belmont from 5-8pm.
Adjournment.
With no further business to come before the City Council at this time, a motion was made by
Council Member Yehle, seconded by Council Member Cohen, to adjourn the Regular Session.
A vote was taken on the motion with the following result:
Voting Aye: Mayor Ballanfant, Council Members Cohen, Segal, Woods and
Yehle
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
The City Council adjourned the Regular Session at 7:12 p.m.
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