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HomeMy WebLinkAbout091001R CC Min CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2001 MUNICIPAL BUILDING COUNCIL CHAMBERS 3800 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD 7:30 P.M. The City Council convened in Regular Session in the Municipal Building Council Chambers on September 10, 2001, with the following members present: Mayor Lewis presiding, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and Jackson. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Finance Director, Public Works Director, Parks and Recreation Director, Assistant City Manager and Utilities Superintendent were also present. The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, th Chapter 551, on the 7 of September 2001 at 5:00 p.m. Volunteer Police Chaplain Reverend Max R. Hickerson delivered the invocation. Mayor Lewis called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. Citizen Comments. Mayor Lewis invited citizens who wished to address the City Council to come forward as their names were called. Larry Kelly, 3319 Georgetown, opposed speed humps being installed in the City. He also stated that he was disappointed with the response time from 9-1-1. Resolution proposing tax rate and calling public hearings. Matters related to Resolution No. 2001-22. A resolution proposing a tax rate and scheduling public hearings; and containing findings and provisions relating to the subject. Finance Director Walter Thomas reported that all political subdivisions of the State of Texas who levy an are required to publish notices and hold a public ad valorem tax hearing if they intend to raise property taxes. The requirement does not distinguish between increased property taxes due to increases in assessed values or increases in the property tax rate. In order to avoid the notice and hearing requirements of the State Law, the City would be required to limit the levy to property tax rate of 39.2 cents per $100 valuation. Since property tax revenues dedicated to debt service must increase to 22.5 cents per $100 valuation to fund new debt, the City would have to reduce the property tax rate allocated to operations to 16.7 cents per $100 valuation to avoid the notice and hearing City Council Regular Session, September 10, 2001 process. The impact of the loss of approximately $874,000 General Fund revenues would require a significant reduction of services. The proposed budget is based on a property tax rate of 42.5 cents per $100 valuation, a one-half cent per $100 valuation increase from last year?s property tax rate of 42 cents per $100 and just below the 42.56 cent roll back tax rate. Since the 42.5-cent rate does not exceed the rollback tax rate, its adoption will not trigger the ?roll back? provisions of the Property Tax Code. A record vote must be taken determining the maximum tax rate City Council anticipates approving. If the tax rate is reduced after hearing citizen?s concerns at the public hearing, the City will have complied with the law. If the tax rate is set above the published amount, the City will have to republish and hold another public hearing. Since the highest rate under consideration is 42.5 cents per $100 valuation, proposing this rate offers the most flexibility to the Council. At 42.5-cent per $100 valuation, the City?s property tax assessed against a home valued at $414,105 (the average taxable value) will increase $219 per year to $1,760. A motion was made by Council Member May, seconded by Council Member Jackson, to adopt Resolution No. 2001-22 providing a record vote on a proposed tax rate of 42.5 cents/$100 valuation and calling public hearings on the tax rate and the 2002 budget for a council meeting scheduled on October 1, 2001. Council Member Griffin commented that she was opposed to raising the tax rate. She stated that in speaking with the Finance Director and City Manager that there is no true articulated need for a tax increase and that there would be no negative effect to the budget nor to the services rendered. Raising taxes should be done as a last resort. Mayor Lewis commented that this was a formality of the process and not as setting a tax rate but opening the door for discussion about the money that will be needed by the City and approved by the Council. Council Member Farley commented that Resolution No. 2001-22 would not lock the Council to any tax rate but simply advertising and calling a public hearing. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and Jackson Voting Nay: None Absent: None Resolution approving aggregation project and articles of incorporation. Matters related to Resolution No. 2001-23. 2 City Council Regular Session, September 10, 2001 A resolution approving articles of incorporation and bylaws of Governmental Aggregation Project, Inc., a political subdivision corporation; accepting membership in said corporation; appointing a representative to serve on behalf of the City of West University Place, Texas; approving payment of an initial membership fee; and establishing an effective date. City Manager Sherman Yehl reported that the Governmental Aggregation Project, Inc., (GAP) with an office in Austin, is taking a balanced approach to achieving long-term energy and financial savings by aggregating individual needs with those of compatible agencies and managing these electric loads on and ongoing basis. With the deregulation of the electric utility industry in Texas there are several benefits of aggregation: lower and stable rates, customized billing, and the ability to spread the fixed transaction cost among all members of the group. The cities of Missouri City, Rosenberg, and Wharton recently formed a non-profit corporation permitted under Texas law for aggregation electric loads of multiple political subdivisions. Mr. Yehl stated that there are several other options available, including the City self- aggregating its own electrical load or joining other governmental entities through either interlocal agreements or other political subdivision corporations but the staff believes that it is in the best interest of the City to join GAP. While not a large aggregator, GAP by laws allow full participation in the activities of the corporation and members will have equal voting status and an equal opportunity to be elected to serve on the board of directors. The skills of the consultants managing GAP include legal, economic, financial and energy services. All have been employed by or represented cities before the Public Utility Commission of Texas and all of the consultants have experience working for cities and other public entities. Membership fee in GAP is $1,000.00 with aggregation fees for preparing and evaluating the request for proposals for power, negotiating the contract and related expenses set at $5,000.00 By joining an aggregation group electricity savings of 6-10% are anticipated from rates beginning in 2002. A motion was made by Council Member Farley, seconded by Council Member Griffin, to adopt Resolution No. 2001-23, approving the articles of incorporation and bylaws of Governmental Aggregation Project, Inc, accepting membership in the corporation, and appointing the City Manager as a representative to serve on behalf of the City. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and Jackson Voting Nay: None Absent: None 3 City Council Regular Session, September 10, 2001 Priority 8 change order. Matters related to a change order in Priority 8 infrastructure improvements for water main replacements. Assistant City Manager Michael Ross, reported that the original Comprehensive Plan for the Infrastructure Improvements prepared by Langford Engineering in the early 1990?s did not include changing many of the older cast iron water mains. These mains were installed in the late 1930?s to the mid-1940?s. At the time that this plan was prepared, City staff reported few problems with a large majority of these mains and the decision was made by the Bond Committee to leave these as maintenance items with little exception. Inspection of the pipe during recent leak repairs reveals that the cast iron mains on Wakeforest and Duke are failing. The leaks were the result of longitudinal splits. Most of the leaks experienced on this type of main are holes where weak spots blow out or vertical cracks caused by soil shifting. The longitudinal split indicates that the structure of the pipe is weakening. Mr. Ross stated that the Staff is proposing that the 8-inch cast iron water main on Wakeforest from University to Cason and continuing on Cason to Brompton be replaced with a new 8-inch C-900 PVC main and all appurtenances. Additionally, the 6-inch cast iron main on Duke from Wakeforest to Brompton should be replaced with a new 6-inch C-900 PVC main. This Change Order would increase the Water Fund portion of the infrastructure contract by an estimated $250,000 to $300,000. Funds are available under the infrastructure replacement program. A motion was made by Council Member Jackson, seconded by Council Member May to authorize the City?s consulting engineer Claunch and Miller to negotiate a change order with Bearden Construction for the replacement of these water mains under the Priority Area 8 infrastructure contract, and that the City Manager be authorized to execute the change order on behalf of the City. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and Jackson Voting Nay: None Absent: None Urban Forester for Priority Areas 10 and 11B. Matters related to a contract with Forestry Associates to develop plans and specifications for tree protection in Priority Areas 10 and 11B. 4 City Council Regular Session, September 10, 2001 Mr. Ross reported that Priority Areas 10 and 11B are at a point in development where it is necessary to proceed with the selection of an urban forester to develop plans and specifications for the protection of trees before and during construction. Forestry Associates has done excellent work for the City in the past. Their plans are clear and understandable, they respond quickly to needs of the contractor and public and provide good on-job supervision during all phases of the work. Forestry Associates has provided these same services for the City since Priority Area 2 through 9 and 11A. These are the final priority areas requiring tree protection planning. Cost for this professional service is $53,439.13 for Area 10 and $44,800.73 for 11B. Funds for this expenditure were budgeted under the infrastructure replacement program. A motion was made by Council Member Griffin, seconded by Council Member May, to authorize staff to enter into a contract with Forestry Associates to develop plans and specifications for Tree Protection/Preservation in Priority Area 10 and 11B. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and Jackson Voting Nay: None Absent: None Bid for refuse collection truck. Matters related to a bid received on August 22, 2001 for the purchase of a refuse collection truck. Mr. Ross reported that an advertisement was published to purchase a refuse collection truck and would replace a 1989 model. Maintenance costs have made it uneconomical to continue operations of the old vehicle. The vehicle has been driven over 150,000 miles and repair costs over the last two years are over $15,000. The bid specs for this purchase allowed for optional pricing for the purchase of a dealer demo or a brand new vehicle. One bid was received in response to the advertisement from Crane Carrier a nationally known refuse truck manufacturer. The City has two Crane Carrier trucks currently in the fleet ? a 1996 model and a 1995 model and both of these trucks have proven reliable. A base bid was submitted at $147,143.00 for a 2002 model truck with a 150-day delivery. This Bidder also submitted an option for a dealer demo unit. The Option Bid was for $133,107.00 for a 2000 model truck. The option truck exceeds our bid specifications. A motion was made by Council Member Farley, seconded by Council Member Griffin, to accept the bid from Crane Carrier Company to purchase the demo refuse truck in the amount of $133,107.00 with a five year extended warranty at the cost of $1,600.00. 5 City Council Regular Session, September 10, 2001 A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and Jackson Voting Nay: None Absent: None City Council minutes. Matters related to the minutes of the Regular and Special Sessions conducted on August 27, 2001. A motion was made by Council Member Jackson, seconded by Council Member Griffin, to approve the minutes as presented. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Lewis, Council Members May, Farley, Griffin and Jackson Voting Nay: None Absent: None Staff report. The City Manager reported that mosquito spraying was taking place in the City twice a week and would continue through the end of October. Council comments. Council Member May commented that the Parks and Recreation Board and the Friends of West University Parks met for their inaugural meeting for the new board members and was predominantly an organizational meeting. Adjournment. With no further business to come before the City Council at this time, a motion was made by Council Member Farley, seconded by Council Member Griffin, to adjourn. The Regular Session adjourned at 8:08 p.m. 6