Weatherford
Weatherford City Council, Oct. 23, 2012: 10 items, 2 split votes; Proclamation for National Veterans Awareness Week Mayor Hooks read and presented the
0 consent items, 10 regular items, 2 public hearings, 1 executive-session topic; 7 recorded votes. Written from the minutes.
Proclamation for National Veterans Awareness Week Mayor Hooks read and presented the proclamation to local veterans. Proclamation for Municipal Court Week 2012 Mayor Hooks read and presented the proclamation to Municipal Court staff.
Hold a PUBLIC HEARING and discuss and consider adoption of Ordinance 578-2012-27 establishing a "Municipal Storm Water Utility System" for the City of Weatherford, Texas. Terry Hughes, Director of Capital Transportation Projects, presented this item stating that the notice of public hearing was published in the paper on September 23, October 7, and October 21, meeting the requirements to establish a storm water utility as defined in chapter 552 of the Local Government Code. Mayor Hooks opened the public hearing at 6:42 p.m. Bobbie Narramore, 209 West First Street, spoke about improvements to her property and stated she would be appealing the fee because her property does not contribute to drain-off. Mr. Hughes discussed exemptions and the appeal CC 102312 Page 1 of 5 process. Ms. Narramore stated she will appeal. As there were no other speakers, Mayor Hooks closed the public hearing at 6:46 p.m. On the motion of Heidi Wilder, second by Mayor Pro Tem Craig Swancy, the Council voted to approve Ordinance 578-2012-27 establishing a Municipal Storm Water Utility System. Motion carried 4-1.
Waymon Hamilton voted in opposition. Hold a PUBLIC HEARING and discuss and consider adoption of Ordinance 579-2012-28 adopting rates to be charged as a Municipal Storm Water Utility Fee. Terry Hughes, Director of Capital Transportation Projects, presented this item stating that the notice of public hearing was published in the paper on September 23, October 7, and October 21, meeting the requirements for authorization to charge a fee for the utility as defined in chapter 552 of the Local Government Code. Mr. Hughes stated there are no exemptions for senior citizens. The rate schedule becomes effective January 1, 2013. Residential properties will be billed at $3 per month. All non-residential properties will be billed $3 per equivalent residential unit (ERU) of impervious area. Effective January 1, 2014, all residential properties will be billed at $4.50 per month and all non-residential properties will be billed $4.50 per ERU of impervious area. For the third year, Council will review a potential residential increase to $6.00 per month and $6.00 per ERU of impervious area for non-residential properties. Mayor Hooks opened the public hearing at 6:52 p.m. As there were no speakers, Mayor Hooks closed the public hearing at 6:52 p.m. On the motion of Jeff Robinson, second by Heidi Wilder, the Council voted to approve Ordinance 579-2012-28 adopting the rates to be charged for the [...]
Waymon Hamilton voted in opposition.
Consider and/or act upon ordinance 593-2012-42 amending the adopted annual budget for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013. Chad Janicek, Director of Office of Management and Budget, presented this item to the Council. Staff projected purchases that departments would be unable to spend by the end of the fiscal year including a variety of programs and unfinished projects at the First Monday Grounds, unspent Fire Department grant money, Police technology equipment approved in September, and vehicle purchases, among other items. The amendment rolls those expenses into the new fiscal year so that they will be reflected in the first quarter reinvestment report. On the motion of Heidi Wilder, second by Jeff Robinson, the Council voted unanimously to approve the amendment. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Discuss and consider appointments to the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee, Building & Standards Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Municipal Utility Board, and Planning and Zoning Board. On the motion of Mayor Pro Tem Craig Swancy, second by Heidi Wilder, the Council voted unanimously to approve the reappointment of Bob Glenn to the Weatherford Municipal Utility Board for a four-year term. Motion carried 5-0.
CC 102312 Page 2 of 5 On the motion of Mayor Pro Tem Craig Swancy, second by Waymon Hamilton, the Council voted unanimously to approve the reappointment of Darren Clark to the Planning and Zoning Board. Motion carried 5-0.
Lee Ann Adams, 108 Oak View Drive, asked for consideration in being appointed to the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee. Mayor Hooks advised the open position is for a City resident. Discuss and consider approval of an agreement with VRMS to provide veterinary services for the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter. Jerry Blaisdell, City Manager, stated that for approximately 12 years, the shelter has had a vet on staff and this agreement is a continuation of that program. The agreement has been approved by the veterinarians. Lee Ann Adams, 108 Oak View Drive, asked questions about the herd health standards, the Texas Vet Practice Act, the steps and standards to be followed for the weekly inspection, the specifics of the health standards, and what vets will be participating. Mr. Blaisdell stated that the herd standards are a veterinary standard and, since the shelter takes in over 200 livestock per year and makes other livestock-related calls in the field, the standards are what the vets intend to maintain for impounded livestock. The state regulates specifics for shelters to meet and those are listed in state statutes. The vets include Drs. Glenn and Herbel. Dr. Glenn will work out the financing with Dr. Herbel because our contract is with Dr. Glenn. Drs. Glenn and Herbel were chosen because of their knowledge and their involvement with the shelter. On the motion of Jeff [...]
Update regarding the January 2012 agreement with Weatherford Little League (WLL). Danielle Felts, Director of Parks, Recreation and Special Events, gave the update. In January 2012, Council approved a new agreement for WLL’s use of the ball fields at Soldier Spring Park. The agreement included the City’s first ever collection of user fees. During the same meeting, Council voted unanimously to install new lights at all seven fields. Ms. Felts reviewed the invoices for the spring and fall seasons. In total, the City collected $29,330 for 2012. The annual debt service is approximately $40K. The City has realized significant savings in electric, which have been attributed to 1) the antiquity of the former system, 2) the City’s sole control of setting the lights via a computerized system operated by iPhone or iPad anytime, anywhere, and 3) due diligence of both parties to turn the lights off when not in use. Water/wastewater costs are higher than in previous years due to irrigation being interrupted during construction of the new light systems and the amount of water needed to bring the fields up to par. Staff will monitor the costs and WLL will not incur extra expenses this year. Ms. Felts discussed the rental activity, also a first this year, noting that in the spring, the fields are mainly utilized by WLL. Staff has received CC 102312 Page 3 of 5 190 maintenance work orders from [...]
Future agenda items: Revisit board appointments
Action on executive session items: Pursuant to Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, VTCS, (Open Meetings Law) in accordance with the authority contained in: Section 551.087- Deliberations regarding economic development negotiations: Weatherford Entertainment, LLC. No action taken.
Discuss possible refunding options of City debt obligations. Chief Financial Officer Janina Jewell presented this item stating that cities consider issuing refunding bonds for existing obligations for cost savings, to remove or change bond covenant restrictions, and/or to restructure debt. Current market conditions make it an optimal time to consider refunding. Our Fiscal Management Policy Statement does not specify at what point the City should consider net present value savings. The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada recommends considering this between three and five percent. The City has two options that meet this threshold. The first has an estimated net present value savings of 11.78% for a bank qualified refunding for savings of over $478K (about $45K per year). This would refund currently callable 2002 and 2003 series issuances. The second is a non-bank qualified refunding since it is over $10 million. It has a higher rate but would still have an estimated net present value savings of 6.94% or just over $2.2 million (about $200K per year). This includes the 2007 Certificates of Obligation still outstanding and callable. The values include estimated costs and do not extend the life of the debt. Potential risks include rates becoming more favorable and the limitation of future restructuring of the debt. The advantages are the savings [...]
Executive session topics, as posted: with the authority contained in: Section 551.087- Deliberations regarding economic development.
Compiled from the city secretary's minutes by the Ledger's extractor, in the minutes' own wording, item by item; the Ledger adds no characterization. Read the minutes for the full record.
Sources: City of Weatherford: council minutes, Oct. 23, 2012 (Granicus); Agenda for this meeting (Granicus); Meeting video (Granicus)