Weatherford
Weatherford City Council, March 26, 2013: 9 items; Presentation of City Manager's Awards to Austin Nichols and David Secrest
0 consent items, 9 regular items, 1 public hearing; 8 recorded votes, all unanimous. Written from the minutes.
Presentation of City Manager's Awards to Austin Nichols and David Secrest. Jerry Blaisdell presented City Manager's Awards to Austin Nichols and David Secrest from the City's Information Technology Department. Presentation of City Manager's Awards to Jeff Foster and Kevin Tucker. Jerry Blaisdell presented City Manager's Awards to Jeff Foster and Kevin Tucker from the City's Information Technology Department.
Consider and/or act upon acceptance of the annual audit report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, as presented by Pattillo, Brown & Hill, L.L.P., Certified Public Accountants. Janina Jewell, Chief Financial Officer, presented this item to the Council. Ms. Jewell stated that chapter 103 of the Texas Local Government Code and Article VII, Sections 25 and 26 of the City's Charter require preparation of an annual financial statement in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and an audit of the City’s financial records and accounts by an independent certified public accountant each fiscal year. In accordance with applicable provisions, the firm of Pattillo, Brown & Hill, L.L.P., Certified Public Accountants, has completed the annual audit for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012. Ms. Jewell introduced Chris Pruitt of Pattillo, Brown & Hill to present their audit findings and review the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). Mr. Pruitt discussed two documents, the CAFR and the firm's letter to those charged with governance of the City. Mr. Pruitt reviewed the contents of the CAFR, which is divided into three sections: Introductory, Financial, and Statistical. He noted the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting which the City received for last Fiscal Year’s CAFR. The CAFR presented tonight meets all the criteria and [...]
Consider and/or act upon approval of Resolution R2013-06 supporting House Bill 1798 relating to the expansion of the territory of an Emergency Services District (ESD) into the territory of a municipality. City Manager Jerry Blaisdell presented this item to the Council. This legislation forbids ESDs from forming inside the extra territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) of a city, and forbids them from encroaching on the ETJ of a city. On the motion of Jeff Robinson, second by Heidi Wilder, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Resolution R2013-06 supporting House Bill 1798. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Consider and/or act upon approval of Resolution R2013-07 supporting Senate Bill 349 relating to clarification of state law regarding the separate clearance heights for electric distribution and transmission lines. CC 032613 Page 2 of 5 Joe Farley, Director of Electric Utilities, presented this item to the Council. A recent Texas Supreme Court opinion interprets the Texas Utilities Code to apply the 22 foot clearance height standard for high-voltage "transmission" lines to "distribution" lines as well. As a result, tens of thousands of miles of distribution lines throughout the state of Texas will be viewed as not in compliance, despite following National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) standards for decades. The cost to the City if we have to raise the lines would be between tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars. On the motion of Waymon Hamilton, second by Heidi Wilder, the Council voted unanimously to approve Resolution R2013-07 supporting Senate Bill 349. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Consider and/or act upon approval of Resolution R2013-08 supporting State Water Infrastructure Financing Programs. James Hotopp, Director of Water/Wastewater and Engineering, presented this item to the Council. Without raising taxes, this legislation would make a one-time $2 billion dedication of money already deposited in the State's Economic Stabilization Fund available as a virtually permanent source of funding to support State Water Infrastructure Programs already authorized by Texas voters. On the motion of Waymon Hamilton, second by Heidi Wilder, the Council voted unanimously to approve Resolution R2013-08. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Bobbie Narramore, 209 West First Street, spoke in favor of this item. Discuss and consider an appointment to the Board of Adjustment. On the motion of Waymon Hamilton, second by Heidi Wilder, the Council voted unanimously to appoint Collin Andrus to the Board of Adjustment for a partial term ending June 30, 2013. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Make appointments and/or reappointments to the Weatherford Housing Authority. On the motion of Dennis Hooks, second by Heidi Wilder, the Council voted unanimously to reappoint Mary Lou Curry and Connie White to the Weatherford Housing Authority for terms ending May 2015. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Monthly Management Report from the Director of Management and Budget, including the City’s monthly financial report for February 2013 and a presentation of Consumer Health’s new mobile inspection program. Chad Janicek, Director of Office of Management and Budget, presented the February 2013 financials. Mr. Janicek also presented a management highlight from the Consumer Health Department regarding their use of a mobile inspection program via an iPad and Inspect2Go. Staff can print and sign the inspection forms while in the field which saves approximately 10 hours per month, equivalent to approximately 120 inspections annually. No action was taken on this item.
Presentation and discussion of Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZ) and Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Craig Farmer, Director of Planning & Development, presented this item to the Council. He identified various development incentive tools including Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZ), and Tax Increment Financing (TIF). A TIRZ is a Tax Increment financing district. The district exists for a limited period of time. It is a way to fund public improvements to stimulate new private investment without affecting taxpayers. Public projects in a TIRZ are financed by the increase in ad valorem tax revenue from land and buildings caused by new private investment and higher land values. TIRZs are governed by chapter 311 of the Texas Tax Code. Following an independent feasibility analysis and market study, a TIF could be created after a public hearing and adoption of an ordinance. Contracts would be negotiated and then the TIF board would be appointed. It would be created and the boundary would be established by the City. It would be governed by the City Council, and managed by the City Council with the advice of a Board of Directors including representatives from participating taxing jurisdictions (if any). TIRZs can fund: Project costs - the municipality expenditures listed in the reinvestment zone project plan o costs of public works, public improvements, programs, or other [...]
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, March 26, 2013 (Granicus); Agenda for this meeting (Granicus); Meeting video (Granicus)