Weatherford
Weatherford City Council, April 22, 2014: 4 items; Proclamation naming April 26, 2014 as Arbor Day in the City of Weatherford
0 consent items, 4 regular items; 6 recorded votes, all unanimous. Written from the minutes.
Proclamation naming April 26, 2014 as Arbor Day in the City of Weatherford. Mayor Hooks proclaimed April 26, 2014 as Arbor Day in the City of Weatherford.
Consider and/or act upon request of the Weatherford Little League (WLL) to reduce fees. Assistant City Manager Sharon Hayes presented this item. Ms. Hayes gave a brief history of discussions regarding WLL since 2011. In their audited financials for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2013, the WLL noted a decrease in net assets of $18,663. WLL prepared a Fiscal Year 2014 budget with a goal of lowering expenditures and increasing revenues to offset the loss. Many of the cuts were internal. To further reduce the deficit, WLL requested a reduction in user fees by $5 per player in 2014 and a $5 reduction in 2015. Staff presented this information to the Parks Board on April 15, 2014. Staff did not request a recommendation from the Parks Board since this action can only be approved by the Council. On the motion of Waymon Hamilton, second by Heidi Wilder, the Council voted unanimously to enter Executive Session on this item, under the authority of consultation with attorney. Motion carried 5 - 0.
The Council convened in Executive Session at 6:40 p.m. They reconvened in Open Session at 6:58 p.m. At the Council’s request, Jacob Holt addressed the Council on behalf of the WLL. He explained that page eight of the agreement requires the association to immediately notify the City of any financial difficulty. They have taken steps to mitigate expenses, such as not supplying baseball pants and reducing umpires' pay, yet they are still losing money. Their financials are publicly available. In two years, they will be CC 042214 Page 2 of 4 insolvent. This spring, WLL has approximately 900 children in the program, and anticipates 250 in the fall. Because the cost per child is higher than the revenue per child, more participants would increase the deficit. The league proposes to keep the rates the same for the families, but asks to reduce they pay to the city. The percentage of participants that are city resident versus nonresident varies between 45 and 55 percent each season. The league understands they must make additional changes to improve their economic situation. They have been working with Parks staff to mow the fields, which has reduced some expenses by approximately $5,000 to $7,000. Their proposal is to cut the user fees paid to the city by $5 per participant this year, and $5 per participant next year. They will work closely with the City and will continue to provide [...]
Monthly financial report for March 2014. Kyle Lester, Budget and Strategic Planning Manager, presented this item. No action was required or taken. Update on the progress at Heritage Park and First Monday. Shannon Goodman, Interim Director of Parks and Recreation, presented this update. He provided Fiscal Year 2013-14 data on weather, attendance, space rentals, and revenue for First Monday. He spoke about developments at Heritage Park including a dog park, an outdoor amphitheater, a food court, the potential for food truck rallies, and recreational vehicle (RV) parking. He also mentioned potential renovations to the South Lot, to include vendor spaces, landscaping, parking, additional walkways, and an all-accessible playground. The intent is to maintain the same visual theme throughout all development in Heritage Park in order to create a smooth transition from one area to the next. It was suggested that the City look into operating an RV camp year round.
Future agenda items: Discussion of Council priorities at the June 10, 2014 budget work session. Tax rate discussion.
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, April 22, 2014 (Granicus); Agenda for this meeting (Granicus); Meeting video (Granicus)