Weatherford
Weatherford City Council, May 13, 2014: 9 items; Proclamation naming May 11-17, 2014 as Nursing Home Week
0 consent items, 9 regular items, 2 public hearings, 3 executive-session topics; 7 recorded votes, all unanimous. Written from the minutes.
Proclamation naming May 11-17, 2014 as Nursing Home Week. Mayor Hooks proclaimed May 11-17, 2014 as Nursing Home Week.
Hold a PUBLIC HEARING and consider approval of ordinance 674-2014-19 for a Zoning Change from C1 Commercial to C1 Commercial with a Conditional Use Permit for Motor Vehicle Sales, for property located at 1213 Fort Worth Highway, more generally described as being Lot 1, Block 1, Roberts Addition an approximately 0.394 acre lot, City of Weatherford, Parker County, Texas. Project ZCH2014-0001. Mayor Hooks opened the Public Hearing at 6:35 p.m. As there were no speakers, Mayor Hooks closed the Hearing at 6:35 p.m. On the motion of Jeff Robinson, second by Waymon Hamilton, the Council voted unanimously to approve ordinance 674-2014-19. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Hold a PUBLIC HEARING and consider approval of ordinance 675-2014-20 for a Zoning Change from C1 Commercial to C1 Commercial with Conditional Use Permit for a Car Wash, for property located at 1511 Santa Fe Drive, more generally described as being a ±0.88 acre parcel in the E. Miller Survey, City of Weatherford, Parker County, Texas. Project ZCH2014-0002. Craig Farmer, Director of Planning and Development, presented this zoning change request for a self- service tunnel car wash. The applicant will have to obtain a driveway-cut on Santa Fe Drive from the Texas Department of Transportation. Mayor Hooks opened the Public Hearing at 6:39 p.m. As there were no speakers, Mayor Hooks closed the Hearing at 6:39 p.m. On the motion of Craig Swancy, second by Waymon Hamilton, the Council voted unanimously to approve ordinance 675-2014-20. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Discuss and consider approval of ordinance 668-2014-13 on first reading for the voluntary annexation of 178.03 acres of land more or less located in the the A.M.C. Blythe Survey, Abstract 54, the T. & P. Railroad Company Survey No. 165, Abstract 1441, the T. & P. Railroad Company Survey Abstract 1453, the George Staggs Survey, Abstract 1196, the T. Brown Survey, Abstract 133, Benjamin Thomas Survey, Abstract 1563, the J. Kesley Survey, Abstract 780, the Clarence Lovejoy Survey, Abstract 837, the E. Dean Survey, Abstract 355, the I. C. Spence Survey, Abstract 1193, and the Sam R. Barber Survey, Abstract 151, Parker County, Texas. Terry Hughes, Director of Capital Transportation, presented this item. This is the first reading to adopt the ordinance. The second reading to finalize this annexation will take place in a special meeting on Friday, May 16, at 12:00 noon. On the motion of Waymon Hamilton, second by Heidi Wilder, the Council voted unanimously to approve ordinance 668-2014-13 on first reading. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Consider and/or act upon approval of Resolution R2014-12 authorizing the City Manager to nominate Phase II of the Town Creek Hike and Bike Trail for funding through the Transportation Alternative Program from the North Central Council of Governments. Terry Hughes presented this item as well. The North Central Council of Governments (NCTCOG) issued a call for alternative transportation projects through an 80/20 funding program known as the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). The planned extension of the Town Creek Hike and Bike Trail Phase II which extends the existing trail north from Holland Lake Park, through property owned by the City and/or dedicated for a trail system, to Washington Drive should meet the requirements for the program. The project would include concrete multi-use trails, bridges, signals, signage and lighting. Funds from the Storm Water Utility are available for the 20 percent match. On the motion of Craig Swancy, second by Waymon Hamilton, the Council voted unanimously to approve Resolution R2014-12 authorizing the City Manager to nominate Phase II of the Town Creek Hike and Bike Trail for funding. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Consider and/or act upon Resolution R2014-13 to modify guidelines and criteria governing tax abatement agreements. David Croff, Director of Finance, and Dennis Clayton, Director of Weatherford Economic Development, spoke about this item. The proposed resolution modifies the guidelines and criteria for tax abatement agreements. These guidelines are to be reviewed every two years. One change amends incentives dependent upon whether the entity elects to use Weatherford Electric for their electric provider. Points can be awarded to or deducted from the entity's application based upon their designation of an electric service provider. Other minor changes were recommended. On the motion of Jeff Robinson, second by Waymon Hamilton, the Council voted unanimously to approve resolution R2014-13 as presented. Motion carried 5 - 0.
CC 051314 Page 3 of 6 Discuss and consider the formation of an audit committee. After discussion, on the motion of Dennis Hooks, second by Craig Swancy, the Council voted unanimously to approve the formation of an audit committee, the appointment of Ms. Wilder as the Council's representative on the committee, that the Utility Board appoint a representative, and that staff appoint members of the management team to the committee. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Discuss and consider holding a budget retreat for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014-15 planning. Kyle Lester, Budget and Strategic Planning Manager, spoke about the city's 2013 strategic plan, a two to three year document, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that were determined during the strategic planning process. He spoke about the FY14 action items that resulted from the strategic plan. He noted that the City Manager's proposed budget will be presented to the Council in July. Staff is functioning under the priorities that Council identified in the strategic plan last year. The Council would like to review the proposed budget prior to the consideration of a tax rate for FY15. Council will receive the City Manager's Proposed Budget on July 29 and consideration of the tax rate is scheduled for August 12. Staff is consistently working toward the Council's goals as set in the top three priorities from the 2013 strategic plan. If those goals have changed, Council should advise staff in advance. Council consensus was to hold a budget work session to provide staff with direction about the Council's budgetary priorities, but that the City not conduct an all-day budget retreat.
2 residents spoke during citizen comments on non-agenda items; the minutes record the topics. The Ledger counts residents at comment and does not name them.
Future agenda items: Mayor Hooks asked staff to place the VFW item on a future agenda for Council discussion.
Hold a work session to consider the 2014 Cost of Service Adjustment filing from Texas Gas. Dave Croff, Director of Finance, presented this item. He stated that over 1,100 Texas cities are served by 31 investor-owned utilities. The City has original jurisdiction over the rates, operations, and services of the natural gas utility within the municipality. The Railroad Commission has exclusive appellate authority. The Railroad Commission has exclusive original jurisdiction over natural gas rates in areas such as "environs" and "special rate areas." In order to increase rates, the utility must file a written statement of intent with the City. The City may deny the rate, which gives the utility three options: 1) maintain the existing rate schedule; 2) appeal to the Railroad Commission; or 3) file a new statement of intent changing the proposed rate increase. If the City chooses to grant a rate that is lower than the requested rate, then the utility may: 1) implement the lower rate schedule; 2) appeal to the Railroad Commission; 3) implement the lower rate and file a letter of intent proposing another rate increase. Rate CC 051314 Page 4 of 6 payers are responsible for all expenses related to an appeal case. The cost of which is a surcharge added to the monthly bill for a defined period of time. An increase to the volumetric rate of $0.1088 per ccf (100 cubic feet of natural gas) for [...]
Action on executive session items: To take action, if necessary, 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: Mittelstedt Enterprises, LLC, dba Sweet Springs Winery; and * Section 551.087 - Deliberations regarding economic development negotiations: Just Peachy Home Decor; and * Section 551.072 - To deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease, or
Executive session topics, as posted: * Section 551.087 - Deliberations regarding economic development negotiations: Mittelstedt; * Section 551.087 - Deliberations regarding economic development negotiations: Just Peachy; * Section 551.072 - To deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property: being.
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, May 13, 2014 (Granicus); Agenda for this meeting (Granicus); Meeting video (Granicus)