Weatherford
Weatherford City Council, June 24, 2014: 6 items; a request for and approval of a ten year license agreement for use of the sidewalk and
0 consent items, 6 regular items, 1 public hearing, 1 executive-session topic; 6 recorded votes, all unanimous. Written from the minutes.
Consider a request for and approval of a ten year license agreement for use of the sidewalk and two adjacent parking spaces in front of Big John's Burgers, 105 College Avenue for restaurant purposes. Craig Farmer, Director of Planning and Development, presented this item. He identified the area being considered within the license agreement. Mr. Farmer referred to the City's approved Downtown Action Plan, noting similar uses in the future. He discussed the conditions of the agreement. The City will install the bollards. Either party can terminate the agreement with 30 days' notice. Bobbie Narramore, 209 West First Street, spoke in opposition due to limited parking in the area. John Shepherd, business owner, stated that adjacent businesses are in favor and that the use of the parking spaces will be after 5:00 p.m. and on the weekends. CC 062414 Page 1 of 5 On the motion of Waymon Hamilton, second by Jeff Robinson, the Council voted unanimously to approve this ten year license agreement. Motion carried 4 - 0.
Consider and/or act upon naming the new City dog park in memory of Patsy Hooks. Sharon Hayes, Assistant City Manager, presented this item. The dog park will open on July 18. The City has received several letters and calls requesting that the facility be named in memory of Mrs. Patsy Hooks. Ms. Hayes noted that the City established a policy in 2008 which allows the naming of City parks, buildings, roads, and resources in memory or honor of persons who have made significant contributions at the local level. Ms. Hayes stated that Patsy was very involved in the animal shelter, Friends for Animals, the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee, and the Animal Shelter’s Building Improvement Fund. She helped raise funds and was a long-time, positive advocate for animals. On the motion of Waymon Hamilton, second by Jeff Robinson, the Council voted unanimously to approve naming the City's dog park in memory of Patsy Hooks. Motion carried 4 - 0.
Tabled 6/10/14: Discuss and consider the 2014 Cost of Service Adjustment filing from Texas Gas. On the motion of Heidi Wilder, second by Jeff Robinson, the Council voted unanimously to remove this item from the table. Motion carried 4 - 0.
Dave Croff, Director of Finance, presented this item. Texas Gas representatives Wyatt Irby and Stacey McTaggart were in attendance. Mr. Croff stated that the City received Texas Gas' letter of intent to raise rates on April 1 and that the City must take action by June 30 or the Cost of Service Adjustment (COSA) increase will automatically go into effect. In addition to the COSA, Texas Gas filed a good cause waiver requesting an increase greater than the 3.5 percent that is tied to the cost of living increase. After a series of communications, sufficient documentation from Texas Gas supported an increase that was greater than the COSA. The initial rate request was $4.25 on the average bill. After negotiations, a reduction in operations and maintenance (O&M) expenses of $662,000 resulted in a decrease of the initial COSA request. Weatherford and Texas Gas, pending Council approval, agreed upon an increase of $2.48 on the average bill. This will go into effect for meters read on and after July 29, which is the first billing cycle of August 2014. This is a win/win scenario for Weatherford. Texas Gas has the option to accept the COSA from the remaining cities which would result in Weatherford being given the lower rate as well, or Texas Gas could enter into a rate case before the Railroad Commission with the remaining cities, from which Weatherford would be excluded and would [...]
1 resident spoke during citizen comments on non-agenda items; the minutes record the topics. The Ledger counts residents at comment and does not name them.
Monthly financial report for May 2014. Kyle Lester, Budget and Strategic Planning Manager, presented this item. No action was required or taken on this item.
CC 062414 Page 2 of 5 Fiscal Year (FY) 2014-15 Budget Work Session. Kyle Lester, Budget and Strategic Planning Manager, presented a sneak peek on the upcoming FY budget. He provided information regarding the preliminary expectations for FY14. In FY15, utilizing approximately $2.2 million would leave the City with a projected 120 days of fund balance at the end of the FY. Operations requiring ongoing funding include concerns such as street system improvements, competitive payroll, and fleet funding. Street system improvements are currently funded at $980,000 annually. Since improvements are recommended at $1.2 million, we are underfunded by approximately $220,000. Maintaining a competitive pay scale is integral to attracting and retaining quality employees. Staff believes that market adjustments will help remedy that problem. For employees unaffected by these market adjustments, staff suggests a modest cost of living increase of two percent to help those positions to stay competitive within the Metroplex. Since FY05 the City has spent an average of $420,000 annually on vehicles and large equipment. Looking at the age of our fleet over the past year, several vehicles are past their useful lives, suggesting that even $420,000 per year is insufficient to adequately replace the fleet in a timely manner. Council discussed dedicating a certain amount of property tax revenue for [...]
Action on executive session items: On the motion of Waymon Hamilton, second by Heidi Wilder, the Council voted unanimously to close the Executive Session. Motion carried 4 - 0. CC 062414 Page 4 of 5 To take action, if necessary, pursuant to Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, VTCS, (Open Meetings Law): In accordance with the authority contained in: Section 551.072 - To deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property: 0.172 acres being part of block 18, Original Town of Weathe
Executive session topics, as posted: with the authority contained in: Section 551.072 - To deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease, or.
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, June 24, 2014 (Granicus); Agenda for this meeting (Granicus); Meeting video (Granicus)