Weatherford
Weatherford City Council, Sept. 9, 2014: 10 items; Proclamation naming September 17-23, 2014 as Constitution Week
0 consent items, 10 regular items, 2 public hearings, 1 executive-session topic; 7 recorded votes, all unanimous. Written from the minutes.
Proclamation naming September 17-23, 2014 as Constitution Week. Mayor Hooks issued the proclamation to members of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Proclamation naming September 18, 2014 as Pitt Hopkins Syndrome Awareness Day. Mayor Hooks issued the proclamation to members of the McNay family to help raise awareness about the syndrome which affects their family, one of only 400 worldwide. Proclamation naming September 21 as Larry Hagman Day. Mayor Hooks presented the proclamation to Sherry Watters in memory of Larry Hagman, and in honor of the upcoming unveiling of the statue at the Doss Heritage and Culture Center on Mr. Hagman’s birthday. Presentation of Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. Dave Croff, Chief Financial Officer, presented this certificate to Sidney Kirk, Assistant Finance Director.
Hold a PUBLIC HEARING on the proposed ad valorem tax rate of $0.4866 per $100 valuation, including $0.3150 per $100 valuation for operations and maintenance and $0.1716 per $100 valuation for interest and sinking (debt service). Kyle Lester, Budget and Strategic Planning Manager, spoke briefly about the Texas Truth in Taxation laws stating that this hearing is the second of two public hearings on the City’s proposed tax rate. Mayor Hooks opened the Public Hearing at 6:44 p.m. Kathleen Wildwood, 602 South Waco, spoke in support of the tax increase stating that instead of holding back the City of Weatherford, the CC090914 Page 1 of 5 Council and staff could consider creative ways to help those who may not be able to afford the increase. As there were no other speakers, Mayor Hooks closed the Public Hearing at 6:44 p.m.
Consider and/or act upon approval of Ordinance 694-2014-39 repealing Title V, Business Regulations, Chapter 5, Billiard Tables. Craig Farmer, Director of Planning and Development, presented this item stating that the billiard table ordinance is outdated, having been passed in 1964. Staff intends to utilize the zoning ordinance to regulate pool halls. Four or fewer billiard tables would be considered an accessory use, while five or more would be considered a major use and which would require a conditional use permit (CUP). On the motion of Craig Swancy, second by Waymon Hamilton, the Council voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 694-2014-39. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Consider and/or act upon approval of Ordinance 695-2014-40 amending Title IX, Chapter 8 Utility Rates, Sections 9-8-1, 9-8-3 and 9-8-5. Sharon Hayes, Assistant City Manager, presented this item noting that this item comes to the Council on recommendation of the Utility Board. In December 2013, the City entered into an agreement with NewGen Strategies and Solutions to update the cost of service model and design water, wastewater and electric rates for the Municipal Utility System. NewGen presented the initial results of the cost of service study to the Utility Board at a work session on June 26, 2014 where several options for phasing were discussed. The Board provided guidance on the length of phase-in for rate increases and the use of debt to fund capital projects. The Board directed NewGen to complete the cost of service study with a three-year phase-in, while utilizing 50 percent debt for water and wastewater projects. Also at this meeting, the Board directed NewGen to remove all subsidization between customer classes for all utilities. Ms. Hayes gave an overview of the process. She recapped the financial forecast and the cost of service decisions that the Utility Board made. Ms. Hayes spoke about the proposed rates and provided comparisons for the current year against the next three years as the new rates are phased in. Ms. Hayes also presented a comparison of rates for [...]
Consider adoption of Resolution R2014-24 to repay the General Fund with future debt. Terry Hughes, Director of Capital Transportation, presented this item. He explained that Resolution R2014-24 is a declaration to reimburse the General Fund for dollars to be expended for the purchase of the property located at 221 North Main. On the motion of Jeff Robinson, second by Craig Swancy, the Council voted unanimously to approve Resolution R2014-24. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Discuss and consider entering into an interlocal agreement between the City of Weatherford and the City of Aledo for the purpose of providing certain animal control services to the residents of the City of Aledo through the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter. Dustin Deel, Assistant Director of Municipal and Community Services, presented this item. He spoke about other entities with which the City and County currently contract to provide animal control services and the annual fee effective October 1, which will increase as Aledo's population increases. The agreement also includes an exit clause for either party. On the motion of Waymon Hamilton, second by Craig Swancy, the Council voted unanimously to approve the agreement. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Discuss and consider entering into an interlocal agreement between the City of Weatherford Fire Department with Parker County Fire Departments for the purpose of providing mutual aid in times of need. Paul Rust, Fire Chief, presented this item stating that the City has provided mutual aid for other entities for many years without an agreement. This agreement is a legal document that defines the terms and the scope for all participating entities. Each department will be responsible for their own employees and their own equipment. On the motion of Craig Swancy, second by Jeff Robinson, the Council voted unanimously to approve the agreement. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Discuss and consider the reappointment of Ken Davis to the Municipal Utility Board, and Gale Bradford to the Planning & Zoning Commission. Mr. Swancy presented this recommendation. On the motion of Waymon Hamilton, second by Craig Swancy, the Council voted unanimously to reappoint Ken Davis to the Municipal Utility Board and Gale Bradford to the Planning & Zoning Commission. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Discussion of and invitation to the Downtown Update and Future Stakeholder Action Workshop. Mr. Farmer presented this item as well. This workshop will be held on September 25 regarding the Downtown Action Plan adopted by the Council earlier this year. Mr. Farmer stated that the City won a state award from the American Planning Association for the Downtown Action Plan and the Path to CC090914 Page 3 of 5 the Future. Ms. Karen Walz will facilitate the meeting which will begin at 6:30 p.m. on the 25th at the Cotten-Bratton building on the southeast corner of the square.
Budget Work Session for Fiscal Year 2015 (FY15). Kyle Lester, Budget and Strategic Planning Manager, presented this item. Mr. Lester stated that no modifications were made since the last Work Session. The proposed ending fund balance is 124 days. Mr. Lester began to review a proposal from Councilmember Wilder regarding balancing the budget without a tax increase. Mr. Lester noted that if the property tax rate proposal is cut, then the items allocated from the proposed increase would not be funded unless other funding sources are determined. If the City keeps the current tax rate of .4636 for $100 of assessed value, then staff will have to cut $400,000 from the FY15 proposed budget. Property values grew this year; therefore, the City would see an increase of $122,000, which has been allocated to street maintenance and benefits. The items earmarked for the property tax increase include fire vehicle financing, street maintenance, benefits, market adjustments, and PR/Tourism. Should the Council choose not to raise taxes, or choose to raise them at a lower rate than has been proposed by staff, then the aforementioned areas are the areas in which staff would first look to for cuts. Mr. Lester noted that $19.7 million of the City's budget is in personnel and benefits. Mayor Hooks and Mr. Swancy asked the Council to consider allocating an additional $10,000 to the Doss Heritage and [...]
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: Bill and Pam Alexander On the motion of Craig Swancy, second by Jeff Robinson, the Council voted unanimously to approve the economic development agreement with Bill and Pam Alexander. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Executive session topics, as posted: accordance with the authority contained in: Section 551.087 - Deliberations regarding.
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, Sept. 9, 2014 (Granicus); Agenda for this meeting (Granicus); Meeting video (Granicus)