Weatherford
Weatherford City Council, March 24, 2015: 11 items, 1 split vote; and/or act upon acceptance of the annual audit report for the fiscal year ended September
0 consent items, 11 regular items, 2 public hearings, 1 executive-session topic; 12 recorded votes. Written from the minutes.
Consider and/or act upon acceptance of the annual audit report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, as presented by Pattillo, Brown & Hill, L.L.P., Certified Public Accountants. Dave Croff, Chief Financial Officer, presented this item. He introduced Chris Pruitt with Pattillo, Brown & Hill, L.L.P., Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Pruitt stated that the firm rendered an unmodified opinion, also known as a clean opinion, which is the highest opinion that can be issued. The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) has been reviewed in detail by the City's audit committee. Mr. Pruitt provided a brief overview of the report. He specifically noted that the City will be required to report on Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) 68, pertaining to the City's retirement liability, in the next CAFR. The liability has always been there but will have to appear on the statement of net assets next year. Currently, the City's liability is over $14 million. This reporting requirement will affect every city, county, and state in the country. Mr. Pruitt stated that this liability will not affect the City's fund financials and it should not necessarily affect the way the City prepares the budget. On the motion of Heidi Wilder, second by Waymon Hamilton, the Council voted to accept the FY2014 CAFR. Motion carried 4 - 0.
Hold a PUBLIC HEARING and consider approval of Ordinance 721-2015-10 regarding amendments to Title XII Zoning Ordinance, Section 26. Historic Overlay District to coordinate and remove duplicative language to be found in other Titles. MCA2015-0001 Craig Farmer, Director of Planning and Development, presented this item stating that the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) and the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) have spent approximately six months reviewing and drafting the amendments presented tonight. Mr. Farmer noted that certain sections of this ordinance have been relocated to Titles II and IV, which will be discussed later in tonight's meeting. Mr. Farmer reviewed portions that are proposed to remain in Title XII. Two controversial items, 100% participation within an historic overlay district and voluntary removal from a district if a property owner chose to remove themselves, have been left alone in this draft. These items have procedural issues, but staff has left them alone for the time being. Staff anticipates review and consultation with attorneys before bringing these items forward for consideration this summer. Mayor Pro Tem Craig Swancy opened the Public Hearing at 6:55 p.m. Kathleen Wildwood, 602 South Waco Street, a member of the Historic Preservation Commission, spoke in favor of these amendments and asked the Council to approve them. As there were no [...]
Hold a PUBLIC HEARING for the zoning case on North Oakridge Drive and Sonora Canyon Road, ZCH2015-0001, and continue the hearing at the April 14, 2015 City Council meeting. Mr. Farmer stated that this Public Hearing relates to a zoning case that the PZC heard two weeks ago. Initially, the Commission passed a vote to approve the request, but due to some confusion between public speakers and the commissioners, they later approved a motion to reconsider the item and then immediately approved a motion to table the item until their next meeting on March 25. Because there is no official recommendation from the PZC at this time, and tonight's Public Hearing had already been announced and published in the newspaper, staff recommended that the Council accept comments tonight. Mayor Pro Tem Craig Swancy opened the Public Hearing at 7:01 p.m. As there were no speakers, on the motion of Jeff Robinson, second by Heidi Wilder, the Council voted to continue this Public Hearing until the April 14, 2015 City Council meeting. Motion carried 4 - 0.
Discuss and consider approval of Ordinance 718-2015-07 amending Title II, Commissions and Boards, Chapter 1- General Standards for Boards, Commissions and Committees, section 2 and Chapter 9- Historic Preservation Commission. MCA2015-0002 Mr. Farmer spoke about this item noting that the Council previously adopted changes to Title II, Commissions and Boards, which moved the section regarding HPC from Title XII, to Title II with all other City boards and commissions. Mr. Farmer stated that approximately 80 percent of this ordinance has not been changed, approximately 15 percent of the changes proposed tonight have been taken from the Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) model ordinance, and approximately five percent of the changes have been suggested by the HPC and the PZC. Mr. Farmer reviewed the recommended changes. City Secretary Malinda Nowell spoke about an amendment to section 2-1-2 pertaining to appointment, terms, and qualifications. After reviewing certain upcoming appointments and reappointments, it was discovered that the present ordinance is unclear as to whether a person serving on a board, commission, or committee in an alternate seat should be considered a full seat for the purpose of defining the number of consecutive terms a person has served on a given board. After conferring with Councilman Hamilton and Mr. Zellers, staff concluded that an alternate seat was [...]
Discuss and consider adoption of Ordinance 720-2015-09 amending Title IV Building and Property Maintenance Regulations, adding Chapter 13. Historic Preservation, to coordinate and remove duplicative language to be found in other titles. MCA2015-0003 Mr. Farmer presented this item as well. These amendments add Historic Preservation to the name of Title IV. Title IV of the Code currently relates to building and property maintenance regulations and this amendment creates a new chapter, number 13, which specifically relates to historic preservation. Mr. Farmer reiterated that these sections were previously codified in Title XII Zoning, but they are more CC032415 Page 3 of 7 procedural in nature and do not require the legal zoning processes. He reviewed amendments proposed by staff via the THC model ordinance, and amendments recommended by the City's HPC. The PZC also reviewed these amendments; they were not required to make a recommendation. Mr. Farmer discussed the tax incentives and other incentives for historic preservation. No dollar amount is listed in the proposed amendments; instead, the proposed amendment includes the words "to a maximum of the amount approved in the fiscal year budget by the City Council." This statement does not bind the Council to a specific dollar amount, nor does it prevent them from setting a zero budget. Funding for incentives is available on a [...]
Consider and/or act upon approval of Ordinance 719-2015-08 amending the City of Weatherford FY2015 Fee Schedule as recommended by the Municipal Utility Board. Joe Farley, Director of Electric Utilities, presented this item. The water and electric departments have successfully completed a pilot study of an advanced metering system (AMS), and will move forward with full deployment of AMS meters throughout both systems. A small number of customers have expressed desire to not have an AMS meter. On February 26, 2015, the Utility Board approved an amendment to the Customer Service Policy to allow for those exceptions. The amendment allows for disabling the transmitter on the water and/or electric meter for a one-time service charge and a monthly charge for manually reading the meter. The approximate labor and equipment cost to disable the transmitter of an AMS meter for a water or electric meter is $30 and approximately $60 for both. The approximate average labor and equipment cost for manually reading a water or electric meter is $10 per month, and approximately $15 a month for both. The Municipal Utility Board approved the amendment to the Customer Service Policy and the associated fees; this request amends the City's fee schedule to reflect those fees. On the motion of Heidi Wilder, second by Jeff Robinson, the Council voted to approve Ordinance 719-2015-08. Motion carried 4 - 0.
Consider authorizing the city manager to execute a contract with Freese and Nichols, Inc. for survey, engineering design, real estate appraisal and real estate acquisition services related to Holland Lake Creek and Holland Lake Dam improvement program. Terry Hughes, Director of Capital Transportation Projects, presented this item. The recently completed Holland Lake Creek Watershed study recommended a number of improvements be made within the watershed and to Holland Lake. The first phase of these improvements include the reclamation and stream stabilization of the floodplain area between Washington Drive and Santa Fe drive and dam improvements to Holland Lake. The services to be provided by Freese and Nichols, Inc. within this contract include all the surveying required for engineering and real property transfers, all designs services needed for engineering at both locations, real estate appraisals and acquisition services needed to get the projects to the construction. Mr. Hughes stated that this contract includes $410,250 for basic design service and $335,201 for special services which includes appraisals, acquisitions, boundary and plat surveys, environmental and geotechnical. The total contract price is $745,451 and funds are available through the Storm Water Utility Funds. Bobbie Narramore, 209 West First Street, spoke about the use of storm water utility fees for this [...]
Consider the appointment of two Council members to the Advisory Committee with Emergency Services District (ESD) #3. Fire Chief Paul Rust presented this item. The original contract with ESD3 was for 18 months and will expire at the end of April. This item is the request for a joint advisory committee that will include two board members from ESD3, and two Council members, as well as both fire chiefs. Initially they will work together on the next contract. Chief Rust stated that ESD3 expanded their territory via annexation; they took in some area that the City served through our contract with Parker County. The contract is one example of the types of items that the advisory committee will consider. On the motion of Jeff Robinson, second by Heidi Wilder, the Council voted to appoint Ms. Wilder and Mr. Robinson to the joint advisory committee. Motion carried 4 - 0.
Discuss and consider appointments and or reappointments to the Zoning Board of Adjustments (ZBA) and the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). On the motion of Heidi Wilder, second by Waymon Hamilton, the Council voted to appoint Eva Earl Rutledge to her first full term as a regular member on the ZBA. Motion carried 4 - 0.
On the motion of Waymon Hamilton, second by Heidi Wilder, the Council voted to reappoint Kevin Hamilton to a second term on the HPC and to appoint Cliff Mackenzie to his first full term on the HPC. Motion carried 4 - 0.
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.
Update City Council regarding the Facilities Needs Assessment. Assistant City Manager Sharon Hayes presented this item. Ms. Hayes stated that a recent facilities assessment focused on current and future needs, and centralizing services at the following facilities: City CC032415 Page 5 of 7 Hall, Old City Hall, Fire Station 1, Fire Administration, and the Police Department. The assessment addressed expansion for future needs via renovation and or relocation and cost effectiveness. She mentioned the findings for each of the aforementioned buildings. The need for construction does not exist at this time, but the City should begin the processes to secure necessary property that will be needed in the future. The best option for City Hall would be to expand to the west. Installing an elevator at Old City Hall is necessary for accessibility to the upstairs offices until the point at which City Hall is remodeled and those offices are relocated to City Hall. Identifying a location for a future police department should also be a priority. This report was for informational purposes. No action was required or taken. February 2015 Monthly Financial Report. Kyle Lester, Budget and Strategic Planning Manager, presented this item. Ms. Wilder suggested preemptive strikes regarding the retirement liability that continues to increase, instead of being retroactive towards upcoming liabilities 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: * Eureka Place Lot 1, City of Weatherford, Parker County, Texas, located at the corner of Santa Fe Drive and Foster Lane; and * 1.70 Acre Tract of Land, being a part of the Hannibal Good Survey, Abstract 535, Parker County, Texas, located on FM 730; and * 0.755 Acre Tract of land being a part of Lot 2, Block 43
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, March 24, 2015 (Granicus); Agenda for this meeting (Granicus); Meeting video (Granicus)