Weatherford
Weatherford City Council, Aug. 23, 2016: 6 items; Work Session regarding the Fiscal Year 2016-17 (FY17) proposed General Fund budget
0 consent items, 6 regular items, 1 public hearing, 2 executive-session topics; 2 recorded votes, all unanimous. Written from the minutes.
Work Session regarding the Fiscal Year 2016-17 (FY17) proposed General Fund budget. City Manager Sharon Hayes spoke about the budgetary struggles over the past several years. Between 2000 and 2008, the City received an increase of approximately 21 percent each year on both property and sales tax. Then, between 2009 and 2015, the City dropped to a yearly average increase of approximately six percent in property and sales tax. Approximately $1m was absorbed into the operational budget. Today, the City continues to lose ground on competitive salaries, and attempts to bring positions up to market level have been at the expense of eliminating key positions. Ms. Hayes discussed the proposed use of fund balance to meet the ongoing obligation of retiree separation costs. Until 2009, the policy was 90 days and anything over that was used for one-time/non- recurring expenses. In 2009, due to the uncertain economy, positions were frozen and significant cuts in street maintenance were made as a precaution. Once the economy stabilized, the fund balance grew and Council chose to keep the fund balance considerably higher than the 90 day policy. Staff is comfortable recommending the reduction in fund balance for retiree separation costs. Ms. Hayes reminded the Council that when this high percentage of eligible retirees begin retiring, the dollars will have to come from fund balance anyway. [...]
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 551.071 – Consultation with Attorney – pending or contemplated litigation, City of Willow Park, a portion of the 81.928 acre tract of land situated in the N. M. Edwards survey, Abstract No. 1955 and the Ann McCarver Survey, Abstract No. 910, Parker County, Texas. On the motion of Heidi Wilder, second by
Proclamation naming September 11, 2016 as Patriot Day in the City of Weatherford. Mayor Craig Swancy issued the proclamation. Receive presentations from outside agencies requesting funding via General Fund and Hotel Occupancy Tax Revenue. Tomara Holloway, Finance Analyst, presented this item and introduced the following organizations, who spoke briefly about their request for funding. Requesting General Funds: CC082316 Page 3 of 6 CASA, Hope for Children, Barb Tucker, requesting $2,500 Center of Hope, Paula Robinson, requesting $10,000 Cross Roads Teen Services, Cindy Hanna, requesting $6,000 Freedom House, Catherine Tietjen, requesting $20,000 Manna Storehouse, Janice Smith, requesting $10,000 for utility assistance Parker County Committee on Aging, Shelly Mowery, requesting $40,000 Requesting Hotel Occupancy Tax Funds: The Doss, Amanda Edwards, requesting $30,000 Weatherford Chamber of Commerce, Tammy Gazzola and Peggy Hutton, requesting $106,400
Hold a PUBLIC HEARING on the proposed ad valorem tax rate of $0.5213 per $100 valuation, including $0.3497 per $100 valuation for operations and maintenance and $0.1716 per $100 valuation for interest and sinking (debt service). Kyle Lester, Assistant Director of Finance, presented this item. This is the first of two Public Hearings which are required by law anytime the proposed tax rate exceeds the effective rate. Mayor Swancy opened the Public Hearing at 7:33 p.m. As there were no speakers, Mayor Swancy closed the Hearing at 7:33 p.m.
Consider a Preliminary Plat for Lockwood Addition Phase IV located along Causbie Road between E. BB Fielder and Lockwood Lane, also described as 31.159 acres predominately in the J.V. Shirley Survey. SBD2016-0008 Craig Farmer, Director of Planning and Development, presented this item. He stated that staff recommends approving the plat subject to the zoning case being approved at the next City Council meeting. The developer is also proposing a stub-out that would tie into BB Fielder Road in the future. The development does meet the ingress/egress requirements for the proposed 117 lots. If the owner of the adjacent property chooses to develop the property, then he/she would be required to tie into the stub-out from this developer’s phase. Staff is not aware of any timeline for development of the adjacent property which is on the market. Mr. Farmer also stated that the adjacent property is located in the County and the developer would have to request annexation into Weatherford. Mr. Farmer did not speculate as to whether development of the adjacent property would begin before all of the houses in the Lockwood Phase 4 were built. On the motion of Jeff Robinson, second by Kevin Cleveland, the Council voted unanimously to approve this item contingent upon approval of the forthcoming zoning case for this same property. Motion carried 5 - 0.
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Brief report regarding National Preparedness Month in September. Cody Mulloy, Emergency Management Coordinator, gave this report. The City is actively engaging the community through public outreach programs regarding emergency preparedness. Citizens are invited to attend a 72-hour kit class in September where they will learn how to prepare a kit for their home/family. Update regarding street projects and timelines, including other known utility projects that affect city streets. Manny Palacios, Director of Transportation and Public Works, presented this update. He provided the Council with a map of the FY15-16 streets rehabilitation plan. The following have been completed or are in progress this FY: Update on the City’s General Plan Leadership Meeting. CC082316 Page 5 of 6 Mr. Farmer stated that the meeting will be held on September 1 with the Planning and Zoning Commission and the General Plan Advisory Committee Vintage Event Center. Update on the Bankhead Highway Celebration Event. Mr. Farmer stated that the event is approximately 30 days away. Staff has been advertising the Bankhead Celebration by mailing promotional cards, and the website is also up and running.
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 – Economic Development Negotiations – 1.) Downtown Weatherford Development, LLC; and 2.) Developer’s Agreement with Identity Mutual, LLC. / Weatherford TownCenter A, LLC and Weatherford TownCenter B, LLC; and * 551.072 – To Deliberate the Purchase, Exchange, Lease or Value of Real Property: App
Executive session topics, as posted: with the authority contained in: Section 551.071 – Consultation with Attorney – pending or; with the authority contained in: * Section 551.087 – Economic Development Negotiations – 1.).
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, Aug. 23, 2016 (Granicus); Agenda for this meeting (Granicus); Meeting video (Granicus)