01-12-1988 (City Council) Minutes 3 7 7
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
JANUARY 12, 1988
The Wylie City Council met in regular session on Tuesday,
January 12 , 1988 at 7 :00 P. M. in the Wylie Community Room.
A quorum was present and notice of the meeting had been
posted in the time and manner required by law. Those
present were Mayor Chuck Trimble, Mayor Pro Tem Sandra
Donovan, Council Members Calvin Westerhof, Kent Crane,
Marvin Blakey, John Akin, and Chris DiTota, and City Manager
John Pitstick, City Secretary Carolyn Jones, Code
Enforcement Officer Roy Faires, Chief of Police Royce
Abbott, Finance Director James Johnson, Assist. Engineer Ron
Homeyer , Personnel Specialist Debbie Peoples and City
Attorney Robert Dillard.
Mayor Trimble called the meeting to order and Councilman
Akin gave the invocation.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 22 , 1987 AND JANUARY 4 ,
1988 MEETINGS: Motion was made by Councilman Westerhof to
approve the minutes with corrections on the Jan. 4th
meeting. The corrections were that the 1982 taxes were $.49
per $100 .00 valuation and that Councilman Akin and Crane
arrived late. Seconded by Councilman DiTota. The vote was
as follows : Mayor Trimble - in favor, Mayor Pro Tem Donovan
- in favor, Councilman Akin - in favor , Councilman Westerhof
- in favor , Councilman DiTota - in favor, Councilman Crane -
in favor, and Councilman Blakey - in favor . This motion
carried with all in favor.
APPROVAL OF PROCLAMATION - AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH -
FEBRUARY, 1988 : This proclamation is done for the Rockwall
Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. Motion was
made by Mayor Pro Tem Donovan to approve the proclamation
for American History Month as February, 1988 . Seconded by
Councilman Blakey. The vote was as follows : Mayor Trimble
- in favor, Mayor Pro Tem Donovan - in favor, Councilman
Akin - in favor, Councilman Westerhof - in favor , Councilman
DiTota - in favor, Councilman Crane - in favor, and
Councilman Blakey - in favor. This motion carried with all
in favor.
AUTHORIZATION TO SEEK BIDS FOR RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
FOR THE TWO NEW POLICE CARS: City Manager John Pitstick
said that Council granted two new cars for the police
department and now we need to seek bids for radio equipment
for these cars. Councilman Akin wanted to know about the
radios in the old cars . Councilman Crane asked about their
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condition. Chief Abbott stated that these old radios were
14 years old and did not pickup all the frequencies , plus
they were worn out . Motion was made by Councilman Westerhof
to approve the authorization to seek bids for radio
communication system for the two police cars . Seconded by
Councilman DiTota. The vote was as follows : Mayor Trimble
- in favor, Mayor Pro Tem Donovan - in favor, Councilman
Akin - in favor, Councilman Westerhof - in favor, Councilman
DiTota - in favor, Councilman Crane - in favor, and
Councilman Blakey - in favor . This motion carried with all
in favor.
APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION REQUESTING REGULAR TAGS WITH EXEMPT
STATUS FOR 1978 BUICK REGAL: This is the car that was
awarded to the police department through the Collin County
Courts . We have been trying for over a year to get these
plates and each time paper work is sent in it comes back
with another request . Motion was made by Councilman DiTota
to approve and sign the resolution requesting regular tags
with exempt status for the 1978 Buick Regal . Seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Donovan. The vote was as follows : Mayor
Trimble - in favor, Mayor Pro Tem Donovan - in favor,
Councilman Akin - in favor, Councilman Westerhof - in favor,
Councilman DiTota - in favor , Councilman Crane - in favor,
and Councilman Blakey - in favor. This motion carried with
all in favor .
APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT AND
CONSTRUCTION OF A REGIONAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY FOR
THE MUDDY CREEK BASIN: City Manager John Pitstick said that
this was a key resolution, and that Mayor Pro Tem Donovan
has been working on this project. Mayor Pro Tem Donovan and
Mr . Johnson are on the Collin County Bond Committee that is
trying to get funding for planning money for a regional
wastewater plant. Mayor Pro Tem Donovan said there are
seven (7) cities and five (5) commitments from these cities
have been turned in. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem
Donovan to approve the resolution supporting the development
and construction of a regional wastewater treatment plant.
Seconded by Councilman Akin. The vote was as follows :
Mayor Trimble - in favor, Mayor Pro Tem Donovan - in favor,
Councilman Akin - in favor, Councilman Westerhof - in favor,
Councilman DiTota - in favor Councilman Crane - against, and
Councilman Blakey - in favor. This motion carried with
six (6) in favor, and one (1) against.
APPROVAL OF TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT AND PRO RATA CHARGES TO
KEN ' S COMMUNICATION ON THE POLICE COMMUNICATION TOWER: City
Manager John Pitstick said there was an agreement with Ken' s
Communication. It was a 20 year agreement with a pay off
clause. This pay off would be $908 .00 . Motion was made by
Councilman Westerhof to approve the termination of the
agreement and pro rata charges to Ken' s Communication in the
amount of $908 .00. Seconded by Councilman Akin. The vote
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was as follows : Mayor Trimble - in favor, Mayor Pro Tem
Donovan - in favor, Councilman Akin - in favor, Councilman
Westerhof - in favor , Councilman DiTota - in favor ,
Councilman Crane - in favor , and Councilman Blakey - in
favor. This motion carried with all in favor.
APPROVAL OF FINAL DRAW FOR SPEED FAB-CRETE IN THE AMOUNT OF
$31,000 . City Manager John Pitstick said this was the final
draw for Speed Fab-Crete and that everything has been
corrected with the exception of the hand rail on one side of
the ramp going into the Council Chambers. Councilman Akin
wanted to know what type of agreement over a period of time.
Mr . Roy Faires, Code Enforcement Office said, there is a one
year time period for problems . Councilman Crane wanted to
know if they had cleaned the maroon paint off the walls.
Mr . Faires said yes . Motion was made by Councilman Akin to
approve the final draw for Speed Fab-Crete in the amount of
$31,000 . Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Donovan. The vote was
as follows : Mayor Trimble - in favor, Mayor Pro Tem Donovan
- in favor , Councilman Akin - in favor , Councilman Westerhof
- in favor, Councilman DiTota - in favor , Councilman Crane -
in favor , and Councilman Blakey - in favor . This motion
carried with all in favor.
DISCUSSION OF THE PROPOSED ALIGNMENTS OF SANDEN BLVD: Mr .
Ron Homeyer, Assist. Engineer, stated that there are four
(4) proposals that Collin County Public Works Department has
sent to us . These proposal will taken Sanden Blvd. from
FM544 to Hwy 78 . Sanden Inc. is going to begin work the
week of January 25th and is looking at- early March for
ground breaking.
Alignment I - this alignment aligns with Century Way and
does not require construction of a bridge.
There are some disadvantages such as it will
divide the Sanden tract, limits traffic
access to the West and the grade crossing at
the railroad and Hwy 78 with a grade range of
12% to 13%.
Alignment II - this alignment would be less disruptive to
the Sanden tract and it affords a better
westerly alignment with County Road 297 . It
does not have favorable north-south
alignment, does require a bridge and the
grade crossing is unfavorable between the
railroad and Hwy. 78 .
Alignment III this aligns with Alanis and conforms to the
proposed thoroughfare alignment for the City
of Wylie. This alignment does require
construction of two (2) bridges and has a
grade crossing in excess of 10% and would
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also require major modification to the
railroad trestle.
Alignment IV this alignment requires construction of a
major bridge and has a most favorable grade
crossing on Hwy 78 which is less than 3% and
does not require alteration of railroad
grade. This alignment does not align with
the present Alanis Road and does not totally
conform to the future thoroughfare plans for
the City of Wylie.
Councilman Akin wanted to know if staff looked at Sanden' s
plans prior to doing these alignments . Mr. Homeyer said no,
that Sanden has just this week said their plans were ready.
Councilman DiTota wanted to know which alignment would give
frontage road for future development. Mr . Homeyer said
alignments tow and three are both totally in flood plan.
Councilman DiTota wanted to know if alignment four was in
the city limits. Mr. Homeyer said yes.
Mayor Pro Tem Donovan wanted to know about the time frame if
Hwy 78 had to be raised. Mr . Homeyer said now because staff
is looking at the improvements for Hwy 78 now. Councilman
Blakey said the railroad in front of Century Way looks as if
it is about the same as the highway if you take the sides
off the tract. Mr. Homeyer said no, because the highway
will be raised at this point. Mayor Pro Tem Donovan asked
Mr . Homeyer which he would suggest , would it be number four.
Mr. Homeyer said alignment four is most feasible, but does
not meet the thoroughfare plans . City Manager John Pitstick
said we are not asking Council to choose one of these but to
let you know where we are on the project . This will be
brought back to Council later.
PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF NEW COMPENSATION AND PAY FOR
PERFORMANCE PLAN FOR CITY EMPLOYEES : Councilman DiTota made
a motion to table this item as well as item no. ten approval
of salary adjustments under the new compensation plan.
Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Donovan . The vote was as follows:
Mayor Trimble - in favor, Mayor Pro Tem Donovan - in favor,
Councilman Akin - in favor, Councilman Westerhof - in favor,
Councilman Crane - in favor, and Councilman Blakey - in
favor . This motion carried with all in favor to table.
PRESENTATION OF THE PROPOSED 87-88 BUDGET CUTS UNDER
ROLLBACK ELECTION: City Manager John Pitstick said the City
raised taxes from $.49 to $.59 have eliminated 16 positions.
The City now has 59 employees with over 8 ,000 population and
12.4 square miles of city. In 1985/86 budget year the City --*
had 63 employees with 5,000 population and 4.75 square miles
of city. In addition to raising the taxes, the City raised
the over 65 exemption to $30 ,000 . The staff has tried to be
fair and honest in the cut backs if the rollback passes.
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City Manager John Pitstick said the main staffing levels are
critical right now. In the first cut back we did not touch
the police department. If the rollback occurs there will be
four patrolmen effective by a lay off , one officer has
recently left our employment so there will be only three as
his position was not filled . The biggest impact is going
from three vehicles to two vehicles patrolling the streets .
Other cuts in the police department are the cars, we
originally budgeted for four cars, but have only bid out two
and the other two will be cut . The Library will be closed ,
staff will try and keep the library open with volunteer
help. The third area is in the Parks Department. We would
be looking for volunteers to help in maintaining the parks
and right-of-way in the City. City Manager John Pitstick
said come Monday morning if the rollback passes these cuts
will be done immediately. Our service levels and staffing
are critical , we received a letter from Bob Bullock' s office
that stated that sales tax for Wylie is down by 20% . Staff
is recommending the above cuts if the rollback passes .
Councilman Akin asked how the staff came up with $ .50 isn' t
it 8% of the tax rate. City Manager John Pitstick said no
it is on the valuations of property.
APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATE JUDGE FOR JANUARY ELECTION: City
Secretary Carolyn Jones said she had talked with Mr . Curtis
Hale last Sunday night and he would not be able to work this
election due to his job. The Election Judge Mrs. Stewart
recommends Mrs . Martha Cryer. Motion was made by Councilman
Blakey to appoint Mrs. Martha Cryer as Alternate Judge.
Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Donovan. The vote was as follows :
Mayor Trimble - in favor , Mayor Pro Tem Donovan - in favor ,
Councilman Akin - in favor, Councilman Westerhof - in favor ,
Councilman DiTota - in favor , Councilman Crane - in favor ,
and Councilman Blakey - in favor . This motion carried with
all in favor .
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: Mr . Naish of 512 Rustic Place wanted
to know who much the Christmas Party at the Harvey House for
the city employees cost . City Manager John Pitstick said
approximately $3400 .00 . Mr . Naish said with times the way
they are and with the economy it should not have been done.
Mr . Naish also said he shows an increase over tax money from
last year with one cent increase. Mr . Naish also said that
the 16 positions in the paper was very threatening , I have a
lot to do with the rollback and I did not have any personal
vendetta with the Council or staff . These positions that
were never rehired from 86/87 budget year and two employees
were promoted and we have hired a warehouse and garageman.
City Manager John Pitstick said there was a trade for these
positions, the payroll clerk took the personnel position as
well as payroll clerk and the garageman was also a member of
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the public works staff. Mr. Naish asked how many new
employees were hired since September. Mr . Naish also stated
that he did not get into the rollback election for the
money, I did not know you had the work shops on the budget,
or I would have been there to help. The parks people, in
the 86/87 budget never did work in the parks, and these
people worked in other departments of the City yet there was
money paid out of the parks budget for salaries. I do not
understand if you pay someone from parks department how you
can let them work in other areas. The football and other
sports people mowed and cared for the parks during the
summer times . City Manager John Pitstick said yes we used
the parks employees in other areas, I do not have a
secretary right now and I go to the court clerk or someone
else and they type for me. In a small city like us,
everyone works together to get the work done.
Mr. Orton Messenger 504 Rustic Place heard the Southfork
Mobile Home Park is to pay the City some $400,000 . for
sewer . City Manager John Pitstick said he does not know
where the story come from that every house (lot) pays
$275.00 for sewer and $225.00 for water. Everyone pays
this, Southfork has sewer and we did collect from them.
City Manager John Pitstick said Southfork does not owe us
any money right now.
Mr. Robert Fultz , 701 S. Ballard, Chairman of the Library
Board. The Library Board charged me with making a statement
to the Council , first the building was given to us by Rita
and Truett Smith, plus other gifts from other citizens. The
Library also receives gifts from other agencies, Wylie
accepted these gifts and we should be gracious in
maintaining them. A community concern is shown in the
education program and it would not enjoy such a thing as
closing the library. The Library Board urges Council to
look at these cuts and work with the Library prior to making
such cuts. Have the two positions been changed since the
budget. City Manager John Pitstick said no. Mr. Fultz said
volunteer help would be disastrous if staff chooses to go
this way. Perhaps there are cuts in other departments
before cutting the Library. The questionnaire was very good
that you mailed out.
Mr . Allan Nosar 505 Rustic Place, is it true the auditor was
scheduled to come on moving day. City Manager John Pitstick
said it was schedule prior to the move. Mr . Nosar said
concerning the 16 positions, how much revenue does it save
the City. Councilman Akin said $17 ,000 . to $20,000. City
Manager John Pitstick said these people had quit and staff
did not replace them. Mr . Nosar asked if there was a final -- .
copy of the 87/88 budget . City Manager John Pitstick said
there was a final copy. Mr. Nosar wanted to know if there
was a printout that could be purchased. City Manager John
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Pitstick said as long as we don' t have everyone wanting a
copy you can come by and pick up one.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION: Mayor Pro Tem Donovan stated that with
BFI missing a pickup day, due to weather , is there a refund.
City Manager John Pitstick said there is an act of God
clause in their contract that covers this, and they are
trying to double up. Finance Director James Johnson said
the land fills were closed and they could not get here. BFI
had one truck slide through a wall in Allen and three men
were in the hospital from it. Mr . Johnson said BFI would
not give a refund. Mr. Nosar said they are only putting
half of the trash in the trucks. They are not picking up
properly.
Mayor Pro Tem Donovan said a final note to Citizens, we have
to listen to staff on the figures, I hope to God this
rollback does not come about on Saturday and I hope we do
not have to do away with these services and that all the
citizens will get out and vote on Saturday help up with
these services.
Councilman Blakey wanted to know if we had an update on the
Texas Water Commission meeting. Mayor Trimble said he would
give that later. Councilman Blakey also said any citizen
who have questions about the rollback, maybe some of them do
not know the exact dollar it is costing them to hold this
election and that they have no confidence in the staff or
the Council All these citizens have a change to become
involved come May.
Councilman Crane wanted to know if there is any hard numbers
on the cut from the Library. Also I would like to receive a
compliance report on the wastewater plant. Mr. Homeyer said
he would get them.
City Secretary Carolyn Jones reminded Council of the called
meeting on Tuesday, January 19th to validate the election
returns and a possible work shop on Thursday, Jan. 21 if
there is no Collin County Bond meetings.
Councilman Akin said one of the greatest things to happen to
Wylie was getting the Library. I will not do any thing to
off set the Library. Councilman Akin stated that he
personally will always be grateful to Rita and Truett Smith
for their many years of contributions to the City and to the
citizens of Wylie. Especialy their donation of the Rita and
Truett Smith Library to the City and the citizens of our
community. I will never stand by and see this library
closed . It has been very distributing to me that some of
the older people have been told that we would do away with
the exemption and that the police department is being done
away with. These things are very frightening, and this
bothers me.
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Mayor Trimble said the TWC meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 5th was
with himself, John Pitstick, Ron Homeyer, Carl Riehn and
Dolan McKnight and with members of the Water Commission
staff and Water Resource Board. The Water Resource Board is
the board that will lend us money for our improvements.
Mayor said the grant system has been done away with but
there is a revolving loan where you can borrow money and pay
it back. If we can get a regional plat then we can look at
borrowing the money. This is the second meeting at TWC and
they are very supportive at this one. Mayor said they are
supportive of the cut back on the size of line for
connecting sub divisions to our sewer system due to cost.
TWC was in total opposition to pump and haul . TWC said they
were never in favor of pump and haul . We have met all the
deadlines and we are in good standing with them again.
City Manager John Pitstick said we have a meeting next
Friday with TWC again. We are still under the enforcement
act from TWC until we get out of the pump and haul .
Councilman Akin said he was glad to hear we were in good
faith with TWC again and that TWC is working with us.
There being no other business, a motion was made to adjourn
with all in favor .
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