Loading...
09-26-1989 (City Council) Minutes 444 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 26, 1989 The City of Wylie City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, September 26, 1989 at 7 :00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Complex. 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 Naish, Council Members Steve Wright, John Akin, Ortie Messenger , Pat Stemple and Jim Swartz , City Manager Charles Norwood, City Secretary Carolyn Jones, Chief of Police James Gilmore, Finance Director James Johnson, Assist . City Engineer Ron Homeyer , and Code Enforcement Officer Roy Faires. Mayor Trimble called the meeting to order and Councilman Messenger gave the invocation followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Councilman Wright. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 7 COUNCIL MINUTES: The minutes being submitted were for the meeting at 7: 00 P. M. public hearing on the proposed tax rate and for a special meeting at 8 : 00 P.M. regarding emergency purchase of a pump. Mayor Pro Tem Naish corrected the minutes of the public hearing to reflect that the two police officers would be hires sometimes after January, not April and also corrected the City Manager complimented the City Staff not the citizens . Motion was made by Councilman Akin to approve the minutes with the above corrections . Seconded by Councilman Messenger. The vote was as follows : Mayor Trimble - in favor, Mayor Pro Tem Naish - in favor, Councilman Akin - in favor , Councilman Swartz - in favor, Councilman Wright - in favor, Councilman Messenger - in favor, and Councilwoman Stemple - in favor. This motion carried with all in favor . APPROVAL OF PROCLAMATION FOR CAREFLITE EMERGENCY HELICOPTER AMBULANCE SYSTEM - TEN YEARS OF SERVICE: Councilman Akin stated that this service has been very beneficial to the citizens and no doubt some of our citizens owe their lives to CareFlite. Motion was made by Councilman Akin to approve the proclamation for CareFlite Emergency Helicopter Ambulance System for ten years of service. Seconded by Councilwoman Stemple. The vote was as follows : Mayor Trimble - in favor , Mayor Pro Tem Naish - in favor, Councilman Akin - in favor , Councilman Swartz - in favor , Councilman Wright - in favor , and Councilwoman Stemple - in -.. favor . This motion carried with all in favor. 445 Mayor Trimble stated that representatives from CareFlite would be arriving around 7 : 30 P.M. and the presentation of the proclamation would be made at that time. APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION SUPPORTING PROPOSITION NO. 8 FOR FUNDING CONSTRUCTION OF NEW CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES: Councilman Akin wanted to know if the City of Hondo is in need of additional facilities or if they are just wanting one of the new ones built in their city. Mayor Trimble said they are just making it known that there is a need for additional correctional facilities. Councilman Wright stated that he has talked with the City Manager and the City of Hondo is wanting one of the new facilities . Councilman Wright also stated that one section of the Resolution states that we encourage the citizens to vote "Yes" on Proposition No. 8 . Do we want to table this until we can let the citizens know what proposition No. 8 is? Councilman Akin said this is a mandate from the State and the State recognizes the need for these facilities and this may just help them to get over the hump and I do not have a problem. Councilman Messenger said that there was a need for more prisons , but do we know if any other city has adopted this resolution. Councilman Wright suggested to table this item until everyone had seen Proposition No. 8 . Motion was made by Councilman Akin to table this item. Seconded by Councilman Swartz . The vote was as follows: Mayor Trimble - in favor , Mayor Pro Tem Naish - in favor , Councilman Akin -in favor , Councilman Swartz - in favor, Councilman Wright - in favor , Councilman Messenger - in favor, and Councilwoman Stemple - in favor. This motion carried with all in favor to table. APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND ALLOWING, UNDER THE ACT GOVERNING THE TEXAS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM, "UPDATED SERVICE CREDITS" IN SAID SYSTEM FOR SERVICE PERFORMED BY QUALIFYING MEMBERS OF SUCH SYSTEM WHO PRESENTLY ARE IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE CITY OF WYLIE; PROVIDING FOR INCREASED PRIOR AND CURRENT SERVICE ANNUITIES FOR RETIREES AND BENEFICIARIES OF DECEASED RETIREES OF THE CITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE FOR SUCH ACTIONS; AND AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR INCREASED MUNICIPAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CURRENT SERVICE ANNUITY RESERVE AT RETIREMENT OF THE EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF WYLIE, TEXAS: City Manager said Wylie adopted this current policy in 1981 . There is probably 400 cities in this plan, and Wylie is still under the 1 1/2 to 1 option where most cities have gone to the 2 446 to 1 option. The City of Wylie has such a tremendous turn ..�, over rate, this has affected our contribution rate, we are down to 3 .21% instead of the 5% . Approximate cost is $37 ,978 . for the year and by up grading the contributions from 1 1/2 to 1, to 2 to 1, it will cost the city about an additional $2,800 per year. The other part of this ordinance is updated service credit. The Councils in Wylie have done this in the past. This helps employees at time of retirement. Employees who will benefit most from this will be the young employees that work for the City 20 years. The older employees will not benefit from this. It is to our benefit, if we have good employees for us to maintain them. Staff recommends approval of this ordinance. Mayor Pro Tem Naish wanted to know if this retirement program was a volunteer program. City Manager Charles Norwood said no, all full time employees must participate. Councilman Akin stated that what the City Manager has said is correct, I have fought a long time to get better pay for our employees and to keep longevity. Councilman Akin said he was very supportive of this, but why was it not brought up prior to budget. City Manager Charles Norwood said it is in the budget . Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Naish to approve the ordinance for Updated Service Credits through Texas Municipal Retirement System. Seconded by Councilman Akin. The vote was as follows : Mayor Trimble - in favor, Mayor Pro Tem Naish - in favor, Councilman Akin - in favor , Councilman Swartz - in favor, Councilman Wright - in favor, Councilman Messenger - in favor ,and Councilwoman Stemple - in favor. This motion carried with all in favor. PRESENTATION BY MR. BOBBY WILLIAMS, BFI REPRESENTATIVE FOR PROPOSED RATE INCREASE: Mr . Williams was not present at the meeting . APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF WYLIE AND WSA: City Manager Charles Norwood said he met with representatives from WSA to discuss the agreement. The new agreement is almost identical to what is on record now. There were just a couple of minor changes , WSA wanted to make sure the $3 ,000 would be spent in the Wylie Community Park and with Council approval . Mayor Pro Tem Naish stated the reason that was brought up last year was that Council wanted to insure that the $3000 they paid went back into the park fund and that WSA could have input on the way it was spent. City Manager Charles Norwood said the way this reads the money would have to be "+ spent within the Wylie Community Park. 447 Councilwoman Stemple wanted to make sure that this $3 ,000 is spent just for the one park, Wylie Community Park. City Manager Charles Norwood said yes, to be spent in the Wylie Community Park. Councilman Akin said when we purchased the park we had to have some help and WSA agreed to help us by paying the $3 ,000 .00 each year to help take care of the two notes on the park. Then we begin to have a problem with the mowing and utilities and therefore we had to have an agreement with WSA in order to help with the expenses in the park. Councilman Swartz stated the only thing he has had a concern about is that WSA remember that it is a City Park and belongs to the citizens. Councilman Messenger stated he was a representative on the WSA Board and things are going very well . Motion was made by Councilman Messenger to approve the agreement . Seconded by Councilman Akin. The vote was as follows : Mayor Trimble - in favor, Mayor Pro Tem Naish - in favor, Councilman Akin - in favor, Councilman Swartz - in favor, Councilman Wright - in favor, Councilman Messenger - in favor, and Councilwoman Stemple - in favor. This motion carried with all in favor . APPROVAL OF ADDING $1 . 00 CONTRIBUTION FOR THE PARK IMPROVEMENT FUND TO THE UTILITY BILLS : City Manager Charles Norwood stated that staff has had some problems on this, but have received a draft from Finance Director tonight . Due to the wording on the draft , I would recommend to table this item and put on the next Tuesday agenda . Motion was made by Councilman Akin to table until next Tuesday. Seconded by Councilman Messenger. The vote was as follows : Mayor Trimble - in favor , Mayor Pro Tem Naish - in favor, Councilman Akin - in favor , Councilman Swartz - in favor, Councilman Wright - in favor , Councilman Messenger - in favor, and Councilwoman Stemple - in favor. This motion carried with all in favor to table. APPROVAL OF AWARD OF BID FOR GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THE CITY OF WYLIE EMPLOYEES: City Manager Charles Norwood said staff has asked for quotes from other insurance companies. We received only one bid, other than the TML bid, three companies would not bid due to the high risk, two companies said we were not large enough for them to bid on. This one bid had come in with a stipulation that 50% of the employees must carry dependent coverage, therefore this bid will not be good. City Manager Charles Norwood said he would like to make a presentation later on, but for the time being stay with TML and what we have now. 448 CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: Mayor Trimble stated that anyone wishing to address the Council to come forward at this time and state the name and address for the record, to keep their comments to within two minutes. Nick Swords 1308 East Brown Street - last time I addressed the Council it was in January and it was to thank the council for the signal light at Brown and Highway 78. This time it is over high grass. This is on Piccaddilly Circle and E. Brown Street, the grass is over my car . I have met with Code Enforcement Department and the City Manager. What can be done to get this high grass taken care of. I have been told the owners live in New York and the city staff can not locate them, also been told the property is owned by Barron Cook. Councilman Messenger asked Mr . Faires who owned the property. Mr . Faires said Mr . Johnson said it belonged to a company in New York. Councilman Akin said it is bad, we have problems, but the citizens do not see things getting done. Councilman Messenger stated Council needs to have a work session on this subject and have figures on contracting out the mowing and then charge to the property owner . Councilman Messenger said we have to treat everyone the same. Councilman Swartz stated that most of these properties are getting foreclosed and they do not care they just leave the house sitting . There was a work session set up for Monday night at 7 :00 P.M. Oct . 2, 1989 . Mayor Trimble recognized the representatives from CareFlite and presented them with the proclamation for their ten years of service. The representatives from CareFlite thanked the Council for their support and recognition. COUNCIL DISCUSSION: Councilman Akin stated in behalf of Pauline and himself, we want to express our appreciation to al who attended our 50th wedding anniversary. We received a lot of phone calls and cards and letters from a lot of people. We even had a past city manager call, but he asked to speak to Pauline. We really appreciate all of you. Councilman Swartz thanked City Council and City Staff for the flowers and for remembering their family during the recent loss of a family member . Councilman Wright also stated that he would continue to ask the police department to check on the lift stations while they were out on patrol . Councilman Swartz wanted to know if they could get to the lift stations . City Manager Charles Norwood said they can get to some of them but not all of them. City Manager Charles Norwood said that the --. public work crews were putting in the plumbing at the Southfork Lift Station in order to put the new 6" pump into operation when needed . Council is looking at $100,000 worth 449 of equipment for the telecommunications set up on the lift stations. Staff is hoping to have the equipment at the lift station at Southfork connected by December, 1989 . When this lift station is no longer needed , staff will move the equipment over to another lift station. City Manager Charles Norwood said staff has received six or seven proposals for audit services . Staff would like for Council to interview the top three firms on Monday night and Tuesday night take action. Councilman Messenger stated he would like to see the Council inquiry forms started up again and to follow up on them. I think it is a good system and to have the follow up report in each agenda packet. Councilwoman Stemple said it was a little embarrassing when some of the citizens call me and tell me we have laws and yet we do not abide by them. We need to abide by all of our ordinances . City Manager Charles Norwood said a citizen calls in for a high grass complaint, staff sends out a letter to the property owner, they have so many days to comply. The citizens do not understand that staff has a policy to follow. Staff has one of three ways to handled high grass 1. to hire a group of employees and mowers and go out and mow the grass, then send a bill to the property owner 2 . go out and mow the grass and then place a lien on the property 3. is to handle it as we are today, but issue a citation as soon as possible and get on a court docket. City Manager Charles Norwood said our staff is concerned about our citizens, but we have to abide by the laws. Mayor Pro Tem Naish wanted to know if anyone had given any thought to what we wanted to discuss on Tuesday night with Planning and Zoning . Mayor Pro Tem Naish requested the following be put on the agenda: size of streets , one entrance to subdivisions, widening of streets and doing away with alleyways. Mayor Pro Tem Naish also wanted to know how the City stood at year end closing in General and Utility funds . Mr . Johnson gave a short presentation on the budget at year end. Councilman Akin wanted to know when the taxes go out , how long before revenue comes in. Mr . Johnson said a little in October and November , but most will come at the end of December and January. 450 Mrs. Jayne Chapman stated that she did not get up during citizen participation, but since Council has not brought up ••�, the pit bull dogs, I would like some kind of explanation. City Manager Charles Norwood said the owners must identify that they have the animal , must supply proof of insurance and must supply two photos of their animal . Mrs . Chapman said why has the situation gone on as long as it has and nothing been done about it . These people are not complying with the law, why do we give them seven days to comply. City Manager Charles Norwood said they must be in compliance by Friday of this week. If not we will file on them in Municipal Court . Mayor Pro Tem Naish said if anyone sees the dog out running loose, call the city. City Manager Charles Norwood said Mrs . Chapman' s daughter elected not to file charges. Mrs . Chapman said why should she have to file charges when the city has an ordinance against this . Mayor Pro Tem Naish said that the city crews are watching and patrolling the area as much as possible. Councilman Akin said if something happens to one of these children, and there is a lawsuite, it will involve the City, I am right. Mrs . Chapman said she was not concerned about a lawsuite, she was concerned about the safety of the children. Councilman Wright stated that if they will call him, he will go witness the fact that the dog is running loose and he will file the complaint. Councilwoman Stemple said she has seen the dog running loose and will be glad to file the complaint. Mayor Trimble asked if anyone knew Mr . 0. A. Sellers, that he has tried several times to contact me, will not leave a number and has been rather rude to my family. No one on the Council knew who this was. There being no other matters for discu n, a motion was made to adjourn with all in favor . '/ Chuc Trimble, Ma ATTEST : // q\�\\!Atl411!!I IO t I!0/ry/!s �..vb C�`dro yn �j es, Cyty ecretary g SEAL