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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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 .
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Chuc Trimble, Ma
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