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Home My WebLink About05/23/1990 - Workshop Minutes City Council HINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING ~EDNESDAY, NAY 23, L990 4:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ringer, Councilmen Brown, McIlhaney, Birdwell, Crouch, Gardner COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilman Schneider STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ragland, City Secretary Hooks, City Attorney Locke, Assistant City Manager Woody, Assistant city Manager Brymer, Finance Director Harrison, Risk Manager Willey, Public Information officer Calliham, Planning Director Callaway, Director of Development Services Ash VISITORS PRESENT: See guest register. The council consented to move Agenda Item No. 4 to the beginning of the meeting. Aqenda Item No. 4 - Consideration of a request for abandonment of a portion of an easement, Lot 21, Block 3 Southwood Section 5. Planning Director Callaway explained this item. Councilman Birdwell moved to abandon a portion of the utility easement. The motion was seconded by Councilman Brown which carried unan- imously, 6-0, with Councilman Schneider absent. Aqenda Item No. 1 - Review of Citizen Opinion Survey Report (Council Issue No. 41). Public Information Officer Calliham introduced this item. Mr. Brian Jones and Dr. James Dyer of the Public Policy Resource Lab presented the citizen survey report. Dr. Dyer reviewed the procedures used to assess resident attitudes toward the city. A copy of the report was provided to the council in the agenda packet. Several issues discussed by Dr. Jones were as follows: 1) evaluation of local government, 2) parks and recreation, 3) information, communication, participation, and 4) growth and development. Overhead transparencies were provided to show the residents ratings of the city's service areas and the ratings of the city's infrastructures. 007852 City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, May 23, 1990 Page 2 Mr. Randy Rogers, General Manager of TCA Cable addressed the Council. He stated that the local franchise is improving its customer service approach by providing longer service hours and additional personnel to assist customers. Mayor Ringer commented that he was pleased with the high ratings of satisfaction for the operations of the cities. &aenda Item No. 2 - Presentation an~ Disoussion of a formal claims management/investigation oolicv. Finance Director Harrison explained that the Council had expressed an interest in changing the process by which claims are handled. The proposal states that the Risk Manager may settle claims up to $2,000; any losses between $2,000 and $5,000, the Risk Manager may settle claims with the consent of the City Attorney and the Fiscal and Human Resources Executive Director; and any loss between $5,000 and $10,000 shall be reviewed by the City's Loss Review Committee. A report of such action will be included quarterly in the City Attorney's Legal Report. Councilman Brown suggested that Statement No. 3 in the policy be changed to read that City's Loss Review Committee review losses valued between $2,000 and $10,000, and delete Statement No. 2. Councilman Birdwell suggesting adding a statement regarding the appeal process to the City Council. Councilman Birdwell also noted that the report filed by the Risk Manager should be included in the quarterly monthly reports rather than the City Attorney's Legal Report. &qenda Item No. 3 - Discussion of Capital Improvements Proqram. Director of Development Services Elrey Ash presented this item. He reviewed the overhead transparency which listed several items for council discussion. Public Utilities Director John Woody and his staff summarized the major projects underway in the water, electric, and wastewater systems. Mr. Charles Otto, Assistant Superintendent for Water & Sewer Operations briefly described the current Water Production Facilities and Wastewater Treatment Facilities and the projected needs. Mr. Bill Riley, Operations Manager for Water Distribution and Sewer Collection explained the projected costs for water distribution improvements. 007853 City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, May 23, 1990 Page 3 Mr. Ray Havens, Electrical Superintendent pointed out that a new electrical substation will be completed by the end of 1991 at Greens Prairie Road and Highway 6, and complete additions to the three existing substations. He also noted that the city will require two separate transmission lines within the next five years; and in the next three years, distribution system additions are projected. Councilman McIlhaney asked if staff has anticipated the growth expansion on the west side of the city and its affect on city utilities. Mr. Woody replied that the staff has reviewed this scenario in respect to Lotrak, and have indicated that the west side of town is a prime development area. However, he did not anticipate immediate needs or within the next three years, except possibly in the sludge management program. Mr. Woody pointed out that the monies proposed at this time are in addition to the projects in the existing bond funds, and the estimated costs covered earlier are projections based on normal growth projections. He also noted that the estimated electrical costs are accelerated somewhat because the city has changed power suppliers. Councilman Birdwell moved to direct staff to proceed with the revenue bonds separately from the general obligation bonds. The motion was seconded by Councilman McIlhaney which carried unanimously, 6-0. The Council discussed a possible date for the general obligation bond election. Councilman Gardner moved to hold the GOB election on December 8th. The motion was seconded by Councilman Birdwell. The motion failed by a vote of 2-4. FOR: Councilmen Birdwell and Gardner AGAINST: Mayor Ringer, Councilmen Brown, Crouch, McIlhaney Councilman Crouch moved to hold the CIP General Obligation Bond election on October 13th. The motion was seconded by Councilman Brown. The motion carried by a vote of 4-2. FOR: Mayor Ringer, Councilmen Brown, McIlhaney, Crouch AGAINST: Councilmen Birdwell and Gardner Finance Director Harrison presented a financial overview on several issues contained in the CIP ranking list. 007854 City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, May 23, 1990 Page 4 Councilman Birdwell asked Mr. Harrison to provide a list that includes park monies allocated to certain zones within the city. Mr. Harrison continued to discuss the potential property tax implications and capital cost for several issues such as: Lotrak, Wolf Pen Creek, Library, Streets, and Parks. Mayor Ringer asked each councilmember to begin reviewing the CIP issues provided in the CIP report and a workshop meeting will be scheduled to prioritize these issues. &qenda Item No. 5 - Council Concerns. Councilman Birdwell commented that it appeared to him that fines for persons who plead guilty were higher than the fines for persons who plead not guilty and were found guilty. Councilman Gardner commented that the City Affairs Committee did not have the opportunity to discuss this matter; however, he felt that everyone was satisfied. Councilman Brown gave a report on the status of the Council Relations Committee. He mentioned that the committee has begun to review the council policies and procedures. He reminded everyone about the Council retreat scheduled for June 8th and 9th. Councilman Crouch presented the updated Chamber of Commerce brochure. Councilman Gardner inquired about the status of replacing trees. Mr. Gardner also asked about the status of the fire station. City Manager Ragland replied that a report on the fire station will be brought to the Council in August. Councilman McIlhaney remarked about the citizen opinion survey report and she congratulated staff for their work. Item No. 6 - City Manaqer Concerns. City Manager Ragland reported that the budget schedule has been provided to each councilmember. He also reported that the Economic Development Foundation has been contacted by Micron to submit an updated proposal. 007855 City Council Workshop Meeting Wednesday, May 23, 1990 Page 5 Agenda Item No. 7 - Adjourn. The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 6:30 p.m. APPROVED~ Mayor La~ 007856 GUEST REGISTER CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 1990 4:00 P.M 13. 10. 20. 007860