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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/24/1988 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1988 4:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT: STUDENT GOV'T LIAISON: VISITORS PRESENT: Mayor Ringer, Councilman Boughton, McIlhaney, Haddox, Gardner, Brown Acting City Manager Ragland, City Attorney Locke, City Engineer Pullen, Public Information Officer Calliham, Director of Capital Improvements Ash, Budget Director Schroeder, Asst. to the City Manager Piwonka, Police Chief Strope, Personnel Director Dickson, Finance Director Harrison, Software Development Manager Earwood, Council Coordinator Hooks Kevin Buchman See guest register. A~enda Item No. 1 - Council Concerns. Councilman Boughton returned her signed amendment of the budget. petition forms for Councilman McIlhaney asked if a press release could be issued relating to the status of Southwest Parkway. She stated her concern that Fidelity Street is a city street which should be properly maintained by the City, along with other older streets in that area. She also commended the Police Department for their work with the children participating in the D.A.R.E. program. Councilman Brown asked staff to prepare a letter commending Mrs. Kandy Rose for the successful State of the City meeting conducted last Tuesday night, February 16th. Councilman Boughton apolo- gized for not appearing at the State of the City meeting. '06540 CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1988 Page 2 Councilman Haddox commented on the success of the D.A.R.E. pro- gram. He reported that he received a letter from a property owner who was recently burglarized. He felt the Police Depart- ment is doing its duty in responding to citizens who need their services. Councilman Gardner also commended the Police Department in their efforts toward the D.A.R.E. program. Mayor Ringer noted that the oversized bridge participation policy was never adopted by the Council. He mentioned that this policy should be addressed. He also asked if there was a date on relocating Emerald Parkway. The staff responded that they will look into this. A~enda Item No. 2 - Cit~; Manager Concerns. Acting City Manager RaGland reported no concerns. A~enda Item No. 3 - Action Plan for Police Department Emphasis on the "War on Dru~s", Council Concern No. 22. Chief Strope presented a brief status report on Council concern No. 22, the "War on Drugs". He noted that substance abuse is a social problem and it is a priority concern of the police depart- ment. The goal of the police department is to reduce the supply, demand, and consumption of illegal substances with the College Station con~nunity. The Police Department is requesting that the Council appoint a citizen committee and name this task force the Blue Ribbon task force. This task force will consist of representatives from various institutions and citizens of the community; these persons will be charged with collecting information using questionnaires and interviews in an effort to clarify the substance abuse problem, and recommend a comprehensive course of action. Councilman Gardner asked for a definition of the term Blue Ribbon. Chief Strope replied that this group will be hand selected, community leaders and persons who have a definite interest and willingness to engage in long hours. Councilman Gardner also asked how much staff time will be involved. Chief Strope replied that there will be clerical staff time involved. CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1988 Page 3 Mayor Ringer suggested that the City Affairs Committee consisting of Dick Haddox (Chairman), Lynn McIlhaney, and Larry Ringer work with Chief Strope to draft a program for this committee and de- velop guidelines for selection of members. A~enda Item No. 4 - Discussion to purchase the Utility Billin~ replacement computer hardware. Ms. Piwonka addressed this item. She stated that the Utility Billing Hardware is the first major component of the MIS Plan implementation process. The hardware should be in place and ready for use by June 1. Mr. Chip Collins reported that the MIS committee will be reporting back to the Council in two weeks for approval of the the peripherals (printers & CRT's). He stated that the central processing unit and the disk drives will replace the NCR I9050. The new unit is an NCR I9500 series. He stated that that the total price of the NCR I9500 series is $178,272. Councilman Brown asked if 20% was a good discount. Mr. Collins replied that this discount is competitive. Ms. Piwonka reassured the Council that the old system will back up the new system until all testing has been completed. Director of Finance Harrison stated that a financial package will be compiled using certificates of obligations which does not re- quire a public vote. He stated that he has met with the city's financial advisors and they have assured us that there will be no problem with expending these monies. Ms. Piwonka remarked that the maintenance costs for the new equipment will be substantially less over the next five years, than the maintenance costs the city is currently expending. A~enda Item No. 5 - Consideration of authorizin~ a cost of livin~ adjustment to the pay plan and to re-institute the city's merit plan. Acting City Manager Ragland explained this item. He stated that the staff is proposing a 3% salary adjustment to the city's pay plan and re-institute the city's merit plan effective July 1 of this year. He pointed out several reasons why this item is before council at this time. He stated that the city has passed ",06542 CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1988 Page 4 the halfway mark on the current fiscal year, and while an analysis of our revenues does not indicate significant growth, there are adequate increases enough to warrant a cost of living adjustment as well as re-instituting the merit plan. He also stated that the primary reason is the necessity of preparing for the budget amendment, as well as giving feedback to the employees and improving morale. Mayor Ringer noted that morale has suffered while production has been maintained. He highly recommended that these plans be re- instituted. Councilman McIlhaney commented that she appreciated the staff for bearing with the Council when the salary freeze was initiated. Councilman Brown moved approval of authorizing a 3% cost of living adjustment to the pay plan and re-institute the city's merit pay plan. Councilman Boughton seconded the motion which carried unanimous- ly, 6-0. A~enda Item No. 6 - Adjourn. Mayor Ringer adjourned the meeting at 4:55 p.m. ATTEST: dity ~cr~tar¥ Dian Jones APPROVED: ' '06543