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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/09/1977 - Regular Minutes City CouncilMINUTES Regular City Council Meeting August 9, 1977 7:00 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Bravenec; Councilmen Gardner, Dozier, Halter, Stephenson, Hazen; City Planner Mayo; Assistant Planner Longley; City Attorney Lewis; Tax Assessor-Collector Schroeder; Fire Marshall Davis; Director of Public Works Ford; Fire Chief Landua MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilman Ringer VISITORS PRESENT: See guest register. Agenda Item No. 7 -- Closed session to consider items of pending litigation. Councilman Dozier requested that the closed session be held first. Mayor Bravenec declared the meeting closed. Mayor Bravenec called the Council back into open session. Agenda Item No. 8 -- Open session to take formal action where necessary on items of pending litigation. Councilman Dozier moved that the Mayor be authorized to sign the Compromise and Settlement Agreement for utilities with the City of Bryan. Councilman Hazen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Mayor Bravenec excused Coucnilman Dozier from the meeting. ~genda Item No. 1 -- Consideration of bid tabulations for two automobiles. (Planning and Fire Departments) City Manager Bardell explained that this is the second time the City has bid the automobiles. The first time the automobiles were bid the City received only one (1) bid; this time despite the advertisement and notification of dealers both in and out of the community, the City received only two (2) bids. City Manager Bardell described the bids, price differentials, and the delivery dates. Councilman Halter moved to accept the bid of Beal Ford for two automobiles in the amount of $9,984.00. The motion died for lack of a second. Councilman Hazen asked if the City had made an effort to check into buying used cars. City Manager Bardell explained that although a used car is the general practice, in this case the cars were budgeted in the 1977-78 budget as new, in addition to the fact that there were no police cars (which are generally used) to convert for departmental use at this time. ozz MINUTES, Regular City Council Meeting August 9, 1977 7:00 P.M. Councilman Halter moved to accept the bid of Beal Ford. Councilman Gardner seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: FOR --- Mayor Bravenec; Councilmen Halter, Gardner AGAINST --- Councilman Stephenson ABSTAINING --- Councilman Hazen A~enda Item No. 2 -- Consideration of a resolution for the Brazos Valley Page 2 Development Council to provide mobile radio equipment for the Police Department through the use of Texas Criminal Justice Plans. City Manager Bardell explained that the Comprehensive Justice Planning in Texas has made available through the Texas Criminal Justice Council, funds for an expanded radio network in law enforcement. The units are limited to law enforcement vehicles. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the cost would be born by the Texas Criminal Justice Council. Councilman Stephenson moved the adoption of the resolution for the Brazos Valley Development Council to provide mobile radio equipment for the Police Department through the use of Texas Criminal Justice Plans and that the Mayor be authorized to sign the resolution. Councilman Gardner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. A~enda Item No. 3 -- Discussion of proposed plans for revaluation of property for ad valorem tax purposes. City Tax Assessor-Collector Schroeder explained that a revaluation is necessary because, although, the values are fairly well equalized, the assessed values are out of line with the actual market value. Tax Assessor-Collector Schroeder noted that there are several alternatives by which revaluation could be accomplished. The first method would be to coordinate the revaluation with the school district. Their appraisal cards would be copied for physical data, then use the City's cost schedule to arrive at the new market values. The cost would be approximately $35,000. The second method would be to do a complete in-house revaluation of the City. This would require the hiring of an additional six (6) or eight (8) individuals so that the process would be completed in time for the 1978 tax roll. This method would require about $30,000 to $35,000. The third method would be to consider hiring an outside firm to come in and do the appraisal work but this method would be very costly. Tax Assessor-Collector Schroeder recommended that the City try to work with the School Tax Office, but that the cost element should be discussed. MAyor Bravenec stated that he would set up a meeting between he, City Tax Assessor-Collector Schroeder and Joe Natowitz, President of the School Board. Tax Assessor-Collector Schroeder noted that the 65th Legislature authorized cities to increase the hotel-motel tax from three percent (3%) to four percent (4%), providing that the portion for adver~ti~si_.n~_~local convention fac~~- MINUTES, Regular City Council Meeting August 9, 1977 7:00 P.M. Page 3 and promoting tourism be increased from one-half percent (1/2%) to one percent (1%). The Legislature has included civic theaters and museums to the list of uses for the revenues promoting tourism. Councilman Halter moved to authorize the City Attorney to draft an ordinance Councilman Gardner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Agenda Item No. 4 -- Consideration of a preliminary plat for Southwood Valley Section 9. This item passed by consent of the Council. Agenda Item No. 5 -- Consideration of a preliminary plat for a resubdivision of Lots 12-21~ Block 6~ Southwood~ Section 5. City Planner Mayo described the plat stating that the plat had been changed by the subdivider since the Council approved it (July 26, 1977). Councilman Hazen noted that there is presently a Windridge Drive in Bryan and asked that the street named Windridge in the plat be changed. Councilman Halter noted that the deed restrictions for the area were more severe than the zoning. Councilman Halter moved approval of the preliminary plat for a resubdivision of Lots 12-21, Block 6, Southwood, Section 5. Councilman Gardner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Agenda Item No. 6 -- Preliminary discussion of items on the agenda for August 11~ 1977. Councilman Stephenson requested that the public hearing for the Seaback tract be advertised. Mayor Bravenec stated that the purpose of creating a reserve for utility savings, as a result of switching to Gulf States, is that the savings can be spread over the full twenty (20) years instead of using all savings in five (5) years. City Manager Bardell stated that he will try to get Larry Wilson of the Community Action Program to present further discussion on the utility bill grants to people on Supplemental Security Income at the August 23rd meeting. Councilman Gardner asked to see the cost savings/increase if the electric rates were flattened. Mayor Bravenec referred the rate schedule to the Utility Rate Structure Committee. Agenda Item No. 7 -- Closed session to discuss items of pending ligitation. OZZ MINUTES, Regular City Council Meeting August 9, 1977 7:00 P.M. Page 4 The items not discussed in the closed session at the beginning of the meeting were delayed until the meeting on Thursday, August 11. Agenda Item No. 9 -- Adjourn. Mayor Bravenec declared the meeting adjourned. MorPROVED ATTEST Regular City Council Meeting August 9, 1977 7:00 P.M. PLEASE SIGN BELOW: am 10, 11. 12. 13. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. :>6. 27. 28. :>9. 30. 31. 14. 32. 15, 33. 16, 34. 17. 35. 18. 36.