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Min 09/11/2012 442 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Wichita Falls, Texas Memorial Auditorium Building September 11, 2012 Item 1 The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas met in special session on the above date in the Council Chambers of the Memorial Auditorium Building at 8:30 a.m., with the following members present. Glenn Barham - Mayor Michael Smith - Mayor Pro Tern Dorothy Roberts-Burns - Councilors Annetta Pope - Brian Hooker Tim Ingle - Mary Ward - Absent Darron Leiker - City Manager Miles Risley City Attorney Myrna Marks - Deputy City Clerk Item 1 Mayor Barham called the meeting to order. Item 2a Councilor Annetta Pope gave the invocation. Item 2b Mayor Barham led in the pledge of allegiance. Item 3 J. T. Stade, 20132 FM 1954, Holliday, TX, informed he owns two properties in the City and asked Council to repeal the recently passed ordinance prohibiting the use of rockets and archery in the City parks. He believes this ordinance was made in haste and is based on fear and not reality. These activities occur across parks in America. There is no evidence of danger. Kevin Schroeder, 22544 FM 2393, asked the Council to reconsider their vote for the purpose of hunting at Lake Arrowhead. He understands that several Council members consider this a safety issue, however hunters are a safe group and millions of hunting licenses are issued by the State. Consider the possible revenue from hunting to offset raising taxes. Marilyn Scott, 2404 Polk, expressed concern regarding removal of alley dumpsters and asked Council to consider the convenience provided to the disabled and those who lack mobility. Item 4 443 Minutes of the September 4, 2012 Regular Council meeting were approved as distributed. Item 5 A public hearing was held on the Proposed Property Tax Rate for the 2012-2013 Fiscal Year. Finance Director Jim Dockery informed that this was the second of two public hearings required by the State regarding the tax rate. This one penny increase would cost home owners that own a $100,000 home an additional $10 per year. Additional revenue from the one cent increase would finance the following three programs: 1) $140,000 to finance the debt for a New Airport Terminal at Municipal Airport; 2) Supplement Texas Department of Public Safety's mowing on State highways within the City Limits; 3) $150,000 for additional staff and equipment to upgrade code enforcement efforts. Doug Juul, 1800 Brazos Street, spokesperson for 50+ Zone members requested that the part-time Recreation Leader position be increased to full-time. The fitness programs could be expanded more if it was converted to a full time position. Jean Hall, 4112 Kingsbury Drive, opposes the proposed tax rate increase stating that it is not supporting essential projects; it is not a good time during this economic downturn. Walter King, 3101 Cumberland, referred to a Times Records News article regarding an experiment in Arizona that cost taxpayers $100 million and asked if, locally, there was not an alternative to raising taxes. Marion Stade, 20132 FM 1954, resides in Holliday but owns two rental houses in Wichita Falls and is not against taxes; however since Councilors Ingle and Ward represent her two rental houses, she is asking them to vote no. Marilyn Scott, 2404 Polk, is not opposed to the taxes but would rather pay the $2.84 and have her alley dumpster. J. T. Stade, 20132 FM 1954, Holliday, does not oppose taxes but wants to speak out of frustration and asked Council to consider the reality of economical issues and taxes. Mayor called for additional comments. There being none Mayor declared the public hearing closed. Item 6a There were no Staff reports. Item 6b Council Members brought up the following matters: Councilor Pope: a) The second floor windows at the Library need to be maintained. b) Received citizen call regarding the alley dumpster issue. Councilor Smith: a) Thanked the citizens for participating and making the fourth annual "Stroll n Roll" Museum Day a great success. These museums are open year round and free to the public. Councilor Ingle: a) Received several inquiries to have tax rate hearings at night. He agrees and believes there could be more participation. b) Asked about the sequester spending cuts and their effect on the federal authority transit monies. Mr. John Burrus is anticipating that the increase in ridership will offset any cuts however the government is changing and will need to be monitored. 444 Item 6b continued c) Believes the budget could be trimmed with more creative and digging a little deeper. He wants our city to grow but cannot see how increasing the size of government contributes to the improvement of the economy. With how the economy is going, this is just the wrong time for it. Councilor Roberts-Burns: a) Also received calls about the dirty windows on the second floor of the Library, including dirty bathrooms at the Senior Zone. b) Remember those whose loved ones died on September 11tn Item 7 City Council went into Executive Session at 9:18 a.m. in accordance with Texas Government Code § 551.074. City Council reconvened at 11:36 a.m. Mayor announced that no votes or polls were taken during Executive Session. Item 8 City Council adjourned at 11:36 a.m. PASSED AND APPROVED this 18th day of September 2012. Glenn Barham, Mayor ATTEST: Lydia Ozuna, City Clerk City of Wichita Falls City Council Agenda Glenn Barham, Mayor Dorothy Roberts-Burns, At Large ` Michael Smith, Mayor Pro Tern ~� Annetta Pope-Dotson, District 2 Brian Hooker, District 3 I/I Tim Ingle, District 4 ��/llll T E X A S Mary Ward, District 5 B/u�Sk�es Gto/de�0yy�rturti7ies Darron Leiker, City Manager Miles Risley, City Attorney Lydia Ozuna, City Clerk Notice Of Special Meeting Of The Mayor And City Council Of The City Of Wichita Falls, Texas, To Be Held In The City Council Chambers, Memorial Auditorium, 1300 Seventh Street, Tuesday, September 11, 2012 Beginning At 8:30 A.M. 1. Call To Order 2. (a) Invocation (b) Pledge Of Allegiance 3. Comments From The Public To Members Of The City Council Concerning Items That Are Not On The City Council Agenda. People Wishing To Address The Council Should Sign Up Prior To The Meeting Commencing. A Five Minute Time Frame Will Be Adhered To For Those Addressing Their Concerns. 4. Approval Of Minutes Of The September 4, 2012 Regular Meeting Of The Mayor And City Council REGULAR AGENDA 5. Public Hearing On Proposed Property Tax Rate For The 2012-13 Fiscal Year 6. Other Council Matters (a) Staff Council Discussion (b) Discussion Of Items Of Concern To Members Of The City Council. 7. Executive session in accordance with Texas Government Code §551.074 to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, dismissal of a public officer or employee (including, but not limited to, City Manager, City Attorney, Judge of the Municipal Court, and City Clerk) 8. Adjourn Wheelchair or handicapped accessibility to the meeting is possible by using the handicapped parking spaces and ramp located off the east parking lot on the 6th Street entrance nearest the Council chambers. There are additional handicapped parking spaces and ramp on 71h Street at the main building entrance. Spanish language interpreters, deaf interpreters, Braille copies or any other special needs will be provided to any person requesting a special service with at least 24 hours notice. Please call the City Clerk's Office at 761-7409. Wireless Listening System devices are available at the City Manager's reception area or you may call 761-7404 for inquiries. Every item on this agenda shall be considered a public hearing. Regardless of the agenda heading under which any item is listed, any word or phrase of any item listed on this agenda shall be considered a subject for consideration for purposes of the Texas Open Meetings Act and other relevant law, and City Council may deliberate and vote upon any such subject and resolutions related thereto. Resolutions, ordinances, and other actions concerning any word, phrase, or other subject may be voted upon, regardless of any language of limitation found in this agenda or any document referring to such action. Any penal ordinance, development regulation or charter provision of the City of Wichita Falls or item which is funded by the current or next proposed City of Wichita Falls budget, including, without limitation, any street, water pipe, sewer, drainage structure, department, employee, contract or real property interest of the City of Wichita Falls, may be discussed and deliberated, and the subject is hereby defined as such without further notice. Any item on this agenda may be discussed in executive session if authorized by Texas law regardless of whether any item is listed under"Executive Sessions" of this agenda, regardless of any past or current practice of the City Council. Executive sessions described generally hereunder may include consideration of any item otherwise listed on the agenda plus any subject specified in the executive session notice. Executive sessions described generally hereunder are closed meetings, may include consideration of any item otherwise listed on the agenda plus any subject specified in the executive session notice, and may include items under Texas Government Code Sections 551.071, 551.072, 551.073, 551.074, 551.076, 551.084, and/or 551.087. CERTIFICATION I certify that the above notice of meeting was posted on the bulletin board at Memorial Auditorium, Wichita Falls, Texas on the day of 2012 at o'clock (a.m.)(p.m.). City Clerk