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Min 09/02/2014 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 2, 2014 Page 1 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Wichita Falls, Texas Memorial Auditorium Building September 2, 2014 Item 1 - Call to Order The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas met in regular session on the above date in the Council Chambers of the Memorial Auditorium Building at 8:30 o’clock a.m., with the following members present. Glenn Barham - Mayor Tim Ingle - Councilors Ben Hoover - Annetta Dotson - Michael Smith - Brian Hooker - Tom Quintero - Darron Leiker - City Manager Julia Vasquez - Acting City Attorney Tracy Norr - City Clerk Mayor Barham called the meeting to order. - - - - - - - - Item 2a - Invocation Reverend Cheryl Murray, Pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church, gave the invocation. - - - - - - - - Item 2b - Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Barham led the Pledge of Allegiance. - - - - - - - - Item 3a – Presentation – University Kiwanis Club Sherry Hicks, representing the University Kiwanis Club, presented a check for $2,500 to the council for the proceeds from operating the concessions in the University Kiwanis Park. She thanked the council for supporting the children of Wichita Falls. - - - - - - - - CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 2, 2014 Page 2 Item 3b – Proclamation – Museum Day Stroll ‘n Roll – Wichita Falls Museum Coalition Mayor Barham read a proclamation establishing September 13, 2014 as Museum Day in Wichita Falls and encouraged all citizens to visit the museums, art galleries, theaters, and other sites in the city. Lindsay Greer encouraged attendance at the events on September 13, 2014. - - - - - - - - Item 3c – Proclamation – National Emergency Preparedness Month – The Emergency Preparedness Office and the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Office Mayor Barham presented a proclamation establishing September 2014 as National Emergency Prepared Month and encouraged citizens to make plans and take steps to prepare for emergencies. John Henderson distributed emergency kits to each councilmembers. Al Gonzales said the emphasis is involvement with families and neighborhoods to “be aware and take action to prepare,” which is this year’s theme. - - - - - - - - Item 3d -Employee of the Month Chief Reese recognized Fire Captain Brad Corley as the Employee of the Month. Mayor Barham presented a plaque, a letter of appreciation, restaurant tickets, and a check to Mr. Corley and thanked him for his service. Captain Corley expressed thanks for the opportunity of working for the Fire Department for 35 years. He said it is an honor to work for the Police and Fire Museum. - - - - - - - - Item 4- Comments from the Public to Members of the City Council Concerning Items That Are Not on the City Council Agenda. There were no citizen comments. - - - - - - - - Item 5 – 7b– Consent Items City Manager Darron Leiker gave a briefing on the items listed under the Consent Agenda. Moved by Councilor Smith that the Consent Agenda be approved. Motion seconded by Councilor Hooker and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Barham, Councilors Hoover, Dotson, Quintero, Hooker, Smith, and Ingle. Nays: None CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 2, 2014 Page 3 Item 5 - Approval of Minutes of the August 19, 2014 Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council Item 6a – Resolution No. 93-2014 Resolution No. 93-2014 Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of a Storage Area Network (SAN) Server from CDWG in the Amount of $75,459.28 for the City’s Computer Network Item 7a-b –Receive Minutes Minutes of the following boards and commissions were received: (a) Animal Shelter Advisory Committee, May 9, 2013 (b) Wichita Falls – Wichita County Public Health Board, May 16, 2014 - - - - - - - - Item 8 – Public Hearing on the Proposed Property Tax Rate for the 2014-2015 Fiscal Year The public hearing was opened at 8:47 a.m. Jim Dockery said the budget presentation has been made, and the next step is to consider the tax rate to provide for the expenditures in the budget. A resolution was approved stating the intent to consider a two cent tax increase, which is a three percent increase from the current rate and a four percent increase from the effective tax rate. This is the first of two public hearings prior to adoption of the budget and tax rate. Marion Stade, 4801 Greenbriar, asked who pays the property tax rate and what percentage of the population will pay that rate. Mayor Barham said anyone within the community will pay taxes, either directly or indirectly. Mrs. Stade asked if the entire tax rate increase only goes to increased salaries. Mayor Barham said the budget includes a two percent raise for employees, but a four percent raise was discussed and a tax rate increase of two cents is necessary for a four percent raise. He said any pay adjustments come from sales tax or property taxes. He explained the city’s step plan for employees. Bobby Whitely, 1105 Scott, said he represents the Wichita Falls Professional Firef ighters Association and is in favor of the proposed tax increase. He discussed the cost factor of not retaining employees. He said the four percent increase will be just below half of the difference between what firefighters are making now and what the average salary is. He commended the council for doing a hard job. Eddie Hasting, 4100 Weeks Park Lane, spoke as a police officer and said recruitment and retention of police officers is challenging when the salaries are in the bottom third of comparable cities. He added commendations from the Wichita Falls Police Officer’s Association for doing due diligence and considering the employees. Councilor Ingle said it is a tough budget year and said a pay raise was a priority. He noted that everyone is having a tough time, especially with the increased water rates. He is not in favor of a tax increase but feels the city could take steps to make other cuts. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 2, 2014 Page 4 Mayor Barham said he is the one who proposed the increased tax rate to allow discussion. He said we are in a unique situation that we will probably never see again because the school district cut their tax rate seven percent. He said the school board will probably have another bond proposal next May, which would mean an increase in taxes. The city needs to take advantage of the situation at this time. He noted the overall tax rate for most of the taxpayers in the city will decrease by five cents. He noted the insurance rates for the employees will most likely increase. He said the average increase on water rates is $14, but the overall five cent tax rate decrease will be about $20. He thinks the proposed tax rate increase is do-able. Councilor Smith said this has been a difficult budget year but he reminded people there are state regulations and laws as well as citizen needs to be met. These needs are paid by the property and sales tax rates. He is in favor of the tax increase as an investment in the government both now and in the future. Councilor Hoover said he favors the pay increase. He suggested looking at budget cuts and a 1 cent tax increase. Councilor Quintero said budget is an annual grind and he has asked a lot of questions. He said departments have already made cuts in personnel and services to get the budget where it is. He also looked at human resources practices. He said he is comfortable with a two-cent increase. He said the staff is doing great work and need to be supported. There were no other comments. The public hearing was closed at 9:20 a.m. Item 9a – Ordinance No. 37-2014 ORDINANCE NO. 37-2014 Ordinance accepting $38,539.00 of grant funds pursuant to the 2014 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program (Local Solicitation Award #2014-DJ- BX-0536), appropriating said funds to the Special Revenue Fund, and authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to accept and share said funds Moved by Councilor Dotson that Ordinance No. 37-2014 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilor Ingle and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Barham, Councilors Quintero, Dotson, Ingle, Smith, Hooker, and Hoover. Nays: None - - - - - - - - CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 2, 2014 Page 5 Item 9b – Ordinance No. 38-2014 ORDINANCE NO. 38-2014 Ordinance making an appropriation to the Special Revenue Fund for grant revenue from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for a Comprehensive Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant for Fiscal Year 2015 and authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to accept said funds Moved by Councilor Ingle that Ordinance No. 38-2014 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilor Smith and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Barham, Councilors Quintero, Dotson, Ingle, Smith, Hooker, and Hoover. Nays: None - - - - - - - - Item 10a – Resolution #94-2014 RESOLUTION NO. 94-2014 Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Habitat for Humanity of Wichita Falls, Inc. acting as an eligible Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) under the HOME Investment Partnership Program Moved by Councilor Ingle that Resolution No. 94-2014 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilor Dotson and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Barham, Councilors Quintero, Dotson, Ingle, Smith, Hooker, and Hoover. Nays: None - - - - - - - - Item 10b – Resolution #95-2014 RESOLUTION NO. 95-2014 Resolution authorizing the purchase of 85 Panasonic Toughbooks from CDWG in the amount of $300,742.75 with an option to purchase an additional 85 Toughbooks at the same price during the 2014-15 fiscal year Moved by Councilor Smith that Resolution No. 95-2014 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilor Dotson and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Barham, Councilors Quintero, Dotson, Ingle, Smith, Hooker, and Hoover. Nays: None - - - - - - - - CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 2, 2014 Page 6 Item 10c – Resolution #96-2014 RESOLUTION NO. 96-2014 Resolution allowing the City Manager to execute an Airport Facilities Lease and Rental Car Concession Agreement at the Wichita Falls Regional Airport with the Hertz Corporation and Avis Budget Car Rental, LLC Moved by Councilor Hoover that Resolution No. 96-2014 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilor Ingle and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Barham, Councilors Quintero, Dotson, Ingle, Smith, Hooker, and Hoover. Nays: None - - - - - - - - Item 11a – Staff Council Discussion Pat Hoffman discussed disposition of the city’s property at 4415 Miller Road (old Fire Station #8). She noted the fire station was built on park land, so it is officially still park property. Any sale of the property must follow state laws regarding disposition of park property. She reviewed damages in the building and repair estimates as well as demolition costs. She reviewed possible uses if the property is retained. City Manager Darron Leiker recommended putting this item on the ballot and accepting sealed bids before making a determination. Mrs. Hoffman said the majority of inquiries about the property have been for general commercial use. Concerns about commercial use of the property were raised. - - - - - - - - Item 11b – Discussion of Items of Concern to Members of the City Council There were not items of concern from members of the City Council presented. - - - - - - Item 12 – Executive Session City Council went into Executive Session at 10:15 a.m. in accordance with Texas Government Code §551.071 and §551.072. City Council reconvened at 10:54 a.m. Mayor Barham announced that no polls or votes were taken during Executive Session. - - - - - - - - Item 13 - Adjourn City Council adjourned at 10:54 a.m. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 2, 2014 Page 7 PASSED AND APPROVED this 9th day of September, 2014. ___________________________________ Glenn Barham, Mayor ATTEST: ____________________________________ Tracy B. Norr, MMC, City Clerk