Loading...
Min 06/15/1999 471 Wichita Falls, Texas Memorial Auditorium Building June 15, 1999 Items 1 & 2 The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas met in regular session on the above date in the Council Room of the Memorial Auditorium Building at 8:30 o'clock a.m., with the following members present: Kay Yeager - Mayor Arthur Bea Williams - Councilors Dan Shine - James Esther, Jr. - Bill Altman - Johnny Burns - Bud Beaty - James Berzina - City Manager Greg Humbach - City Attorney Lydia Torres - City Clerk Mayor Yeager called the meeting to order. Invocation was given by Rev. Justin Graves, First Assembly of God Church. Item 3 Mayor recognized Pete McElvain, Rider High School, for being the Outstanding Physics Student. He will attend Midwestern State University. Mayor congratulated Pete for his outstanding academic career and wished him well. Item 4 Retha Stone, 2603 Hairpin Curve, requested a setback waiver to reduce the front building limit from 25 feet to 20 feet in order to accommodate a garage. Mr. Dave Clark will work with Mrs. Stone on this matter. Item 5 The Minutes were approved as distributed. City Manager gave a briefing on the items listed under the Consent Agenda. Items 6a-8f Mayor requested that Item 7c be brought down to the Regular Agenda. Moved by Councilor Altman that the consent agenda be approved with the exception of Item 7c. Motion seconded by Shine Councilor and carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Yeager, Councilors Williams, Shine, Esther, Altman, Burns, and Beaty Nays: None 472 Item 6a RESOLUTION NO. 59-99 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A SPECIAL WARRANTY DEED CONVEYING THE CITY'S UNDIVIDED ONE-HALF INTEREST IN A CERTAIN 107.4 ACRE TRACT OF LAND IN CLAY COUNTY TO THE LABOTEX PARTNERSHIP; FINDING AND DETERMINING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS RESOLUTION WAS PASSED WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW Item 6b RESOLUTION NO. 60-99 RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THE NORTH TEXAS REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM ASSEMBLY; DETERMINING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS RESOLUTION WAS PASSED WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW Item 7a RESOLUTION NO. 61-99 RESOLUTION TO AWARD OF BID AND CONTRACT FOR JASPER WATER TREATMENT PLANT EXTERIOR PAINT PROJECT; DETERMINING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS RESOLUTION WAS PASSED WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW Item 7b Bid was awarded to Modlin Recreation Equipment, Inc. in the amount of$20.000 for the purchase of an outdoor play structure. Items 8a-8f Minutes of the following Boards & Commission meetings were received. a. Helen Farabee Regional MHMR Centers Board of Trustees, April 22, 1999 b. Traffic Safety Commission, May 5, 1999 c. Board of Electrical Examiners, May 13, 1999 d. Commission on Human Needs, May 17, 1999 e. Library Advisory Board, May 25, 1999 f. Tax Increment Financing Board, June 3, 1999 Item 7c Moved by Councilor Esther that bid be awarded to Pennzoil-Quaker State in the amount of $37,128.56 for the purchase of the City's estimated annual supply of lubrication products. Motion seconded by Councilor Beaty. Mayor asked why the bid from Lubrication Engineers was so much higher than the others. Mrs. Peggy Gahagan responded that they have proprietary products in their oil and they bid but they do not care about the price. Motion carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Yeager, Councilors Williams, Shine, Esther, Altman, Burns, and Beaty Nays: None 473 Item 9a ORDINANCE NO. 48-99 AN ORDINANCE WAIVING SEC. 22-1(A)(2) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO PERMIT VEHICLES ON THE GRASS DURING THE DALLAS COWBOY KICKOFF EVENT IN JAYCEE PARK JULY 28, 1999; DETERMINING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS ORDINANCE WAS PASSED WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW Moved by Councilor Esther that Ordinance No. 48-99 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilor Beaty and carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Yeager, Councilors Williams, Shine, Esther, Altman, Burns, and Beaty Nays: None Item 9b ORDINANCE NO. 49-99 AN ORDINANCE WAIVING SEC. 22-1(A)(9) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO PERMIT SIGNS DURING THE DALLAS COWBOY KICKOFF EVENT IN JAYCEE PARK JULY 28, 1999; DETERMINING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS ORDINANCE WAS PASSED WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW Moved by Councilor Williams that Ordinance No. 49-99 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilor Beaty and carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Yeager, Councilors Williams, Shine, Esther, Altman, Burns, and Beaty Nays: None Item 9c ORDINANCE NO. 50-99 AN ORDINANCE WAIVING SEC. 22-4 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO PERMIT THE SALE AND CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN JAYCEE PARK DURING THE DALLAS COWBOY KICKOFF EVENT JULY 28, 1999; DETERMINING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS ORDINANCE WAS PASSED WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW Moved by Councilor Beaty that Ordinance No. 50-99 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilor Williams and carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Yeager, Councilors Williams, Shine, Esther, Altman, Burns, and Beaty Nays: None Item 9d ORDINANCE NO. 51-99 ORDINANCE MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FROM THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF) FUND IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $15,000 TO THE WICHITA FALLS RAILROAD MUSEUM FOR EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS AT THE EASTERN END OF NINTH STREET; DETERMINING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS ORDINANCE WAS PASSED WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW 474 Item 9d continued Moved by Councilor Burns that Ordinance No. 51-99 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilor Altman. Councilor Altman asked if the City has easement rights beyond where the street ends that would be affected by allowing this gate to be put up in that area. Mr. Dave Clark replied that the property at the end is separate property and is not right-of-way. Councilor Altman stated that he wanted to make sure that by allowing the gates to be established that the City is not giving up rights. Mayor suggested that this ordinance be amended by making it conditional upon not interfering with any public right-of-way at this point. Moved by Councilor Altman that this ordinance be conditioned upon it being established that the City is not closing in or limiting any property rights beyond where the gates will be established. Motion seconded by Councilor Shine and carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Yeager, Councilors Williams, Shine, Esther, Altman, Burns, and Beaty Nays: None The original motion as amended carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Yeager, Councilors Williams, Shine, Esther, Altman, Burns, and Beaty Nays: None Item 9e ORDINANCE NO. 52-99 ORDINANCE MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FROM THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF) FUND IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $20,848 TO RICHMOND CONDOMINIUMS FOR EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS AT 1000 TENTH STREET (FORMERLY WILLIAM & MARY APTS.); DETERMINING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS ORDINANCE WAS PASSED WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW. Moved by Councilor Altman that Ordinance No. 52-99 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilor Beaty and carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Yeager, Councilors Williams, Shine, Esther, Altman, Burns, and Beaty Nays: None Item 10a RESOLUTION NO. 62-99 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF WICHITA FALLS TO FACILITATE THE CONDITIONS FOR THE TRANSFER OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY AT 906, 919, AND 1024 CHANCE STREET FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HOUSING AND TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE DEED TO TRANSFER TITLE; DETERMINING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS RESOLUTION WAS PASSED WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW Moved by Councilor Williams that Resolution No. 62-99 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilor Esther and carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Yeager, Councilors Williams, Shine, Esther, Altman, Burns, and Beaty 475 Item 10a continued Nays: None Item 10b RESOLUTION NO. 63-99 RESOLUTION DETERMINING THE NECESSITY FOR ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY FOR A LINEAR PARK TO CONNECT O'REILLY PARK TO WILLIAMS PARK AND AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OR CONDEMNATION; DETERMINING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS RESOLUTION WAS PASSED WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW Moved by Councilor Burns that Resolution No. 63-99 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilor Shine and carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Yeager, Councilors Williams, Shine, Esther, Altman, Burns, and Beaty Nays: None Item 11 a Councilor Beaty expressed appreciation to Mr. Jim King and the entire Code Enforcement Staff for responding so well to constituents. Councilor Williams mentioned the transferring of the property on Chance Street and expressed appreciation for the City's effort in helping establish the Eastside and particularly in doing so in a deliberate and well thought out way. She added that getting a block at a time seems much more enhancing than spot building because you do not get the full impact. Councilor Burns expressed appreciation to Mr. Bonnet for the tour to the water facility, the treatment plant and the landfill. It was quite enlightening and fascinating. Councilor Altman said that he was impressed with the quality of the staffing at those facilities. They showed a high level of education and commitment to their work and concern for the quality of their work. We developed a new appreciation of the complexity and efficiency with which our facilities work. Councilor Altman informed that he was going to be out of the State during the second Council meeting in July. In accordance with Section 38 of the City Charter he asked to be excused for that future meeting absence. Councilor Altman was excused. Councilor Esther commented that with these wonderful comments about the Staff we are getting off to a good start in preparation for the discussion of salaries and benefit programs. Mayor joined Councilor Williams and the rest of the Council in commending Mr. Clark's staff and for the foresight in the redevelopment of Wichita Falls East and to Mr. Murphy and his staff for the continuation of the trail around the City. Mayor expressed appreciation to the Staff for their attendance at the retreat yesterday which will continue at the conclusion of this meeting. We made a lot of progress yesterday and anticipate to do that today. Item 11 c was taken out of sequence and considered at this time. Item 11 c City Manager expressed appreciation to Dorcas Chasteen for thirty plus years of 476 Item 11 c continued service to the City. She has done an outstanding job. Mayor also expressed appreciation to Mrs. Chasteen for her service to the City and mentioned the work she had done to acquire the property for MPEC. Mr. Esther also expressed his appreciation to Mrs. Chasteen for being instrumental in getting the Lynwood East Park off the ground. City Council recessed at 9:20 a.m. and reconvened at 9:50 a.m. Item 11 b A discussion was held on the salary and benefit program for City employees. Mrs. Jan Stricklin provided background on the City's two basic position pay classification plans which were developed by the Public Administration Finance Consulting Firm of Griffenhagen-Krogger, Inc. One of the plans is the Non-Civil Service Pay Plan which includes all city employees except commissioned police and fire personnel. The other is the Civil Service Pay Plan solely designed for commissioned police and fire employees, which strictly adheres to Civil Service Laws. Mrs. Stricklin explained both plans in detail beginning with the Non-Civil Service Pay Plan. Mrs. Stricklin informed that the step salary increase is not automatic but is based rigidly on meeting or exceeding performance standards. There are twelve steps which end at Step L and at that point an employee tops out. The City currently has 129 employees who are topped out at Step L and some of those have been topped out for five years. This plan was implemented in 1964 with maintenance procedures to elongate the life of the plan. One of the maintenance procedures was to establish a plan once every five years. No additional steps have been added since its inception. We are recommending that three additional steps, M, N, and O, be added which would move the Plan from twelve steps to fifteen. The cost would be $97,034. Councilor Altman commented that we have 100 plus employees that have topped out and have gone without an increase. Are those additional steps, M, N, and O, annual steps for three years, so everyone meeting performance criteria would be eligible for those steps over a three year period? Mrs. Stricklin responded in the affirmative. Mayor stated that the only option for employees who top out is to apply for another position in the organization that has a higher pay range and start again at Step A. Mrs. Stricklin agreed. Mrs. Stricklin informed that the Consulting Firm believed that in 1975 they had put a 20 year plan in place. Councilor Shine asked if it is against the Pay Plan to authorize a raise for people that are above Step L and not go across the board? We took the easy way out and gave across the board. Is there a reason you have not come to ask for a raise for that group that has topped out even though they are out of the Step Plan? Mrs. Stricklin replied that it can be done and the reason she had not asked for it in the past, although she had mentioned it, was that there were some other areas that in the past the monies were needed more for adjusting certain positions to prevent the pay plan from getting out of whack. Also, in the past we did not have as many employees topped out. Each year that number has grown. Councilor Shine commented that it is a plus for the organization to have employees that top out. I think longevity in employment is good. Mayor commented that there was a negative in having so many employees topped out because they are the ones that have the most experience in their jobs and in the organization, and there is no way, since they are topped out, to give them a merit raise. Councilor Shine felt that they had not received a raise because Mrs. Stricklin had not come in to ask for it. He added that topped out employees was a positive from the management side but a negative from the employee's side. 477 Item 11 b continued Mrs. Stricklin stated that the reason raises had not been asked for is that we have grown to this 129 employees and in past budgets we did not have that large a number. The amount of money allotted for pay increases has been used to attempt to cover the most employees rather than a small group. Over the past five years that number is building, therefore, at this point it is incumbent to bring it to Council's attention to state that we need to move forward and attempt to put those steps in place. Councilor Shine commented that that is what he is talking about, to come up with available monies. In past years we looked at the budget when there was only so much money. It makes it difficult to break out other monies to do other things with. Across the board increase is a cop-out, it is easy but it separates the employee's at the top from those at the bottom. Councilor Altman asked if the $97,134 was the annual cost to implement Step M? Mrs. Stricklin replied that would be the first year cost and because of attrition it would then lessen as we proceed. Mayor interjected that it would not be a constant cost. Councilor Altman asked if under the law, it is possible for those employees as a category who have reached a maximum step level to find another way in lieu of a step increase such as handling their premiums on health insurance? I am seeking another way to approach that which would not necessarily cost the City any more but may be more of a benefit to the employee. Mrs. Stricklin replied that it may be considered reversed discrimination because you cannot top out without having grown in age. You would receive something special over the other employees. Under insurance laws, the plan must be exactly the same for all active employees unless they selected a Cafeteria Plan. We would not be able to restrict any other employee from selecting that Cafeteria Plan. There are other alternatives but the problem is that most employees prefer to have a salary increase where they could use their money in whatever area they wish. Councilor Shine asked if Council passed an ordinance for the plan. Mrs. Stricklin replied in the affirmative. Councilor Altman asked for the percentage as to what the fringe benefits are in total of average salary for City employees? Mrs. Stricklin replied that it ranges between 26%-28% of the annual salaries. Councilor Burns asked if it was possible, when an employee gets to Step L, to move to different jobs and still be in Step L? Mrs. Stricklin replied that the employee would go back to Step A unless the employee is promoted because their salary cannot be decreased when a promotion occurs. Councilor Burns concluded that the situation here is that most of these 129 employees are not only that they are topped out in steps, but maybe topped out in terms of another job classification. Mrs. Stricklin concurred and added that it's possible because an employee may not wish to take the lead roll and change jobs so the only place is where that employee is. Councilor Altman commented that it is also a pyramid affect because the higher job classifications the lesser numbers, the lesser opportunities for those employees to be promoted. Mrs. Stricklin presented the Civil Service Pay Plan. She noted that this Plan was developed specifically for commissioned police and fire employees and it complies with State law. All police officers in police officer classification have the same base pay, which is mandated by State law. This Pay Plan does not include a salary step increase plan for commissioned police and fire employees, however, it does provide four step increases for new firefighters but no salary step increases for any other commissioned fire employees. This plan does allow for longevity and certification salary increases. She explained the longevity increase. Longevity increase is designed to allow commissioned police and fire employees to receive additional pay above their base salary for each year of employment for sixteen years for police and twenty-five years for fire. Longevity increase is automatic and is based only on years of employment. We are not suggesting increases on longevity because it is higher than all cities surveyed, except Mesquite. Council sets the longevity amount of money and the number of years. 478 Item 11 b continued Mrs. Stricklin informed that a second way that police and fire employees are allowed to have additional monies over that set base pay is certification pay. Council has only approved certification pay for police. This certification pay is to recognize the educational level of those employees. Cities have been surveyed for both police and fire and the survey reflects that we are above most in immediate certification and in advance certification pay. We do not provide master certification pay. Fire Chief Ronnie James is recommending an above current request for certification pay for fire employees which would be similar to the police certification in addition to asking for master certification pay. The total cost for commissioned fire employees certification would be $65,448. City has 436 non-civil service employees who have certifications but do not receive certification pay. Cost to pay these non-civil service employees to receive certification pay would be $513,600. Councilor Shine said that there is some benefit difference on certification between fire and police. If a certification is for getting a job it makes a difference, as opposed to obtaining a certification in excess of a job. Councilor Altman asked if certification was required to advance to certain civil service positions? Mrs. Stricklin replied in the negative. Councilor Altman asked if it was necessary to obtain a certification with specific non-civil service jobs in the City. Mrs. Stricklin explained that in some of the positions they must have certification. If the employee wishes to move ahead they have to obtain a certification. In some employees' cases they have to have a certain certification. In other areas they may not be required to have a certification but they wish to be certified to better serve the citizens of our City. There are areas where certification is not required but recommended. We hope to encourage those employees to obtain their certification before State law mandates those positions be certified. We pay for the certification schooling but the employees do this on their own time. Mrs. Stricklin mentioned that Council can change longevity and certification at any time. Councilor Shine asked about any other benefits? Mrs. Stricklin stated that Police and Fire had the opportunity some time ago to opt out of Social Security and a small number opted to get out. The Law then changed and employees could not opt out. She stated that the number of people who would not have the Social Security opportunity would be very few. Police Department has the Texas Municipal Retirement System the same as non civil service employees except that they contribute 7% of their annual salary into the retirement system as opposed to non-civil service employees who contribute 5% of their annual salary. Employee contribution is matched 2-1 by the City at the time of retirement. It is done through a pooling affect. It is not a straight cost to the City, and that is the same for the Police Department. Mrs. Stricklin informed that the firemen chose many years ago not to be in the TMRS because they wanted their own retirement system and they are under the Firemen's Pension Plan. Cities do not have to contribute more than 9% and City is currently paying 9%. Currently firemen are paying 11% and are asking Council to contribute 11%. It is a straight dollar pay out, not a pool for the City, therefore, it is more costly. We pool the monies in TMRS Plan and we are actually paying 10% rather than 14%. Councilor Altman stated that we are actually paying 1% less to the firemen than to non-commissioned employees. Mrs. Stricklin concurred, except Council authorized a one time the annual salary death benefit added to the retirement plan for all employees in the TMRS and if we added everything together it is 12%. Cost of death benefit is 3 'h%. Mrs. Stricklin mentioned that there are some other areas that are different from civil service and non-civil service. For instance uniforms and plain clothing allowance are allowed for some Police Department employees. Also, there are eighty-nine Individually assigned vehicles to officers to take home and the City pays for fuel, maintenance. Non-civil service employees do not receive this. Mrs. Stricklin addressed the chart with Police Department salaries and certification pay. Certification pay is a methodology to recognize educational level of employees. Chief Coughlin explained certification requirements. Mrs. Stricklin stated that firefighters do not have certifications but the recommendation to give certification to fire fighters would be basically the same. Mrs. Stricklin explained the Firefighters Pay Plan and four year increase step plan. It is not based on performance it is based on number of years of employment. It is my understanding that the reason the four steps were put in was to assist in recruiting and retaining fire fighters. Mrs. Stricklin recommended to implement a step plan for the Police and the Fire Department and leave the longevity plan as is. 479 Item 11 b continued Mrs. Stricklin continued the comparison of Police, Fire, and Non-civil Service employees. She recommends a 15 year salary Step Plan which provides a 2 '/% step increase for all police officers and fire fighters for 15 years. Cost for a 15 year step plan for police only would be $121,449. For 15 year step plan for fire would be $118,508. Mrs. Stricklin explained the Salary Survey and the City Salary Position Below Average and noted that the comparison was based on population. In order to be consistent the source references we have used have been the same since 1960. Mrs. Stricklin informed that there are 133 classifications behind, from 94% behind to10% behind. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the TML survey, longevity, salary comparisons, and averages. City Manager commented that this budget will have a pool of funds and it was his understanding that Council had wanted this review so he asked Mrs. Stricklin to provide it. He hopes that when this review is completed that we will have run through a complete picture of employee situations across a lot of places but most importantly how they are here. I am bringing you a budget that does not have a solution in it. It has funds available to address what has become over a lot of years a situation that we have not been able to address because funds have not been there. I was asked to present an accurate description of where we are and you are getting information from some of these organizations, as well as information to deal with what you can. You will not be able to fund all these steps, but you do not need to feel bad about that. I do not think there has to be a winner or a loser here. The whole attempt is to put everything out in front first then decide what is important. We are never going to catch up with the other cities, but we are not going to be out of step either. It is an elusive tail we are chasing. There is no attempt to represent only one side. We want to work with you and you do what you can with the information we give you. Councilor Burns asked for the total number of positions and total number of employees. Mrs. Stricklin replied that there are over 250 positions and 1196 total employees, including temps. Councilor Esther's concern was how to rectify what they heard here today. Mrs. Stricklin responded that small bites have been taken over the years and you can see the costs and the areas that are possibilities that are options. When the budget comes about and you look at the amounts of money you have, the decisions are less difficult to make. You have to select which one you can better afford to handle. We take pieces at a time and try to stay as even as we can. I am trying to provide you the cold hard facts from one side to another so that you can see it all and make a decision. Mrs. Stricklin addressed the five year turn over rate which is 4.%-4.5% for non civil service, 4.1% for commissioned police officers and 4.3% for fire fighters. She informed that a 5-10% turnover rate is normal for an organization our size. Major cause for turn over rate is retirement. City Manager stated that there are no better retirement plans than TMRS. There are some that employees who reach 30 years that are paying us to come to work. Mrs. Stricklin addressed the Across Board Salary Increase for City employees and provided the following figures. 3% across the board salary increase --------------------------------- $907,461.00 (All City Employees) 15 year Step Plan for Police----------------------------------------------$121,499.00 (All commissioned police employees) 15 year Step Plan for Fire------------------------------------------------ $118,508.00 (All commissioned fire employees) TotalCost--------------------------------------------------------------------- $1,147,418.00 Mrs. Stricklin noted that the police officers are requesting from the citizens a 15% salary increase which would cost a total of$1,056,370.00. Other Salary Increase Options are as follows: 3 Additional steps to Non-Civil Service Step Plan $ 97,134.00 (Steps M, N, and O for a total of 15 Steps for all non-civil service employees) 2.5% adjustment for positions of 94%-15% below average $234,813.00 2.5% adjustment for hiring and retaining difficult positions $ 73,551.00 Certification Pay for Fire (Similar to Police) $ 65,448.00 480 Item 11 b continued Certification Pay for All Non-Civil Service Employees $513,600.00 (Equal to Police Certification) Mrs. Stricklin hoped that Council would accept a 15 year step plan for fire and police and if this was adopted that a 15 year step plan also be adopted, by adding three steps, for non-civil service employees to take them all to 15 steps. Mayor asked if Council declined to extend the non-civil service plan to 15 years would the recommendation be that the civil service plan remain at 12 years?. Mrs. Stricklin responded that it would be her recommendation because administering so many different types of pay plans creates a lot of administrative problems for the organization as a whole. Mrs. Stricklin mentioned that there are some exceptions of employees that do not receive steps, such as Council appointees, directors, and temporary part-time employees. Councilor Altman expressed appreciation to Mrs. Stricklin for a very well prepared and well organized presentation. City Manager commented that it was his intent to come in with a non-recommendation in terms of across the board increase. He intended to say in his instructions to Mrs. Stricklin that each 1% for comparative figuring purposes is about $300,000. He did not intend to recommend a percentage at this point and is not recommending a percentage on the across the board increase. He asked that Council take that information and keep in mind that each !% is equal to $300,000. City Manager added that these are suggestions that Council might want to consider as they make decisions. City Manager recommend that sometime in July the citizens and employees are told what Council wants to do in the way of pay adjustments. He suggested doing this in a worksession in July, before the election, so everyone knows the difference of what they are being asked to vote on and what the Council feels is affordable. Mayor suggested keeping the option open of having a Council worksession when City Manager has a better idea of what the budget will look like in order to have more explanation of what was presented this morning. - Mayor stated that Mrs. Stricklin had presented what Council asked for in the pre-budget meeting as to the total salary package for City employees. There are some areas that we are drastically behind in comparison to other cities, but it is a continuous circle of where they raise salaries, then we raise salaries, then they raise salaries, etc. Mayor noted that this year our City is not being compared with the 50,000-100,000 population like last year, but with the 100,000-200,000 population. That is part of the process as we try to bring the salaries across the board to a level that we are comfortable with as we look at other entities in our community and County. I hope that Council will continue to look at all of these things in a very positive manner to put us in a position to do what I think we need to seriously consider doing for the employees within all of the restraints and confinements we have. The City Council recessed at 12:20 p.m. to reconvene at the MPEC for the Council Retreat. The City Council adjourned from the retreat at 5 p.m. PASSED AND APPROVED this _day of , 1999. i d THRYN A. EAG R MAYOR ATTEST: Lydia Torres City Clerk 481 Wichita Falls, Texas Memorial Auditorium Building June 29, 1999 Items 1 & 2 The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas met in special session on the above date in the Council Room of the Memorial Auditorium Building at 4:00 o'clock p.m., with the following members present: Kay Yeager - Mayor Arthur Bea Williams - Councilors Dan Shine - James Esther, Jr. - Bill Altman - Bud Beaty - James Berzina - City Manager Greg Humbach - City Attorney Lydia Torres - City Clerk Mayor Yeager called the meeting to order. Invocation was given by Councilor Bill Altman Item 3a ORDINANCE NO. 53-99 A ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, CALLING FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR AUGUST 14, 1999, TO SUBMIT PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY CHARTER OF THE CITY OF WICHITA FALLS; SETTING FORTH THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS; PRESCRIBING THE FORM OF THE PROPOSITIONS; FINDING AND DETERMINING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS ORDINANCE WAS PASSED WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW Moved by Councilor Shine that Ordinance No. 53-99 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilor Altman. Mayor noted several typographical errors which will be corrected by the City Attorney. Motion carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Yeager, Councilors Williams, Shine, Esther, Altman, and Beaty Nays: None The City Council adjourned at 4:10 p.m. PASSED AND APPROVED this day of 1999. 482 7 `f KA(T HRYN A. EAG MAYOR ATTEST: Lydia Torres City Clerk NOTICE OF MEETING Regular Meeting Of The Mayor And City Council Of The City Of Wichita Falls, Texas To Be Held In The City Council Chambers Of The Memorial Auditorium On Tuesday, June 15, 1999, Beginning At 8:30 a.m. City Council: Mayor Kay Yeager - Councilors Arthur Bea Williams, Dan Shine, James Esther, William Altman, Johnny Burns, and Bud Beaty 1 . Call to Order. 2. Invocation: The Reverend Jason Taylor First Assembly of God 3. Presentations: 4. Comments From The Public To Members Of The City Council On Items Which Are Not On The City Council Agenda. (The Regular Agenda will begin upon completion of public comments, or no later than 9:00 a.m. Individuals who prior to this Council meeting signed up to speak, but could not be heard before 9:00 a.m. due to time constraints, may speak at the conclusion of the meeting.) 5. Approval of Minutes CONSENT AGENDA 6. Resolutions: a. Resolution Authorizing The Mayor To Execute A Special Warranty Deed Conveying The City's Undivided One-Half Interest In A Certain 107.4 Acre Tract Of Land In Clay County To The Labotex Partnership. (City Council Bill #114) b. Resolution Providing For The Appointment Of Representatives To The North Texas Regional Library System Assembly. (City Council Bill #115) 7. Award of Bids: City Council Agenda Tuesday, June 15, 1999 Page 2 a. Resolution To Award Bid And Contract For Jasper Water Treatment Plant Exterior Paint Project. (City Council Bill #116) b. Award Of Bid For An Outdoor Play Structure To Modlin Recreation Equipment, Inc., In The Amount Of $20,000.00. c. Award Of Bid For The City's Estimated Annual Supply Of Lubrication Products To Pennzoil-Quaker State In The Amount Of $37,128.56. 8. Receive Minutes: a. Helen Farabee Regional MHMR Centers Board of Trustees - April 22, 1999 b. Traffic Safety Commission - May 5, 1999 c. Board of Electrical Examiners - May 13, 1999 d. Commission on Human Needs - May 17, 1999 e. Library Advisory Board - May 25, 1999 f. Tax Increment Financing Board - June 3, 1999 REGULAR AGENDA 9. Ordinances: a. Ordinance Waiving Sec.22-1(A)(2) Of The Code Of Ordinances To Permit Vehicles On The Grass During The Dallas Cowboys Kickoff Event In Jaycee Park July 28, 1999. (City Council Bill #117) b. Ordinance Waiving Sec. 22-1(A)(9) Of The Code Of Ordinances To Permit The Posting Of Signs In Jaycee Park During The Dallas Cowboy Kickoff Event July 28, 1999. (City Council Bill #118) c. Ordinance Waiving Sec. 22-4 Of The Code Of Ordinances To Permit The Sale And Consumption Of Alcoholic Beverages In Jaycee Park During The Dallas Cowboy Kickoff Event July 28, 1999. (City Council Bill #119) City Council Agenda Tuesday, June 15, 1999 Page 3 9. Ordinances (cont'd): d. Ordinance Making An Appropriation From The Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Fund In The Amount Not To Exceed $15,000 To The Wichita Falls Railroad Museum For Exterior Improvements At The Eastern End Of Ninth Street. (City Council Bill #120) e. Ordinance Making An Appropriation From The Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Fund In The Amount Not To Exceed $20,848 To The Richmond Condominiums For Exterior Improvements At 1000 Tenth Street (Formerly William & Mary Apts.). (City Council Bill #121) 10. Resolutions: a. Resolution Authorizing An Agreement With Habitat For Humanity Of Wichita Falls To Facilitate The Conditions For The Transfer Of City-Owned Property At 906, 919, and 1024 Chance Street For The Construction Of New Housing And To Authorize The City Manager To Execute The Deed To Transfer Title. (City Council Bill #122) b. Resolution Determining The Necessity For Acquisition Of Property For A Linear Park To Connect O'Reilly Park To Williams Park And Authorizing Purchase Or Condemnation. (City Council Bill #123) 11 . Other Council Matters: a. Discussion Of Items Of Concern To Members Of The City Council. b. Discussion of Salary and Benefit Program For City Employees (a Council work session topic). c. Staff/Council Discussion. 12. Adjourn To Re-Convene Council Work Session At MPEC Exhibit Hall, Room 5, 1000 5th Street, Wichita Falls, Texas. City Council Agenda Tuesday, June 15, 1999 Page 4 Wheelchair or handicapped accessibility to the meeting is possible by using the handicapped parking spaces, ramp and elevator located off the east parking lot on Sixth Street 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. 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 , 19 at o'clock (a.m.)(p.m.). City Clerk