Loading...
Min 09/27/1983 285 Wichita Falls, Texas Memorial Auditorium Building September 27, 1983 Items 1 & 2 The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas, met in called 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. Gary D. Cook Mayor Thomas E. Swift Charles Thomas Charles Harper Craig A. Wilson Councilmen Howard M. Morris Horace 0. Boston James Berzina City Manager H. P. Hodge, Jr. City Attorney Wilma J. Thomas City Clerk Fred J. Werner Chief Accounting Officer The invocation was given by Councilman Wilson. Item 3a The public hearing was opened on the proposed annual budget and work program for fiscal year 1983-84. City Manager James Berzina reviewed the various funds. The general fund ($26,774) generally supports the activities of the budget in basic services. The largest percentage (67%) of this is for personnel services. The airport fund is generally a break-even operation; however, this year $81 ,000 will be going into it for support. In the Civic/Community promotion fund, $131 ,000 is a transfer to support that operation. Forty-four percent of the expenditure is for personnel services. It will take $333,432 to operate the center. The Hotel/Motel fund amounts to $602,930, both for expenditures and revenue. We are reaching into the equity. They are at a higher level of operation than they are with revenues. They are dipping into the equity to do some projections which need to be done. In the transit fund, fifty percent of our revenues come from a matching grant. The general fund is subsidizing $186,000 to this fund. Fifty-six percent of expenditures is for personnel services. The water and sewer fund amounts to $9,374,900. There is a transfer from the debt service fund to the operating fund. Twenty-nine percent of these funds go to personnel services. Jim Chandler, 4337 South Leighton, spoke to the proposed tax rate, stating that if we look at an eight percent tax rate, property taxes will double in six years. He suggested something in the five percent range. Somewhere in the future some people on fixed incomes will not be able to afford to pay property taxes on their home. The public hearing was closed. - - - - - - - - - - Item 3b The public hearing was opened on the general revenue sharing funds budget. City Manager James Berzina presented the budget in a total amount of $1 ,643,000 in both revenue and expenditures. No one else desired to be heard, and the hearing was closed. - - - - - - - - - - 286 Item 4a ORDINANCE NO. 125-83 AN ORDINANCE MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE SUPPORT, MAINTENANCE, BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE CITY OF WICHITA FALLS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1 , 1983, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1984, BOTH DATES INCLUSIVE, ADOPTING THE BUDGET FIGURES AND ACCOUNTS AS PART OF SAID APPROPRIATIONS, DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Moved by Councilman Harper that Ordinance No. 125-83 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilman Morris, and carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Cook, Councilmen Swift, Thomas, Harper, Wilson, Morris, and Boston Nays: None Item 4b ORDINANCE NO. 126-83 AN ORDINANCE MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FROM THE GENERAL REVENUE SHARING FUND TO ACCOUNT NUMBERS LISTED BELOW, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Moved by Councilman Thomas that Ordinance No. 126-83 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilman Morris, and carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Cook, Councilmen Swift, Thomas, Harper, Wilson, Morris, and Boston Nays: None Item 4c ORDINANCE NO. 127-83 AN ORDINANCE LEVYING, ASSESSING AND FIXING THE TAX RATE FOR THE USE AND SUPPORT OF THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OF THE CITY OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, AND PROVIDING FOR THE INTEREST AND SINKING FUND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1983-84 AND APPROPRIATING EACH LEVY FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE AND PROVIDING FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF ANNUAL OCCUPATION TAXES PROVIDED BY LAW, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Moved by Councilman Boston that Ordinance No. 127-83 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilman Wilson, and carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Cook, Councilmen Swift, Thomas, Harper, Wilson, Morris, and Boston Nays: None Item 4d ORDINANCE NO. 128-83 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT TRUST FUND, APPOINTING THE TRUST COMMITTEE, AND AUTHORIZING THE TRUST COMMITTEE TO UTILIZE CITY RESOURCES IN CONDUCTING THE BUSINESS OF THE TRUST. Moved by Councilman Thomas, for discussion, that Ordinance No. 128-83 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilman Harper. Councilman Harper asked for an explanation of this. Ed Barrett, Adminis- trative Services Director, stated that we are changing the way we are funding our employee benefit program. With the new program we will be more directly self-funded. 287 Item 4d, Cont'd. It is one we will administer. The James Company will administer and pay the claims. These deductions will not be taxed. This will go into a fund to assure that the funds will be used for this purpose. It will have the mechanism to deny any questionable claims. Since we will be making those decisions the trust committee can deal with the employee. They will be authorized to look at deductions, and make adjustments, as required. The trust fund can be operated on a break-even basis, and leave money in that fund from one year to another for operating purposes. With the separate trust fund we can make sure that we allow this money to build up, and not have to ask for other appropriations. Councilman Thomas asked if we would be insured up to $723,000? Mr. Barrett stated that we would be. Councilman Thomas noted that if our loss ratio remains the same as last year, then it should build up and be very good for our employees. Mr. Barrett stated that in the new system we will not pay out any money until Fred S. James notifies us to do so. James will write the checks, but the money will come from the trust fund. Councilman Swift asked who will do the work? Mr. Barrett stated that Fred S. James will do most of the work. Retirees will be included. Most of the additional work of handling retirees will be done by the Personnel Officer. Claims will be filed with Fred S. James. On a monthly basis they will send us a list of everyone they have in their system. Councilman Swift stated that he does not see why Fred S. James would not print the brochure for employees. Councilman Boston asked if this will speed up the time in which claims are paid? Mr. Barrett stated that he feels it will . We will be able to monitor the payment of claims from the trust fund. The motion for passage of Ordinance No. 128-83 was carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Cook, Councilmen Swift, Thomas, Harper, Wilson, Morris, and Boston Nays: None Item 4e A proposed ordinance was presented establishing positions in the Police Department. ORDINANCE NO. 129-83 ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 24-21 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO ESTABLISH THE POSITION OF POLICE MAJOR: AND INCREASE THE NUMBER OF POLICE CAPTAINS. Moved by Councilman Morris that Ordinance No. 129-83 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilman Thomas. Councilman Thomas complimented the Police Chief in working out this program, stating that it will open up more promotions in the department. Chief Harrelson stated that there will be no impact on the budget. Two slots are vacant. They will probably end up at the end of the year with four positions short. The appointments will be made on October 5. The motion was carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Cook, Councilmen Swift, Thomas, Harper, Wilson, Morris, and Boston Nays: 288 Item 5a RESOLUTION NO. 185-83 RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH GAB BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. , PROVIDING FOR THE ADJUSTMENT OF FLEET LIABILITY AND GENERAL LIABILITY CLAIMS. Moved by Councilman Morris that Resolution No. 185-83 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilman Thomas. Councilman Harper asked if we requested quotations from Wichita Claims Service? Mark Wilson, Risk Management Administrator, stated that they did not request quotations; however, they contacted the City, and were not denied. Mr. Wilson also mentioned a common occurrence of a hydraulic line breaking on Sanitation trucks and spraying several vehicles at one time. He feels we are getting a good buy on these services. The automobile liability is $128.50 per occurrence, and comprehensive general liability is $150.50 per occurrence. He stated that TML had insurance with GAB for nine years. This year they went with Texas Employers. The motion was carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Cook, Councilmen Swift, Thomas, Harper, Wilson, Morris, and Boston Nays: None Item 6a Discussion was held on award of bid for an atomic absorption spectrophoto- meter for the Health Department. Dr. Lanie Benson explained that this is a lab instrument used to analyze water samples in industrial pretreatment discharge program. Also, for waste water treatment in analysis of sludge being disposed. It will also monitor some equip- ment that the City has. Moved by Councilman Harper that the bid be awarded to Perkin-Elmer, Richardson, Texas, in the amount of $17,500. Motion seconded by Councilman Thomas, and carried unanimously. Item 7a Approval was requested for final payment to Mathis, West, Huffines and Company, in the amount of $40,000, for public sidewalk improvements. This represents the City's portion of Community Development Block Grant funds for the sidewalk leveraging program. Moved by Councilman Thomas that this payment be approved. Motion seconded by Councilman Boston. Councilman Wilson stated that we have this obligation, and we need to pay it, but we need to take a close look at this policy on financial commitment we are making for sidewalk improvements when sidewalks already in place were in good condition. With the budget constraints we are under, it would be wise for us to closely examine the requests that we have. If someone is spending two or three million dollars, he feels they can go ahead with the sidewalk improvements. There are others in town that deserve to have the sidewalk facilities they are tearing up. The motion was carried unanimously. Item 8a Councilman Thomas noted that today is the last day for someone to be in his 50' s. Councilman Harper noted that Councilman Swift is the senior member of the Council . Mayor Cook presented Councilman Swift with a gift from the Council - a plastic trash bag. 289 Item 8a, Cont'd. Councilman Swift responded that he is very grateful ; that it is more than appropriate. He stated that it takes three or four days to get most jobs done in the way of celebrations; one or two days for the celebration, and two days to get over it. Mayor Cook recognized the senior member of the Council , expressing appreciation for his wisdom and leadership. l David Brock, 1209 21st, presented several letters to Councilman Harper in support of his position on the blighted area. The City Council recessed at 9:30 A.M. for executive session pursuant to Article 6252-17, Paragraph (g) of the revised Texas Civil Statutes. The City Council reconvened at 1 :45 P.M. , and immediately adjourned . PASSED AND APPROVED this t/ day of ¢XZ—t--) 1983. ar Mayor ATTEST: Wilma J. Thomas, CMC, City Clerk