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Min 07/22/1975 1205 Wichita Falls , Texas Memorial Auditorium Building July 22, 1975 Item 1 The Board of Aldermen 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 1:00 o'clock P.M. , with the following members present: Max Kruger Mayor Hardy McAlister Guillermo Garcia Bill E. Gowan X Aldermen Joe N. Prothro . J. C. Boyd, Jr. X Peggy McCullough Gerald Fox City Manager H. P. Hodge, Jr. City Attorney Wilma J. Thomas City Clerk Mayor Kruger stated that this special meeting was called primarily for the Board of Aldermen to determine what action to take in order to legally comply with the Charter. There has been some discrepancy as to what is needed. In order to conform, it has been the thinking of the Council that we should move the accounting i' department into the City Clerk's office. The Chief Accountant and sufficient number of clerks now under the Finance Department would be transferred to the City Clerk's office. Doug Brown is qualified for this transfer, making him the chief City Clerk. Alderman Boyd inquired if Doug Borwn is made City Clerk, what would happen to the present City Clerk? It was pointed out by the Mayor that the present City Clerk would become the Deputy City Clerk, and still perform the same duties as she presently performs. The City Manager stated that the City Clerk's salary range should be established as Range 48, with a salary range of 37 for the Deputy City Clerk. The City Attorney stated that this suggestion which has been made does comply with the city charter. Alderman McAlister confirmed that the present salary rates are the same as those proposed. Alderman McAlister inquired if any personnel would be physically moved. The City Manager stated that for the present time they would remain as is. Some changes may be made later. The City Manager stated that specific people would be assigned to handle city clerk's duties, and other employees would be assigned to the Finance Department. Those employees are performing joint efforts now, but they will be separated so that they will re- port to separate individuals. Moved by Alderman Prothro that Doug Brown be appointed as City Clerk. i Motion seconded by Alderman Gowan, and carried unanimously. Moved by Alderman Prothro that the salary range of the City Clerk be established at Range 48, the Deputy City Clerk 's salary be established at Range 37, and the Assistant City Clerk's salary be established at Range 23. Motion seconded by Alderman Garcia, and carried unanimously. i Moved by Alderman Prothro that the City Manager be instructed to move the accounting functions required by the City Charter from the Department of Finance into the responsibility of the City Clerk, and these functions would be as outlined in memo to us of July 21, which I will read, but they will not necessarily be limited to these accounting functions. They are ledger maintenance, preparation of accounting statements , journal voucher preparation and posting, posting of subsidiary ledgers and the reconciliation thereof, bank reconciliation and bond ledger posting, preparation of cash disbursement reports , and supervision of grant administration, including revenue sharing funds. Motion seconded by Alderman Boyd, and carried unanimously. The Mayor noted that by this action we do conform to all sections of the Charter. i Mayor Kruger commented on a proposed charter commission concerning any amend- ments to be made. Alderman Gowan stated that the charter has not been amended since 1950. Wichita Falls was not the same size then that it is now, and the amend- ] 1206 ments made at that time were not substantial. A commission will be appointed to make suggestions to the City Council and it will be up to them to decide if it should be submitted to the people. It does require a majority vote to amend it. He has selected the Assistant City Attorney and Dr. Leo Sabota to serve on this committee. Others have not been contacted yet to serve. He explained that he envisions a five--member committee, and feels that by November or December we may be able to get back to the Council with the recommendations. The Commission will be open to anyone for suggestions for change. Alderman Prothro submitted the names of Harold Jones and Charles Ward for consideration to serve on the Commission. Mayor Kruger suggested Mrs. Jackie Allen, Alderwoman McCullough nominated Dr. Isabel Hunt, and Alderman Boyd suggested Lonny Morrison and Larry Lambert. Alderman Gowan stated that he would have the re- maining committee by the end of this week. Item 2 A proposed resolution was presented approving appraisal of property on Kell Freeway. " RESOLUTION NO. 1688 RESOLUTION APPROVING APPRAISAL OF PROPERTY ON KELL FREEWAY RELOCATION AND AUTHORIZING THEIR PURCHASE OR CONDEMNATION. WHEREAS, it is necessary to acquire the property hereinafter described for construction of the listed project in the 1967 Capital Improvements Program, and, WHEREAS, such property has been appraised by appraisers employed by the Texas State Highway Department and the amount of the value is determined from the appraisal, has been studied by the Board of Aldermen, and a. copy if now in the possession of the Director of Public Works and/or Assistant City Manager. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, THAT: SECTION NO. 1. The project and property to be purchased by Warranty Deed is as follows: Kell Freeway - Project 52-380 Warranty Deed 4448 sq. ft., of Lot 7, Block 10, John W. Thomas Subdivision Combined total of: value approved in this resolution------------------ $8,100. SECTION NO. 2. The value of such property is hereby approved and the City Manager is hereby authorized to purchase in the name of the Texas State Highway Department or the City of Wichita Falls, by Warranty Deed such tract of land as shown on the project right-of-way map. The authorized price to be paid for such tract is the State approved value as determined from appraisal made by real estate appraisers employed by the Texas State Highway Department. SECTION NO. 3. In the event the City Manager is unable to purchase any such tract for such approved value, he is hereby authorized and directed to cause to be instituted condemnation proceedings to obtain such tract in the name of the Texas State Highway Department or the City of Wichita Falls. Moved by Alderman Prothro that Resolution No. 1688 be approved . Motion seconded by Alderman Boyd, and carried by the following vote: Ayes : Aldermen McAlister, Garcia, Gowan, Prothro, Boyd, and McCullough Nays : None. Item 3 ti Alderwoman McCullough reported that she, Aldermen Prothro and McAlister met and selected the firm of Pardue, Read, and Dice as architect for the swimming pool. Mr. Pardue stated that the larger pool is the most expensive. He presented a 1207 I i Item 3, cont'd. layout of this standard olympic, pool, and the two others. No parking area has been included. The location of. the pool will affect the total cost. Parking will cost from $10,000 to $15,000 if it is built somewhere other than where parking is available, such as Rider High School. There is underground water at Hirschi High. They also built Memorial Stadium and underground water would not be a problem there. Alder- woman McCullough inquired concerning Barwise Junior High. Mr. Pardue was not sure about it. Following an inquiry from the Mayor, Mr. Pardue stated that he cannot go any farther until a site selection is made. The old Coyote stadium and Hamilton Park soil conditions were mentioned. Mr. Pardue noted underground seepage from Holliday Creek at Hamilton Park. Mayor Kruger noted that there seems to be a divergence of opinion among Council members on site selection. Alderman McAlister stated that this has been a potential project since before he came on the Council and it has been discussed and studied many times. Committees were appointed to select a site and pick an architect, and he sees no reason to postpone it any longer. Any delay may cause increased costs. Alderwoman McCullough stated that she has not felt comfortable with the proposed Rider High School site. The location is far from ideal as far as a generalized location. Her concern is not for a pool at each high school. This is not a practical thing, and not in the foreseeable future. She is concerned about the lack of fairness to other high school students. A pool for water safety is very desirable. She would feel reluc- tant about the city's assuming maintenance at a park location. A school location will probably preclude the public using the pool. Alderman Gowan stated that he does not feel there is a fair location for only one pool. We should take the least expensive, most desirable location from the viewpoint of parking and on-site. He has no complaint about locating it at Rider. His complaint is of the pool as a project. He feels revenue sharing funds should not be used primarily for the benefit of the school system. It should be 50 meters . He is totally opposed to a 25 meter covered pool. He does not believe people will swim in a covered area. He mentioned several other projects which the money could be used for, such as Kell, arterial streets, airport, storm drainage, park improve- ment, and alley paving. Alderman Boyd stated that he agrees with Alderman McAlister on the time spent in discussions. He stated that he is willing to go along with the decision made at the last meeting, but he has two or three qualifications which would need to be met: a 50 meter pool or nothing, cost not more than $650,0000 including everything, and he would insist that the school board operate and maintain the pool. He would like a more central location. Alderman Prothro agrees that the project has been discussed for about eight months. We should either build the pool or discontinue pursuing the planning. He agrees with Alderman Boyd on most of his criteria. He is not in favor of spending more than $650,000. There is no fair location no matter where you put it. From an economical and financial standpoint it makes sense to put it at a school. It will relieve the City of operating expenses, and have more usage. He disagrees that we would be building it for the school system. The children who use it are part of the community. He stated that he would like to see some action on it today. Alderman Garcia stated that he agrees with Alderwoman McCullough and Alderman Gowan. He is speaking for the great number of citizens of Wichita Falls who have approached him regarding building such a big and expensive pool at Rider High School. He believes we need to look at what is practical and more economical for the citizens of Wichita Falls, and not for a few students and young people in the school system. He would like to see action on this location postponed because the money involved is not peanuts. It is an investment of great magnitude. If the decision to build the pool comes to a vote we need to be careful of the location because it cannot be moved. He feels more careful study should be made as to the location of the pool. The location at Rider High School may be very good, but for whom? Are we thinking of the general public of the- citizens of Wichita, or swim teams who will take advantage of it, or are we thinking of those who cannot afford to go over there? Are we going to deprive other children of the use of this pool? Are we afraid to put it up to a vote because we know it will be defeated? Let the people of Wichita Falls decide what they want to do with the money that be- longs to them. Let's hear from the people. Let's show our interest in these people. Alderman Prothro stated that school system in accepting the maintenance of the pool will contribute a minimum of approximately $50,000 per year, and after a minimum of ten years would have $500,000 in it. One of the agruments against the I 1208 Item 3, cont'd. pool is that it serves a limited number of citizens of the community, but the City finances, supports, and operates many things which are not used by all citizens of the community. He mentioned parks, library, senior citizens center, golf course, bus system, and tennis courts. He feels that the Council should make the decision. Mayor Kruger- stated that he feels we need a pool. Many things are a part of our community, but not everyone will use them. He concurs with Alderman Prothro that we are elected to make these decisions, and we should do so. If we do not use these funds at this time he does not feel we will ever have the funds again to construct this type of facility. It just makes our community a nicer place to live in toto because of it. He explained that this Council is not beholden to the previous council, and he wonders if someone would like to make a motion to continue this project at a total cost of $650,000. He would like to see this Council go on re- cord for or against. Moved by Alderman Garcia that we vote against the building of a swimming pool by rescinding the previous appropriation of $650,000 from federal revenue sharing funds for the swimming pool. Motion seconded by Alderman Gowan, and lost by the following vote: Ayes : Aldermen Gowan and Garcia Nays : Mayor Kruger, Aldermen McAlister, Prothro, and Boyd. (Alderwoman McCullough did not cast a vote) . Mayor Kruger- stated that he would like for us to hold off on the site. Alder- man McAlister asked did not a committee already negotiate a site. Alderwoman McCullough stated that two council members and two members of the board of educa- tion, plus the city manager and superintendent of schools met and came up with the recommendation of Rider High School. There is very little choice for site .if we hope to keep this total cost within the alloted amount. Moved by Alderwoman McCullough that the olympic size pool be located at Rider High School contingent upon the acceptance of operation and maintenance by the school district, and within the amount of money allocated by the Council. She stated that hours of operation would be negotiated in the contract between the school and city, and the contract would be approved by this Council. Motion seconded by Alderman McAlister, and carried by the following vote: Ayes : Mayor Kruger, Aldermen McAlister, Gowan, Prothro, and McCullough Nays: Aldermen Garcia-and Boyd. Alderwoman McCullough noted that several of us have strong feelings of mis- givings concerning this matter, but feels we are limited by our budget, and this has affected her decision. Moved by Alderman Gowan that the architectural contract with Pardue, Read, and Dice be approved, authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreement. Motion seconded by Alderman Prothro, and carried by the following vote: Ayes : Mayor Kruger, Aldermen McAlister, Gowan, Prothro, Boyd, and McCullough Nays : Alderman Garcia (He noted that he is opposed to the location, and not Mr. Pardue's ability) . j Alderman McAlister suggested that a committee of two members of the Council work with the architect to help with negotiations if needed. Alderwoman McCullough requested that she not be placed on this committee. Mayor Kruger appointed Alderman Prothro and McAlister to work in conjunction with the architects, with Alderman McAlister serving as chairman. Mayor Kruger stated that he would like to make a few comments which he should have made earlier in reference to Mrs. Wilma Thomas, our present City Clerk. In no way is this a reflection of the duties performed by Mrs. Wilma Thomas for the past eleven years as City Clerk of the City of Wichita Falls. What we have done today ✓ is something we felt had to be done in order to comply with the charter provisions of the City of Wichita Falls, and if I could at this time make a personal observation that having served on the Council for four years at previous times, and since being on the Council for the past year, that I have found the work of Mrs. Thomas very, 1209 very satisfactory. She is a very competent person, and I would like to make it explicit that this in no way our action today is a reflection upon the capabilities or the work that has been performed in the past by Mrs. Thomas, and I would hope that every member of the Council would concur in that opinion. Alderwoman McCullough stated Mr. Mayor I think that every member certainly does, and I would like to add my voice to your sentiments. Alderman Garcia stated I would like to put that into a motion. Moved by Alderman Garcia that Mrs. Wilma Thomas be commended for her work as City Clerk for the past eleven years, and that our action today is in no way a reflection on the work that she has performed in the performance of her duties as City Clerk. Motion seconded by Alderman Boyd, and carried unanimously. Jane Ponder, 1823 Woodrow, appeared as president of the League of Women Voters of Wichita Falls . She stated that they are pleased that the Board of Aldermen is concerning itself with the city charter, and urges the Council to consider it completely. They feel the best way is appointment of a committee. They will be happy to be of assistance to them if needed. The Board of Aldermen adjourned at 2:35 P.M. PASSED AND APPROVED this �� � day of 1975. Mayor ATTEST: City-Clerk I i I