Min 03/26/1971 I
367
Wichita Falls, Texas '
Memorial Auditorium Building
March 26, 1971
Items 1 & 2
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 9:00
o'clock a.m. , with the following members present:
Kenneth Hill Mayor
Don Wills �(
Harrison E. Taylor
Larry Lambert Aldermen
Dick Darner
J. C. Boyd, Jr. X
Bill Drake X
Gerald Fox City Manager
H. P. Hodge, Jr. City Attorney
Wilma J. Thomas City Clerk
The invocation was given by Alderman Wills.
Visitors were welcomed by the Mayor.
Mayor Hill stated that this meeting had been called to consider the bus trans-
portation situation.
City Manager Gerald Fox explained that they had previously requested him to nego-
tiate with National City Lines. He stated that they do not wish to continue operation
in Wichita Falls without some public funding. Contact has been made with another firm,
American Transit Corporation at St. Louis. They indicated that if National City Lines
did not feel that it was a profitable operation they would only be interested in dis-
cussing some kind of subsidy operation. Local parties have also been contacted dir-
ectly or indirectly, and indicated that they could not afford to have the operation
without some kind of public subsidy. He mentioned Austin's situation in a bus system.
This indicates there is not much interest anywhere in an operation without a public
subsidy.
National City Lines ' first proposal was for a municipal operation, with a total
equipment price of �32,000. In addition, there is an undetermined amount of parts
inventory, fuel in stock, oil, etc, which would be paid for on an inventoried and in-
voiced basis. This cost is estimated at $8,000.00. There is an estimated cost of
$5,000 for office and shop equipment. Tires are not owned by the bus company, but
are under contract with Goodyear on a mileage basis. Mr. Fox explained that the equip-
ment part of the purchase would be eligible for a federal grant in the amount of two-
thirds of the total cost of the equipment regardless of whether it is old or new. Of
the $32,000, approximately $21,400 would be funded by the federal grant, with the
city's share being $10,600. We would need 21 personnel for staff operation. The salary
and other operating costs are estimated at $164,000 annually for operating the system.
Estimated revenue obtained from the system would be $160,000 annually, or a $4,000
deficit, at least for the first year. Alderman Drake inquired how long it would be
before we got the money from the federal grant. The City Manager stated that he did
not know whether funds would be available before or after July 1 for this application;
that if funds are not available in this fiscal year, he was reasonably sure that it
would be available in the fiscal year beginning July 1. Mr. Fox recommended that we
begin replacing these busses within the next two years. He stated that to have a
12 bus operating system (new busses) it could range in cost from $250,000 to $350,000.
With a two-thirds federal grant the local share costs could be between $90,000 and
$120,000. It was pointed out by Alderman Boyd that there has never been a new bus
brought into this town.
With a subsidized private ownership, administrative costs would be a $1000 per
month operating fee. Their purpose is to obtain a $12 ,000 per year profit. Mr.
Fox suggested that in the event they realize a profit of more than $1000 per month,
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then that would be deducted from the City's cost. This cost does not include any
factor for depreciation. If a federal grant is approved, then depreciation costs
would have to be added.
The next proposal was for a municipally owned system with professional manage-
ment contract. There would be a projected operating cost of $164,000. The manager's
salary would be deducted from that in the amount of $8,000, leaving a cost to the
system of $156,000. Under this option the city would be required to pay National
City Lines $20,000 annually for a management fee for a total cost to the city of
$176,000. National City Lines has indicated that if the City is interested in
either of these proposals that it would continue to operate until May 1, with
the City paying any operating losses.
The City Manager recommended that municipal ownership would be the best fin-
ancial alternative to the City at this time. He explained that they had looked
into the matter of purchasing other coaches and have not been able to find anything
better for the price offered by National City Lines.
Alderman Darner commented on the public pressures which would be made to ex-
pand the system to unprofitable routes. He stated that this deficit could con-
ceivably be greater. He commented that if citizens want this service then it will
cost more money. Alderman Wills stated that we should recognize that creating a
new department would also increase the cost to some extent.
The City Manager explained that the whole financial vitality is dependent upon
two routes, with Sheppard Air Force Base being the first one. If the city takes
over operation on April 1, we will hit three of the worst months as far as revenue
is concerned due to summer months and vacations.
Alderman Taylor inquired if the Council desired to purchase and operate the
system would it not be better to let National City Lines operate until May 1? The
City Manager explained that if the legal requirements could be worked out, the City
could take over the system on April 1, but that it would be easier to take it over
on May 1. City Attorney H. P. Hodge, Jr. stated that he did not anticipate any
major or unusual problems in closing the sale; however, he did confirm that one week
would be very short notice.
Alderman wills inquired if we could legally bargain with the union. Mr. Hodge
stated that we could not. The City Manager explained that they could not prevent
employees from joining a union, but that we could not bargain with them. Alderman
Boyd inquired who would run the system. The City Manager stated if it is taken
over under a board system they would employe the personnel. He recommended that
it be placed under the direction of Traffic. Mr. Forrester would possibly take
over the operation.
Moved by Alderman Lambert that the City buy the bus system outright, as outlined
in Proposal A.
Motion seconded by Alderman Taylor, and carried unanimously.
Moved by Alderman Wills that the City Manager be directed to set this up as. a
department of the City in the beginning, and that we operate it as nearly as possible
in a break-even manner, and in as business-like manner as possible.
Motion seconded by Alderman Darner, and carried unanimously.
Alderman Drake expressed appreciation for the information given to them by the
staff. Alderman Wills verified that the city staff did talk with more than one
person on this matter.
An appropriation ordinance was requested in the amount of $40,000 to issue a
check to National City Lines to the proper account number.
nA ORDINANCE NO. 2648
AN ORDINANCE MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FROM THE UNAPPROPRIATED GENERAL
FUND TO ACCOUNT NUMBER 11-091-4543, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Moved by Alderman Boyd that Ordinance No. 2648 be passed.
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Motion seconded by Alderman Wills, and carried by the following vote:
Ayes : Aldermen Wills, Taylor, Lambert, Darner, Boyd, and Drake
Nays : None
Moved by Alderman Wills that the meeting be adjourned.
Motion seconded by Alderman Drake, and carried unanimously.
The Board of Aldermen adjourned at 10:10 A.M.
PASSED AND APPROVED this day of 1971.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk