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Min 10/07/1971 450 Wichita Falls, Texas Memorial Auditorium Building October 7, 1971 Items 1 & 2 The Board of Aldermen 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 10:00 o'clock A.M. , with the following members present : Kenneth Hill Mayor i Harry Campsey X Harrison E. Taylor Larry Lambert X Aldermen Dick Darner J. C. Boyd, Jr. X Bill Drake X Gerald Fox City Manager Malcolm Hughes Asst. City Attorney Wilma J. Thomas City Clerk The invocation was given by Alderman Taylor. Mayor Hill welcomed the visitors, recognizing Mr. Otto Pfeiffer for his annual appearance at the budget hearing. Item 3 Moved by Alderman Campsey that minutes of the meeting held September 21, 1971, be approved. Motion seconded by Alderman Darner, and carried unanimously. Item 4 & 5a A public hearing was called on the 1971-72 budget. No one in the audience desired to be heard. Alderman Boyd commented on the budget in a prepared statement in regard to the current wage and price freeze. He stated that under ordinary circumstances this is a good budget, but wonders if they should consider this budget under the unordinary circumstances which we have at this time. He stated that he hopes the Council will take a long look at the $622,526 increase in the budget. Alderman Taylor stated that in view of the fact that government has contributed to inflation and price freeze, that we should hold the line on salaries. Alderman Lambert stated that we have been holding the line on salaries, noting that the city employees salary in- creases have not ever been as much as the cost of living increase. This year the salary increase is proposed at five percent on April 1, 1972. Alderman Taylor stated that he is not proposing to stop salary increases, but delete it from this budget and consider it in July 1972. It was pointed out that we cannot give em- ployees a raise unless it is in the budget. Alderman Lambert pointed out that the employees cost of living increase being delayed has been in keeping with the presi- dent's efforts to respond to control of inflation. Alderman Taylor inquired if the salary increases were for a whole year. The City Manager explained that these increases are not due only to salary increases, but other personal services as well, including social security, medical , stability, etc. Only $150,000 would be for salary increases. Alderman Darner pointed out that their budget next fiscal year would reflect twice this amount for salaries (the present proposed salary increase would only be for six months) . Debt service requirements have also been increased. Also, next year we will have a quite sizeable sewer project. The Mayor stated that all other levels of government have announced salary increases, including the state, county, and school. He stated that we have good employees; that they are deserving of a raise. Alderman Taylor agreed stating that he did not want any employee to get the idea that he is picking on them. Alderman Lambert pointed out that talking in i 451 Item 4 & 5a, Cont'd. generalities is fine, but that he is talking about specifics, and what do we cut out? Alderman Boyd stated that he felt it is not the Council's business to re- duce specifics, but that is management's responsibility. Alderman Campsey stated that he appreciated the City of Wichita Falls and its employees and the job they are doing. He feels that the point is, are we going to put forth the greatest effort we can to curb inflation, and if we can do that we are doing more for the employee's than if we gave them a raise. He explained that in business, management would say that the budget would be cut X number of dollars, and it was their responsibility to cut it accordingly. He feels it is up to Mr. Fox and his staff to decide what will be cut. The Council should set the total budget. The City Manager mentioned the $622,000 increase. Of this amount, $150,000 is for salary increases, $300,000 for stability payments, social security, and medi- cal expenses. These are already committed. The $100,000 debt service obligation is fixed. The remaining $83,000 is for transit system increases. He explained that their options lie in reducing employees , which means reducing services of the city. The bus system budget was not in last year's budget. Alderman Boyd stated that ten years ago we had a budget of $10,000,000, with 760 employees. If we continue, we will have a budget that is doubled in the next ten years. Popu- lation is less now, also, Alderman Lambert stated that the population went down five or six years ago, even though we did not have a census. Mayor Hill stated that ten years ago we did not have a good police station or jail, fire stations, city hall, Fairway Boulevard, F.M. 369, drainage projects which we now have, and other things. He feels that the people in Wichita Falls forget to compare what we have now with what we had before. You can see what has happened in the past ten years, and he does not want to fall back like we were ten years ago. Maybe we will not be able to increase services , but he does not want to reduce them. Alderman Darner stated that the total economic government situation is pretty serious in the United States and the world, and it will hurt to get back. Alder- man Taylor stated he is not for cutting services or carrying on an inferior city government, but feels that services will cut themselves as long as we continue the inflationary trend. Alderman Campsey stated that he did not want to cut services, but if we get to the point where we cannot meet our obligations, we will have to cut it. If we can get inflation stopped, it will make it much easier to meet our obligations. He feels that it is the Council's responsibility to see that we do not continue on to the point where we cannot meet our obliga- tions. The Mayor stated that we are meeting our debt service, and if we get to the point where we cannot pay them, then we will have to reduce services. Alder- man Lambert explained that we are all concerned with the budget for several reasons. This creates a desire on our part to do something to resolve these concerns. Economic conditions have been good generally in Wichita Falls. Un- employment is low. The City of Wichita Falls has not engaged in deficit financ- ing. If during the year certain monies did not come in as expected, then they would eliminate certain programs in order to stay within the budget. What we do here today will not stop inflation. The City of Wichita Falls has not caused the inflation. We do not want to participate in anything that would extend it. We need to respond to the cost of living. To perform the same or less services will cost more. It is the responsibility of those who say they are going to cut expenditures to do so. He pointed out that he has not seen a specific instance where the cut should be made, or where the priority is low. The City Manager has set priorities. To cut expenditures further would severly impair services of the City of Wichita Falls. The budget is within the capability of the citizens, and feels it should be approved as submitted. Alderman Boyd disagreed with Mr. Lambert that the Council should tell the City Manager where to cut. He felt that it was his responsibility to make any minute adjustments where it is called for. Mr. Boyd stated that he would be more inclined to cut expenses in middle management of the city. Alderman Drake pointed out that before a city can grow, they will have to increase services. Anytime you cut back, you will curtail business operations. He stated that we will hurt ourselves if we keep moving back. It is easy for the Council to say that we are for the working man. He feels we are picking on the wrong people to try to hold the line on inflation by not giving them an increase. Alderman Taylor suggested that we hold the line on salaries until October 1, 1972. Mayor Hill stated that the cost of living has increased six percent this year, but that they are only giving the employees a five percent increase. He further stated that city employees should get an in- crease since all other governmental agancies have already announced these increases. Inflation is going on in spite of our action. Alderman Darner stated that he had not said that he was not in favor of giving the salary increases, and asked if there were any other place where the budget could be cut. It has been implied that salaries would be the only place where cuts are made. He mentioned Kell 452 Item 4 & 5a, Cont'd. Freeway, stating that this situation was not our fault. He also mentioned the com- puterized traffic lights on Brook, stating that he does not know whether that would increase the services to the city or not. The City Manager stated that per- haps we should talk about what has already been cut out that would be necessary. He mentioned busses, recreation, traffic signals, etc. Alderman Lambert stated that after we set the appropriation ordinance we will have things come up during the year that may cause other, things to be sacrificed. Bill Bohannon appeared, stating that perhaps the next time the City Manager prepares a budget, perhaps he should ask for a tax increase. Maybe they would get what they want. The Public hearing was declared closed. ORDINANCE NO. 2673 AN ORDINANCE MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE SUPPORT MAINTENANCE, BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE CITY OF WICHITA FALLS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGIN- NING OCTOBER 1, 1971, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1972, BOTH DATES INCLUSIVE, ADOPTING THE BUDGET FIGURES AND ACCOUNTS AS PART OF SAID APPROPRIATIONS, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Moved by Alderman Lambert that Ordinance No. 2673 be passed. Motion seconded by Alderman Drake. A substitute motion was moved by Alderman Boyd that Ordinance No. 2673 be adopted, changing the final line of the budget by reducing the proposed total from $12,839,211.00 to $12,639,211.00. Motion seconded by Alderman Campsey. Malcolm Hughes, Assistant City Attorney, advised that if they are going to re- duce the budget, then they will have to tell the City Manager how to reduce it. Each department would have to be broken down. Alderman Drake stated that he felt they were out of order. He did not believe they could approve the decrease without knowing where it will be cut. Taxes have to be levied on the basis of the budget. After quite a lot of controversy, it was decided to vote on Alderman Boyd's sub- stitute motion, and it was carried by the following vote: Ayes : Aldermen Campsey, Taylor, Darner, and Boyd Nays : Mayor Hill, Aldermen Lambert and Drake Item 5b A proposed ordinance was presented, levying the tax rate for the City. ORDINANCE NO. 2674 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 1971- 1972 AND APPORTIONING EACH LEVY FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE AND PROVIDING FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF ALL ANNUAL OCCUPATION TAXES PROVIDED BY LAW, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Moved by Alderman Boyd that Ordinance No. 2674 be adopted, amending Section 1 from $ .42 to $ .37 for general operating expenses; $ .30 to $ .28 for street improvements; $ .97 to $ .90 for recapitulation of rate for the general fund; and $1.92 to $1.85 for the total tax levy. Motion seconded by Alderman Campsey, and carried by the following vote: Ayes : Aldermen Campsey, Taylor, Darner, and Boyd Nays : Mayor Hill, Aldermen Lambert and Drake 453 l Item 5c An ordinance which had previously been introduced was presented, annexing certain lands to the City of Wichita Falls. ORDINANCE NO. 2670 AN ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE CITY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF WICHITA FALLS , TEXAS, BY ANNEXING CERTAIN LANDS ADJACENT TO THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF THE CITY OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS , WHICH LANDS ARE DESCRIBED IN THIS ORDINANCE. Moved by Alderman Darner that Ordinance No. 2670 be passed. Motion seconded by Alderman Campsey, and carried by the following vote: Ayes : Aldermen Campsey, Lambert, Darner, Boyd, and Drake Nays : None (Alderman Taylor was out of the room) . Item 6a A proposed resolution was presented authorizing proposals to property owners on Kell Freeway project. RESOLUTION NO. 1232 WHEREAS, it is necessary to acquire the property hereinafter described for construction of the listed projects in the 1967 Capital Improvements Program, and, WHEREAS, such property has been appraised by independent appraisers employed for this purpose by the Texas State Highway Department, and the amount of the state approved values as determined from the appraisals, have been studied by the Board of Aldermen, and copies are 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 projects and properties to be purchased by Warranty Deed are as follows : Kell Freeway - Project 52-071 Warranty Deed Lot 20, Block 3, Sibley Taylor Addition Combined total of values approved in this resolution ------------$5,500.00. SECTION NO. 2 The values of such properties are 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 tracts of land as shown on the project right-of-way map. The authorized price to be paid for each tract is the state approved value as determined from appraisals made by the indepen- dent 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 or tracts for such approved values, he is hereby authorized and directed to cause to be instituted condemnation proceedings to obtain such tracts in the name of the Texas State Highway Department or the City of Wichita Falls. Moved by Alderman Boyd that Resolution No. 1232 be passed. Motion seconded by Alderman Darner and carried by the following vote: Ayes : Aldermen Campsey, Lambert, Darner, Boyd, and Drake Nays : None (Alderman Taylor was out of the room) . 454 a Item 6b A proposed resolution was presented authorizing a quit claim to the State of Texas of Parcel 31 of ',:ell Freeway right-of-way. RESOLUTION NO. 1233 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF WICHITA FALLS , TEXAS , THAT: The City Manager is authorized to execute for the City of Wichita Falls a quit claim deed to the State of Texas all of the interest acquired by the City in Parcel No. 31, Kell Freeway Right-of-Way, being a tract containing 21.281 acres of land, more or less, by virtue of the judgment in Cause No. 11,304 in the County Court of Wichita County, Texas, being State of Texas vs. Elmer L. Dennis and C.W.L. Dennis, dba Dennis Construction Company, et al. Moved by Alderman Boyd that Resolution No. 1233 be passed. Motion seconded by Alderman Campsey, and carried by the following vote: Ayes : Aldermen Campsey, Lambert, Darner, Boyd, and Drake Nays : None (Alderman Taylor was out of the room) . Item 7a A request to advertise for bids on various motor vehicles was presented. Moved by Alderman Boyd that this item be tabled. Motion seconded by Alderman Lambert, and carried unanimously. Item 7b Permission was requested to advertise for bids for an annual supply of pre- mixed concrete and bulk cement for all departments. Moved by Alderman Drake that authority be granted to advertise for bids as requested. Motion seconded by Alderman Campsey, and carried unanimously. Item 8 Moved by Alderman Taylor that minutes of the meetings of the Park Board held September 28, 1971, and the Board of Electrical Examiners held September 14, 1971, be received. Motion seconded by Alderman Boyd, and carried unanimously. Item 9a Appointment of a Municipal Court Judge was requested, since Judge Cherry's present term will expire on October 31, 1971. Moved by Alderman Boyd that Lyle B. Cherry be re-appointed as Municipal Judge of the Municipal Court of Record for a two-year term beginning November 1, 1971, with an annual salary of $13,400.00. Motion seconded by Alderman Lambert, and carried unanimously. Item 9b Moved by Alderman Darner that water reimbursement contract payments in the 455 Item 9b, Cont'd. amount of $3,558.55, and sewer reimbursement contract payments in the amount of $2,923.42, be approved in the total amount of $6,481.97, as follows : Tanglewood Development Company, Water, Tanglewood Addition, Section 1-A, from August 31, 1970 to August 31 , 1971; $1,284.12 Robert G. Seabury, Water, Somerset Park, Exhibit A, from July 26, 1970 to July 26, 1971; $223.81 John Mark Hirschi, Water, Willow Brook Addition, Section No. 1, from August 31, 1970 to August 31, 1971; $466.76 Skyline Development Company, Water, Fountaui Park, Section 1-B, Exhibit A, from August 2, 1970 to August 3, 1971; $1,583.86 Tanglewood Development Company, Sewer, Tanglewood Addition, Section 1-A, from August 31, 1970 to August 31, 1970; $205.12 Skyline Development Company, Sewer, Fountain Park, Section 1-B, Exhibit A frrmAugust 2 ,1970 to August 2, 1971; $305.64 John Mark Hirschi, Sewer, Willow Brook Addition, Section No. 1, from August 31, 1970 to August 31, 1971; $48.22 Robert G. Seabury, Sewer, Somerset Park Exhibit A, from .July 26, 1970 to July 26, 1971; $48.89 Skyline Development Company, Sewer, Fountain Park, Section 1-A, from August 24, 1970 through August 24, 1971; $369.99 Hughes Development Company, Inc. , Sewer, Faith Village Unit No. 4, from August 30, 1970 to August 30, 1971; $1,945.56 Motion seconded by Alderman Taylor, and carried unanimously. The City Manager suggested that this meeting be continued this afternoon to review with each director each of the departmental budgets to make recommendations for cutting the budget, or for the City Manager to make suggestions and call them back to review his suggestions. Alderman Lambert suggested that the City Manager make suggestions, and present them to the Council for their choice. Mayor Hill expressed regret for the action taken by the Council this morning. He stated that he believed: it irresponsible to take $200,000.00 from the budget without knowing where it will come from. Moved by Alderman Lambert that a special meeting of the Council be called at 7:00 o'clock A.M. , October 8, 1971, for further consideration of the budget. Motion seconded by Alderman Boyd, and carried unanimously. Moved by Alderman Campsey that the meeting be adjourned. Motion seconded by Alderman Lambert, and carried unanimously. The Board of Aldermen adjourned at 12:15 P.M. PASSED AND APPROVED this day of 1971. ATTEST: Mayor J/L',d�� City Clerk