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Min 09/11/2007 155 Wichita Falls, Texas Memorial Auditorium Building September 11, 2007 Item 1 The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas held a special meeting on the above date in the City Council Chambers of the Memorial Auditorium Building. The meeting began at 8:30 a.m. with the following members present: Lanham Lyne - Mayor Ray Gonzalez - Mayor Pro Tern Glenn Barham - Councilors Michael Smith - Dorothy Roberts-Burns - Rick Hatcher - Charles Elmore - Darron Leiker - City Manager Bill Sullivan - City Attorney Lydia Ozuna - City Clerk Mayor called the special meeting to order. Mayor Lanham Lyne gave the invocation. Councilor Ray Gonzalez led in the pledge of allegiance Public Comments Eric Norris, 3402 Duty, stated that his neighbor does not want to pay an electric bill so he runs a generator and it has been very stressful for the last three years because of the constant loud noise. It is also a safety issue; he has rewired his own house. He said the Police told him there was no law against that. Mr. Norris suggested that Council create an ordinance that prevents generator for permanent power in the City. Mayor stated that he will have the Building Administrator look into that. Chief Bachman pointed out that we have a noise ordinance, and a complaint can be filed in Municipal Court and he can testify then let the judge make a ruling. Item 2 A public hearing was held on the proposed tax rate for the 2007-2008 Fiscal Year. Mayor declared the public hearing open. Finance Director Jim Dockery stated that this is the second of two public hearings required for setting the tax rate for 2007-2008 FY. State requires public hearings for public comment. We have proposed the same tax rate as in the past six years in the amount of$0.592460 per$100 assessed valuation. The tax base is $242 million and of that $71 million is on new property or 29% and $171 million is due to increased market value. Staff has put notices in the paper informing about these pubic hearings as well as your vote on the September 18 Council meeting. Jean Sherrill, 2004 Jones, asked that the property tax for the senior citizens be repealed. I have a fixed income and I cannot afford it. If people cannot pay their taxes there will be another 156 Item 2 continued house that will fall apart. Fort Worth senior citizens do not have to pay taxes at all. We ought to follow that trend. Mr. Dockery informed that a few years ago the State allowed cities an option to freeze taxes on senior citizens and the disabled. We do have exemptions for seniors and the disabled. We provide an $18,000 exemption and the WFISD has a $25,000 exemption. This new legislation allowed for a freeze so if appraised value rose you would not be able to increase their taxes. The last time we checked with the Appraisal District, the amount was $120,000 for the first year that it would be implemented, but those figures have not been updated as to what that amount would be for the current year. That would be fairly significant on our taxes and we would have to look to other tax payers or other areas to replenish that. Councilor Elmore wanted to know what would happen if we went from an $18,000 exemption to a $25,000 exemption. Mr. Dockery said that he would have to get with the Appraisal District to see what that percentage would be. Mayor asked staff to look into that and maybe that is something we can look at during our Strategic Planning meeting next year. Councilor Smith asked if there were any Texas cities where seniors do not pay taxes. Mr. Dockery replied that there were not; their taxes are just frozen and remain where they are when a tax freeze is adopted. City Manager stated that we will check into that but maybe that instance in Fort Worth has to do with a program where taxes can be deferred, but are still paid and with interest. We will check with our colleagues in Fort Worth. Mayor called for additional comments. There being none, the Mayor declared the public hearing closed. Item 3 A public hearing was held on the proposed budget for the 2007-2008 Fiscal Year. Mayor declared the public hearing open. Finance Director Jim Dockery informed that this is a separate requirement that we have a public hearing on the budget. We have conducted work sessions with the Council and a pre-work shop in July, and today the public can make comments. He pointed out that at the next Council meeting we will bring that document to you for adoption in addition to the Capital Improvement Program as well as additional ordinances. One item that came up in the work sessions that we are evaluating is the Emergency Notification System. We have had discussions with vendors and we are still evaluating that. This would be an annual recurring cost at a cost of possibly more than $37,000. We propose to bring you an ordinance adopting the budget without that item. He suggested possibly placing funds in a Contingency Fund for that item with Council approval before those funds are approved for spending. Mayor suggested looking at grants through Home Land Security. The following Arts Commission members expressed appreciation to the Council for the funds they provided them. Elizabeth Edwards, 2020 Berkeley, Chair, thanked the Council for their proposed increase, it does help. We would like to ask that you allow us to work with you and your staff to do some research on levels of funding from other cities to arts commissions and we will see what the economic impact is of the Arts Council next year Thank you for the increase this year. Dave Bindel, Riverbend Center, commented that it is a great relationship with the City and he hopes to continue that in the future and grow that relationship. I will look for ways to make that better for us and for the City. The Conservatory is open Thursday— Sunday and we will look into adding more time to that. We have field trips starting today. He gave further updates on Riverbend activities. Councilor Elmore encouraged everyone in town to visit the Butterfly Conservatory. Carlana Fitch, #3 Flat Top Circle, Director of the Wichita Falls Symphony, told the Council that they appreciate the thoughtful consideration for requests of the Arts in Wichita Falls you have 157 Item 3 continued considered and funded. We appreciate your efforts on the behalf of the Arts. She urged Council and everyone to come to their Third Annual Art Affair at the Kemp Center for the Arts on September 22-23. Take this opportunity to see Arts in the making and how they function in the City. On behalf of all the organizations, thank you. Dolores Culley, Executive Director Wichita Falls County Heritage Society, thanked Council for their addition to the Arts funds. She asked that Council give due diligence as you approach next year's budget that the impact the Arts and Culture will have on the success of the revitalization of downtown. We have a potential to grow more. She informed that they celebrated their membership party at the newly put back on the tax rolls, Kemp Kell Depot. She informed that they have begun work on the Old Post Office Building. We are in the process of utilizing the funds the City has provided us. Thank you. Mayor commented that the timing will be such that these items can be considered at the Strategic Planning meeting next year. Harley Mills, 4402 Cedar Elm, volunteer for the Arts Commission, North Texas Museum, and Fire and Police Museum, informed that they will begin their 100th walk through history in the Museum and invited Council to participate. We will be open in Wichita Falls and Burkburnett area. Thank you for the money you have given us. Councilor Elmore stated that he held a town hall meeting last night and he received some comments on the proposed water and sewer rate increases. One individual stated that the City is not doing the proper public relations with the community as to the why these rates have to go up. Is there something else that we can do maybe on the city channel or the water bill to let the folks know why it is necessary to raise the water and sewer rates? If you explain it to the point where they can understand it they will accept it. City Manager stated that we will be asking Council to approve the budget and Capital Improvement Program at the next Council meeting next Tuesday. Mayor called for additional comments. There being none Mayor closed the public hearing. Item 4 City Council adjourned at 9:00 a.m. PASSED AND APPROVED this day of 2007. MAYOR AT EST: �C,LJ Lydia Ozuna City Clerk NOTICE OF MEETING Special 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, 1300 Seventh Street, On Tuesday, September 11 , 2007, Beginning At 8:30 A.M. City Council: Mayor Lanham Lyne, Councilors Glenn Barham, Michael Smith, Dorothy Roberts-Burns, Rick Hatcher, Ray Gonzalez, and Charles Elmore. 1. Call to Order 2. Public Hearing On Proposed Property Tax Rate For The 2007-08 Fiscal Year. 3. Public Hearing On The 2007-08 Preliminary Budget 4. Adjourn Wheelchair or handicapped accessibility to the meeting is possible by using the handicapped parking spaces and ramp located off the east parking lot on the 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. Wireless Listening System devices are available at the City Manager's reception area or you may call 761-7404 for inquiries. 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 , 2007 at o'clock (a.m.)(p.m.). City Clerk