City Council

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF BALCH SPRINGS NOVEMBER 12, 2018 7:00 PM MINUTES Identification of a quorum. Present: Councilmember Moon Councilmember Shelby Councilmember Segroves Councilmember Rushing Councilmember Tucker Mayor Pro Tem Hill Mayor Gorwood A quorum was present and Mayor Gorwood called the meeting to order at 7:00PM. Staff: Susan Cluse, City Manager Mark Morris, Assistant to City Manager Cindy Gross, City Secretary Jon Haber, Police Chief William Freeman, Public Works Director Zac Evans, City Attorney Invocation was given by Sammy Moon, City Councilmember. Pledge to the US Flag and the Texas Flag was led by Police Chief Jon Haber. Items of Community Interest - City Secretary: November 14th – GIS Day - 2:00pm -4:00pm at the Library-Leaning Center, 12450 Elam Road. Closed for the Holidays – Thanksgiving Holiday: Early Closing on November 21st (3:00pm), and Closed November 22nd and November 23rd; Christmas Holiday: Early Closing on December 21st (3:00pm), and Closed December 24th and December 25th. December 8th – Balch Springs Police: Civil Service Entrance Exam for Police Officers at the Police and Fire Complex, 12500 Elam Rd. December 8th - Balch Springs Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting, 4:00pm - 8:00pm at the Civic Center, 12400 Elam Rd. Presentation(s): The City Council congratulated and presented a certificate of appreciation to Shawn and Kim Risener the winners of the Neighborhood Pride Program. Citizen Comments. Speaker: Marie Tedei, 4708 Pioneer Rd., Balch Springs, TX. 75180 Page 1 of 6 November 12, 2018, Regular Meeting Minutes Subject: Spoke to City Council in regards to City Council agenda and Community Waste Disposal. Speaker: Angela Singletary, 3216 Balch Springs Rd., #203, Balch Springs, TX. 75180 Subject: Spoke to City Council in regards to sidewalks and Star Transit. Speaker: Jason Singletary, 3216 Balch Springs Rd., #203, Balch Springs, TX. 75180 Subject: Spoke to City Council in regards to flood & drainage, street lighting and sidewalks. Mayor Gorwood closed citizen’s comments. REPORTS/UPDATES: 1. Update on Keep Balch Springs Beautiful 2018 Fall Trash Round Up. Linda Highwood, Economic Development Project Coordinator, gave a brief presentation in regards to the Keep Balch Springs Beautification 2018 Fall Trash Round Up event. 2. Report by the Executive Staff regarding any significant event that has occurred since the last regular Council meeting. William Freeman, Public Works Director, gave the City Council an update in regards to work that is being done on Hickory Tree Rd and Lake June Rd. INDIVIDUAL ITEMS: 1. Consideration and action regarding approval to amend bus route services offered by STAR Transit. Kim Burton, STAR Transit Representative, gave a presentation in regards to the new proposed bus route offered by STAR Transit. Ms. Bruton explained the current route, the new proposed route, budget, bus stops, and the next steps to move forward. Chris Dyser, Community Development Director, stated that the budget for public transportation would be coming from the Economic Development Type B Board, and a public hearing would need to be held regarding the funding. Mr. Dyser stated the funding will need to be approved by the Economic Development Type B Board, and then brought to City Council for final approval. Mayor Pro Tem Hill moved to approve the amended bus route services offered by STAR Transit. Councilmember Shelby seconds the motion. Voting for the motion were Councilmember Moon, Councilmember Shelby, Councilmember Segroves, Councilmember Rushing, Councilmember Tucker and Mayor Pro Tem Hill. Motion passed. (6-0) 2. Consideration and action regarding approval of Line of Credit in the amount of $2,000,000 with Prosperity Bank to purchase city vehicles and equipment. Bianca Sauls, Chief Financial Officer and Mr. Rafael, Prosperity Bank, spoke to the City Council in regards to the terms of the line of credit. Mr. Rafael explained to the City Council that there is no fee, no expense if the line of credit is not used, with an interest Page 2 of 6 November 12, 2018, Regular Meeting Minutes  rate of 5.25%; as long as the line is open, equipment can be purchased. He also expressed gratitude for being the bank chosen by the city to work with. Councilmember Rushing moved to approve the Line of Credit in the amount of $2,000,000 with Prosperity Bank to purchase city vehicles and equipment. Mayor Pro Tem seconds the motion. Voting for the motion were Councilmember Moon, Councilmember Shelby, Councilmember Segroves, Councilmember Rushing, Councilmember Tucker and Mayor Pro Tem Hill. Motion Passed (6-0) 3. Consideration and action regarding approval of an ordinance establishing classified positions within the Police Department. Postponed until December 10th City Council Meeting. 4. Consideration and action to amend the City Council Policies and Procedures. Councilmember Rushing explained that she would like to amend the policies and procedures to clarify how the City is represented by the City Council; no one City Councilmember should independently be able to represent the City. She explained that she was waiting for proper wording from the City Attorney. Councilmember Rushing addressed another issue regarding the City Council Policies and Procedures Section III, Council Meetings Decorum and Dress. Councilmember Rushing moved that the City Council Policies and Procedures Subsection III, A(3), be amended to read as follows: "Dress for council members and all persons attending a council meeting shall be respectful and appropriate. Business casual or more formal is encouraged". Councilmember Tucker seconds the motion. Voting for the motion were Councilmember Segroves, Councilmember Rushing, Councilmember Tucker and Mayor Gorwood. Voting in opposition were Councilmember Moon, Councilmember Shelby and Mayor Pro Tem Hill. Motion passed. (4-3) 5. Consideration and action regarding the appointments to the Balch Springs Charter Review Commission. Councilmember Moon explained that it's been two-years since the last Charter Election. Councilmember Moon recommends that all Councilmember's bring forth two (2) names, to be nominated to serve on the Charter Review Commission. Mayor Gorwood recommended that if a charter election is to be held, that it takes place at a May election, not a November election and also it's depending on the timeline. Councilmember Rushing moved that each councilmember bring forth two (2) names, to be nominated for the Charter Review Commission. Mayor Pro Tem Hill seconds the motion. Councilmember Rushing amended her motion that the next charter election will be held in May, 2019 or 2020, if timeline cannot be met. Mayor Pro Tem Hill accepts the amendment. Voting for this motion were Councilmember Moon, Councilmember Shelby, Councilmember Segroves, Councilmember Rushing, Councilmember Tucker and Mayor Pro Tem Hill. Motion passed. (6-0) 6. Consideration and action regarding approval to fund breakfast for the Police and Fire Department. Page 3 of 6 November 12, 2018, Regular Meeting Minutes  Councilmember Moon explained that for the past 2 years, he and his family have provided breakfast for the Police Department and Fire Department, and would like to continue the breakfast for 2018. He stated that he spent a little over $300, to fund the breakfast, and funds that were left over went back into the fund. City Councilmember's held a discussion regarding to contribute up to $70 from their individual budgets for the breakfast. Councilmember Moon moved to approve that each City Councilmember contributes up to $70.00, out of their council budget, to fund the Police and Fire Department breakfast. Councilmember Shelby seconds the motion. Voting for this motion were Councilmember Moon, Councilmember Shelby, Councilmember Segroves, Councilmember Rushing, Councilmember Tucker and Mayor Pro Tem Hill. Motion passed. (6-0) 7. Consideration and action regarding approval to fund breakfast for the City Employees. Councilmember Moon explained that since he did the breakfast for the Police and Fire Department, and the City Employees. Councilmember Moon would like to approve funding a breakfast for all of the City Employees for 2018. City Councilmember's discussed where the funding would come from; they discussed whether or not funding would come from their individual City Council budgets or from the Council Contingency Fund. Bianca Sauls, Chief Financial Officer, explained to Council that they had $9,000 in Council Contingency, $3,000 in Meals for Meetings, and $3,500 in their Individual council budgets. Councilmember Moon moved to approve the funding for the breakfast for the City Employees in the month of December 2018, funding not to exceed $1,000, from City Council Contingency. Mayor Pro Tem seconds the motion. Voting for the motion were Councilmember Moon, Councilmember Shelby, Councilmember Segroves, Councilmember Rushing, Councilmember Tucker and Mayor Pro Tem Hill. Motion passed. (6-0) 8. Discussion regarding a City Council retreats. Councilmember Moon explained that council needs to have a City Council retreat to bring the Council together as a team and work harmoniously during City Council meetings. City Councilmember's held a discussion in regards to where their last retreat, time frame, and whether or not having a retreat would be useful. Mayor Gorwood suggested that City Councilmember's send in their suggestions to the City Secretary. A proposal will be created to present to Council to make any changes or final decisions. 9. Discussion regarding policies and procedures for flushing of the fire hydrants. William Freeman, Public Works Director, stated that periodically the water mains are disinfected with chlorine and a lack of water flow causes bacteria to collect and build-up in the water mains. Mr. Freeman explained that the water needs to be flushed to be refreshed to preserve the water quality. He explained that the hydrant off McKenzie Rd. was flushed throughout the weekend to get rid of that build-up. He explained that a time Page 4 of 6 November 12, 2018, Regular Meeting Minutes  record is kept on how long each nozzle is flushed, depending on how bad the water quality is in that area; some nozzles are automatic and some need to be flushed manually. City Councilmember's discussed the gallons typically flushed, gallons of water usage and signage to let the public know what is taking place. 10. Discussion regarding adding additional street lighting. Councilmember Tucker stated that the city needed sidewalks and street lighting. Councilmember Tucker would like recommend a workshop with ONCOR to discuss solutions with the City Council in regards to street lights. William Freeman, Public Works Director, explained that there was no fee for ONCOR to add a light wherever needed, but the City will have to cover the cost of the electricity. Mr. Freeman states that the issue lies within the lengthy process of getting the lights installed; an evaluation is needed to see where a street light can be placed. City Councilmember's discussed installing brighter lights in the street lights that are already in place, lights that are available thru ONCOR, and monthly energy cost for using LED lights. Councilmember Tucker requested a presentation by ONCOR, in regards to their LED Lights and cost, for the first City Council meeting in January 2019. 11. Discussion regarding constructing sidewalks in certain areas of the City. Councilmember Tucker expressed the need for sidewalks throughout the city, especially sidewalks near schools, school zones and bus stops. Mayor Gorwood suggested that a priority list be made of all the areas that need sidewalks. City Councilmember's continued with discussion in regards to the need of sidewalks for the city. NOTICE OF EXECUTIVE SESSION 12. Council to hold Executive Session under Section 551.074 (Personnel) with regard to a matter that is the duty of the attorney to consult with Council and falls under the attorney-client privilege or with regard to a matter that involves litigation or contemplated litigation or claims, of the Texas Government Code: City Council convened into executive session at 8:52PM A. Discuss the 360 Survey for the City Manager, Police Chief, Fire Chief, and City Secretary. 13. Take action, if any, on matters discussed in Executive Session. City Council reconvened into open session at 8:57PM No action was taken on matters discussed in Executive Session. 14. Announcements, requests for information, and/or new business to be placed on future agendas. Page 5 of 6 November 12, 2018, Regular Meeting Minutes  ● Mayor Pro Tem Hill – Copy of the Police Department organizational chart. 15. Closing prayer. Mayor Gorwood gave the closing prayer. 16. Adjourn. Mayor Gorwood adjourned the council meeting at 8:59pm. PASSED AND APPROVED AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 14, 2019. Page 6 of 6 November 12, 2018, Regular Meeting Minutes