City Council Meetings

MINUTES REGULAR MEETING MINERAL WELLS CITY COUNCIL CITY HALL ANNEX May 1, 2018 - 6:00 pm City Councilmembers present were Mayor Mike Allen, Mayor Pro - Tern Tammy Underwood, Councilmembers Brian Shoemaker, Doyle Light, and Jerrel Tomlin. Councilmember Regan Johnson was absent. A quorum of City Councilmembers was present. Staff members present were City Manager Lance Howerton, Finance Director John Moran, Fire Chief Mike Pool, Police Chief Dean Sullivan, Public Works Director Bob Neal, City Clerk Peggy Clifton, and City Attorney Mack Reinwand. Mayor Allen called the meeting to order. Reverend Eric Douglas of First United Methodist Church of Mineral Wells led the invocation, and the Pledges of Allegiance to the U.S. and Texas flags were recited. PRESENTATION Mayor Allen presented a proclamation declaring May, 2018 Palo Pinto County Hospital District Month. CITIZEN COMMENT Two people had signed to speak. Mayor Allen recognized each in turn. Jesse Guajardo of 2015 Factory Outlet Avenue in Mineral Wells stated that the City was digging on April 13th at Primera Iglesia Bautista and cut the power lines by accident. Mr. Guajardo stated that they already fixed it and asked to be reimbursed for the cost. Mr. Moran stated that the lines had been marked in the area before the work was started and this line was not marked. The City's insurance company, Texas Municipal League, had turned ·down the claim. Mr. Moran stated that the liability belongs to either Oncor or the line marking service. He stated that he would assist Mr. Guajardo in contacting these companies. Doug Jefferson of 607 N.E. 39th Avenue in Mineral Wells spoke on the Theater Department at Community Christian School. For the last six years Community Christian School has hosted the TCAF. Their plays have won the State Championship six years running. The students were District Champions and received; Ensemble, Best Overall Technical Presentation, Best Actor, Best Actress, two were students named Best All-Star Cast, and two students were named to the second All-Star Cast. Last weekend, their play was named State Champion. In addition they received Best Ensemble, Best Sound, Best Lighting, State Best Actor, and State Best Actress. This is the first time that any school has received both Best Actor and Best Actress awards. They also received First and Second All-Star Cast. Mr. Jefferson stated that they were proud to be a part of the positive things going on in this community. Following a motion made by Mr. Shoemaker, seconded by Mrs. Underwood, the following CONSENT AGENDA was approved by a vote of 5-0: 1. Consider approval of minutes of meeting held April 17, 2018. 2. Consider approval of budgeted expenditures over $500. 3. Consider approval of Financial Report for the month ended January 2018. 4. Consider approval of Financial Report for the month ended February 2018. 5. Consider approval of payment to Schrickel, Rollins, and Associates in the amount of $23,000 for professional engineering services received in association with the 2018 Streets and Utilities Capital Projects. ITEMS FOR INDIVIDLUAL CONSIDERATION 6 . Vivian Ikoro and Natalie Salmeron gave a presentation on the feasibility of a Main Street Program. The purpose of a Main Street Program is for economic vitality, redevelopment and historical preservation. The application for a Main Street Program would be due in July with a final decision in January. Funding the program would be a three-year commitment by the City. They provided a sample budget for Year 1 of $70,735. Year 2 sample budget would be $75,915. Year 3 would be $80,336 for a total of approximately $226,000 for a Main Street Program. No action taken. 7. Mr. Howerton stated that in April, the City received a request from Oncor Electric Delivery to increase rates to recover certain plant investment costs incurred in Calendar Year 2017. If approved, the rate increase would take effect September 1, 2018 and would result in a 30¢ per month increase to the bill of the average residential customer utilizing 1,300 kW. The City of Mineral Wells has 60 days in order to take action with respect to this requested rate increase. If the City takes no action during that period of time, the rate increase will immediately be appealed to the Public Utility Commission in Austin. Were the City to deny the rate increase, this will also be appealed to the Public Utility Commission. Oncor Electric Delivery has recommended that cities having original jurisdiction, such as the City of Mineral Wells, deny the rate increase, thereby effectively sending the case to the Public Utility Commission for review and final disposition. This would take effect in September and have approximately a 30 cent per month increase to  the average residential customer bill. Mrs. Underwood moved and Mr. Light seconded to approve an ordinance denying the proposed change in rates of Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC, finding and determining that the meeting at which this ordinance is passed is open to the public as required by law, and declaring an emergency. Motion carried 5-0. 8. Mr. Howerton stated that the Mineral Wells Chamber of Commerce had taken over the Envision Mineral Wells Plan. In continuing this Plan the Chamber is seeking to contract with Wes Jurey over the next 12 months. As a result they have requested that the City participate in funding this contract. A Reimbursement Agreement was created whereby the City would split the costs of Mr. Jurey's fee on a 50-50 basis with the Chamber. The City would commit to a maximum 12 month period to which they would reimburse the Chamber for an amount not to exceed $12,000. It is recommended that funds be taken from the Economic Development Fund to support this activity. The Economic Development Fund is not part of the General Fund so the City would not be asking the taxpayers to fund this activity. Mr. Shoemaker asked Mr. Howerton to explain to the citizens where the Economic Development Fund came from. Mr. Howerton stated that the Economic Development Fund was originally put in place in 1993 when the City took the donation of the former ALCO building. Based upon that donation, the City has had an agreement with the Mineral Wells Industrial Foundation, that any such income derived off the donation of that building would go into an Economic Development Fund. There have also been some other donations from individuals that have gone into the Economic Development Fund. There is no General Fund money used and no taxpayer money has ever entered the Economic Development Fund. It is a fund that is entirely supported by donations, contributions or revenues from the sale/lease of the ALCO building, etc. When the City initially contracted with Wes Jurey, this fund was used to pay for that. Mr. Light moved and Mr. Shoemaker seconded to approve a resolution authorizing execution of a Reimbursement Agreement between the City of Mineral Wells and the Mineral Wells Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau for consulting services supporting implementation of Envision Mineral Wells. Motion carried 5-0. 9. Mr. Howerton stated that at its meeting on April 3, 2018 the City Council authorized the advertisement of a bid package for the demolition of seven condemned structures. The bids were advertised April 7 and April 14, 2018. The bids were opened April 23, 2018. The bids submitted were received from AWC-Area Wide Contracting-$33,150, Midwest Wrecking Company-$72,650, and Matrix Demolition-$29,780. Staff recommends accepting the bid of Matrix Demolition in the amount of $29,780. Mr. Shoemaker moved and Mr. Tomlin seconded to award the demolition bid to Matrix Demolition in the amount of $29,780. Motion carried 5-0. 10. Mr. Moran stated that in February, City Council authorized staff to go out for Request for Proposals (RFP) for Insurance Brokerage Services . We are in the hope of making our insurance coverage better while lowering the price. The City received six responses to the RFP. Staff had a committee of four individuals reviewing the proposals. Wellspring Insurance seemed to be a primarily municipal broker. They had many Human Resource packages available also. The fee structure will be a flat $50,000 a year with a three-year contract. The dental, life, vision, and disability are commissioned because they will be employee paid. Mr . Light moved and Mrs. Underwood seconded to award the bid for Insurance Brokerage Services to Wellspring Insurance Agency, Inc. and authorize the Mayor to execute all associated documents. 11. Police Chief Dean Sullivan stated that the Vega family requested a temporary street closure to host a family and friends gathering for their daughter's birthday . Staff from the Fire and Police Departments will go there after the setup to ensure emergency vehicle ingress and egress routes through. Mr . Shoemaker moved and Mr . Light seconded to approve an ordinance providing for the temporary closure of certain streets within the City of Mineral Wells to facilitate a neighborhood block party as requested by the Vega family, residing at 402 Long Drive, to be held on May 26, 2018. 12. Mrs. Clifton stated that on January 9, 2018 applications were sent to various entities for the Fiscal Year 2018/2019 Non-profit Grant Funding. The deadline to submit these applications was February 28, 2018. The Mineral Wells Index was notified and the notice and application were posted on the City's website. Nine applications were received . The Committee on Non-Profit Grant Funding, Councilmembers Doyle Light and Regan Johnson, met with Mrs. Clifton on March 29th and April 19th to review the applications. The following is a statement of what each applicant requested, and what the Committee recommended for Fiscal Year 2018/2019: Requested Recommended First United Methodist Church (BackPack Buddies) $20,000 $ 9,000 Texas Frontier Trails $ 6,500 $ 6,500 Addiction Recovery Ministries (ARM) $45,200 $ 5,500 Mineral Wells Optimist Club $30,000 $ 0 Meals on Wheels of Palo Pinto County $10,000 $10,000 Mineral Wells Art Association $ 4,000 $ 4,000* *Contingent on Certificate of Occupancy Mineral Wells Center of Life $20,000 $ 6,929 Children's Alliance Center for Palo Pinto County $ 5,700 $ 5,700 CASA Parker/Palo Pinto County $ 5,000 $ 0 There was much discussion on why the Committee chose not to fund CASA. After such discussion the Council was of the consensus that CASA should be included in the funding . Mr . Shoemaker moved and Mrs. Underwood seconded, and the motion was approved 5-0 for the following:  Approved First United Methodist Church (BackPack Buddies) $ 9,000 Texas Frontier Trails $ 6,500 Addiction Recovery Ministries (ARM) $ 5,500 Mineral Wells Optimist Club $ 0 Meals on Wheels of Palo Pinto County $10,000 Mineral Wells Art Association $ 4,000* *Contingent on Certificate of Occupancy Mineral Wells Center of Life $ 6,929 Children's Alliance Center for Palo Pinto County $ 5,700 CASA Parker/Palo Pinto County $ 5,000 13. Mayor Allen announced that in accordance with Texas Government Code, Chapter 551.071, the City Council will recess into Executive Session (closed meeting) to consult with its attorney regarding pending litigation: City of Mineral Wells v. Hanks, Cause No. C48039, 29th Judicial District Court on this 17th day of April, 2018 at 7:15 p.m. 14. The City Council reconvened into Open Session at 7:29 p.m. to consider possible discussion or action on Executive Session items. No action taken 15. There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Mike Allen, Mayor ATTEST: Peggy APPROVED: 05/15/2018