City Council Meetings

MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING MINERAL WELLS CITY COUNCIL CITY HALL ANNEX August 14, 2018 - 6:00 pm Audio recordings of the City Council meetings are available on the City's website at mineralwellstx.gov City Councilmembers present were Mayor Christopher M. Perricone, Mayor Pro-Tern Tammy Underwood, Councilmembers Brian Shoemaker, Regan Johnson, Jerrel Tomlin, Beth Watson and Doyle Light. Staff members present were City Manager Lance Howerton, Finance Director John Moran, Police Chief Dean Sullivan, Fire Chief Mike Pool, Public Works Director Bob Neal, City Clerk Peggy Clifton, and City Attorney Courtney Kuykendall. Mayor Perricone called the meeting to order. Councilmember Beth Watson led the invocation, and the Pledges of Allegiance to the U.S. and Texas flags were recited. 1. Mr. Light stated with the resignation of Mike Underwood from the Palo Pinto County Appraisal District, he would like to recommend Wayne Johnson to fill the vacancy. Mr. Light moved and Mr. Shoemaker seconded to approve a resolution nominating Wayne Johnson to serve on the Palo Pinto Appraisal District Board of Directors. Motion carried 7-0. 2. Mr. Light had discussed a resolution of support regarding TxDOT and a truck route in Mineral Wells with the Council at its meeting on August 7, 2018. Mr. Light moved and Mrs. Watson seconded to approve a resolution requesting assistance by the Texas Department of Transportation to conduct and fund a Truck Route and Bypass Loop Study providing alternate truck traffic routes through the City of Mineral Wells, Texas; providing for an effective date hereof. Motion carried 7-0. 3. Mayor Perricone opened a Public Hearing at 6:07 p.m. regarding the City of Mineral Wells 2018-2019 annual budget and discuss the ad valorem tax rate for 2018. Mrs. Watson stated that at its meeting this same day, the Economic Development Task Force recommended that the allocation of $50,000 to the Industrial Foundation be moved to an unallocated line item under Professional Services. Council gave direction to staff to move this item to #5818-Unallocated Reserve. ll Page Mrs. Underwood questioned the raise in the proposed attorney fees. Mr. Howerton stated part was due to increases in ordinances, open records inquiries, being more aggressive in Code Enforcement, and a case in District Court. Mr. Light questioned 5702-Building Improvements. Mr. Howerton stated the City received about $60,000 in insurance proceeds to repair the annex from past flooding and about $70,000 for repair at the North Oak Community Center due to vandalism. Mr. Light questioned whether or not the levels at Lake Palo Pinto would have an affect on the budget. Mr. Howerton stated that recent rains have helped the levels. The City is prepared to start the blending process with a little more cost associated. If the rain will get us into the fall, the blending may not be necessary. Mayor Perricone asked what the biggest challenges were to this year's budget. Mr. Howerton stated that it was due to the Public Safety compensation package. Mrs. Watson questioned the stability of the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) that the City uses. Mr. Howerton stated that TMRS is one of the most sound and healthiest retirement systems. Mr. Light questioned the grant matching amounts being for current or future projects. Mr. Howerton stated that the amounts in the budget are for projects that have been previously applied for and/or have been awarded. Mr. Shoemaker questioned if the salaries of the positions for the City are comparable or below that of cities of our size. Mr. Howerton stated that we are competitive in this labor market but are below the average outside of our labor market. Mayor Perricone questioned how much of the increase in the Water and Sewer fund is offsetting the Turkey Peak Reservoir. Mr. Howerton stated it was very little and that we are trying to build up our fund balance so that we would be better positioned when Turkey Peak occurs. Mr. Shoemaker questioned what it would cost regarding a Drainage Improvement Project in the Bluffview Addition. Mr. Howerton stated that item 5704 was separated into two projects. One is part of the Street Improvement Bond Project and $50,000 is tentatively budgeted for the Bluffveiw Project. 21 Page Mr. Shoemaker questioned what the Community Relations Contract position would entail. Mr. Howerton stated we wanted to get something started for the City to have some kind of media presence. Mayor Perricone questioned the tax increase while the City had a fund balance. Mr. Howerton stated we are simply estimating what the fund balance will be at the end of the fiscal year. The Mayor was mostly concerned about the General Administration Budget. Mr. Howerton stated that this relates to attorney's fees, improvements to the annex and North Oak Community Center, warning siren project, and the lease/purchases. Mayor Perricone asked how much money we had in CD'S. Mr. Howerton stated that the Investment Report would be available at the next meeting. Mayor Perricone asked if we were planning for work on infrastructure. Mr. Howerton stated that the plan we have is twofold. The Bond proposition that was approved will have an impact, as well as the Public Safety improvements. Rhonda Wilkinson questioned if line items 4373 and 4374 were grants that were already applied for. Mr. Howerton confirmed that. She also questioned line item 5302, Facility Evaluation Study already being done. Mr. Howerton stated that this was a City-wide facility study. She then questioned line item 5812, Resale Supplies. Mrs. Clifton stated that this account was used to pay for banknote security paper for birth and death certificates. Revenue line item 4453, Preservation Fees, helps to offset this by using $1.00 of fee collected to pay for the banknote security paper. Mayor Perricone questioned line item 5404, HVAC Replacement Municipal Court. Mr. Moran stated that the air conditioner is about to go out and we are going to replace it. Vyncent Hemphill asked if the City could increase the mixed beverage and "sin taxes" to create more revenue. Mayor Perricone stated that the state sets these amounts. Mayor Perricone questioned line item 4341, Drug Task Force Reimbursement. Mr. Howerton stated that we were previously a member of the Cross Timbers Drug Task Force and received funding for that. This no longer exists. 3I Page Russell Hess of Millsap stated that the Council needed to tighten its belt on the budget. Mayor Perricone closed the Public Hearing at 7:43 p.m. 4. Mrs. Underwood moved and Ms. Johnson seconded to set the next Special Meeting date to discuss the proposed budget and conduct a Public Hearing and take record vote if needed for August 28 and to set September 4, a regular meeting, to also include the Public Hearing if needed. Motion carried 7-0. 5. There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: 41 Page