09/18/2006-CC-Minutes-RegularMINUTES: CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 18, 200b
PRESENT: Mayor Joe Higgs, Councilman Glenn Ervin, Councilman Robert Patton,
Councilman Andy Garza, Councilman Mike James
OTHERS
PRESENT: City Manager Jack Smith, City Secretary/Assistant City Manger Rose Chavez,
Economic Development Director Cecile Carson, Water/Wastewater
Superintendent Eddie Branham, Police Chief Curtis Amyx, Mark Hill Engineer
Carter & Burgess, Candace Murphree, Alice Madden, Elizabeth Higgs, Yvonne
Cain, Carolyn Frazier, Russell Madden, Jimmy Frazier, Liz Springer, John
Springer, Bob Danley, Kem Green, Belle Lawson, Nelva Higgs, Beth Mitchell,
Kristian Lindberg, Sherry Lewis, Ryan Bloom, Brad Sims, Gary Bilyeu, Tim
Dwelle
1. Reception: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Recognizing Sanger for Keep America Beautiful Affiliate.
Mayor expressed thanks and appreciation for all of their hard work and commitment
in recognizing Sanger for Keep America Beautiful Affiliate.
Presentation followed with Carolyn Frazier recognizing board members and thanking
them for the hard work and dedication to Keep Sanger Beautiful and thanks to all
contributors.
2. Mayor Joe Higgs called meeting to order, Councilman Garza led invocation, followed
by Councilman Patton leading Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Receive presentation and the Certificate Recognizing Sanger as a Certified Affiliate of
Keep America Beautiful.
Took place during reception.
4. Executive Session: Pursuant to the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Texas
Government Code, Sec. 551.072 Deliberation Regarding Real Property and Pursuant
to Section 551.074 Personnel - Deliberation on City Manager Evaluation.
Mayor convened into Executive Session at 7:03 p.m.
5. Reconvene: Into Regular Session and Consider Action, if any, on Items Discussed in
Executive Session.
Mayor reconvened from Executive Session at 9:25 p.m.
551.074 Personnel - No action taken in personnel.
551.072 - Deliberation regarding real property.
Motion made by Councilman James to allow City Manager to discuss the real estate as
discussed in the Executive Session. Seconded by Councilman Walker. Motion carried
unanimously.
Councilman Garza requested City Manager to report back to City Council.
CONSENT AGENDA
6. a) Approve Minutes: September 5, 2006
b) Disbursements
Motion made by Councilman Patton to approve consent agenda. Seconded by
Councilman James. Motion carried unanimously.
7. Citizen's Input
Sherry Lewis, 600 S. 10'" ,addressed the City Council concerning the loud noise
ordinance and boom boxes. She expressed that this goes on from about 3:00 in the
afternoon to 4:00 a.m., and she would like the ordinance changed for day and night
violators to be ticketed.
8. Conduct Second Public Hearing on Proposal to Increase Tax Rate for Fiscal Year
2006/2007.
Mayor declared Public Hearing open.
Jimmy Evans inquired about the increase and if this would be under the rollback. Mr.
Evans expressed that he would like the tax rate to stay the same. He spoke on
alternatives for cutting the budget.
City Manager advised the rate was under the rollback.
Mr. Evans continued to be persistent.
Mayor closed Public Hearing.
Mr. Evans expressed some comments directed to the Mayor for closing the Public
Hearing.
9. Conduct Public Hearings on Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2006/2007.
Mayor declared Public Hearing open.
No one spoke for or against.
Mayor closed Public Hearing.
10. Conduct First Public Hearing on Annexation for the Following Properties:
ILROAD R.O.W. AS RECORDED IN THE DEED RECORDS OF DENTON
COUNTY FROM F.M. 455 TO THE COOKE COUNTY LINE
A0029A R. BEBEE, TRACT 22B, ACRES 2.1500
Mayor declared Public Hearing opened.
No one spoke for or against.
Mayor closed Public Hearing.
11. Consider and Possible Action on Appointing New Member to Planning &Zoning
Commission.
Motion made by Councilman Patton to appoint Brian Hutcheson to Planning &
Zoning. Seconded by Councilman Ervin. Motion carried unanimously.
12. Consider and Possible Action on Ordinance #09-14-06 Amending Sewer Rates.
City Manager advised that in the proposed budget for the next year, he included the
increase in sewer. The ordinance reflects a residential cap of $35.00.
Motion made by Councilman James to approve Ordinance #0944-06. Seconded by
Councilman Walker.
Motion failed 3-2.
Voted for - Councilman James, Councilman Walker
Voted against -Councilman Garza, Councilman Ervin, and Councilman Patton
13. Consider and Possible Action on Payment on Phase II -Sanger Clear Creek
Wastewater Treatment Plant.
City Manager advised that the total of this payment is $5,300."in and is funded from the
Sewer Capital Reserve.
Motion made by Councilman Walker to approve the payment for Phase H of the
Wastewater Treatment Plant for the work that has been completed in the amount of
$5,300.00. Seconded by Councilman Patton. Motion carried unanimously.
14. Consider and Possible Action on Adopting Ordinance #09-17-06 Update Service
Credits in Texas Municipal Retirement System.
City Manager addressed this item and advised that staff is asking that City Council
increase the employees' contribution to 6%, which the city will match. The City's
contribution would increase from $20,000 to $22,000 a year.
City Manager explained that the revenue funds to offset this expense would be the
interest of bond money.
Councilman Ervin inquired as to what interest would be utilized.
Discussion regarding bond interest proceeds and how they can be spent.
City Manager clarified that the interest in the bonds would offset an expense in street,
water, or electric improvements that are budgeted in the regular budget. This would
release these funds to be utilized elsewhere. He also clarified this is 100% participation
and the City's match is two for one.
Councilman Walker advised that 6% is standard everywhere.
Motion made by Councilman Garza to approve Ordinance #09-17-06. Seconded by
Councilman Walker. Motion carried unanimously.
15. Consider and Approval of Promotional Project with the University of North Texas.
Cecile Carson, Economic Development Director, advised that the 4B Board discussed
and approved this project at their last meeting. This project will be a third -party
survey conducted by graduate students from the University of North Texas. The
survey of existing businesses will determine business satisfaction with City provided
services, and inquire about expansions in place of relocation. There will also be data
and research on incentive policies offered by communities similar to Sanger. The
project will provide an optimal industry assessment for the community.
Ms. Carson indicated that the 4B discussed this would provide a relationship with the
University of North Texas. The cost would be $5,000.00. The center may also publicize
the research on their website.
Councilman Walker asked if this survey would overlap the study that was already
approved for Economic Development.
Cecile Carson replied that this is a different concept with different goals and
reiterated what she had previously mentioned.
Councilman James expressed that this should be a function of the Chamber of
Commerce and that they should be the ones involved in calling businesses.
Ms. Carson indicated this was discussed by the Chamber when they started and
they felt businesses would hesitate, possibly due to fear of competition on giving
information to other individuals.
Councilman James also inquired if it was possible to save the $45,000.00 in the Buxton
analysis and pursue this survey and get the same results.
Ms. Carson indicated that these were two different levels of information and research.
Discussion followed on the following issues:
• Oak Point - a City who has completed the project
• Benefits of the research to the City
• Project origination
• Project conducted by graduate students under the direction of
Dr. Bernard Weinsteen.
• The research will target the top 25 businesses and will include larger
employers
Motion made by Councilman Ervin to approve this promotional project with the
University of North Texas. Seconded by Councilman Patton. Motion carried 44.
Voted for -Council Patton, Councilman Ervin, Councilman Walker and Councilman
Garza.
Voted against - Councilman James
16. Consider and Possible Action on Bar Screen Installation at Existing WWTP.
City Manager reported that one of the major odor problems at the sewer plant is the
bar screen not functioning correctly.
Mark Hill of Carter &Burgess discussed the different proposals. The Huber
Technologies screen by Environmental Improvements quoted at $1301516.00 and the
other by Hartwell Environmental Corp., JDV Equipment quoted at $118,850.00. Mr.
Hill briefed the City Council on both proposals and both screens are basically the same
material and same operational characteristics. The only difference is size, one screen
is taller. The longevity is 1045 years with minimal maintenance on certain parts.
Discussion on the difference in price . Both screens will be efficient; they both are 304
stainless steel construction and include a control panel.
Motion made by Councilman Walker to approve the purchase of the JDV equipment
screen for $118,850. Seconded by Councilman James. Motion carried unanimously.
17. Possible List of Future Agenda Items.
A. Councilman Walker asked staff to provide two reports to City Council for next
week,
1) an negotiations on what was discussed in closed session
2) Status of negotiation with Denton County on Duck Creek bridge
B. 1) Councilman James requested a Resolution or Ordinance in the placing of
items on the City Council agenda
C. 1) Councilman Patton requested status of the minimum standards of 400 sq. ft
on residential remodels
18. Meeting Adjourned.
ATTEST:
Rosalie Chavez, City
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