12/17/2007-CC-Minutes-Work SessionMINUTES: City Council Meeting - Workshop
December 17, 2007
PRESENT: Mayor Joe Higgs , Councilman Robert Patton, Councilman Glenn Ervin,
Councilman Andy Garza, Councilman Thomas Muir
MEMBERS
ABSENT: Councilman Mike Walker
OTHERS
PRESENT: City Manager Mike Brice, City Secretary/Asst. City Manager Rose Chavez
L Call Meeting to Order.
Mayor called meeting to order.
2. Discussion on Appointing Three Members to Serve on the Board of Directors of the
Sanger Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corporation,
City Manager advised this item is on the eonsent agenda for action and all three
candidates, Richard Muir, Jeff Springer and Russell Martin have agreed to serve on
the board.
3. Discussion on Ordinance #12-4947 - Amending the Code of Ordinances by Adding
Section 13.1606 and 13.1607 to Provide for Waiver of Late Fees and Penalties and
Extensions of Time for Payment of Utility Bills.
City Manager advised this ordinance is to provide consistency, direction and internal
control regarding extensions. He advised there are several customers who are senior
citizens or disabled who have until the 3ra of the month to pay and they will remain the
same and will not be impacted with the new changes.
Discussion concerning the delinquent bill the senior citizens are paying. In order for
those seniors to get caught up they would need to pay their delinquent bill and current
bill.
Councilman Garza indicated that in the past prior Mayor Tommy Kincaid had started
a process concerning tax exemptions for senior citizens. At that time Mayor Kincaid
proposed a 50% tax exemption for seniors and the Council told him it had to be done
in increments. The Council agreed on a $20,000 tax exemption and that it would be an
item that needed to be brought back to Council to be reconsidered. Councilman Garza
asked if at a future date this could be an item to discuss.
Councilman Muir indicated he has been approached regarding this same issue once or
twice. The citizens look at the tax freezes that are given in other areas and this prompts
them to ask questions.
4. Questions From the Council.
Councilman Muir addressed item two concerning the three members Richard Muir, his father, Jeff
Springer and Russell Martin who are to serve on the Board of Directors of the Sanger Cultural
Education Facilities. His father and Mr. Springer will be working together for at least the next year
or two and he does not know if this matters or if it is a problem. He has talked to his father and
if it is a problem he can resign from the board.
City Manger advised he has talked to Jeff Springer and he advised he did not think
it will be an issue.
Councilman Muirexpressed a concern with the realestate contractwith-the school district and that
we did not have a closing date.
City Manager advised that a specific closing date was not indicated in case issues arose with the
title.
Councilman Muir inquired on the contract with Code Red and asked if the City is expected to
recoup some of the cost from the customer.
City Manager advised his intent is to provide that service free to the customer. City Manager gave
a brief explanation on both services, Code Red and Code Red Weather Warning.
Councilman Muir discussed the accessibility of social services for some of the citizens in the
community. There are citizens who cannot drive to Denton to apply for those services. He asked
if there was any type of service that Span can provide to citizens, other than those who are seniors.
Discussion continued concerning the availability of a transportation service.
Mayor Higgs inquired on the possibility of having some type of acknowledgment for our soldiers
in Iraq whose families live in Sanger.
Mayor Higgs also advised he has been approached by a citizen concerning the congestion problem
with traffic on IZeaton Road due to Clear Creek Intermediate School. Discussed possible sign
solutions.
5. Adjournment.
Mayor declared meeting adjourned.
Joe Higgs
Mayor
.c . 0 1 Av/� .
ATTEST:
Rosalie
Assistant City Manager