CITY OF SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS

 REGULAR MEETING OF THE

CITY COUNCIL

SEPTEMBER 6, 2005

7:00 p.m.

Mayor Clay Walker called the regular meeting of the Sulphur Springs City Council to order at 6:33 p.m.  Councilman Larry Powers moved to adjourn to executive session in accordance with Texas Government Code 551.072, deliberations on real property.  Councilman Chris Brown seconded the motion.  There was no one present to speak to the issue.  The vote was unanimous.  The following council members and staff were present:

                                                Mayor Clay Walker

                                                Mayor Pro Tem Freddie Taylor

                                                Councilman Joe Crouch

                                                Councilman Larry Powers

                                                Councilman Chris Brown

                                                Councilwoman Yolanda Williams

Staff:                                       Marc Maxwell, City Manager

                                                Gale Roberts, City Secretary

                                                Larry Friday, Acting City Attorney

                                                Johnny Vance, Dir. Community Development

                                                Peter Karstens, Finance Director – 7:00 p.m.

Absent:                                   Councilman Garry Jordan

OPEN SESSION

Mayor Walker reconvened the meeting in open session at 7:00 p.m.

PLEDGE AND INVOCATION

Mayor Walker led in the pledge to the flag and Mayor Pro Tem Taylor led the invocation. 

MANAGER’S REPORT

KATRINA EVACUEES - My heart goes out to the thousands of victims left homeless and grieving in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.  I cannot begin to imagine the difficulty of their ordeal.  I can only hope that the efforts of the agencies and people of this nation and of this great state will adequately provide for their basic needs.  Perhaps the great outpouring of compassion from countless citizens will, in some small measure, assuage their grief.

The emergency shelter at Wesley United Methodist Church currently houses about 130 evacuees. Over the weekend the shelter housed as many as 230 people.  Some people are finding homes or apartments locally, but most that have left have gone to live with relatives or friends.  Local hotels house another 70 evacuees.   Other evacuees may arrive at the shelter over the coming days and weeks.

If you haven’t been to the local shelter, you should go see the operation.  In terms of quality and services provided it rivals any shelter anywhere.  I offer my heart-felt thanks to the people of Wesley United Methodist Church, Lieutenant Rex Morgan and the many volunteers and employees who are doing an outstanding job.    In addition to food, shelter and clothing, the operation also makes several other services available on site.  Medical services, employment assistance, housing assistance,

HIGHLAND SEWER – This project replaces 2 sewer lines which pass through the backyards of homes on Hillcrest, Highland and Woodcrest.  The project is about 50% completed.  The contractor has installed the new sewer line between Hillcrest and Highland, and he is currently installing the sewer line between Highland and Woodcrest.   The contractor is utilizing “trenchless” technology to minimize the impact to homeowners.  The project has a budget of $181,597.

LAMAR SEWER – This project replaces 1,050 feet of sewer line between Lamar and Jackson parallel to the drainage ditch.   The Capital Construction Division has completed the project.   The budget for the project was $58,531.

LEE STREET DRAINAGE – The Capital Construction Division has begun construction on a new underground drainage system between Lee Street and South Town Branch.  The project has a budgeted cost of $62,000.

ACCIDENTS AND CLAIMS  - We had 2 minor liability claims in August.  A motorist claims $125 in damages allegedly caused by the new street surface on Davis Street.  Another motorist claims to have struck an open hole on Bellview causing damage to the vehicle.  Both claims are pending with the Texas Municipal League. 

We had 3 workers compensation claims in August.  One employee suffered heat exhaustion, another cut his hand, and another had a bad case of poison ivy.  In each instance, the employee recovered and returned to work after a few days.

REMAINING CIP PROJECTS  - The following table shows the progress of our CIP program year-to-date.  Items highlighted in yellow are completed.  

FINANCIAL REPORT  - Finance Director, Peter Karstens, will give a year-to-date summary of revenue and expenditures.

CONSENT AGENDA

The following items on the Consent Agenda were reviewed: Consider for approval: regular City Council minutes of August 2, 2005; Special City Council minutes of August 9^th, 16^th, 25^th, and 30^th, 2005; Planning and Zoning Commission minutes of August 15, 2005; Economic Development Corporation minutes of July 25 and August 22, 2005.  Councilman Brown moved to approve the consent agenda as presented.  Councilman Taylor seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON PUBLIC HEARING OF SECOND AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2422

A public hearing, second and final reading, was held for Ordinance No. 2422.  Currently our ordinance contains criteria for the keeping of livestock and this ordinance would make an exception for alpacas.  Mr. Pat Murray, owner of two alpacas, addressed the City Council to explain the citations he received form the Police Department.  Mr. Andrew Mitchell spoke in favor of the ordinance as well a Mr. Vernon Davis.  Councilman Crouch moved to approve the ordinance on second and final reading.  Councilman Taylor seconded and the vote was as follows:

Ayes:  Walker, Crouch, Taylor, Brown, and Williams

Nays:  Powers

The motion carried.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON BIDS AND AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR CHEMICALS FOR THE WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS 

There was no one present to speak to the issue.  Councilman Taylor moved to table the item until staff was available to answer questions.  Councilman Brown seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON THE 2006 ADOPTED HOPKINS COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT BUDGET

This item was pulled from the August 2, 2005 consent agenda.  Bill Sherman was present but did not speak to the issue.  There was no one else to speak to the issue.  Councilman Powers moved to approve the budget as presented.  Councilman Taylor seconded the motion and the vote was as follows:

Ayes:  Walker, Taylor, Powers, and Williams

Nays:  Crouch and Brown

The motion carried.  

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON FINAL REPLAT OF THE MEDICAL SURGICAL CLINIC ADDITION

A request was made by SSMSC Real Estate, Inc. to replat property located on the north and south side of Medical Circle and the east side of Medical Drive, being further described as Lot 2 of Block 1 of the Hopkins County Memorial Hospital Addition, and Lot 1R of Block 2 of the Medical Surgical Clinic Addition into one lot.   Community Development Director Johnny Vance presented the staff report.  There was no one else to speak to the issue.  Councilman Powers made a motion to approve the replat.  Councilman Taylor seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON THE USE OF AMPLIFIED EQUIPMENT AFTER 10 PM FOR THE FALL FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES

Lisa Hooten, chairperson for the Fall Festival, is requesting permission for the use of amplified equipment after 10:00 p.m. on September 16^th for the Street Dance.  There is also a possibility that the bike rally may go past 10:00 p.m. on September 10^th and the carnival will be in operation beginning September 14^th.  There was no one else to speak to the issue.  Councilman Brown made a motion to approve the use of amplified equipment after 10:00 p.m.  Councilman Powers seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. 

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2423 THE APPROPRIATIONS ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF SULPHUR SPRINGS FISCAL YEAR 2005-2006

Finance Director Peter Karstens presented the staff report.   This is the ordinance adopting the FY 2006 budget and appropriating certain funds and directing their expenditure.  There was some discussion about the water tower and whether to sandblast both the inside and outside as well as paying a maintenance agreement or just sandblasting the inside.  Mr. Karstens also presented a new schedule for the cut off list of late water bill payments.  There was no one else to speak to the issue.  Councilman Powers made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2423 on the first reading.  Councilman Brown seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2424 SETTING THE TAX RATE FOR THE CITY OF SULPHUR SPRINGS FOR 2005

This ordinance sets the property tax rate for the 2006 fiscal year.  The property tax rate overall stays the same at 44 cents per $100 of valuation.  The taxes in the ordinance are actually assessed on property as of January 1, 2005 though they are due after the rate is set. There was no one else to speak to the issue.  Councilman Taylor moved to approve Ordinance No. 2424 on the first reading.  Councilman Powers seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2425 INCREASING THE WATER RATES

This ordinance sets new water rates.  Financial Director Peter Karstens presented the staff report stating the water rates will go up 8% from last year which had no changes.  There was no one else to speak to the issue.  Councilman Brown moved to approve Ordinance No. 2425 on the first reading.  Councilman Taylor seconded and the vote was as follows:

Ayes:  Walker, Taylor, Powers, Brown, and Williams

Nays:  Crouch

The motion carried.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2426 INCREASING THE SEWER RATES

This ordinance sets new sewer rates.  Financial Director Peter Karstens presented the staff report stating the sewer rates will go up 8% from last year which had no changes.  There was no one else to speak to the issue.  Councilman Brown moved to approve Ordinance No. 2426 on the first reading.  Councilwoman Williams seconded and the vote was as follows:

Ayes:  Walker, Taylor, Powers, Brown, and Williams

Nays:  Crouch

The motion carried.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2427 INCREASING THE SANITATION RATES

This ordinance sets new sanitation rates.  Financial Director Peter Karstens presented the staff report stating the sanitation rates will go up 8% from last year.  There was no one else to speak to the issue.  Councilman Brown moved to approve Ordinance No. 2427 on the first reading.  Councilwoman Williams seconded and the vote was unanimous.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2428 UPDATING SERVICE CREDITS FOR CITY EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES

This ordinance gives authorization of “Updated Service Credits” and provides for an increase in retirement annuities for CPI increases.  Financial Director Peter Karstens presented the staff report stating the updated service credits keep current employee retirement plans up with inflation while the annuity increase keep already retired employees plan up with inflation.  Councilman Brown moved to approve Ordinance No. 2428 on the first reading.  Councilman Powers seconded and the vote was unanimous.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551.072 DELIBERATIONS ABOUT REAL PROPERTY

Councilman Brown moved to approve the purchase of land located at 1025 Main Street for $3,200 and in exchange for services to remove brush and three concrete slabs.  Councilman Taylor seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 VISITORS/PUBLIC FORUM

None.

 ADJOURN

With all business complete the meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m.