CITY OF SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS

REGULAR MEETING OF THE

 CITY COUNCIL

SEPTEMBER 27, 2005

 6:00 p.m.

Mayor Clay Walker called the regular meeting of the Sulphur Springs City Council to order at 6:03 p.m.  The following council members and staff were present:

                                                Mayor Clay Walker

                                                Mayor Pro Tem Freddie Taylor

                                                Councilman Garry Jordan

                                                Councilman Joe Crouch

                                                Councilman Larry Powers

                                                Councilman Chris Brown

                                                Councilwoman Yolanda Williams

Staff:                                       Marc Maxwell, City Manager

                                                Gale Roberts, City Secretary

Jim McLeroy, City Attorney

Peter Karstens, Finance Director

Gordon Frazier, Assistant to the City Manager

Craig Vaughn, Director of Utilities

Robert Lee, Assist Director of Utilities

PLEDGE AND INVOCATION

Mayor Walker led in the pledge to the flag and Councilman Jordan led the invocation. 

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

The City advertised for bids on Liquid Caustic Soda and, Chlorine, and Sulfur Dioxide to be used at the Water Plant and Wastewater Plant.  The low bids were submitted by the following companies: 

Caustic Soda              Bigler Trading Co. LP           $433/ton

Chlorine                     DPC Industries, Inc.              $512/tone

Sulfur Dioxide           DPC Industries, Inc.              $585/ton

Director of Utilities Craig Vaughn presented the staff report and recommended the acceptance of the low bids.  There was no one else to speak to the issue.  Councilman Jordan moved to approve the low bids as presented.  Councilman Taylor seconded and the vote was unanimous.

DISCUSSION/ACTION O APPROVAL OF BIDS FOR LEASE PURCHASE PACKAGE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005 VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT

The City advertised for bids and received the following for lease purchasing:

Chase/Banc One                                                        3.59%

Alliance Bank                                                            4.00%

Consolidated Financial Resources                          4.75%

Guaranty Bond Bank                                                 5.50%

Finance Director Peter Karstens presented the staff report stating the recommendation was to accept the low bid from Chase/Banc One.  There was no one else to speak to the issue.  Councilman Powers moved to approve the low bid as presented.  Councilman Brown seconded and the vote was unanimous. 

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON PUBLIC HEARING OF SECOND AND FINAL 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.  The recommended changes from the first reading have been incorporated for the second reading.  There was no one else to speak to the issue.  Councilman Powers made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2423 on the second reading with the amendment that the salary for the City Secretary be increased by $4200 a year.  Councilman Brown seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON PUBLIC HEARING OF SECOND AND FINAL  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 second reading.  Councilman Powers seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON PUBLIC HEARING OF SECOND AND FINAL  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 second reading.  Councilman Taylor seconded and the vote was as follows:

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

Nays:  Crouch, Jordan

The motion carried.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON PUBLIC HEARING OF THE SECOND AND FIANL 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 second reading.  Councilman Taylor seconded and the vote was as follows:

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

Nays:  Crouch, Jordan

The motion carried.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON PUBLIC HEARING OF SECOND AND FINAL  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 second reading.  Councilman Taylor seconded and the vote was as follows:

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

Nays:  Crouch, Jordan

The motion carried.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON PUBLIC HEARING OF SECOND AND FINAL 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 Crouch moved to approve Ordinance No. 2428 on the second reading.  Councilman Jordan seconded and the vote was unanimous.

VISITORS/PUBLIC FORUM

Lavelle Hendricks addressed the City Council stating his appreciation of the Police Department, City Manager Marc Maxwell, Finance Director Peter Karstens, and Lieutenant Rex Morgan for all their dedicated service to the Katrina evacuees. 

Councilman Powers agreed with Mr. Hendricks and stated that our citizens had been very supportive.   Councilman Powers also wanted to recognize Wesley United Methodist Church stating they went above and beyond the call of duty. He suggested the City Council do something in the future to recognize the efforts of Wesley United Methodist Church.

Councilman Brown agreed with Councilman Powers that Wesley United Methodist Church had done a great job.  Mayor Walker and City Attorney Jim McLeroy concurred with Councilman Brown as well Council Members Crouch, Jordan, Taylor, and Williams.

An appreciation dinner for Wesley United Methodist Church was discussed.  

EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551.071, CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY

At 6:25 p.m. Councilman Jordan moved to adjourn to executive session in accordance with Texas Government Code 551.071, consultation with attorney.  Councilman Taylor seconded the motion.  There was no one present to speak to the issue.  The vote was unanimous.

RECONVENE

Mayor Walker reconvened the meeting into open session at 6:35 p.m.

ADJOURN

With all business complete the meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m.