MINUTES

WATAUGA CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2005

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 7101 WHITLEY ROAD

6:30 P.M.

 

The City Council of the City of Watauga, Texas convened in pre-council at 6:30 p.m. and in regular session at 6:36 p.m. on Monday, April 25, 2005 with the following members present:

 

            Henry J. Jeffries          Mayor

            Jerry Adams                Mayor Pro Tem

            Ernest P. Koontz         Council Member

            Richard Helmick         Council Member

            Mike Steele                 Council Member

            Pete Beierschmitt        Council Member

            Lee W. Griffin                        Council Member

and

            Kerry Lacy                  City Manager

            Mark G. Daniel           City Attorney

            Kathleen Wedell         Assistant City Secretary

with

Council Member Seth Thomas and City Secretary Nancy J. Meadows absent with prior notice given.

 

PRE-COUNCIL:

 

Mayor Jeffries called the pre-council meeting to order.

 

REPORTS:

 

City Manager’s Monthly Report: 

 

1.      Financial - Janina Jewell, Finance Director

 

At the request of City Manager Kerry Lacy, Finance Director Janina Jewell gave the financial report for the month ended March 31, 2005.

 

2.      Minutes of the various city boards

 

The minutes of the various city boards were provided in the packet.

 

CITIZEN’S OPEN FORUM:

 

Mr. Wesley Charles of 6428 Ridglea, spoke concerning programs he felt were good programs, but got cancelled due to not being used.  He stated he feels the recycling program is a very good one, however, it does not get used as often as it should.  He would like the city to take one position or another, and if they are not going to promote the program, to have it taken out of the contract when it is up for renewal in 2007. 

 

Mr. James Long of 6428 Moonglow, read a statement concerning his thoughts of the ineligibility of the Mayor to run for office.  Mr. Long commended Mayor Pro Tem Adams for upholding the Home Rule Charter. 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT BY CITY COUNCIL IN RESPONSE TO CITIZEN’S OPEN FORUM:

 

None.

 

DISCUSSION OF CITY COUNCIL AGENDA:

 

Council Member Beierschmitt requested that Consent Agenda Item 5 be moved to New Business Item 8.

 

After questions were asked of the Library Director, Council Member Koontz requested that Consent Agenda Item 2 be moved to New Business Item 9.

 

CALL TO ORDER:

 

Mayor Jeffries called the meeting to order.

 

INVOCATION:

 

Council Member Griffin gave the Invocation.

 

PLEDGE TO THE FLAG:

 

Mayor Jeffries led the Pledge to the Flag.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA AS CONSTITUTED IN PRE-COUNCIL MEETING:

 

Council Member Koontz made a motion to approve the agenda as constituted in pre-council meeting.  Council Member Helmick seconded the motion, which prevailed by the following vote:

 

AYES:  Griffin, Steele, Helmick, Koontz, Beierschmitt, Adams

NOES:  None

ABSENT:  Thomas

 

PRESENTATIONS:

 

Proclamation to Scott Cowan and Chris Powell

 

Mayor Jeffries read and presented a proclamation to students of the Birdville Independent School District, Scott Cowan of Watauga and Chris Powell of North Richland Hills for winning the Greater New York Automotive Technology Competition.

 

Mr. Cowan and Mr. Powell thanked their teacher, Mr. Howell, for his assistance.

 

CONSENT AGENDA:

 

Council Member Steele made a motion to approve the consent agenda as written.  Council Member Beierschmitt seconded the motion, which prevailed by the following vote:

 

AYES:  Griffin, Steele, Helmick, Koontz, Beierschmitt, Adams

NOES:  None

ABSENT:  Thomas

 

The consent agenda included approval as follows:

 

1        Approval of minutes of Regular Meeting of March 28, 2005

 

2        The termination and suspension of Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement with Bedford Public Library was moved to New Business.

 

3        Approval of an Ordinance amending Chapter 5, Article 5.200 of the Code of Ordinances adopting the 2003 International Fire Code

 

The Ordinance as adopted carries the following caption:

 

CITY OF WATAUGA, TEXAS

ORDINANCE NO. 1231

 

AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATAUGA, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 5, ARTICLE 5.200 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE CITY OF WATAUGA, TEXAS, ADOPTING THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE; PROVIDING AMENDMENTS FOR SAME; PROVIDING THAT ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH ARE HEREBY REPEALED TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY ARE IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE

 

4        Approval of quarterly investment report as of March 31, 2005

 

5        The award of bid to Columbus Country Ford for the purchase of one (1) Ford Crown Victoria non-pursuit vehicle in the total amount of $18,851.00, Bid No. 05-006 was moved to New Business. 

 

6        Approval of award of bid to Philpott Ford via the State of Texas, (TBPC) contract for the purchase of two (2) Ford Crown Victoria Watauga Department of Public Safety pursuit vehicles currently in-stock in the total amount of $42,938.00

 

Other bidders included:  Gunn Chevrolet of Houston, Texas in the amount of $52,978.00; Lynn Smith Chevrolet of Fort Worth, Texas in the amount of $56,236.00; Caldwell Country Chevrolet of Columbus, Texas in the amount of $45,528.00; Alvin Dodge, no bid; Classic Chevrolet through HGAC in the amount of $61,803.50; Caldwell Country Chevrolet through Tarrant County in the amount of $45,522.00; Friendly Chevrolet of Dallas in the amount of $46,796.00; Philpott Ford of Nederland, Texas in the amount of $42,878.00; Columbus Country Ford of Columbus, Texas in the amount of $44,564.00; West Way Ford of Fort Worth, Texas in the amount of $43,356.00; Texas Motors Ford of Fort Worth, Texas in the amount of $46,010.00; Philpott Ford through Tarrant County Contract in the amount of $43,406.00

 

7        Approval of award to Fargo Consultants, Inc. for geotechnical exploration and testing for the Watauga Animal Services Center to not exceed $1,495.00

 

8        Approval of Systems Agreement with Tyler Technologies, Inc. Incode Division for maintenance on Datamatic Utility Handheld Meter-Reader Interface

 

9        Approval of Inter-local Cooperation Agreement with Tarrant Appraisal District to designate the City of Watauga as an Authorized Subdivision pursuant to the License Agreement by and between Tarrant Appraisal District and Pictometry International Corporation for the provision of certain licensed Pictometry products, encompassing, among others, specified aerial images of Tarrant County, Texas and all or portions of selected adjacent jurisdictions

 

10    Approval of a Resolution designating Frost National Bank of San Antonio as the depository of safekeeping of securities for the City of Watauga

 

The Resolution as approved carries the following caption:

 

CITY OF WATAUGA, TEXAS

RESOLUTION NO. 05-04-25-01

 

BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATAUGA, TEXAS IS HEREBY DESIGNATING FROST NATIONAL BANK OF SAN ANTONIO (“FROST BANK”) A DEPOSITORY OF CITY OF WATAUGA (THE “PUBLIC ENTITY”) FOR THE SAFEKEEPING OF SECURITIES

 

11    Approval of Safekeeping Agreement with Frost National Bank to hold securities and/or other property deposited by the City

 

12    Approval of inter-local purchasing agreement with North Richland Hills

 

13    Acceptance of resignation of Gary Farral from Place 2 on the Citizen’s Advisory Board effective May 4, 2005

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

1.      Planning and Zoning Case 05-02:  Consideration and action on a final plat for Lots 2 & 3, Block 1 of the Stringer Addition, an Addition to the City of Watauga, Tarrant County, Texas being 7.467 acres of land in the Thomas Spronce Survey, Abstract No. 1399, Tarrant County, Texas.  The property owner is Steve Stringer.  The applicant is Civil Solutions Inc represented by Mr. Mark Shelton.

 

Council Member Koontz made a motion to approve Planning and Zoning Case 05-02, consideration and action on a final plat for Lots 2 & 3, Block 1 of the Stringer Addition, an addition to the City of Watauga, Tarrant County, Texas being 7.467 acres of land in the Thomas Spronce Survey, Abstract No. 1399, Tarrant County, Texas.  The property owner is Steve Stringer.  Council Member Griffin seconded the motion, which prevailed by the following vote:

 

AYES:  Griffin, Steele, Helmick, Koontz, Beierschmitt, Adams

NOES:  None

ABSENT:  Thomas

 

2.      Planning and Zoning Case 05-03:  Consideration and action on the amended final plat for Lots 1 thru 17, Block A, Lots 1 thru 30, Block B, Lots 1 thru 21, Block C, Lots 1 thru 23, Block D and Lot 1, Block E of the Durham Farms Addition.  Owner/Developer, Watauga Residential Development, L.P. and Weekley Homes, L.P.   The applicant is Cheatham and Associates represented by Eddie Cheatham.

 

Council Member Koontz made a motion to approve Planning and Zoning Case 05-03 consideration and action on an amended final plat for Lots 1 through 17, Block A; Lots 1 through 30, Block B; Lots 1 through 21, Block C; Lots 1 through 23, Block D; and Lot 1 Block E of the Durham Farms Addition.  Council Member Beierschmitt seconded the motion, which prevailed by the following vote:

 

AYES:  Griffin, Steele, Helmick, Koontz, Beierschmitt, Adams

NOES:  None

ABSENT:  Thomas

 

3.      Consideration and approval of an Ordinance by the City Council of the City of Watauga, Texas authorizing the issuance of “City of Watauga, Texas General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2005”, levying an annual ad valorem tax, within the limitations prescribed by law, for the payment of the bonds; prescribing the form, terms, conditions, and resolving other matters incident and related to the issuance, sale, and delivery of the bonds, including the approval and distribution of an official statement pertaining thereto; authorizing the execution of a paying agent/registrar agreement, a purchase contract, and an escrow and trust agreement; complying with the letter of representations with the depository trust company; and providing an effective date

 

Finance Director Janina Jewell introduced Mr. Mark McLiney of Southwest Securities. 

 

Mr. Mark McLiney explained that at the February 28, 2005 City Council Meeting, Council authorized the Financial Advisor and Director of Finance to pursue a refunding of the 1996 Certificates of Obligation and other matters related thereto if interest rates could be achieved that would result in at least a 4.5% net present value savings or approximately $400,000.00 after costs of issuance. 

 

 Mr. McLiney indicated the process was long because it had taken some time to achieve the savings due to the fact that after authorization was given, interest rates went up.  Mr. McLiney stated rates were down enough in the last week to allow the target to be reached.  Standard and Poors, the bond rating company, gave a favorable bond rating report for the City.  Mr. McLiney indicated that the next time the city was seeking a bond issue, to visit them with the possibility of getting a bond rating upgrade. 

 

Mr. McLiney indicated a total savings of $444,134.00 would be achieved if the refunding bonds were approved and that would be a 5.15 present value savings target.

 

Council Member Griffin expressed appreciation for the efforts of City Staff and Southwest Securities to achieve a savings for the citizens.     

 

Council Member Koontz made a motion to approve an ordinance authorizing the issuance of “City of Watauga, Texas General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2005”.  Council Member Beierschmitt seconded the motion, which prevailed by the following vote:

 

AYES:  Griffin, Steele, Helmick, Koontz, Beierschmitt, Adams

NOES:  None

ABSENT:  Thomas

 

The Ordinance as adopted carries the following caption:

 

CITY OF WATAUGA, TEXAS

ORDINANCE NO. 1232

 

AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATAUGA, TEXAS AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF “CITY OF WATAUGA, TEXAS GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2005”, LEVYING AN AD VALOREM TAX, WITHIN THE LIMITATIONS PRESCRIBED BY LAW, FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE BONDS; PRESCRIBING THE FORM, TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND RESOLVING OTHER MATTERS INCIDENT AND RELATED TO THE ISSUANCE, SALE, AND DELIVERY OF THE BONDS, INCLUDING THE APPROVAL AND DISTRIBUTION OF AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT PERTAINING THERETO; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PAYING AGENT/REGISTRAR AGREEMENT, A PURCHASE CONTRACT, AND AN ESCROW AND TRUST AGREEMENT; COMPLYING WITH THE LETTER OF REPRESENTATIONS WITH THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE

 

4.      Discussion and action on request from the City of North Richland Hills for the City of Watauga to participate in the July 4th Fireworks Display, in an amount not to exceed $8,000.00

 

After a lengthy discussion, Council Member Koontz made a motion not to participate with the City of North Richland Hills in the July 4th Fireworks display in an amount not to exceed $8,000.00.  Council Member Adams seconded the motion, which prevailed by the following vote:

 

AYES:  Griffin, Steele, Helmick, Koontz, Beierschmitt, Adams

NOES:  None

ABSENT:  Thomas

 

5.      Discussion and action on authorization of expenditure from General Fund contingency account for an additional special bulk pick-up at $60 per ton, estimated costs of approximately $10,800

 

Council Member Steele explained that he had requested that Mr. Lacy research the costs that would be associated with having a special spring cleanup.

 

There was discussion that there was an amendment to the contract in 1999, that the clean up dates are set for March and November. 

 

After a lengthy discussion, Council Member Helmick made a motion to not expend any more money from the General Fund Contingency account for bulk pick-up.  Council Member Beierschmitt seconded the motion, which prevailed by the following vote:

 

AYES:  Griffin, Helmick, Koontz, Beierschmitt, Adams

NOES:  Steele

ABSENT:  Thomas

 

6.      Discussion and action on adoption of athletic league registration fees

 

Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Director Sal Torres explained that at the current time, all the leagues fees for adult athletics is $100 per team registration and this does cover costs of operating expenses and he is recommending increasing the fee from $100 to $300 per team.     

 

Council Member Griffin moved for adoption of athletic league registration fees as presented.  Council Member Helmick seconded the motion.

 

Council Member Beierschmitt amended the motion to increase the adult fee to $325.00.  Council Member Helmick seconded the amendment to the motion.

 

Council Member Adams stated that he did not want to see the city make a profit from the fees.

 

Mr. Lacy indicated that the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department would not make a profit, it would just recoup costs associated with the program.

 

Mayor Jeffries called for a vote on the amendment, which prevailed by the following vote:

 

AYES:  Griffin, Steele, Helmick, Koontz, Beierschmitt, Adams

NOES:  None

ABSENT:  Thomas

 

Mayor Jeffries then called for a vote on the original motion, which prevailed by the following vote:

 

AYES:  Griffin, Steele, Helmick, Koontz, Beierschmitt, Adams

NOES:  None

ABSENT:  Thomas

 

7.      Discussion and action on selection of exterior brick for City Hall

 

City Manager Kerry Lacy introduced Mr. Jim Tharp of GSBS Batenhorst who presented three exterior brick color options.  He also presented the color options that had been selected for the interior of the building.

 

Council Member Griffin made a motion to select Option B on the brick.  Council Member Beierschmitt seconded the motion, which prevailed by the following vote:

 

AYES:  Griffin, Steele, Helmick, Koontz, Beierschmitt, Adams

NOES:  None

ABSENT:  Thomas

 

8.      Approval of award of bid to Columbus Country Ford for the purchase of one (1) Ford Crown Victoria non-pursuit vehicle in the total amount of $18,851.00, Bid No. 05-006 was moved to New Business from Consent. 

 

Council Member Beierschmitt asked if the vehicle was a CNG vehicle.

 

City Manager Kerry Lacy indicated that it was not a CNG vehicle and that Ford no longer made CNG vehicles.

 

Council Member Koontz made a motion to approve the award of bid to Columbus Country Ford for the purchase of one (1) Ford Crown Victoria non-pursuit vehicle in the total amount of $18,851.00, Bid No. 05-006.  Council Member Griffin seconded the motion, which prevailed by the following vote:

 

AYES:  Griffin, Steele, Helmick, Koontz, Beierschmitt, Adams

NOES:  None

ABSENT:  Thomas

 

Other bidders included:  West Way Ford of Irving, Texas in the amount of $20,178.00; Philpott Ford of Nederland, Texas in the amount of $19,775.00; Texas Motors Ford of Fort Worth, Texas in the amount of $19,678.00; Philpott Ford through TBPC in the amount of $19,956.00; Caldwell Country Ford through Tarrant County in the amount of $20,408.00; and Friendly Chevrolet of Dallas, Texas in the amount of $21,161.75

 

9.      Approval of termination and suspension of Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement with Bedford Public Library was moved to New Business from Consent.

 

After some discussion, Council Member Griffin made a motion to give authority to the City Manager to rescind the contract, if necessary.  Council Member Steele seconded the motion, which prevailed by the following vote:

 

AYES:  Griffin, Steele, Helmick, Koontz, Beierschmitt, Adams

NOES:  None

ABSENT:  Thomas

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

With there being no further business to conduct at this time, Council Member Koontz made a motion to adjourn.  Council Member Steele seconded the motion, which prevailed by the following vote:

 

AYES:  Griffin, Steele, Helmick, Koontz, Beierschmitt, Adams

NOES:  None

ABSENT:  Thomas

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m.

 

APPROVED:       this ______ day of __________ 2005.

 

SIGNED:              this ______ day of __________ 2005.

 

                                                                             

APPROVED:

 

 

                                                                              ____________________

                                                                              Henry J. Jeffries, Mayor

 

ATTEST:

 

 

____________________________

Nancy J. Meadows, City Secretary