MINUTES
WATAUGA CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2008
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER, 7105 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 Special Session at 6:35 p.m. with the following members present:
Henry J. Jeffries Mayor
Jerry Adams Mayor Pro Tem
Seth Thomas Council Member
Mike Steele Council Member
Ernest P. Koontz Council Member
Roy Meyers Council Member
and
Kerry Lacy City Manager
Daniela Place City Secretary
Scott Neils Finance Director
with
Council Members Helmick and Griffin absent.
Council Member Adams questioned New Business item 10, specifically why there was a recommendation made from the Architectural Review Commission for the appointment of a chairperson. Mr. Adams stated that there is no provision for them to make this recommendation.
Council Member Koontz pointed out that the Council still makes the decision and that the Architectural Review Commission was simply giving a recommendation.
There were no presentations made.
PUBLIC COMMENT BY CITY COUNCIL IN RESPONSE TO CITIZEN’S OPEN FORUM
None.
Mayor Jeffries called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
Council Member Steele gave the invocation.
Mayor Jeffries led the pledge to the Flag and the Texas Flag.
Council Member Koontz moved to approve the agenda as constituted in the pre-council meeting. The motion was seconded by Council Member Steele and passed as follows:
AYES: Thomas, Steele, Koontz, Meyers, Adams
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Griffin, Helmick
Council Member Koontz made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Council Member Meyers seconded the motion, which prevailed as follows:
AYES: Thomas, Steele, Koontz, Meyers, Adams
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Griffin, Helmick
The consent agenda was approved as follows:
1. Approval of a Resolution establishing the Fort Worth Star Telegram as the Official Newspaper of the City of Watauga for Fiscal Year 2008-2009 pursuant to Local Government Code 52.004
The Resolution as adopted carries the following caption:
CITY OF WATAUGA, TEXAS
RESOLUTION NO. 08-08-18-01
A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATAUGA, TEXAS PURSUANT TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 52.004 REQUIRING THAT THE CITY OF WATAUGA, TEXAS DESIGNATE AN OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009; PROVIDING THAT ALL RESOLUTIONS IN CONFLICT HEREWITH ARE HEREBY REPEALED TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY ARE IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
2. Approval of a Cooperative Purchasing Agreement between the City of Watauga and the City of Dallas
3. Approval of an Ordinance providing for a Franchise Agreement with Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc., for 3% of Gross Revenues
The Ordinance as adopted carries the following caption:
CITY OF WATAUGA, TEXAS
ORDINANCE NO. 1383
AN ORDINANCE WHEREBY THE CITY OF WATAUGA, TEXAS AND THE TRI-COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. AGREE THAT THE TRI-COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. SHALL CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN ITS NOW ERECTED ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER LINES WITH ALL NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE APPURTENANCES (INCLUDING UNDERGROUND CONDUITS, POLES, TOWERS, WIRES, AND TRANSMISSION LINES) AND THE CITY GRANTS ITS CONSENT FOR THE USE OF ITS PRESENT STREETS, ALLEYS, HIGHWAYS, AND PUBLIC GROUNDS IN SAID CITY, UNDER REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS AS STATED THEREIN AND THAT THE CITY OF WATAUGA SHALL RECEIVE AN ANNUAL PAYMENT FOR SAME, ALL AS THEREIN PROVIDED
PUBLIC HEARING
1. A Public Hearing on a proposed property tax rate of $0.580763 per $100.00 valuation for Fiscal Year 2008-2009 (tax year 2008) which would raise more tax revenue than the previous year
Mayor Jeffries opened the Public Hearing at 6:39 p.m.
City Manager Kerry Lacy reported that last year, the City of Watauga property tax rate was $0.580763 per $100 valuation, which was used to fund operations such as public library, parks, recreation and community services, police, fire emergency medical services, street maintenance, code enforcement, and the administration of the City and Debt Services obligations.
Mr. Lacy further explained that this year the City is proposing an identical property tax of $0.580763 per $100 valuation. This rate would result in an increase in total tax revenues from properties on the tax roll during the prior year by 1.72%. Individual property taxes may increase at a greater rate or even decrease, depending on the change in the taxable value of the property.
A member of the audience questioned if the City was going to raise the tax rate. City Manager Kerry Lacy stated the tax rate would remain the same but would result in an increase in total tax revenues on the tax roll.
There were no further questions from the audience and Mayor Jeffries closed the Public Hearing at 6:42 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Discussion and action, if any, in relation to the proposed tax rate discussed during the Public Hearing
Council Member Koontz made a motion to take no action. The motion was seconded by Council Member Steele and passed as follows:
AYES: Thomas, Steele, Koontz, Meyers, Adams
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Griffin, Helmick
2. Discussion and action on approval of the Watauga Crime Control and Prevention Budget for Fiscal Year 2008-2009
City Manager Kerry Lacy stated that according to Texas Local Government Code 363.205(d) not later than the 30th day before the date the Fiscal Year begins, the governing body shall approve or reject the budget submitted by the board. The governing body may not amend the budget. The Watauga Crime Control and Prevention Budget for Fiscal Year 2008-2009 has expenditure appropriations of $1,211,176.00.
Council Member Koontz made a motion to approve the Watauga Crime and Control Budget for Fiscal Year 2008-2009. The motion was seconded by Council Member Steele and passed as follows:
AYES: Thomas, Steele, Koontz, Meyers, Adams
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Griffin, Helmick
3. Discussion and action on approval of Mayor’s Reappointment of Russell Fletcher to Place 2 on the Zoning Board of Adjustment
Council Member Koontz made a motion to approve the Mayor’s Reappointment of Russell Fletcher to Place 2 on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The motion was seconded by Council Member Steele and passed as follows:
AYES: Thomas, Steele, Koontz, Meyers, Adams
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Griffin, Helmick
4. Discussion and action on approval of Mayor’s Reappointment of Willard Webb to Place 4 on the Zoning Board of Adjustment
Council Member Koontz made a motion to approve the Mayor’s Reappointment of Willard Webb to Place 4 on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The motion was seconded by Council Member Steele and passed as follows:
AYES: Thomas, Steele, Koontz, Meyers, Adams
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Griffin, Helmick
5. Discussion and action on approval of Mayor’s Reappointment of Rachel Pilgrim to Place 2 on the Library Board
Council Member Koontz made a motion to approve the Mayor’s Reappointment of Rachel Pilgrim to Place 2 on the Library Board. The motion was seconded by Council Member Steele and passed as follows:
AYES: Thomas, Steele, Koontz, Meyers, Adams
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Griffin, Helmick
6. Discussion and action on approval of Mayor’s Reappointment of Marge Pearce to Place 6 on the Library Board
Council Member Koontz made a motion to approve the Mayor’s Reappointment of Marge Pearce to Place 6 on the Library Board. The motion was seconded by Council Member Steele and passed as follows:
AYES: Thomas, Steele, Koontz, Meyers, Adams
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Griffin, Helmick
7. Discussion and action on approval of Mayor’s Reappointment of Diane Lusk to Place 2 on the Planning and Zoning Commission
Council Member Koontz made a motion to take no action on the Mayor’s Reappointment of Diane Lusk to Place 2 on the Planning and Zoning Commission. The motion was seconded by Council Member Steele. Further discussion ensued.
Mayor Jeffries asked the City Secretary if she had heard from Ms. Lusk. Ms. Place announced that Ms. Lusk had contacted the Public Works Secretary stating that she did not want to be reappointed.
Motion to take no action failed as follows:
AYES: None
NAYS: Thomas, Steele, Koontz, Meyers, Adams
ABSENT: Griffin, Helmick
Council Member Koontz then made a motion to not reappointment Diane Lusk to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Council Member Meyers seconded motion and it passed as follows:
AYES: Thomas, Steele, Koontz, Meyers, Adams
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Griffin, Helmick
8. Discussion and action on approval of Mayor’s Reappointment of Charles Hamilton to Place 4 on the Planning and Zoning Commission
Council Member Koontz made a motion to approve the Mayor’s reappointment of Charles Hamilton to Place 4 Planning and Zoning Commission. The motion was seconded by Council Member Steele and passed as follows:
AYES: Thomas, Steele, Koontz, Meyers, Adams
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Griffin, Helmick
9. Discussion and action on approval of Mayor’s Reappointment of Darlene Chavious to Place 6 on the Planning and Zoning Commission
Council Member Koontz made a motion to approve the Mayor’s reappointment of Darlene Chavious to Place 6 on the Planning and Zoning Commission. The motion was seconded by Council Member Meyers and passed as follows:
AYES: Thomas, Steele, Koontz, Meyers, Adams
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Griffin, Helmick
10. Discussion and action on Recommendation to Council from the Architectural Review Commission to appoint Wendy Bohannon as Chairperson of the Commission
Council Member Koontz made a motion to appoint Wendy Bohannon as the Chairperson of the Architectural Review Commission. The motion was seconded by Council Member Steele and passed as follows:
AYES: Thomas, Steele, Koontz, Meyers, Adams
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Griffin, Helmick
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The City Council may announce that they will go into executive session pursuant to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code to discuss any matter as specifically listed on this agenda and or as permitted by Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code.
There was no Executive Session held.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
APPROVED: this ________ day of ______________ 2008.
SIGNED: this ________ day of ______________ 2008.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
______________________
Henry J. Jeffries, Mayor
_________________________
Daniela Place, City Secretary