Loading...
02 City Council Min 08-05-04MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING August 5, 2004 The City Council of the City of Paris met in regular session, Thursday, August 5, 2004, 6:00 P.M. at Love Civic Center, North Hall, 2025 South Collegiate Street, Paris, Texas. Mayor Curtis Fendley called the meeting to order with the following Council Members present: Jim Bell, Jay Guest, Mary Ann Fisher, Don Wilson, Karen Wilkerson and Rick Poston. Also, present were Interim City Manager Terry Townsend, City Attorney Larry W. Schenk and Assistant City Clerk Sherian Dixon. Mayor Fendley called the meeting to order and called for receipt of the Minutes from the Planning and Zoning Commission, August 3, 2004. Mayor Fendley opened the public hearing to consider the petition of Jim and Sandra Lassiter for a change in zoning from a One Family Dwelling District (SF-2) to a Two Family Dwelling District(SF-2) on Lot 17, Block 255-A, being number 224 25th Street, N.E. Mr. Lassiter, 725 42nd S.E., appeared in favor of his petition. He stated this property was at the East end of Wade Park on 25tn N.E. He explained there had been a single family rental unit there and it had burned. He said he has had the property cleaned, hauled off, and dozed. He said if the Council approved the zoning change, he would like to build a duplex on that lot. He mentioned that there were some duplexes on the other side of the park and some other duplexes nearby on 25th Street. He also had talked with the neighbors on either side of the property and they had voiced no opposition. No one appeared in opposition. ORDINANCE NO. 2004-020 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, AMENDING ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 1710 OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS AND CHANGING THE BOUNDARIES ESTABLISHED BY THE ZONING MAP OF SAID CITY; ESTABLISHING A TWO FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT (2F) ON LOT 17, CITY BLOCK Regular City Council Meetrng August 5, 2004 Page 2 255-A, 224 25TH STREET N. E. AS REQUESTED BY JIM AND SANDRA LASSITER, OWNERS, SO AS TO INCLUDE THEREIN TERRITROY FORMERLY DESIGNATED AS A ONE FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT (SF-2); DESIGNATING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE TWO FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT (2F) SO ESTABLISHED; PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY NOT TO EXCEED $2,000.00; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH, WAS PRESENTED. Councilwoman Fisher made a motion to approve the Ordinance, which was seconded by Councilman Bell. The Ordinance carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Mayor Fendley opened the Public Hearing to consider the petition of Richard Hardison for a change in zoning from a Two Family Dwelling District (2-F) to a Multi-Family Dwelling District (MF-1) on Lot 5, Block 112-B, being number 521 12th Street S.E. Councilman Bell said this was tabled at the Planning and Zoning Meeting. No one appeared in favor of or opposition to the proposed Ordinance. Councilman Bell made a motion to leave the item on the table. The motion was seconded by Councilman Poston and carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Mayor Fendley opened the Public Hearing to consider the petition of the Historic Preservation Commission for designation of an Historic Overlay District No. 2(HD-2) on parts of South Church, South Main and 1 st Street S.W., which area will be described as the South Church, south Main and lst Street Historic District. Arvin Starrett, 629 S. Church, chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission, spoke in favor of the requested change. He said the Commission held two formal public hearings and a public forum town meeting and most everyone was in favor of this change. Regular City Council Meetrng August 5, 2004 Page 3 Also speaking in favor of the change, were Pike Burkhart of Keep Paris Beautiful, Linda Ritter, Executive Director of Paris Living, Clifton Finley,property owner in the District, Sue Lancaster, property owner in the District, Susan Harper, Matt Frierson, property owner in the District, Hunter Moore, property owner in the District, Linda Vandever, Becky Norment, property owner in District and Brian Way, property owner in District. Margie Bell came forward to speak in opposition of the change. She felt whole blocks shouldn't be re-zoned, just historic homes, individually. She felt like the preservation should be contingent on the property owner wanting it and being able to afford it. She couldn't think of any historic homes on S.W. lst Street. Also speaking in opposition were Kelly Wickersham, who questioned the ability of the elderly and low income families to afford this, Melissa Wickersham, and Winona Carlton. ORDINANCE NO. 2004-021 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, AMENDING ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 1710 OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, AND CHANGING THE BOUNDARIES ESTABLISHED BY THE ZONING MAP OF SAID CITY; ESTABLISHING AN HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT NO. 2(HD-2) FOR A PORTION OF THE CITY GENERALLY BOUNDED BY E. KAUFMAN STEET ON THE NORTH, 3RD STREET S.E. ON THE EAST, A DISTANCE NORTH OF HEARNE AVENUE ON THE SOUTH, AND 1 ST STREET S.W. EXTENDING TO A DISTANCE EAST OF 3RD STREET S.W. ON THE WEST, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AND THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMIS SION, WHILE PRESERVING THE RESPECTIVE EXISTING USE AND ZONING DESIGNATIONS OF THE PROPERTY INCLUDED THEREIN; DESIGNATING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT NO. 2(HD-2) SO ESTABLISHED; APPROVING A Regular City Council Meetrng August 5, 2004 Page 4 PENALTY NOT TO EXCEED $2000.00; APPROVING REHABILITATION STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO SAID DISTRICT; WAS PRESENTED. Councilman Wilson made a motion to approve the ordinance which was seconded by Councilwoman Wilkerson. Councilman Bell said this ordinance was just for the overlay district, but does not force people to maintain property. He felt the City was lax in enforcing areas of South Main, Church Street and especially S.W. lst Councilman Wilson said we need an ordinance for demolition by neglect, which states if a property owners business is falling down because they won't do simple repairs, then the City can do something. Councilman Bell said since the Council is removing certain property owners rights, we need to pass an ordinance with economic incentives for the people to comply.Councilman Wilson says Bonham delays raising taxes on certain houses, if the owner fixes up their house. Mayor Fendley opened the Public Hearing back up and Martha Bone, downtown area property owner, came forward, felt the Council was putting a burden on middle income people. Rita Buford came forward said she believed in Preservation and she and her husband has done all of the work on their home, paying for it with their own money. She said the taxes went up three times when they painted the house. The motion passed 4 ayes, to three nays, with Councilmans Bell and Poston and Councilwoman Fisher voting no. Mayor Fendley opened the public hearing to consider amending Zoning Ordinance No. 1710, changing the zoning to designate an Historic Structure and establishing an Historic Overlay District No. 4(HD-4) on Part of Lot 12, City Block 52, being number 714 Graham Street. Regular City Council Meetrng August 5, 2004 Page 5 Sue Lancaster said she and her husband have defending this house for some time. It was built in 1892. She said although the house had been stripped of the contents inside, it is very solid, and the person who bought the stuff has offered to donate it back. No opposition came forward. ORDINANCE NO. 2004-022 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, AMENDING ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 1710 OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, AND CHANGING THE BOUNDARIES ESTABLISHED BY THE ZONING MAP OF SAID CITY; DESIGNATING THE STRUCTURE ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 714 GRAHAM STREET, ESTABLISHING AN HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT NO. 4(HD-4) ON THE AFORESAID PROPERTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMIS SION AND THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION; PRESERVING THE PROPERTY SO DESIGNATED; DESIGNATING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT NO. 4(HD-4) SO ESTABLISHED, WAS PRESENTED. Councilman Bell made a motion to accept this ordinance, which was seconded by Councilwoman Fisher. The ordinance passed 7 ayes, 0 nays. Mayor Fendley opened the public hearing to consider the petition of the Historic Preservation Commission for an amendment to Zoning Ordinance No. 1710 for a change in zoning to include an Historic Overlay District No. 5(HD- 5) on Lot 5, City Block 163, being number 623 6th Street S.E. Arvin Starrett, came forward, stating this was the last remaining French style structure done in the 2nd Empire style in Lamar County and one of the last structures of this style remaining in this part of the State of Texas. He said the owner, Mr. Roddy, gave his blessing for this zoning change. Regular City Council Meetrng August 5, 2004 Page 6 There was no opposition. ORDINANCE NO. 2004-023 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 1710 OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, AND CHANGING THE BOUNDARIES ESTABLISHED BY THE ZONING MAP OF SAID CITY; DESIGNATING THE STRUCTURE ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 623 6TH STREET S.E., IN THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS AS AN HSITORIC STRUCTURE AND ESTABLISHING AN HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT NO. 5(HD-5) ON THE AFORESAID PROPERTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PALNNING AND ZONING COMMIS SION AND THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION; PRESERVING THE RESPECTIVE EXISTING USE AND ZONING DESIGNATIONS OF THE PROPERTY SO DESIGNATED; DESIGANTING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT NO. 5(HD-5) SO ESTABLISHED, WAS PRESENTED. A motion for approval was made by Councilman Bell. The motion was seconded by Councilman Guest and carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Mayor Fendley opened the public hearing to consider the petition of the Historic Preservation Commission's request for amendment to Zoning Ordinance No. 1710 for a change in zoning to include an Historic Overlay District No.6 (HD-6) on Lot 3, City Block 248-B, being number 1970 Clarksville Street. Arvin Starrett said this was a pre-Fire structure and was known as the Early House. He said the owner ofthe structure appeared before the Commission and was in favor of the zoning change. There was no opposition. Regular City Council Meetrng August 5, 2004 Page 7 ORDINANCE NO. 2004-024 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS AMENDING ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 1710 OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, AND CHANGING THE BOUNDARIES ESTABLISHED BY THE ZONING MAP OF SAID CITY; DESIGNATING THE STRUCTURE ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1970 CLARKSVILLE STREET, IN THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS AS AN HISTORIC STRUCTURE AND ESTABLISHING AN HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT NO. 6(HD-6) ON THE AFORESAID PROPERTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AND THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION; PRESERVING THE RESPECTIVE EXISTING USE AND ZONING DESIGNATIONS OF THE PROPERTY SO DESIGNATED; DESIGNATING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT NO. 6 (HD-6) SO ESTABLISHED, WAS PRESENTED. Councilman Bell made a motion to approve the ordinance, which was seconded by Councilman Guest. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Mayor Fendley opened the public hearing to consider the petition of the Historic Preservation Commission for an amendment to Zoning Ordinance No. 1710 for a change in zoning to include an Historic Overlay District No. 7(HD- 7) on properties located at 429 Grand Avenue, Paris, Texas, being Lot 11, City Block 124, 410 and 428 W. Kaufman Street, Paris, Texas, being Lots 13, 14, and 15, City Block 124; and 440 W. Kaufman Street,. Paris, Texas, being Lot 16, Block 124. Arvin Starrett came forward, stating these were Pre-Fire properties belonging to the First Presbyterian Church. He indicated the Board of the Church was in favor of this and these properties were already on the State and National Registers. Regular City Council Meetrng August 5, 2004 Page 8 There was no opposition present. ORDINANCE NO. 2004-025 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, AMENDING ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 1710 OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, AND CHANGING THE BOUNDARIES ESTABLISHED BY THE ZONING MAP OF SAID CITY; DESIGNATING STRUCTURES ON PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 429 GRAND AVENUE AND 410,428 AND 440 W. KAUFMAN, IN THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS AS HISTORICT STRUCTURES AND ESTABLISHING AN HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT NO. 7(HD-7) ON THE AFORESAID PROPERTIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AND THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION; PRESERVING THE REPECTIVE EXISTING USE AND ZONING DESIGNATIONS OF THE PROPERTIES INCLUDED THEREIN; DESIGNATING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT NO. 7(HD-7) SO ESTABLISHED, WAS PRESENTED. Councilman Guest made a motion to pass the ordinance, which was seconded by Councilwoman Wilkerson. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Mayor Fendley opened the public hearing to consider the petition of the historic Preservation Commission for an amendment to Zoning Ordinance No. 1710 for a change in zoning to include an Historic Overlay District No. 8(HD-8) on Lot l, City Block 118, being 357 W. Kaufman Street. Arvin Starrett came forward and said this property was the original Christian Science Building, was also the Ensign Christian Center, and had most recently been the Hispanic Baptist Mission. He stated this property was unanimously proposed by the Historic Commission, which has place it on the Thirteen Most Endangered Properties in Paris list. Lisa Wright, director of Community Regular City Council Meetrng August 5, 2004 Page 9 Development, said the owners had been sent a letter, but there has been no response. Councilman Bell was concerned if the present owners spoke good enough English to understand what was going on or whether or not we could send them notice in Spanish. Councilman Wilson agreed and said when we pass this ordinance, someone needs to go to them and explain what the City has done and what they need to do. ORDINANCE NO. 2004-026 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, AMENDING ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 1710 OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, AND CHANGING THE BOUNDARIES ESTABLISHED BY THE ZONING MAP OF SAID CITY; DESIGNATING THE STRUCTURE ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 357 W. KAUFMAN STREET, IN THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS AS AN HISTORIC STRUCTURE AMD ESTABLISHING AN HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT NO. 8(HD-8) ON THE AFORESAID PROPERTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AND THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION; PRESERVING THE RESPECTIVE EXISTING USE AND ZONING DESIGNATIONS OF THE PROPERTY SO DESIGNATED; DESIGNATING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT NO. 8 (HD-8) SO ESTABLISHED, WAS PRESENTED. A motion was made by Councilman Wilson to approve the ordinance, which was seconded by Councilwoman Wilkerson. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Mayor Fendley called for consideration of and action on the Final Plat of the Residences on Stillhouse Road. Councilman Guest made a motion to approve the Final Plat. Councilman Bell seconded the motion and it carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Regular City Council Meetrng August 5, 2004 Page 10 Mayor Fendley called for consideration of and action on the Final Plat on Lot 4, City Block C, Townwood Estates. A motion was made by Councilman Bell to approve and was seconded by Councilman Guest. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Mayor Fendley called for consideration of and action on the Preliminary Plat, City Block 32-13, of the Pine Bluff Duplexes Addition. Councilwoman Fisher made a motion to approve, which wa s seconded by Councilman Wilson, The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Mayor Fendley called for consideration of and action on the Preliminary Plat of Pshigoda South. Councilman Guest made a motion to approve. The motion was seconded by Councilman Bell and carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Mayor Fendley called for consideration of and action on the Preliminary Plat of Stone Ridge, Phase IV. Councilwoman Fisher made a motion for approval, which was seconded by Councilman Wilson. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Mayor Fendley said the next item was consideration of and action on the Master Plat of Stone Ridge. Mayor Fendley indicated this had failed in the Planning and Zoning Commission by a vote of 8 to 0, and therefore, the Council could take no action on it. Mayor Fendley called for a break at 7:05 p.m. Mayor Fendley reconvened the Council meeting at 7:15 p.m. Mayor Fendley called for consideration, discussion and possible action on the proposed Fiscal Year 2004-2005 City Budget. He said the Council would discuss Community Development, the Airport and Engineering. Lisa Wright, director of Community Development, came forward. Mayor Fendley asked where she was in staffing. Ms. Wright said when the chief Regular City Council Meetrng August 5, 2004 Page 11 Building Inspector retired, she gave the electrical inspector the added duties of building inspector and would only need to hire a plumbing inspector. She mentioned she has three code enforcement officers and on will be leaving in October. Councilman Wilson said there was a discrepancy in the salaries line item and asked Mr. Anderson how much that was. Mr. Anderson indicated that would take $5,818.00 of that line item and $1,947.00 off benefit line items. She explained that the food line item was used to feed the inmates from Bonham State Jail, who came to help the City on various projects. She said they were over budget on that item this year, which was to date $16, 443.00. She stated that she had asked for that to be raised and it was agreed to make it $18,000.00. The Council discussed the uniforms and vehicles with Ms. Wright and suggested no change. Councilman Bell said he would like to look at the same thing in this budget as they have in other budgets, namely car allowance, travel allowances, associations and training. Councilman Wilson suggested taking travel expenses from $3000.00 to $2000.00 and training back to $300.00. Mr. Anderson said the year to date on the travel was $2528.00. On a question from Councilman Wilson about mandatory training, Ms. Wright said the code officers need certified training, as well as the plumbing inspector and building inspector. Councilman Wilson suggested all travel in the City be limited for mandatory certification only, otherwise, no. Ms. Wright stated that they took advantage of as much free training as they could. She suggested that they could work with $2500.00 in the travel line item. It was the consensus of the Council to do so. Mayor Fendley asked how much had spent this year on demolition. Ms. Wright said that although they haven't spent the budgeted amount, she was about to send out a bid packet that would use the balance of that. On a question from Councilman Bell about if the City was doing the demolition with City equipment, Lisa indicated they didn't have the employees to do that. She said Regular City Council Meetrng August 5, 2004 Page 12 it costs about $1800.00 to demolish a small house up to about $7600.00 for a two story house with a garage. Councilman Wilson asked if the amount in training and tuition couldn't be taken down. Ms. Wright said to date, she had spent $1400.00, so she would agree to $1500.00. She indicated she had lowered the amount for cleaning up illegal dumping from $10,000.00 to $5000.00. Mayor Fendley asked if the amount under Historic Preservation was enough to get their survey. Ms. Wright said there was enough to do Phase I of the survey. They had received a donation requiring a cash match to do Phase II of the survey, which will cost about $4000.00. Councilman Wilson said there is a line item in every budget for Electronic Data Processing and asked Finance Director Anderson to get him a total of how much the City is spending on that. Mr. Anderson said those items included the PC network and server, as well as replacement of PC and software licenses. He said he would do a complete breakdown of that for Mr. Wilson. Ms. Wright said she wanted to pay for service to search for grants, which would cost between $3500.00 and $5000.00. Councilwoman Wilson said she knew of a service, Funding Solutions, which for $20.00 a year, she has a link to a subscription. Ms. Wright said she would contact them. It was the consensus of the Council to take $4000.00 out of that item and leave it at $1000.00 for a database program for Code Enforcement. Councilwoman Wilkerson asked where lot mowing was in the budget now. Ms. Wright said that is now done by inmate labor and there is an employ who works at the Airport and comes and mows lots. Mayor Fendley asked what the maintenance employ at the Airport did. Ms. Regular City Council Meetrng August 5, 2004 Page 13 Wright said he did maintenance at the Airport and helped Code Enforcement with mowing. Councilman Bell said at the many Airports he has been at, there is no on-site manager, just the Fixed Base Operator. Ms. Wright said those Airports contract with the FBO to do that. Ms. Wright said she hasn't researched that. Councilman Bell said he didn't know if that would be profitable. He mentioned that the collection of hangar rent could be done downtown. Councilman Wilson said the way rent is collected should be better accounting practices. Ms. Wright said she would have to check into using the FBO to make sure everything, that needs to be covered, is covered. She mentioned that the Airport Manager also did maintenance and mowing. Councilman Wilson suggested making a job description to ensure everything was taken care of. Ms. Wright said Mr. Collier had been buying office supplies out of his pocket but she felt $100 would be enough for that item. It was the consensus to leave the money in for uniforms, since the airport was the first impression some people got of Paris. It was agreed to delete travel expenses. Councilwoman Wilkerson asked why miscellaneous was up so much. Ms. Wright said they would be going over the budgetted amount this year. She indicated that they use that use that to rent portable toilets for events, to do callibration, etc. and she was comfortable bringing that down to $100. Mayor Fendley asked what the consultant was for. Ms. Wright explained that they were required to do a stormwater pollution plan at the airport. The money budgeted was for the estimate given by Reeves Hayter to do that and all the required quarterly and semi-annual reports. On the line item for signals and markers, Interim City Manager Townsend explained that he asked Lisa to put that line item in because of requests by the FAA. Before, it had come out of his traffic department. Ms. Wright said that also included contracting out the striping. Regular City Council Meetrng August 5, 2004 Page 14 Because they were already over budget on utilities, it was the consensus to put back $2000 in that line item. Because there was a loan payment in a miscellaneous category, Councilman Wilson suggested calling it a loan payment. Finance Director Anderson reminded the Council that MIS was in the City Manager's budget and Main Street was in Public Works and now they are both in Community Development. This makes it look like she overspent but it just needs to be moved to her department. Councilman Wilson asked what the capitol outlay for $16,500 was for. Ms. Wright indicated that was for a tractor they badly needed to keep up with the lot mowing. Ms. Wright explained because Lindsey Harper, the Main Street manager, will not be returning after she has her baby, and Main Street managers have mandatory two week long trainings. Ms. Wright agreed that promotional activities could be taken down to $1500. Mayor Fendley asked if all Shawn Napier, City Engineer, if all his positions were currently filled. He indicated they were. Councilman Wilkerson asked about the overtime. Mr. Napier said some people take comp and some get overtime and that there are times they have to stay on the job site with the contractors, sometimes all night. Councilwoman Wilkerson questioned the amount in minor apparatus. Mr. Napier said that was to upgrade a computer and server, but it could be cut by $500. Councilman Wilson asked if the furniture and fixtures couldn't be moved back a year. Mr. Napier said that was for chairs for the conference room, but he could wait a year. It was agreed to make that line item $300. Mr. Napier said on travel, that could be taken down to $1400 and training and Regular City Council Meetrng August 5, 2004 Page 15 tuition could be taken down to $1200. On associations, he said he had two of those and they totaled $490. The line item was taken to $500. Mayor Fendley asked about machinery and tools. Mr. Napier said they used that mostly to replace tools as needed and he would be comfortable make that $1500. Councilman Guest questioned what lease and rental was for. Mr. Napier said that was the black and white copier at City Hall Annex and he could do with $4200 for that. On Electronic Data Processing, Mr. Napier said that was for subscription to AutoCad and an upgrade on a computer and could be brought down to $1600. There was a total savings of $8850 in the Engineering Department. Councilman Wilson asked why $17,000 was take out of capital outlay. Mr. Napier said that was to buy another vehicle to replace the 1994 Suburban, which has over 100,000 miles and the clutch is slipping. On additional dates for discussion of the budget, the Council set Tuesday morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. City Attorney Schenk reminded them that they will also have budget items on Monday night. It was decided to discuss the Police Department and the Library Monday night. On future agenda items, it was mentioned to discuss zoning issues for the Historical Commission and discuss collecting deliquent court fines. City Attorney Schenk and Judge Hunt said the law had changed and that is why it was mentioned to discuss the collections. Councilman Wilson asked if there could be a moratorium for one year on any step or grade changes. He said that would save $63,000. He also suggested that for new hires, the step raise should be changed to six months, one year, three years and five year. Lisa Wright said she had an agenda item for a tax abatement for the Historical District in September. Regular City Council Meetrng August 5, 2004 Page 16 Interim City Manager Townsend said he would like to have a draft of the Personnel Manual by October 1 st for the Council to review. Councilman Wilson suggested that they not fill any new positions until the starting salaries are reviewed. He said this would not affect any employees that are working today, only new hires or any replacements. Interim City Manager Townsend asked if this would affect transfers and promotions. Councilman Wilson said it would. He suggested the postings be pulled that are open. Mr. Wilson said those changes should be done with staffrecommendations. Itwould be done Monday night. He felt some of the jobs started out at too much salary. He said this wouldn't be taking away anything from current employees. Mr. Wilson said this had nothing to do with the employees working for the City today. He referred to the Davis-Bacon Act. City Attorney Schenk said that would have to exclude Police and Fire, because they are Civil Service. Councilman Wilson said the moratorium on step raises would have to be discussed before the budget process was over. City Attorney Schenk referred the petitions by the Historical Preservation Commission to include a Historical Overlay District on the North part of Lot l, City Block 154, being 625 Washington Street, for Historic District District No.9, and on to add Historic District No. 10 to Part of Lot 10, City Block 127, being part of 1033 Bonham Street to the Planning and Zoning Commission here being no further business, the meeting adjourned. CURTIS FENDLEY, MAYOR APPROVED AS TO FORM: SHERIAN DIXON, ASST. CITY CLERK Regular City Council Meetrng August 5, 2004 Page 17