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02 City Council Minutes 8-09-04MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL August 9, 2004 The City Council of the City of Paris met in regular session, Monday, August 9, 2004, 6 P.M. at the Love Civic Center, North Hall, 2025 South Collegiate Street, Paris, Texas. Mayor Curtis Fendley called the meeting to order. Council Members present were Jim Bell, Jay Guest, Don Wilson, Karen Wilkerson and Rick Poston. Also present were Interim City Manager Terry Townsend, City Attorney Larry Schenk and Assistant City Clerk Sherian Dixon. Mayor Fendley called for approval for the minutes from the July 8th City Council Meeting. There being no corrections, the minutes stood approved. Mayor Fendley called for receipt of reports from Committees, Boards and Commissions including the Paris Public Library Advisory Board, July 22, 2004, the Paris Economic Development Board, June 16, 2004 and July 21, 2004 and the Main Street Advisory Board, June 23, 2004. Mayor Fendley said Gary Vest, Director of the Economic Development Commission, was not present to give a quarterly report. Councilman Bell requested that a Councilperson from the City of Paris be put on the Personnel Committee to conduct annual performance reviews of the PEDC Executive Director. Councilman Poston agreed with that. Mayor Fendley said he would ask Mr. Vest if that was possible and appointed Councilman Poston to serve on that committee if Mr. Vest gives the go-ahead. Councilman Guest made a motion to receive the reports, which was seconded by Councilman Poston. The motion carried unanimously. ORDINANCE NO. 2004-027 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, PROVIDING THAT ORDINANCE NO. 2001-033, WHICH GRANTED A FRANCHISE FOR THE ELECTRIC SERVICE TO TEXAS UTILITIES ELECTRIC COMPANY, NOW KNOWN AS ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY, BE EXTENDED FOR A PERIOD OF TWELVE (12) MONTHS; PROVIDING FOR CONTINUED COMPENSATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS WITH OTHER ORDINANCES, WAS PRESENTED. Councilman Guest made a motion to approve the ordinance. The motion was seconded by Councilman Bell and carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. ORDINANCE NO. 2004-028 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, GRANTING TO DAVID THOMPSON, DBA LONE STAR CAB COMPANY, A FRANCHISE TO USE THE PUBLIC STREETS, ALLEYS AND HIGHWAYS OF THE CITY OF PARIS FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS FOR HIRE IN MOTOR VEHICLES FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS, BEGINNING AUGUST 9, 2004 AND ENDING AUGUST 8, 2007, UPON THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS HEREINAFTER PRESCRIBED; PROVIDING FOR THE REGULATION OF SAID BUSINESS, PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT OF A TAX FOR SUCH PRIVILEGE AND USE OF SUCH STREETS, ALLEYS AND HIGHWAYS; PROVIDING FOR THE TERMINATION OF SUCH GRANT UPON SPECIFIC CONDITIONS, PROVIDING FOR TAXICAB STANDS FOR USE OF SAID GRANTEE; PROVIDING FOR PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE ON THE MOTOR VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT OF SAID GRANTEE; PROVIDING FOR THE SUPERVISION OF SAID BUSINESS AND INSPECTION OF ITS VEHICULAR EQUIPMENT BY OFFICIALS OF THE CITY OF PARIS, WAS PRESENTED. Councilwoman Fisher made a motion to approve the ordinance which was seconded by Councilman Poston. Councilman Bell asked if this wasn't the person they discussed and tabled action on. City Attorney Schenk said at first, the Council disapproved and then went back and approved at the same meeting. City Attorney Schenk said he didn't know if Mr. Thompson was present tonite or not. Mr. Schenk said he has been approved two times and this is the third reading. The motion failed three ayes to four nays, Councilmen Guest, Wilson and Bell and Councilwoman Wilkerson voting no. ORDINANCE NO. 2004-029 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, GRANTING DENNIS NELMS, DBA CITY CAB COMPANY, A FRANCHISE TO USE THE PUBLIC STREETS, ALLEYS AND HIGHWAYS OF THE CITY OF PARIS FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS FOR HIRE IN MOTOR VEHICLES FOR A PERIOD OF THREE (3) YEARS, BEGINNING AUGUST 10, 2004 AND ENDING AUGUST 9, 2007, UPON THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS HEREINAFTER PRESCRIBED; PROVIDING FOR THE REGULATION OF SAID BUSINESS; PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT OF A TAX FOR SUCH PRIVILEGE AND USE OF SUCH STREETS, ALLEYS AND HIGHWAYS; PROVIDING FOR THE TERMINATIONS OF SUCH GRANT UPON SPECIFIED CONDITIONS; PROVIDING FOR TAXICAB STANDS FOR USE OF SAID GRANTEE; PROVIDING FOR PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE ON THE MOTOR VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT OF SAID GRANTEE; PROVIDING FOR THE SUPERVISION OF SAID BUSINESS AND INSPECTION OF ITS VEHICULAR EQUIPMENT BY THE OFFICIALS OF SAID CITY OF PARIS, WAS PRESENTED. A motion was made by Councilman Bell and seconded by Councilman Guest for approval of the ordinance. Councilman Wilson asked who inspected the cabs. City Attorney Schenk said he did not know but the Council had the authority to inspect, if they so desired. He said they are required to file insurance certificates with the City Clerk. Councilwoman Wilkerson asked if this cab company hasn't sold. City Attorney Schenk said it has and there is an item on this agenda later on to transfer this Cab Company to the new owner. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. David Thompson of 954 E. Polk came forward and asked what was holding him back from doing business. He said he had been going through proper channels and patiently waiting. Councilman Guest said he probably didn't hear when his ordinance was being discussed. Councilman Guest questioned the need for three cab companies. Mr. Thompson replied that competition is good for business. Regular City Council Meetrng August 9, 2004 Page 4 Mr. Thompson questioned why everyone was doing business but him. He asked what he needed to do. Councilwoman Fisher said he deserves an explanation. Councilman Bell said he questioned the cab itself. Mr. Thompson said he has several loyal customers and he charges the same rate as everyone, $5.00. Mayor Fendley asked if the Council wanted to revisit the Ordinance. Councilman Wilson said his vote stands, because he didn't feel there was enough business for three cab companies. Councilwoman Fisher asked who the Council was to choose who could and who could not do business. Councilman Wilson reminded Mr. Thompson that he got a ticket for passing a school bus while it was unloading. Mr. Thompson said he paid the fine, even though he felt he got it in the wrong. Councilman Bell said he wanted to change his vote since there is a later agenda item to approve the sale of the other cab company. Mayor Fendley asked for a motion on Item 4B. Councilwoman Fisher made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilman Poston. The motion carried five ayes, 2 nays, Councilman Wilson and Councilwoman Wilkerson voting no. ORDINANCE NO. 2004-030 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, GRANTING TO STEVE B. RANEY AND WENDY L. RANEY, DBA YELLOW CAB COMPANY, AN EXTENSION OF AN EXISTING FRANCHISE TO USE THE PUBLIC STREETS, ALLEY AND HIGHWAYS OF THE CITY OF PARIS FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS FOR HIRE IN MOTOR VEHICLES FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS, BEGINNING JULY 13, 2004, THE DATE OF TERMINATION OF THE EXISTING FRANCHISE, AND ENDING JULY 12, 2007, UPON THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS HEREINAFTER PRESCRIBED; PROVIDING FOR THE REGULATION OF SAID BUSINESS; PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT OF A TAX FOR SUCH PRIVILEGE AND USE OF SUCH STREETS, ALLEYS AND HIGHWAYS; Regular City Council Meetrng August 9, 2004 Page 5 PROVIDING FOR THE TERMINATION OF SUCH GRANT UPON SPECIFIED CONDITIONS; PROVIDING FOR TAXICAB STANDS FOR USE OF SAID GRANTEE; PROVIDING FOR PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE ON THE MOTOR VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT OF SAID GRANTEE; PROVIDING FOR THE SUPERVISION OF SAID BUSINESS AND INSPECTION OF ITS VEHICULAR EQUIPMENT BY THE OFFICIALS OF THE CITY OF PARIS, WAS PRESENTED. Councilman Bell made a motion to approve the ordinance as read. The motion was seconded by Councilman Wilson and carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2004-135, acknowledging formal receipt of the 2004-2005 Certified Appraisal Roll for Tax Appraisal purposes, was presented. Finance Director Anderson explained the handout along with that resolution. He said the City is having to pay back to Campbell Soup a total of $500,000 because of a lawsuit. He did say this tax roll had a net of $37, 619.00 less revenue. Councilman Bell made a motion to receive the tax roll, which was seconded by Councilwoman Fisher. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2004-136, approving the assignment of a taxicab franchise from Dennis Nelms, dba City Cab Company to Robert Edwards and Boyd Harmening dba Paris Transport, LLC, was presented. Councilman Guest made a motion to approve the resolution which was seconded by Councilman Poston. Councilman Bell asked if they had met all the requirements. City Attorney Schenk said they accept the responsibilities and requirements of the franchise. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2004-137, approving and authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement for Consulting Services with Paris Independent School District for the presentation of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program for the 2004-2005 school year, was presented. Councilman Bell made a motion for approval which was seconded by Councilwoman Fisher. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Regular City Council Meetrng August 9, 2004 Page 6 Resolution No. 2004-138, authorizing acceptance of a grant from the Martha, David, and Bagby Lennox Foundation in support of the City' s grant application to the Texas Historical Commission for funds to partially fund the completion of an updated historic resource survey of the City of Paris and authorizing a grant agreement incident to the receipt of said funds, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman Bell and seconded by Councilman Wilson. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2004-139, approving and authorizing the execution of Change Order No. 2(Attachment No. 2) and Change Order No. 3(Attachment No. 3) to the Contract for Public Health Services, TDH Document No. 7560022067- 2005, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman Wilson and seconded by Councilwoman Fisher. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2004-140, granting a petition for annexation of certain territory consisting of 13.65 acres, more or less, was presented. It was agreed that this was in The Hills and was requested by the property owner. Councilman Bell made a motion for approval. Councilman Guest seconded the motion and it carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2004-141, approving and accepting the procurement of a temporary access easement for ingress and egress from 25th Street S.E. to Lamar Avenue across property belonging to William C. Cupit in connection with the Lamar Avenue Utility Relocation Proj ect, was presented. Councilman Wilson made a motion for approval, which was seconded by Councilman Bell. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2004-142, authorizing the procurement of a utility easement for a water line for a fire hydrant for the Paris Oaks Addition proj ect, was presented. A motion was made by Councilwoman Fisher for approval and was seconded by Councilwoman Wilkerson. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Regular City Council Meetrng August 9, 2004 Page 7 Resolution No. 2004-143, authorizing the execution of a Temporary Easement and Memorandum of Agreement for Parcel No. 19 TE for the Texas Department of Transportation-Funded Proj ect to widen Lamar Avenue between 20th Street N.E. and North Collegiate Drive, was presented. Resolution No. 2004-144, authorizing the execution of an Original Deed and Memorandum of Agreement for the Texas Department of Transportation- Funded Project to widen Lamar Avenue between 20th Street N.E. and North Collegiate Drive, Parcel No. 28 TE, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman Bell and seconded by Councilwoman Fisher. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Resolution No. 2004-145, rejecting all bids for the reconstruction and conversion of the UARCO building to a new Police, Court and Jail Facility and authorizing advertisement for new bids for said reconstruction and conversion project, was presented. Councilman Bell asked what could be done about this. City Attorney Schenk said that the Council could reject all bids and rebid because the City does not have the funds to fund the contract that is currently bid. Councilman Bell asked if the Council could discuss the specifications with the Architect. Councilman Wilson asked if the Council could authorize rejecting the bids, but not going out for new bids until they had discussed the specs with the Architect. City Attorney Schenk said that could be done. Police Chief Louis said he met with the Architect, along with City Engineer Shawn Napier, Interim City Manager Terry Townsend, and City Attorney Larry Schenk. Councilman Guest asked if the Architect was aware of the budget constraints going into this. City Attorney Schenk said they emphasized several times with the Architect that this is all the money the City has available for this project. Councilman Guest had some concerns about some of the materials being too expensive. Regular City Council Meetrng August 9, 2004 Page 8 Councilman Wilson asked if they were aware that only one company was going to bid. City Engineer Napier indicated about one dozen people picked up plans. Councilwoman asked if any representative of the City had voiced their concerns to the Architect. Police Chief Louis said the Council chose the Architect and the representatives were shown the basic designs, but were not included in the specifications of the exact materials. Mayor Fendley felt the City Council and City reps needed to have a long discussion with the Architect about the specifications. Councilman Guest was concerned that this process has already taken two years and there still hadn't been much done and the City is paying on the bonds issued for this already. City Attorney Schenk said the amount paid to the Architects is dependent on what stage they are in. Councilman Bell made a motion to approve this resolution except for the readvertisement of bids and requested that the Architect come before the Council for discussion of this proj ect before it was rebid. Councilwoman Wilkerson seconded the motion and it carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Mayor Fendley called for discussion and possible direction to the City Staff regarding the brush pickup ordinance. He called the Council's attention to the current brush pickup policy in the agenda packet. Councilman Wilson passed out pictures of a large accumulation of trash in front of a residence. He said this was at one of the entry ways into the City across from the jail. He said that he had called a couple of times, trying to get it removed. The owner of the property had cleaned out the house after the tenants moved and it stayed there for over a month. He indicated that he had talked to Mr. Townsend and it was taken care of. Code Enforcement Officer Millie McDonald had informed him there was a rule that, if there wasn't an active water at the location, then the City would not pick it up. City Attorney Schenk said this should be the bulk pickup ordinance, not brush pickup, and it is tied to the fact of them having an active water account. Interim City Manager Townsend said there were several factors, if it has or has not been called in, if it has been there several days, and if there is an active water account, that effects the pick up. Regular City Council Meetrng August 9, 2004 Page 9 Councilman Wilson said he would like to put an ordinance on the books that says for the City to take photos of the stuff and then remove it, and then attach a$50 fee to the water bill, so the next person who comes to pay a deposit will get it. He explained he didn't mean they would have to pay for it, but would take it to the landlord that is putting that stuff out there, so he would have to pay for it. City Attorney Schenk said the City has authority to place a lien on a property for things done to that property, but there is a due process before that can be done. He commented that the City also gets complaints from the landlords about tenants putting trash out. Councilman Bell spoke as a landlord and said that it took almost an act of Congress to get the water turned on to get that trash picked up and then, there will be an automatic $44.00 minimum water bill plus the fee for the pick-up. He felt, if the landlord already had a water account elsewhere, they should just be able to pay a bulk pick-up fee and have that picked up. Finance Director Anderson said that's the problem; the landlord doesn't want to pay and the next tenant doesn't want to pay; no one wants to pay. City Attorney Schenk said the problem is they have to identify where it is and then, identify if it can be picked up and billed to a current account. He continued that if there wasn't an account to bill it to, then they had to go through due process to figure out whom they can bill it to and all that takes time. Interim City Manager Townsend said that was an isolated situation and that he has them pick up trash like that all the time, just to get it picked up. John Brunson, solid waste supervisor, said in that particular situation, the tenant had not paid a water bill in over a year and one-half. Regular City Council Meetrng August 9, 2004 Page 10 Councilman Bell said the problem for owners is the law requires them, if they forcibly evict someone for nonpayment of rent, to empty the house and put the stuff on the curb, otherwise they have to keep the stuff six months in storage. Mr. Brunson said if the resident has paid a water bill in the last four or five months, then they will pick up the trash. Mr. Brunson said that they wanted to keep the City clean and that, maybe, the Council needs to change the ordinance. He said a lot of cities don't do bulk pick up or maybe do it once or twice a year. He mentioned that Tyler had their own landfill. He did say that the drivers of the garbage trucks write down if something is set out for a week or so, but sometimes the people say they were waiting for someone to come by and pay for it and pick that up. Mayor Fendley said they could monitor this situation with Public Works and call Mr. Townsend if there is an increase in trash. Councilman Bell said maybe there could be a committee. Mayor Fendley called for discussion and consideration of possible direction to City staff regarding policies, practices and protocols of fire and rescue personnel responding to wrecks. Fire Chief Ronnie Grooms came forward and gave handouts and pictures to the Council. He said he was asked to explained why they responded to major accidents the way they do and with the apparatus and staffing that they do. He said the first page gave a brief the description of the staffing and duty of that apparatus during a maj or wreck. He related that when people are involved in an accident, they want a quick response and able people coming to their rescue. He said one of the first apparatuses that responds is the Rescue Company, which has a driver and one fire fighter, but occasionally it will have two fire fighters, if staffing permits. The rescue company's duties are vehicle Regular City Council Meetrng August 9, 2004 Page 11 stabilization, patient extrication and patient care. He continued that the next responding unit will be the Engine Company, usually from the district in which the accident occurred, which includes an engineer and two firefighters. He explained their primary duties were to start incident command, scene stabilization which includes fire and hazard mitigation, patient care, traffic control and they may also assist in patient extrication. He said sometimes the firefighters will even drive an ambulance to the hospital. The next responder would be an ambulance with two paramedics which do patient care and transportation to the hospital. The police respond with a patrol vehicle, or possibly more than one if the situation warrants, to assist with traffic control and scene security. He reminded them how well the City responded to the Navarro Junior College accident and said they have received numerous thank yous and calls of appreciation for that. Fire Chief Grooms called the Council's attention to the second sheet of the handout which had guidelines approved by the Fire Chief and Chief of Police in 1994. He said they are still using these guidelines for emergency response to major accidents. He felt like this policy has been working well. Councilman Guest asked if a rescue vehicle was dispatched for minor accidents. Fire Chief Grooms said no, unless there is more than one injury. He said sometimes the police officer will assess the situation and call off the ambulance or rescue apparatus and has the authority to do so in the case of a minor accident. Chief Louis said sometimes in the initial assessment, everyone says they are all right and then later decide they are not. Councilman Bell said he thought the first unit on the scene should be able to assess if others are needed. Fire Chief Grooms stated that the personnel not only attended to and protected those involved in the accident, but also protected Regular City Council Meetrng August 9, 2004 Page 12 everyone on the scene, including Fire, Police and EMS personnel by parking their apparatuses to use as a shield. Fire Chief Grooms said he had included in the handout the minimum staffing standards recommended by the NFPA, which he said they use as a gauge for their protocol. Councilman Wilson said that every time the rescue truck rolls, that puts not only the City personnel at risk, but also the citizens of Paris at risk, and he felt they should only respond to a wreck if it could have injuries. Fire Chief Grooms said the problem is that people who dial 911 don't always give the necessary information to be able to respond correctly. On a question from Councilman Bell, Fire Chief Grooms said the City does receive reimbursement on the EMS Contract. He indicated that all his personnel were trained as EMT's. Chief Grooms explained that the first responder protocols are dictated by the Medical Director and Provider. He said the EMT's cannot do as much as the Paramedic's can do. He said they carry the defibrillators. He indicated he has EMT's trained to the intermediate level in his department as well as some trained as paramedics. Kent Klinkerman, Director of EMS, came forward and explained that when someone gets on the scene of an accident inside the city limits, there is enough to do in basic life support, such as CPR, hemorrhage control. He said the fire department gets there within three to five minutes and the ambulance is a minute behind them. He explained that they are working under a medical director's license and no one can lift a finger without his direction. Councilman Wilson asked if there was a difference in the protocol between the city and county calls for a wreck. Mr. Klinkerman said the only time a rescue truck rolls outside of the City limits is a wreck. Regular City Council Meetrng August 9, 2004 Page 13 Fire Chief Grooms said that the engines have rescue apparatus on each truck. He said the City assists the County and the County assists the City, but the First Responders assess the need for additional help out in the County. EMS Director Klinkerman said the First Responders have the training to assess the wrecks. Mayor Fendley said this would probably be revisited at some point. Mayor Fendley called consideration of the creation of and appointments to a Privatization Committee. He indicated this would be looked at after budget time. He said this would ensure that the citizens of Paris are getting the best possible services for the best price. He asked Councilman Wilson to chair that committee and asked Councilwoman Wilson and Councilman Poston to also be on the committee. Mayor Fendley called for consideration, discussion and possible action regarding implementing a moratorium on step or grade increases for non-civil service employees. Councilman Wilson said this would be an option that would be available at the end of the budget process, if needed. Finance Director Anderson said that would save $63, 802.00 in the proposed budget as compared to the $76,050.00 for discontinuing the longevity pay. Councilman Wilson said the moratorium would be a one year deal as opposed to taking away longevity pay from now on. Mayor Fendley called for consideration, discussion and possible action on providing city staff with direction concerning starting salaries for pending vacant City positions. Mayor Fendley said this would not affect any current City employees but just any starting positions that are currently vacant. Personnel Director Anderson said the current openings for the City included City Clerk, Library Director, Maintenance I Worker in Public Works, City Manager's Secretary, Assistant Police Chief, and a Maintenance IV position open in the Water and Sewer Dept. Regular City Council Meetrng August 9, 2004 Page 14 Interim City Manager Townsend asked for the Council's direction on what the staff needs to do each time a position comes open. Councilman Wilson said that they need to hold these positions until they get through the budget. He said then they could explore what the beginning salaries should be. Mayor Fendley said if a person's position was needed to provide basic services, then he thought that position should be filled. He asked Mr. Townsend if there were any positions open that he thought were critical to fill, who replied not at the moment. Councilman Poston said the Chamber had done job to job surveys as well as surveys of other cities for certain job types and wages. Mayor Fendley suggested that Mr. Anderson and Melba Harris work with the Chamber and local industries to develop entry level starting salaries and bring that back to the Council in the next two weeks. Councilman Bell felt that some of the management positions should be studied, also. Mayor Fendley called for a break at 7:40 p.m. Mayor Fendley reconvened the Open Meeting at 7:52 p.m. He said the next item on the agenda was to consider, discuss and take possible action on the proposed Fiscal Year 2004-2005 budget. He said they would be hearing from the Library and the Police Department. Priscilla McAnally, Assistant Director of the Paris Public Library, came forward, stating that she has and has had, thirteen employees for quite sometime now, not fourteen as the first budget had said. Finance Director Anderson explained that the dollar amount in the budget is correct, just the number of employees is wrong. Councilman Wilson asked what the breakdown was for county and city patrons of the library. Ms. McAnally said about 40% of her patrons were from the county. Mayor Fendley asked if they were to set a fee for the County patrons, did she think they would participate. Ms. McAnally said she had talked to some Regular City Council Meetrng August 9, 2004 Page 15 patrons who said they would. She said, as a part of the Library's Summer Reading Program, they took a mobile unit to the Roxton, Powderly, Blossom and Deport Schools. She explained that the Adult Outreach serves the jail, homebound patrons, nursing homes and assisted living centers, but these services would have to go if she had to cut staff. On a question from Councilwoman Wilkerson, Ms. McAnnally explained that the library got a grant of $52,000.00 from the Texas State Library and Archives Fund. She said this was the first time she has participated in the budget process. She was concerned that if she cut the three staff inembers as requested, that would greatly effect the services offered by the Library. Ms. McAnnally said in the budget, she left office supplies as they were, but she cut $400.00 from postage. On the line food for humans, which was used to do a luncheon for the volunteers, she cut that to $200.00. She indicated she had cut gasoline to $400.00 and mentioned that she did away with the budget entry on mechanical and cut $100.00 out of the other supply line item. She said although they have taken pictures at the children's activities for the scrapbooks, she cut that out of the budget. She mentioned she cut minor furniture and fixtures down to $800.00. She explained that the line item for programs was for supplies for the children's programs, like bookmarks and food, and she had cut that down to $1500.00. She took $5000.00 from her materials account, which pays for books, CD's, audio tapes and video tapes. The year to date on the materials budget was $91,606.00, according to Finance Director Anderson. Councilman Guest questioned the $20,000.00 increase in that budget over last year. Ms. McAnally explained that, last year, money was taken out of that line item to pay for a new HVAC unit and that originally the Director had requested Regular City Council Meetrng August 9, 2004 Page 16 the $145,000.00 for the budget for materials. Councilman Wilson asked if she could take the materials item down by $45,000.00, because the City of Paris was having to make so much in bond payments. He said possibly, if she could take it down by $45,000.00, she could add back an employee. Ms. McAnally said she would have to check and see if that would effect the Library's State funding. Councilman Wilson said he thought the State funding was only $5000.00. Ms. McAnally agreed with that but explained that if they go below a certain level in their funding, they will be kicked out of the North East Texas Library System, which gives them free training and negotiates discounts with vendors. Councilman Wilson asked if she had been in the Denison Library, whose budget was just $510,000.00, compared to our $800,000.00. She said she had and reminded him that Denison was just one of six libraries in Grayson County and that this was the only library in Lamar County. She said she could take more out of the materials line item, but she felt if she reduced it by $45,000.00, that would be damaging to the Library. Other cuts in the library were Communications and Telephone down to $4000.00 and Travel expenses down to $1500.00. On Utilities, Finance Director Anderson said the year to date was $9394.00 and she would take $1000.00 from that and would take training down to $400.00. She explained that promotional activities was for running ads announcing summer reading programs and schedules, and to buy pencils for patrons to use at the Library, and she could cut that to $400.00. She cut the furniture and fixtures line item by $100.00 and cut out the miscellaneous repair line item completely. Regular City Council Meetrng August 9, 2004 Page 17 There was a total of $14,250.00 cut out of the Library budget and Mayor Fendley said they would wait for Ms. McAnally to see if they could cut the materials budget any more without hurting their member status in the North East Texas Library System. Councilman Bell asked how much was the total cost of personnel, who were proposed to be cut. Ms. McAnally said she would get that for him. Mayor Fendley said it would be approximately $90,000.00 plus benefits for the three positions. Councilman Bell asked how the Council could make a decision on charging fees in the County. Mayor Fendley said it would need to be put on a future agenda as an item and he felt there would need to be a fee schedule. Ms. McAnally said they charge a fee of $25.00 for people who do not live in this county. She said they have issued between 25,000 and 28,000 library cards. Mayor Fendley said the City has to start somewhere and we need to put this item on the agenda. Councilman Wilson asked about parttime help at the Library, which would be a savings in benefits, also. Ms. McAnally said she was going to ask, instead of cutting three people, putting them part time. Councilman Bell said this Council was trying to do everything it can to save jobs. Mayor Fendley reminded her that she was going to check on the media and also on the Denison revenue stream from the County participants, and get the salaries for changing the three positions to part-time. Councilman Bell asked how many clients she thought she would lose, when she started charging a County fee. She indicated that she didn't know, but McKinney tried charging patrons outside of the city, and after about five months, the County started helping pay. Councilman Wilson said they were looking at ways to generate more Regular City Council Meetrng August 9, 2004 Page 18 income. Karl Louis, Chief of Police, came forward to present his budget. Chief Louis said he revised his cuts because of the delay in building the new law enforcement facility. Councilman Bell asked if Chief Louis could get the Council a list of everyone who is getting overtime. Finance Director Anderson said the overtime was $87,000.00 year to date. Chief Louis said they still had to do twenty hours of training for each officers, which will add about $30,000.00 to the budget before the end of the fiscal year. He reminded the Council that they have had extraordianry circumstances, because of four homicides, which have resulted in a lot of overtime. When asked if he could reduce the overtime any, Chief Louis said that it was his opinion to hold the overtime at $130,000.00 and see how the rest of the year goes. He reminded them he initiated the twelve hour shifts at the first of this year and he felt there was no way to predict how much overtime will be needed. He said he will bring information about the last six months of overtime in the morning. Chief Louis reduced office supplies to $16,000.00. He explained that the line item designated Food-Humans was food for prisoners and he had reduced that by $1000.00. He mentioned that, although they had only spent $13,356.00 on wearing apparel year to date, they had received a grant and would be purchasing some new bullet proof vests and would be spending at least $11,500.00 in the near future besides what was provided by the grant. He explained that these vests only last about five years and have to be replaced on an on-going basis. Chief Louis asked for an increase in the gasoline line item due to the rising cost of gasoline by $10,000.00, for a$1000.00 increase in oil and lubricants, and an increase in the tire line item of $1000.00. Regular City Council Meetrng August 9, 2004 Page 19 On the Chemical and Medical line item, which included bandages and wraps and chemicals to clean the jail, he proposed to reduce that by $500.00 and to reduce the Miscellaneous Supplies line item to $6000.00. He mentioned he had proposed to increase the Pound Supplies to $23,000.00, but he said they were doing better than they anticipated and he had reduced that to $20,000.00. He explained this is food for the animals and supplies for euthanasia. He also reduced the Photographic budget by $2000.00. He reduced the car allowance by $5400.00. In the Vehicles, Police Chief Louis said he had thirty-seven (37) vehicles that are total police vehicles. He said he has fifty-two (52) cars at the Police Department, of which six (6) are old and ready for auction, fourteen (14) are Narcotics seized vehicles. When these are sold, he said the total of vehicles would be thirty-two (32). Chief Louis said they normally sell the vehicles at public auction. Councilman Wilson asked if they could get rid of those vehicles quicker and quit paying insurance on them. Chief Louis said he reduced the budgeted travel expenses to $10,000. Councilman Bell asked when the Police Department hired people in the Civil Service, do they try to get people who are already trained and do they give them precedent over someone who would have to be trained. Chief Louis said no, they give an open and competitive test according to State law. He said that it does help out if they are already trained, but legally, it has to be based on the exam scores because of Civil Service. Councilman Bell wondered why the City is are always hiring people and then sending them to training and some cities hire people already certified. Chief Louis said some cities are not Civil Service. Chief Louis said the City's salary and benefits will entice people to come to work here. Councilman Bell countered that we couldn't compete with the Regular City Council Meetrng August 9, 2004 Page 20 Metroplex. He reiterated that it would save training cost, if we could hire already certified officers. Councilman Wilson asked if it was better to hire certified or uncertified officers. Chief Louis said they have to start out paying the certified officer more. He felt the system they have been using has worked very well so far. Councilman Wilson said the question is, do they increase the salaries of the patrolmen to keep them from going to other departments and not do the same for other city employees. He mentioned this would be difficult because of budget constraints and the amount of revenue. Councilman Wilson asked if there was very much extra duty available for the officers in their off duty hours. Chief Louis said there was, but that is assigned according to seniority. Councilman Wilson said that could, perhaps, be done on a straight rotation to give the patrolmen a chance for the extra duty. Councilman Poston asked what the attrition rate for officers was. Chief Louis said he loses about three officers per year. Councilman Wilson asked how that compared with the attrition rate of other city departments. Chief Louis wasn't sure. Councilman Poston asked what would be an acceptable attrition rate. Chief Louis said if there was an increase in attrition, every time they lost an officer, they would be losing the experience and would have to pay for more training. Councilman Wilson suggested it might to be better to reduce the force, so they could up the pay and benefits. Chief Louis didn't think that would be possible due to the increased call rate. Mayor Fendley asked if they would need the $70,000.00 in Utilities since the new police facility would not be ready yet. Chief Louis said he reduced that to $42,000.00. It was agreed to cut miscellaneous to $5000.00, water to $19,000.00, and training and tuition to $25,000.00. Regular City Council Meetrng August 9, 2004 Page 21 Chief Louis said he wanted to delete the consultant line totally and increase contract services to $15,000.00, which includes autopsies and private crime labs. He said that would increase the price but would make everything more expedient and will greatly improve their evidence analysis return. It was agreed to leave it like that for the time being. Chief Louis reduced the confidential fund down to $10,000.00, buildings and grounds to $19,000.00, furniture and fixtures to $1000.00, machinery, tools and equipment to $11,000.00, instruments and radio maintenance to $12,750.00. On motor vehicles, he proposed to keep that at $45,000.00 because without the garage, they were going to have to pay for maintenance. Interim City Manager Townsend said the City still didn't know what impact getting rid of the garage was going to have on the City. Chief Louis agreed that the City Garage gave them a quick response to their mechanical problems and now they were going to have to wait in line. Chief Louis reduced electronic data processing by $2000.00, tire repair by $500.00, judgments and damages by $3500.00 and medical expenses by $2000.00. Under capital outlay, Chief Louis explained that he will be able to purchase a vehicle through a grant program, so he will zero out the capital expenditure line. He had originally planned to buy two patrol cars and one animal control truck, but reduced it to the one patrol. Councilman Guest asked how much is the annual payment on the Certificate of Obligation for the new Police Facility. Finance Director Anderson said we will pay about $432,000.00. It was decided not to set any additional dates for budget meetings until the budget meeting tomorrow night. Regular City Council Meetrng August 9, 2004 Page 22 Mayor Fendley called for consideration of and action on a resolution directing TXU Delivery Company to file certain rate information with the City of Paris, setting a procedural schedule for the gathering and review of necessary information in connection herewith, setting dates for the filing of the City's analysis of the Company's filing and the Company's rebuttal to such analysis, ratifying the hiring of legal counsel and consultants and reserving the right to require the reimbursement of the City of Paris' rate case expenses. City Attorney Schenk said that they have received correspondence from the Steering Committee regarding a recommendation from the Committee that all of inembers cities participate in a process of rate review for the Transmission and Distribution Rates set by the PUC for TXU. He explained that because of the deregulation process, the rates that were set by the PUC were made on the basis of a projection of costs in 2002, rather than a history of rates already charged. The Steering Committee felt there could be a significant savings in implementing this rate review. City Attorney Schenk recommended that the City go forward in this process. Councilman Wilson asked how much it would cost. City Attorney Schenk said it would be $2700.00 out of his budget. Councilman Wilson asked could we decline to pay and explain to them that the City of Paris is facing a huge financial problem. City Attorney Schenk felt like it would be money well spent. Councilman Bell said we would get the reduction in the rate, if the rate goes down, regardless. City Attorney Schenk said it was the Council's prerogative to not participate. Councilman Bell made a motion to decline the resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Poston. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. For future agenda items, a three year budget cycle, a meeting with the Architect to discuss the new Police facility, a fee for county patrons of the Library, and Regular City Council Meetrng August 9, 2004 Page 23 consideration of wireless tower restrictions, were mentioned. City Attorney Schenk referred requests for a Historic Overlay District on Lot 10, Block 70-C, 1305 Pine Bluff, Historic District No. 13, Lot 2, City Block 79, 744 3rd Street NW, Historic District No. 11, and Lot 1 SA, city block 204. 2006 Bonham Street, Historic District No. 12, to the Planning and Zoning Commission at their next meeting and back to the City Council on their regular meeting in September. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. CURTIS FENDLEY, MAYOR APPROVED AS TO FORM: SHERIAN DIXON, ASST. CITY CLERK