JULY 18, 2006 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF BRIDGEPORT, TEXAS. HELD ON THIS DATE WITH THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS PRESENT. MAYOR COUNCIL CITY SECRETARY CITY ADMINISTRATOR DON MAJKA BILLY FRED WALKER ROBERT VIDAL JOHN JUAREZ AL SCOTT PATSY STINNETT VAN JAMES A pre-council discussion was held at 6:30 p.m. Council reviewed payables. Councilman Walker questioned item number 6 on the consent agenda being the upgrading of the sound system in the council chambers. Councilman Walker stated he would like the stipulation that if the system did not meet our needs, then we do not own the system. Mr. James stated a demo of the system would be done before installing. Councilman Scott asks to see a plan on the Bridgeport Fine Arts Theater. Mr. James stated a marketing plan would be provided. Mayor Majka called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Vidal gave invocation. Pledge of Allegiance was given to the American Flag and to the Texas Flag. Mayor Majka stated to the east of City Hall, the construction of the new Public Safety Building is under way. Judge McDonald is retiring from the position of City Judge and a reception will be held July 25 at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers. Mayor Majka stated a photo was taken downtown of approximately 200 people showing support of the Main Street Application. David Turnbow presented the new signs that will be placed at the city limits of Bridgeport. Consider approving a First Amendment to the Amendment and Renewal Agreement between the City and IESI for the collection, transportation, and disposal of solid waste, dated July 1, 2004, to incorporate a rate increase and authorizing the Mayor to execute same on behalf of the City was moved first for discussion. Mr. James stated as indicated during the June 20 council meeting, IESI has requested an increase in both residential and commercial/industrial rates, due primarily to increased fuel and steel prices over the past four years. Since the June meeting, staff has been able to negotiate a phased implementation of IESI s proposed increase. The rate increase will be implemented in two stages. On October 1, 2006, the residential rate will increase $1.78 per residential
unit (from $7.60 to $9.38, an increase of 23.4%) and the commercial and roll-off rate will increase by 9.0%. Six months later, on April 1, 2007, the residential rate will increase $1.77 per residential unit (from $9.38 to $11.15, an increase of 18.4%) and the commercial and roll-off rate will be another 9.0%. IESI has also agreed to defer the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustments that are allowed in the existing agreement until April 1, 2008, which is a full year after the second stage of the proposed rate increase has been implemented. Councilman Scott made a motion to approve a First Amendment to the Amendment and Renewal Agreement between the City and IESI for the collection, transportation, and disposal of solid waste, dated July 1, 2004, to incorporate a rate increase and authorize the Mayor to execute same on behalf of the City. Councilman Walker seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous vote. Consider adopting an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2005-06 Official Budget by appropriating $147,486 from the unappropriated balance of the general fund in conjunction with approval and authorization of the Mayor to execute the proposed professional services agreement between the City of Bridgeport and Bucher, Willis and Ratliff, Inc. for design and architectural services to be performed in connection with the Indoor Recreation Center Grant, All-Terrain Vehicle Park Grant (Recreational Trails Fund), and Small Communities Grant projects funded in conjunction with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). Mr. James stated during the last week of March 2006, staff published a Request for Statements of Qualifications for design and architectural services to be performed in connection with the Indoor Recreation Center Grant, All-Terrain Vehicle Park Grant and Small Communities Grant projects funded in conjunction with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The City received two proposals, one from Bucher, Willis and Ratliff and the other from Teague, Nail and Perkins. Both firms were interviewed by an interview and selection committee. The committee has recommended the firm of Teague, Nall and Perkins and the council approved moving forward on contract negotiation with them. The firm was sent some changes and their response was very slow. After the first meeting with the project manager, the committee expressed concern over the overall knowledge level of the project manager. Upon polling the committee members, there was a unanimous decision to recommend moving forward on contract negotiations with the second equally qualified firm-bucher, Willis and Ratliff. During discussions with BWR on scope of services, staff discussed the economies of scale by combining some of the activities on the work plans. It was suggested that it would be beneficial to update the City s Parks Master Plan at the same time. Staff has negotiated an acceptable scope of services that includes the three TPWD projects as well as an update to the Parks Master Plan. Councilman Scott made a motion to adopt an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2005-06 Official Budget by appropriating $147,486 from the unappropriated balance of the general fund in conjunction with approval and authorization of the Mayor to execute the proposed professional services agreement between the City of Bridgeport and Bucher, Willis and Ratliff, Inc. for design and architectural services to be performed in connection with the Indoor Recreation Center Grant, All-Terrain Vehicle Park Grant (Recreational Trails Fund), and Small Communities Grant projects funded in conjunction with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). Councilman Juarez seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Randy Singleton, Chief of Police, presented the police department monthly report. Chief Singleton stated the department had 78 cases, issued 307 citations, 378 warning, made 42 arrests and worked 13 accidents. The Animal Control received 237 complaints, issued 12 citations, impounded 33 animals, and adopted out three. In June the State conducted audits. One was TCLEOSE auditor inspecting the entire Department s records pertaining to Officer mandated training and licensing data. The department had only a few clerical errors to correct. TxDot personnel audited the Department s records pertaining to the operation of the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program grant. On July 11, 2006, the department arrested the owner of the Vacation in a Box Travel Company where Connie Karnes has been accused of selling bogus vacation trips to 51 people. The vandalism and terroristic threats at the Jennifer Walker residence is still under investigation. In the City of Bridgeport from June 2005 through June 2006, Officers responded to 426 disturbance calls resulting in 102 victims of assault and the arrest of 56 perpetrators. Concerning the construction site of the new Public Safety Building, the department continues to make every attempt to keep the residents around the site appraised of the different schedules of the construction process. Van James, City Administrator, presented update on the City Grants. Mr. James stated a spreadsheet of the active grants are included in their packet. Mayor Majka presented the consent agenda as, 1) Consider approving the minutes of the regular meeting of June 20, 2006 as recorded, 2) consider adopting an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2005-06 Official Budget to appropriate $8,254 from the City s unappropriated balance of the hotel/motel tax fund for the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce s quarterly budgets for April through June 2006 and July through September 2006, 3) consider adopting the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2006-07, 4) consider approving the Final Plat of Lot 1R Block 1 of the City Hall addition being a replat of lots 1-12 Block 52, Lots 1-12 Block 53, Lots 23-24 of Block 54 of the Original Town of Bridgeport, 5) consider approving a Final Project Completion Report from Texas Community Development Program (TCDP) Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA) for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion Project and authorizing the Mayor to execute same on behalf of the City, 6) consider adopting an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2005-06 Official Budget by appropriating $23,000 from the unappropriated balance of the City s General Fund for the purpose of upgrading the sound system in the Council Chamber, 7) consider approving the loan arrangements for the purpose of purchasing a 1992 Baker Aerialscope Fire truck and authorizing the Mayor to execute the necessary loan documents on behalf of the City, 8) consider adopting an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2005-06 Official Budget, transferring $100,000 from the unappropriated fund balance of the General Fund for the purpose of purchasing, equipping, and housing a 1992 Baker Aerialscope Fire Truck, 9) consider approving the following documents to be the Standard Aid Agreements between the City of Bridgeport, Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Department and other outside agencies, and authorizing the Mayor to execute same on behalf of the City, 10) consider ratifying a resolution denying the request of ATMOS ENERGY CORP, MID-TEX Division, for an annual gas reliability infrastructure program (GRIP) rate
increase in this municipality, as a part of the Company s statewide gas utility distribution system, approving cooperation with other cities within the ATMOS ENERGY CORP., MID-TEX Division distribution system as part of the ATMOS CITIES Steering Committee (ACSC), authorizing ACSC to hire legal and consulting services and to negotiate with the Company and direct any necessary litigation, authorizing intervention as part of ACSC in any appeal of the City s action to the Railroad Commission, providing a requirement for a prompt reimbursement of costs incurred by the City, finding that the meeting at which this resolution is passed is open to the public, and providing for notice of this resolution to ATMOS ENERGY CORP., MID-TEX Division, 11) consider approving request for change in ownership of a Hangar on the H. Robertson A-710 0.069 Acres Survey from Robert Moody to Melvin R. Farrell Jr. and for the lengthening of the ground lease to its original term and authorizing the Mayor to execute the proper lease agreement on behalf of the City, 12) consider approving an agreement with Baird, Hampton & Brown (BHB) for professional engineering services to be performed in connection with the City s Dry Creek and Turkey Creek Trunk Sanitary Sewer and Lift Station projects funded through the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and authorizing the Mayor to execute same on behalf of the City, 13) consider adopting an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2005-06 Official Budget by appropriating $2,620 from the unappropriated balance in the general fund, $2,620 from the unappropriated balance in the electric fund, $2,620 from the unappropriated balance in the water/wastewater fund for the purpose of funding the contract with RCI Appraisal Company for the City s fixed asset management program and authorizing the Mayor to execute said contract on behalf of the City, 14) consider adopting an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2005-06 Official Budget by appropriating $633.33 from the upappropriated balance in the general fund, $633.33 from the unappropriated balance in the electric fund, $633.33 from the unappropriated balance in the water/wastewater fund for the purpose of funding the contract with RCI Appraisal Company for the City s comprehensive appraisal of the City s buildings for insurance purposes and authorizing the Mayor to execute said contract on behalf on the City, 15) consider approving a purchase agreement with the Bridgeport Fire Arts Theater Board, Inc. for the conveyance of the Bridgeport Fine Arts Theater to the City and authorizing the Mayor to execute same on behalf of the City. Councilman Scott stated the use of the Fire Truck, when it becomes a part of the Fire Department that the vehicle stay inside of the city limits for the citizens of Bridgeport. Councilman Walker made a motion to approve the consent agenda as read. Councilman Juarez seconded the motion. Motion carried with Councilman Vidal abstaining from voting on item number 8 and 9. Mayor Majka opened the meeting up for public comment. No one was present to speak. Council adjourned into executive session at 7:35 p.m. to discuss pending or contemplated litigation or to seek the advice of the City Attorney pursuant to Section 551.071, possible acquisition of real estate pursuant to Section 551.072, update Dry Creek Sewer Easements, West Wise Special Utility District, and financial incentives to proposed business prospects pursuant to Section 551.087, Hospital. Council back in session at 8:32 p.m. with no action taken.
Meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.