REGULAR CALLED CITY COMMISSION MEETING
M I N U T E S
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016– 5:00 P.M.
KENNETH T. NUNN COUNCIL ROOM – CITY HALL
M I N U T E S
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016– 5:00 P.M.
KENNETH T. NUNN COUNCIL ROOM – CITY HALL
A Regular Called Meeting of the City Commission was held on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, at 5:00 P.M. in the Kenneth T. Nunn Council Room in City Hall, Texas City, Texas. A quorum having been met, the meeting was called to order at 5:03 p.m. by Mayor Matthew T. Doyle.
1.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
-
- Matthew T. Doyle, Mayor
- Phil Roberts, Mayor Pro Tem
- Bruce Clawson, Commissioner At Large
- Dee Ann Haney, Commissioner At Large
- Thelma Bowie, Commissioner District 1
- Dorthea Jones, Commissioner District 3
- Jamie Clark, Commissioner District 4
2.
INVOCATION was lead by Pastor Stephanie Hughes of St. John's Methodist Church.
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was lead by Commissioner Bowie.
4.
PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
a.
Domestic Violence Abuse Awareness Month.
Mayor Doyle presented a Proclamation to Sally Chapa and **.
Mayor Doyle presented a Proclamation to Sally Chapa and **.
5.
REPORTS
6.
CONSENT AGENDA
a.
Approve City Commission Minutes for October 5, 2016 meeting. (City Secretary)
b.
Consider and take action on Resolution No. 16-075, approving the purchase of 500 Visa gift cards in the amount of $50.00 each, to be given to City employees (full and part-time). (Human Resources)
The Resolution approved the purchase of 500 Visa gift cards in the amount of $50.00 each, to be given to City employees (full and part-time), as an incentive for continued outstanding customer service and performance.
The Resolution approved the purchase of 500 Visa gift cards in the amount of $50.00 each, to be given to City employees (full and part-time), as an incentive for continued outstanding customer service and performance.
c.
Consider and take action on Resolution No. 16-076, authorizing the remounting of two (2) medic unit modular on new chassis in keeping with the initial purchase strategy of re-mounting the modular units. (Fire Department)
This authorized the payment to remount two (2) modulars ambulances with a total cost of $191,575.00.
This authorized the payment to remount two (2) modulars ambulances with a total cost of $191,575.00.
d.
Consider and take action on Resolution No. 16-077, approving the payment of property, liability, and workers' compensation insurance premiums for the period October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017. (Finance)
This approved the payment to Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool for property, liability, and workers' compensation insurance premiums for the period October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017.
This approved the payment to Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool for property, liability, and workers' compensation insurance premiums for the period October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017.
e.
Consider and take action on Resolution No. 16-078 electing to participate in tax abatements in accordance with Sec. 312.002(a) of the Texas Tax Code. (City Secretary)
This resolution is strictly to "announce" that the City Commission is open to allowing Tax Abatements as an incentive and it is required under Chapter 312 of the Texas Statutes before the City can proceed with the granting of any tax abatements.
This resolution is strictly to "announce" that the City Commission is open to allowing Tax Abatements as an incentive and it is required under Chapter 312 of the Texas Statutes before the City can proceed with the granting of any tax abatements.
f.
Consider and take action on Resolution No. 16-079, Yamaha Drive2 Quie-EFI golf carts through BuyBoard - Local Government Purchasing Cooperative for the Bayou Golf Course golf cart fleet. (Purchasing)
This approved the lease of 75 Yamaha Drive2 Quie-EFI golf carts through Yamaha Commercial Customer Finance. It is a 60-month lease; $60.55 per car per month - $4,541.25 total monthly.
This approved the lease of 75 Yamaha Drive2 Quie-EFI golf carts through Yamaha Commercial Customer Finance. It is a 60-month lease; $60.55 per car per month - $4,541.25 total monthly.
Motion by Commissioner At Large Dee Ann Haney, Seconded by Commissioner District 4 Jamie Clark to approve Consent Agenda.
Vote: 7 - 0 CARRIED
7.
REGULAR ITEMS
a.
Consider and take action on Ordnance No 16-32, approving the second reading of TNMP Electric Franchise Agreement. (City Secretary)
Nick Finan, City Secretary, stated this was the second reading of the ordnance. Prior to 1998, the City collected no franchise fee, but instead was given free electricity for City facilities including street lighting, waste water and water operations, park lighting, and city buildings in exchanged for TNMP to utilize City Streets and ROWS in 2000, TNMP was required to pay a branch fee based on a formula called a factor..
The City has operated without a franchise agreement for over 15 years now and TNMP has continued to charge the same, very low factor. Through the conduction of an audit, the City noticed that it was not only losing revenue compared to similar cities that had a higher factor, but the local residents were paying a higher rate into the TNMP base rate to compensate TNMP for the higher payments to the other cities. In addition, the industry was paying a much lower rate and have not seen an increase in over 15 years
.
Mayor Doyle stated Texas City Proposed Rate Factor for Industry 0.00175; For Residential and Commercial 0.0026358. Both equate to roughly a 4% Franchise fee on their respective bills. The average residential bill is roughly $130. The increase would be $1.82. On a $300 bill, the increase is a $4.20. Over the current residential bill, this is a 1.4% increase.
The Mayor and Nick Finan covered the following points:
Prior to 1998, Texas City received free electricity for the City services in exchange for granting a Franchise. No franchise fee was collected. State law no longer allowed this after 2000. Texas-New Mexico charges a Franchise Fee that is a factor based upon an agreement in effect in 1999.
The City has operated without a franchise agreement for over 15 years now and TNMP has continued to charge the same, very low factor. League City has a factor of 0.0036796. Lewisville’s (a comparable city in size, commercial activity, etc.) factor is 0.0026358. Current Texas City factor is 0.001175.Texas City Proposed Rate Factor for Industry 0.00175; For Residential and Commercial .0026358. Both equate to roughly a 4% Franchise fee on their respective bills. Currently, industry is paying roughly a 2.3% franchise fee, the increase is only 1.7% The average residential bill is roughly $130. The increase would be $1.82. On a $300 bill, the increase is a $4.20. Over the current residential bill, this is a 1.4% increase.Most of Texas City’s Utility franchise payments (phone, cable, gas, etc.) are 4% to 5% of gross revenues.
The residential rate will be averaged into TNMP’s base rate once it requests a rate change anticipated in a couple of years; lessening the actual payment by residents to less than a 1.4% increase. An increase of only 1.7% total for the industrial in the past 15+ years and the for next 10 years. Not much of a change for the number of years considered.With this being more of the average of most cities in TNMP, what residents pay into the TNMP base rate is returned in the form of an equal amount in franchise fee to the city.
Nick Finan, City Secretary, stated this was the second reading of the ordnance. Prior to 1998, the City collected no franchise fee, but instead was given free electricity for City facilities including street lighting, waste water and water operations, park lighting, and city buildings in exchanged for TNMP to utilize City Streets and ROWS in 2000, TNMP was required to pay a branch fee based on a formula called a factor..
The City has operated without a franchise agreement for over 15 years now and TNMP has continued to charge the same, very low factor. Through the conduction of an audit, the City noticed that it was not only losing revenue compared to similar cities that had a higher factor, but the local residents were paying a higher rate into the TNMP base rate to compensate TNMP for the higher payments to the other cities. In addition, the industry was paying a much lower rate and have not seen an increase in over 15 years
.
Mayor Doyle stated Texas City Proposed Rate Factor for Industry 0.00175; For Residential and Commercial 0.0026358. Both equate to roughly a 4% Franchise fee on their respective bills. The average residential bill is roughly $130. The increase would be $1.82. On a $300 bill, the increase is a $4.20. Over the current residential bill, this is a 1.4% increase.
The Mayor and Nick Finan covered the following points:
Prior to 1998, Texas City received free electricity for the City services in exchange for granting a Franchise. No franchise fee was collected. State law no longer allowed this after 2000. Texas-New Mexico charges a Franchise Fee that is a factor based upon an agreement in effect in 1999.
The City has operated without a franchise agreement for over 15 years now and TNMP has continued to charge the same, very low factor. League City has a factor of 0.0036796. Lewisville’s (a comparable city in size, commercial activity, etc.) factor is 0.0026358. Current Texas City factor is 0.001175.Texas City Proposed Rate Factor for Industry 0.00175; For Residential and Commercial .0026358. Both equate to roughly a 4% Franchise fee on their respective bills. Currently, industry is paying roughly a 2.3% franchise fee, the increase is only 1.7% The average residential bill is roughly $130. The increase would be $1.82. On a $300 bill, the increase is a $4.20. Over the current residential bill, this is a 1.4% increase.Most of Texas City’s Utility franchise payments (phone, cable, gas, etc.) are 4% to 5% of gross revenues.
The residential rate will be averaged into TNMP’s base rate once it requests a rate change anticipated in a couple of years; lessening the actual payment by residents to less than a 1.4% increase. An increase of only 1.7% total for the industrial in the past 15+ years and the for next 10 years. Not much of a change for the number of years considered.With this being more of the average of most cities in TNMP, what residents pay into the TNMP base rate is returned in the form of an equal amount in franchise fee to the city.
8.
STAFF COMMENTS
James Hartshorn, Administer Coordinator, stated that Food Truck Friday would be starting up. He also stated that the Touch A Truck would be November 4, 2016.
David Zacherl, Fire Chief, said the new fire truck should be delivered shortly.
Jennifer Price, Human Resource Manager, stated there would be a blood drive Friday and flu shots would also be made available to City employees.
James Hartshorn, Administer Coordinator, stated that Food Truck Friday would be starting up. He also stated that the Touch A Truck would be November 4, 2016.
David Zacherl, Fire Chief, said the new fire truck should be delivered shortly.
Jennifer Price, Human Resource Manager, stated there would be a blood drive Friday and flu shots would also be made available to City employees.
9.
MAYOR'S COMMENTS
Mayor Doyle noted that Pavilions looks great at Haney Park.
Mayor Doyle noted that Pavilions looks great at Haney Park.
10.
COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
Commissioner Bowie thought the Barbers Chapel Youth Summit was a great event. Commissioner Bowie also stated for the record, that she does not mind Henry Gomez, a Citizen, taking her photograph. However, if he uses the photographs in any way derogatory or inflammatory way she will take necessary actions in response.
Commissioner Roberts said the Commission of Education committed 10 million dollars for the annexation of La Marque in TCISD. This was announced at the Chamber lunch.
Commissioner Clawson asked about the status of the golf carts. He was advised they would be ordered shortly.
Commissioner Jones stated the importance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. She also said that getting a mammogram is so important to detect breast cancer early. She thanked Parks and Recreation for a great cancer walk.
Commissioner Bowie thought the Barbers Chapel Youth Summit was a great event. Commissioner Bowie also stated for the record, that she does not mind Henry Gomez, a Citizen, taking her photograph. However, if he uses the photographs in any way derogatory or inflammatory way she will take necessary actions in response.
Commissioner Roberts said the Commission of Education committed 10 million dollars for the annexation of La Marque in TCISD. This was announced at the Chamber lunch.
Commissioner Clawson asked about the status of the golf carts. He was advised they would be ordered shortly.
Commissioner Jones stated the importance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. She also said that getting a mammogram is so important to detect breast cancer early. She thanked Parks and Recreation for a great cancer walk.
ADJOURNMENT
Having no further business, Commissioner Jones made a MOTION to ADJOURN at 5:20p.m.; the motion was SECONDED by Commissioner Bowie. All present voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Nicholas J. Finan, City Secretary
Date Approved:
| ______________________________ | |
| MATTHEW T. DOYLE, MAYOR |
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Nicholas J. Finan, City Secretary
Date Approved: