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Minutes September 12, 1989CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 12, 1989 The City Council convened into Executive Session at 5:45 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 6:09 p.m. The City Council convened into the Work Session at 6:15 p.m. in the Civil Defense Room. PRESENT: Mayor Stephens, Mayor Pro Tem Ayer; Council Members Alexander, Boyd, Gorton, Hopkins and McAdams. ABSENT: None 1. Hold a discussion with hotel-motel occupancy tax fund recipients. A. Denton Convention and Visitors Bureau Bob Woodin budget. The Year 1989-90. presented the Convention and Visitors Bureau budget requested $143,313 in funding for Fiscal Projected actual costs for 1988-89 were $127,111. Council Member Gorton asked Mr. Woodin what impact freezing the hotel-motel tax revenues in the budget at current levels for the next three years would have on the Bureau. Mr. Woodin responded that such a freeze would have a substantial impact on Joanne Ballentine's ability to travel to conventions to sell Denton as a site. The Bureau would be negatively impacted by a freeze. The Visitors and Convention Bureau's fiscal year was from April 1 to March 31. B. North Texas State Fair Association Bob Powers presented the State Fair's budget. No major changes from the 1988-89 budget. Mayor Stephens asked about the responses the State Fair was receiving from its mail out promotions. Mr. P0wers stated that the response from people interested in livestock shows was very good. Council Member Gorton asked Mr. Powers what impact freezing the hotel-motel tax revenues in the budget at current levels for the next three years would have on the State Fair Association. Mr. Powers responded that the Fair A~so¢iation could not take a budget cut. Most of the money was spent following up on leads for possible fairgrounds users. 173 174 City of Denton City Council Minutes September 12, 1989 Page 2 Council Member Hopkins asked requirements of the legislation. if the budgets met the John McGrane, Executive Director for Finance, responded that they were technically acceptable, but he would have to confer with the City Attorney about the travel budgets. Lloyd Harrell, City Manager, stated .that Council must approve the budgets under the new legislation. The North Texas State Fair Association's fiscal year was from January 1, to December 31. C. Denton County Historical Foundation Glen Kerslake presented the Historical Foundation's budget. The budget for fiscal year 1989-90 reflected a $12,000 decrease from last year's budget. Of that $12,000, $9,000 could be attributed to the fact the County was now paying salaries and $3,000 was a part of some belt tightening done by the foundation. Mr. Kerslake stated that a three-year freeze of hotel-motel tax revenues would not be a problem for the Foundation. The Historical Foundation's budget year was from October 1 to September 30. This reflected a recent change made by the Foundation. D. Denton County Historical Museum Barbara Hall gave a slide presentation about the Museum's activities. Lloyd Harrell asked about the Museum's request for $48,000. Ms. Hall responded that the $8,000 increase was a part of the reduction made by the Historical Foundation. Council Member McAdams asked what impact a three-year freeze on the revenues from the hotel-motel tax funds would have on the Museum. Norma Gamble ~esponded the freeze would not have an impact because of this year's $8,000 increase. The Historical Foundation's budget was from October 1 to September 30. E. Greater Denton Arts Council Herbert Holl presented the budget for the Arts Council. This was the second straight year the Arts Council finished in the City of Denton City Council Minutes September 12, 1989 Page 3 black. The budget was a cautious one with regards to revenue. Hotel-motel tax funds account for 25% of the Arts Council's budget. Council Member Gorton asked when the Performing Arts Center might be open. Mr. Holl responded that the Arts Council currently had $300,000 in hand, plus an additional $35,000 in commitments. The remainder of the funds needed, approximately ~40,000, would be targeted in a capital campaign in the spring. Lloyd Harrell asked if the Arts Council had repaid the loan it took from the funds for the Performing Arts'Center. Mr. Holl replied that it had not been repaid, but the Arts Council had every intention of repaying the $13,000. The Arts Council's fiscal year was from July 1 to June 30. Mayor Stephens stated that the contracts would be formally considered at next week's Council Meeting (September 19), and that discussion on the matter would take place at that time. Council Member Alexander asked if it would be an improvement over the present situation if the Council gave the hotel-motel tax recipients a firm number to budget from with a contingency fund in case the revenues fell off. He also asked if it was legal. John McGrane replied that to do so would require a revision of the contracts since they allocate the money on a percentage basis. Council Member Gorton stated that the percentage basis now used makes accountability difficult for the Council. If revenues top projections, could Council assign the money at its discretion. There were other needs that this money could be used for. Council Member Alexander stated that while he was pleased with what he had heard, he did not find allocating by percentages an acceptable way of budgeting. Council Member Ayer stated a concern ability to fulfill its obligation to the the money by percentages. about the Council's law if it allocated 175 ~ 2. Discussion of Budget Issues. 176 City of Denton City Council Minutes September 12, 1989 Page 4 Lloyd Harrell presented an overview of the proposed budget. John McGrane distributed a sheet containing technical corrections to the budget. Mr. McGrane then informed Council of his conversation with Mr. Edwards, Peterbilt Comptroller, concerning the City's budget. While Mr. Edwards brought up a number of solid points, Staff and Council had already considered them and the impact they would have on operations. Lloyd Harrell presented the pros and cons of the City's involvement with the North Texas Commission. It was the concensus of the Council to continue its membership. Lloyd Harrell presented budget figures that showed the City's contribution to economic development and economic development related activities totaled $934,667 in this year's budget. Library - the County's contribution was budgeted at $140,000, but the County had informed the City that it would be paying the City only $117,941 for fiscal year 1989-90. There was a pledge to raise per capita funding by 25¢ next year. Council Member Gorton asked what schedule was used by the County in disbursing the funds. The answer was quarterly payments. Council Member Gorton then suggested that the Library keep track of the use of the Library by non-City residents of Denton County. Council Member Boyd asked if a charge would result in the end of use of the Library by County residents. Joella Orr, Director of the Library, responded that there might be a drop-off, but she was not sure of the extent. Ms. Orr added that County residents' account for about 24% of the Library's users. The recommendations of the Solid Waste Alternatives Committee and their impact on the budget were then discussed. Council Member B0yd asked if their action on the budget presupposed the answer to the Committee's recommendation. Lloyd Harrell responded that such action did not presuppose the answer. The Council would still have the option of taking over all services or charging a franchise fee on private haulers. The elimination of an Urban Planner position and the savings to the budget were then discussed. Council Member McAdam$ expressed concern that if development were to pick up again, the City would once again focus only on development while long range plans were not made. City of Denton City Council Minutes September 12, 1989 Page 5 Mayor Stephens thanked staff for finding places to cut the budget. Council Member McAdams asked how the work would be done with less staff. Frank Robbins, Executive Director for Planning and Community Development, responded that the Planning Department would be using the team approach with regards to assignments. The Human Services Committee's funding proposal was the next item considered. Mayor Stephens brought the Veteran's of Foreign Wars request for the funding of a van to the attention of the Council. The van would be used to transport disabled Veterans to and from VA hospitals in Dallas, Waco, and Bonham. Council Member Boyd asked if the criteria used by the Human Services Committee had applied to this request. In all fairness, the VFW'S request should have gone through the Committee. Council Member McAdams stated that something would have to come off the list before she could consider putting the van on the list. Council Member Alexander stated it would be unfair for the Council to ask the Committee to look at a single request. If it is to be considered, the Council should consider it. Council Member McAdams stated that Handihop should not be cut and that SPAN should be budgeted separately. It was not right to have transportation competing with a prenatal clinic. Council Member Ayer agreed that SPAN should become a separate line item in the budget. Mayor Stephens asked if separating SPAN from the Committee's budget might have implications in the future as far as staffing a transportation office was concerned. Council Member Alexander stated that a transportation line item was a good idea, but it might not be possible in this year's budget. The Committee's budget should be cut by the amount awarded to SPAN. Mayor Stephens stated that SPAN was a social service and should be funded through the Committee. Council Member Boyd stated that SPAN had changed and the Committee had changed and this should be recognized in the budget. Mr. Boyd then asked what Handihop's funding should be. The ~36,000 requested actually keeps Handihop even. 177 178 City of Denton City Council Minutes September 12, 1989 Page 6 Council Member Alexander suggested taking $1,000 from AIDenton and Ann's Haven Hospice to bring Handihop to $36,000. Council Member Gorton stated that Ann's Haven Hospice could recoup its expenses through community support, Medicaid and Medicare. It did not really need money from the City. Council Member Hopkins stated that she personally supported Ann's Haven, but she did not believe the City should. Council Member McAdams stated that since tax dollars were being used, the City should use them to do things for people that could not do for themselves. Council Member Ayer stated that the prenatal clinic was not funded, in part, because it was supported by Medicaid. Dorothy Damico, Chair of the Human Services Committee, stated that the prenatal clinic was not funded, in part, because of the Flow case. In the Committee,s opinion, Ann's Haven and A1Denton were not health care. The next item to be discussed was the automation of jail arraignments. A committee would study the issue and return to Council with recommendations. Public safety was the next issue to Member McAdams asked what District responded that it was Southeast Denton. be discussed. Council 102 was. Chief Jez Dawn to dusk lighting was then discussed. Council Member Hopkins stated that the change in rates from $6.20 a month to $7.50 a month was not significant and that a person should pay for the service he or she received. The proposed pay plan adjustments were then discussed. Mayor Stephens stated that the full 5% increases should not be so easy to receive and that perhaps the City should look towards revamping the system. Council Member McAdams stated that performance increases were always subjective regardless of the system. She stated that her concern was that the insurance increase could end up reducing a person's taKe-home pay. Lloyd Harrell responded that the insurance situation had changed somewhat and that it did not appear that anyone would receive a cut in take-home pay unless they chose to take the cut when they chose among the insurance coverages available. Cooncil Member Alexander ~tated that every employee must have the opportunity to receive a raise. City of Denton City Council Minutes September 12, 1989 Page 7 Health insurance options were then discussed. Council was assured that this matter would be brought before them in October .and that the start-up date would be December 1. A tax rate comparison with the City of Lewisville was then discussed. Over the past four years Denton's rate had risen 3 1/2~ while Lewisville had gone up 7¢. Other items: Council Member McAdams stated she would like to see the City squeeze the budget a bit more. Specifically, she wanted to see what would happen with a 1, 2, and 3 cent drop in the rate. Council Member Ayer asked about the effects of cutting travel by a specific percentage. Council Member Hopkins stated that $100,000 should be cut from the budget. It was the concensus of the Council to reduce the Chamber's economic development funding from $76,000 to $60,000 with the North Texas Commission dues coming out of the $60,000. There was some discussion concerning the use of utility funds being used for the Chamber's economic development efforts. Council Member McAdams requested a legal opinion on the use of utility funds. The City Council adjourned to Executive Session at 10:40 p.m. No official action was taken. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned. PHE~S, MAYOR F DENTON, TEXAS ROGE~NELSON ..... · DEPUTY CITY SECRETARY CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS 2707j 179