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Minutes August 07, 2003CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES August 7, 2003 After determining that a quorum was present, the City Council convened in a Special Called Work Session on Thursday, August 7, 2003 at 8:30 a.m. in the Council Work Session Room at City Hall. PRESENT: Mayor Brock; Mayor Pro Tern Burroughs; Council Members Kamp, McNeill, Montgomery, and Thomson. ABSENT: Council Member Redmon 1. The Council received a report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction regarding the 2003-2004 Budget and the 2003-2008 Capital Improvement Program. Kathy DuBose, Assistant City Manager for Finance, presented the details of the budget proposal. Those included a no property tax rate increase; the current year's sales tax was estimated at 1% under last year's actual; the FY 03-04 base sales tax was projected at 3% over the current estimate; there would be no merit pay for employees (only Civil Service step plan increases) and the reserve level would be maintained at 13%. DuBose presented appraisal roll comparisons for the past 10 years. Council Member Redmon arrived at the meeting. Council discussion included anticipated sales tax with new stores opening; revenue to be received from gas wells located in the city; and the employment situation in regards to the no pay increases for two years. DuBose indicated that staff was looking at ambulance service revenues with Argyle and Krum and a change in inspection fees. Council discussed the public works inspection fee, how it was determined and what the cost would cover. DuBose stated that the proposed budget included funding to purchase land and design a Fire Department Training Facility. In addition, the Police Department had available bond money to renovate the existing firearms facility. The CIP also included expansion of the jail facility and the increase often crossing guards due to the change in the policy of bussing by the DISD. The DISD paid for the crossing guards and were administered by the Police Department. She continued with a review of the funding recommendations for human services agencies. She detailed the Enhanced Local Assistance Program that would be 25% of the DCTA sales and use tax collection generated from the city to be used for eligible transportation projects. Council discussed the obligation by the DCTA for the assistance program. DuBose reviewed the new FTA regulations regarding funding for the LiNK system, the legislative efforts for rectifying the impact of the new regulations and proposed initiatives to cover the overall cost of the service. The Airport continued to grow and DuBose reviewed the grant projects associated with the Airport including taxiway realignment, taxiway lighting system, a new terminal building and a terminal apron/auxiliary taxiway. There were several service reductions that would be necessary with this budget. Those included a reduction in the mowing cycle of the parkland property, a reduction in the recreation center hours and a deferring City of Denton City Council Minutes August 7, 2003 Page 2 of the resurfacing of two tennis courts for one year. Personnel costs associated with the North Branch Library would be delayed by using current personnel housed at the Fowler facility that was closed for renovations and South Branch Library staff would supplement the rotation of personnel assigned to Sunday service. The South Branch Library would no longer be open on Sunday afternoons with only the North Branch Library open on Sunday afternoons. Discussion by Council dealt with the mowing of park property; a publicity campaign as to the reasons for the reductions; and a suggestion for local groups to "adopt a park" to assist with the maintenance of the park property. DuBose stated that the Council contingency accounts would be eliminated this year, there would be no vehicle replacement and the outreach grant for the Books-to-Share Outreach Coordinator would be recorded in the Youth Services Division of the Library Services Department. Council discussion dealt with the elimination of the council contingency accounts and the possibility of cutting the amount in half rather than total elimination of the accounts. City Manager Conduff stated that staff would look at ways to provide funds for the contingency accounts. DuBose presented an overview of the Lalor Fund Committee's recommendation for funding of the hotel occupancy tax funds. She detailed a breakdown of the proposed funding. Council discussed the proposed funding allocations and the change in allocation policy. DuBose detailed the proposed funding for the Aquatic Center and the Civic Center Pool. She reviewed the major issues associated with the utility portion of the budget. There would be no base rate increase in the electric rate and the ECA would be budgeted at $.035/KWH; water would have no base rate increase, wastewater would have a retail rate increase of 4% and solid waste would have a residential rate increase of $.70 for base service and commercial collection service rate increases. Following the completion of the Work Session, the Council convened in a Closed Meeting in the City Hall Conference Room at City Hall. 1. The following was considered in Closed Meeting: Deliberations Regarding Certain Public Power Utilities: Competitive Matters - Under TEX. GOV'T. CODE Section 551.086.** (1) Received a presentation and information from Staff pertaining to the Denton Municipal Electric ("DME") Proposed Annual Budget for the Fiscal Year 2003-2004, consisting of competitive electric and commercial information respecting the details of the present and future operational and financial plans and strategies of DME; and discuss, deliberate, consider, and provided Staff with direction regarding such matters. City of Demon City Council Minutes August 7, 2003 Page 2 Following the completion of the Closed Meeting, the Council participated in a luncheon with WFAA Executives. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m. EUL1NEBROCK MAYOR CITY OFDENTON, TEXAS JENNIFER WALTERS CITY SECRETARY CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS