MINUTES OF A REGULAR SESSION

TOM BEAN CITY COUNCIL

104 S BRITTON, TOM BEAN, TX 75489

http://home.texoma.net/~tombean

7:00 PM / Monday January 07, 2002

 

The City Council convened in regular session on Monday. January 07, 2002 in the city council chambers of Tom Bean City Hall, 104 S Britton, Tom Bean TX.  Honorable Mayor David Schaab presiding, Members present Mayor Pro-Tem Terry Sorensen, Rebecca Blomstedt, and Jerry Harris, Ruby Barnes, and Bobbie Moran. A quorum was declared. The Regular Session of the City Council Meeting commenced at 7:15 PM. Jerry Harris lead the meeting in a word of prayer.

 

Citizens in attendance were:

 

Debbie Ellis

200 Ball St

Citizen

 

Also in attendance was Donnie Norman Representing BobTomes Ford, with his proposal to the City for the purchase of (2) two police cars. With (2) two grant opportunities the city has applied for, Bob Tomes Ford also has a deferred payment plan to make it easier to acquire the vehicles. The units will be fully equipped to state regulations and Racial Profiling Laws the state is currently requiring. The city recently applied for two grants, one with TCOG Texoma Council of Governments for  $10,000, and another for a state funded assistance for video cameras, in the amount of approximately $15,000.00.  Bob Tomes Ford is also allowing $1500 for each trade-in on old city patrol cars. The gray patrol car has 190k miles and is in need of transmission and alternator, the black patrol car has 181 K miles and need tires, and the motor leaks is supply of oil is constant, and the white patrol car has 143 K miles, and the frame is damaged. Ruby Barnes asked if the city purchases the cars and the police did not get the grants what will the police cover. SGT Chip Matthews reported he had presented the monthly expenses and $1000.00 can be put into a special account to pay for the cars. The interest the amount would draw would be included and could still be paid off in time, In conclusion, if the city keeps making repairs on the vehicles, The amount would be more that month, and could go back into the Water Fund, where it is needed. SGT Matthews also reported he looked into a plan to get a City Truck and it is possible with the same deferred plan. Chip Matthews stated a warranty for 15 years with an exception to the radios. The Mayor asked for more from the council. Terry Sorensen stated, he had a problem with the cars. Jerry Harris asked for a reason why. Terry Sorensen answered, I cannot drink or flush a car, and we have holes in the streets. The Water Works has many unfunded state mandates we cannot afford, but we are not going into debt to fix that. Jerry Harris answered we have past work done on our Sewer System that was funded, and it did not come from the general fund. That is it, Terry Sorensen also stated, we cannot pay our bills yesterday, how can we pay them tomorrow. Terry Sorensen also added the equipment for the water we cannot use or replace, the Dump truck that does not dump or the Roller that does not roll.  We have had many bad purchases in the past, and I feel this may be another bad purchase. Mr. Sorensen also added the number of times we have turned down Michael Bryant to repair his truck. The Mayor added we had budgeted $10,000 for the Patrol Cars and $5,000 for the Water Truck. Terry Sorensen added the figure is nothing more that a piece of paper. Jerry Harris stated, the City does not maintenance City vehicles, the backhoe needs tires. Jerry Harris also stated the grants for the patrol cars look good, who is applying for grants for the Public Works. Michael Bryant stated he does in his spare time, but there are rarely any that we can afford to apply for. Most grants that are available for Water or Wastewater, does not pay the full amount. Jerry Harris stated any amount is better than none. Terry Sorensen stated, the water department has loaned the General fund lots of money, and it is just not returned and the Water could very well use some of this money. Jerry Harris said the Public Works is part of the General fund. Terry Sorensen stated that may be true, now, but not in the past.  Rebecca Blomstedt stated, when do we need to do this by. (Attain vehicles) SGT Matthews stated we should have this submitted to the agency by March. Rebecca Blomstedt added when do we have to comply with racial profiling. Sgt Matthews stated by September of this year. Terry Sorensen stated $24,000 x 2 x2 equals we cannot afford it. Sgt Matthews the city applied for a state grant for $15,000 and TCOG Texoma Council of Governments for $10,000, I feel confident that we can afford it, due to the fact we can do away with the maintenance. Terry Sorensen stated, we do not have a dollar to replace a dollar.  I need a new tractor, but I cannot afford it so I make do with what I have. The last few years the city has gone over budget, the police department has gone over budget $21,000, The Water fund had to loan the General fund $29,000, the accountants tell us every year we are over budget. To me it is black and white. Jerry Harris stated, we put out what we have coming in. Ruby stated we are trying to change; we need to go forward and do what will work. The Mayor stated that the Water Fund went over budget in 1997 and 1998 by paying two much overtime, and has gradually had to catch up since then. We have been staying every year in the hole. Terry Sorensen asked who is giving us the loan for these vehicles. Mr. Donnie Norman said a company in West Virginia. Ruby said, if we get this amount for traffic fines, we could have that in the bank in three years. Terry Sorensen stated, the city has other obligations. We have a water tower that will cost $3800 to fix. Ruby said, we could not just keep paying the maintenance fees to keep repairing patrol cars. Rebecca Blomstedt she was worried what the citizens would think of driving in potholes, and the police department with new cars. The cars could have a sticker stating they were paid for with the assistance of a grant. The roads will begin progress next week. That may help, stated the City Secretary and Michael Bryant, who has been working with Grayson County on the project. The Mayor said it is time to move to 3.41, and thank Mr. Norman for attending. Mr. Donnie Norman added this was a very enjoyable and sensible council meeting he has ever attended, and he has attended many in the past years. Jerry Harris motioned to accept the proposal for new police cars. Ruby Barnes seconded Bobbie Moran was in favor, Rebecca Blomstedt abstains, and Terry Sorensen was opposed. The purchase of (2) two police cars passed  (3) three for (Jerry Harris, Bobbi Moran, Ruby Barnes), (1) one abstains, (Rebecca Blomstedt abstains) and (1) one against. (Terry Sorensen opposed).

Sgt. Matthews also submitted his monthly report:

 

Animal at large

6

Warrant Service for Court

16

Reckless Damage Destruction

1

Disorderly conduct

3

Vacation checks

1

Found property

2

911 hang-up

1

Evading arrest detention

1

Disturbance

2

Accidents

2

Discharge firearms inside city

1

Follow-ups

1

Backups

5

Medical emergency

2

Escorts

1

Hindering apprehension

1

Tampering with physical evidence

1

Reckless driver

2

DWI

2

Possession of Marijuana

2

Theft under $50

1

Motorist assist

2

Alarms

2

Theft by check

1

Calls for service

59

Total court summons

65

Total written warnings

12

 

 

The next item was the minutes; the motion was made to table the minutes for revision. Rebecca Blomstedt made the motion to table the minutes, Ruby Barnes seconded and all were in favor.

 

Next item on the council was Public Works, however Debbie Ellis had something to add. She asked when the \Water Bills was sent out. The City Secretary answered on December 26, 2001, or on the 27th, but long before the 30th because of the holiday.  Mrs. Ellis stated she did not get her bill until today. Bobbi Moran added she has difficulty at the school with Rural route addresses, and The Secretary agreed that the Whitewright post office is changing the addresses and have little tolerance for the Rural routes at this time, maybe that was the difficulty for her bill being late. Mrs. Ellis asked when the meters are being read now. Michael Bryant said around the 26th. The City Secretary added we did well, actually considering the holidays. Council shared when they received their bill, and every member received on time. Mrs. Ellis asked if her account could be over-looked on her late fee, for her bill not arriving, as it should. The Mayor stated when he has a bill due and does not receive the bill; he still has to pay the bill.

 

The next item was to discuss the Public Works monthly report:

 

PUBLIC WORKS MONTHLY REPORT FOR DECEMBER

WATER

READ METERS

REPAIRED (2) TWO LEAKS

REPLACED METER ON BALL STREET

REPLACED METER BOX AND UNFROZE WATER METER

SEVERAL CONNECTIONS AND DISCONNECTIONS

ESTIMATE ON WATER TOWER REPAIR

WASTEWATER

WORKED O SEWER PLANT

WORKED ON LIFT STATION ON ELLIOT STREET SEVERAL TIMES THIS MONTH

UNPLUGGED SEWER LINE

ORDERED MOTOR FOR LIFT STATION AT 2729

ORDERED PROBE FOR FLOW METER AT WASTEWATER PLANT WITH NEW MANUALS

HAVE ORDERED MANUALS FOR PUMPS AT THE ELLIOT LIFT STATION

HAVE ESTIMATE ON INSTALLING GENSET AT WASTEWATER PLANT

MISC

FILLED REALLY BAD POTHOLES

BACKHOE NEEDS REPAIRED, HAS NO POWER FOR DIGGING

TRUCK NEEDS BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION REPAIR-attached estimates

REPAIRED STREET SIGNS

ORDERED DIRT FOR DITCH WORK AT MOCKINGBIRD

 

 The items discussed with the report was the report for the installation of the generator, NT Systems quoted a price of around ($5000) five thousand dollars but would need this amount up front. Michael Bryant is still awaiting other estimates. The maintenance of the Water well was discussed as well and Michael is awaiting estimates for this as well. Michael also stated he need some transmission and brake repairs for the water truck, and this were approved from the council. The locations of the really bad potholes were also discussed.

 

The next item was budget and bills; the Mayor stated any payments past 60 Days need to be paid. TML was discussed, the issue of being invoiced for employees that were no longer on the payroll was discussed, and the Mayor is currently working with the representative there. The Mayor also mentioned that Hunter and Associates should be paid at the end of the month. The County also has a check coming from the city. The council approved payment for the new monitor for the police department. The Mayor stated he is in the process of working with Danka to get a correct invoice for the service on the copier.

 

The next item was items from the council. The Council had none.

 

The Mayor asked for a motion to adjourn. The motion to adjourn was made by Ruby Barnes, seconded by Rebecca Blomstedt and all were in favor. The City council meeting adjourned at 11:45PM.

 

 

 PREPARED BY: CATHERINE ROBLES, CITY SECRETARY

 

DATE APPROVED: Rebecca Blomstedt made the motion to approve, Jerry Harris seconded and all were in favor, Ruby Barnes Absent. Regular Session 02/04/2002

CHANGES: Typing error; clearly state the voting,

 

SIGNATURE: ________________________________

 

NAME: David Schaab

TITLE: Mayor