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