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 December 03, 2001

 

The City Council convened in regular session on Monday. December 03, 2001 in the city council chambers of Tom Bean City Hall, 104 S Britton, Tom Bean TX.  Members present Mayor David Schaab, Mayor Pro-Tem Terry Sorensen, Ruby Barnes, Bobbi Moran, Rebecca Blomstedt, and Jerry Harris. A quorum was declared. The Regular Session of the City Council Meeting commenced at 7:20 PM. Jerry Harris lead the meeting in a word of prayer.

 

Citizens in attendance were:

 

Mrs. Jan Garner

 

Discussion of Mr. & Mrs. Garner’s fence

Jerry Emrick

 

Wanting money discussed in earlier meeting

Cheryl Masias

Meadows estates

P&Z Board

Becky Raney

Meadows estates

Citizen

Debbie Ellis

200 Ball ST

Citizen

Stan Woodruff

 

Citizen/Business Owner

 

 

 

 

In accommodating insurance representatives, action items were moved. Brian Hudgeons representing AFLAC, Teresa Wollack, and Jeff Wollack presented a proposal for the city employees insurance. The report reflected diverse HMO’s and PPO’s and supplemental insurance. The city will evaluate proposal and invite them back.

 

The Mayor noticed the agenda did not have monthly reports. The City secretary was asked to do the agenda and had inadvertently left them out. The Mayor then asked Michael Bryant for his monthly report:

 

Mr. Bryant addressed the issues with the new generator. The new Generator was delivered this week, however the cost to install the generator was not included with the estimate. The City secretary checks the notes and minutes, and Michael checked with Lee Lawrence about the hookup being included with the purchase that was not included. Michael Bryant will be getting estimates this month to report to council on the next meeting. The issues with the meters were discussed; the city needs to purchase about (40) forty new meters. The high utility bills were discussed, since the install of the new aerators the electricity bill has more than doubled. Terry Sorensen stated, if the wastewater plant used half of the aerators, the utility bill should reduced some, however, Mr. Sorensen wanted to check the Wastewater plant before committing to anything else said. The issue with the inspection from TNRCC was also discussed, as well as the fine and penalty from TNRCC regarding the facts and figures with amounts pumped at the sewer plant. The Mayor stated that TNRCC fined the city; regardless to the renovations currently at hand at the Wastewater plant, for the wastewater plant not being large enough to handle what is being pumped. However, current renovations began a few months ago to correct this problem. The amount of the fine imposed is ($10,000.00) ten thousand dollars, however, the EPA has a special project for cities, allowing the fined entity to use the fine to improve certain areas in relation the penalty.

The Mayor asked for any items from council regarding the monthly report from Michael Bryant.

The council had none.

 

Mrs. Garner, a citizen in attendance at the meeting, asked to be heard from council regarding her dispute with Mr. Richard Ball.  Mrs. Garner stated she would not move her fence. Also stating there is a 10 foot alley easement on either side of the fence, her neighbors’ fences are all lined up, and the fence has been there for twenty years, and Mrs. Garner sees no reason what so ever to move the fence. The Mayor stated, Mr. Ball has retained an attorney for this matter and has threatened a lawsuit, the Mayor has received (2) two surveys, not alike, the Mayor requested a copy from each party, for the council to review and make a decision on the dispute. Mr. Sorensen asked how the city is involved with this; this is a dispute between neighbors. The Mayor stated, the late Mr. Garner issued a letter to Mr. Ball when this all began, on the City’s letterhead, giving the implication to Mr. Ball that the City is involved. The Mayor asked the City Secretary to get surveys, from both parties, find out when the fence was put up, and research the minutes involving this dispute, then the council can act upon this with that research.

 

The next item was citizen comments, Mr. Stan Woodruff asked about the coming election for the proposed school bond. Mr. Woodruff was concerned that if this issue passed, could the City accommodate the new school, with the current Water and Wastewater issues? (And) Mr. Woodruff would be very disappointed if his business would suffer, just to make sure that sprinklers systems were working at the school. The Mayor stated that the school board has not shared with the council, engineering plans, surveys, or any specifications needed, to determine that issue. The Mayor also mentioned the meeting held on the previous Thursday, was a discussion about the school bond, and his personal opinions only, not as Mayor. The planning and zoning committee is researching the property, and it appears the property is zoned for residential lots. The school board may override on the fact this is a government entity. The Mayor stated the city would have to wait and see if the proposal passes. The issue of streets and water improvements were also discussed. The Mayor added in November, the city went into an inter-local agreement with the county to scarify the (4) four worst roads in our area. (Whispering Oaks, Meadows Estates, Bonham, and Pecan.) The city contracted the county for materials only; labor will be at no cost, for ($16,198.85) sixteen thousand one hundred ninety eight and ninety-five cents. . The city is still liable for the ($38,000.00) thirty eight thousand dollars for the work done by the engineers at (Hunter and Associates) last year. The city has paid for the Surveys from Underwood, in the amount of ($14,000.) fourteen thousand dollars.

 

The next item on the agenda was to discuss bills and budget, however they were not prepared in time for the meeting. The Mayor stated he would have the bills and budget ready Monday. The next item on the agenda was the police monthly report:

 

Animal at large

6

Warrant services for court

16

Reckless damage

1

Disorderly conduct

3

Vacation checks

1

Found property

2

911 Hang-up

1

Evading arrest

1

Disburance

2

Accidents

2

Dicharge firearm inside city

1

Follow-ups

1

Backups

5

Medical emergency

2

Escorts

1

Hindering apprehension

1

Tampering with evidence

1

Reckless driver

2

DWI

2

Possession of Marijuana

2

Theft over $50 under $500

1

Motorist assist

2

Alarms

2

Theft by check

1

Calls for service

59

Total court summons

65

Written warnings

12

Total arrest

8

 

 D. H. Matthews presented a report o a reorganization plan for the police department, saving the city money on employment issues and reserve officer assistance. The proposal also included the assignment for Officer D. H. Matthews for the current Chief position that is currently available. Officers Matthews closed his proposal and the Mayor asked for a discussion on the proposal, Jerry Harris made the motion to accept the proposal, Bobbi Moran seconded. Rebecca Blomstedt asked if the city has already hired the Officer as Chief. The city secretary asked if this was something to discuss at a later time, or if Officer Matthews was offering the reorganization plan as Chief. Officer Matthews stated he was offering the proposal to the city as a Chief. The Mayor asked Mr. Harris to with withdraw his motion to accept the proposal, and asked Bobbi Moran to withdraw her motion. The Mayor then asked for a motion to adjourn to executive session in accordance with LC 551.074 to discuss the issue of retaining the proposal and accepting Officer Matthews as Chief.  Rebecca Blomstedt made the motion to adjourn, Jerry Harris seconded, and all were in favor. The city council adjourned at 9:57 PM, into executive session.

 

BEGIN SEALED

 


BEGIN UNSEALED

 

The City council convened into regular session at 11:17 PM. The council voted to table the proposal, the motion was made by Terry Sorensen and seconded by Rebecca Blomstedt, and all were in favor. The next meeting is set for December 07, 2001. At that time the matter will be discussed to set a plan for the Chief’s position. In that time Council member Jerry Harris will oversee the department, since this member of the council is retired, and can be in town as needed to oversee the department.

 

The next item for discussion is the Planning and Zoning permit fees, however, since the item was not placed on the agenda, the council agreed to table the report for the next meeting on December 07, 2001.

 

The next item for discussion was items from the council, Ms. Blomstedt inquired about the letter sent to Ms. Ellis about the information requested from her, and if, the city had any legal authority to send the letter. The City Secretary state, Since the information Ms. Ellis requested was voluminous, The State Attorney’s Office helped her in preparing the letter to Ms. Ellis. As far as the Secretary’s concern for the city, the Public records office has assured the secretary we could send this to Ms. Ellis.

 

The Mayor asked for any other items from council. No items from council, The Mayor asked for the motion to adjourn,

 

Motion to adjourn by Rebecca Blomstedt, Ruby Barnes seconded and all were in favor. The city council adjourned at 11:59 PM

Next Meeting December 07, 2001 5:30

 

 

PREPARED BY: CATHERINE ROBLES, CITY SECRETARY

 

DATE APPROVED Jerry Harris made the motion to accept, with changes, Rebecca Blomstedt seconded and all were in favor, Ruby Barnes, Absent approved 02/04/2002 regular session

CHANGES: the motion made and seconded to permit fees, amount, corrected cost to county for roadwork, various typos

 

SIGNATURE: _on file_______________________________

 

NAME: David Schaab

TITLE: Mayor