| |
City council lengthy and varied agenda
After seeing the new fire truck acquired for the Fort Stockton Volunteer Department, and seeing a demonstration of the ladder truck the city hopes to acquire, the Mayor and Council members convened in Council Chambers for their regular meeting.
The first order of business was a report by Mart Adams, City Attorney, concerning Ordinance No. 08-102 of the City of Fort Stockton Pecos County, Texas, amending an ordinance enacted June 1, 1982, by rezoning all of Lot 1, Block 1, Arnett Addition from a 2-Family (2F) dwelling district to a Multi-Family (MF) dwelling district for construction of a triplex. Passed and approved by an affirmative vote of Council Members present on the 26th day of February 2008. Adams recommended that the Council hold off on taking action until the residents in the area could respond to the request. That area has covenants restricting the construction of anything but single family dwellings.
Fire Chief Melvin Thomas, Assistant Fire Chiefs Jesse Dominguez, Juan Sarabia, and Sal Rangel from the City of Fort Stockton and Pecos County, thanked the Council for the newly acquired Fire Truck Pumper Model American LaFrance Liberty series custom fire apparatus rescue/pumper.
Patrick Ryan TXDOT Engineer City of Fort Stockton presented the Council information on TXDOT project BI 10-G (Dickinson Street) Project Timeline. Work is expected to begin March 31, and be completed by July 22.
Then the Council listened to a presentation by CEA-AG Agent Jed Elrod on Unwanted Chemical & Container Roundup Day scheduled for March 19, 2008, at Pecos County Coliseum Grounds.
The council was scheduled to hear an update on the annual financial report for the fiscal year that ended September 30, 2007, by Tracy B. Tarter P.C., Fort Worth. However, Mr. Tarter had called saying he was unable to attend. Mayor Pro-tem Louis Villarreal said that there had been many meetings missed by Tarter in the past.
The Council approved Resolution #08-114R, authorizing and directing the City Manager to accept the best bid for the Fort Stockton Wastewater Treatment Plant Aeration Equipment as detailed in the Department of Commerce, Economic Development Agency Investment No. 08-01-04193 in support of the City of Fort Stockton and Pecos County.
They approved Discuss/Act upon Resolution #08-115R, authorizing the filing of a grant application with FEMA - Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) for a ladder truck; authorizing the City Manager to act on behalf of the City of Fort Stockton in all matters related to the application; and pledging that if a grant is received the City of Fort Stockton will comply with the grant requirements of AFG, FEMA, and the State of Texas.
They approved Resolution #08-116R, authorizing and directing the City Manager to pursue funding for a new Animal Shelter in Fort Stockton in support of the City of Fort Stockton and Pecos County.
They approved Resolution #08-117R, authorizing the City Manager to execute a Cable Television Franchise Management Service Agreement.
The Council approved Resolution #08-118R, endorsing a joint venture with the County Commissioners of Pecos County and the Fort Stockton Independent School District to seek funding for an Athletic Complex.
They approved solution #08-119R, endorsing a joint venture with the County Commissioners of Pecos County and Pecos County WCID #1 to explore the restoration of Comanche Springs' Cienega.
Council approved five resolutions which impact on the restoration and redo of the old Depot as the Fort Stockton Visitor's Center. The building will be redone to accommodate the tourism bureau, redo the conference room to better handle meetings with audio visual needs.
The Council approved accounts payable for $87,903.29. They approve budget changes for Municipal Court to allow for the cost of court appointed attorneys. They also agreed to budget changes for Economic Development Corporation 4-A, and a budget change for Sewer Department to cover the deficit of Resolution 08-114R, Grant # 08-01- 04193.
The Council discussed a lease agreement between the City of Fort Stockton and Chris Alexander for a thirty foot by fifty foot (30'x 50') triangle more or less, out of the Northwest corner of Section twenty-three (23), Block one hundred forty-six (146), T& St L Ry. Co., Survey, Fort Stockton, Pecos County, Texas. Council member Vanessa Cardwell wanted to amend the contract by limiting the length of financial contracts to two years. Alexander stated that he had made a business decision based on the agreement with the council for a ten year lease, and was upset that the council wanted to change the rules now. Mayor Falcon stated that he had signed the contract, and Council Member John Pacheco voiced the opinion that the Council had given its word to Alexander, and they should keep it. Cardwell offered a motion that accepted the contract with Alexander, but future contracts should only be two years in length and should be signed by the city manager.
The Council then went into Executive session to consider several items; the Organizational Chart for the 2008-2009 fiscal year, presentation by City Manager, Rafael Castillo, Jr., Deliberations about real property, and consultation with attorney pending or contemplated litigation.
The Council reconvened in Regular Session at nine p.m.
They approved the organizational chart pending the addition of job descriptions and the necessary resolutions, to be prepared by City Manager Rafael Castillo.
They authorized the City Attorney to begin negotiations to purchase some property.
They returned an offer from Pete Terrazas for an easement across property belonging to him to be returned with a resolution containing a hold harmless clause.
The City Attorney was authorized to advertise for sale the property known as Riley farms.
Finally, they agreed to exchange with the Economic Development Corporation 20 acres north of I-10 for a property of equal value.
|
