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CM 1978-05-23 Mi n u t e ~ 6¥~] M~t~23, 1978 The City Council of the City of Coppell met in regular session on May 23, 1978, at 7:30 p.m. in the Coppell High School cafeteria. The following members were present: John R. Burns, Mayor Andy Brown, Mayor Pro Tem Roy Brock, Councilman David Phillips, Councilman Glen White, Councilman Andy Grant, Councilman Also present were City Administrator James Elium, City Attorney Larry Jack- son, and City Secretary Dorothy Timmons. The meeting was called to order and everyone asked to stand while Councilman Phillips gave the invocation. Following the invocation, Councilman Brock moved that the reading of the min- utes of May 9 be waived; Councilman Grant seconded and motion carried 5-0 with the mayor showing his approval. Councilman Grant then moved that the minutes of May 9 be approved as submitted; Mayor Pro Tem Brown seconded and motion carried 5-0 with the mayor showing his approval. Councilman Brock then moved that the reading of the minutes of May 16 be waived; Councilman Grant seconded and motion carried 5-0 with the mayor abstaining from approval or disapproval. Councilman Brock moved that the minutes of May 16 be approved as submitted; Councilman Grant seconded and motion carried 5-0 with the mayor abstaining from showing approval or disapproval. The first item on the agenda was a public hearing on the proposed water and sewer rates. Following comments from Mayor Burns concerning procedures for appearances on the agenda and formats for public hearings, the public hearing was declared open. Councilman Grant commented on the necessity for the pro- posed water and sewer increase, followed by a presentation by Mr. Seth Stevens of Joe M. Nall and Associates. City Administrator James R. Elium then com- mented that the proposed rate increase does not include the proposed Dallas Water rates. The following persons wished to comment or ask questions con- cerning the rate increase: Mr. Steve Parsons Mr. Bobby Jefferson Mr. Geren B6rton Mrs. Elsie Edwards Mr. Fred Harrington Mr. Charles Lambert Mrs. Hazel Beal Following comments and questions from the audience, the public hearing was declared closed. The Council then considered adopting a Water and Sewer Rate Ordinance. Council- man Grant moved that this ordinance #180 be adopted; Councilman Brock second- ed and motion carried 5-0 with the mayor showing his approval. The next item on the agenda was a number of appearances by citizens of the City. First, Mrs. Robert Edwards appeared and stated that most of her quest- ions concerning the water level on their wells had been answered during the public hearing. However, she was still concerned with the dust from the digging on DeForest Road. City Administrator James Elium stated that the City will look into this matter. Next, Mrs. Sandy Dutt appeared to discuss the digging on the north side of DeForest Road. She stated that it was her im- pression that the digging would no longer be done on the north side of the road. Mrs. Dutt was informed that a stock tank and a fish pond were being construct- ed on the property on the north side of the road. Councilman White informed Mrs. Dutt that he would check into the matter and get back with her. Next, Mr. Jerry Bragg appeared to request a mobile home permit on his lot on Sandy Lake Road. His lot is located next to a Mobile Home Park and trash and debris as well as tree limbs are being thrown on his lot. He is requesting the ~r- mit for a mobile home for his son to reside in, in order to keep the trash off the lot and to keep the lot mowed~!~iF6'li6wing discussion on this item, Councilman Phillips moved that the permit be granted for a period of five years; Councilman Grant seconded andmotion carried 5-0 with the mayor ab- staining from showing approval or disapproval. The last item under citizen's appearances was Mr. Geren Burton to request three-way stop signs at the intersections of Bethel and Moore Roads and also at Heartz and Bethel Roads. Mr. Burton stated thathe felt, because of the traffic that will be on these roads when the Fox and Jacobs sub-division is begun, stop signs should be put up to help the traffic situation. Mr. Burton was advised that this matter will be taken under advisement by ~he Council. The next item to be considered by the Council was a notice of intention to issue combination Tax and Water and Sewer System Revenue Certificates of Ob- ligation. Mr. Ben Brooks of Hutchison, Price & Boyle was present to dis- cuss this item. He stated that the notice would have to be published two times prior to the Council passing an ordinance. It is proposed that this ordinance be adopted on the regular Council meeting of June 27. Council- man Grant moved that this Notice of Intent be published; Mayor Pro Tem Brown seconded and motion carried 5-0 with the mayor showing his approval. A copy of the Notice is attached as a permanent part of these minutes. At this time, a recess was requested. Following the recess, the first item to be considered by the Council was con- sideration of extending the rate suspension period from May 25, 1978 to June 24, 1978 on the Texas Power & Light rate increase. Mr. Mike Arrington was present from T P & L to discuss this item with the Council. Councilman Grant moved that the suspension period be approved; Councilman Brock seconded and motion carried 5-0 with the mayor showing his approval. A copy of the reso- lution authorizing the suspension period is attached as a permanent oar~ of these minutes. Cohsideration of approval of the final bill on the Water and Sewer Rate Study recently conducted by Joe M. Nall and Associates was the next item on the Council agenda. This bill is in the amount of $2,021.22. Councilman Grant moved that this bill be approved for payment; Councilman Brock seconded and motion carried 5-0 with the mayor showing his approval. Consideration of participating in the Con~n, ittee for Fair Water Rates Study was then discussed by the Council. The City's portion of this Rate Study will amount to S4,140. £ouqcilman Grant moved that ~he City particloa~e in this study; Councilman Brock seconded and motion carried 5-0 with the ~a~'~r showing his approval. A Report on the MUD was the next item on the agenda. Mayor Burns ssa]e~ that he had talked with Mr. Paul Phy, and that no decision had been reache~. City Administrator James Elium stated that he had written a letter to Mr. Phy re- questing the needed information and had received no reply as of this da~e. The next item to be considered was the City Administrator's Report. Several items were distributed to the Council members by the City Administrator. These included a copy of a letter from the Texas Department of Water Resources stating that they accepted the methodology used in the previous Water and Sewer Rate Study. Also distributed was a memo from the City Secretary show- ing interest earned on investments since the beginning of the budget year. The City Administrator stated that he had a copy of the tPA application which had been mailed earlier in the day, and it was available for review by any Council member who wished. A budget time schedule was distributed, and the City Administrator stated that the Budget Work Sheet would be going to the Department heads in the near future. The last item under this report was a statement by the City Administrator that the Water System is working, and the underground storage tank at City Hall is now full. The one on Heartz Road has not been flushed and chlorinated as of this time. The next item to be considered by the Council'was approval of'the Bills. Councilman Grant moved that all bills be approyed for payment; Councilman White seconded and motion carried 5-0 with the mayor showing his approval. The meeting was then closed to the public for an Executive Session allowed under Article 6252-17, Section 2 (c), discussion with City Attorney, and Article 6252-17, Section 2 {g), discussion concer~ng personnel. ~oll°wing the Executive Session, the meeting was then declared open to the public. Mayor Pro Tem Brown moved that Cherie Parrish be hired as a night dispatcher in the Police Department; Councilman Grant seconded and motion carried 5-0 with the mayor showing his approval. The next item to be considered by the Council was appointment of Board of Equalization Members. It was the consensus of the Council that the mem- bers from the previous Board be contacted to see if they would consider serv- ing for this year. Also to be contacted is Mr. Gene Carder. The meeting was then adjourned. John R. Burns, Mayor ATTEST: Dorothy Timmo~, ~i~t-y~Secretary. CITY OF COPPELL __Why is a Water and Sewer Rate Increase Necessary__? It has become necessary for the City of Coppell to consider increasing water and sewer rates because: * Present rates have allowed operating losses by increasing amounts in each year since 1974. * These operating losses were covered by transferring tax funds into the utility operation. * Present rates of inflation continue to increase costs of labor and supplies. * More strict regulations and standards for water quality and sewage treatment are being enforced by Federal and State agencies. * New facilities with higher construction costs must be built to meet growth and regulatory requirements. * Bond ratings for future City debt requirements will not allow continued operating deficiencies. Rates proposed for enactment by the City Council are designed to: * Fit the present population of the City of Coppell. * Treat the costs of providing a public water supply independently from sewage treatment services. * Eliminate as closely as possible the deficits presently found in the operation of water and sewer service. Present litigation between the City of Coppell and the City of Dallas has not been used in the development of the proposed water rates. A decision adverse to the City of Coppell would possibly lead to further increases in the water rate. The Proposed Residential Water and Sewer Rates: Water Minimum includes first 2,000 gallons $5.00 Each 1,000 gallons over first 2,000 gallons $1.50 Sewer Minimum includes first 1,000 gallons $4.00 Each 1,000 gallons over first 1,000 gallons up to 14,000 gallon maximum per residential unit $ .55 AN ORDINANCE DIRECTING THE GIVING OF NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ISSUE $250,000 CITY OF COPPELL, TEXAS, COMBINATION TAX AND REVENUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION, SERIES 1978 BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COPPELL, TEXAS: 1. That the City Secretary of the C~ty of Coppell, Texas, is hereby authorized and directed to issue a notice in substantlally the following form: "NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ISSUE COMBINATION TAX AND REVENUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION "THE STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF DALLAS CITY OF COPPELL "NOTICE is hereby given that on the 20th day of June, 1978, the City of Coppell, Texas, at a regular meeting of the City Council to be held at the regular meeting place of the City Council, intends to pass an ordinance authorizing the issuance of Combination Tax and Revenue Certificates of Obligation, for the purpose of purchasing, repairing, improving and extending the existing sanitary sewer system ~n and for said City and for the payment of necessary and incidental expenses related thereto. Said Certificates shall be issued in an amount not to exceed Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250, 000); they shall bear interest at a rate not to exceed Ten Per Cent (10%) per annum, and shall have a maximum maturity date o£ not later than Forty (40) years after their date. Said Certificates shall be payable from the levy of a d~rect and continuing annual ad valorem tax against all taxable property within said C[ty and the net revenues of the City's water and sewer system, subject and subordinate to any pledge made for the security and payment of prior llen bonds, sufficient to pay the interest on this Series of Certificates as due and to provide for the payment o£ the principal thereof as the same matures, as authorized by Article 2368a,1, V.A.T.C.S., as amended and supplemented. "THIS NOTICE is given in accordance with law and as directed by the City Council of the City of Coppell, Texas. "GIVEN this the 23rd day of May, 1978. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF COPPELL, TEXAS WHEREAS, Texas Power & Light Company filed an appli- cation with the City of Coppell, hereinafter called "City,': on December 21, 1978, for a rate increase for customers residing within the corporate limits of the City, and WHEREAS, Texas Power & Light Company established January 25, 1978, as the effective date of said rate change as requested in said proposed rate schedule; and WHEREAS, the City Council suspended the operation of the rate schedule through May 25, 1978, a period of 120 days beyond the effective date of the proposed rate change and held a public hearing in regard to the same; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that a longer time will be required for a final determination; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COPPELL, TEXAS: SECTION 1. That the City Council of the City of Coppell, the regulatory authority, having found that additional time is needed within which to analyze the application of Texas Power & Light Company, does hereby suspend operation of the proposed rate schedule for an additional 30-day period, said period being 150 days beyond the "effective date'~ of said rate request. SECTI©N 2. That this resolution is made pursuant to Section 43 of the Texas Public Util~ity Regulatory Act of 1975, and shall become effective immediately upon its adoption. SECTION 3. That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Texas Power & Light Company so as to notify said company of the decision made by the regulatory authority. DULY PASSED by the City Council of the City of Coppell, Texas, this the~day of ~__, 1978. APP ROY .,~,: ~ ~YOR ATTEST:i LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ISSUE COMBINATION TAX AND REVENUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION THE STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF DALLAS CITY OF COPP£LL NOTICE is hereby given that on the 27th day of June, 1978, the City of Coppell, Texas, at a regular meeting of the City Council to be held at the regular meeting place of the City Council, intends to pass an ordinance authorizing the issuance of Combination Tax and Revenue Certifi- cates of Obligation, for the purpose of purchasing, repairing, improving '-and extending the existing sanitary sewer system in and for said City and for the payment of necessary and incidental expenses related thereto. Said Certificates shall be issued in an amount not to exceed Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000); they shall bear interest at a rate not to exceed Ten Per Cent (10%) per annum, and shall have a maximum maturity date of not later than Forty (40) years after their date. Said Certificates shall be payable from the levy of a direct and continuing annual ad valorem tax against all taxable property withi~ said City and the net revenues of the City's water and sewer system, subject and sub- ordinate to any pledge made for the security and payment of prior lien bonds, sufficient to pay the interest on this Series of Certificates as due and to provide for the payment of the principal thereof as the same matures, as authorized by Article 2368a.1, V.A.T.C.S., as amended and supplemented. THIS NOTICE is given in accordance with law and as directed by the City Council of the City of Coppell, Texas. GIVEN this the 23rd day of May, 1978. /s/ Dorothy Timmons City Secretary A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF COPPELL, TEXAS WHEREAS, Texas Power & Light Company filed an appli- cation with the City of Coppell, hereinafter called "City,': on December 21, 1978, for a rate increase for customers residing within the corporate limits of the City, and WHEREAS, Texas Power & Light Company established January 25, 1978, as the effective date of said rate change as requested in said proposed rate schedule; and WHEREAS, the City Council suspended the operation of the rate schedule through May 25, 1978, a period of 120 days beyond the effective date of the proposed rate change and held a public hearing in regard to the same; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that a longer time will be required for a final determination; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COPPELL, TEXAS: SECTION 1. That the City Council of the City of Coppell, the regulatory authority, having found that additional time is needed within which to analyze the application of Texas Power & Light Company, does hereby suspend operation of the proposed rate schedule for an additional 30-day period, said period being 150 days beyond the "effective date'~ of said rate request. SECTION 2. That this resolution is made pursuant to Section 43 of the Texas Puk. lic Utility Regulatory Act of 1975, and shall become effective immediately upon its adoption. SECTION 3. That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Texas Power & Light Company so as to notify said company of the decision made by the regulatory authority. DULY PASSED by the City Council of the City of Coppell, Texas, this the~day of ~ , 1978. APPROVF3D: i ~YOR ATTEST:' C/TY SECreTARY