3. Discuss and Consider Resolution appointing Election Judges and clerks for the Saturday, May 13, 2006, City of Seymour City Officers General and Special Elections.

Mayor explained that this Resolution is the annual Resolution to appoint Judges and set out specifics for the upcoming May election.

Motion:
Motion made by Councilman Snyder to approve and adopt the Resolution as presented, 2nd by Councilwoman Fest.

Vote on the Motion:
passed unanimously to approve Resolution appointing Election Judges and clerks for the Saturday, May 13, 2006, City of Seymour City Officers General and Special Elections.

THIS IS RESOLUTION # 1264.
_
4. Discuss, Consider Amending Ordinance to the City of Seymour Code of Ordinances to impose a $50.00 deposit for new garbage-only customers of the City of Seymour.

Mayor explained this item. There are only about 60 accounts are listed as garbage only; all are outside the City limits. This deposit will provide incentive for these ‘Garbage Only’ customers to notify the City when they decide to move, in order that KWS may pick up their container and the Utility billing clerks will no longer be wasting time and postage billing them.

Motion:
Motion made by MPT Butler, 2nd by Councilman Snyder to approve and adopt an Ordinance that will assess this $50.00 ‘Garbage Only’ deposit, and direct City Staff to present the Ordinance in final form at the next meeting.

Vote on the Motion:
passed unanimously.

5. Hear Presentation, discuss and consider proposal of Valor Telecom to furnish local and long-distance telephone services to the City of Seymour municipal offices.

Mr. Bob Gray with Valor Telecom: Thanked Council for the opportunity to speak tonight and explain how Valor would like to provide telecommunication solutions for the City of Seymour. He introduced all his co-workers who came to the meeting to represent Valor. Mr. Gray explained that Valor has made $175,000 worth of capital investments in the City of Seymour in 2005 and plan for another $ 159,000 in 2006. Most of the 2006 money will be tied into the new highway realignment and the need to move existing lines. Also in 2005, Valor opened a Retail store in the City of Seymour and provided 2 full time jobs for local citizens. We are also happy to announce that we are launching a scholarship and the application is on our website for any of the students here in Seymour to apply. Mr. Gray then introduced Rhonda Cypert who explained the proposal that was presented to Council. She explained that the ‘Centrex Solution’ proposed by Valor would save the City of Seymour approximately $117 per month over what we are paying now to Santa Rosa. The savings will be further enhanced if the City decides to also order Valor long distance, and switch over from Qwest, the current carrier. Mr. Gray contacted Mr. Glenn Morris to the podium from Valor to discuss some technical items. He stated that DSL is now available at the high speed of 3.0. He also stated that some of the phone lines that are being placed at the new Hwy 277 realignment will be buried lines, underground; however, existing aerial lines will remain aerial for the time being. Council inquired of Mr. Gray of the details of the Valor merger with Alltel. Mr. Gray explained that this was just a merger, and a stock trade. Valor was not bought out and neither was Alltel. The merger will be final probably mid-year in 2006. Alltel has purchased Cellular One, so this may mean the capability to provide cellular service some time down the line. Much of these plans are unknown at this time. (E.Simpson 3-21-06: On 2-16-06, Mr. Gray mis-stated that Alltel bought US Cellular, Mr. Gray called the City 2-17-06 and requested that the correction be reflected in the minutes…Alltel purchased Cellular One, not US Cellular.)

Mayor Craighead asked that City Staff compile a report comparing proposals from both Santa Rosa, the City’s current telecommunications provider, as well as Valor.

6. Discuss, Consider and Take action upon the local agreement between the Seymour City Police Department and the Office of the District Attorney with regard to disposition of forfeited property, as presented by District Attorney David Hajek.

Mayor explained that this item is before Council because District Attorney Hajek prefers having an updated agreement be passed by Council. There is nothing new in this agreement than has been done in the past.

Motion:
Motion to approve and enter into local agreement between the Seymour City Police Department and the Office of the District Attorney with regard to disposition of forfeited property, as presented by District Attorney David Hajek, motion by Councilman Snyder, 2nd by Councilwoman Fest.

Vote on the Motion:
passed unanimously.

7. Discuss, Consider and Take action upon a proposed reciprocal billing agreement between the City and ATMOS Energy for billing for repairs to respective utility systems.

City Administrator explained this item. Atmos Energy has made two proposals here. One option is that the City begin to invoice Atmos Energy each time that Atmos personnel might damage City property, and vice versa, the City will get an invoice from Atmos upon finding damage to Atmos Energy infrastructure caused by City of Seymour personnel. The second option was that both utilities continue to repair all damage at their own expense. The second option is the method customarily used by the City in its dealings with Atmos Energy.

Supr. Shumate’s recommendation was to continue along utilizing the method historically used.
It is rare that damage is done, and reciprocal invoicing seems that it would be unnecessary bookkeeping.

Motion:
Motion by MPT Butler, 2nd by Councilman Snyder, to decline the offer of a reciprocal agreement from Atmos Energy, and direct City Staff to continue to repair City infrastructure without invoicing Atmos Energy.

Vote on the Motion:
passed unanimously.

8. Discuss, Consider and Take action to amend Budget and to transfer from Water/Sewer reserves up to $27,000.00 dollars for computer hardware from INCODE, division of Tyler Technologies of Lubbock, Texas, in order to contract the InVision system Utility Billing, Finance and Court computer upgrade as a “turnkey” project.

City Staff explained that approximately $27,000 is needed, in addition to the amount formerly authorized by Council from the Utility Billing Software Reserve Fund, in order for INCODE, division of Tyler Technologies of Lubbock, Texas, in order for this computer hardware/software upgrade project to be done as a ‘turnkey’ project.

The ‘final form’ Resolution, itemizing each new account to be created, will be presented to Council at the next City Council meeting.

Motion:
Motion by MPT Butler, 2nd by Councilwoman Fest, to amend the Budget of the City of Seymour, to authorize more additional money from the Water Reserve fund, in the amount of $27,000 in order to upgrade computer hardware and software through INCODE of Lubbock, Texas as a ‘turnkey’ project.

Vote on the motion:
passed unanimously.

9. Discuss, Consider and Take Action upon Resolution as proposed by North Central Texas Drug Task force, to donate the City of Seymour’s share of pending forfeitures, in order to finance the North Texas Drug Task Force from March 2006 to March 2007.

THIS IS RESOLUTION #1262.


Mayor explains that the money historically came from the State for the support of this Drug Task Force. Now the State of Texas is revoking this money in order to redirect the money to the Texas / Mexico border. The City of Wichita Falls has stepped up to volunteer to coordinate this Task Force, and to front the money to continue the operations of the Task Force, if the other participating entities will commit pending forfeitures, in order to finance this Task Force from March 2006 to March 2007.

Motion:

Motion made by Councilman Snyder, 2nd by Councilwoman Tankersley to pass Resolution, as proposed by North Central Texas Drug Task force, to donate the City of Seymour’s share of pending forfeitures, in order to finance the North Texas Drug Task Force from March 2006 to March 2007.

Vote on the Motion:
passed unanimously.

10. Discuss, Consider and take Action upon Resolution to establish the ES&S AutoMark Voting System, owned by and leased from Baylor County, will be available for use by voters in all City elections held after January 1, 2006.

THIS IS RESOLUTION #1265

Mayor explained that this Resolution is a formality to establish that the City, by leasing a State approved voting system from Baylor County, will now comply with all the HAVA laws.

Motion:
Motion to pass the Resolution as presented to Resolution to establish the ES&S AutoMark Voting System, owned by and leased from Baylor County, will be available for use by voters in all City elections held after January 1, 2006, motion by Councilman Snyder, 2nd by Councilwoman Fest.

Vote on the Motion:
passed unanimously.

11. Discuss, Consider and take Action to adopt Resolution to declare all “Appointment of Campaign Treasurer” forms, filed with the City of Seymour before January 1, 2006 to be cancelled.

THIS IS RESOLUTION #1263.

Mayor explained that this Resolution is a housekeeping item to clear away some old Campaign Treasurer appointment forms which are still technically ‘open’; however the candidate has died or moved away. This Resolution will not affect the candidates for the May 13th election. After the May 13, 2006 election, all candidates will be encouraged to terminate their Campaign Treasurer appointments in a timely manner.

Motion:
Motion by MPT Butler, 2nd by Councilwoman Tankersley, to approve and adopt Resolution to declare all “Appointment of Campaign Treasurer” forms, filed with the City of Seymour before January 1, 2006 to be cancelled.

Vote on the Motion:
passed unanimously.

12. City Administrators report, report of suggestions/concerns received this month in the Suggestion box, and the well-level report.

CA Shephard explained that there were some potholes reported in the suggestion box, however, these have been repaired.

Councilman Snyder explained that a citizen had commented about storm water drainage problems on South Cedar near Ingram.

There was an extended discussion about this location and others in the City, where storm water drainage is a problem. There is a problem with the drains in town being located at the Baylor County Courthouse and the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and both of these drains quickly become flooded when there is any rain. The City Engineers have reviewed this site, and others and there is no ‘quick fix’. Moving the water from one site would most likely only put the water in another citizen’s front yard. Creating more drains is very costly, however, City Staff will investigate all possible revenue possibilities for the money to install new drains. CA Shephard will report back.


13. City Council members’ reports
and setting of future agenda items.


Council members had no reports.


EXECUTIVE SESSION: PUBLIC MEETING CLOSES at 8:50p.m.

Executive Session:

(closed to the public) pursuant to Chapter 551 of the Texas Local Government Code under:
§ 551.087 : Deliberation Regarding Economic Development Negotiations; Closed Meeting

14. Receive information from City Administrator, Discuss or deliberate regarding commercial or financial information that the City Council has received from business(es) that the City Council seeks to have locate, stay, or expand in the City of Seymour and with which the City Council is conducting economic development negotiations, being Cactus Juice/Safe Solutions.

Note: The Council reserves the right to vote or to act in open session upon any of the items listed in this agenda.

COUNCIL RETURNED TO OPEN SESSION at 9:55 p.m.


15. Take Action resulting from deliberations during Executive Session.

No action was taken.



ADJOURNMENT



Motion:
Motion to adjourn at 9:56 p.m. by MPT Butler, 2nd and passed unanimously. _
Approved this 23rd day of March, 2006 .



__________________________
Mayor Dan Craighead




___________________________________
Attest: Elaine Simpson, TRMC, CMC
City Sec

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