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Home My WebLink About09-08-10 TC MinMINUTES OF THE TOWN OF WESTLAKE, TEXAS E0111 W=r- Cll�ii�1�11 E ETI N G September 8, 2010 PRESENT: Mayor Laura Wheat and Council Members, Tim Brittan, Clif Cox, Carol Langdon and Rick Rennhack. 0*14 r 11 OTHERS PRESENT: Town Manager Tom Brymer, Town Attorney Stan Lowry, Town Secretary Kelly Edwards, Public Works Director Jarrod Greenwood, Municipal Court Administrator Amanda DeGan, Facilities and Recreation Director Troy Meyer, Finance Director Debbie Piper, Interim Fire Chief Richard Whitten, Planning and Development Director Eddie Edwards, Director of Human Resources and Administrative Services Todd Wood and Management Intern Scott Dixon. Mayor Wheat called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. R 4 *lell • if -I R R:re CA 0 Col Mayor Wheat led the pledge of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags. 3. ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE TO THE NEWLY APPOINTED COUNCIL MEMBER. - No action taken Town Council Minutes 09108/10 Page 1 of 4 Town Manager Brymer provided a presentation and over view of the Town's financial status. Allan Werst, 4035 Aspen Lane, stated he has lived here since 2008 and is not in favor of a property tax. He would like the Council to entertain other options such as the addition of retail to increase sales tax revenue. Mike Mauler, 18555 Broken Bend Drive, posed questions of why a Town of 700 is trying to fund our own school, how residents benefit from the grants provided to Fidelity and Deloitte, if privatizing the Academy was discussed, if we could tax those who use our infrastructure and why FM1938 needs to be a six (6) lane road. David Rollins 13239 Roanoke Road, stated he and his wife value the education at the Academy but they are not in favor of the ad valorem tax. He fears we have created an inequitable situation that is unsustainable and will lead to further disharmony and disunity in our community, especially with the imposition of an Ad Valorem tax to cover the shortfall. Darcy Anderson, 2005 Wood Thrush Ct., is against a property tax but agreed with Mr. Rollins comments. He supports the Academy and feels it adds value to the town and that it is not an option to close a school. He would encourage privatizing the school and request Council take time to continue to study the implementation of a property tax. Pat Cockrum, 1825 Broken Bend, is opposed to a property tax. He asked the Council what has been done to entertain and cut cost or outsource cost. He also feels like the Fire and EMS should be on the table for discussion. Scott Bradley, 1 Paigebrooke, asked the Council how the revenues are doing currently and what the current sales tax has been since January. He also asked the Council to take some time and not pass the tax this year. He feels we could cut service levels and people would understand the reduction in services. 5. CONDUCT THE FIRST CIST) PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE PROPOSED TAX • AND TAX INCREASE. ANNOUNCE THE TIME, DATE AND PLACE OF THE MEETING AT WHICH THE TOWN COUNCIL WILL VOTE ON THE PROPOSED TAX RATE. Mayor Wheat and the Council provided explanations to the questions asked during Citizen Presentation. Mayor Wheat explained funding for the Academy (state and town funding) and that the school is a public school and cannot charge students. Mayor Wheat also mentioned that consolidation of the ISD's is not an option due to the fact it would require the consent of both ISD's. Town Council Minutes 09/08/10 Page 2 of 4 Discussion ensued regarding the percentage of Westlake residents enrolled at the academy, its efficiency, the decision to increase the class size to 20 students, why privatizing the school is not an option due to the debt, and the amount of the current bonds that are backed by an Ad Valorem tax. Discussion also ensued regarding additional options that have not been previously discussed such as serving as an IB School for surround districts, offering Pre-school for- profit, outsourcing Fire and EMS services, how the daytime population affects the Town's infrastructure and transparency by showing direct and indirect cost associated with the Academy currently paid by the Town. Town Manager Brymer provided a budget transmittal letter outlining the evolution of the Town and the unique service delivery provided by support staff. He also provided clarification regarding the Keller and Southlake proposals that no information was provided to include using our current station. Town Attorney Lowry stated the Sales tax is at the maximum and the only two options allowed by State law for municipalities to collect are sales tax and property tax. Interim Fire Chief Whitten spoke regarding the response time and the safety of the community. The department's target time is 4 to 6 minutes. After 6 minutes a patient experiencing breathing problems could experience life threatening outcomes. Chief Whitten also provided an overview of the proposals provided by Southlake and Keller the effect of residential sprinkler systems as required in residential homes and an explanation how the size of the home determines the number of Fire Fighters needed to respond. Discussion ensued regarding the interoperability of communications due to the different County communication systems, letters received from residents and businesses and how the town could suffer should there be a disaster in the contracting city and Westlake simultaneously. Interim Chief Whitten also explained the Keller contract would keep revenue, respond from their current location and not provide inspection services. on i 6=1 - I I Z [a) I W01.14 4 0 107-1 Special Council Meeting September 16, 2010 Arbor Day September 25, 2010 Westlake Baja at Vaquero September 27, 2010 Town Council Minutes 09/08/10 Page 3 of 4 September 27, 2010 Council Meeting (adoption of budget) September 29, 2010 Council Meeting October 25, 2010 Annual TML Conference (Corpus Christi) October 26-29, 2010 There being no further business before the Council, Mayor Wheat asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. MOTION: Council Member Rennhack made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Council Member Cox seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0. Mayor Wheat adjourned the meeting at 9:20 p.m. F-1111-0616 r4 U-tL-V-E-J�A- Kell Edwa s, Town Secretary 7 - Laura Wheat, Mayor Town Council Minutes 09/08110 Page 4 of 4