Supporting Documents for Agenda Items can be found HERE. (Includes proposed budget approved in item 15)
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Attendance: Present: Mayor Ritch Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tem Charlie Bradt, Mike McLeod, Dean Gristy, Ted Fletcher and Ron Raymaker
ITEM 7: Municipal Development District (MDD) Monthly Report - Discussion only.
ITEM 8: Strategic Destination Plan (CVB)- CVB consultants Clarity of Place will meet with key stakeholders from across all economic sectors in the city (hotel, retail, dining, recreation, etc.) to gain feedback from the overall community. They will then develop a competitive analysis to assess how Shenandoah can differentiate itself to compete in the visitor market. They will also produce a plan that addresses the long-term sustainability of the city as a destination. All aspects of the project will be conducted in collaboration with city staff. Deliverables will include a report on assessment and analysis, a list of priorities and goals for implementation; monitoring of the performance of the report, priorities, goals; and tracking of any disruptions affecting tourism. The base fee of $36,000 would be paid out monthly as a retainer. If the city wishes to continue the relationship with the consultants after the first year, that will be renegotiated on an annual basis, at a lower rate. Council voted 5-0 to approve the Strategic Destination Plan.
ITEM 9: Steptoe and Johnson Invoice (Non-budgeted expenditure) - The City has incurred additional legal fees related to current litigation with the Oak Haven Apartment Homes. Since this is not a cost that was adopted in the budget and is over the City Administrator’s approval level of $15,000, Council is required to approve the expenditure before the invoice can be paid. Council approved the payment by a vote of 5-0.
ITEM 10: Resolution for Public Hearing on Impact Fee - Chapter 395 of the Texas Local Government Code allows for the adoption of an impact fee on new development in the City. As part of this process, the City is required to have a public hearing regarding future land use assumptions and a capital improvement plan. This resolution sets the public hearing for the regular Council meeting on September 23, 2020. Council voted 5-0 to hold a public hearing on the impact fee.
ITEMS 11-13: Special Use Permit for Wine and Beer Retailers Permit with Food and Beverage Certificate- Final Report regarding the proposed zoning amendment for a special use permit for a Wine and Beer Retailers (On-Premise) Permit with Food and Beverage Certificate for Killen’s Barbecue located at 8800 Six Pines Drive, Shenandoah, Texas. A public hearing for comments was held; no one addressed Councill. Council voted 5-0 to approve the SUP with a certificate.
ITEM: Public Hearing Regarding the 2020-2021 Operating Budget- Hearing opened at 7:29 pm and closed at 7:30 pm with no public comments.
The 2020-2021 Proposed Budget includes:
- A proposed tax rate of $0.1799/$100 valuation, which is lower than the effective tax rate of $0.1807/$100 valuation.
- General Fund Revenue - $9,700,702
- General Fund Expenses - $9,700,126
- General Fund Surplus - $91,617 (Surplus Consists of Net Payroll Accrual [91,041] and Revenue Exp Surplus [577])
- Hotel/Motel Revenue - $1,029,385
- Hotel/Motel Expenses - $1,025,885 ($56,125 to be Paid by Reserves for Capital Projects)
- Hotel Motel Surplus - $7,213 (Surplus Consists of Net Payroll Accrual [3,713] and Revenue Exp Surplus [3,500])
- Water & Sewer Revenue - $3,243,911
- Water & Sewer Expenses - $2,739,301
- Water & Sewer Surplus - $516,307 (Surplus Consists of Net Payroll Accrual [11,427] and Revenue vs. Exp Surplus [504,880])
- Capital Project Budget - $2,014,500
- Capital Project Budget - $2,014,500
- General Fund Projects - $49,500
- Water & Sewer Projects - $1,915,000 (Several projects partially reimbursed from MDD)
ITEM 15: Adoption of the 2020-21 Operating Budget - The latest version of the 2020-2021 Proposed Budget with all proposed changes and a $0.1799 tax rate is attached to this agenda item.
The budget must be approved before the vote of the 2020 tax rate. Council approved the proposed 2020-2021 operating budget by a vote of 5-0.
ITEM 16: Adoption of Tax Rate for 2020-21 (M&O)- The Maintenance and Operations tax rate of $0.0810/$100 valuation provides the same amount of tax dollars as last year and is based on the total tax rate of $0.1799/$100 as proposed by Council. These funds can be used for Maintenance and Operations or to fulfill debt service obligations. Council approved the M&O tax rate by a vote of 5-0.
ITEM 17: Adoption of the Tax Rate for 2020-21 (DS)- The Debt Service tax rate of $0.0989/$100 valuation is also based on the total tax rate of $0.1799/$100 as proposed by Council. These funds can only be used toward debt service obligations. Council approved the debt service rate by a vote of 5-0.
ITEM 18: Minutes from July 8 and July 22 Regular Meetings- Council both meetings’ minutes by a vote of 5-0.
ITEM 19: Accounts Payable for July 2020- Council ratified the July accounts payable by a vote of 5-0/
City Administrator Updates
- The water tower project is substantially completed and online.
- City Attorney Bill Ferebee reported that the Jacobson Hotel Inc. has filed for bankruptcy.
Executive Session
According to the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of Government Code as follows:
- Government Code § 551.074: Personnel Matters
The open session was adjourned to executive session at 7:41 pm. Council returned to open session at 8:12 pm.
No action was taken in executive session.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:13 pm.
Upcoming Events/Meetings
September 2: City of Shenandoah Blood Drive, 9 am - 3 pm
September 7: Labor Day: City facilities closed
September 8: Civic Club, 6 pm
September 9: City Council, 7 pm
September 15: Planning and Zoning (P&Z), 6 pm
September 23: Municipal Development District (MDD), 6 pm
September 23: City Council. 7 pm
