PALM VALLEY CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES

SPECIAL MEETING

SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

The City Council of the City of Palm Valley met in Special Session on the 1st day of September 2015 at 5:00 p.m. at 1313 N. Stuart Place Road, Palm Valley, Texas. The meeting was attended by the following persons:

Mayor	George Rivera

Council members: John Widger, Debe Wright, Joe Jones, Cissie NeSmith

Absent:	Julie Martin

City Secretary: Sylvia R. Trevino

City Attorney:	Jason Mann

City Staff:	A. R. Garcia, Chief of Police

Rosendo Flores, Waterworks Supervisor

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Rivera called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Rivera led the Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

(2nd) PUBLIC HEARING HELD TO SEEK COMMENTS FOR OR AGAINST THE PROPOSED TAX RATE OF $0.452541 PER $100 VALUATION

Mayor Rivera stated that the tax rate remains the same as last year.

Mayor Rivera declared the public hearing open.

There being no comments from the public, Mayor Rivera declared the public hearing closed.

(1ST) PUBLIC HEARING HELD TO SEEK COMMENTS FOR OR AGAINST THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015-16

Mayor Rivera pointed out that a significant amount of the City and Water Department budgets goes for personnel costs, which is about 38% of the combined budgets. In addition, the budget reflects capital spending of $90,000 in the City budget and $65,000 in the Water Department. None of the capital projects have been designated.

Councilman Widger commented that the budget is more conservative than the past. He made mention of the water rate increase to the Harlingen Waterworks but the City’s revenue will remain the same at this time. The increase in payroll has not been established yet. He explained that employees are able to buy out their vacation instead of using it and this has caused some overrun in the existing budget. The capital items will be designated during a later discussion at a future meeting.

Mayor Rivera stated that the City still has some surplus even with the capital projects not yet designated.

Councilman Widger explained that because of the nature of the City most of the revenue is set but not at the rate of inflation. The City general fund will experience $15,000 less income each year and the Water budget will experience $13,000 less income each year. He also stated that it may be several years before a tax increase is imposed.

Mayor Rivera stated that the income expectations have been lowered but the expenditures continue to increase but there is still some leeway.

Mayor Rivera continued to outline the primary goals for the new fiscal year:

continue providing a 24/7 level of Police and fire protection.

continue maintenance programs on the City’s Wastewater Plants and Water System to improve reliability of their infrastructure.

Enhance the desirability of our community through continued landscaping and park improvements.

Mayor Rivera also noted the accomplishments during 2014-15:

road maintenance project

completion of first and second phases of additional street lighting

new landscaping along Stuart Place Road

expansion of Council/Municipal Court Room at City Hallo

Replacement of water valves and fire hydrants so to improve reliability.

Lift station improvements completed.

Mayor Rivera concluded by stating that the City’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2015-16 reflects $702,250 in revenues and $681,142 in projected expenses, providing a surplus of $21,108 in the City general fund; The Water Department’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2015-16 reflects $633,500 in revenues and $625,544 in projected expenses providing a surplus of $7,956.

Mayor Rivera declared the public hearing open.

There being no comments from the public, Mayor Rivera declared the public hearing closed.

NOMINATIONS TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD APPROVED

Mayor Rivera announced the names that had been submitted as recommendations to the Board:

Glenda Ledesma

Michael Galvan

Charles Kerby

Bob Brown

Julie Herrington

Sylvia Rivera

Jane Mercer

John Topp

Sally Gallagher

Peggy Reeves

Mayor Rivera read short bios on those that had submitted one.

Mayor Rivera recommended that Glenda Ledesma and Sylvia Rivera serve on the Board.

Councilman Widger nominated Bob Brown.

Councilwoman Wright nominated Michael Galvan

Councilwoman NeSmith nominated John Topp

Councilman Jones nominated Julie Herrington

Councilwoman NeSmith nominated Sally Gallagher.

Councilman Jones made a motion to accept the nominations, including the recommendations by Mayor Rivera, as noted above.

Councilwoman NeSmith seconded the motion.

Mayor Rivera took the votes and the motion carried unanimously by those present.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:17 p.m. upon a motion by Councilwoman NeSmith and a second by Councilman Widger.

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George Rivera, Mayor

Attest:

_____________________________________

Sylvia R. Trevino, City Secretary