SOLUTIONS ARCHIVE 2005
Periodically,
TML receives inquiries for which there is minimal, current information
among our resources. The questions presented here represent an attempt
to assist an inquiring member who has an informational need unmet
through regular research efforts. Should you have information which
would be helpful to the inquiring member, please contact him/her directly.
At your discretion, TML would appreciate a copy of your response for
the purpose of continually improving our information database. Your
response or your own question may be sent to TML.
When submitting a question, please include your name, title, and city.
Thank you
December 12, 2005
Subject: Meals on Wheels
Subject: Meals on Wheels
Are any cities or municipalities administering a Meals on
Wheels program with volunteer drivers? We would appreciate any information you
may have. Thank you.
Contact:
Elsa Munoz, Superintendent, Senior Community Services, City
of Corpus Christi at emunoz@cctexas.com.
November 17, 2005
Subject: Tree Trimming in the R.O.W.
Subject: Tree Trimming in the R.O.W.
The City of Cross Plains has a simple right-of-way agreement
with our electric provider to maintain the easements in such a manner that allows
the company to provide “safe and reliable” service. They, in turn,
contract with a third party to trim the trees and our citizens are very upset
with the appearance of the trees after trimming. Some of the trees have been
trimmed back to over fifteen feet on one side and some trees have been removed
entirely. They claim that the cut is the “proper cut” so as not
to harm the tree. Has anyone encountered similar problems with their power company
and if so, what were you able to do to improve the process? Any help would be
appreciated.
Contact:
Debbie Gosnell, City Administrator, City of Cross Plains;
Email: cityofcp@camalott.com.
November 17, 2005
Subject: Council Meeting Broadcasts
Subject: Council Meeting Broadcasts
The City of Lubbock is in the process of developing a policy
of airing City Council Meetings including Citizens Comments...Citizens Comments
is an opportunity for Residents to sign up and speak before the regular session
begins...Guidelines include, the Council may interact with a resident as long
as the resident signs up to speak 72 hours before the meeting, if residents
sign up to speak within 72 hours the council can not interact with the resident.
Currently the City of Lubbock does not broadcast Citizens Comments, 1. How many
Cities broadcast City Council Meetings and do those include a Citizens Comments,
"Open Mic" period? 2. How many broadcast the meeting on a tape delay
basis and/or LIVE? 3. What are the guidelines for residents to have an opportunity
to speak to the Council?
Contact:
Michael Robles, City of Lubbock, Public Information Office,
phone: (806) 775-3312 e-mail: mrobles@mylubbock.us.
November 14, 2005
Subject: Dilapidated Apartment Complexes
Subject: Dilapidated Apartment Complexes
The City of Alvin has been discussing ways to create some
type of incentive to remove or rebuild dilapidated apartment complexes. Are
there any cities that have an incentive package or program that deals with this
issue? If so, what are the guidelines and items offered?
Contact:
Paul Horn, City Manager, City of Alvin 216 W. Sealy Alvin,
Texas 7751; Email: phorn@cityhall.cityofalvin.com
October 31, 2005
Subject: Industrialized/Modular Housing vs. manufactured Housing
Subject: Industrialized/Modular Housing vs. manufactured Housing
Has anyone dealt with industrialized housing in their communities?
Also, has anyone proposed any ordinances to regulate the appearance so they
resemble a stick built structure?
Contact:
John Castro, Director Community Services, City of Plainview,
Texas; Ph: 806 296-1120; Fax: 806 296-1125
October 20, 2005
Subject: Emergency operational fund
Subject: Emergency operational fund
My library district wants to establish an emergency operations
fund. We assume that the fund would be a percentage of annual operational expenses.
Is anyone aware of a "best practice" recommendation for what the percentage
should be?
Contact:
Beth Wheeler Fox, Library Director, Westbank Community Library,
1309 Westbank Dr, Austin, TX; 512-314-3580, beth@westbank.lib.tx.us.
October 3, 2005
Subject: Noise Regulations
Subject: Noise Regulations
Receiving complaints about an individual who blasts music
24/7 from his home. The problem is not so much the volume, but the pulsing from
sub-woofers. That low decibel 'thumping' hardly measures on a standard db device,
yet is very irritating. Anyone drafted a creative solution to this problem?
Contact:
Ivan Langford , City Administrator, City of Dickinson, ilangford@ci.dickinson.tx.us
September 14, 2005
Subject: Licensed Court Interpreters
Subject: Licensed Court Interpreters
The City of Pearland
would like to address the issue of Licensed Court Interpreters (Spanish). The
Municipal Court has attempted to procure a “certified” interpreter
for our staff, but has had difficulty with candidates passing the test. It has
been discovered that the test that the state uses has a 23% pass rate and it
appears there are no training or preparation courses available in the state.
Currently, we are using a contract service, which is costly and inconvenient.
Is anyone else experiencing difficulties of this nature? What are you doing
to satisfy the requirement for a licensed interpreter? We are willing to work
with anyone interested in exploring solutions for the testing process and insuring
that proper training and preparation materials be made available.
Contact:
Pat Riffel, CMCC, Court Administrator, E-mail: priffel@ci.pearland.tx.us,
Phone: 281-652-1612
September 14, 2005
Subject: "Junk” Boats
Subject: "Junk” Boats
The City of Dickinson
is interested in obtaining information on how other cities deal with "junk"
boats. These are boats parked on private property, clearly visible from the
public right of way and that sit for months, even years, with no attempt by
the owner to repair or restore. Very similar to junk cars but are not covered
by State Transportation Code regulations. If your city has addressed this concern,
please contact me. Thanks.
Contact:
Ivan Langford, City Administrator, City of Dickinson, 2716
FM 517 East ,Dickinson, TX 77539 Office 281-337-6204, E-mail ilangford@ci.dickinson.tx.us
September 7, 2005
Subject: Pricing for Raw Water Usage
Subject: Pricing for Raw Water Usage
The City of Eastland
has contracts with several individuals for the purpose of buying raw water from
Lake Eastland for agricultural purposes. The present contracts were written
about seven years ago and are currently being renegotiated, so we are interested
in updating our pricing structure. If your city utilizes raw water sales as
a revenue source and you are willing to share the rates, please contact me at
your earliest convenience. Thanks.
Contact:
Don T. Wilson, City Manager, City of Eastland, Office 254-629-8321,
E-mail citymgr@eastland.net
August 30, 2005
Subject: City Parking Requirements
Subject: City Parking Requirements
The City of Webster is surveying cities to obtain various
parking requirements for furniture stores. If your City has these types of requirements,
could you please forward your information? Thank you for your assistance.
Contact:
Susan Raeihle, Code Enforcement Officer, City
of Webster, 101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Webster, Texas 77598, Office 281-316-4106,
FAX 281-316-4128, E-Mail sraeihle@cityofwebster.com
August 8, 2005
Subject: Control of Aquatic Plant Growth
Subject: Control of Aquatic Plant Growth
The Village of The Hills has a beautiful hill country creek
that runs thru the community. During dry weather, the water that runs thru the
creek is largely re-circulated lake water. We are looking for a workable solution
that would assist in the control of the algae, moss and other water plants that
pollute the stream. Because of the proximity to public waters, we are very concerned
about the methods that are used. If you have any experience or suggestions that
would help keep the valuable asset clear and clean, please let me know.
Contact:
J. R. Smith, Alderman, Village of the Hills, jrsmithtex@sbcglobal.net.
August 2, 2005
Subject: Accounting Software for Small Cities
Subject: Accounting Software for Small Cities
I am looking for other Texas Cities that might be using the Peachtree Accounting Software for their financial management system. If you have experience with Peachtree Software, please contact me at your earliest convenience. Thanks.
Contact:
Jerry Golden, City Administrator, City of Clifton, (254) 675-8337
or e-mail at jerrygolden@htcomp.net.
The City
of Webster is looking for information concerning grant funds to construct
sidewalks.If there is someone who has knowledge of this type of grant,
please let us know.
July 28, 2005
Subject: Municipal Court Judge Agreement
Subject: Municipal Court Judge Agreement
The City of Clear Lake Shores is interested in receiving examples of a contract or agreement between a city and the presiding municipal court judge. Our city is less than 2000 population and the court currently meets once a month. If you have any information available, please send to my e-mail or FAX to 281-334-2866. Thank you very much for your response.
Contact:
Christy Stroup, Court Clerk, City of Clear Lake Shores, 281-334-2799;
court@clearlakeshores-tx.gov
June 7, 2005
Subject: Municipal Court Warrant Collections
Subject: Municipal Court Warrant Collections
I am looking for anyone who has had luck with municipal court warrant collections.
We have tried several things but are always looking for new ideas.
Contact:
Doug Davis, City Manager , Town of Pantego, pantegocm@sbcglobal.net
June
1 , 2005
Subject: Steel Cargo Containers
Subject: Steel Cargo Containers
The City
of Denison is receiving many requests for the placement of steel cargo
containers as "accessory buildings" to the primary building
within all zoning classifications. Is any city regulating such containers
specifically, or are you relying on zoning and other existing ordinances
in controlling the use of such containers?
Contact:
Tom Akins,
City Attorney, City of Denison, 903.464.4442; takins@ci.denison.tx.us
May
31, 2005
Subject: Policy governing rental fees of community facilities for non-profit organizations
Subject: Policy governing rental fees of community facilities for non-profit organizations
The City of Sugar Land is seeking examples of policies that outline a
reduced or waived rental fee of community buildings and facilities for
non-profit community organizations.
Contact:
Karl Miller, Director
of Parks and Recreation City of Sugar Land, Texas PO Box 110 Sugar Land
TX, 77487-0110; 281-275-2885 (office); 281-275-2891 (fax); kmiller@sugarlandtx.gov
May
16 , 2005
Subject: Creating an Audit Committee
Subject: Creating an Audit Committee
The City
of Harlingen is considering creating an Audit Committee. We would like
to get copies of Ordinances/Resolutions establishing such Committees,
and bylaws or any written information that describes their function, composition,
duties, etc. Thank you!
Contact:
Michelle R. Leftwich,
AICP, Interim Assistant City Manager, 118 E. Tyler Avenue
Harlingen, TX 78550; (956) 427-8800, (956) 430-8526 fax; Email: mleftwich@myharlingen.us
Harlingen, TX 78550; (956) 427-8800, (956) 430-8526 fax; Email: mleftwich@myharlingen.us
April
7, 2005
Subject: Personnel Policy
Subject: Personnel Policy
We are
interested in finding an ordinance or personnel policy that addresses
the possibility of city employees bidding on city work through their personally
owned businesses. If your city has addressed this issue, please let me
know.
Contact:
Chris Duque, Executive Assistant, City of Mission, 1201 E. 8th, Mission,
Texas 78572; Website: www.missiontexas.us;
Phone: (956) 580-8662, Email: cduque@missiontexas.us
April
5 , 2005
Subject: Cemetery Records
Subject: Cemetery Records
We are looking for a cemetery data base software
program that would include a description of the space location (i.e. lot,
block, space), name of deceased, date of death, plot purchaser, and date
of deed. I would appreciate any information that anyone might have. Thanks.
Contact:
Kelly Poovey,
City Secretary, City of Henderson,
400 West Main, Henderson, Texas 75652; Phone: (903) 657-6551, E-mail:
kpoovey@hendersontx.us
March
28, 2005
Subject: Sharing Equipment
Subject: Sharing Equipment
The city of Overton is seeking information on
legally forming agreements between two or more cities on sharing equipment
such as that used for water and waste water management.
Contact:
Chuck Stayton,
City Councilmember, City of Overton;
clstayton@earthlink.net
March
28, 2005
Subject: "Simulated" Fire Arms Ordinance
Subject: "Simulated" Fire Arms Ordinance
The city of Overton is looking for any cities
who have created ordinances to control “simulated” fire arms
such as paint ball guns and hard-plastic pellet-type guns.
Contact:
Chuck Stayton,
City Councilmember, City of Overton;
clstayton@earthlink.net
March
3, 2005
Subject: Phone System Replacement
Subject: Phone System Replacement
We’re a small city, just under 5,000 pop.,
with 6 facilities (City Hall, Library etc.) and approximately 35 phone
lines. We need to overhaul our phone system, and want to implement a system
that will allow ‘rollover’ between our facilities and incorporates
voicemail. Does anyone have an RFP or some guidelines for preparing one?
Contact:
Charlotte
Collins, Finance Director, City of Smithville, (512) 237-3282, ccollins@ci.smithville.tx.us.
Thank you.
March
3, 2005
Subject: Grant Funds for Sidewalk Construction
Subject: Grant Funds for Sidewalk Construction
Contact:
Susan Raeihle,
Code Enforcement Officer, at 281-316-4106 or e-mail the information to
her at sraeihle@cityofwebster.com
March
3, 2005
Subject: Request for Qualifications
Subject: Request for Qualifications
The City of Giddings is considering the renovation/installation
of sidewalks in the downtown area. We would appreciate a copy of any “Request
for Qualifications” that we could use as an sample in selecting
an engineering firm for the project.
Contact:
Sandy Havel
Christiansen, City Secretary, 118 E. Richmond St., Giddings, TX 78942,
Phone: 979 540-2713 or 540-2710, Fax: 979 542-0950, Email: shavel@bluebon.net
March
2, 2005
Subject: Traffic Calming Devices
Subject: Traffic Calming Devices
The City of Eagle Pass would like to respectfully
request any ordinances adopted by any municipality regarding traffic calming
devices. If you can share that with us it would be greatly appreciated.
Contact:
Celestino Hernandez, Jr., Director of Planning, 100 S. Monroe Street,
Eagle Pass, Texas 78852, (830) 773-1111, Ext 7403, chdzjr@cityofeaglepass.com
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