During the City of Gainesville council meeting Tuesday evening members discussed and took action to move the fully automated solid waste collection program forward.

The city plans to implement the collection program in February 2010.

City of Gainesville Solid Waste Supervisor Polly Boone addressed the city council to take action on a resolution authorizing expenditures for purchase of two 2010 Mack LEU613 cabs and chassis and two Heil Rapid Rail 30 yard automated side loaders.

Boone said the vehicles will be a fully automated one-man operation.

Council members voted unanimously to purchase the equipment for the solid waste division.

Council members also unanimously approved the financing for the purchase of the two cabs and chassis and two automated side loaders through the issuance of “City of Gainesville, Texas Tax Notes, Series 2009.”

During the discussion Boyd London, Managing Director of First Southwest, and a financial consultant for the city of Gainesville reported that he submitted the documents to local banks and a few other banks for bids.

Gainesville City Manager Barry Sullivan said, “We thought a tax note was the better option...we received a bid for 3.2 percent from First State Bank.”

Boyd said a lease-purchase option would bring a 4.5 to 5 percent interest which is a more expensive and less flexible financial option.

Boyd said the city can call these bonds at any time but there is a five-year amortization attached to this that can be used.

Sullivan said, “We have the option to pay it off over three years. However, we have the option to go out to five years.”

First State Bank purchased the note for $395,000.

Council members also voted unanimously to suspend the charter for the “City of Gainesville, Texas Tax Notes, Series 2009” after the first reading.

Council members also considered and took action by a unanimous vote to authorize expenditures for purchase of solid waste carts for the residential automated collection system.

The City of Gainesville plans to implement fully automated solid waste collection in February 2010.

The city will provide the collection carts to residential customers for the new automated system.

The city will purchase 4390 of the 98-gallon carts and 100 of the 68-gallon carts from Rotonics, a local company, for $196,764.50.

Boone said there will be no charge to citizens for the carts. Citizens can purchase an additional cart from the city for $43.23 and an additional $3 a month fee.

Boone said the carts are necessary for the city to move forward with their fully automated collection plan.

Sullivan said the carts purchased from Rotonics will be approximately $16 cheaper per cart than those used in the pilot program.

He said the quality of the cart is equal to those previously purchased by the city and carry the same guarantee and warranty.

During the meeting council members voted unanimously to cast their 539 votes for Beverly Snuggs as Cooke County Tax Appraisal District board member for the 2009-2010 term.

Chief Fleming addressed the council regarding the resolution to approve, establish and recognize 41 certified (licensed) peace officer positions for the City of Gainesville Police Department.

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) requires that police officers be licensed through a law enforcement agency. The Gainesville Police Department as a law enforcement agency must establish the number of positions it provides for...

Sullivan said this action was basically an administration duty to be in compliance with TCLEOSE

Following discussion, the city council voted unanimously to approve, recognize and establish 45 certified (licenses) for peace officer positions.

Council members approved the additional licenses should they be required at a later date.

During the meeting council members also discussed changing the color of police patrol vehicles.

Gainesville Police Chief Steve Fleming said the department wants to move from the all-white squad cars to traditional black and white patrol units, beginning with the purchase of a new patrol supervisor’s SUV this year.

Fleming said the city and Medal of Honor seal will remain on the vehicles.

He said that next year the department will need to purchase or lease some new vehicles and would like to replace the aging vehicles with the two-tone vehicles. The vehicles would be replaced over a few years.

Council members voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the Nov. 3 regular city council meeting.