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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2007-03-26 Minutes MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, HELD IN THE CITY HALL, 7301 NORTHEAST LOOP 820 - MARCH 26, 2007 WORK SESSION The City Council of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas met in work session on the 26th day of March, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the Pre-Council Room prior to the 7:00 p.m. regular Council meeting. Present: Oscar Trevino John Lewis Ken Sapp Suzy Compton David Whitson Scott Turnage Tim Welch Staff Members: Larry J. Cunningham Richard Torres Ogden Bo Bass Karen Bostic Patricia Hutson George Staples Elizabeth Reining Mary Edwards John Pitstick Larry Koonce Mike Curtis Vickie Loftice Jimmy Perdue Andy Jones Patrick Hillis Dave Pendley Eric Wilhite Jamie Brockway Absent: Tim Barth Call to Order Mayor Mayor Pro Tem, Place 1 Council, Place 2 Council, Place 3 Council, Place 5 Council, Place 6 Council, Place 7 City Manager Assistant City Manager Assistant City Manager Managing Director Administrative/Fiscal Services City Secretary City Attorney Assistant to City Manager Public Information Officer Director of Planning & Development Finance Director Public Works Director Director of Parks & Recreation Chief of Police Fire Chief Director of Human Resources Building Official Chief Planner Purchasing Manager Council, Place 4 Mayor Trevino called the work session to order at 6:00 p.m. The City Manager introduced Ms. Jamie Brockway, Purchasing Manager, and Elizabeth Reining, Assistant to City Manager. A.O Discuss Items from Reqular Citv Council Meetinq City Council Minutes March 26, 2007 Page 2 There were no items discussed. A.2 IR 2006-041 Report on PlanninQ & Zoninq Commission Recommendations reQardinQ ZoninQ and BuildinQ Code Construction Standards Mr. Randy Shiflet, Chair of the Planning & Zoning Commission, presented a PowerPoint presentation on the recommendations from the Planning & Zoning Commission on zoning and building code construction standards. The City Council had directed the Commission to review and consider modifications to several sections of the zoning and building codes. Mr. Shiflet discussed the following recommendations from the Commission and responded to questions from the Council: · Temporary Outdoor Events - The Commission supports a zoning ordinance revision regarding for-profit and non-profit temporary outdoor events. · Metal posts on wood privacy fences - The Commission supports an ordinance that would require the use of metal posts on all new wood privacy fences within the City and would exempt metal posts on replacement fences. · Wood Based Siding Products - The Commission supports an ordinance that would prohibit the use of wood based products on all siding materials for new homes. · Requiring visibility restrictions on second story windows overlooking neighboring residences - The Commission does not support a general requirement for second story visibility restrictions, but recommends restrictions on residential structures be considered on a one-on-one basis under the planned development ordinance. . Requiring elevation articulation on residential buildings - The Commission does not support a specific requirement for side or rear elevation articulation on residential buildings. · Requiring "Green Buildings" for new construction - The Commission does not recommend adopting LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification or "Green Buildings" as a requirement, but encourages new "green buildings" construction through educational materials. Council concurred that the Planning and Zoning Commission could proceed with initiating their recommendations for further consideration and action by the Council. A.3 IR 2006-043 Update on the Art in Public Spaces Proqram and Discussion of Proposed SiQnal Art Proqram Ms. Vickie Loftice, Director of Parks and Recreation, provided an update on the City's Art in Public Spaces Program. Since the program was initiated in 2002, the City has in its collection 15 pieces of public art. Council was also briefed on a proposed Signal Art City Council Minutes March 26. 2007 Page 3 Program. The proposed program would commission artists to design and implement original artwork for traffic signal boxes throughout the City. Initially, artwork will be placed on approximately ten signal boxes throughout the City. The purpose of the program is to integrate the traffic signal boxes into the surrounding physical landscape and beautify public spaces. The City will maintain artistic control of the boxes and there will be specific guidelines to ensure quality, professionalism, and appropriate themes and images. After brief discussion and questions by the Council, the consensus was for Staff to proceed with initiating the Signal Art Program. A4 IR 2006-044 LeQislative Update Ms. Karen Bostic, Managing Director, highlighted some of the legislative bills the City is tracking. Council was advised that a complete report would be provided at the April 23 Council meeting. There were no questions from the Council. A5 IR 2006-045 Discuss Possible Proposal Process for Solid Waste Collection Contract City Manager Cunningham advised that the City's contract with Allied Waste will expire January 31, 2008, and the contract does not include an extension provision. Staff is requesting direction on whether to negotiate with Allied or proceed with developing Request for Proposals. After brief discussion by the Council, the consensus was for Staff to proceed with seeking Request for Proposals. B.1 EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Trevino announced at 6:44 p.m. that the Council would adjourn into Executive Session as authorized by Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, specifically Section 551.072 to deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property. C.O Adjournment Mayor Trevino announced at 7:02 p.m. that the Council would adjourn to the regular Council meeting. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING A.O CALL TO ORDER City Council Minutes March 26, 2007 Page 4 Mayor Trevino called the meeting to order March 26, 2007 at 7:08 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Oscar Trevino John Lewis Ken Sapp Suzy Compton David Whitson Scott Turnage Tim Welch Mayor Mayor Pro Tem, Council Place 1 Council, Place 2 Council, Place 3 Council, Place 5 Council, Place 6 Council, Place 7 Staff: Larry J. Cunningham Ogden Bo Bass Richard Torres Patricia Hutson George Staples City Manager Assistant City Manager Assistant City Manager City Secretary Attorney Absent: Tim Barth Council, Place 4 A.1 INVOCATION Councilman Turnage gave the invocation. A.2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilman Turnage led the pledge of allegiance. A.3 SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) AND RECOGNITION(S) None. A.4 CITIZENS PRESENTATION Mrs. Laverne O'Steen, 8429 Emerald Circle, appeared before the Council and presented a picture of the Emerald Lakes. Mrs. O'Steen requested that city engineers inspect the walls along the lake and put in writing if they are not unsafe, substandard or City Council Minutes March 26, 2007 Page 5 a public nuisance. Mrs. O'Steen advised if this were done, she would stop coming to the Council meetings. Mrs. O'Steen spoke on issues she had with the lake. A.5 REMOVAL OF ITEM(S) FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA None. B.O APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS APPROVED B.1 PU 2006-008 AUTHORIZATION TO EXTEND ANNUAL SHIRT CONTRACT WITH ACTIVE IMPRESSIONS RESOLUTION NO. 2006-021 COUNCILMAN WHITSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. COUNCILMAN TURNAGE SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0. C.O PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no items for this category. D.O PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT There were no items for this category. E.O PUBLIC WORKS There were no items for this category. GENERAL ITEMS City Council Minutes March 26, 2007 Page 6 F.1 GN 2006-024 CERTIFICATION OF UNOPPOSED CANDIDATES, CANCELLING ELECTION AND DECLARING UNOPPOSED CANDIDATES ELECTED TO OFFICE - ORDINANCE NO. 2924 APPROVED Ms. Patricia Hutson, City Secretary presented the item. State law provides that when each candidate whose name is to appear on a ballot is unopposed and there is not any propositions appearing on the ballot, the election may be cancelled. The candidates who filed for the May 12 City Council election were unopposed. All statutory filing deadlines have passed and the City's May 12 election meets the requirements in the Texas Election Code allowing it to be cancelled. The City Secretary has certified and presented to the Council a certificate of unopposed status certifying that John H. Lewis, Suzy Compton, David Whitson and Tim Welch filed for Places 1, 3, 5 and 7 respectively on the May 12 ballot, each is unopposed, no write-in candidates have filed and no proposition is on the ballot. Council is requested to accept the certificate of unopposed status and approve Ordinance No. 2924, declaring that the above candidates are elected to office and canceling the May 12, 2007 City Council Election. COUNCILMAN SAPP MOVED TO ACCEPT THE CERTIFICATE OF UNOPPOSED STATUS AND TO APPROVE ORDINANCE No. 2924. COUNCILMAN TURNAGE SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0. F.2 GN 2006-022 AUTHORIZE THE PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION, RESOLUTION NO. 2006-022 APPROVED Mr. Larry Koonce, Finance Director presented the item. Council is being requested to approve Resolution No. 2006-022, which authorizes the City Secretary to publish the intent to issue Certificates of Obligation not to exceed $1,285,000. Staff discussed with Council at the February 26, 2007 work session plans to issue general obligation bonds (G.O.'s) and certificates of obligation (C.O.'s) on April 23, 2007. The C.O.'s will be issued for improvements at NRH20 ($700,000) and capital equipment replacement consisting of fire engine replacement ($440,000) and street sweeper replacement ($145,000). One of the requirements for the issuance is for the Council to authorize the City Secretary to publish a notice in the newspaper of the City's intent to issue the C.O.'s. COUNCILMAN WELCH MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION No. 2007-022. COUNCILMAN WHITSON SECONDED THE MOTION. City Council Minutes March 26, 2007 Page 7 MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0. F.3 GN 2006-023 APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 2007 MARKET ADJUSTMENT TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN APPROVED Mr. Patrick Hillis, Human Resources Director, presented the item. In fiscal year 1996/97 Council approved a market adjustment plan to keep the City's salary ranges competitive. The plan involved a salary survey of ten cities as well as an analysis of the Employment Cost Index to help determine the market adjustment each year. In March 2003, the City adopted a Compensation Classification Study. Due to economic considerations in FY 05/06, a market adjustment was not included in the budget. The annual bench market survey sent out prior to January 2006 indicated that several of the survey cities had moved their pay plans significantly. The market increase can be attributed to improving economic conditions as well as cities attempts to offset rising health care costs that over the past several years have been passed on to the employees. To maintain the Council's goal of positioning the city's salary range midpoints at the market average, Council approved funds for two market adjustments in FY 06/07, with the first adjustment occurring in January 2007. After the beginning of the fiscal year, a bench market survey was conducted. The survey results combined with the Employment Cost Index showed that the City's public safety pay plan is 4.83% below market average and the Professional, Administrative and General Services pay plans are 2.55% below market average. As part of the FY 06/07 budget, staff projected a market adjustment not to exceed 3% for the Professional, Administrative and General Services Pay Plan and a market adjustment not to exceed 4% for the Public Safety Pay Plan. Because staff is recommending a 4.83% market adjustment to the Public Safety Pay Plan, which exceeds the original projection, Council is being asked to approve the 4.83% market adjustment to the City's Public Safety Pay Plan effective the first payroll period beginning in April 2007. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Hillis advised which cities are surveyed each year, explained why one of the survey cities pay plan is above the other cities and discussed North Richland Hills remaining competitive with the market. COUNCILWOMAN COMPTON MOVED TO APPROVE GN 2007-023 APPROVING A 4.83% ADJUSTMENT TO THE CITY'S PUBLIC SAFETY PAY PLAN EFFECTIVE THE FIRST PAYROLL PERIOD BEGINNING IN APRIL 2007. COUNCILMAN WHITSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0. City Council Minutes March 26, 2007 Page 8 F.4 GN 2006-025 CONVEYANCE OF .0615 ACRES TO TXDOT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE "KEEP TEXAS BEAUTIFUL" GOVERNOR'S ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - RESOLUTION NO. 2007-023 APPROVED Ms. Vickie Loftice, Director of Parks and Recreation presented the item. Council's approval of Resolution No. 2007-023 will authorize the City Manager to execute a conveyance deed to the Texas Department of Transportation. The deed will convey .0615 acres for improvements to be constructed by TxDOT associated with the "Keep Texas Beautiful Governor's Achievement Award Project. TxDOT requires that all TxDOT funded improvements occur within their right-of-way. Therefore, the City must convey the .0615 acres for TxDOT to construct the proposed improvements. COUNCILMAN WELCH MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION No. 2007-023. COUNCILWOMAN COMPTON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0. F.5 GN 2006-026 APPOINTMENTS TO THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION APPROVED Mayor Trevino advised that Items F.5 and F.6 were similar in nature and would be presented and voted on together. Ms. Patricia Hutson, City Secretary, presented the items. The first item is to consider board of director appointments to the Industrial Development Corporation. The Corporation was formed in 1980 for the purpose of encouraging employment and furthering the promotion and development of commercial, industrial and manufacturing enterprises in the City. A Board of Directors consisting of seven individuals was appointed to perform the duties required of the Corporation. The Board of Directors has some vacancies and the remaining members terms of office have expired. The second item is to consider board of director appointments to the Health Facilities Development Corporation. The Corporation was established in 1994 for the purpose of providing and improving health facilities with a seven member Board of Directors to administer the duties of the Corporation. Staff is recommending Council appoint the same individuals to the Board of Directors of both Corporations. Staff is recommending the appointment of Mr. Charles Brinkley, Mr. Bob Hamm, Mr. Richard Work, Mr. David Myers, Mr. Robert Harrison, Mr. Tommy Brown, and Ms. Rita Oujesky. Terms of office will expire June 30, 2013. City Council Minutes March 26, 2007 Page 9 COUNCILMAN WHITSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENTS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND THE HEALTH FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF, TERMS OF OFFICE EXPIRING JUNE 30, 2013. COUNCILMAN TURNAGE SECONDED THE MOTION. Motion to approve carried 6-0. F.6 GN 2006-027 APPOINTMENTS TO HEALTH FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION APPROVED Item was discussed and Council action taken with Item F.5. F.7 INFORMATION AND REPORTS Councilman Whitson made the following announcements. Come find out what Texas music means to you at the 2007 Sounds of Spring Concert Series. The Sounds of Spring will kick off on April 6th and continue every Friday through May 11 tho The concerts are in a new location this year and will take place on the grounds of NRH20 starting at 7:00 p.m. The concerts are FREE and everyone is welcome. For more details, visit www.soundsnrh.com or call 817-427-6600. The City of North Richland Hills invites local businesses to compete in the Companies in Action bowling event on Saturday, April 21 st. The registration deadline is April 16th. For more information on this fun event contact Bob Hagin at 817-427-6600. Companies In Action is presented by HealthMarkets. The Neighborhood Services Department is holding a LitterNot cleanup event from 1 :00 to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 21 st. Volunteers will meet at the Neighborhood Services Building on Dick Fisher Drive and pick up litter in the rights of way. For more information please call 817-427-6651 . Kudos Korner - Inspector Mike Pastre, Planning & Inspections Department. A thank you letter was received from a builder commending the entire Planning & Inspections Department and especially Mike for a great job on a recent inspection. The builder said Mike was very professional and courteous, and saved the project from unexpected delays. He said this kind of cooperation sets NRH apart from the surrounding cities. F.8 ADJOURNMENT City Council Minutes March 26, 2007 Page 10 Mayor Trevino adjourned the meeting at 7:35 ~",\",\W~\"\1lllil!!I¡¡:;!I' A T""T'"~1.·H Lt~ 11/ >'Ifllt¡, ~~~"':""'''''.:"¡..' () ~~ !'i'" ." 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