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Home My WebLink AboutCC 2007-05-29 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 - MAY 29, 2007 WORK SESSION The City Council of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas met in work session on the 29th day of May, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Work Room prior to the 7:00 p.m. regular Council meeting. Present: Oscar Trevino John Lewis Ken Sapp Suzy Compton Tim Barth David Whitson Scott Turnage Tim Welch Staff Members: Larry J. Cunningham Jim Starr Karen Bostic Patricia Hutson Monica Solko George Staples Mary Edwards Elizabeth Reining John Pitstick Larry Koonce Mike Curtis Andy Jones Jimmy Perdue Kyle Spooner Thomas Powell Vickie Lottice Steve Brown Chris Amarante Eric Wilhite Jamie Brockway Absent: Ogden Bo Bass Call to Order Mayor Mayor Pro Tem, Place 1 Council, Place 2 Council, Place 3 Council, Place 4 Council, Place 5 Council, Place 6 Council, Place 7 City Manager Interim Assistant City Manager Managing Director Administrative/Fiscal Services City Secretary Assistant City Secretary City Attorney Public Information Officer Assistant to City Manager Director of Planning & Development Finance Director Public Works Director Fire Chief Police Chief Information Services Director Support Services Director Parks and Recreation Director Library Director Construction Manager Chief Planner Purchasing Manager Assistant City Manager Mayor Trevino called the work session to order at 6:00 p.m. A.1 Discuss Items from ReQular City Council Meeting City Council Minutes May 29, 2007 Page 2 Mayor Trevino explained the two handouts on the table. One addressed the correction made to the City Council Minutes of May 15th to reflect the name of Jimmy Perdue, Chief of Police as Acting City Manager. The second was a request from Councilman Welch to include the contract for Agenda Item F.2 (GN 2007-047 Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Contract with Graham Associates., Inc. in the amount of $113,450 for Professional Engineering Services for the Liberty Park Lake Project - Resolution No. 2007-043). A.2 IR 2007-065 Amend EmerQency Medical Services BillinQ and Collection Contract to Southwest General Services. Inc. (AQenda Item No. FA) Andy Jones, Fire Chief, presented the item. Southwest General Services, Inc. ("SGS") has provided ambulance billing and collection services for the City of North Richland Hills since 1999. The existing contract is an initial three year agreement ending September 30, 2007 with two optional one-year extensions. North Richland Hills EMS has been working with the Medusa Software for several months. There are numerous deficiencies with the software which negatively impact the ability of the EMS units to effectively gather patient data in a timely and efficient manner. SGS has proposed a different software solution to meet EMS needs. The new software known as "RescueMedic" (RM) was presented to the Fire Department two months ago to "Beta" test. EMS has been testing the proposed software for over a month with no problems. The proposed RescueMedic software is a great improvement over Medusa. In order to take advantage of the benefits of the RM system, an amendment to the Emergency Medical Billing and Collection contract is required. The proposed amendment includes an expiration date of September 30, 2009. The new fee will be 8% of collections versus the 9% originally agreed upon in the existing contract. After brief discussion and questions by the Council, the consensus was for Staff to proceed with the amendment. A.3 IR 2007-068 Request to provide cornerstone at new Library Steve Brown, Library Director, presented the item. The North Richland Hills Library Board received a request from members of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas that the Lodge be permitted to place a cornerstone on the new North Richland Hills Public Library facility currently under construction. During their regular meeting on May 17, 2007, the Library Board heard a presentation by members of the Grand Lodge, explaining their request. Nevertheless, the members of the board who were present voted unanimously to recommend against the placement of a cornerstone. The consensus of the board members was that they felt it important that the new library should belong to all of the residents of the city, and that it always be seen as a neutral place. The Board expressed the concern that the placement of a cornerstone by the Masons might appear to some in the community as if the Masons City Council Minutes May 29, 2007 Page 3 had in some way laid a special claim to a public facility, and that others may feel less welcome as a result. Billy Campbell, 225 Baker Drive in Hurst, Secretary to Mason Lodge #455 which made the original request, came forward. He explained the history of the cornerstone and clarified the concerns the library board had. Kay Schmidt, Chairman of the Library Board, came forward to explain the board concerns and the decision not to accede to the request from the Grand Lodge of Texas. After brief discussion and questions by the Council, the consensus was to support the Library Boards decision not to allow the cornerstone. A.4 IR 2007-067 Demonstration of the Upqraded Tiburon Public Safety System Jimmy Perdue, Chief of Police, updated the Council. In the 2004/2005 Capital Projects Budget, Council approved funds to upgrade the Tiburon Public Safety System. This system is the primary means for the Police and Fire Department's automated dispatch and records management. Over the past year, Information Services, Police and Fire staff have worked in conjunction with Tiburon to complete the complex system upgrade. Staff gave a brief demonstration of the systems functionality and overview of the equipment enhancements made in both the dispatch center and Police vehicles. There were no questions from the Council. B.1 Executive Session - The Council may enter into closed Executive Session pursuant to Section 551.072. Texas Government Code to deliberate the purchase. exchanQe. lease or value of real property Mayor Trevino announced at 6:43 p.m. that the Council would adjourn to Executive Session pursuant to Section 551.072, Texas Government Code to deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property. C.1 Adiournment Mayor Trevino announced at 6:55 p.m. that the Council would adjourn to the regular Council meeting. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING A.O City Council Minutes May 29, 2007 Page 4 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Trevino called the meeting to order May 29, 2007 at 7:03 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Oscar Trevino Suzy Compton John Lewis Ken Sapp Tim Barth David Whitson Scott Turnage Tim Welch Mayor Mayor Pro Tem, Place 3 Council, Place 1 Council, Place 2 Council, Place 4 Council, Place 5 Council, Place 6 Council, Place 7 Staff: Larry J. Cunningham Patricia Hutson Monica Solko George Staples City Manager City Secretary Assistant City Secretary Attorney Absent: Ogden Bo Bass Assistant City Manager A.1 INVOCATION Councilman Whitson gave the invocation. A.2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilman Whitson led the pledge of allegiance. A.3 SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) AND RECOGNITION(S) Ms. Kathy Luppy, Keep North Richland Hills Beautiful Commission Member and Councilman Welch recognized the following yard of the month recipients for May: -_._.,_.".------_._,_._--_._._-----_._~-- City Council Minutes May 29, 2007 Page 5 Joe & Rene Chauncey, 6209 Windsor Court, John & Adrienne Cornelson, 6709 Georgia Ave. Catherine McDuff, 5021 Skylark Ct., Dorothy Scheffe, 5133 Laurel Lane, Tony Railey, 8612 Bridge St., Ken Potts, 6940 Briardale, Gary Watson, 7025 Herman Jared Dr., Matthew & Kristine Schaar, David Duong, 8612 Foxwood. Chili's, 8485 Davis Blvd, Scott Frederick was recognized as the May Business Landscape Winner A.4 CITIZENS PRESENTATION Ms. Laverne O'Steen, 8429 Emerald Circle Drive, stated this was her 29th citizen presentations and commented on the Emerald Lakes drainage easement. Mr. Alonzo Watkins, 7936 Kendra Lane, expressed his concerns on a dog barking citation he received. Mayor Trevino asked Jim Starr, Interim Assistant City Manager and Police Chief, Jimmy Perdue to help Mr. Watkins with his situation. A.5 GN 2007-049 ELECTION OF MAYOR PRO TEM As provided by the Charter it is required that the Mayor Pro Tem be selected. COUNCILMAN LEWIS NOMINATED COUNCILWOMAN COMPTON AS MAYOR PRO TEM. COUNCILMAN WHITSON SECONDED THE NOMINATION. NOMINATION TO ELECT COUNCILWOMAN COMPTON AS MAYOR PRO TEM CARRIED 7-0. A.6 REMOVAL OF ITEM(S) FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA None. B.O APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS APPROVED B.1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 14, 2007 CITY COUNCIL MEETING B.2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 15, 2007 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING B.3 PU 2007-023 AWARD BID FOR THE 2007 HVAC REPLACEMENT PROJECT TO COMFORT TECH IN THE AMOUNT OF $170,975 -""--~_.~,-._~,._--- City Council Minutes May 29, 2007 Page 6 B.4 PW 2007-012 APPROVE ABANDONING A PORTION OF A DRAINAGE EASEMENT LOCATED IN THE LA FONTAINE ADDITION, BLOCK 1 _ ORDINANCE NO. 2936 B.5 PU 2007-025 AUTHORIZATION TO REJECT PROPOSALS FOR THE VIDEO RECORDING, EDITING AND PUBLISHING AUTOMATED VOTING, MINUTES, ATTENDANCE SYSTEM AND VIDEO STREAMING SERVICES B.6 PU 2007-026 AWARD BID OF ANNUAL CONTRACT FOR UNIFORM CLEANING SERVICES TO DRY CLEAN SUPER CENTER LOCATED ON RUFE SNOW COUNCILMAN SAPP MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. COUNCILMAN TURNAGE SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS C.1 LRB 2007-01 PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK FOR APPROVAL OF LANDSCAPE VARIANCE (LOCATED AT 6250 RUFE SNOW DRIVE). APPROVED Mayor Trevino opened the public hearing and called for the applicant to come forward. Kori Haug, with La Terra Studio, 2109 Commerce Street, came forward. She explained that they were requesting a variance for a landscape buffer to be 10 feet on both streets instead of 15 feet. Reasoning for the variance is to add an additional fourth drive- through lane at the bank preventing cars from blocking Rufe Snow Drive. The variance will also provide additional parking for customers. They would also be providing more landscaping on the property than required. She was available to answer any questions Council may have. Eric Wilhite, Chief Planner, presented the item. The applicant, Washington Mutual Bank, is in the process of site plan approval development for a single story 3,538 square foot financial institution with proposed four drive-through lanes. The site is located at the southeast corner of Rufe Snow Drive and Mid-Cities Boulevard at the location of the existing Burger King. Washington Mutual has purchased the site with plans to demolish the existing structure and remove other site improvements including the concrete retaining wall at the intersection of Rufe Snow and Mid-Cities and the City Council Minutes May 29, 2007 Page 7 obsolete pOle sign. The retaining wall that will be removed was constructed during the widening of Rufe Snow Drive so that the drive-through lane could remain open at the existing Burger King. Since the landscaping improvements being proposed by Washington Mutual at this location will make a significant improvement in how the intersection looks, staff is recommending that Washington Mutual be allowed to use the landscaping as well as making the intersection and property more usable as a "trade off' for the public improvements (retaining wall) that they will be removing. In lieu of Washington Mutual reimbursing the city for the costs of the retaining wall, the city will accept the proposed landscaping, removal of the abandoned sign, and their other improvements as a reasonable trade. Chapter 114 Vegetation, Section 114-71 (g) of the City of North Richland Hills Building and Land Use Regulations requires a minimum fifteen foot landscape setback adjacent to all public street rights-of-way. This variance is requesting a reduction to the required 15 feet landscape setback by 5 feet making the landscape setback on Ruff Snow Drive, and Mid-Cities Boulevard 10 feet total. Staff recommends approval. Mayor Trevino called for anyone wishing to speak for or against the request to come forward. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor Trevino closed the public hearing and called for the motion. COUNCILMAN WELCH MOVED TO APPROVE LRB 2007-01. COUNCILMAN WHITSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. D.O PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT There were no items for this category. E.O PUBLIC WORKS There were no items for this category. GENERAL ITEMS F.1 _._._._._._~------ City Council Minutes May 29, 2007 Page 8 GN 2007-048 CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE TARRANT COUNTY HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION FOR THE USE OF THE PROCEEDS OF ITS SERIES 2007 SINGLE FAMILY MORTGAGE REVENUE BONDS TO FINANCE HOME MORTGAGES FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY _ RESOLUTION NO. 2007-045 APPROVED Elizabeth Reining, Assistant to the City Manager, presented the item. The Tarrant County Housing Finance Corporation is requesting the City of North Richland Hills approve a resolution allowing the Corporation to provide below market interest rate loans benefiting first-time qualifying home buyers in North Richland Hills. This program through the Texas Housing Finance Corporation will provide Fannie Mae, FHA and VA loans to first time homebuyers and homebuyers who have not owned a home in the past three years. The Tarrant County Housing Finance Corporation will administer the program. The City has no liability. In order for North Richland Hills residents to participate, City Council must pass a resolution approving the application of the Texas Housing Finance Corporation Act to the property located within the City of North Richland Hills boundaries. MAYOR PRO TEM COMPTON MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION No. 2007-045. COUNCILMAN LEWIS SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. F.2 GN 2007-047 AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH GRAHAM ASSOCIATES., INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $113,450 FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE LIBERTY PARK LAKE PROJECT - RESOLUTION NO. 2007-043 APPROVED Vickie Loftice, Director of Parks and Recreation, presented the item. The approved Capital Improvement Program includes funding for services of a Texas Registered Professional Engineer for the permit administration and design related to the creation of a lake or other water feature in Liberty Park, adjacent to and within Calloway Branch. Request for Qualifications (RFQ) were sought for services to include all necessary permit administration, master planning and preparation of construction documents related to the project. The requests were sent out to various engineering firms that specialize in this work. After a thorough evaluation, a decision was made to negotiate a contract with Graham Associates, Inc. City Council Minutes May 29, 2007 Page 9 Jeff Williams, Graham and Associates, 600 Six Flags Drive in Arlington, came forward. He explained some of the steps they propose to go through on the design of the project. He was available to answer any questions Council might have. COUNCILMAN TURNAGE MOVED TO APPROVE GN 2007-047. COUNCILMAN WHITSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. F.3 PU 2007-021 AMEND AGREEMENT FOR MINERAL LEASES OF FOSSIL CREEK PARK AND LINDA SPURLOCK PARK TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 10.5 ACRES- RESOLUTION NO. 2007-041 APPROVED Elizabeth Reining, Assistant to the City Manager, presented the item. In February 2006, the City advertised a mineral lease bid for Fossil Creek and Linda Spurlock Park for a total of 58.4 acres. The City received two bids and chose FSOC Gas Company. The lease term was for two years and included provisions to protect the City's interests. FSOC Gas Company has since been bought out by Chesapeake Exploration. Chesapeake Exploration has approached the City to amend the lease to include an additional 10.5 acres at Fossil Creek Park. It was discovered after the lease was signed that the City owned additional property at the park site. The terms of the amended lease are identical to the original lease. The City will receive $3,000 per acre or $31,500 total as a signing bonus for the additional acreage and 25% royalty from anything that is extracted from the site. COUNCILMAN WHITSON MOVED TO APPROVE PU 2007-021, RESOLUTION No. 2007-041. COUNCILMAN BARTH SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. F.4 PU 2007-018 AMEND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES BILLING AND COLLECTION CONTRACT TO SOUTHWEST GENERAL SERVICES, INC. _ RESOLUTION NO. 2007-038 APPROVED City Council Minutes May 29, 2007 Page 10 Andy Jones, Fire Chief, presented the item. Southwest General Services, Inc. ("SGS") has provided ambulance billing and collection services for the City of North Richland Hills since 1999. The existing contract is an initial three year agreement ending September 30, 2007 with two optional one-year extensions. North Richland Hills EMS has been working with the Medusa Software for several months. There are numerous deficiencies with the software which negatively impact the ability of the EMS units to effectively gather patient data in a timely and efficient manner. SGS has proposed a different software solution to meet EMS needs. The new software known as "Rescue Medic" (RM) was presented to the Fire Department two months ago to "Beta" test. EMS has been testing the proposed software for over a month with no problems. The proposed RescueMedic software is a great improvement over Medusa. In order to take advantage of the benefits of the RM system, an amendment to the Emergency Medical Billing and Collection contract is required. The proposed amendment includes an expiration date of September 30, 2009. The new fee will be 8% of collections versus the 9% originally agreed upon in the existing contract. COUNCILMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION No. 2007 -038. COUNCILMAN WHITSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. F.5 ACTION ON ANY ITEM DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION LISTED ON WORK SESSION AGENDA No action needed. F.6 INFORMATION AND REPORTS IR 2007-069 WELLNESS PROGRAM UPDATE - WEIGHT WATCHERS AT WORK PROGRAM Margaret Ragus, Health & Wellness Coordinator, updated the Council. To assist employees and family members with various work/life issues, the City has implemented several successful wellness initiatives which include Health Check 2007, Active for Life Wellness Competition, Annual Employee/Retiree Health Fair and most recently, the completion of the latest Weight Watchers at Work Program. City Council Minutes May 29, 2007 Page 11 F.7 INFORMATION AND REPORTS Councilman Barth made the following announcements. Join us at Kay Granger Park on Friday, June 1 st, for a FREE night of family fun. There will be games starting at 7 p.m. and we will watch the movie "Over the Hedge" from the lawn after the sun goes down. Parking is limited. Residents are encouraged to walk or ride their bikes to the park. Kay Granger Park is located at Mullendore Elementary School. For more information, please call 817-427-6600. A self defense class will be held at 10 a.m. on June 8th at the Dan Echols Senior Center. For more information, please call 817-281-9267. Residents can get rid of household hazardous waste including paint, oil, pesticides and other household chemicals from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 9th, at Tarrant County College NE Campus, 828 Harwood Road (by the tennis courts). Proof of residency is required. Storage capacity may limit participation to the first 75 households. For more details, please call 817- 427-6651. Kudos Korner - Officer Debra Taylor-Smith, Police Department - A resident sent a note of thanks to Officer Taylor-Smith for teaching children about the hazards of drugs. The resident's grandson and a friend had been approached in a park and ask if they wanted to smoke. The children said "no." When arriving home they told what had happened and proudly announced that Officer Taylor-Smith taught them to say no. The resident was thankful that the North Richland Hills Police Department takes the time to educate children on this important subject. F.8 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Trevino adjourned the meeting at 7:47 p.m. &\\\\~\\\w,m\'; 111 we,:,., .,4'".,. C H ¡ ""!:felÙ., ~o.,:, n \ ..1 .'/.11/1 ..i'ß' ',:'-..........: "1 A, '0: ii" '-0....... "...:,v () ~ 2;f' '" ..' ". >~, "'Q:-" n ·.A.,? i?".o/ \~ "~ -- .".. r ...' ~ =¡ ¡. §1 ~ toL- \ It Fn ,~ <¿. . /'1 i'! ~'~A'T::r.:E. S.. .. .....+.../)¡. $ ';':'/" ..~ . ~..............c.. --' ';$ .' N , _,"'. 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