HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2007-06-14 Minutes
MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS HELD IN
THE CITY HALL, PRE-COUNCIL ROOM, 7301 NORTHEAST LOOP 820,
JUNE 14, 2007 - 6:00 P.M.
1.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Trevino called the work session to order at 6:10 p.m.
Present:
Oscar Trevino
Suzy Compton
John Lewis
Ken Sapp
Tim Barth
David Whitson
Tim Welch
Staff Members:
Larry J. Cunningham
Ogden Bo Bass
Jim Starr
Karen Bostic
Patricia Hutson
Larry Koonce
Drew Corn
Mary Edwards
Elizabeth Reining
Patrick Hillis
Mike Curtis
Absent:
Scott Turnage
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem, Council Place 3
Council, Place 1
Council, Place 2
Council, Place 4
Council, Place 5
Council, Place 7
City Manager
Assistant City Manager
Interim Assistant City Manager
Managing Director Administrative/Fiscal Services
City Secretary
Director of Finance
Budget Director
Public Information Officer
Assistant to City Manager
Human Resources Director
Public Works Director
Council, Place 6
2.
DISCUSS PLANNING AND PROGRAM OF SERVICES
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007/2008
City Manager Cunningham outlined the agenda. Purpose of the work session is to
provide information regarding the City's 2007/2008 preliminary budget, information on
current and future issues that will affect city services and impact the budget and to
receive input from Council on planning next year's program of services. During budget
preparations, the Council's goals and priorities, department priorities and needs of the
community were taken into consideration. Council was reminded that information being
presented and discussed was very preliminary.
City Council Work Session Minutes
June 14,2007
Page 2 of 7
Mr. Larry Koonce, Finance Director, presented information on fiscal year 2005/06 Fund
Balances and the use of fund reserves and rebuilding reserves. Mr. Koonce discussed
the reason for declining reserves in recent years and the efforts in 2006 to rebuild the
reserves. Council was advised of challenges faced in the reserve funds for Information
Services, Equipment Services, Building Services, Permanent Street Maintenance, CIP
Pay-As-You-Go and the Insurance Fund.
Councilman Barth present at 6:30 p.m.
Mr. Drew Corn, Budget Director, reviewed the preliminary 2007 revised vs. adopted
budget revenues and expenditures for the General and Utility Funds and highlighted the
major impacts to the revenues and expenditures in the General Fund.
Mr. Koonce discussed with Council the preliminary tax roll for 2007, the distribution of
tax revenues and how the estimated General Fund Tax Revenues are calculated. Mr.
Koonce explained the effective tax rate and the preliminary calculation of the effective
tax rate at 57 cents. A brief overview was given of the fiscal year 2008 preliminary
budget and a comparison was given of the 2007 adopted versus 2008 preliminary
budget. Impacts to revenues and expenses in the General Fund for fiscal year 2008
were highlighted.
Staff presented Council with the following current issues:
· 2007 Citizen Survey - Council previously discussed conducting a survey every
two years to receive feedback and understanding of citizen attitudes and
perceptions about the quality of life in North Richland Hills and services provided
by the City. Ms. Bostic discussed with council the citizen survey conducted in
2005 and plans to use it as a benchmark for future surveys. Staff sought
direction from Council on whether they were supportive of conducting the Citizen
Survey in 2007 and in continuing the survey process every two years. After a
brief discussion by Council, the Council was supportive of conducting a survey in
2007 and confirmed their support of continuing the survey process every two
years thereafter.
· Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) - Mr. Starr presented information
on a possible RFID Program in the Library. The implementation of an RFID
Program in the Library would replace the current tagging system and allow more
self-check out and introduce self check in. The system will tag and identify the
library's collections, track loans, control inventory and provide security. The
benefits of moving to the new system were explained. If funding were to be
provided in FY 2007/2008, the Library Director does not believe the system
would be implemented in time for the opening of the new Library and
implementation would occur about May 2008. In order for the new system to
coincide with the opening of the new library, the program would need to be
funded in FY 2006/2007. Staff sought direction from Council on their support of
City Council Work Session Minutes
June 14, 2007
Page 3 of 7
the new technology, if they waned to amend the current budget by $231,300 for
RFID and if Council supported including implementation of a RFID system as
part of the capital program next fiscal year. Council questioned what other larger
surrounding cities were using the system. Council requested Staff to further
research and compare to libraries similar to North Richland Hills. Council was
interested in the following information: ratios of the number of employees per
book checked out since implemented, actual savings, percentage of loss, staffing
to check-in books, etc. The Council agreed that they would like to receive more
information before making a decision to support moving to the technology and
they did not support the funding of the system in the 2006 budget.
· New Library Opening and Transition - The opening of the new library will expand
the City's library space by 18,000 square feet and circulation is anticipated to
increase 25%, adding 175,000 circulation transactions to employees' workloads.
Council was advised of the projected increased costs to provide service and
maintain the facility. Staff discussed with Council the physical move of the
library's collections to the new facility. Because much of the shelving from the
existing library is scheduled to be re-used, the move will require unloading the
shelves, disassembling and moving steel shelving, re-installing in the new
location and then moving the collection to its new location. Staff is
recommending the library be closed to the public during the process, which could
take three to four working weeks. Plans are to coordinate with other libraries in
the community to accommodate North Richland Hills' residents during the
transition. Staff requested direction from the Council on their support of the
closing of the library during the move to the new facility for three to four weeks or
having Staff evaluate keeping a portion of the Library open to provide minimal
needs. The consensus of the Council was not to leave the library open to the
public during the transition and Staff will look at options to accommodate the
City's residents during the move.
· Municipal Wireless Network - Council discussed at last year's Mid-Year Budget
Work Session municipal wireless networking and directed Staff to acquire
services for an assessment of the cost and feasibility of providing a City-wide
mesh network. The City has negotiated a no cost assessment with Red Moon
Inc. and the Information Services Department is in the process of completing a
site/asset questionnaire from RedMoon. Upon completion, RedMoon will begin a
physical assessment of the City and its assets. The next step will be for the City
to implement a pilot wireless mesh system which will provide feedback regarding
range, speed and reliability, as well as supply solid data regarding what
applications and functions the City performs that can be mobilized. The pilot
would cover a one square mile area and would be implemented and operational
in fiscal year 2007/2008. A City-wide wireless mesh system implementation plan
would be presented through the budget process as a capital project for fiscal
year 2008/2009. Staff requested direction from the Council on their support of
moving forward with a pilot wireless mesh network for the mobilization of City
applications and after the pilot project is completed, does Council want Staff to
explore the feasibility of expanding the wireless network to citizens in the future.
City Council Work Session Minutes
June 14,2007
Page 4 of 7
Council asked to be provided with information on the costs to other cities that had
a wireless network. After discussion, the consensus of the Council was to move
forward with the pilot wireless network and for Staff to explore the feasibility of
expanding the network.
· Preventive Street Maintenance Program - Council approved in the current fiscal
year an increase of $200,000 in the Preventive Street Maintenance Program
from the Gas Fund. With the additional funding, Staff anticipated being able to
improve the condition of many more streets, but due to inflation Staff was not
able to improve as many as originally anticipated. Staff discussed with Council
the impact inflation had on the program and provided Council with a comparison
of what was estimated to be accomplished and what actually was accomplished.
Staff sought direction from the Council on their desire to fund the program at the
same level as last year ($800,000) or fund at the previous year's level ($600,000)
if General Fund monies were to be used. Council was also asked if they were
receptive to using the Gas Fund or General Fund Balance if Staff could not find
excess of $600,000 in the General Fund for the program. After discussion, the
consensus of the Council was to fund the program at the $800,000 level and to
revisit the inflation factor next budget year. Council was also receptive to using
the Gas Fund or General Fund Balance if monies in the General Fund could not
be found to fund the excess of the $600,000.
· Traffic Signal Synchronization - Mr. Curtis discussed with Council updating the
timing plans for Davis Boulevard, Boulevard 26 and Mid Cities Boulevard and the
effect it will have on improving traffic flow. The current timing plan is based on
2005 volumes and patterns and in the past two years there has been a significant
increase in volume along the three thoroughfares. The least amount of
improvement in traffic congestion will occur along Davis Boulevard due to the
need for TxDOT to add additional lanes. It is estimated that the additional lanes
will not be added for another two years. Council was asked if they would like to
proceed with the updated timing plan for Davis Boulevard or wait until the
additional lanes are added to the road. After discussion, the Council decided
they preferred not to proceed with the updated timing plan for Davis Boulevard.
· Increased Activity at Municipal Court - Ms. Bostic updated Council on workload
increases in Municipal Court. Council was advised that a survey on the seven
most written violations had been conducted among area cities and as a result of
the survey, the Judge is proposing increases to fines in four areas. The Court is
proposing the addition of personnel for document imaging, to implement state
mandates that become effective September 1 and a collection program that
would be run by the Municipal Court. Council was asked if they would be
receptive to adding some additional personnel recognizing that additional
revenues from adjusted fines can cover increased proposed expenditures. After
discussion, the Council concurred that they would be receptive to some
additional personnel.
· Economic Development Initiatives - Mr. Starr discussed an economic
development program that would encourage private investment in single-tenant
buildings and community strip centers along the City's mature corridors - Rufe
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June 14, 2007
Page 5 of 7
Snow Drive, Davis Boulevard and Boulevard 26. Three separate matching grant
programs are proposed that will target needed improvements in the areas of sign
removal, sign construction and façade improvement. Council was asked 1) if an
economic development program for the City's three mature corridors is
something Council would like to pursue in the upcoming year; 2) if Council
wanted to target only one area, which corridor would Council want to focus on;
and 3) would Council be receptive of utilizing funds from the Gas Funds to
finance the pilot program. Council discussed whether to target the three mature
corridors or to focus on only one area. The consensus of the Council was to
focus on the City's three mature corridors. The Council was also receptive to
utilizing funds from the Gas Fund to finance the pilot program.
· Central Recreation Center - Mr. Starr advised of upcoming decisions needed on
the proposed location of the new Recreation Center in Home Town, funding and
programs to be offered. Citizens first identified a need for a centrally located
recreation center in the Park System Master Plan. A 1998 study identified
several recreational features as essential facility elements. Council was advised
that some of the recommended elements may need to be revised given current
trends and demands as well as reducing the scope of the project given current
development and construction costs. Staff discussed with Council the
Recreation Center's current recovery cost policy and the need for a policy
decision if a decision is made to no longer require the new Center to recover
operating costs using the current policy. Mr. Curtis discussed with Council the
need to decide which method should be used for project delivery when the new
Center is built. Three options were presented - Design-Award-Build, Design-
Build, and Design-Construction Manager at Risk, and the pros and cons of each
were highlighted. Council was asked 1) if they were still comfortable with the
elements outlined in the previous studies, or does Council believe they should be
different; 2) if there was a level of cost recovery that should be achieved or
should an initial threshold amount be determined for membership costs; and 3)
would Council be receptive to further evaluation of the Design-Award-Build
concept, Design-Build concept or Construction Manager at Risk concept. After
discussion, the Council advised they were comfortable with most of the elements
outlined in the study and suggested that the Park and Recreation Board review
the trends and demands for the various elements. Council also concurred with
maintaining the current cost of recovery policy and was receptive to further
evaluation of the three project delivery concepts. Staff was also asked to verify
the cost recovery on the Center's current programs.
· Iron Horse Maintenance Equipment Replacement - Mr. Starr advised that
various equipment at the golf course was in need of repair and replacement.
Staff discussed with Council that in the past the City loaned the Golf Course
money to replace equipment. The Management Contractor for the golf course
has created an equipment replacement schedule but never provided funds to pay
for the equipment replacement. Staff discussed with Council the debt capacity
for the golf course. Council was asked if they wanted to place the Golf Course
maintenance equipment on a replacement schedule similar to other North
City Council Work Session Minutes
June 14,2007
Page 6 of 7
Richland Hills equipment and if they were receptive to loaning the golf course
funds to replace its maintenance vehicles and equipment and place on a delayed
payment plan. After discussion, Council was in favor of placing the maintenance
equipment on a replacement schedule and was receptive to loaning the golf
course funds to replace its maintenance vehicles and equipment.
· Leadership Career Development Program - Ms. Reining discussed the City's
desire to implement a city wide leadership training program. Staff is proposing to
implement the program in fiscal year 2007/2008 in the Fire Department. In
following fiscal years other departments would be trained. Council was asked if
they were willing to spend the needed funds for this purpose and if they
supported the Fire Department being the first department to receive training.
After discussion, Council was supportive of implementing the program and the
Fire Department being the first department to receive the training. Council was
also supportive of not only initially training the Fire Department but also including
other departments in the initial training.
Staff presented Council with the following future issues:
· Boulevard 26 - Mr. Curtis discussed with Council the completion of the
intersection improvements at Rufe Snow Drive and Glenview Drive later this
year. With the completion of the intersection improvements, no other
improvements have been planned. Council discussed and concurred with the
allocation of capital funds over the next couple of years for new public
improvements in the Boulevard 26 Corridor.
. Online CitiCable Broadcasts - Ms. Bostic discussed with Council whether to
provide streaming of City Council Meetings live on the web site and provide "on
demand" playback of meetings or to continue offering a limited number of
Citicable programs online at no additional cost to the City. The consensus was
to contract with an outside company to provide full service streaming and on
demand video services.
· Branch Library - Staff discussed with Council possible options and locations for
providing a branch library in the southern part of the City. Council indicated that
they were still supportive of providing a branch library south of Loop 820.
Mr. Hillis updated the Council on the Insurance Fund and the Compensation Plan.
City Council Work Session Minutes
June 14, 2007
Page 7 of 7
3.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Trevino adjourned the work session at 10:09 p.m.
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