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Home My WebLink AboutCC 2007-08-27 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 - AUGUST 27,2007 WORK SESSION The City Council of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas met in work session on the 2ih day of August, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Work Room prior to the 7:00 p.m. regular Council meeting. Present: Oscar Trevino Suzy Compton John Lewis Ken Sapp Tim Barth David Whitson Scott Turnage Tim Welch Staff Members: Larry J. Cunningham Jim Starr Ogden Bo Bass Karen Bostic Patricia Hutson George Staples Mary Edwards Elizabeth Reining Larry Koonce Mike Curtis Steve Brown Vickie Loftice Drew Corn JoAnn Stout Jimmy Perdue Andy Jones Kyle Spooner Thad Chambers Eric Wilhite Jamie Brockway Call to Order Mayor Mayor Pro Tem, Place 3 Council, Place 1 Council, Place 2 Council, Place 4 Council, Place 5 Council, Place 6 Council, Place 7 City Manager Interim Assistant City Manager Assistant City Manager Managing Director Administrative/Fiscal Services City Secretary City Attorney Public Information Officer Assistant to City Manager Finance Director Public Works Director Library Director Parks & Recreation Director Budget Director Neighborhood Services Chief of Police Fire Chief Information Services Director Economic Development Director Chief Planner Purchasing Manager Mayor Trevino called the work session to order at 6:00 p.m. A.1 Discuss Items from Reqular City Council Meetinq City Council Minutes August27,2007 Page 2 Agenda Item F.1, GN 2007-067 - Councilman Barth asked for some justifications for Atmos raising the surcharges. Staff advised the purpose is to give them the opportunity to recover costs as infrastructure investments are put in the ground and not included in the most recent rate study. However, Atmos surcharge request includes some inappropriate expenses related to furniture and office fixtures. A.2 IR 2007-103 HB 621 Super Freeport Tax Exemption Mr. Thad Chambers, Director of Economic Development, presented a PowerPoint presentation explaining House Bill 621 and its impact on the City. The bill's primary purpose is to make the Texas warehousing industry located close to Mexico and other bordering states more competitive with the bordering states by expanding the definition of goods-in-transit. The City has the option to opt out of the exemption for goods-in- transit. Should the City Council take no action and not opt-out of the of the exemption, TAD has provided a conservative estimate that in excess of $5,000,000 would be removed from the City's tax rolls. Lost tax revenue is conservatively estimated at $30,000 per year. If Council desires to opt-out, the City must hold a public hearing on the issue prior to January 1 and take action. If the City Council votes to opt-out, the goods-in-transit will continue to be taxed as they are currently and if the Council votes not to opt-out, they will be exempted from taxation. After discussion by Council, the consensus was to bring it back for a public hearing with a recommendation from Staff that the City opt-out. A.3 Adjournment Mayor Trevino adjourned the work session at 6:08 p.m. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING A.O CALL TO ORDER Mayor Trevino called the meeting to order August 27,2007 at 7:00 p.m. City Council Minutes August27,2007 Page 3 ROLL CALL Present: Oscar Trevino Suzy Compton John Lewis Ken Sapp Tim Barth David Whitson Scott Turnage Tim Welch Mayor Mayor Pro Tem, Council Place 3 Council, Place 1 Council, Place 2 Council, Place 4 Council, Place 5 Council, Place 6 Council, Place 7 Staff: Larry J. Cunningham Ogden Bo Bass Patricia Hutson George Staples City Manager Assistant City Manager City Secretary Attorney 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) YARD OF THE MONTH AWARDS FOR AUGUST 2007 Ms. Teresa Hebert, Keep NRH Beautiful Commission Member, and Councilman Sapp recognized the following Yard of the Month recipients for the month of August: Leslie and David Altamos, 5821 North Hills Drive; Michael & Lynette Kithas, 6733 Riviera; Laura Ford, 6238 Skylark Circle; John Hadaway, 5636 Guadalajara Drive; Ken & Kathy Thompson, 6109 Winter Park Drive; Dorothy Dickerson, 6545 Wakefield Road; Jack & Barbara Terry, 8105 Kentwood Drive; David & Erica Darling, 6882 Rolling Ridge Drive; David & Kristie Crownover, 7425 Continental Trail. North Hills Hospital, 4401 Booth Calloway Road was recognized as the recipient of the Business Landscape Award. City Council Minutes August 27, 2007 Page 4 A.4 CITIZENS PRESENTATION Mrs. Laverne O'Steen, 8429 Emerald Circle, spoke on issues related to Block 1, Lot 40 Emerald Lakes Drainage Easement. Mr. Marlin Miller, 5109 Susan Lee Lane, complimented the City and Parks Department for the Art in Public Places brochure he picked up from the Senior Center. Mr. Miller stated the brochure was interesting, forth going and showed the accomplishments of the City. Staff advised that the brochure was available to the public at the City Hall, Library, Recreation Center, Chamber of Commerce and on the City's website. A.5 REMOVAL OF ITEM(S) FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA None. B.O APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS APPROVED B.1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 3-4, 2007 BUDGET WORK SESSION B.2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF AUGUST 13, 2007 CITY COUNCIL MEETING B.3 PU 2007-040 AWARD PROPOSAL NO. 07-1384 FOR DATA AND TELEPHONE CABLE INSTALLATION AT THE NEW LIBRARY TO PREMIER COMMUNICATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $35,608.36 B.4 PU 2007-039 AUTHORIZE TO CONTINUE THE PURCHASE OF BADGER WATER METERS AND TELEMETRIC DEVICES AND PRICE INCREASES FROM ATLAS UTILITY SUPPLY COMPANY THROUGH JANUARY 31,2008 B.5 PU 2007-041 AWARD THE PURCHASE OF VIDEO RECORDING AND BROADCASTING EQUIPMENT TO VISUAL INTERACTIVE DYNAMICS IN THE AMOUNT OF $34,890.00. COUNCILMAN TURNAGE MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. COUNCILMAN WHITSON SECONDED THE MOTION City Council Minutes August 27, 2007 Page 5 MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS C.1 GN 2007-068 CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 2007-2008 BUDGET Mayor Trevino opened the public hearing on the proposed 2007-2008 Budget. Mr. Larry J. Cunningham, City Manager, introduced the proposed 2007-2008 Budget. Mr. Cunningham advised the budget was based on several assumptions: Council Goals and Objectives, 2005 Citizen Survey, competitive employee compensation, keeping costs at reasonable levels to minimize the impact on the taxpayers. The proposed budget is a balanced budget, maintaining the same or improved levels of service, continues the 57 cent property tax rate for the 15th year, includes a growth in sales tax, Phase 3 of an increase in water and sewer rates as recommended by the Utility Rate Study and adopted by the Council in 2005 and includes a few new service additions, the largest being the opening costs of the new library. Mr. Drew Corn, Budget Director, presented a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the proposed Annual Operating Budget for all funds and the Capital Improvements Budget. Mr. Corn highlighted the revenues, expenditures and service enhancements for all funds and presented highlights of the capital projects proposed in the Capital Budget. The proposed budget will be recommended for adoption at the September 10 Council meeting. Mayor Trevino asked for public comments on the proposed 2007/2008 Proposed Budget. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor Trevino closed the public hearing. C.2 GN 2007-069 CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED TAX RATE Mayor Trevino opened the public hearing on the proposed tax rate for fiscal year 2007- 2008. Mr. Drew Corn, Budget Director, presented a PowerPoint presentation, giving an overview of the proposed tax rate. Mr. Corn discussed the history of net taxable values, a breakdown by tax year of appraised values, and changes in property values. The proposed tax rate for Fiscal Year 2007-2008 is 57 cents. If adopted, the 57 cent tax rate will have been maintained for 15 consecutive years. Mr. Corn advised the effective tax City Council Minutes August 27, 2007 Page 6 tax rate of 56.4932 cents is the property tax rate necessary to produce the same amount of property tax revenues as the prior year. Because the proposed rate of 57 cents is higher than the effective tax rate, two public hearings are required. The second required public hearing will be held on August 30, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Trevino asked for public comments on the proposed 57 cent tax rate. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor Trevino closed the public hearing and announced this public hearing was the first of two public hearings. The second public hearing on the proposed tax rate will be held at a Special Council meeting on August 30, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. The Council will adopt the tax rate at the 7:00 p.m. September 10, 2007 Regular Council meeting to be held in the Council Chambers in City Hall. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT There were no items for this category. PUBLIC WORKS There were no items for this category. GENERAL ITEMS F.1 GN 2006-067 DENIAL OF 2006 INTERIM RATE ADJUSTMENT PROPOSED BY ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION, MID-TEX DIVISION- ORDINANCE NO. 2948 APPROVED Ms. Karen Bostic, Managing Director, presented the item. Atmos Energy has filed its fourth request for GRIP adjustment (Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program) in two and one-half years. The request for additional revenue is to cover infrastructure Atmos has put in the ground since their last rate study. Atmos is saying that the amounts requested are not included in the current rate and they are asking for more money to pay for this infrastructure. The City Council suspended the surcharge request at the July 9 council meeting giving the City 45 days to review the information included in the request from Atmos to determine if the request was valid. After studying the request it has been determined that there were items included in the GRIP surcharge that should not be included. There were also items included in the request that were previous year City Council Minutes August 27, 2007 Page 7 expenditures and therefore were not allowable. The surcharge they are requesting will add an additional 59 cents per month on the average residential customer, $1.47 per month on the average commercial customer and $28.74 per month for industrial customers. The total amount of surcharges resulting from the request would be $1.68 per month from residential customers, $5.16 per month from commercial customers and $180.86 per month from industrial customers. Based on the consultant's review and determination that the request is not reasonable, Staff is recommending approval of Ordinance No. 2948 which will deny the Atmos GRIP filing, will show that the City supports statutory reform of the Texas GRIP statute, notes that this item was presented in a public hearing and requires the City to notify Atmos and the city's legislative delegation of the denial. Councilman Welch commented that the Railroad Commission excluded some of the furniture from the overall costs, but that the Company still acknowledges that they have some other furniture and fixtures included. Councilman Welch questioned how the remaining furniture and fixtures related to the infrastructure in the ground and what could be done if the Railroad Commission failed in their proceedings. Ms. Bostic advised that the Railroad Commission conducts the review and removes any items they determine not to be justified. The City and citizens can send letters to the Commission. COUNCILMAN WELCH MOVED TO APPROVE GN 2006-067 FOR THE DENIAL OF THE 2006 INTERIM RATE ADJUSTMENT AND APPROVE ORDINANCE No. 2948. COUNCILMAN WHITSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. F.2 GN 2007-074 2008 SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM GRANT (FY 2008 STEP GRANT AGREEMENT) - RESOLUTION NO. 2007-050 APPROVED Police Chief Jimmy Perdue presented the item. In 2007 the Police Department participated in a STEP Grant issued through the State for DWI and seatbelt enforcement during selected time periods. The State is recommending that the City proceed with a 2008 grant that will encompass the entire year. The 2007 grant covered specific time periods and the 2008 grant will cover the entire year and allow the Police Department more flexibility in scheduling. The 2008 grant includes 350 overtime hours for occupant protection enforcement and 876 overtime hours for impaired driving enforcement. The grant is for a total of $59,382.24 overtime reimbursement and the City will have a matching in-kind contribution of approximately $14,000. Staff is recommending City Council Minutes August 27, 2007 Page 8 recommending approval of Resolution No. 2007-050 authorizing the grant agreement with TxDOT. COUNCILMAN TURNAGE MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION No. 2007-050. COUNCILMAN BARTH SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. F.3 PU 2007-037 AWARD BID NO. 07-1377 FOR LIBRARY FURNISHINGS TO BKM TOTAL OFFICE OF TEXAS FOR $110,993.63, BUSINESS INTERIORS FOR $13,618.52, AND KI FOR $47,265.35 FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $171,877.50. APPROVED Mr. Larry Koonce, Director of Finance, presented the item. Funds were appropriated in the 2006/2007 approved library construction budget for furniture at the new Library. The bid for the furniture was divided into groups and is being awarded to a vendor based on the groups. The architect, Purchasing Manager and Finance Director are recommending the award to three vendors based on the lowest and best pricing meeting specifications. The first category of items is for the purchase of thirty-four line items and includes two types of system furnishings, Steelcase desk systems for use in staff workspaces and Steelcase panel systems for use as public access computer workstations. It is recommended that the first category of items be awarded to BKM Total Office of Texas in the amount of $110,993.63. The second category is for five of the line items for outdoor furniture and stool. It is recommended that the second category of items be awarded to Business Interiors, Inc in the amount of $13,618.52. The third category is for twenty-two of the line items for various tables and chairs. It is recommended that the third category of items be awarded to KI in the amount of $47,265.35. COUNCILMAN WHITSON MOVED TO APPROVE PU 2007-037, AWARDING BID No. 07-1377 FOR LIBRARY FURNISHINGS TO BKM TOTAL OFFICE OF TEXAS FOR $110,993.63, BUSINESS INTERIORS $13,618.52 AND KI FOR $47,265.35 FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $171,877.50. MAYOR PRO TEM COMPTON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. F.4 GN 2007-071 APPROVAL OF NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO THE YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPROVED City Council Minutes August 27, 2007 Page 9 Ms. Elizabeth Reining, Assistant to City Manager, presented a request from the Youth Advisory Committee to appoint Paige Burroughs of Birdville High School as a committee member for 2007/2008. MAYOR PRO TEM COMPTON MOVED TO APPROVE GN 2007-071, APPROVING THE YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION TO APPOINT PAIGE BURROUGHS AS A COMMITTEE MEMBER. COUNCILMAN BARTH SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. F.5 GN 2007-070 APPOINTMENTS TO ANIMAL CONTROL SHELTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE - PLACES 1 AND 3 APPROVED Ms. Patricia Hutson, City Secretary, presented the item. The individuals serving in Places 1 and 3 on the Animal Control Shelter Advisory Committee terms of office expired. Currently serving in Place 1 is Jed Ford, DVM and serving in Place 3 is JoAnn Stout, Neighborhood Services Director. Recommendation is to reappoint Dr. Jed Ford to Place 1 and JoAnn Stout to Place 3, terms expiring June 30, 2009. COUNCILMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE GN 2007-070, REAPPOINTING DR. JED FORD TO PLACE 1 AND JOANN STOUT TO PLACE 3 ON THE ANIMAL CONTROL SHELTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE. COUNCILMAN SAPP SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. F.6 GN 2007-072 APPOINTMENTS TO THE RED LIGHT CAMERA ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPROVED Ms. Patricia Hutson, City Secretary presented the item. The City Council recently approved Ordinance No. 2946 which created the Red Light Camera Advisory Committee. The Ordinance provided that the committee will consist of eight persons serving for one year terms expiring in June of each year and the members shall consist of one person appointed annually by the Mayor and one appointed annually by each member of the City Council. The following names were submitted by the City Council for appointment to the committee: City Council Minutes August 27,2007 Page 10 Mayor Trevino Mayor Pro T em Compton Councilman Lewis Councilman Sapp Councilman Barth Councilman Whitson Councilman Turnage Councilman Welch Mike Witt Scott Eager Tito Rodriguez Scott Wood Steve Koons Tom Lombard Pam Hansen Mike Shingler COUNCILMAN WHITSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENTS TO THE RED LIGHT CAMERA ADVISORY COMMITTEE. COUNCILMAN BARTH SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. F.7 INFORMATION AND REPORTS Mayor Pro Tem Compton made the following announcements. The North Richland Hills City Council will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 30th. The purpose of this special meeting is to conduct a public hearing on the tax rate. City Hall and other City Offices will be closed on Monday, September 3rd, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Garbage will be collected by Allied Waste Services. The City of North Richland Hills will host its 16th Annual Business Appreciation Luncheon on Friday, September 14th. The guest speaker will be Congressman Michael C. Burgess. Invitations are being mailed to local businesses. For more information, please call the Economic Development Department at 817-427-6090. Kudos Korner - David Smith, Fire Department. An e-mail was received from a resident thanking David for the excellent manner in which he instructed a CPR Class. He was very well informed and presented himself in a professional manner throughout the entire class. The resident recommends that all residents who are interested in CPR certification take part in this worthwhile class. F.8 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Trevino adjourned the meeting at 8:14 p.m. ·.,~\\\\\\\^\\\\\\\'I\IIIHIIII . 1$:""" '. 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