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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2007-09-10 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 - SEPTEMBER 10, 2007 WORK SESSION The City Council of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas met in work session on the 10th day of September, 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 Monica Solko George Staples Elizabeth Reining John Pitstick Larry Koonce Mike Curtis Greg VanNeiuwenhuize Jo Ann Stout Thad Chambers Andy Jones Drew Corn Vickie Lottice Dave Pendley Call to Order 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 City Manager Interim Assistant City Manager Assistant City Manager Managing Director Administrative/Fiscal Services City Secretary Assistant City Secretary City Attorney Assistant to City Manager Director of Planning & Development Finance Director Public Works Director Public Works Assistant Director Neighborhood Services Director Economic Development Director Fire Chief Budget Director Park and Recreation Director Building Official Mayor Trevino called the work session to order at 6:00 p.m. City Council Minutes September 10, 2007 Page 2 A.1 Discuss Items from Reqular City Council Meetinq There were no items discussed. A.2 IR 2007-105 Discuss Reschedulinq I Cancellinq November 26 and December 24 Council Meetinqs Patricia Hutson, City Secretary presented the item. The second Council meeting in November falls close to the Thanksgiving holidays and the second meeting in December is on Christmas Eve. In the past when Council meetings have fallen close to a holiday, Council has opted to cancel the meetings and directed staff to notify Council if any significant issues arise warranting a special meeting. A survey has been conducted with all departments to determine if there are any significant issues scheduled to be brought before Council on the second meeting dates in November and December. At this time there are no known issues scheduled for the meetings or any upcoming items that would be impacted by a change in the council meeting schedule. After brief discussion by the Council, the consensus was to cancel the November 26th and December 24th City Council meetings. A.3 IR 2007-106 Review of Median Openinqs for North Tarrant Parkway Mike Curtis, Public Works Director gave a brief update on the North Tarrant Parkway project, which is a joint project with the City of Keller. The consultant, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. made their first submittal to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) earlier this summer. The first submittal, consisting of a Schematic of the project, provides an overview of the proposed layout of the new road, including the vertical alignment, lane configuration, intersections, and median openings. Mr. Curtis introduced Brad Tribble with Kimley-Horn. Mr. Tribble showed Council a map with the recommended changes and explained that Kimley-Horn has worked closely with both cities and the local TxDOT office to implement each city's access plan. The proposed schematic indicates ample access for the neighborhoods adjacent to North Tarrant Parkway. Within the North Richland Hill's stretch of the project (Smithfield Road to Davis Boulevard); however, the design team encountered several instances where proposed median opening locations did not meet TxDOT's criteria. These locations will require a Design Exception from TxDOT, and may need to be removed from the project should TxDOT feel that an exception is not justified. After brief discussion and questions by the Council, the Council concurred with the update. A.4 IR 2007-107 Potential Ordinance Amendments Affectinq Neiqhborhood Maintenance City Council Minutes September 10, 2007 Page 3 Jo Ann Stout, Neighborhood Services Director presented a PowerPoint presentation. An interest has been expressed from several citizens and council members to take a closer look at the enforcement of code violations affecting the general maintenance of our neighborhoods, as well as, the possibility of amending some of our current ordinances to address new concerns that appear to be arising in our City. There were several potential amendments which were discussed with the City Attorney to determine if a legal basis exists for their enforcement. List of possible amendments that were explored: · Directly draining of pool backwash on adjacent properties or onto a public street prohibited; · Repairing fences with similar materials; · Requiring no more than one vehicle on a residential property to be covered within public view; · Adding an escalation fee clause for repeat offenders; and · Requiring property owners to maintain trees, bushes or other vegetation in a manner that does not accelerate the spread of fire or hinder emergency personnel in their rescue operation. After brief discussion and questions by the Council, the consensus was for the Planning and Zoning Commission to review the amendments and to bring back to Council for further consideration. A.5 Adjournment Mayor Trevino announced at 6:45 p.m. that the Council would adjourn to the regular Council meeting. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING A.O CALL TO ORDER Mayor Trevino called the meeting to order September 10,2007 at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Oscar Trevino Suzy Compton John Lewis Ken Sapp Mayor Mayor Pro Tem, Council Place 3 Council, Place 1 Council, Place 2 City Council Minutes September 10, 2007 Page 4 Tim Barth David Whitson Scott Turnage Tim Welch Council, Place 4 Council, Place 5 Council, Place 6 Council, Place 7 Staff: Larry J. Cunningham Ogden Bo Bass Patricia Hutson Monica Solko George Staples City Manager Assistant City Manager City Secretary Assistant City Secretary Attorney A.1 INVOCATION Mayor Pro Tem Compton gave the invocation. A.2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE To honor the Anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, Mayor Pro Tem Compton led the pledge of allegiance with help from the NRH Fire Department color guard. Councilman Sapp sang God Bless America. A.3 SPECIAL PRESENT A TION(S) AND RECOGNITION(S) None. A.4 CITIZENS PRESENTATION Mrs. Laverne O'Steen, 8429 Emerald Circle, showed a picture of a flooded backyard and spoke on issues related to Block 1, Lot 40 Emerald Lakes Drainage Easement. Mayor Trevino asked Bo Bass, Assistant City Manager and Mike Curtis, Director of Public Works if the drainage system in the city worked. Mr. Bass stated that the City drainage system did work. City Council Minutes September 10, 2007 Page 5 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 AUGUST 27, 2007 CITY COUNCIL MEETING B.2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF AUGUST 30, 2007 SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING COUNCILMAN WHITSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. COUNCILMAN TURNAGE SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS C.O No items for this category. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT D.O Items to follow do not require a public hearing. No items for this category PUBLIC WORKS E.1 PW 2007-015 APPROVE A CITY/DEVELOPER AGREEMENT WITH THE BIRDVILLE City Council Minutes September 10, 2007 Page 6 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT AUTHORIZING CITY PARTICIPATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $247,268.51 FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF A PORTION OF HOLIDAY LANE AT DICK LEWIS DRIVE - RESOLUTION NO. 2007-051 APPROVED Mike Curtis, Public Works, Director presented the item. Birdville Independent School District (BISD) is beginning expansion efforts on the Richland High School complex as approved in their 2006 bond program. The reconstruction of the school requires offsite improvements to Dick Lewis Drive and Holiday Lane adjacent to the school property. The current BISD project consists of realigning Dick Lewis Drive (from Reynolds Road to Holiday Lane) and reconstructing approximately 400 feet of Holiday Lane including the intersection of Holiday Lane and Dick Lewis Drive. Holiday Lane will be reconstructed with concrete pavement to its current 48 foot width and will include a dedicated lett turn lane at Dick Lewis Drive. The traffic signals will be replaced with black powder coated poles and signals, backlit street signs, and the city's standard street lighting. In addition, the project will consist of offsite drainage improvements that will improve the drainage at this intersection. The proposed improvements are not required as a result of the proposed expansion for Richland High School. The intersection design is based on ultimate conditions as shown on the City's Master Thoroughfare Plan. Instead of BISD making temporary improvements to Holiday Lane, they have agreed to participate in permanent improvements. The City/Developer Agreement details the financial responsibility (design and construction) of each party. Funding for this project has been included in the proposed 2007/2008 Capital Improvement Projects Budget. COUNCILMAN WELCH MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION No. 2007-051. COUNCILMAN BARTH SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. GENERAL ITEMS F.1 GN 2007-075 ADOPTING THE 2006/2007 REVISED BUDGET AND 2007/2008 PROPOSED BUDGET - ORDINANCE NO. 2949 APPROVED Drew Corn, Budget Director presented the item. The proposed budget for 2007/2008 was filed with the City Secretary's office on July 30,2007. The proposed budget was also available at the NRH Library and on the City website. All necessary publications and hearings have been completed in compliance with City Charter requirements, special taxing district rules and procedures, and State Law. City Council Minutes September 10, 2007 Page 7 The 2007/2008 General Fund budget is based on the 57¢ tax rate which is the existing rate for the current fiscal year. Revisions to the 2006/2007 revenues and expenditures have been made to reflect the most current estimates for the current fiscal year. The Budgeted Operating Expenditures are: 2006/2007 Revised $35,737,346 8,765,524 4,750,109 4,651,195 217,556 158,327 413,780 707,186 449,599 63,4 75 22,313,328 3,984,531 2,093,800 Fund General Fund Debt Service Fund Parks & Recreation Fund Crime Control District Promotional Fund Donations Fund Special Investigation Fund Drainage Utility Fund Gas Development Fund Traffic Safety Fund Utility Fund Aquatic Park Fund Golf Course Fund The Budgeted Capital Projects Expenditures are: Fund Street & Sidewalk Projects Drainage Projects Utility Projects Parks & Recreation Projects Aquatic Park Projects Municipal Facility Projects Major Capital Equipment Program Economic Development Projects CIP Personnel-Operating Overhead Costs 2007/2008 Proposed $37,192,066 8,437,973 5,599,664 4,946,750 233,101 141 , 153 367,221 698,766 608,888 1,425,272 24,242,027 4,416,361 2,456,467 2007/2008 Proposed $11,261,458 975,000 4,193,205 1,759,285 610,000 6,843,641 1,663,022 3,555,000 782,910 $31,643,521 The City of North Richland Hills Crime Control and Prevention District Board of Directors and the City Council have reviewed the 2006/2007 revised budget and the 2007/2008 proposed budget and have recommended approval. Park and Recreation Facilities Development Corporation Board of Directors reviewed the 2007/2008 proposed budget for all funds and have also recommended approval. As required by law, all legal notices were published. Approval of Ordinance No. 2949 would adopt 2006/2007 revised budget and 2007/2008 proposed budget. City Council Minutes September 10, 2007 Page 8 COUNCILMAN TURNAGE MOVED TO APPROVE GN 2007-075 AND ORDINANCE No. 2949. COUNCILMAN SAPP SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. F.2 GN 2007-079 RATIFY INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAX REVENUES REFLECTED IN 2007/2008 ADOPTED BUDGET APPROVED Drew Corn, Budget Director presented the item. Per House Bill 3195 from the 80th Texas Legislative Session, it is now necessary to state the increase in property tax revenue no matter the cause; whether the increase is based on increased property values, new construction or an increased tax rate. The proposed property tax rate has remained the same but due to new construction and increased values of existing property, proposed property tax revenue for fiscal year 2007/2008 will increase over fiscal year 2006/2007. The new language prescribed by the legislation is as follows: This budget will raise more total property taxes than last year's budget by $953,427 or 4.68%, and of that amount $538,725 is tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year. In addition, this legislation requires that the governing body ratify the property tax increase reflected in the adopted budget. The vote to ratify this property tax increase must be in addition to and separate from the vote to adopt the budget or the vote to set the tax rate. COUNCILMAN LEWIS MOVED TO RATIFY THE INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAX REVENUES REFLECTED IN THE BUDGET. MAYOR PRO TEM COMPTON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. F.3 GN 2007-076 ADOPT THE TAX RATE FOR TAX YEAR 2007 - ORDINANCE NO. 2950 APPROVED Drew Corn, Budget Director presented the item. The notice of effective tax rate was published in the Star Telegram newspaper on August 11, 2007; the notice of public hearing on the tax increase, on August 20, 2007; and the notice of vote on tax rate, on August 31, 2007 all in accordance with State law. In addition, the notice of public City Council Minutes September 10, 2007 Page 9 hearing on the tax increase and the notice of vote on the tax rate were posted on the City's website and carried on Citicable in accordance with State law. The proposed 2007/2008 tax rate for the City of North Richland Hills is 57¢ per $100 of valuation. If approved, this will be the fitteenth year with a 57¢ tax rate. The proposed rate of 57¢ is an increase of 0.897% over the effective tax rate of 56.4932¢. The proposed rate of 57¢ is broken down into two parts as follows: 34.2406¢ 22.7594¢ for the purposes of maintenance and operations for the payment of principal and interest on debt of the City Adoption of Ordinance No. 2950 would set the tax rate for fiscal year 2007/2008 at 57¢ per $100 valuation. COUNCILMAN WELCH MOVED THAT THE PROPERTY TAXES BE INCREASED BY THE ADOPTION OF A TAX RATE OF 57 CENTS PER $100 VALUATION AND ADOPT ORDINANCE No. 2950. MAYOR PRO TEM COMPTON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. F.4 GN 2007-077 APPROVAL AND RATIFICATION OF 2007 CERTIFIED TAX ROLL- RESOLUTION 2007-052 APPROVED Drew Corn, Budget Director presented the item. Tarrant Appraisal District has provided the City with the 2007 Certified Tax Roll information. This includes the most current appraisal information; exemptions for disabled veterans, persons over 65, homestead and disabled persons; tax ceilings for persons over 65 and disabled persons; abatement value losses; freeport inventory value loss; and agricultural value losses. These values also include new construction, the minimum value of properties still under protest, and the estimated net taxable value of incomplete properties. The certified values for the City of North Richland Hills are $3,575,307,295. This is the amount used to calculate the effective tax rate and property tax revenues for the fiscal year 2007/2008 budget. COUNCILMAN WHITSON MOVED TO APPROVE GN 2007-077 AND RESOLUTION No. 2007-052. COUNCILMAN TURNAGE SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. City Council Minutes September 10,2007 Page 10 F.5 GN 2007-080 APPOINTMENTS TO CONSTRUCTION CODE OF APPEALS APPROVED Dave Pendley, Building Official presented the item. The terms of office for the board members serving in Places 1, 3, 5 and 7 on the Construction Code of Appeals Board expired June 30, 2007. Ordinance No. 2628 states that appointments to the Construction Code of Appeals Board are recommended by City staff and appointed by City Council. Appointments to this board must meet the requirement of technical expertise in the construction fields. Building Inspections is recommending the reappointment of Joe Crane to Place 1, John Klein to Place 5, and W.D. McCarthy to Place 7. It is further recommended that a new person, Robert Nichols, P.E., be appointed to replace the vacancy in Place 3. COUNCILMAN SAPP MOVED TO APPROVE GN 2007-080. COUNCILMAN WHITSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. F.6 GN 2007-078 APPOINTMENT TO KEEP NRH BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION - PLACE 3 APPROVED Patricia Hutson, City Secretary presented the item. The Place 3 position on Keep NRH Beautiful Commission is currently vacant. Mayor Pro Tem Compton is recommending the appointment of Daria Batchler to fill the vacancy. MAYOR PRO TEM COMPTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF DARLA BATCHLER TO THE KEEP NRH BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION-PLACE 3 WITH TERM EXPIRING IN 2009. COUNCILMAN BARTH SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. F.7 GN 2007-081 APPOINTMENTS TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPROVED Thad Chambers, Economic Development Director presented the item. Recommendation is for the reappointment of the following current members of the Advisory Committee for a two year term that will expire August 1, 2009: · John Hunter Large Service Employer Small Retailer Commercial Broker Financial Institution New Car Dealership · Janet Golightly · Jim Makens . Mike Rigby · Alan Young City Council Minutes September 10, 2007 Page 11 HealthMarkets/Senior Vice President of Operations Goliqhtlv's Gallerv/Owner The Makens Company/Owner Libertv BanklPresident Alan Youna BuicklGMC/Owner COUNCILMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDED APPOINTMENTS. COUNCILMAN WHITSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. F.8 INFORMATION AND REPORTS Councilman Barth made the following announcements. Keep NRH Beautiful is recruiting volunteers for Trash Bash on Saturday, September 22. Neighborhood associations, schools, civic groups, scout troops, student associations and employee groups are encouraged to participate. For more information, please call 817-427-6651. The NRH Fire Department will conduct a CPR class from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 22, in the Fire Administration Building at 7202 Dick Fisher Dr. The cost is $25. To register or get more information, please call 817-427-6900. Join us at Northfield Park on Saturday, September 22, at 7 p.m. for a free night of family fun. There will be games and we will watch the movie "Barnyard" from the lawn after the sun goes down. Parking is limited. Residents are encouraged to walk or ride their bikes to the park. For more information, please call 817-427-6600. Kudos Korner - Michael Luther and Chris Rodriguez, Police Department. A phone call was received from a resident expressing her appreciation to Detective Luther and Officer Rodriguez for assisting with a matter involving her family members. She said both employees were professional, caring and very helpful. For one family member in particular, they helped turn his life around. She stated that she had been truly blessed by these officers. City Council Minutes September 10, 2007 Page 12 F.5 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Trevino adjourned the meeting at 7:33 p. .