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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2007-10-08 MinutesMINUTES 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 - OCTOBER 8, 2007 WORK SESSION The City Council of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas met in work session on the 8tn day of October, 2007 at 5:30 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 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 Members Call to Order Larry J. Cunningham Jim Starr Ogden Bo Bass Karen Bostic Patricia Hutson George Staples Mary Peters Elizabeth Reining John Pitstick Jimmy Perdue Kyle Spooner Larry Koonce Laury Fiorello Mike Curtis Greg VanNeiuwenhuize JoAnn Stout Jamie Brockway Bill Thornton Eric Wilhite 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 Director of Planning & Development Police Chief Information Services Director Finance Director Assistant Finance Director Public Works Director Assistant Public Works Director Neighborhood Services Director Purchasing Manager Assistant Parks Director Chief Planner Mayor Trevino called the work session to order at 5:30 p.m. A.1 Discuss Items from Regular City Council Meetinq There were no items discussed. City Council Minutes October 8, 2007 Page 2 Mr. Larry Koonce, Director of Finance, introduced to the Council the City's new Assistant Director of Finance, Ms. Laury Fiorello. A.2 IR 2007-115 Solid Waste Contract Proposals Ms. Karen Bostic, Managing Director, presented a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the proposals for the solid waste contract. The City's current contract expires January 31, 2008. The consensus of Council in March was to issue requests for proposals instead of renegotiating with Allied Waste for a new contract. Proposals were issued on July 30, 2007. The City received proposals from five companies with 13 options. Proposals were received from Allied Waste Services, Community Waste Disposal, IESI, Waste Management and Republic Waste Services of Texas. A staff committee has reviewed the proposals and the committee interviewed the companies submitting the top three proposals. Ms. Bostic reviewed the current service level and discussed the analysis of the three proposals focused on by the committee. Every proposal increased rates for both residential and commercial service over the existing contract. Alternative services were offered by the companies that included 4 day/week service, use of polycarts for discounted rates, limitation on brush pickup, recycling picked up on non- trash days. Ms. Bostic requested Council direction on the following: 1) Is Council only interested in a contract that has identical service levels as the existing contract (Mon/Thu take-all); 2) Would Council consider a service of more than two residential collection days a week (4 or 5 pick up days); 3) Would Council consider annual rate adjustments tied to the DFW CPI or possibly a fuel adjustment versus no rate change for the 5 year contract; and 4) Would Council consider automated collection containers (polycarts) within the City with only once per week pick up? After discussion by Council, the Council advised that they were interested in a contract with service levels the same as the existing contract, but would be open to considering a four-day service, splitting pick-up of the City in half. Council advised that they were not interested in the use of polycarts. Council felt that the price ratio should be fair for both commercial and residential and should not vary too much from the current ratio. The Council was not in favor of five pick up days in the City and wanted recycle pickup to be the same day as one of the trash pickups. Council preferred rate adjustments be tied to the DFW CPI and they were not in favor of adjustments related to formulas. Council was also interested in including the favored nation clause that is in the current contract. Council also asked Staff to find out if the companies are working with the Council of Governments on air quality making clean burning emissions on their trucks, and if not, Council wanted it included as one of the requirements. A.3 IR 2007-116 Review of Parks Contract Mowinq Proqram Mr. Bill Thornton, Assistant Parks Director, presented a PowerPoint presentation reviewing the Parks Mowing Program. A pilot program for outsourcing general parks mowing began in May 2005 with the execution of a contract with VMC Landscape City Council Minutes October 8, 2007 Page 3 Services. The contract included an option to renew for two one-year periods with the first renewal occurring in September 2006. The contract allowed for renewal requests to be submitted with price changes in accordance with the local Consumer Price Index for the preceding 12 months. In August 2007, VMC Landscape requested a ten percent increase which exceeded the local CPI and could not be accommodated under the terms of the current contract. Staff began to explore and evaluate the following options: 1) resume mowing services "In-House" as prior to implementation of the pilot program; 2) continue Contract Mowing Program and issue bids for a new contract; and 3) create an In-House Seasonal Mowing Program. Mr. Thornton discussed Staff's evaluation of the first option. Mr. Gary Bechthold, Parks Superintendent, discussed Staff's assessment of continuing the Contract Mowing Program. Council was advised that based on Staff's assessment of the success of the current program, the following revisions were included in the new mowing contract: 1) language requiring missed cycles due to weather be made up the very next possible day; 2) divided the city into two mowing districts to encourage competition; 3) five one-year renewal periods; and 4) assigned mowing days for each facility - Neighborhood Parks on Thursday, Friday and Municipal Buildings on Monday, Tuesday. Mr. Thornton advised that bids were received in September for a new mowing contract and after evaluation of the bids, VMC Landscape was the low bidder. Council was advised that key aspects of continuing the program included a savings to the City as demonstrated in the current bid calculations and evaluation, no additional capital outlay for mowing equipment, no additional allocation for personnel to perForm mowing tasks, limits the City's personal and property liability and allows the City to focus on higher level of service in other areas. Staff also looked at creating an In-House Seasonal Mowing program which would require the hiring of a full time mowing supervisor and the employment of part-time labor for the 36 week mowing season at an estimated cost of approximately $294,000. Mr. Thornton discussed key considerations for an In-House Seasonal Mowing Program and the budget implications for all three of the options. Council was advised that Staff is recommending the continuation of the General Parks Mowing Program. Council discussed some of the complaints they had received regarding VMC's performance to quality. Mr. Thornton advised that many of the issues were driven by the past year's wet weather and that Staff has make revisions to the contract language to help streamline the contract's management. Council indicated that they were in favor of the new contract and formal action was taken during the regular Council meeting. A.4 Adjournment Mayor Trevino announced at 6:26 p.m. that the Council would adjourn to the regular Council meeting. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING A.0 City Council Minutes October 8, 2007 Page 4 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Trevino called the meeting to order October 8, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Oscar Trevino Suzy Compton John Lewis Ken Sapp Tim Barth David Whitson Scott Turnage Tim Welch Staff: Larry J. Cunningham Ogden Bo Bass Patricia Hutson George Staples 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 Assistant City Manager City Secretary Attorney A.1 INVOCATION Councilman Barth gave the invocation. A.2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilman Barth led the pledge of allegiance. A.3 SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) AND RECOGNITION(S) None. A.4 CITIZENS PRESENTATION City Council Minutes October 8, 2007 Page 5 Mrs. Laverne O'Steen, 8429 Emerald Circle, spoke on her concerns with Block 1, Lot 40 Emerald Lakes Addition drainage easement. Mrs. O'Steen read an excerpt on liability of a municipality and presented a picture that she had shown previously to the Council of Block 1, Lot 40 drainage easement. Mayor Trevino asked Attorney Staples to address Mrs. O'Steen's liability statement. Attorney Staples advised that Mrs. O'Steen was reading from Chapter 101 of Texas Civil Practices and Remedies Code and she referred specifically to sanitary sewer, which this is not. In this particular situation the City is not concerned with a liability situation; there is no known danger to human life and property damage is not covered. A.5 REMOVAL OF ITEM(S) FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA Councilman Welch removed Consent Agenda Item B.5. B.0 APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS APPROVED B.1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2007 CITY COUNCIL MEETING B.2 RP 2007-08 CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM DOUG SLUITER OF GATEWAY CHURCH TO APPROVE A REPLAT OF LOT AR, BLOCK 6 AND TRACT 2B1A, ABSTRACT 146 INTO LOT 4R, BLOCK 6, CRESTWOOD ESTATES ADDITION FOR THE NRH CAMPUS OF GATEWAY CHURCH B.3 FP 2007-10 CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM JIM MAKENS TO APPROVE A FINAL PLAT OF LOT 4, BLOCK 1, GIBSON ADDITION (LOCATED IN THE 8700 BLOCK OF PRECINCT LINE ROAD - 1.12 ACRES) B.4 FP 2007-07 CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM CLIFF HARRIS OF CLIFFORD LAND COMPANY TO APPROVE A FINAL PLAT OF LOTS 1-4, BLOCK A, LOTS1-3, BLOCK B, AND LOTS 1A-3, BLOCK C, BRIAR POINTE VILLAS ADDITION (LOCATED AT MAIN STREET AND AMUNDSON DRIVE - 1.590 ACRES) B.5 REMOVED City Council Minutes October 8, 2007 Page 6 B.6 PU 2007-042 AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DICTAPHONE RECORDING EQUIPMENT FROM MYNAVOICE EQUIPMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,616.00 B.7 PU 2007-048 AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF CISCO NETWORK FIREWALLS FROM INX, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $39,999.32 B.8 PU 2007-050 AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF RADIOS FROM MOTOROLA FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $36,178.29 COUNCILMAN TURNAGE MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. COUNCILMAN WHITSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-O. B.5. FP 2007-11 CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM BOB WYATT TO APPROVE A FINAL PLAT OF LOT 8, BLOCK 3, WOODBERT ADDITION (LOCATED AT 8120 SAYERS LANE - 2.0 ACRES) APPROVED Mayor Trevino announced that Councilman Welch was the engineer on record for the project and would be abstaining from discussion and vote. An affidavit of disqualification has been completed by Councilman Welch and filed with the City Secretary stating the nafure of the interest was Engineer of Record for Project. COUNCI~MAN SAPP MOVED TO APPROVE FP 2007-'I'I . COUNCILMAN LEWIS SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-O; COUNCILMAN WELCH ABSTAINING. PUBLIC HEARINGS C.1 RP 2006-14 PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM JON WESTROM OF WESTROM AND WALLING DEVELOPERS TO APPROVE A REPLAT OF LOT 11A, BLOCK 6 INTO LOTS 11R1-11R23, BLOCK 6, CRESTWOOD ESTATES ADDITION (LOCATED IN THE 8200 BLOCK OF STARNES ROAD - 3.673 ACRES APPROVED City Council Minutes October 8, 2007 Page 7 Mayor Trevino opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Jon Westrom, Westrom and Walling Developers, presented his request for a replat of 3.673 acres. The project was zoned for RI-PD Residential Infill - Planned Development in January and is located on Starnes Road west of Davis Boulevard behind the future North Richland Hills Gateway Church campus. Mr. Westrom explained the development would consist of 18 single-family lots with four open space lots and a private street. Mr. Westrom advised that a note had been added to the final plat, as well as the HOA documents, requiring front yard trash service. Mr. Eric Wilhite, Chief Planner, presented the request, staff recommendations and the recommendations of the Planning & Zoning Commission. Staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommend the replat for approval. Councilman Whitson asked Staff to verify that the drainage issues had been addressed. Mr. VanNeiuwenhuize, Assistant Public Works Director, verified that the majority of the subdivision drains to the north and does not drain to the west, but to the east. Mayor Trevino called for anyone wishing to speak against the request. Ms. Martha Bertram, 7400 Forrest Lane, was concerned that the winding sidewalks would eliminate some of the trees and requested that the trees be preserved. Mayor Trevino called for anyone wishing to speak in favor of the request. There being no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Trevino closed the public hearing. Mayor Trevino asked Mr. Wilhite to address Ms. Bertram's concerns with the trees. Mr. Wilhite advised that when plans are submitted for the masonry screening walls, they would work around the trees. The intent of the meandering sidewalk is to wind around the trees in order to preserve them. The developer included the trees as part of the RI- PD and Staff is working with the developer to insure there will be a minimal impact to the trees. COUNCILMAN WELCH MOVED TO APPROVE RP 2006-14 AND ALSO INCLUDE THE LANGUAGE THAT THE DEVELOPER TAKES ALL EXTREME CARE TO PRESERVE THE TREES DURING THE DEVELOPMENT. COUNCILMAN BARTH SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-O. City Council Minutes October 8, 2007 Page 8 C.2 SUP 2007-04 PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM TEVIA DAVIS OF RACETRAC PETROLEUM TO APPROVE A SPECIAL USE PERMIT AND PUBLIC HEARING FOR A LANDSCAPE VARIANCE AT 5640 RUFE SNOW DRIVE - ORDINANCE NO. 2955 APPR~VED Mayor Trevino announced that for this item the City Council was also sitting as the Landscape Review Board and opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Tom Hoover, 1361 West Euless Boulevard, Euless, Thomas Hoover Engineering, presented the request of RaceTrac Petroleum at 5640 Rufe Snow Drive for a Special Use Permit and Landscape Variance. Mr. Hoover explained RaceTrac is expanding the parking and vehicle circulation area serving the facility. The parking lot expansion will close the existing drive access onto Rufe Snow and relocate it to the south. The applicant is also requesting a variance to the 15 feet landscape setback requirement because of the existing site configuration and the expansion of Rufe Snow Drive. Mr. Eric Wilhite, Chief Planner, presented details of the proposed landscape plan and advised that Staff supported the request and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the request with 150 square feet encroachment of the 15 feet landscape setback as indicated on the plan. Mayor Trevino called for anyone wishing to speak in favor or against the request. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor Trevino closed the public hearing. COUNCI~MAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE SUP 2007-04, ORDINANCE NO. 2955, AND APPROVING THE VARIANCE FOR THE 15 FEET SETBACK AS REQUESTED AND IDENTIFIED ON THE SITE PLAN. COUNCILMAN SAPP SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-O. C.3 ZC 2007-10 PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM MARK PERKINS TO APPROVE A ZONING CHANGE FROM "AG" AGRICULTURAL TO "R-1" SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (LOCATED IN THE 6900 BLOCK OF WALTER STREET - 0.60 ACRES) - ORDINANCE NO. 2954 APPROVED Mayor Trevino opened the Public Hearing. City Council Minutes October 8, 2007 Page 9 Mr. Mark Long, 1615 Precinct Line Road, Engineer for the applicant, presented the applicant's request to rezone a 0.60 acre lot from AG Agricultural to R-1 Single Family Residential. Mr. Long advised the applicant was proposing to develop the lot as one single-family residential lot. Mr. Eric Wilhite, Chief Planner, presented the item, Staff's recommendation and the recommendation of the Planning & Zoning Commission. The Planning & Zoning Commission is recommending approval of the item. Mayor Trevino called for anyone wishing to speak in favor of or against the request. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor Trevino closed the public hearing. MAYOR PRO TEM COMPTON MOVED TO APPROVE ZC 2007-10, ORDINANCE NO. 2954. COUNCILMAN TURNAGE SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-O. D.0 PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT There were no items for this category. E.0 PUBLIC WORKS There were no items for this category. GENERALITEMS F.1 GN 2007-088 SUSPEND THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION'S REQUEST TO INCREASE GAS UTILITY RATES WITHIN NORTH RICHLAND HILLS - RESOLUTION NO. 2007-058 APPROVED Ms. Karen Bostic, Managing Director, presented the item. Atmos Energy Mid-Tex Division filed a Statement of Intent to Increase Rates within the City of North Richland Hills on September 20. The increase would raise rates for the average residential customer by 8.27%, the average commercial customer by 22.72% and the average industrial customer by 38.95% and would become effective on October 25, 2007 unless City Council Minutes October 8, 2007 Page 10 the City takes action to suspend the effective date. Suspending the effective date will allow the City 90 days to study the filing. This rate request is on top of a May ruling by the Railroad Commission to approve new system-wide rates for Atmos customers. Council approval of the proposed resolution will suspend the effective date of the rate increase for the maximum period allowed by law to permit time to review the proposed changes and to establish reasonable rates; authorize the City to cooperate with the Atmos Cities Steering Committee and its member cities to hire and direct legal counsel and consultants regarding reasonable rates; require Atmos to reimburse the City for reasonable rate case expenses; verify that the meeting at which this resolution is passed is open to the public as required by law and provide that a copy of the resolution be sent to Atmos and to the General Counsel for the Atmos Cities Steering Committee. In response to questions from Council, Ms. Bostic advised that the City can oppose the rate request but that the Texas Railroad Commission has the ultimate authority. Atmos is required to justify their request for a rate increase with the Railroad Commission and the Commission determines if their expenses are accurate and whether Atmos is gaining more profit than allowed by law. COUNCILMAN BARTH MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2007-058, GN 2007-088. COUNCILMAN SAPP SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-O. F.2 GN 2007-090 AMENDING SECTION 14-2 & 14-395 OF THE NORTH RICHLAND HILLS CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING TIME PERIOD ALLOWED FOR RESTRAINING DOGS AND ADDING NEW DEFINITIONS - ORDINANCE NO. 2959 APPROVED Ms. Chun Mezger, Animal Center Supervisor, presented the item. The proposed ordinance will bring the City's current ordinance in line with new State law. New State Legislation became effective September 1 that allows a dog to be restrained for a reasonable period not to exceed three hours in a 24-hour period and no longer than is necessary for the owner to complete a temporary task that requires the dog to be restrained. The City's current ordinance states that no dog or puppy may be restrained for more than eight hours in a 24-hour period. The proposed ordinance is consistent with State law allowing a dog to be tethered no more than three hours and adds new definitions. COUNCILMAN TURNAGE MOVED TO APPROVE GN 2007-090, ORDINANCE NO. 2959. MAYOR PRO TEM COMPTON SECONDED THE MOTION. City Council Minutes October 8, 2007 Page 11 MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-O. F.3 PU 2007-047 APPROVE CONTRACT WITH INTEGRATED FORENSIC LABORATORIES FOR FORENSIC TESTING SERVICES FOR THE NORTH RICHLAND HILLS POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR $34,800 - RESOLUTION NO. 2007-057 APPROVED Police Chief Perdue presented the item. The Police Department is requesting the approval of a contract with Integrated Forensic Laboratories for forensic testing services. In the past only two certified labs, the Fort Worth Police Department Crime Lab and the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office, have been available for the Department's use. Both labs are overwhelmed and have unsatisfactory turnaround time. Integrated Forensic Laboratories is a privately owned certified lab located in Euless and offers comparable services at competitive prices. In response to questions from the Council, Chief Perdue advised that the Lab has been at the Euless location for two years and the owner of the company has been in the business for at least fifteen years. Several of the surrounding cities have started using their services. Chief Perdue explained to Council the chain of custody for handling and processing evidence. COUNCILMAN WHITSON MOVED TO APPROVE PU 2007-047, RESOLUTION NO. 2007-057. COUNCILMAN BARTH SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-O. F.4 PU 2007-051 AWARD OF BID TO VMC LANDSCAPE SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $304,362 FOR PARKS GENERAL MOWING SERVICES APPROVED Mr. Bill Thornton, Assistant Parks Director, presented the item. In May 2005 a pilot program for the outsourcing of parks mowing was initiated. A contract was executed with VMC Landscape Services that included two one-year renewal options. The first renewal of the contract was in September 2006. In August 2007, VMC requested an increase, which could not be accommodated under the terms of the contract, and they decided against renewing. Staff explored various options for managing the general parks mowing which included resuming mowing services "in-house as was done prior to City Council Minutes October 8, 2007 Page 12 implementation of the pilot program, continuing the contract mowing program by issuing bids for a new contract and creating an in-house seasonable mowing program using seasonal part time labor. After evaluation of the options, Staff is recommending continuing the parks general mowing contract. Bid specifications were issued for a new mowing contract. Staff is recommending the award of the bid for Parks General Mowing Services for fiscal year 2007/08 to the lowest bidder, VMC Landscape Services in the amount of $304,362. COUNCILMAN WHITSON MOVED TO APPROVE PU 2007-051, AWARDING THE BID TO VMC LANDSCAPE SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $304,362 FOR PARKS GENERAL MOWING SERVICES. MAYOR PRO TEM COMPTON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-O. F.5 GN 2007-091 APPOINTMENT TO QUAD CITIES DFW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION APPROVED Mayor Trevino advised that Councilman Lewis has been the City's representative to the Quad Cities DFW Economic Development Foundation. Councilman Lewis is also now attending the Chamber Board meetings. Mayor Trevino advised that he would like to appoint Councilman Sapp to represent the City at Quad Cities. COUNCILMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF COUNCILMAN KEN SAPP AS THE CITY'S ELECTED OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO THE QUAD CITIES DFW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION. COUNCILMAN TURNAGE SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-O. F.6 INFORMATION AND REPORTS Councilman Whitson made the following announcements. The Autumn Night Music concert series will continue on Saturday, October 13, with a performance by the Studio 54 Band. The free concert will begin at 7 p.m. at Kay Granger Park at Mullendore Elementary School. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs. For more information, please call 817-427-6600. City Council Minutes October 8, 2007 Page 13 Residents can dispose of unwanted bulky items during the annual Fall Community Cleanup on Saturday, October 13. Unwanted furniture, appliances, brush and other items can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and noon at the Tarrant County College Northeast Campus, 828 Harwood Rd., Parking Lot E(by the Tennis Courts). For more details, please call 817-427-6650. North Richland Hills is proud to be the new home of the Texas Brahmas hockey team! The Brahmas first home game is scheduled for October 27 at the NYTEX Sports Centre located at 8851 Ice House Dr. For a complete game schedule and more information about the Brahmas, visit www.brahmas.com or call 817-336-4423. Kudos Korner - Phyl Baloga, Economic Development Department. A card was received from out of state property investors thanking Phyl for taking the time to assist them and provide information regarding the community and land for sale. The information she provided was helpful and they are excited about being a part of North Richland Hills. F.7 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Trevino adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m. Oscar Trevino - Mayor ATTEST: .~G~.I~CIG~ /~it~~'ii Patricia Hutson, City Secretary