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Home My WebLink AboutCC 2008-03-24 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 -MARCH 24, 2008 WORK SESSION The City Council of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas met in work session on the 24t" day of March, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. in the Council Work Room prior to the 7:00 p.m. regular Council meeting. Present: Oscar Trevino Mayor Suzy Compton Mayor Pro Tem, Council Place 3 John Lewis Council, Place 1 Ken Sapp Council, Place 2 Tim Barth Council, Place 4 David Whitson Council, Place 5 Scott Turnage Council, Place 6 Tim Welch Council, Place 7 Staff Members: Larry J. Cunningham City Manager Ogden Bo Bass Assistant City Manager Jared Miller Assistant City Manager Karen Bostic Managing Director Patricia Hutson City Secretary Monica Solko Assistant City Secretary George Staples City Attorney Mary Peters Public Information Officer Elizabeth Reining Assistant to City Manager John Pitstick Director of Planning & Development Larry Koonce Finance Director Mike Curtis Public Works Director Jimmy Perdue Police Chief Thomas Powell Director of Support Services Jo Ann Stout Director of Neighborhood Services Andy Jones Fire Chief Jamie Brockway Purchasing Manager Vickie Loftice Director of Parks and Recreation Bill Thornton Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Chris Swartz NRH2O Park Manager Call to Order Mayor Trevino called the work session to order at 5:45 p.m. A.1 Discuss Items from Regular City Council Meetinq There were no items discussed. City Council Minutes March 24, 2008 Page 2 A.2 IR 2008-031 Parking of Vehicles for Sale Jo Ann Stout, Director of Neighborhood Services presented a PowerPoint presentation. There has been an increase in complaints regarding the parking of vehicles for sale on residential lots (mainly rental properties). Citizens feel that the sale of vehicles in residential areas detracts from property values and adversely affects neighborhood aesthetics. This problem can be diminished by making it an offense for the owner of a vehicle to park or allow the parking of a vehicle displaying advertising for the sale of the vehicle on private property with these exceptions: Commercial Propertv: • The vehicles offered "For Sale" must be on property zoned for the sale of automobiles, or; Residential Property • A private residential property owner may offer no more than 2 personal vehicles "For Sale" within any calendar year, and; • No more than 1 vehicle, located on an approved surface, can be displayed "For Sale" at a given time on the residential property. Enforcement of these provisions will be handled by the Police Department and Neighborhood Services Consumer Health Inspectors and Code Enforcement Officers. The owner of any vehicle found parked in violation of this Section will be subject to citation which is punishable by a fine not to exceed $200. Verbal notification and/or posted notice will be used as appropriate to gain voluntary compliance. Citations will be issued after sufficient notice is given or immediately if individual circumstances merit that action (i.e. repeat offender). After a brief discussion and questions by the Council, the consensus was to move forward with the change. A.3 IR 2008-035 Public Art Commission for the Grand Ave Park Plaza Vickie Loftice, Director of Parks and Recreation presented the item. The park plaza is currently under design with construction expected to begin this October. The approved 2007/08 Capital Improvement Program includes funding for public art within the Grand Ave Park Plaza. For the past few months, staff has researched potential artists that have produced outdoor public art within an urban mixed use development. Staff is recommending artist Barbara Grygutis for the Grand Ave Park Plaza public art commission. A PowerPoint presentation with a selection of Barbara's work was City Council Minutes March 24, 2008 Page 3 presented to Council. After a brief discussion and questions by the Council, the consensus was to move forward with the selected artist and to present and prepare a professional services agreement for the April 14th council meeting. A.4 IR 2008-040 Review Proposed Quad Cities Rebranding Efforts (15 Minutes) Jared Miller, Assistant City Manager presented a PowerPoint presentation prepared by Witherspoon Advertising regarding the Quad Cities DFW in the formative stages of rebranding. The main purpose of the presentation is to share the creative mission and status that the advertising firm developed for this proposed rebranding, as well as to solicit input from the Council prior to moving forward with the rebranding process. At the March 13th Quad Cities DFW Board meeting, this rebranding initiative was presented. Councilman Ken Sapp, the NRH elected representative on the Board, and Mr. Miller representing the City Manager who is on the Board, were in attendance and heard the presentation. Since this is a significant change from the current name, it was felt that each City Council should fully understand the proposal to give their representatives on the Quad Cities DFW Board feedback prior to any final decision. Witherspoon Advertising was chosen to offer direction and develop new creative materials. Jason Meyers, Vice President, and Marcus Dickerson, Creative Director, have been invited to make the presentation on the rebranding efforts. Witherspoon has proposed to provide the following. • New name, logo and tagline • Master brochure (w/o printing) • Website with programming • Public/Media Relations • Direct mail (series of 3) • Promotional items • Trade show booth • Local promotion & advertising $ 3,500 $ 5,500 $10,000 $ 2,500 $ 3,500 (w/o print & postage) $ 3,500 $ 7,500 TBD The above recommendations are made for the following reasons. The decision by Watauga to drop out of Quad Cities presented the organization with a reason and opportunity to brand itself in a new way. Quad Cities poses the question "Which 4 cities?" Anew name would allow the organization to avoid that question and build a new image with the flexibility to expand membership. It is hoped that, with a new identity, the organization can develop materials that reflect a fresh, vibrant look and feel. Updated materials will promote a more professional image, better reflect the organization's mission and goals, focus on target customers, and create a "Brand Personality" that not only reflects the organization today, but what it City Council Minutes March 24, 2008 Page 4 aspires to be. Witherspoon Advertising is proposing a new name of CYGNET and logo and identification material. After a brief discussion and questions by the Council, the Council was not supportive of the new concept. The Council expressed their desire for Councilman Sapp to continue to hold Quad Cities accountable for results. Council expressed concerns with the accountability for Quad Cities and a large faction of the Council was in favor of withdrawing from Quad Cities. Councilman Sapp will be prepared to express the Council's feelings on the matter with the Quad Cities Board at their next meeting. B.O EXECUTIVE SESSION -The City Council may enter into closed Executive Session to discuss the following as authorized by Chapter 551, Texas Government Code Mayor Trevino announced at 6:28 p.m. that the Council would adjourn to Executive Session as authorized by Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, specifically Section 551.071 to consult with attorney for an update on litigation: 1) Kopank vs. Espy; 2) Rogers vs. NRH; 3) Friend vs. NRH, and Section 551.072 to discuss land acquisition for the central west neighborhood park. C.0 Adjournment Mayor Trevino announced at 6:58 p.m. that the Council would adjourn to the regular Council meeting. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING A.0 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Trevino called the meeting to order March 24, 2008 at 7:03 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Oscar Trevino Suzy Compton John Lewis Ken Sapp Tim Barth David Whitson Mayor Mayor Pro Tem, Council, Place 1 Council, Place 2 Council, Place 4 Council, Place 5 Council Place 3 City Council Minutes March 24, 2008 Page 5 Scott Turnage Tim Welch Staff: Larry J. Cunningham Ogden Bo Bass Patricia Hutson Monica Solko George Staples Council, Place 6 Council, Place 7 City Manager Assistant City Manager City Secretary Assistant 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 RECOGNITIONS) Presentation of "Dr. Bruce Jacobson Day" Proclamation Presented by Councilman Welch Councilman Welch presented a proclamation to Dr. Bruce Jacobson, proclaiming March 24th as Dr. Bruce Jacobson Day. A.4 CITIZENS PRESENTATION Gene Barnett, 8109 Odell Street, came forward. Mr. Barnett spoke for and represented a group of concerned neighbors which were also in the audience (Svetlana Barnett; Nikolay and Olga Borodachev; Kelcy and Erin Perkins; Marian Krajento; Steve and Melinda Brothers; Freddy and Kathy EI Chami). Mr. Barnett expressed concerns on the drainage issues on the 8000 and 8100 blocks of Odell Street. Mr. Barnett presented a video to Council showing the volume of rainwater runoff and flooding in the neighborhood. Mayor Trevino asked Mike Curtis, Director of Public Works to speak with Mr. Barnett and neighbors. City Council Minutes March 24, 2008 Page 6 A.5 REMOVAL OF ITEM(S) FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA None. B.0 APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS APPROVED B.1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 17, 2008 CITY COUNCIL MEETING B.2 GN 2008-021 ASSIGNMENT OF PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY USE AGREEMENT FROM HARDING COMPANY TO METROPLEX BARNETT SHALE LLC - RESOLUTION NO. 2008-016 B.3 PU 2008-008 AWARD RFP 08-016 TO BUCK'S AWNING IN THE AMOUNT OF $73,000 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF METAL STRUCTURES COUNCILMAN SAPP MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. COUNCILMAN TURNAGE SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-O. PUBLIC HEARINGS C.0 There were no items for this category. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT D.1 ITEMS TO FOLLOW DO NOT REQUIRE A PUBLIC HEARING. There were no items for this category. City Council Minutes March 24, 2008 Page 7 PUBLIC WORKS E.1 There were no items for this category. GENERALITEMS F.1 GN 2008-019 PARKING OF VEHICLES FOR SALE PROHIBITED -ORDINANCE NO. 2981 APPROVED Jo Ann Stout, Director of Neighborhood Services, presented the item. There has been an increase in complaints regarding the parking of vehicles for sale on residential lots. Citizens feel that the sale of vehicles in residential areas detracts from property values and adversely affects neighborhood aesthetics. The following amendment to Article IV of Chapter 54 is recommended by adding a new section. Under this new section the parking of a vehicle on private property with any type of sign or writing on the vehicle advertising the vehicle for sale is prohibited. The owner of a vehicle commits an offense by parking or allowing the parking of such vehicle with these exceptions: 1. The vehicle is offered for sale on property zoned for the sale of vehicles of the same type. 2. No more than one vehicle is displayed for sale on a paved surface of private residential property occupied by the owner of the vehicle and no more than one other vehicle has been offered for sale from that property within any one calendar year. Enforcement of these provisions will be handled by the Police Department, Consumer Health Inspectors and Code Enforcement Officers. The owner of any vehicle found parked in violation of this Section will be subject to citation which is punishable by a fine not to exceed $200. Verbal notification and/or posted notice will be used as appropriate to gain voluntary compliance. Citations will be issued after sufficient notice is given or immediately if individual circumstances merit that action (i.e. repeat offender). COUNCILMAN WHITSON MOVED TO APPROVE GN 2008-019, ORDINANCE NO. 2981. COUNCILMAN WELCH SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-O. City Council Minutes March 24, 2008 Page 8 F.2 GN 2008-022 AMENDMENT OF MEDICAL DIRECTORS CONTRACT TO INCLUDE NRH2O -RESOLUTION NO. 2008-017 APPROVED Andy Jones, Fire Chief presented the item. The purpose of the amendment is to add medical direction for the NRH2O EMT's and EMT/Paramedics at the request of NRH2O. Dr. Roy Yamada has served as the Medical Director for the City of North Richland Hills Fire Department since January 1, 2000. The following amendment will take effect on April 1, 2008, and will expire with the current signed agreement on December 31, 2008. The increase in the contract fee for the balance of the agreement will be $5,001.00, paid in three equal payments, one each quarter for the balance of the calendar year. Approval will insure a continuity of the excellent medical direction currently in place at the Fire Department and include NRH2O EMT's and EMT/Paramedics. MAYOR PRO TEM COMPTON MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2008-017. COUNCILMAN WHITSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-O. F.3 GN 2008-023 CERTIFICATION OF UNOPPOSED CANDIDATES, CANCELLING ELECTION AND DECLARING UNOPPOSED CANDIDATES ELECTED TO OFFICE -ORDINANCE NO. 2986 APPROVED Patricia Hutson, City Secretary presented the item. The Texas Election Code provides for the cancellation of an election when each candidate whose name is to appear on a ballot is unopposed and there is no proposition appearing on the ballot. The filing deadline for a place on the ballot for the May 10, 2008 City Council Election was March 10, 2008 and the deadline for write-in candidates to file declarations of write-in candidacy was March 17, 2008. At the conclusion of the filing deadlines, the candidates who filed for a place on the ballot were unopposed. The City Secretary has certified and presented to the Council a certificate of unopposed status certifying that Oscar Trevino filed for Mayor and Ken Sapp, Tim Barth and Scott Turnage filed for Places 2, 4, and 6 respectively on the May 10th ballot, each is unopposed, no write-in candidates have filed and no proposition is on the ballot. Council is requested to accept the certificate of unopposed status and approve Ordinance No. 2986, declaring that the above candidates are elected to office and canceling the May 10, 2008 City Council Election. City Council Minutes March 24, 2008 Page 9 COUNCILMAN WHITSON MOVED TO APPROVE GN 2008-023; ORDINANCE NO. 2986. COUNCILMAN WELCH SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-O. F.4 GN 2008-026 AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH BRINKLEY SARGENT ARCHITECTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,780,385 FOR PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES RELATED TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE RECREATION CENTER -RESOLUTION NO. 2008-019 APPROVED Vickie Loftice, Director of Parks and Recreation presented the item. The approved Capital Improvement Program includes funding for engineering, design and construction administration services related to the development of the proposed new recreation center located between Bridge Street and Hawk Avenue, north of Walker Creek Elementary. Request for Qualifications (RFQ) were sought for the necessary professional services related to the project. The requests were sent out to various architectural firms that specialize in recreation center design. Thirteen proposals were received. A selection committee was formed to review all the proposals. The committee, after thorough discussion, unanimously selected Brinkley Sargent Architects. COUNCILMAN WELCH MOVED TO APPROVE GN 2008-026 TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT WITH BRINKLEY SARGENT ARCHITECTS FOR PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES RELATED TO THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE RECREATION CENTER; RESOLUTION NO. 2008-019. COUNCILMAN TURNAGE SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-O. G.1 ACTION ON ANY ITEM DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION LISTED ON WORK SESSION AGENDA No action needed. City Council Minutes March 24, 2008 Page 10 H.1 DISCOVER: PROJECT GREEN Geoff Sherman, Landscape Horticulturalist and Tina Earle, Marketing/Special Projects Coordinator from the Parks and Recreation Department spoke briefly on the upcoming Discover: Project Green -anew environmentally themed special event scheduled for March 29th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Cross Timbers Park. The event will focus on sustainable landscaping, tree planting and care, native plants, water, energy, and natural resource conservation, composting and much more. Discover: Project Green will provide educational experiences for the whole family -from kid friendly activities, guest panelists and native plant gardening demonstrations to tours of the native Cross Timbers prairie and displays of sustainable programs and practices. Kid friendly activities include a kids dig, climbing wall, live native animals and eco-crafts. The event will also include guest panelists, a green market, tree sapling giveaway, dirty sock contest and native plant gardening demonstrations. Also featured will be a Hybrid Car Show that includes Classic Chevrolet, Freeman Toyota, Huggins Honda, and Texas Motor Ford. Companies and agencies that will be providing exhibits and displays include Northeast Environmental Team - N.E.E.T, Shakley Green Cleaning, Ferrier Custom Homes, Blue Marble Media, Ewing Irrigation, ONCOR - Take a Load off Texas, Texas AgrilLife Extension, Tarrant Regional Water District, Lone Starr Irrigation Association, Green Mountain, Gurly Gurly Unique Jewelry, Keep NRH Beautiful and Little Love Bug. The City is proud to provide a new event for the community that promotes environmental and sustainability practices. The event supports City Council Goal #5: Preserve Positive City Image by "promoting and initiating environmentally responsible programs". H.2 ANNOUNCEMENTS -COUNCILMAN WHITSON Councilman Whitson made the following announcements. The 2008 Sounds of Spring Concert Series will kick off on Friday, April 4th and continue every Friday through May 9th. The concerts will take place on the grounds of NRH2O starting at 7:00 p.m. Admission is FREE and everyone is welcome. For more details, visit www.soundsnrh.com or call 817-427-6620. City Council Minutes March 24, 2008 Page 11 Keep NRH Beautiful encourages you to participate in the Don't Mess with Texas Trash- Off on Saturday, April 5th. Gloves, safety vests and trash bags will be provided to volunteers. For more details, please call 817 427-6651. The North Richland Hills Youth Advisory Committee is hosting a 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, April 12th at the NRH Recreation Center. The funds raised from this tournament will be donated to the Community Enrichment Center. For more information, please call 817-427-6015. Kudos Korner -Gerald Arnold, Utility Customer Service. A 94-year old resident called to express appreciation for the service that Gerald provided while conducting a water meter inspection at her property. She stated that he was very nice and accommodating and explained everything he was doing. She said his kindness and patience meant a lot to her. H.3 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Trevino adjourned the meeting at 7:51 p.m. N oy Oscar TreviiY -Mayor .~z.: n z= ATTEST "~„~~ ~_ ~~ vi ~~ .on, City Secretary