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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2008-10-27 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 27, 2008 WORK SESSION The City Council of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas met in work session on the 27t" day of October, 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 Scott Turnage Mayor Pro Tem, Council Place 6 John Lewis Council, Place 1 Ken Sapp Council, Place 2 Suzy Compton Council, Place 3 Tim Barth Council, Place 4 David Whitson Council, Place 5 (present at 6:40 p. m.) Tim Welch Council, Place 7 Staff Members: Larry J. Cunningham City Manager Jared Miller Assistant City Manager Karen Bostic Assistant City Manager Jimmy Perdue Assistant City Manager Mike Curtis 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 JoAnn Stout Director of Neighborhood Services Mark Mills Budget Director Vickie Loftice Parks & Recreation Director Craig Hulse Economic Development Director Andy Jones Fire Chief Sean Hughes Emergency Management Coordinator Jamie Brockway Purchasing Manager Chun Mezger Humane Division Supervisor Greg VanNieuwenhuize Assistant Public Works Director Call to Order Mayor Trevino called the work session to order at 5:31 p.m. A.1 Discuss Items from Regular City Council Meeting City Council Minutes October 27, 2008 Page 2 There were no questions. A.2 IR 2008-097 Discuss NRH AARC having Low Cost Vaccination and Microchip Clinic twice a year Ms. Chun Mezger, Humane Division Supervisor, advised Council that the Animal Adoption and Rescue Center would like to offer a vaccination and microchip clinic twice a year. Staff will be working with the Parks and Recreation Department to hold the first clinic at Linda Spurlock Park. Subsequent clinics may be rotated to other parks in the City. If Council is supportive of the clinic, Staff will contact local veterinarians for volunteers to provide the rabies vaccination and tags and administer the vaccination. If there are no volunteers from the local vets, staff will contact mobile veterinarians and then vets outside the City. The cost of the rabies vaccination will depend on the veterinarian's charge. The program was discussed with the Shelter Board in July and was unanimously supported. In response to questions from Council, Ms. Mezger explained the City's cost and locations where the microchip could be read when the Animal Center is closed. The consensus of the Council was to move forward in providing low cost vaccination clinics in the City. A.3 IR 2008-113 Discussion of Rufe Snow Median Options Mr. Mike Curtis, Managing Director, introduced Brad Tribble, Kimley-Horn & Associates and Project Manager, for the Rufe Snow Drive project from Mid Cities Boulevard to Ridgetop Road. Mr. Tribble advised Council the project was in the conceptual design phase. Mr. Tribble gave an overview of the conceptual design objectives and presented to Council conceptual designs for a 7-lane undivided street section throughout the corridor versus a 6-lane divided street section throughout the corridor. Mr. Tribble discussed the pros and cons of the options and the right-of-way impacts for both options to adjacent properties. Council was presented with a possible third option of a six to seven lane "hybrid" section within the corridor. Council was advised of the costs fora 7-lane undivided, 6-lane divided and 6/7-lane hybrid. After discussion and questions by Council, the preference of Council was a 7-lane undivided with concrete paver medians as an option. Council was also interested in additional parkway for landscaping next to the residential area around Summertime. A.4 IR 2008-114 Economic Update and Contingency Planning Mr. Cunningham, City Manager, referred to the significant changes the last several weeks in the nation's financial markets and the economic impact it has had throughout the United States. While the City is only in the third week of its new fiscal year, Staff feels it necessary to implement a portion of the City's contingency plan to prepare for anticipated future impacts. Mr. Craig Hulse, Economic Development Director, City Council Minutes October 27, 2008 Page 3 presented to Council a general economic overview of the nation and discussed the key economic indicators for the nation, the region and City. Mr. Cunningham discussed that the primary impacts on the City's budget and operations are the leveling off and potential decrease in retail sales, reduction in licenses and permits for residential housing and commercial construction and reduction of interest rates on investment of funds. Councilman Whitson present at 6:40 p.m. Ms. Bostic, Assistant City Manager, gave an overview of the structure of the contingency plan highlighting the steps within each category that the City will take to address future impacts to revenue sources. The first category has been implemented in anticipation of economic impacts to the City's revenue sources and future revenue shortfalls will be addressed with the remaining tiered steps as needed. A.5 Adjournment Mayor Trevino announced at 6:47 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 October 27, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Oscar Trevino Scott Turnage John Lewis Ken Sapp Suzy Compton Tim Barth David Whitson Tim Welch Staff: Larry J. Cunningham Jared Miller Mayor Mayor Pro Tem, Council Place 6 Council, Place 1 Council, Place 2 Council, Place 3 Council, Place 4 Council, Place 5 Council, Place 7 City Manager Assistant City Manager City Council Minutes October 27, 2008 Page 4 Karen Bostic Jimmy Perdue Mike Curtis Patricia Hutson Monica Solko George Staples Assistant City Manager Assistant City Manager Managing Director City Secretary Assistant City Secretary Attorney A.1 INVOCATION Councilwoman Compton gave the invocation. A.2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilwoman Compton led the pledge of allegiance. A.3 SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) AND RECOGNITIONS) Recognition of the Neighborhood Initiative Program Sponsors and Volunteers Debbie York, Neighborhood Services Manager and Councilman Whitson recognized the Neighborhood Initiative Program Sponsors and Volunteers. Platinum Level -Donation of $500 or more Chesapeake Operating, Inc. Chicken Express NRH Hamilton Duffy, P.C. Mark Hammonds, M.D. Life Church Medical Clinic of North Texas Tyson Processed Food, Inc. Wal-Mart Super Center (NE Loop 820) Wal-Mart Super Center (N. Tarrant Parkway) Gold Level -Donation of $250 to $499.00 Cypress Software Systems Print Central Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Smith Silver Level-Donation of $100 to $249 Archie's Donut City Council Minutes October 27, 2008 Page 5 Design Q International Glenview Food Mart II Hunan Wok Chinese Restaurant North Hills Family Practice Pride & Joy Academy Volunteer Group Service Donation BISD Isolated Resources Group North Richland Hills Baptist Church Richland Hills Church of Christ TBS Lawn Care TEXROOTS The Home Depot Triad Financial Corporation A.4 SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) AND RECOGNITIONS) Recognition of Fire Service Award for Excellence Fire Chief Andy Jones advised the North Richland Hills Fire Department was the recipient of the 2008 Fire Service Award for Excellence for the department's Cardiac Cath Lab Field Activation Program. The award, co-sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the U.S. Safety & Engineering Corp., recognizes innovation and achievement in managing resources to reduce the loss of life and property from fire and other emergencies. The program is a model of cooperation between the City's Fire Department EMS Ambulance service, Dr. Roy Yamada, EMS Medical Director, and the staff at North Hills Hospital. Chief Jones recognized the members of the North Richland Hills EMS team. Dr. Roy Yamada, Ms. Sally Stutts, Cath Lab Director and Mr. Randy Moresi, CEO North Hills Hospital, each commented on the success of the program and the award. Mr. Chris Robinson, Vice President and Mr. Wayne Boyd, CEO, US Safety & Engineering were recognized. Mr. Boyd presented the award and a $2,000 award check to Chief Jones. A.5 SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) AND RECOGNITIONS) Recognition of Ray Oujesky presented by Mayor Pro Tem Turnage Mayor Pro Tem Turnage presented a plaque to Ray Oujesky for service to the citizens and community as Municipal Court Judge from May 1996 to July 2008. City Council Minutes October 27, 2008 Page 6 RECESS AND BACK TO ORDER Mayor Trevino recessed the meeting at 7:31 p.m. and called the meeting back to order at 7:47 p.m. with all members present as recorded. A.6 CITIZENS PRESENTATION None. A.7 REMOVAL OF ITEM(S) FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA None. B.0 APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS APPROVED B.1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 13, 2008 CITY COUNCIL MEETING B.2 PW 2008-028 AWARD BID NO. 08-039 FOR THE GALLOWAY CREEK DREDGING PROJECT TO PATCO UTILITIES IN THE AMOUNT OF $214,942.46 MAYOR PRO TEM TURNAGE MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. COUNCILMAN WHITSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-O. PUBLIC HEARINGS C.0 There were no items for this category. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT D.0 There were no items for this category. City Council Minutes October 27, 2008 Page 7 PUBLIC WORKS E.1 PW 2008-026 AWARD A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT TO A.N.A. CONSULTANTS, LLC, IN THE AMOUNT OF $78,500 FOR THE HOLIDAY LANE AND COLLEGE CIRCLE WATER LINE PROJECT APPROVED Greg VanNieuwenhuize, Public Works Assistant Director presented the item. This item is to consider the award of a professional services contract for the design of approximately 5,700 linear feet of water main along Holiday Lane and College Circle. The City requested Requests for Statements of Qualifications in accordance with city policy and proposals were received from twenty-five firms. The City's selections committee reviewed and evaluated the proposals and is recommending award of the professional services agreement to A.N.A. Consultants for the contract fee of $78,500. COUNCILMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE PW 2008-026. COUNCILMAN SAPP SECONDED THE MOTION.. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-O. E.2 PW 2008-027 AWARD A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT TO URS/LOPEZGARCIA GROUP IN THE AMOUNT OF $129,870 FOR THE HOLIDAY LANE AND IRON HORSE WATER LINE PROJECT APPROVED Greg VanNieuwenhuize, Public Works Assistant Director presented the item. This item is to consider the award of a professional services contract for the design of approximately 8,500 linear feet of water main along Holiday Lane and Iron Horse Boulevard between Mid-Cities Boulevard and Janetta Drive. The City requested Requests for Statements of Qualifications in accordance with city policy and proposals were received from twenty-five firms. The City's selections committee reviewed and evaluated the proposals and is recommending award of the professional services agreement to URS/LopezGarcia Group for the contract fee of $129,870. COUNCILMAN WELCH MOVED TO APPROVE PW 2008-027. COUNCILMAN WHITSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. City Council Minutes October 27, 2008 Page 8 GENERAL ITEMS F.1 PU 2008-028 APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A HAZARDOUS DUTY ROBOT FROM REMOTEC (A DIVISION OF NORTHROP GRUMMAN) IN THE AMOUNT OF $110,683 nppRnvt=n Sean Hughes, Emergency Management Coordinator presented the item. The Northeast Fire Departments Association (NEFDA) bomb squad currently operates a larger Remotec Andros robot that was purchased by the City of Bedford with grant funds. The NEFDA inventory currently contains one Remotec robot. The proposed new HD-1 robot is an additional robot that has parts that are interchangeable with the existing robot. The new HD-1 is compatible with detection equipment that is currently owned and operational. The NEFDA Explosives Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Members have evaluated other robots and determined this unit will best meet the needs of the NEFDA Bomb Squad that is housed in North Richland Hills. The Remotec HD-1 Small EOD Vehicle is proposed to be purchased from the Texas Municipal Award Schedule (TXMAS) contract #5-84030 which is effective from September 24, 2004 through September 22, 2012 and will be purchased with Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant funding (GR0801) awarded to the NEFDA Bomb Squad and accepted by North Richland Hills City Council, June 23, 2008. COUNCILMAN WHITSON MOVED TO APPROVE PU 2008-028. MAYOR PRO TEM TURNAGE SECONDED THE MOTION, MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. F.2 PU 2008-032 APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF AN OPEN VISION LT REAL TIME X RAY UNIT FROM ENVISION PRODUCT DESIGN LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $56,339.40 APPROVED Sean Hughes, Emergency Management Coordinator presented the item. The Northeast Fire Departments Association (NEFDA) bomb squad currently operates an older x-ray that is very slow and does not provide a real time live image. This delay can be very critical when dealing with suspicious devices. Anew type of x-ray system is proposed to be purchased that can be operated remotely when mounted on the Hazardous Duty Robot or can be operated in a hand held mode for rapid examination to determine if explosives are present. This system allows real time viewing of the x-ray on a video monitor which can show movement in a suspicious package. The Open Vision LT Real Time X-Ray Unit is proposed to be purchased from the General City Council Minutes October 27, 2008 Page 9 Services Administration (GSA) Schedule 84 Security and Law Enforcement contract #GS-07F-0280T which is effective from March 18, 2007 through March 18, 2012 and will be purchased with Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant funding (GR0801) awarded to the NEFDA Bomb Squad, and accepted by North Richland Hills City Council on June 23, 2008. COUNCILMAN EARTH MOVED TO APPROVE PU 2008-032. COUNCILWOMAN COMPTON SECONDED THE MOTION, MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-O. F.3 GN 2008-101 ADDING A NEW SECTION 14-351.1 CHARGING FEES TO VETERINARIANS FOR CREMATION SERVICES -ORDINANCE NO. 3024 APPROVED Chun Mezger, Animal Center Supervisor presented the item. Many years ago, when the NRH Animal Shelter was proposing the first of their spay/neuter programs for adopted animals, several veterinarians agreed to participate. In exchange to their services, they were allowed to use the City's cremation services in exchange for their spay/neuter services. However, several of the clinics that no longer provide spay/neuter service to the Animal Shelter still use the City's crematorium as a source of disposing of their deceased animals. Ordinance No. 3024 will allow the Animal Shelter to charge fees for disposal of animals brought to the city's crematorium by those veterinarians who do not provide spay/neuter services to the city. The fee will be $30 per deceased pet brought to the Shelter for communal cremations. This is the same fee charged to other cities that utilize the use the crematory. Veterinarians that provide spay/neuter services to the City will not be charged for bringing their deceased pets to the shelter for communal cremation. The Shelter Advisory Board has reviewed the change and recommends approval. COUNCILMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO. 3024. COUNCILWOMAN COMPTON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED T-O. F.4 GN 2008-104 AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN CONTRACT FOR ELECTRIC SERVICES -RESOLUTION NO. 2008-058 APPROVED City Council Minutes October 27, 2008 Page 10 Karen Bostic, Assistant City Manager presented the item. The City of North Richland Hills is a member of the Cities Aggregation Power Project ("CAPP"). Since 2002, the City has participated with over 100 other member cities to pool our power needs together to purchase power on the open market. Purchasing power as a consortium has allowed cities to get lower electric rates than the City would if we contracted with an electric utility on our own. CAPP's current electric contract expires December 31, 2008. CAPP will once again contract with FPL Energy to supply electricity to its members for the next five years beginning January 1, 2009. Direct Energy Business Services ("DEBS") will continue to provide customer service and billing for CAPP. Natural gas prices are extremely favorable right now. Power costs under the new arrangement, without participation in the 24 year agreement, should range between 8.0 cents/kWh (possibly even lower depending upon timing) and 8.5 cents/kWh over the next five years. This means that CAPP members will lock in prices at a level that is about 2.5 cents/kWh lower than CAPP's average price of power for the past year. Resolution No. 2008-058 authorizes CAPP to negotiate an electric supply agreement, approves CAPP contracting with FPL Energy and Direct Energy and authorizes the City Manager to sign a contract with CAPP for the City's electricity needs for the period beginning January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2013. COUNGILMAN WELCH MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2005-058.: COUNCILMAN WHITSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED T-O. F.5 GN 2008-105 DENY ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY'S REQUEST TO INCREASE TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION RATES CHARGED WITHIN THE CITY- RESOLUTION NO. 2008-056 ~PPRC)VFII Karen Bostic, Assistant City Manager presented the item. Oncor Electric Delivery Company ("Oncor" or "the Company") filed an application on or about June 27, 2008 with cities retaining original jurisdiction seeking to increase system-wide transmission and distribution rates by $275 million. The Company asked the City to approve a 17.6% increase in residential rates, a 9.1 % increase in commercial rates, and a 5.8% increase in street lighting rates. According to Oncor, annual rates would increase by approximately $60 for an average residential customer. The City, pursuant to § 33.001 of the Public Utility Regulatory Act, has exclusive original jurisdiction over the electric rates charged by the Company. In accordance with that authority, the City lawfully suspended the August 8th effective date for 90 days to review the Company's requested rate increase. The City's review of Oncor's rate increase request is coordinated by the Oncor Cities Steering Committee ("Steering Committee"). The City Council Minutes October 27, 2008 Page 11 major components underlying Oncor's requested $275 million increase include an increase for depreciation expense ($131 million), a substantial increase to the Company's storm reserve ($81 million) and additional costs for pension and post retirement benefits ($36 million). Based upon the analysis of the Company's filing and review of discovery responses, the Steering Committee's consultants have determined that the Company's increase cannot be substantiated by evidence. The preliminary analysis indicates that Cities will likely be proposing cumulative reductions to the Company's requested rate increase in excess of $200 million. The action taken by the City to deny Oncor's rate increase will be appealed by the Company to the Public Utility Commission ("PUC") of Texas. In an effort to avoid litigation if at all possible, parties to the proceeding have scheduled meetings with the Company to investigate the possibility of settlement. Approval of Resolution No. 2008- 056 finds that Oncor Electric Company's requested increases to its electric transmission and distribution rates and charges within the City of North Richland Hills are denied, finds that the City's reasonable rate case expenses shall be reimbursed by the Company, finds that the meeting in which the resolution is passed is open to the public as required by law, and requires notice of this resolution to the Company and legal counsel. COUNCILMAN SAPP MOVED TO APPROVE GN 2008-105; RESOLUTION NO. 2008-056. MAYOR PRO TEM TURNAGE SECONDED THE MOTION.. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. F.6 GN 2008-108 CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE TEXAS RECREATION & PARKS LOCAL PARK GRANT PROGRAM AND THE TEXAS STATE PARK SYSTEM- RESOLUTION NO. 2008-054 APPROVED Vickie Loftice, Director of Parks and Recreation presented the item. The Texas Recreation and Parks Account (TRPA) is a grant program for parkland acquisition and development and for the development of recreational facilities that is administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Funding for the grant program was restored to $15.5 million per year during the 80th Legislative Session. Additional funding was also approved for State Parks in Texas. The proposed resolution requests members of the 81St Legislature to support increased funding for the TRPA and for the Texas State Park System. This resolution also requests support to insure that all grants funded through the TRPA be subject to the competitive scoring system managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The City Council Minutes October 27, 2008 Page 12 Tarrant County Mayor's Council have also approved this resolution and have requested each City to consider passage of the resolution. COUNCILWOMAN COMPTON MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2008-054. COUNCILMAN WHITSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. F.7 GN 2008-107 AMENDING SECTION 2-231 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO CONFORM TO CURRENT STATUTORY PROVISIONS ON INDEMNIFICATION AND REPEALING ORDINANCES 1474 AND 1475 -ORDINANCE NO. 3025 APPROVED George Staples, City Attorney presented the item. Ordinance No. 3025 repeals obsolete ordinances 1474 and 1475 and conforms our indemnification provision, Section 2-231 of the Code of Ordinances to the current statutory provisions. The limited indemnification makes the City's employees, officers and volunteers exempt from state court suit. The two elderly ordinances, 1474 and 1475, were enacted in 1987 and arguably create inappropriate and potentially expensive and unnecessary liabilities for the city under the guise of a self insurance and risk management program which has not been used for at least the past 15 years. Enactment of this ordinance and repeal of Ordinances 1474 and 1475 will not affect the way the city is operating and providing for risk management. COUNCILMAN WELCH MOVED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO. 3025. COUNCILMAN EARTH SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. F.8 GN 2008-103 CONSIDER APPOINTMENT TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPROVED Craig Hulse, Director of Economic Development presented the item. Mr. Alan Young, owner of Alan Young Buick has indicated that he will no longer be able to continue to serve on the Economic Development Advisory Committee. The ordinance establishing the EDAC indicates various types of business categories are to be represented and new car dealerships are among those. Upon review, both staff and Mr. Young recommend Ms. Trish Myers, Fixed Operations Director of Alan Young Buick. The City Council Minutes October 27, 2008 Page 13 addition of Ms. Trish Myers not only maintains Committee representation from the automotive dealership category, she has agreed to finish out Alan Young's term on the Economic Development Advisory Committee which expires August 1, 2009. COUNCILMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE GN 2008-103. MAYOR PRO TEM TURNAGE SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS G.0 There were no items for this category. INFORMATION AND REPORTS H.1 ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilman Welch made the following announcements. Early voting continues through Friday, October 31st, at the NRH Recreation Center and other sites around Tarrant County. Every registered voter is eligible for early voting. For more information, please call 817-831-VOTE or visit tarrantcounty.com and click on the "Tarrant Votes" link. The City of North Richland Hills invites you to attend the annual Veterans Day Celebration on Tuesday, November 11th at Liberty Park. This special event will honor all who have served our country. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. Liberty Park is located at 5825 Holiday Lane. For more information, please call 817-427-6600. The 9th annual Northeast Recycles Day Flea Market will be held on Saturday, November 15th. This event will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot of the ATI Career Training Center, 6351 Boulevard 26. Vendors will be selling used goods. Residents can drop off for recycling unwanted electronic equipment such as computers, printers, monitors, VCRs, digital cameras, etc. There will also be on-site paper shredding and recycling for unwanted documents. For more information, call Debbie York at 817-427-6651. Kudos Korner -Jason Moore, Parks and Recreation Department. A letter was received from a resident thanking Jason for the repairs to the stone retaining wall in the City Council Minutes October 27, 2008 Page 14 Adventure World Playground. Jason and the department should be commended for a job very well done. H.2 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Trevino adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m. Oscar Trevino -Mayor ATTEST: /~G2~GlGG ~~~~(iY~. Patricia Hutson, City Secretary Or z r ,~, h oz: