Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2006-02-27 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 - FEBRUARY 27, 2006 WORK SESSION The City Council of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas met in a Work Session on the 2ih day of February, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. in the Pre-Council Room prior to the 7:00 p.m. regular Council meeting. Present: Oscar Trevino Tim Welch John Lewis Jo Cox Suzy Compton JoAnn Johnson David Whitson Nancy Bielik Staff Members: Larry J. Cunningham Richard Torres Ogden Bo Bass Karen Bostic Patricia Hutson George Staples Mary Edwards John Pitstick Larry Koonce Mike Curtis Call to Order Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilman Councilwoman Councilwoman Councilwoman Councilman Councilwoman City Manager Assistant City Manager Assistant City Manager Managing Director Administrative/Fiscal Services City Secretary City Attorney Public Information Officer Director of Planning & Development Finance Director Public Works Director Mayor Trevino called the Work Session to order at 5:30 p.m. A.O Discuss items from Reqular February 27. 2006 City Council Meetinq No items were discussed. B.1 IR 2006-0252006 Bond Sale Mr. Larry Koonce, Finance Director, advised City Council approved debt issuance financing for projects and equipment in the 2005/06 Capital Projects Budget. Included in the upcoming proposed sale are General Obligation (GO) Bonds and Certificates of Obligation (C.O.'s). Mr. Koonce referred to the detailed list of projects Council had been provided. The GO bond projects total $2,280,000 and follow the bond election plan of 2003. The C.O.'s projects total $11,335,000 and include projects and City Council Minutes February 27, 2006 Page 2 equipment approved in the CIP Budget. The CO sale includes funds for the construction of the library project, the pavilions and catering building at NRH20, the replacement of various equipment including an aerial ladder fire truck, an ambulance, a backhoe tractor, two dump trucks, a roller and golf course equipment. Mr. Koonce reviewed the calendar for the bond sale. In response to a question regarding the proposed start time for the projects, Mr. Koonce advised that NRH20 would be completed in time for season opening and most of the other projects would be starting in this fiscal year. B.2 IR 2006-024 Police Department Racial Profilinq Annual Report Chief Perdue presented the findings of the Racial Profiling Annual Report. The Police Department hired Alex del Carmen, PH.D., of Del Carmen Consulting to analyze the data collected by the department. Chief Perdue advised that there have been no significant changes over the past four years as supported by Dr. del Carmen. During calendar year 2005, no racial profiling complaints were received. Dr. del Carmen concluded that the Police Department has complied with the Texas Racial Profiling Law. B.3 IR 2006-027 North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) Proíect Call Mr. Mike Curtis, Public Works Director, advised NCTCOG was initiating a Call for Projects through the Local Air Quality Funding Program. The program provides funds for projects that address air quality issues. Four intersections have been identified where traffic signals are warranted. The locations are not part of the city's current CIP program and do not have an approved funding source. The locations are Precinct Line Road at Rumfield Road, Precinct Line Road at Amundson Road, Davis Boulevard at Bursey Road and Davis Boulevard at Northeast Parkway. Council was advised submitting the projects did not commit the City to any future funding. If the projects are selected NCTCOG will fund 80% and a 20% local match will be required for each intersection selected. Possible funding source for the City's share could be the Unspecified Street Improvement category that was part of the 2003 Bond Program. Council was advised that with consensus of Council, Public Works was planning to submit the projects. Council agreed with the information presented by Mr. Curtis and the submittal of the projects for consideration. BA IR 2006-026 Traininq on the Public Information Act to Comply with Senate Bill 286 In compliance with Senate Bill 286 which mandated that elected and appointed officials receive open government training, all members of the Council viewed the one-hour training DVD on Open Meetings produced by the Office of the Attorney General. At the City Council Minutes February 27,2006 Page 3 conclusion of the training, the Council members were provided with certificates of course completion. C.O Adjournment Mayor Trevino announced at 6:39 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 February 27, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Oscar Trevino Tim Welch John Lewis Jo Cox Suzy Compton JoAnn Johnson Nancy Bielik David Whitson Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilman Councilwoman Councilwoman Councilwoman Councilwoman Councilman Staff: Larry J. Cunningham Ogden Bo Bass Patricia Hutson George Staples City Manager Assistant City Manager City Secretary Attorney A.1. INVOCATION Councilwoman Johnson gave the invocation. A.2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ---~_._>~----_.- City Council Minutes February 27,2006 Page 4 Councilwoman Johnson led the pledge of allegiance. A.3 SPECIAL PRESENT A TION(S) AND RECOGNITION(S) IR 2006-028 - CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 Mr. Larry Koonce, Finance Director, introduced Mr. Fred Werner, Director of Finance, City of Grapevine and former President of the Government Finance Officers Association of Texas. Mr. Fred Werner presented the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Comprehensive Final Report to the City. Mr. Werner recognized Jackie Theriot, Accounting Manager and the Accounting Staff for their efforts. The City has received the Certificate of Achievement Award for the last 22 years. Fourteen percent of the cities in the State of Texas and five percent of the cities in the United States received the award. SPECIAL PRESENTATION - SAM PACK, FIVE STAR FORD A representative for Sam Pack Ford was unable to attend the meeting to receive the proclamation. Presentation of proclamation will be rescheduled to a future meeting. Mayor Trevino recognized Ms. Sally Proffitt from Tarrant County College Northeast and her Business Leadership Seminar class. A.4 CITIZENS PRESENTATION Mr. Bill Ernst, 5428 Roberta Drive, called to Council's attention a "metal hay barn" that had been built at 5425 Roberta Drive between the house and street. Mr. Ernst was concerned that the carport was constructed of illegal materials and was in violation of City Codes. Mr. Ernst advised that he had checked with the Building Department and was advised that there was a building permit for the carport and that it complied with city building codes. Mr. Ernst commented that carports are not found on the surrounding streets and asked Council to take measures to prevent other carports from being built between a house and the street. Mayor Trevino asked Mr. Bass to look into the situation and provide a written report back to the Council. City Council Minutes February 27,2006 Page 5 Ms. Laverne O'Steen, 8429 Emerald Circle, read a letter addressed to Harold and Laverne O'Steen from Noakes Engineering Company, Inc. dated March 25, 2003. The subject of the letter was failure of retaining walls at Emerald Lakes. A copy of the letter was provided to the Council. Mayor Trevino questioned what Ms. O'Steen was asking from the City regarding her retaining wall. Ms. O'Steen advised that to her knowledge there was not a deed to the Emerald Lakes Homeowners Association and that the City needed to help them correct the problem. Ms. O'Steen advised that the Homeowners Association did not have the money to fix the wall. Mayor Trevino asked Attorney Staples to give his opinion on the matter. Mr. Staples advised the following: The walls along the lake as well as the lake itself are owned by Emerald Lakes Homeowners Association Inc. The original document establishing the covenants and restrictions for Ms. O'Steen's neighborhood clearly makes the maintenance of the wall and the lake the private responsibility of the Homeowners Association Corporation of which Ms. O'Steen is a voting member. The Corporation has repeatedly recognized its responsibilities for the wall and lake. Ms. O'Steen is not a representative of the Homeowners Association Corporation and differs from them apparently solely on the existence of a drainage easement dedicated not to the city but to the public. The wall and lake were not built to city specifications and have never been accepted as any part of the drainage easement. There is no evidence that the drainage easement has in any way caused any damage to the walls. The lake is constructed on Block 1, Lot 40 of the subdivision and is covered entirely by a drainage easement. Another ten-foot drainage and utility easement is dedicated to the public along the rear of Ms. O'Steen's lot and the other lots that back up to the lake. We do not have accurate information whether the wall is constructed on Lot 40 or on Ms. O'Steen's easement. Neither dedication however creates any city responsibility for the wall or the lake. The lake and the wall were built entirely with private funds of the developer and owner and the documents creating the Homeowners Association requires that they be maintained at the expense of the owners of the lots in the subdivision and the Association has the power to assess these owners for that expense. It seems reasonable to expect that the contractual obligations for the maintenance of the wall and lake will be met by the parties to the undertaking. There is no legal basis for the city to assume these private obligations. Ms. O'Steen has legal recourse against her neighbors who through their Association are responsible for the maintenance of these privately owned improvements. The City has no responsibility for either the wall or the lake. Mr. Ken Sapp, 8312 Thornway Court, expressed his thanks to the Council for their sponsorship of the work of the staff and staff's work in providing to the citizens an enhanced website that provides functionality, scope, usability and access. Mr. Sapp City Council Minutes February 27,2006 Page 6 stated he in particular appreciated the enhancement of the City Council Agenda, the ability to receive broadcast emails notifying him of changes to the information posted on the website, and the ability to pay water bills electronically A.S REMOVAL OF ITEM(S) FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA None. B.O CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS APPROVED B.1 MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 13,2006 COUNCIL MEETING B.2 GN 2006-014 CALLING MAY 13,2006 CITY COUNCIL ELECTION & APPROVAL OF A JOINT ELECTION AGREEMENT WITH TARRANT COUNTY - RESOLUTION NO. 2006-008 COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. COUNCILWOMAN BIELIK SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. C.O PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no items for this category. D.O PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT There were no items for this category. E.O PUBLIC WORKS There were no items for this category. F.O GENERAL ITEMS City Council Minutes February 27,2006 Page 7 F.1 GN 2006-019 PRESENTATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2005 AUDITED FINANCIAL REPORT APPROVED Mr. Larry Koonce, Finance Director, presented the financial highlights of the Audited Financial Report for fiscal year 2005. Mr. Koonce reviewed year-end results and fund balance data for the different funds. Mr. Todd Pruitt, from the independent audit firm Patillo, Brown & Hill presented the audit opinion and the report. Mr. Pruitt advised the auditor's opinion was a unqualified opinion or a "clean" opinion meaning that they found the Financial Statements of the City to fairly present the City's financial position. COUNCILMAN WHITSON MOVED TO APPROVE GN 2006-019 ACCEPTING THE FY 2005 AUDITED FINANCIAL REPORT AS PRESENTED. COUNCILWOMAN COMPTON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. F.2 GN 2006-020 BYRNE JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM AWARD INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT RESOLUTION NO. 2006-016 APPROVED Chief Perdue presented the item. Resolution No. 2006-016 authorizes the execution of the 2006 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program Award Interlocal Agreement for the City. To receive the funds, the Cities of North Richland Hills, Hurst, Haltom City, Arlington, Fort Worth and Tarrant County are required to file a joint application after negotiating the sharing of funds with Tarrant County. The cities involved agreed to confer 16% of their total allocated funds to Tarrant County to satisfy the disparate certification imposed by the Texas Attorney General. The City of North Richland Hills will receive $9,172 under the terms of the agreement. Plans are to use the proceeds of the grant to assist in paying the salary of the Narcotics Investigator Supervisor currently assigned to the Tarrant County Narcotics Intelligence and Coordination Unit. In response to questions from Council, Chief Perdue explained why the cities are required to share the funds with the County and how the percentage of funds received was arrived at for each of the cities. COUNCILMAN WHITSON MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION No. 2006-016. COUNCILWOMAN COMPTON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. City Council Minutes February 27, 2006 Page 8 F.3 PU 2006-010 AUTHORIZE REPLACEMENT AND UPGRADE OF AUTOCITE UNITS WITH REI NO LAW ENFORCEMENT TECHNOLOGY IN THE AMOUNT OF $48,000 AND APPROPRIATE FUNDS FROM THE MUNICIPAL COURT TECHNOLOGY FUND APPROVED Ms. Debbie Durko, Court Clerk, presented the item. In 2003 the Council authorized the purchase of 8 handheld citation computers for the motorcycle officers to issue citations. The purchase was funded by the Municipal Court Technology Fund. The computers saved data entry time and processing time. The Municipal Court and Police are requesting to be allowed to replace and upgrade the current units and software with more current technology. In the 2005/06 Budget, $24,000 was allocated for the replacement to be reimbursed from the Municipal Court Technology Fund. The upgraded units will provide color displays, built in digital cameras, bar code readers and voice recording. The original estimate was for the base unit replacement less trade-in allowance. Additional funds are being requested to add the additional options and software and will be reimbursed to the General Fund from the Municipal Court Technology Fund. Ms. Durko presented the unit currently being used and answered questions from the Council on the size of the new units, how the barcode reader works, and if the number of units being requested was adequate. COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON MOVED TO APPROVE PU 2006-010 TO AUTHORIZE THE REPLACEMENT AND UPGRADE OF AUTOCITE HANDHELD COMPUTERS WITH REINO LAw ENFORCEMENT TECHNOLOGY IN THE AMOUNT OF $53,700 LESS A TRADE IN FOR OLD EQUIPMENT OF $5,700 FOR A NET PURCHASE PRICE OF $48,000 AND AMEND THE 2005/06 BUDGET TO RELFECT A TRANSFER OF AN ADDITIONAL $24,000 FROM THE MUNICIPAL COURT TECHNOLOGY FUND. COUNCILWOMAN BIELlK SECONDED THE MOTION. Councilman Whitson asked that when possible consideration be given to adding one or two additional units in the event a unit should be out of service. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. F.4 INFORMATION AND REPORTS Councilwoman Cox made the following announcements. The March 13th City Council Meeting has been rescheduled to Monday, March 6th. The meeting will begin at the regular time of 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. City Council Minutes February 27,2006 Page 9 The NRH Animal Adoption & Rescue Center holds off-site adoptions every Saturday at Petco, 8004 Denton Hwy. For more information, please call 817-427-6570. Dan Echols Senior Center is planning a dinner and star gazing event on Friday, March 10th. For more information, please call 817-281-9267. Kudos Korner - Officer Curtis Westbrook, Police Department - A letter was received from a resident of another city thanking Officer Westbrook for being polite and efficient when giving her a traffic ticket. She said she appreciated his friendliness and how fast he was able to write the ticket so she could get to work. F.5 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Trevino adjourned the meeting at 7:44 . . ATTEST: Oat1/t/æ;~ Patricia Hutson - City Secretary \\\\\t..,····· .i'.'~/¡ "", "\l".\-U .4"~~ II".".". "..t~ ~~:.:':':".!.1IU~ ~ L'~~·· It. ~ ¿'~""'n ..... '1::. .... . .. .". ~ ~ l ....( ') ~ ~&,¡..! r r....:; êO: 1£: E :=.,...~. i :: ~~" h"'!= "\ ........ ......... .....:. '-'''............ '":.¡.''' ," 'III" I,