HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1998-02-06 Minutes
MINUTES OF THE GOAL SETTING WORK SESSION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS,
TEXAS, HELD AT THE LODGE OF GRANBURY, 400 EAST
PEARL, GRANBURY, TEXAS, FEBRUARY 6-7,1998
Present:
Tommy Brown
Byron Sibbet
Lyle E. Welch
Frank Metts, Jr.
JoAnn Johnson
Don Phifer
Cheryl Cowen Lyman
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem
Councilman
Councilman
Councilwoman
Councilman
Councilwoman
Staff:
Larry Cunningham
Randy Shiflet
Patricia Hutson
James Saint
City Manager
Deputy City Manager
City Secretary
Assistant to City Manager
Absent:
Mack Garvin
Councilman
The City Council met February 6, 1998 from 8:00 p.m. to approximately 10:30 p.m. and
February 7, 1998 from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 3:45 p.m. for the purpose of setting
goals. Mr. Lyle Sumek, Lyle Sumek & Associates, Inc., was the facilitator for the work
session. Mr. Sumek began the work session with a briefing and overview of the work
session. He discussed with the Council the outcomes and objectives for the work
session. The City Secretary also presented to the Council an overview of the Texas
Open Meetings Act. This was in response to one of the Council's targeted concerns.
Mr. Sumek discussed with the Council what they considered as the city successes for
1997: 1) Tennis Center, 2) Bond Rating, 3) Street Improvements, 4) New City
Manager, 5) Youth Programs/Advisory Board, 6) Park Development, 7) Business
Development, and 8) Services/Programs without a tax increase. He showed the
Council what the City Staff considered to be their successes for 1997. Each Council
Member discussed what they would like to see happen in the City in the next few years
and their goals for the city. Mr. Sumek presented for discussion the Council's targets
for action for 1988, the action needed, and the needed decision, which is summarized
below:
1. EPA Rulings on Sewers Project Implementation
Review EPA ruling. Decision: projects.
2. Loop 820/Rufe Snow Interchange
Obtain Highway approval; develop response to minimize impact on
businesses; and monitor plan on 820 widening.
3. Overlay Zone for Mid Cities (should be integrated with Arcadia project)
City Council Work Session Minutes
February 6-7, 1998
Page 2
Complete overlay zone; review by Mayor and Council; and reach a decision
on the direction.
4. Arcadia Project: Direction
Developer completes feasibility study and plans; Council reviews study/
plans. Decision: city infrastructure, role, TIF and ordinance changes.
5. Code Enforcement Direction and Policy
Review current policies and enforcement programs; identify
problems/concerns; define code enforcement for North Richland Hills;
develop policies and realistic enforcement, program supported by Mayor and
City Council, implementation by staff - encourage employees to share
responsibility for community standard; studies of current staff peak times -
consider two shifts seven days a week and adjust staff times for evenings,
weekends; work with homeowner associations; be aware of people in need;
inform citizens. Decisions: Policy/resources/budget.
6. Five Year Debt Reduction Plan
Understand debt situation: today and future; develop plan to reduce debt
over five years; review plan. Decision: policy, plan and direction.
7. Zero Based Budget
Continue refinement; review zero based budget approach used by other
cities, public agencies; develop a zero based budget concept & plan for
phasing in over two years; review process and format. Decision: direction.
8. Public Information Program for the City
Review effectiveness of current programs and activities; hire position of
Public Information Officer; expand programs: cable tv, city newsletter, web
site needs to be user friendly; standardize official logo with policy for
consistency among the departments.
9. Davis Boulevard Strategy
Evaluate problems and opportunities, north and south; develop strategy to
"showcase" area; determine city's roles and resources; develop a realistic
action plan.
10. Rufe Snow Project
Obtain right of way; address utility adjustments; review plan to minimize
impact on businesses; address issues - financial participation from Watauga
on resurfacing.
11. Richland Plaza Center Direction
Work with developer; address drainage issue; Decision: citizens' role, TIF,
degree of participation with School District.
12. Crime Control District Evaluation
Review expenditures; evaluate the effectiveness, use, impact. Decision:
Direction on cost control/expenditures/reserves.
13. Smithfield Historic District/Restoration
City Council Work Session Minutes
February 6-7, 1998
Page 3
Revisit plan; work with landowners; explore options - potential grants; obtain
public input. Decision: direction, city's role, resources.
14. Zoning Ordinance
Review, revision, sunsetting; develop process for reviewing the zoning
ordinance; establish guidelines. Decision: process and ordinances
15. Employee Compensation Policy and Direction
Continue to review staffing levels and compensation policy; continue to
evaluate the market and compare to North Richland Hills
16. History of North Richland Hills
Develop video; develop a program: record of city's history.
17. Demographic Analysis: Our Community Profile
Analyze demographic characteristics - today, 5 years, 10 years; evaluate the
impact on services, programs, revenues; develop a city response to our
changing demographics.
18. Automation/Information Upgrades
Internet Web server; software; fiber optics requirements; develop
recommendations. Decision: on the resources/budget; implement
decisions.
Councilwoman Lyman asked that the 5-year plan be reviewed with the
Council again so that the new members to the Council could have a better
understanding of the plan.
19. Ethics: Direction
Complete work by the Ethics Committee; define employee, elected official;
develop recommendation; thorough review and understanding of Council of
state law and Charter; ongoing education program for Mayor, City Council,
Boards and Commissions. Decision: policy and direction.
20. Library Facility Plan: Direction
Explore options; develop plan. Decision: Direction.
21. Landscape Ordinance
Identify outcomes; enhance the attractiveness/beautify our City; explore
options used by other cities; review prior recommendations. Decision:
direction, ordinance
22. 100 Acre Park Development
Continue development of park; complete the development plan; initiate plan.
23. Park System Master Plan: Update
Develop plan by committee; review plan; resurface Little Bear Creek Park
Plan; review future maintenance requirements. Decision: direction, plan,
resources.
The Council reached a consensus that this was time urgent. The City needs
to have in place an updated Master Plan in order to acquire future grants.
24. Social issues; Policy/Direction
City Council Work Session Minutes
February 6-7, 1998
Page 4
Review community needs, impact of welfare reform; review community
service providers, say thank you for their services; define the role of City;
determine city resources; review state requirements for social programs;
incorporate study on needs of aging.
Mayor Pro Tem Sibbet requested that the state law be checked to determine
whether a city is required to provide social services when the city reaches a
population of 100,000. He also suggested sending a letter recognizing
volunteers in the city.
25. Tree Ordinance
Review various recommendations; define the outcome. Decision:
direction/ord inance.
26. Home ownership/Neighborhood Pride Strategy
Explore ways/approaches used by other cities to promote home ownership
in older neighborhoods; develop strategy for North Richland Hills; explore
ways to enhance neighborhood pride; define city's role. Decision: an action
plan.
The following outline of staff targets was discussed:
27. Bond Package
Review projects: drainage/streets/North Electric Trail/Parks. Decision:
Package and the amount.
28. Metal Building Ordinance
Identify concerns, prepare an ordinance; define "metal building"
29. Naming: Direction and Policy
Establish guidelines, Decision: policy & direction.
30. Public Safety Hardware & Software
Review recommendation.
31. Shady Grove Road Direction/Plan.
Evaluate impact of residential development in Keller; explore options;
develop plans. Decision: direction.
32. SKADA System (Sewer Plant)
Complete design; award bid.
The Council ranked the targets to set the top eight priorities. The Council's top six
goals are: Target Number 1 - EPA Rulings on Sewers Project Implementation; Target
Numbers 3 & 4 combined - Overlay Zone for Mid-Cities & Arcadia Project; Target
Number 5 - Code Enforcement; Target Number 11 - Richland Plaza Center; Target
Number 12 - Crime Control District Evaluation; Target Number 14 - Zoning Ordinance.
The two high priority targets were Target Number 21 - Landscape Ordinance and
Target Number 23 - Park System Master Plan Update.
City Council Work Session Minutes
February 6-7, 1998
Page 5
The City Manager will prepare monthly/quarterly reports to the Council on the status of
the goals set by Council.
The role and performance expectations of the City Manager, City Council and Mayor
were discussed. The Council also decided that they wanted to establish some house
rules. They reached a consensus on: 1) they wanted the Roberts Rules of Order to be
followed; 2) for issues to come to the Council as a whole for discussion; 3) they wanted
more time to be spent on major issues; they want to be aware of expectations and
impact on contracts; 4) once the Council makes a decision and they give direction to
Staff and City Manager, an individual member cannot change the direction unless a
Council Member brings it back to the Council as a whole; 5) the City Manager should
not act on a consensus, the Council should take everything to floor for a formal vote; 6)
the Council expressed a desire for more lead time on issues; and 7) they expressed the
desire to receive Planning & Zoning minutes the day after meeting.
Mr. Sumek, in follow-up to the goal setting work session, will send his detailed report to
the City Manager on the items discussed during the work session.
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Tommy rown - aýor
ATTEST:
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Patricia Hutson - City Secretary