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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1998-11-17 Minutes MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, HELD IN THE CITY HALL, 7301 NORTHEAST LOOP 820 - NOVEMBER 17, 1998 - 6:00 P.M. Present: Charles Scoma Lyle E. Welch Russell Mitchell Frank Metts, Jr. JoAnn Johnson Matt Milano Cheryl Cowen Lyman Staff: Larry Cunningham Randy Shiflet Patricia Hutson Jim Browne Absent: Don Phifer Mayor Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilwoman Councilman Councilwoman City Manager Deputy City Manager City Secretary Park and Recreation Director Mayor Pro T em Mayor Scoma called the work session to order November 17, 1998 at 6:00 p.m. The purpose of the first half of the work session was to discuss with the Beautification Commission ideas and priorities related to their board. The second half of the work session was for the purpose of discussing with the Park and Recreation Board issues related to their board. The following Beautification Commission Members were present: Ms. Theresa Hampton Mr. Glenn Nerwin Ms. Deloris Pultz Ms. Pam Hofmann Ms. Jane Dunkelberg was absent. Ms. Emily Ward Ms. Patsy Tucker Ms. Jeanne Lueck The Mayor asked each of the Beautification Commission members to introduce themselves and talk about what they consider is the purpose of the Beautification Commission. Items cited included 1) making the City more beautiful and appealing to the citizens; 2) making it a better place to live; 3) should have input in the landscaping of City and should be working more closely with the Parks Board in the development of parks; 4) can be summarized through motto - clean up, green up and beautify; 5) involve the citizens in making the City more beautiful; 6) entranceways are very important in neighborhoods and to the City; 6) continue working with programs that interest people in picking up trash; 7) to bring a level of expertise to the City that does City Council Work Session Minutes November 17,1998 Page 2 not exist internally in relation to natural resource management; 8) would like to see more involvement with some of the plantings; 9) more involvement with adopting a highway or adopt a spot; and 10) would like schools involved in beautifying campuses. The Mayor read what the official purpose of the Beautification Commission was when it was originally established - "To promote the beautification of the City. To this end the Commission shall be empowered to make recommendations to the City Council for promoting civic involvement in the beautification of the City through programs and activities that 1) increase the community awareness of beautification and environmental issues, 2) provide opportunities for community education related to beautification and environmental issues, 3) include special community wide events related to beautification and environmental issues 4) review and make recommendations on ordinances or policies relative to beautification and environmental issues 5) include award nominations and grant applications." Mayor Scoma further advised that their purpose is to help the City Council to do its job and make decisions that will accomplish the goals and objectives of the City Council. Mayor Scoma reviewed the goals of the City Council that relate to the Beautification Commission. The Beautification Commission's primary focus is on Goal NO.2 - quality development and planning through buildout. This goal was discussed with the Commission. The Council and Beautification Commission discussed issues and concerns. Ms. Tucker advised she would like for the Commission to have a more active role in planning for landscaping, signage and design in the City. She would like to see signs and beautification at the entranceways to the City, for the newer medians to receive the same attention as the median on Mid Cities Boulevard and more green areas in the City. The Commission was advised to decide what they would like to work on and to inform the Council of their activities. There was discussion on the design and development of entranceway signs to the City. Mayor Scoma advised that the Beautification Commission and the Parks Staff needed to work together on the signage project. There was a question from the Beautification Commission on the proper chain of command. They were advised that the proper procedure to get items on the agenda to present to the City Council is through the City Manager, the Mayor or an individual Council Member. They were also advised that if they would like for something to be sent to the Council, they should put it in the form of a motion that is included in the Commission's minutes. There was discussion on the Adopt-a-Spot Program. Ms. Pultz advised that they have people wanting to adopt a spot, but the Commission has not been able to provide spots for them to adopt and that they did not know who to ask for spots. The Council City Council Work Session Minutes November 17,1998 Page 3 advised that Staff needs to help to provide the spots. The Commission was advised to work on a plan and to bring guidelines for adopting a spot to the Council. There was discussion on the Commission's budget and how to obtain the approval necessary to spend funds. The Commission was advised they are allocated a certain amount of money that is controlled and under the responsibility of the City Manager. The City Manager is responsible for establishing the procedures by which funds will be released. It was explained that there were often bidding procedures that had to be followed and approval processes established by Management Policies that had to be followed. When their budget was originally set up, the original purpose was to provide funding for the Commission's printing expenses and attendance at KTB meetings. They were advised that if they needed money for major projects, they needed to submit their requests to the City Council for funding. The Commission was told that they should participate in the budget process and that they needed to submit their requests for funding of projects for the Council to consider during the budget approval process. There was discussion on the Commission's desire to continue to aid Mr. Wieder in the Business Landscape award. The Commission expressed their desire to continue to work with Mr. Wieder on this once a year program. Other concerns expressed by the Commission included: 1) The role of the Commission in the development of Fossil Creek Arboretum Natural Preserve; 2) The assignment of a staff person full time for the KTB program; 3) Commission term limits; 4) How to distinguish between volunteer duties and staff responsibilities to prevent overlapping. Responses to these concerns were: 1) The Commission will present the Fossil Creek Arboretum project to the Council at a future date. 2) The Commission was told that they needed to reevaluate the KTB program and to justify the need for staffing for the program within themselves and if they found it justified, to present a request to Council at budget time. 3) The Commission was advised that a commission member's attendance, commitment and involvement determined term lengths. 4) The Commission's role is to give input to the City Council- it is a joint effort working with Staff and City Council. Councilwoman Lyman expressed a desire for a Homeowners Christmas Decoration Contest. In addition to the Yard of Month awards, she would like for there to be a City Council Work Session Minutes November 17,1998 Page 4 contest for decorations and homeowner neighborhood themes during the holiday season. Mayor Scoma reminded the Commission that the Parks Department is currently developing a Master Plan for Parks and that the Commission needs to be working with them and providing input into the Plan. RECESS The Council concluded their work session with the Beautification Commission and Mayor Scoma recessed the meeting at 6:59 p.m. BACK TO ORDER The Mayor called the work session back to order at 7:09 p.m. with the same Council Members present except for Mayor Pro Tem Phifer and Councilman Metts and the same City Staff present. The following Park and Recreation Board Members were present: Ms. Sharon Battles Mr. John Pen a Ms. Sherry Milano Ms. Pam Jackson Mr. Dwayne Leslie Ms. Sherry Christensen Ms. Ann Perchard Mr. Rick Work was absent. Each of the Park Board Members introduced themselves and discussed what they felt was the function of the Park Board. Mayor Scoma reviewed the Board's purpose as set out by ordinance. He advised that they needed to be proactive in developing ideas and recommendations, to be sensitive to the community and to make recommendations to the Council. Mayor Scoma reviewed and discussed the goals of the City Council as they pertain to the Parks Board. The Parks Board's primary focus is Goal No. 2g - Community Pride and Identity - increase our image to ourselves (community) and to others outside North Richland Hills, and Goal NO.5 - A Variety of Amenities for Families: Recreational, Leisure, Cultural and Educational. There was discussion on the Board becoming proactive in the area of providing leadership to senior citizen programs. The issue of park projects being subject to the approval of the Planning and Zoning Commission was raised. The Board was advised that the Planning and Zoning Commission had discussed this with the Council, but the Council did not feel it was necessary. The Council was asked what they envisioned in regards to a Recreational Center and other recreational facilities being included in the Town Center Project. The City Council Work Session Minutes November 17,1998 Page 5 Parks Board was advised that the Town Center Project was still in the developmental stage and the details were yet to be worked out. The Council did not have a specific vision, but that it would be a multi-purpose development. There was extensive discussion on the utilization of City park facilities by city residents vs. outside residents and the ability to balance the access of the parks by the different users. They discussed the utilization of park facilities by the youth associations and the percentage of kids participating in the associations that were residents of the City. It was felt that North Richland Hills residents should receive first priority. There was discussion on neighborhood parks and their purpose. There was discussion on whether Linda Spurlock Park should be a considered a neighborhood park or a park for the southern part of the City. The Council advised they would like the Parks Board to give input as to whether Linda Spurlock Park needs to have other amenities added. The Parks Board was advised that they Mayor should address the issues being raised and bring a recommendation back to the Council. Other concerns mentioned were improved communications between the Park Board and the City Council, the ability of the Parks Board to travel to neighboring cities, to attend state functions, and their role in the decision making process for acquisition of park land and development. The Board was encouraged to go to other cities to view their programs. It was felt that there were resources available within the Park's budget to accommodate local trips. The Board was encouraged to be visionary and provide input to the City Council. Mayor Scoma adjourned the meeting at 8:36 p.m. "#4'- ATTEST: qaátd¿¿~~ Patricia Hutson - City Secretary