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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1998-12-15 Minutes MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICH LAND HILLS, TEXAS, HELD IN THE CITY HALL, 7301 NORTHEAST LOOP 820 - DECEMBER 15,1998 - 6:00 P.M. Present: Charles Scoma Mayor Lyle E. Welch Councilman Russell Mitchell Councilman Frank Metts, Jr. Councilman JoAnn Johnson Councilwoman Matt Milano Councilman Cheryl Cowen Lyman Councilwoman Staff: Larry Cunningham City Manager Ron Ragland City Manager Patricia Hutson City Secretary Absent: Don Phifer Mayor Pro Tem Mayor Scoma called the work session to order December 15, 1998 at 6:00 p.m. The purpose of the first half of the work session was to discuss with the Teen Court Advisory Board ideas and priorities related to their board. The second half of the work session was for the purpose of discussing with the Library Board issues related to their board. The following Teen Court Advisory Board Members were present: Ms. Kathy Graves Ms. Luci Wolfe Ms. Tami Spraggins Mr. Oscar Trevino Mr. Ronald Moore Ms. Cherie Redenbaugh Board Member Absent: Stephanie Dukes Others present: Mr. Jim Wilkins Court Administrator The Mayor reviewed the Council goals and objectives that related to the Teen Court Advisory Board and discussed how the goals pertained to their Board. The goals identified relative to the Teen Court Advisory Board were: 1) Goal Number 1: People Feeling Safe and Secure - specifically public perception of people feeling safe, providing safe schools and community for youth and working with the citizens in a preventive approach; 2) Goal Number 2: Quality development and planning - specifically revitalization of older areas of the City through community opportunities, and community pride and identity; 3) Goal Number 3: Self sustaining local economy - specifically through working with public/private partnerships for the placement of youth City Council Work Session Minutes December 15, 1998 Page 2 in community service activities; 4) Goal Number 4: Financially sound city government providing cost effective services - specifically through well maintained city facilities, cost effective and quality delivery of services and use of community resources; 5) Goal Number 5: A variety of amenities for families; and 6) Goal Number 6: Effective transportation system - specifically improved traffic safety. He explained how the Teen Court Program and the youth could be involved in each of these objectives. The Mayor asked each of the Teen Court Board Members to introduce themselves and discuss what they feel is the primary objective and responsibilities of the Board. The Mayor reviewed the nine goals of the Teen Court Board. There was discussion on the ordinance establishing the Teen Court Board and the appointment procedure to the Board. It was called to their attention that the appointments are to be made from the Municipal Judge's recommendations. There was discussion on the average number of hours of community service a teen serves, the number of adult volunteers and the commitment of time and workload by the Board Members and the volunteers. The original intention was for volunteers to support the Advisory Board and not for the Board to carry the load. It was felt that the City needed to return to having a pool of adult volunteers to assist with the program Mayor Pro Tem Phifer present at 6:40 p.m. The following specific issues/concerns of the Teen Court Board were discussed: 1) Recognition of Teen Court Attorneys - It was felt more visibility was needed for the teens that are volunteering. The positive aspects need to be recognized. It was suggested that the Communications Director do a Teen Court newsletter. 2) Council should be aware of the volunteer teens, the training, bar exam, volunteer judges, etc. It was felt that this issue could be addressed the same as Issue Number 1. Cable TV could also be another source of visibility for the volunteers. 3) Scholarship and resident requirements - The Board advised that 50 percent of the volunteers are not North Richland Hills residents and they were seeking direction on whether the scholarship should go to a resident of the City. The Board was instructed to bring some recommendations to the Council on how to get more teen volunteers from the city and their recommendations on whether the scholarship should be limited to North Richland Hills residents and the Council will make a decision. It was felt that Items 4, 5, and 6 were administrative items and the Board should work with staff and come up with some recommendations to bring to the Council. 4) Problem with facilities on Monday nights - need more space. City Council Work Session Minutes December 15, 1998 Page 3 5) Need input on ideas for more adult volunteers and possibly a part time staff person on Court nights. 6) Turnover rate. 7) Encourage Council to visit Teen Court - Council was invited to attend Teen Court and see first hand the activities of the Teen Court and its volunteers. 8) Salary Increase for Teen Court Coordinator with a Masters Degree - It was felt that this issue was an administrative item. There was discussion on the community service performed by the youth, the availability of places/business for them to perform their community service and the follow up conducted by the Board and volunteers. RECESS The Council concluded their work session with the Teen Court Advisory Board and Mayor Scoma recessed the meeting at 7:00 p.m. BACK TO ORDER The Mayor called the work session back to order at 7: 1 0 p.m. with the same Council Members present except for Councilman Metts. The same City Staff was present. The following Library Board Members were present: Ms. Vickie Leslie Ms. Carol Benoit Mr. Lynn Waller Ms. Mary Shilcutt Ms. Avis Crisp Ms. Kay Schmidt Board Members Absent: Polly Brinkley and Mr. William Merrill Others present: Mr. Steve Brown, Library Director Mayor Scoma reviewed and discussed the goals of the City Council as they pertain to the Library Board. Relevant items identified within the Council goals were: 1) Goal No. 2 - community pride and identity; 2) Goal Number 3: - successful Town Center, retention of local businesses; work through public private partnerships and international relationships/business/cultural exchange; 3) Goal Number 4 - lower tax rate for homeowners; provide diversified sources of revenue, well maintained city facilities and infrastructure; valuing municipal employees; striving for excellence; cost effective and quality delivery of services, and use of community resources; and 4) Goal Number 5- strong library as an educational/learning center and informational center, expanded cultural opportunities, strong support and partnership with the community and recognize regional resources. City Council Work Session Minutes December 15, 1998 Page 4 The Board Members were asked to introduce themselves and to discuss the function of the Library Board. The Mayor discussed that the Board was representative of the Council and their function was to inform the Council and to help them make better decisions. The Board should be a proactive board that both initiates and communicates with the Council. The following specific issues/concerns of the Library Board were discussed: 1) Library accessibility during the road construction and possible alternative service areas - The Library Board was questioning what could be done to make the library accessible to the citizens during the 820 road construction. They questioned whether the entrances and exits to the library could be relocated and if there were other places that library services could be offered on an interim basis. The Board was advised to address this issue and to make a recommendation to the Council. Staff will transmit to the Board the letting dates for the construction project. 2) Question from the Board on the Council's opinion on building a new library in the proposed Town Center development and could a second library building be added for growth in addition to the present library facility. - The Board was advised that the Council had not discussed what would be in the Town Center District. The proposed concept shows a full service library facility in the district and Council may be amenable to providing additional facilities if it is financially feasible. The Board was advised that Council would ask for their input if a new facility were considered. 3) If a new library is built, would like to see space for a local history museum, perhaps run by volunteers from a historical society, included in the library plans - The Board was advised the Council would be amenable to seeing that plans reflected some type of museum. In addition to the museum, consideration needs to be given to some type of area for poetry, reading, book discussions, etc. It was felt that this was something that should be worked towards. 4) If the Town Center concept is adopted, would the Council vote to build a new City Hall in the development - The Mayor advised that there were no plans at this time to relocate the City Hall. The City Manager advised that they were looking at all alternatives. 5) What services does the Council find useful in using the Library, and what are seen as areas that need improvement. - The Mayor questioned the Board on their view of the Internet Policy. The Board advised that they felt the Library should be a place that is open and available without many restrictions. They discussed that access to the Internet was within Staffs view and that they felt that the parents needed to take responsibility for their children in the library and their use of the Internet. The Board felt they were being proactive by providing Internet sites and that they actively provide good sources to utilize on the Internet. There was discussion regarding whether areas of the Internet should be restricted. The Board felt that if you began City Council Work Session Minutes December 15, 1998 Page 5 restricting keywords you would be restricting adults from areas of information that could be beneficial and informative, i.e. health/medical issues. The Library Director discussed the provision of the Constitution that does not allow restrictions to be placed on adults if the materials are legal for adults to access. He advised that if access is provided to adults then you are to provide all materials that adults can legally access. There was general discussion by the Council of their concerns with the Internet. The Library Director advised he felt they had a good policy and that they have not had any problems. If problems start to occur, the policy will be reviewed. 6) Y2K issues and how will they be communicated to NRH citizens - The Board was advised that the City's intent is to advise the citizens about Y2K concerns. The City itself is doing a newsletter and will continue to do updates to keep the citizens informed. The City government is contacting its vendors to find out what they are doing to take care of city government problems. 7) Are sister cities in the planning for NRH and do we currently participate with any sister cities - The Mayor advised that Council's third goal addresses sister cities and the Council is moving in that direction. The City Council reviewed the Library goals and plan of service. In regards to Goal Number 2 addressing sufficient knowledge of technical staff, it was discussed that the Staff and City Manager will work on this objective and bring a recommendation to the Council. Other items discussed relevant to the Library goals were: 1) the need to provide workshops, classes, etc. to meet the needs of the community and to extend services to small business as well as to the residents, and to continue the support of TCJC for our senior citizens; and 2) to encourage additional improvements to the interior and exterior lighting of the library. The Library Director advised that interior lighting improvements had been budgeted but exterior lighting needed to be addressed. Mayor Pro Tem Phifer questioned if there was an area that the City needed to look at to make the Library unique. The Library Director advised that the Library is becoming known for its SCORE program and through this program they are sharing its expertise and collection resources with small businesses. Mayor Scoma adjourned the meeting at 8:32 ATTEST: (¿áút&d~ Patricia Hutson - City Secretary