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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2001-09-17 Minutes MINUTES OF THE NORTH RICHLAND HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION HELD IN THE NORTH RICHLAND HILLS CITY HALL, PRE COUNCIL ROOM, 7301 NORTHEAST LOOP 820 - SEPTEMBER 17, 2001 - 6:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Scoma called the work session to order on September 17, 2001 at 6:12 p.m. Present: Charles Scoma Russell Mitchell Lyle E. Welch Frank Metts, Jr. David Whitson Joe Tolbert T. Oscar Trevino, Jr. Staff: Larry J. Cunningham Randy Shiflet Steve Norwood Patricia Hutson John Pitstick Mike Curtis Mike Walker Cathy Horton Dave Green Jim Browne Bill Thornton Jenny Kratz Paulette Hartman Absent: JoAnn Johnson ROLL CALL Mayor Mayor Pro Tern Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member City Manager Deputy City Manager Assistant City Manager City Secretary Director of Community Development Public Works Director Assistant Public Works Director Zoning Administrator Planner Parks Director Assistant Parks Director Communications Director Assistant to City Manager Council Member 2. DISCUSSION OF CITY IMAGE STUDY And 3. CONSENSUS AND DIRECTION OF CITY IMAGE STUDY City Council Work Session Minutes September 17,2001 Page 2 City Manager Cunninghan explained that Staff was seeking direction on 18 elements of the City Image Study. The purpose of the work session is to obtain a general consensus of the Council's priorities as well as policies and ordinances to amend or to develop based on Council input. Mr. Norwood presented the first eight elements of the City Image Study. Mr. Norwood explained what the different elements are comprised of, pointed out discussion issues, costs and concerns and suggestions from the staff. The Council discussed each of the elements and arrived at a consensus for each. · Bury Overhead Utilities Where Possible - Discussion issues for Council consideration included: 1) study only addresses arterials - it is not city wide; 2) will require a great amount of coordination with utility companies and possibly a review of their franchise agreements; 3) question of whether to look at intersections only; 4) Reconstruction projects - consider opportunities to weave into reconstruction projects; 5) issue of how to handle retrofitting of projects; and 6) will be costly to implement. Suggestions: 1) Amend subdivision regulations affecting new construction requiring placement of underground or overhead utilities on the back property lines; 2) If utility lines cannot be placed underground require overhead utilities to be placed on back property lines; 3) Evaluate some of the upcoming projects listed in bond program over next five to seven years and look at the feasibility of placing utilities below ground in some of those projects; 4) Place utilities underground when retrofitting new and upgraded signalized intersections; and 4) pursue opportunities with TxDOT on call for projects. The consensus was that as the City moves forward on projects the Council would like to see as many of the overhead utilities incorporated into a plan to place them underground where the costs can be identified as a separate cost factor so that Council can make individual decisions on each project. The Subdivision Regulations need to be reviewed and cleaned up to require underground utilities where feasible. · Replacing Asphalt Streets with Concrete - This would also apply to commercial parking lots. It would not apply to existing commercial developments. Discussion points included: 1) current standards allow asphalt streets and commercial parking lots; 2) increase in cost, but there would be less maintenance; 3) does not apply to existing developments. Suggestions from staff: Amend subdivision regulations to require the use of concrete only. City Council Work Session Minutes September 17, 2001 Page 3 Consensus of Council was to proceed with amending the subdivision regulations to discontinue the use of asphalt throughout the city and require concrete. · Medians and Micro-Medians Discussion points: 1) Study emphasizes arterials; 2) Additional right of way costs may be an issue; 3) Expensive option to retrofit projects; 4) Reconstruction projects - reconstruction projects can incorporate some of these features; 4) Potential business concern where they have unlimited opportunities for access; 5) Design and construction standards on micro-medians - type of material; need a uniform look. Suggestions from staff included 1) develop a plan along Rufe Snow and coordinate with Watauga for a uniform look; 2) examine possible streets in upcoming bond program; 3) incorporate design standards with SH 26; and 4) amend Thoroughfare Plan - plan addresses medians but not micro-medians. The consensus of the Council was that medians should be designed into new roads that can accommodate them - i.e., Davis Blvd, Hwy 26, possibly Glenview. The landscaping should be bid at the same time so the Council can look at the total costs. Council felt that medians beautify city and were a safety factor - help to control the crossovers. Council felt medians and micro-medians should be included in the planning of any new streets or any retrofits. Individual projects should be designed and brought to Council on what fits best- median or micro-median. Several members of the Council were in favor of some type of enhancement in the center of micro-medians. · Improved Parking Lot Screening Discussion points: Suggested modifications to existing landscape ordinance: 1) Require landscape and irrigation plans to be submitted with the site plan for review by DRC; 2) Increase landscape buffer from 15' to 20' - additional 5 feet would allow for the construction of berms; 3) remove the "shrub only" option for parking lot screening and promote the use of berms; and 4) create detailed landscape guidelines for redeveloping businesses. Suggestions from staff included: Amend landscape ordinance with regard to parking lot screening to better achieve the original intent of the ordinance. The Council agreed with the recommendations presented by Staff. Council further agreed that it should apply to new construction only and they did not want to cause a hardship on existing businesses. · Uniform Traffic Signals & Name Signs City Councif Work Session Minutes September 17,2001 Page 4 Discussion points: 1) Retrofit projects - how do you handle; 2) new construction projects - opportunity to address as we are doing new construction; 3) interim opportunities - paint; and 4) product specifications and style. Suggestions from staff included: 1) Develop specific traffic signal standards; 2) coordinate with Watauga and TxDOT on Rufe Snow; 3) Develop a retrofit traffic signal plan for Council approval; and 4) incorporate a traffic signal plan with upcoming bond and TxDOT projects. The consensus of Council was to move forward on developing standards for new construction and putting new standards into effect as soon as possible so they can be incorporated into the North Tarrant Parkway project. The Council also was in favor of developing a plan to retrofit existing signals as money becomes available and a plan for new designs of roads that are to be retrofitted.. · Create a Loop 820 Task Force Discussion points: !) minimize divisive nature of 820; 2) coordinate with TxDOT: and 3) input regarding construction materials, colors, bridge and wall design. Suggestions from staff included: 1) Create a task force committee to work with TxDOT; 2) include representatives from adjacent cities. The consensus of the Council was that since staff had already started creating a task force and was working with TxDOT, they should continue to move forward. · Locate Sidewalks Adjacent to the Curb Discussion points: 1) creates a wider parkway; 2) perceived safety issue - walking on adjacent to curb vs. sidewalk 5 feet off of right of way; 3) works in concert with the landscaping setback (additional 5') and the street theme to have attractively landscaped thoroughfares; 4) slight increase in cost due to sidewalk width. Suggestions from staff included: 1) Amend design criteria to require a 6' sidewalk adjacent to arterials, and a 5' sidewalk adjacent to collectors. The Council was concerned with the safety issue on major arterials. They liked the concept of sidewalks next to the curb, but preferred wider sidewalks. Council also felt that any road with a high speed limit should not have sidewalks. Council expressed the desire for a risk manager or safety consultant to evaluate the safety factors. Staff will study and bring back more detail addressing schools, safety issues, sidewalk width, ADA, etc. City Council Work Session Minutes September 17,2001 Page 5 · Replace Privacy Fencing with Masonry Discussion points: 1) Private property issues; 2) maintenance responsibilities; 3) retrofit projects; 4) street reconstruction projects; and 5) color and style issues. Suggestions from staff: Consider amending subdivision ordinance on new development adjacent to arterials and collectors to require masonry fence as well as homeowner association requirements. The consensus of the Council was to proceed with modifying ordinance to require homeowners association to take responsibility for fences. Existing fences would not be required to be renovated, but if a fence were replaced only one common fence would be allowed between properties. A wood fence would not be allowed to be erected next to a masonry fence. RECESS & BACK TO ORDER Mayor recessed the meeting at 7:47 p.m. and called the meeting back to order at 7:54 p.m. with the same members present as recorded. Mr. Greg Vick presented the remaining ten elements. · Consolidation of Traffic Signs Discussion points: 1) TxDOT manual on uniform traffic code; 2) addition of review process by staff on signs integral to development. Suggestions from staff: 1) Require more detail sign placement submittals; and 2) manage sign proliferation The Council agreed to staff's suggestions - Council would like to see a plan for replacing existing signs. · Uniform Street Lights Discussion points: 1) Major thoroughfares or citywide; 2) color and style; 3) retrofit issues: reconstruction, intersection improvements; bond program; and 4) maintenance issues. Suggestions from staff included: 1) Develop specific street light standards and product specifications; 2) coordinate with Watauga and TxDOT for Rufe Snow; 3) coordinate with other neighboring cities; 4) develop retrofit street light plan for City Council City Council Work Session Minutes September 17,2001 Page 6 approval and 4) incorporate street light plan into upcoming bond projects and TxDOT projects. The Council agreed to set standards for uniform street lights. On major thoroughfares incorporate where possible into the construction cost for the project when it is not a retrofit kind of situation. Retrofitting will require a financing plan. Council was not in favor of fitting it in as a bond issue. Council would like for staff to develop an annual plan for retrofitting certain areas of the city. Where applicable Council would like for staff to bring back a plan that would help to renovate an area of the City. · Bridge Enhancements Discussion points: 1) Minimal new bridge construction; 2) primarily retrofit issues; 3) removing oversized railing, capping walls and abutments and adding decorate rails to match entry portals; 4) maintenance issues. Suggestions from staff: 1) Develop specific policy and installation plan for retrofit of projects; 2) incorporate into bond projects; 3) develop standards modeled after entryway portals. The Council was agreeable to developing specs in the event a bridge was repaired/replaced. The Council was not in favor of spending funds to retrofit existing bridges. · Modify Earthen Channels - Implement Terraced Drainage Ways / Pilot Channels Discussion points: 1) US Army Corps of Engineers requirements; 2) possible need for additional easement width; 3) maintenance issues; 4) limited retrofit opportunities; 5) improves and enhances property. Suggestions from staff: Amend design manual and subdivision regulations to require terraced or similar style approach. The consensus of the Council was to develop specifications and apply to new developments requiring major drainage channels. · Redesigned Traffic Signs Discussion points: 1) Color and style - coordinate with street lights and traffic signals; 2) planned only on arterials and collectors; 3) consider maintenance issues in terms of production specs; 4) coordinate with TxDOT. City Council Work Session Minutes September 17, 2001 Page 7 Suggestions from staff: 1) Develop a plan to retrofit on arterials and collectors; 2) incorporate into bond program; 3) develop policy to require developer to install on streets intersecting with arterials and collectors. The consensus of Council was for staff to proceed with coming up with style, color and plan so that Council can determine financing. · Additional City entryway signs Discussion points: 1) Easements; 2) Coordinate with TxDOT; 3) remaining locations. Suggestions from staff: Develop specific timeline for the remaining signs. The consensus of the Council was to move forward with the remaining signs. · Substitution of Chain Link Fence along Drainage Ways Discussion points: 1) Liability and safety perceptions; 2) Color and style; 3) Upgrade where visible from roadway. Suggestions from staff: Develop a retrofit plan on high visibility areas. The Council questioned the need for fencing along drainage ways. The Council directed staff to study further. · Street Tree Theme Discussion points: 1) Plan would only be for arterials and collectors only; 2) would limit extensive plant palette to 12 selected trees in parkway; 3) large shade trees would be in landscape buffer only and 4) compliments additional landscape buffer (5') and location of sidewalks next to curb. Suggestions from staff: 1) Develop a street tree theme plan to provide a continuity of tree types along roadways; and 2) Modify landscape ordinance to require only large shade trees in landscape buffer to be supplemented by ornamental trees. The consensus of the Council was to proceed with a plan. · Strengthen Public Art Program Discussion points: 1) Currently have a limited public art funding program; 2) Limited to public property; and 3) Council has committed to public art - this enhances the policy. City Council Work Session Minutes September 17,2001 Page 8 Suggestions from staff: 1) adopt an ordinance allocating 1 % to 2% of all public capital projects; 2) Review public art ordinance in early 2002. The Council was in favor of strengthening the public art program but had concerns with the funding. Council would like for to study further and bring back a proposal. · Special Intersection Pavement Discussion points: 1) Color and style - multiple options; 2) Other infrastructure considerations; 3) Maintenance issues; 4) Location and extent of use; and 4) retrofit complexities. Suggestions from staff: 1) Develop a plan for intersection improvements; 2) Install full design at North Tarrant Parkway and Davis; 3) Incorporate approved plan into bond projects and TxDOT projects. The Council had concerns with safety and maintenance issues. The consensus of the Council was to hold for a future time. 4. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Scoma adjourned the work session at 8:58 p.m. and announced that the Council would adjourn to Executive Session in accordance with Government Code §551.072 for deliberation regarding real property for Parks and Public Works. The Executive Session adjourned at 9: 16 p.m. 5. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Scoma adjourned the meeting at 9:16 p.m. (l ~"./~~~~""/""".;. ;' , n ., ~..: . ..: ":."-,; "~lTE¥: ..) ~4át~...~ Patrièrqti'dtson - City Secretary f' Charles Scoma - May r i..