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Home My WebLink AboutCC 2002-09-12 Minutes MINUTES OF THE GOAL SETTING WORK SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, HELD AT GARRETT CREEK CONFERENCE CENTER, 270 PRIVATE ROAD 3745, PARADISE, TEXAS, SEPTEMBER 12-13, 2002 Council Present: Oscar Trevino Frank Metts, Jr. Scott Turnage JoAnn Johnson David Whitson Joe Tolbert Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Council, Place 2 Council, Place 4 Council, Place 5 Council, Place 6 Staff Present: Larry J. Cunningham Steve Norwood Greg Vick Karen Bostic Paulette Hartman Patricia Hutson City Manager Assistant City Manager Assistant City Manager Managing Director Administrative/Fiscal Services Assistant to City Manager City Secretary Absent: Lyle E. Welch Council, Place 1 The City Council met September 12 beginning at 1:05 p.m. and concluded on September 13,2002 for the purpose of reviewing and setting goals and priorities for 2002-03. Mr. Lyle Sumek, Lyle Sumek and Associates, Inc. was the facilitator for the work session. Mayor Trevino called the work session to order on September 12 at 1 :05 p.m. with Council and Management staff present as recorded. Mr. Sumek gave an overview of the agenda and discussed the outcomes and objectives of the work session. Council was asked to identify for the past year Mayor/Council successes, expectations of citizens and what job satisfaction means to them individually as council members. Council then discussed their successes, expectations and job satisfactions. Mayor Trevino recessed the work session at 3:00 p.m. Mayor Trevino called the work session back to order at 3:10 p.m. with Council, Management Staff and the following Directors present: Debbie Durko John Pitstick Pam Burney Thomas Powell Larry Koonce Court Administrator Director of Development Director of Environmental Services Director of Support Services Director of Finance Council Work Session Minutes September 12-13,2002 Page 2 Andy Jones Patrick Hillis Terry Kinzie Steve Brown Jim Browne Tom Shockley Mike Curtis Jenny Mabry Fire Chief Director of Human Resources Director of Information Services Library Director Parks & Recreation Director Police Chief Director of Public Works Director of Public Information Mr. Sumek discussed the impact of September 11th, the uncertain economic future and other forces contributing to the instability. Mr. Sumek pointed out lessons that can be learned from other leaders who led in unstable times. Characteristics of effective leaders and inspirational thoughts were discussed along with key elements that lead to good leadership and goal setting. Each of the Directors identified for Council departmental successes for the past year that Council might not have been aware of. The work session recessed at 6:05 p.m. and was called back to order at 7:00 p.m. The group identified and discussed what makes North Richland Hills a special place to live, successes for 2012, major challenges foreseen and the Council identified items on their agenda for 2002-2003. The work session recessed for the evening at approximately 8:45 p.m. and was called back to order on September 13 at 8:00 a.m. All Council members, Management Staff and Directors present except for Councilman Tolbert. Councilman Tolbert present at 9:20 a.m. There was discussion on targets for action for 2002-03 and challenges to consider. The group discussed and prioritized principles they felt should guide policies and decisions as they look to the future. The following principles/values that will guide policies and decisions received precedence: 1) Best community for families to live 2) Top quality, leisure, recreational and library amenities 3) Ease of mobility 4) Strong, healthy viable neighborhoods 5) Financially sound sustainable city government 6) Attractive streetscapes, gateways & neighborhoods 7) Preservation of our history and heritage 8) People feeling safe, secure and comfortable 9) Balanced community portfolio (residential, industrial/office, retail) 10) Strong diverse economy 11) Well planned and maintained streets & highways 12) Rail connection to Metroplex 13) Big city amenities with small community feeling 14) Healthy living environment Council Work Session Minutes September 12-13, 2002 Page 3 15) Expanded cultural arts 16) Support for top quality public/private school systems There was some discussion on setting a new vision for the City. Council was unable to reach a consensus. Later in the work session, all agreed that the statement, City of Choice - A Community of Family Living, Business and Job Opportunities and Quality Neighborhoods, described our community. Council reviewed the goals previously set and determined that they were still valid. Objectives and challenges established last year for each of the goals were reviewed and new objectives and challenges discussed. After discussion and rating by Council, the following objectives and challenges/opportunities were established for 2002-03. Goal: Safety & Security Objectives: Safest City in Tarrant County Top Quality Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services Improved Facilities for Enhanced Services to our Community Safe Streets and Neighborhoods City Prepared for Major Homeland Emergency Situations or Potential Disasters Major Challenges and Opportunities: Competitive Public Safety/Salaries in the Marketplace Recruitment of "Top Quality" Candidates Traffic Congestion, Traffic Flow - Impact on Emergency Services Response Development Ordinances - Impact of ordinances on Safety and Emergency Services Staffing and Resources to keep up with Growth Goal: Quality Development Objectives: Stronger Local Economy and Retail Base More Streamlined Permit Process Quality City Facilities and Infrastructure Protecting the Character of NRH Through Policies, Standards, Plans Enforceable Development Standards and Ordinances Challenges & Opportunities: Developers Understanding New Standards Mapping the City (GIS Upgrading) Developers Resistance to Requirements and New Standards Common Vision and Goals - Council/Planning & Zoning Commission Sign Variations in Community & State Laws Council Work Session Minutes September 12-13,2002 Page 4 Goal: Financially Responsible City Government Objectives: Maintain Financially Sound Debt Ratio: Reasonable Debt Structure Use "Pay as You Go" Approach Financing when Possible Expanded City Revenues Hold Line on Property Tax Rate Challenges and Opportunities: Retail Base: Retention and Expansion Built-out: Impact on Property and Sales Taxes, Expenditures Competitive Salaries - General Municipal Employees Uncertain Economy North Hills Mall Bond Election Goal: Quality Redevelopment and Reinvestment Objectives: Improved Quality of Major Corridors Improved Quality of Older Neighborhoods Property Owners Taking Responsibility for Buildings, Homes, Property Improved City Infrastructure in Older Areas People/Companies Want to Invest and Reinvest in North Richland Hills Stronger Family Entertainment District Challenges and Opportunities: North Hills Mall Development: Making it Happen Code Compliance: Owners, Tenants South Grapevine Highway Area, Preservation Campaign, Redevelopment Study Tenants for Richland Business Centre Private Sector Entertainment Viability Goal: Quality of Life Amenities for the Community Objectives: Well-Maintained City Parks, Library, Trails, Recreation Centers, Senior Centers More Parks for the Neighborhoods More Family-Oriented Facilities, Programs and Services Expanded Cultural Programs and Activities (including Public Art, Concert in the Park) Improved Special Events for the Community Preservation of Our History and Heritage Challenges and Opportunities: Operations and Maintenance of New Facilities and Parks Funding Special Events More Facilities: Library, Neighborhood Parks Expanding Cultural Arts Program Council Work Session Minutes September 12-13,2002 Page 5 50th Anniversary Volunteer Program (Soliciting Volunteers / Volunteer Coordinator) Goal: Effective Transportation System Objectives: Expanded "Mass" Transportation Opportunities Improved Quality of Neighborhood Streets Upgrading Standards for Major Corridors Better Air Quality Better Traffic Flow - Improve Traffic Flow through Signalization/Synchronization Challenges and Opportunities: Business Prosperity along Rufe Snow During Construction Quality of Streets North/South Thoroughfares Air Quality Funding Operation and Maintenance for Streets and Traffic Operations The Council discussed Targets for Action for 2002-03 and ranked the targets to set the top and high priorities. The top priorities set by Council are: Development Process and Standards Review Revision of Sign Ordinance Successful Bond Election North Hills Mall Plan of Action Traffic Flow and Congestion Reduction Plan Actions with High Priorities are: Buildout Strategy and Plan Little Bear Creek Ordinance Enforcement 820 Overlay Zoning Study Public Facilities South of the Freeway Street Maintenance Program Plan and Funding Upgrade of Grapevine Highway 820 Highway Upgrade. During the discussion of Council targets for action, the following items were placed on the Management Agenda for 2002-2003. Fire Study Implementation Economic Development Strategy and Plan Compensation and Classification Study Budget and Financial Strategy - short term Fire Staffing EMS Council Work Session Minutes September 12-13,2002 Page 6 Disaster Plan and Funding Health Insurance Direction Utility Rate Study Smithfield Conservation Study South Grapevine Highway Park Development Completion 50th Celebration Rufe Snow - short term actions Image Study and Implementation The Mayor recessed the work session at 3:55 p.m. and announced the Directors were excused from the remainder of the work session. The Mayor called the work session back to order at 4:00 p.m. with City Council Members present and Management Staff. The Council discussed miscellaneous Council operations and refinements. The following items were discussed. 1) Budget Pre-Meeting. - Discussion on having a pre meeting on the budget four to six weeks prior to the regular budget work session. Consensus was to have a meeting to highlight major details/projects of the proposed budget at the end of Mayor first of June. Staff would not need to be at the meeting. Council requested that the reallocation of items from one department to another and other items of significance be brought to the Council's attention at the pre-meeting. It was also suggested that new Council members be offered a budget training session prior to the budget work sessions. 2) Evaluation Process - Discussion on the evaluation process for the Council appointed positions. Council discussed the time frame and procedure for the process. The consensus was that it should be done around October. Council Members will individually complete the evaluation form and Council will meet as a group in Executive Session and bring together. The City Secretary was directed by the Council to place the evaluation of the City Manager on the calendar each year. 3. Planning and Zoning Process - Several of the Council Members felt that the Planning/Development Department was not as efficient as it could be. After discussion, consensus was for the Council members who had issues and complaints to discuss them individually with the City Manager. 4. E-mail Protocol and Council Requests for Information - Discussion on staff responses to e-mail from a Council Member. The Council member may copy the e-mail to several staff members, but only wants to receive one response from Staff. The council member is copying individuals as a matter of information and those individuals do not need to respond. Council also discussed the protocol for requesting information. Simple requests for information can be directed to the City Manager's office. Requests that will require research are to be directed to the City Manager and any request that will require significant research will be presented to the Council for vote. Minor citizen Council Work Session Minutes September 12-13,2002 Page 7 service requests can be sent to the department head. Major citizen service requests are to be routed through the City Manager's office. Questions from the Council concerning an agenda item are to be sent to the City Manager or an Assistant. 5. Council meetings - Council was reminded to respect and be attentive to the citizens and council during meetings. 6. Vision and Values of City - Discussion on communicating the vision and values of the City to Boards and Commissions and to also communicate the vision and values to appointees being considered for placement on one of the City's Boards. Mayor Trevino adjourned the work session on September 13, 2002 at 5:30 p.m. "a\'C-'~ "..,~~~.......... ~~.. //// ~' "".' ",-/ '" ." n eo '/ ~ ,t.- .... ~ - . . ~n '::-f,L,: ~",. ~O: r :- ~~~ if ATT~.\.~.h ./"'~' 'l)'z ............ ~~ øadì¿;¿¿'~ Patricia Hutson - City Secretary APPROVED: o~~