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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1985-02-11 Minutes Present: ITEM " (, COUNCILWOMAN VIRGINIA MOODY'S RESIGNATION FROM CONET DISCUSSION OF FIRE TRUCK PURCHASE OTHER ITEMS NOTES ON PRE-COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY II, 1985 Dan Echols Richard Davis Dick Fisher Jim Ramsey Marie Hinkle Jim Kenna Virginia Moody Rodger Line Dennis Horvath Rex McEntire Gene Riddle Lee Maness Richard Royston Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilman Councilman Councilwoman Councilman Councilwoman City Manager Assistant City Manager City Attorney Public Works/Utility Director Finance Director Planning & Development Director Absent: Harold Newman Councilman DISCUSSION Councilwoman Virginia Moody explained to the Council that due to her efforts in coordinating the activities during Jubilee 33. her work and her courses at TCJC, she is unable to continue with CONET. A discussion followed concerning the necessity of our continued support of CONET. Staff was directed to obtain copies of the minutes of the CONET meetings held thus far. Council agreed to give the City Manager authority to take the second bid. Rex McEntire advised that this should not be done for seven days as a letter will be posted to American La France February 6, 1985 and we should allow them the seven days to reply. Council adjourned to executive session. ASSIGNMENT Dennis - Send minutes to Council. John Whitney Follow-up MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, HELD IN THE CITY HALL - 7301 NORTHEAST LOOP 820 - FEBRUARY II, 1985 - 7:30 P.M. 1. Mayor Echols called the meeting to order February II, 1985, at 7:30 p.m. 2. Present: Dan Echols Richard Davis Dick Fisher Marie Hinkle Jim Kenna Virginia Moody Jim Ramsey Staff : Rodger N. Line Dennis Horvath Jeanette Rewis Gene Riddle Rex McEntire Lee Maness Richard Royston Richard Albin Mayor Mayor Pro Tern Councilman Councilwoman Councilman Councilwoman Councilman City Manager Assistant City Manager City Secretary Public Works Director Attorney Finance Director Director of Planning City Engineer Boards & Commissions: Marjorie Nash Planning and Zoning Commission J. Douglas Davis Park and Recreation Board Press: Duward Bean Mark England Chris Williams Mr. Carter Absent: Harold Newman Northeast Chronicle Mid Cities Daily News Star Telegram Star Telegram Councilman 3. The invocation was given by Councilwoman Hinkle. 4. Councilman Ramsey moved, seconded by Councilwoman Moody, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 28, 1985. Motion carried 4-0. Councilwoman Hinkle and Mayor Pro Tem Davis abstaining due to absence. 5. Mayor Echols removed item #19 from the Consent Agenda. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL INVOCATION CONS IDERATION OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 28, 1985 APPROVED REMOVAL OF ITEMS(S) FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA 6. Councilman Kenna moved, seconded by Councilwoman Hinkle, to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion carried 6-0. 7. Mayor Echols opened the public hearing and called for anyone wishing to speak in favor of this request to please come forward. Mr. Bud Austin, 805 Grapevine Highway, appeared before the Council. Mr. Austin stated they felt R-2 zoning was the best use of the land. Mr. Austin stated they had changed the radius of Bursey Road from 500 to 700 foot radius. Mayor Echols called for anyone wishing to speak in opposition to the request to please come forward. Mr. Bill Mabry, 7524 Bursey Road, appeared before the Council. Mr. Mabry stated that he lived south of the property in question. Mr. Mabry stated that in his opinion the property would be ideal for a first class addition. Mr. Mabry stated he felt the lots were too small and there was already enough R-2 and R-3 in the area. Mr. Mabry stated he would like to see it zoned R-l. Mr. Mabry stated that the smaller houses were not needed. Mr. Dale Edding, 8009 Valley Drive, appeared before the Council. Mr. Edding stated he had lived in the area 12~ years and had selected the area for his family to grow in. Mr. Edding stated that R-l zoning would attract more people to the area. There being no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Echols closed the public hearing. 8. Mayor Pro Tem Davis asked Mr. Austin if he would be in favor of keeping the R-2 lot size and building 1,800 square foot houses. Mr. Austin stated he would not object to 1,800 square foot houses however he would like to keep the R-2 zoning. Mayor Pro Tern Davis moved, seconded by Councilman Kenna, to approve PZ 85-1B, Ordinance No. 1178, with the stipulation of a minimum of 1,800 square foot houses. Councilman Ramsey stated that he felt the Council was getting away from the Zoning Ordinance by stipulating the size of the houses and he thought that was what the Zoning Ordinance was for. February 11, 1985 Page 2 CONSENT AGENDA ITEM (S) INDICATED BY ASTERISK (13, 14, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23 & 24) APPROVED PZ 85-1 PLANNING & ZONING - PUBLIC HEARING - REQUEST OF R.G.A. DEVELOPMENT CORP. TO REZONE A PORTION OF TRACT 2, ALEXANDER HOOD SURVEY, ABSTRACT 683, FROM AG (AGRICULTURE DISTRICT) TO R-2 (SINGLE FAMILY DISTRICT). (LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF BURSEY ROAD AT KELLER-SMITHFIELD ROAD) ORDINANCE NO. 1178 APPROVED Mayor Pro Tem Davis stated he was not trying to make the zoning request lesser, but increasing it for a more compatible buffer. Councilman Ramsey stated that he could foresee a problem with this kind of density and the race track still being in existence. Councilman Ramsey stated he could see the City getting into a situation like lots of communities have, like who was there first. Councilman Ramsey stated he did not understand Bursey Road coming down into a cul-de-sac. Mayor Pro Tem Davis stated that according to the Planning and Zoning minutes Bursey Road was a main concern of the Staff and Planning and Zoning Commission. Councilman Ramsey stated he saw it as a piecemill effect. Councilman Ramsey stated he saw it as getting the zoning up front and then the City was committed to a plan that he was not ready to commit to. Councilman Kenna called for the question. Motion carried 4-3; Mayor Pro Tem Davis and Councilwomen Hinkle and Moody voting for; Councilmen Ramsey, Fisher and Kenna voting against; Mayor Echols voting for to break the tie. 9. Mayor Echols opened the public hearing and called for anyone wishing to speak in favor of the request to please come forward. Mr. Scott Steward, 3921 Vance Road, appeared before the Council. Mr. Scott stated he wanted to build single family R-2 homes and was present to answer any questions the Council might have. Mayor Echols called for anyone wishing to speak in opposition to the request to please come forward. There being no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Echols closed the public hearing. 10. Councilman Kenna moved, seconded by Councilman Fisher, to approve PZ 85-3B, Ordinance No. 1179. Motion carried 6-0. February 11, 1985 Page 3 PZ 85-3 PLANNING & ZONING - PUBLIC HEARING - REQUEST OF MARCUS H. ROBERSON TO REZONE TRACT 4B, DAVID MOSES SURVEY, ABSTRACT 1150, FROM AG (AGRICULTURE DISTRICT) TO R-2 (SINGLE FAMILY DISTRICT) (LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF EDEN ROAD & BOUNDED ON THE SOUTH BY THE ST. LOUIS AND SOUTHWESTERN RAILROAD) ORDINANCE NO. 1179 APPROVED 11. Mayor Echols opened the public hearing and called for anyone wishing to speak in favor of the request to please come forward. Mr. Charles Beane, North Richland Hills, appeared before the Council. Mr. Beane stated he would like to have the property zoned for single family homes. Councilman Kenna asked if the property would consist of three lots. Mr. Beane replied yes. Mayor Echols asked Mr. Beane if he was willing to grant right- of-way for Smithfield Road. Mr. Beane stated yes. Mayor Echols called for anyone wishing to speak in opposition to the request to please come forward. There being no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Echols closed the public hearing. 12. Mayor Pro Tem Davis moved, seconded by Councilwoman Hinkle, to approve PZ 85-4B, Ordinance No. 1180. Motion carried 6-0. *13. *14. 15. Mayor Echols presented the following information: "Venture Outdoor Advertising has submitted an application for the erection of a billboard sign on the north side of Airport Freeway on Lot 1, Block 5, Richland Oaks Addition. The tract currently contains a vacant restaurant. The address of the property is 8701 Airport Freeway. The staff has verified that the proposed location meets or exceeds all the criteria for locating billboards as contained in the Sign Ordinance". February 11, 1985 Page 4 PZ 85-4 PLANNING & ZONING - PUBLIC HEARING - REQUEST OF BEANE & ASSOCIATES TO REZONE TRACT 2, WILLIAM COX SURVEY, ABSTRACT 321, FROM AG (AGRICULTURE DISTRICT) TO R-2 (SINGLE FAMILY DISTRICT). (LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF SMITHFIELD ROAD AND APPROXIMATELY 118 FEET NORTH OF THE PROPOSED HIGHTOWER) ORDINANCE NO. 1180 APPROVED PS 85-2 REQUEST OF RAYMOND & AMELIA PAYNE FOR REPLAT OF LOTS 2Rl, 2R2, 2A-Rl & 2A-R2, BLOCK 3, WOODBERT ADDITION. APPROVED PS 85-3 REQUEST OF BOB ROARK FOR SHORT FORM PLAT OF LOT 3, BLOCK 2, HENRY ADDITION. APPROVED SO 85-3 BILLBOARD SIGN APPLICATION, LOT 1, BLOCK 5, RICHLAND OAKS ADDITION Mayor Pro Tem Davis moved, seconded by Councilwoman Moody, to deny the request for a billboard permit. Councilman Ramsey asked the reason for denial if the billboard application met all the criteria. Mayor Pro Tem Davis stated that even though it met the criteria, just to the west there was a large sign for Texian-Inn, up on the hill the bank had a big sign and he felt the freeways and highways were getting cluttered enough. Mayor Pro Tem Davis stated he had found out that in the last few months some of the neighboring cities had taken some action on ordinances on billboard, etc. Mayor Pro Tern Davis stated that it seemed every time a billboard permit was granted the City regretted it later on. Councilman Kenna stated he was also getting a little tired of seeing the billboards, but felt the only recourse was to change the Sign Ordinance. Councilman Kenna stated he could see no legal grounds for denial. Mayor Pro Tem Davis stated the Council did have discretion- ary powers, if they felt it was not in the best interest of the City. Councilwoman Moody stated she agreed with Mayor Pro Tem Davis that the area was getting highly congested. Councilman Ramsey stated that Mayor Pro Tem Davis and Councilwoman Moody's points were well taken, but did not think they were persuasive. Councilman Ramsey stated that just because he was voting for a billboard did not mean he was for all billboards. He stated there was an ordinance and if the staff told him it met the requirements, then so be it. Councilman Fisher stated he was not in favor of billboards all up and down Loop 820 but this one was in compliance with the ordinance. Motion to deny failed by a vote of 2-4; Councilwoman Moody and Mayor Pro Tern Davis voting for; Councilmen Kenna, Ramsey, Fisher and Councilwoman Hinkle voting against. Councilman Kenna moved, seconded by Councilman Ramsey, to approve the billboard permit. Motion carried 5-1; Councilmen Fisher, Ramsey, Kenna and Councilwomen Hinkle and Moody voting for; Mayor Pro Tern Davis voting against. 16. Mayor Echols presented the following information: February 11, 1985 Page 5 GN 85-9 DESIGNATION OF OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER "Councilwoman Virginia Moody has requested that the City change official newspapers from the Mid-Cities Daily News to the Star Telegram. Attached is the most recent price quotes from each newspaper. Based on 1983-84 data, our legal advertising bill to the Mid-Cities Daily News was $3,941.31. During the same period of time our Star Telegram bill would have been approximately $30,000." Councilwoman Moody stated that she was negotiating as late as Friday night and would like to apologize to the Council for not having all of the information needed. Councilwoman Moody moved to postpone action on this item. Motion died for the lack of a second. Councilwoman Moody presented the following information. "I have talked with most of you over the week-end and apologized for not having my material ready for your packets. I believe we all share a concern for keeping the channels of communication open between City Hall and the citizens of NRH, and with this thought in mind I would appreciate your consideration of the following facts: Our 1983/84 records reflect that we spent $3,941.31 for legal notices in the Mid-Cities Daily News, or 1,313.77 column inches at $3.00 per column inch. This same 1,313.77 column inches if published in the Star Telegram would have cost us $9,196.36 or $5,255.05 more at their rates of $7.00 per column inch. Circulation of Mid-Cities - 1,200 or 3% of population; Star Telegram - 14,000 or 40% of population. I will be asking for a postponement tonight so that we might have sufficient time to explore any and all avenues available to us and in the hope this can be a joint effort on the part of the Council. Did not get a chance to check Dallas papers that service our area." Mr. Al Mann, 813 Vale, Euless, Representative of the Mid- Cities Daily News, appeared before the Council. Mr. Mann stated the reason he had asked to speak was because he realized there had been a problem with circulation in the City. Mr. Mann stated he would like to bring forth some data that was being done to correct the circulation problems. Mr. Mann stated that in December of 1984 Mid-Cities had received 124 complaints in the North Richland Hills area, which was 7% and since that time in changing circulation and District Managers it had been reduced to 52 in January, this month it was running 1%. Mr. Mann stated that at the last check most of the problems they had been having had been taken care of. February 11, 1985 Page 6 Mr. Mann stated the daily circulation figures for North Richland Hills was 1,400 and 2,400 on Wednesday. Mr. Mann stated they did ask that North Richland Hills maintain Mid-Cities Daily News as their legal paper. Mayor Pro Tem Davis stated that the numbers that were offered were not offered to the Council. Mayor Pro Tem Davis stated the Council did not authorize to seek bids. Mayor Pro Tern Davis stated that he received the Mid-Cities and felt they did cover North Richland Hills activities satisfactorily. Mayor Pro Tern Davis stated he wanted to maintain the Mid-Cities as the City's official newspaper. Councilwoman Moody stated this was not a campaign against the Mid-Cities. Councilwoman Moody stated her major concern was that the citizens be informed. Councilwoman Moody stated that when the City published information on the proposed Master Plan so few of the citizens received the Mid-Cities and the majority of the citizens were not aware of it until it was too late. Councilwoman Hinkle stated her concern was the cost difference and felt the City should maintain the Mid-Cities Daily News as the official newspaper. Councilman Kenna stated he felt the Mid-Cities had given the City good coverage and would prefer to keep them as the official newspaper. Councilman Ramsey stated he felt that what Councilwoman Moody was trying to bring to attention was that there must be a way to reach everyone in the community. Councilman Ramsey stated that frankly he felt that the Star Telegram or the Mid-Cities miss that. Councilman Ramsey stated he did not feel they were reporting what was going on in the community very objectively, writers kind of took their own viewpoint on how they see it. Councilman Ramsey stated he felt Councilwoman Moody ha a valid point on wanting to reach out through some sort of media, but he did not see that on the horizon for the Mid-Cities or the Star Telegram. Councilman Ramsey stated he was not willing to vote to pay an additional increase knowing what it was going to buy. Councilman Fisher stated he did support Councilwoman Moody in the data reaching the citizens, but he often wondered how many people read the legal advertising ads. Councilman Fisher stated he was in favor of staying with Mid-Cities. Mayor Pro Tem Davis moved, seconded by Councilman Ramsey, to leave the Mid-Cities as the City's official newspaper. Motion carried 5-1; Councilmen Kenna, Ramsey, Fisher, Mayor Pro Tem Davis and Councilwoman Hinkle voting for; Councilwoman Moody voting against. February 11, 1985 Page 7 *17. *18. *20. *21. *22. *23. 19. Mayor Echols advised the Council that Councilwoman Moody had requested that she be replaced as a voting member for CONET and requested the Council appoint a new voting member. Mayor Echols advised that Mr. Dennis Horvath was the alternate member to vote in Councilwoman Moody's absence. Mayor Pro Tem Davis moved, seconded by Councilman Kenna, to postpone the appointment with the understanding that Mr. Horvath would furnish the Council with minutes of the past meetings of CONET. Motion carried 5-1; Councilmen Kenna, Fisher and Mayor Pro Tern Davis and Councilwomen Hinkle and Moody voting for; Councilman Ramsey voting against. February 11, 1985 Page 8 GN 85-10 PARK HOURS OF OPERATION, ORDINANCE NO. 1181 APPROVED GN 85-11 APPOINTMENT TO CABLE TV BOARD APPROVED GN 85-12 APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE TO CONET RESOLUTION NO. 85-5 POSTPONED PU 85-1 LAND ACQUISITION FOR FIRE STATION #1 (POSTPONED FROM JANUARY 28, 1985) APPROVED PU 85-7 PURCHASE OF 1500 GALLON PUMPER APPROVED PW 85-5 BIDS FOR THE MORGAN MEADOWS EAST DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS APPROVED PW 85-6 APPROVAL OF ARCHITECTURAL CONTRACT WITH ALBERT S. KOMATSU & ASSOCIATES FOR MUNICIPAL FACILITIES APPROVED *24. 25. Mr. O.K. Carter with the Star Telegram, appeared before the Council. Mr. Carter introduced the new reporter for North Richland Hills, Mr. Chris Williams. Mr. Carter stated the Star Telegram had planned some changes in the coverage of North Richland Hills and thought there might be questions from the Council and he was here to answer any questions. Councilwoman Hinkle asked what type of changes were going to be made. Mr. Carter stated the Star Telegram circulation had been growing so rapidly in the area and the neighborhood extra was circulated to about 250,000 people and they felt they were going to have to redefine what the neighborhood was. Mr. Carter stated they planned to break the neighborhood into two parts, both of which would come out twice weekly. Mr. Carter stated this would take place in early March. Mayor Echols asked if it would be divided by zip codes. Mr. Carter stated they would not divide any city, this particular area had school districts and chambers that were compatible to it, but there were some zip codes that were split. Mr. Carter stated there would be no city that got the neighborhood and another part not. Councilwoman Hinkle asked if the only section North Richland Hills would get would be the Haltom/Richland area. Mr. Carter stated that they estimated that about 70% of the advertisers would be both Haltom/Richland and Hurst/Bedford. Mr. Carter stated there would be no change in the coverage of the city governments and school districts. Councilman Ramsey stated that Haltom/Richland and Hurst/ Bedford was one big area and people had been working and striving to pull it together and now the Star Telegram was coming in to try and split it apart. Councilman Ramsey stated they did not print enough about North Richland Hills now and they never showed up at the Council meetings. Mr. Carter stated it was difficult to have a neighborhood with 100,000 subscribers. February 11, 1985 Page 9 PW 85-7 SETTING DATES FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS ON ASSESSMENTS FOR CHAPMAN ROAD AND HEWITT DRIVE PAVING AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS APPROVED CITIZEN PRESENTATIONS February 11, 1985 Page 10 Councilwoman Moody stated she felt that lately the Star Telegram had given excellent coverage of North Richland Hills and she for one appreciated it. Councilwoman Moody stated that one concern over the split up was the City had worked so hard to acquire an identity and are a very important part of the mid cities area. Councilwoman Moody stated she felt it would create a lot of problems to split it up. Mayor Echols thanked Mr. Carter for taking the time to discuss this with the Council. 26. Councilman Kenna moved, seconded by Councilman Ramsey, to adjourn the meeting of February 11, 1985. ADJOURNMENT Motion carried 6-0. ," /tßv;{ Mayor 'Î _,^,,,_ Ii , L¿I l~ Aj /' VI;,",' \,,,,AP? ATTEST: Çh~~~ C Y Secretary