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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1984-08-27 Minutes Present: NOTES ON PRE-COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 27, 1984 Dan Echols Richard Davis Dick Fisher Jim Ramsey Marie Hinkle Jim Kenna Virginia Moody Rodger Line Dennis Horvath Rex McEntire Gene Riddle Lee Maness Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilman Councilman Councilwoman Councilman Councilwoman City Manager Assistant City Manager City Attorney Public Works/Utility Director Finance Director Absent Harold Newman Councilman ITEM DISCUSSION DISCUSSION OF Clete McAlister, Tarrant County Planning Department, PARTICIPATION IN TARRANT was present to answer any questions the Council had COUNTY CONSORTIUM FOR COMMUNITY regarding our participation in the Tarrant County DEVELOPMENT FUNDS Consortium for the next three years. He briefly explained the rating system utilized by the Mayor's Council in allocating funds. RNL briefed the Council on the contents of the DISCUSSION OF 1984-84 OPERATING BUDGET Operating Budget. The Council decided they would also grant exemptions to 134 disabled citizens. Rex McEntire explained that the legal definition of disabled is determined by Social Security and the individual must be totally and permanently disabled. This exemption would cost approximately $7,300. It was decided that the Resolution would be amended in ASSIGNMENT Jeanette Get agreement executed and returned to Clete Lee Follow up with revising and reprinting budget, preparing tax statements etc. ITEM DISCUSSION OF OFFICIAL NEWS- PAPER DISCUSSION OF SALE OF CITY OWNED PROPERTY DISCUSSION OF CITY OWNED HOUSE ON BURSEY ROAD - SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER 8/27 Pre-Council Page 2 DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENT in open Council session to include this new exemption. Councilman Ramsey again cautioned the Council on the number and of cost of exemption in the future. Councilwoman Moody expressed some concern with the NAN Mid-Cities Daily News serving as our official newspaper. The Mid-Cities only has 1,500 subscribers in North Richland Hills. Councilwoman Moody asked that no action be taken as she just wanted to express her concern. RNL explained the situation regarding the sale of the John Whitney Please follow two wells in Colleyville. up RNL discussed the utilization on the house on Bursey Dennis, Dave, John Road for a Senior Citizens Center. The Council endorsed the project and directed the staff to proceed. 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 - AUGUST 27, 1984 - 7:30 P.M. 1. Mayor Echols called the meeting to order August 27, 1984, 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 Moore Rex McEntire Gene Riddle Richard Albin Lee Maness Press: Mark England David Doremus Karin Gregory Absent: Harold Newman 3. Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilman Councilwoman Councilman Councilwoman Councilman City Manager Assistant City Manager City Secretary City Attorney Director Public Works/Utilities City Engineer Finance Director Mid Cities Daily News Northeast Chronicle Citizens Journal Councilman The invocation was given by Councilman Kenna. 4. Councilman Fisher moved, seconded by Councilwoman Moody, to approve the minutes of the August 13, 1984 meeting. Motion carried 6-0. 5. Councilwoman Moody removed items 17 and 18. Mayor Pro Tem Davis removed item 23. 6. Councilman Kenna moved, seconded by Councilwoman Moody, to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion carried 6-0. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL INVOCATION CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 13, 1984 APPROVED CONSIDERATION OF REMOVING ITEM (S) FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEM(S) INDICATED BY ASTERISK (19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25 & 26) APPROVED 7. No one was present - will be presented later 8. Joy Funiciello, representing the United Way Volunteers of North Richland Hills, presented the City with a United Way Flag. Ms. Funiciello asked that the City display the flag on the pole in front of City Hall or in a public place. 9. Mayor Echols opened the public hearing and asked Mr. Line to present the proposed 1984-85 Revenue Sharing Budget. Mr. Line stated that the proposal for the expenditure of funds in the Revenue Sharing Budget for 1984-85, plus hold-over funds from the present year, which had not yet been spent. Mr. Line stated the total amount was $32,000, which was to be allocated for relocation of Fire Station No. 1 and purchase of a pumper truck for the Fire Department. Mayor Echols called for anyone wishing to speak in favor of the proposed Revenue Sharing Budget to please come forward. No one appeared. Mayor Echols called for anyone wishing to speak in opposition to the proposed budget to please come forward. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor Echols closed the public hearing. Mayor Pro Tem Davis moved, seconded by Councilman Ramsey, to approve the Revenue Sharing Budget for 1984-85 as proposed. Motion carried 6-0. 10. Mayor Echols opened the Public hearing and requested Mr. Line present the proposed 1984-85 Operating Budget. Mr. Line stated that in general terms the proposed budget for 1984-85 was $16,878,364 which consisted of General Fund, $7,673,867; Utility Fund $5,945,801; General Debt Service Fund $1,493,996; Utility Debt Fund $1,558,200; Park and Library Fund $50,000; Promotional Fund $156,000. Mr. Line stated that in the General Fund, which was mostly tax supported and was of most interest to the citizens, included several program improvements; establishment of a separate Department of Planning and Development to try and help accommodate the phenomenal growth that the City had been experiencing. Mr. Line stated that most of the additional money for 1984-85 would go into public safety, which would include five additional patrol officers to establish a new patrol beat, two additional clerks which would relieve patrol officers from clerical work and an additional school crossing guard for Harwood and Grapevine Highway intersection. Mr. Line stated Page 2 August 27, 1984 SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF FORMER BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBERS SPECIAL PRESENTATION TO THE CITY BY JOY FUNICIELLO REGARDING UNITED WAY PUBLIC HEARING - 1984-85 REVENUE SHARING BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS APPROVED PUBLIC HEARING - 1984-85 OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS that there would be two additional employees in the Park and Recreation Department for improved park maintenance and an additional Public Works crew for better storm drainage work, ditch cleaning and mowing. Mr. Line stated that the proposed budget for 1984-85 did contemplate a reduction of the tax rate of approximately 30% from $0.50 per $100.00 valuation to 34.5¢ per $100.00 valuation. Mayor Echols stated he felt he could speak for the entire Council in saying that Mr. Line and the Staff did an excellent job in putting the budget together. Mayor Echols called for anyone wishing to speak in favor of the proposed budget. No one appeared. Mayor Echols called for anyone wishing to speak in opposition to the proposed budget. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor Echols closed the public hearing. 11. Councilman Kenna moved, seconded by Councilwoman Hinkle, to approve Ordinance No. 1148. Motion carried 6-0. 12. Mr. Line stated that Tarrant Appraisal District did a complete reappraisal on real property in Tarrant County and the taxable values in North Richland Hills increased substantially. Mr. Line stated net taxable value for next year would be $992,047,198 plus an additional amount, the precise amount of which had not been determined because there were several pieces of property that the value assigned by Tarrant Appraisal District had been challenged. Mayor Pro Tem Davis moved, seconded by Councilman Kenna, to approve Resolution No. 84-23. Motion carried 6-0. 13. Mr. Line stated the exemption for over sixty-five had been increased from $12,730 to $15,000 plus a ten percent general homestead exemption per residence of the appraised value of the property, with a minimum of $5,000 per residence. Councilman Kenna stated he would like for the Council to add $15,000 exemption for the disabled persons in the City. August 27, 1984 Page 3 CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE ADOPTING 1984-85 OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS ORDINANCE NO. 1148 APPROVED CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION ACCEPTING TAX ROLL AS SUBMITTED BY TARRANT APPRAISAL DISTRICT RESOLUTION NO. 84-23 CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION SETTING EXEMPTIONS FOR HOMESTEAD AND OVER SIXTY-FIVE RESOLUTION 84-24 APPROVED Councilman Kenna stated that Tarrant Appraisal District showed there were 134 currently registered which would amount to $7,300 expense to the City. Mr. McEntire presented the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas that pursuant to Ordinance Number 499, there shall be exempt from City Ad Valorem Taxes for the year 1984-85 the sum of Ten Percent (10%) General Homestead Exemption from the assessed value of any exclusively residential homestead within the City occupied by its owner; and/or the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) from the assessed value of any exclusively residential homestead within the City occupied by an owner who is sixty-five (65) years of age or older, as of January 1st of such year; Mr. McEntire stated that the following should be inserted: and/or the sum of $15,000 from the assessed value of any exclusively residential homestead within the City occupied by an owner who is disabled within the meaning of Section 11.13(m) of the Property Tax Code of the State of Texas, as of January 1st of such tax year, provided by the terms and conditions set forth in Texas Property Tax Code and in said Ordinance are fully complied with. Mr. Line stated the Council would need to authorize the staff, if the resolution was approved to include the exemption for the disabled, to adjust the contingency allowance because the budget would be about $7,000 out of balance with the change. Mr. Ralph Thrasher, 6704 Starnes Road appeared before the Council. Mr. Thrasher stated that he felt the $15,000 was a good goal and asked about the 10% of the appraised value. Mayor Echols stated that everyone that had a homestead would take off 10% and then take off the $15,000 exemption for the over sixty-five. Mayor Echols stated that if the total proposal was agreed on, the next step would be to take off $15,000 for the total disabled. Mr. Thrasher stated he had run a survey on surrounding cities and most of them were going to allow $50,000 for over sixty- five. Mayor Echols stated that he knew Tarrant County and Tarrant County Junior College went to $50,000, but was not aware of what the other cities were doing. August 27, 1984 Page 4 Mr. Thrasher stated Haltom City and Richland Hills were going to try for $50,000; Watauga did not know; Hurst 20% but not less than $5,000; Colleyville was going to $40,000 and Euless undecided. Mr. Thrasher asked that the City give the senior citizens a better break. Mayor Echols stated that the total exemption for the senior citizen, if they had a homestead, would be $20,000. Councilman Kenna moved, seconded by Councilwoman Hinkle, to approve Resolution No. 84-24. Motion carried 6-0. Mayor Pro Tem Davis moved, seconded by Councilman Kenna, to adjust the Contingency Fund to an equal amount needed for the $15,000 exemption for disabled citizens. Motion carried 6-0. 14. Mayor Pro Tem Davis moved, seconded by Councilman Kenna, to approve Ordinance No. 1149, setting the tax rate at 34.5¢. Motion carried 6-0. 15. Mr. Ray Porter, 4830 Blaney, appeared before the Council. Mr. Porter stated he was asking for a variance because he was attempting to construct a storage shed in conformance with the main property. Councilwoman Moody asked what the square footage of the building would be. Mr. Porter stated it would be about 20' by 20'. Councilwoman Moody stated the drawing appeared to look like a garage. Would it be used for a garage? Mr. Porter stated no. Mayor Pro Tem Davis asked if the storage shed would be visible from the street. Mr. Porter stated no, only the roof could be seen. Mayor Pro Tem Davis asked if the building would be stained or natural wood. August 27, 1984 Page 5 CONS ID ERAT ION OF ORDINANCE SETTING THE TAX RATE AND DISTRIBUTION TO GENERAL AND DEBT SERVICE FUNDS ORDINANCE NO. 1149 APPROVED CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST OF MR. RAY E. PORTER, 4830 BLANEY FOR A VARIANCE TO THE BRICK ORDINANCE APPROVED Mr. Porter stated it would be natural wood. Mayor Pro Tem Davis moved, seconded by Councilman Kenna, to approve the request. Motion carried 5-1; Mayor Pro Tem Davis, Councilmen Kenna, Ramsey, Fisher and Councilwoman Hinkle voting for; Councilwoman Moody voting against. 16. Mr. Hubert Hawkins, 7269 Glenview, appeared before the Council. Mr. Hawkins stated he was asking for a variance to the Sub- division Ordinance that would require him to build a 40 foot concrete lined drainage channel at a cost of approximately $34,000. Mayor Echols presented the following comments from the staff: Mr. Hawkins is wanting to plat his land into two lots and not build the concrete-lined channel as required by the Subdivision Ordinance. We had told Mr. Stembridge that if Mr. Hawkins would plat his land into a one lot subdivision that we would recommend that the City pay one-half of the cost for the concrete lining. Mr. Stembridge has stated that Mr. Hawkins does not approve of this offer. Since this drainage channel strongly affects the Morgan Meadows Addition and the channel is only built for a ten year capacity rain at this time, we would strongly urge that you deny this request and require the concrete lined channel be built to handle the 100 year capacity rain as required in the Subdivision Ordinance. Mayor Echols asked Mr. Hawkins if that was a fair representa- tion of his position. Mr. Hawkins stated it would not be a feasible situation. Mr. Hawkins stated the cost would be approximately $34,000 and it was not feasible for only 2 lots. Mayor Echols asked Mr. Hawkins if he understood why the requirement was in the Subdivision Ordinance. Mr. Hawkins stated he understood, if there was a subdivision involved but not for just 2 lots. Mayor Echols stated that if the City did not get a continuance of the channel, then all the channels above it was lost. Mr. Hawkins stated the channel was not lost from Chapman Road to Loop 820. August 27, 1984 Page 6 CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST OF MR. HUBERT HAWKINS FOR A VARIANCE TO THE SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE DENIED Mayor Echols stated that if the channel was not completed the water could not flow through it. Mayor Echols stated the CIP Committee had just discussed the expenditure of three quarters of a million dollars at least in Morgan Meadows and this was a vital part of the water that was coming down to try and get it into the channels that were built and going to be built. Mr. Hawking stated there was no way he could afford to build the channel. Mayor Echols stated the staff wanted to try and figure out some way that the cost could be shared. Mr. Hawking stated he could not even afford to pave the bottom of the channel. Mayor Echols asked Mr. Hawkins if he would be willing to dedicate a drainage easement to the City. Mr. Line stated that the City already had an easement from Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Line stated the easement was acquired in connection with the construction of the Morgan Meadows West channel. Mr. Hawkins stated that the easement was acquired by the City in January, 1983. Mayor Echols asked if the earthern channel was in place on the property. Mr. Line stated the earthern channel was there, but it was not concrete-lined as required by the Subdivision Ordinance when a piece of property was sub-divided. Mr. Line stated the channel had to be concrete lined so that it was capable of handling a 100 year flood. Mr. Line stated that whatever the outcome of this request, the channel needed to be lined. Mr. Line stated that the City was talking about spending $750,000 to correct a situation that was created years ago, because no one anticipated these kinds of problems. Mr. Line stated that if the Council wanted to relieve Mr. Hawkins of the obligation of lining the channel, he felt that $34,000 should be appropriated to pave the channel because it needed to be done. Mr. Line stated that Mr. Hawkins had been offered a compromise if he took himself out of the position of being a developer even though it was only one lot, he was still considered to be a developer. Mr. Line stated the Subdivision Ordinance did not specify one lot or ten lots as being a developer. It stated "when the property was sub-divided". Mayor Pro Tem Davis asked Mr. Hawkins if he was going to live in one of the houses he planned to build. Mr. Hawkins stated he was going to live in one and sell the other. August 27, 1984 Page 7 Councilman Ramsey moved, seconded by Councilwoman Moody, to deny the request, but the City continue to work with Mr. Hawkins to see if there was something feasible that could be worked out. Mayor Pro Tem Davis stated he wanted it to be on record that he did not want the City to get in a posture of developing land for someone. Motion carried 6-0. 17. Mayor Pro Tem Davis moved, seconded by Councilwoman Hinkle, to approve PS 84-61. Councilwoman Moody asked if item #12 in the City Engineers' letter had been met. Mr. Albin stated the money had been allocated for the construction of the line and the question was how much was the developer going to participate. Mr. Albin stated he had recommended the developer participate in the amount equivalent to an 8 inch line. Councilwoman Moody asked if item #13 had been agreed upon. Mr. Albin stated yes, the developer would construct the off- site sewer line. Councilman Ramsey stated that just as a point of clarification, this was a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission and their recommendation was subject to the developer meeting all the engineering comments. Councilman Ramsey stated the Council was just approving the Planning and Zoning Commission's recommendation which included all the comments being met. Councilman Ramsey stated all the requirements had been met and that was why it was a consent item. Motion carried 6-0. 18. Mayor Pro Tem Davis moved, seconded by Councilman Kenna, to approve PS 84-68. Councilwoman Moody stated she understood there had been some problems with the alignment of Holiday Lane. Councilwoman Moody asked if the problem had been ratified and did it meet the Masterplan Thoroughfare Map. Mayor Pro Tem Davis asked if this was not the purpose of the replat. Mayor Echols stated it was the realignment of the south end of Holiday Lane in order to get an eleven foot mismatch. Mayor Echols stated he thought what Councilwoman Moody was referring to was the north end of Holiday Lane. August 27, 1984 Page 8 PLANNING & ZONING - PS 84-61, REQUEST OF JAMES & BLAKE COOK FOR FINAL PLAT OF LOTS 11-22, BLOCK 7, AND BLOCKS 14 & 15, SMITHFIELD ACRES ADDITION (LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF TURNER DRIVE, APPROX- IMATELY 200 FEET WEST OF DAVIS BOULEVARD) APPROVED PLANNING & ZONING - PS 84-68, REQUEST OF WAYNE STEWART FOR REPLAT OF BLOCKS 13R THRU 25R, FOX HOLLOW ADDITION (LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHAPMAN ROAD AND BOUNDED ON THE WEST BY RICHFIELD PARK AND ON THE SOUTH BY NORTH PARK ESTATES AND FOX HOLLOW ADDITION, FIRST FILING) APPROVED Mayor Pro Tem Davis stated that when the plat was presented to the Council previously, there was no Master Thoroughfare Plan in hand. Mr. Horvath stated that the plat showed 1F-8 zoning and when it was previously approved by Council, there was a stipulation of 1,500 square feet. Mr. Horvath stated he would check the Council minutes of the meeting for verification. Mayor Echols stated one of his concerns was that a 60 foot right-of-way was shown for the street and at the present time it showed a 68 foot right-of-way. Would this pose a problem? Mayor Pro Tem Davis stated the plan was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission at the time of the original platting and the Council could not require the developer to give additional right-of-way for a replat. Mayor Pro Tem Davis stated the original plat was approved in 1983. Mayor Echols stated his point was that the plat was before the Council again. Mayor Pro Tem Davis stated the only reason the plat was back before the Council was to realign the south end. Mayor Echols stated there were other concerns. Councilman Ramsey asked if he was referring to Chapman Road. Mayor Echols stated no. Mayor Pro Tem Davis stated that on the proposed Thoroughfare Plan it showed Holiday Lane to be a 68 foot right-of-way and the plat was approved long before the proposed Thoroughfare Plan was drawn up. Mayor Pro Tem Davis stated it would be unfair to the applicant to require an additional 8 foot right-of-way. Mayor Pro Tem Davis stated the preliminary plan and final plat was approved prior to any Thoroughfare Plan proposal. Mayor Pro Tem Davis stated the developer had met the Subdivision Ordinance. Mayor Echols stated he felt a lot of hard questions as the Master Plan was pursued. Mayor Pro Tem Davis stated it was still a proposed Thorough- fare Plan and he did not want to subject the City to litigation by forcing someone to dedicate right-of-way when the Subdivision Ordinance had not been changed. Mayor Pro Tem Davis called for the question. Motion carried 5-1; Mayor Pro Tem Davis, Councilmen Fisher, Kenna and Ramsey and Councilwoman Hinkle voting for; Councilwoman Moody voting against. August 27, 1984 Page 9 *19. *20. *21. *22. 23. Mr. Line stated that North Richland Hills owned two lots that had water wells on them. Mr. Line stated the wells had not been used for several years and two neighboring cities had shown interest in obtaining the lots with the wells. Mr. Line stated that bids were received from the City of South Lake, $20,000 and the City of Colleyville, $20,002. Mr. Line stated that even though the bids were virtually identical, the staff recommended that the bid be awarded to the City of August 27, 1984 Page 10 PLANNING & ZONING - PS 84-69, REQUEST OF CAMBRIDGE COMPANIES FOR REPLAT OF LOTS 1R-3R, BLOCK 2, AND LOT 4, BLOCK 13, SNOW HEIGHTS NORTH ADDITION (LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF NORTHEAST LOOP 820, BOUNDED ON THE WEST BY GULF OIL) APPROVED PLANNING & ZONING - PS 84-72, REQUEST OF DR. PHILIP D. ABBOTT FOR REPLAT OF LOT 6R, BLOCK 2, JACK M. ESTES SUBDIVISION (LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF RUFE SNOW DRIVE, APPROXIMATELY 250 FEET NORTH OF GRAPEVINE HIGHWAY) APPROVED CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE ESTABLISH- ING SPEED LIMIT ON HIGHWAY 26 (GRAPEVINE HIGHWAY) (POSTPONED AT THE AUGUST 13, 1984, MEETING) APPROVED CONSIDERATION OF PAYMENT, ESTIMATE #5, TO PANHANDLE CONSTRUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,781.02 - DENTON HIGHWAY WATER SYSTEM EXTENSIONS APPROVED CONSIDERATION OF SALE OF CITY OWNED PROPERTY APPROVED Colleyville because the wells were located in the City of Colleyville and had water distribution lines that went out from the wells to serve the surrounding area. South Lake or North Richland Hills did not have distribution lines. Mr. Line stated the sale of the wells would be consistent with the agreement with the other four cities that were members of the TRA Water Compact that North Richland Hills do nothing that would reduce the water supply capacity in any of the four cities and in effect would be if the wells were sold to South Lake. Councilman Kenna moved, seconded by Councilwoman Hinkle, to approve the bid of the City of Colleyville. Motion carried 6-0. *24. *25. *26. 27. None 28. Mayor Pro Tem Davis moved, seconded by Councilman Kenna, to adjourn the meeting of August 27, 1984 Motion carried 6-0 August 27, 1984 Page 11 CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION ON PARTICIPATION IN TARRANT COUNTY CONSORTIUM FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM APPROVED CONSIDERATION OF PAYMENT TO TESCO FOR STREET LIGHTS ON RUFE SNOW DRIVE APPROVED CONSIDERATION OF DELINQUENT PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX ACCOUNT APPROVED CITIZEN PRESENTATION ADJOURNMENT ~cM Mayor ATTEST: ~~ Ci ecretary Yì)~ I