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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1981-02-09 Minutes MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, HELD IN THE CITY HALL, 7301 NORTHEAST LOOP 820, FEBRUARY 9, 1981 - 7:30 P.M. 1. Mayor Faram called the meeting to order February 9, 1981, at 7:30 p.m. 2. Present: Dick Faram Jim Kenna Jim ~'Jood J. C. Hubbard ~Ji 1 ey Thomas Dave Freeman Sharyl Groves S ta ff : Chuck Wi 11 i ams Jeanette ~·1oore Rex ~1cEnti re Richard Albin News Media: Lynda Johnson Kelvin Todd Joe Norton ~·1ayo r Councilmen Councilwoman City t1anager City Secretary City Attorney City Engi neer CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Ft. Worth Star Telegram North Richland Hills News News Tribune 3. The invocation was given by David Giddings, t1inister of Education, College Hill Church of Christ. 4. Councilman Hubbard moved, seconded by Councilman Kenna, to approve the minutes of the January 26,1981, regular meeting. Motion carried 6-0. 5. Mayor Faram advised the Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended approval of this request subject to the City Engineers' letter. All comments had been agreed too. Councilman Wood moved, seconded by Councilman Freeman, to approve PS 81-2. Motion carried 6-0. 6. Mayor Faram read the following Article from the Council Rules of Procedure: A motion to reconsider any action of the City Council can be made not later than the next succeeding meeting of the City Council. Such a motion can only be made by a member who voted with the majority. INVOCATION APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING FOR JANUARY 26, 1981 APPROVED PS 81-2, REQUEST OF DR. JAMES WAGGENER FOR FINAL PLAT OF LOT 1, BLOCK 11, EMERALD HILLS ADDITION (YMCA LAWSUIT DISMISSED) APPROVED POSSIBLE RECONSIDERATION OF PZ 80-36 (~1ARVIN St1ITH) APPROVED Councilman Thomas moved, seconded by Councilwoman Groves, to reconsider PZ 80-36. Motion carried 5-0; Councilman Wood abstaining due to a business interest. Mr. McEntire stated fifteen days notification would have to be given before the case could be heard. Councilman Kenna moved, seconded by Councilman Hubbard to have the reconsideration of PZ 80-36 on ~1arch 9, 1981. Motion carried 5-0; Councilman Wood abstaining. 7. Mr. Bob Ash, 8025 Larkspur, Fort Worth, appeared before the Council. Mr. Ash stated he was here to obtain Council approval to use concrete shake tile on exterior walls on multi- family dwellings to be constructed by his company. Mr. Ash stated specifically four-plex units to be constructed on two tracts zoned multi-family on Flory Street and Lots 17 and 18, Block 4, College Hill Addition. Mr. Ash stated he had personally contacted the neighbors in College Hill and had the concurrences 'that they woúld be favorable toward this type of development. Mr. McEntire asked Mr. Ash why he was denied the use of the concrete tile. Councilman Kenna stated the only discussion the Council had with Mr. Ash was the use of steel shake tile or steel construction. Mr. Ash stated he had talked with the Fire Chief and he saw no reason to object to the use of the concrete tile. Councilman Wood asked Mr. Ash if he was asking for a variance on a specific location at this time. Mr. Ash stated he was asking for the variance at this time for Flory Street, but would like to request the variance for College Hill also. Councilman Freeman asked Mr. Ash if he had completed any other structures of this type in the city. t1r. Ash stated he had built two in Haltom City, 3413 and 3417 Reeves. Councilman Freeman asked if the ones built in Haltom City had concrete shake siding. February 9, 1981 Page 2 CONSIDERATION OF VARIANCE FROM BRICK ORDINANCE, SECTION 1.04 BY PERMA STEEL COMPANY POSTPONED February 9, 1981 Page 3 Mr. Ash stated they did not. The basic siding on the ones in Haltom City was aluminum shake. Mr. Ash stated Mr. Browning had built a building on the corner of Melborne and Pipeline that had the concrete siding. Councilman Kenna asked if it would be necessary for a variance from the ordinance if concrete shingles were used on the outside of the building. Mr. Williams stated that at the time Mr. Ash applied for a building permit he was not talking about masonry but steel siding. ~1r. Ash stated that in talking with the City Staff their particular interpretation of the ordinance procluded this type of masonry versus brick or stone and they thought it should go before the Council. Councilman Wood asked Mr. Ash if he realized the corner of Abbott and College Circle was zoned neighborhood-retail. Mr. Ash stated it was his understanding that triplexes or duplexes could be built in neighborhood retail. Mayor Faram stated that was correct. Councilman Wood stated his concern was that some of the people in the area did not know what was being proposed. Councilman Wood asked Mr. Ash if the people in the area had seen what he proposed. Mr. Ash stated the people in the area understood multi-family dwellings would be built. Councilman Wood asked Mr. Ash if the people knew what type of construction and did they see the photographs. Mr. Ash stated some of the people saw the photographs. He was not sure if everyone saw them. Counçilman Wood stated he would not wantdtp give a blanket approval. Councllman Wood state he felt there had been some changes since the worksession. Mr. Ash stated he understood he would need a variance if any kind of material was used besides brick. Mr. Ash stated he came before the Council in a worksession and showed them the building and he did not have anything at that time other than the steel or aluminum siding. Mr. Ash stated he had mentioned in the meeting that he could use concrete shake, which was in his plan at the time to use concrete if it were approved. Mr. Ash stated he still understood he would have to have a variance after discussion with the City Staff. ~1ayor Faram stated that at the time of the worksession he understood the building was to be all metal except the ends of the building. Mayor Faram asked t1r. Ash where he proposed to use the concrete shingles, on the sides or the building up to the roof line. Mr. Ash replied yes. Mayor Faram stated he did not see that a variance was needed if it did indeed have equal characteristics as stated in the ordinance. Mr. Ash stated that in his opinion this would not constitute a variance as such because of the way the ordinance was written the Staff did not feel comfortable with granting a building permit without Council approval. Mayor Faram asked the City Engineer if he had an opportunity to evaluate this material. Mr. Albin stated yes and he had discussed this with two of the architects in his office and they had absolutely no problems with it. t1r. Albin stated the ordinance stated 75% of the walls of a building must be brick and he was not sure the ratio would hold up with the shakes only on the sides. Mr. Ash stated that in order to achieve 75%, if the building was small enough and it would not constitute 75%, in which case he would have to add some supplement on the ends. Mr. Ash stated the building he was proposing would be more than 75%. Mayor Faram asked if there was a possibility they would be wooden. Mayor Faram stated they would indeed be getting away from the original purpose of the ordinance as far as the fire hazard was concerned. Mr. Ash stated there would be no problem adding stone or brick up to the beginning of the second floor level on the ends. Mr. Ash stated that in most cases they would do that, but if he had the option and still complied with the ordinance he would consider adding wood on some and just to give a different appearance. February 9, 1981 Page 4 Councilman Wood asked Mr. Ash if the Council did grant a variance was there a possibility he would go for one location and come back for another variance on the other location and further, in the future for other sites that he might choose. Mr. Ash stated if absolutely necessary. Mr. Ash stated the only problem he had was a matter of time to be able to begin jobs. Councilman Wood asked Mr. Ash if he had a preference to which location. Mr. Ash stated if he only had one, he would prefer the College Hill location. He planned to start these immediately. Councilman Freeman stated that when the brick ordinance was updated two years ago, it was to establish a quality of construction in the city more than to provide fire protection. Councilman Thomas asked if it had been determined that a variance was needed. Mayor Faram replied to his knowledge it had not been determined. Mayor Faram advised if the Council so choose they could refer it back to the Staff. Councilman Freeman moved, seconded by Councilman Hubbard, to postpone this item until the next Council meeting with instructions to the Staff to visit the site at 3417 and 3412 Reeves and take some type of photographs and come back with a little more knowledge on the request. Councilman Kenna stated he really did not see any reason to postpone action. The buildings on Reeves looked good. Councilman Kenna stated he thought the Council should allow Mr. Ash to build at the four locations assuming he met the requirements and at the same time the City should be checking the ordinance to see if the concrete structure would pass. Councilman Freeman stated the only major exception the Council ever made to the Building Code as it was now was a bad mistake and at that point the Council had an architecural drawing and a rendering so they knew exactly what they were dealing with. Councilman Freeman stated a mistake was made at that time and he did not think the Council wanted to rush into making a decision. February 9, 1981 Page 5 Councilman Wood stated the Council saw a good slide presentation on the details of construction at the worksession. Councilman Wood stated the only thing he apparently missed was the concrete or manufactured siding. Councilman Wood stated he was afraid the city might lose in the long run if they hesitated. Councilman Freeman stated Mr. Ash had mentioned that he had talked to the people in the area about building multi-family, but he had not showed them the structure he was going to build. Councilman Freeman stated he felt the people had a right to know what was going to be built. Councilman Freeman stated he felt the Staff needed to check with the neighbors to make sure they understood exactly what was going in. Councilman Hubbard stated he had talked with one of the neighbors and they were not too happy with it. Motion to postpone carried 5-1; Councilmen Freeman, Wood Hubbard and Thomas and Councilwoman Groves voting for; Councilman Kenna voting against. 8. Mr. Harold McInroe, First Southwest Corporation, appeared before the Council. Mr. McInroe stated the bids had been taken and the following was the bid tabulation: ~ccount Manager. Effective Interest Rate Rotan Mosle, Inc. 8.662383 First National Bank Ft.Worth First United Bank North Richland Hills, N.A. Merrill Lynch White Weld Group Unterberg Towbin LF Rothchild 8.6674 C & C Souwest Dean Witter & Co. Kidder Peabody & Co. National Bank of Commerce Dallas 8.766589 Underwood Neuhaus & Co. Rowles Winston Div of Cowen & Co. Blyth Eastman Dillon Paine Webber Bank of North Texas First Southwest Co. Greer Moreland Eosdick 8.838551 February 9, 1981 Page 6 CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $2,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 872 First City Natl Bank of Houston E F Hutton & Co. Drexel Burnham Lambert, Inc. 8.918224 Rauscher Perce Refnes, Inc. Fort Worth National Bank Mercantile National Bank Dallas 8.988098 Mr. McInroe stated the bids had been checked and were correct. Mr. McInroe stated he recommended the bid of Rotan ~1os 1 e. Councilman Thomas moved, seconded by Councilman Wood, to accept the bid of Rotan Mosle. Motion carried 6-0. Mr. McInroe read the following caption on the proposed ordinance: "An ordi nance by the Ci ty of North Ri chl and Hi 11 s, Texas, authorizing the issuance of $2,000,000 "City of North Richland Hills, Texas, General Obligation Bonds, Series 1981", dated ~1arch 1,1981; prescribing the form of bonds and the form of the interest coupons; levying a continuing direct annual ad valorem tax on all taxable property within the limits of said City to pay the interest on said bonds and to create a sinking fund for the redemption thereof and providing for the assessment and collection of taxes; enacting provisions incident and related to the subject and purpose of this ordinance; and providing an effective date. II Councilman Kenna moved, seconded by Councilman Hubbard, to approve Ordinance No. 872. Motion carried 6-0. Mr. McInroe stated the city bond rating had been raised from BAAl to A. 9. Mr. Albin stated sixteen contractors had submitted bids. Mr. Albin stated the basic bid was for concrete pipe and they received information the shipment would be delayed until April or ~~ay. ~1r. Albin stated an addendum was sent for ductile iron pipe. Mr. Albin stated that Mr. J. D. Griffith submitted the low bid in the amount of $253,495.38, with time completion of 60 calendar days. Mr. Albin stated he recommended the bid be awarded to J. D. Griffith Construction Company on the alternate bid. February 9, 1981 Page 7 CONSIDERATION OF BIDS ON RUFE SNOW WATER LINES JOB #3-543 APPROVED Councilman Wood moved, seconded by Councilman Hubbard, to award the alternate bid of $253,495.38 to J. D. Griffith Construction Company. Motion carried 6-0. 10. The following resolution was submitted for approval: A RESOLUTION AND ELECTION ORDER BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN SAID CITY ON THE 4TH DAY OF APRIL, 1981, A.D. FOR THE ELECTION OF ONE (1) CITY COUNCILMAN PLACE SIX OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, SETTING THE TIME, PLACES AND DATE OF SAID ELECTION, ESTABLISHING A DEADLINE FOR CANDIDATES TO FILE, APPOINTING ELECTION JUDGES AND ALTERNATES, PROVIDING THE TIME AND MANNER FOR VOTING ABSENTEE, BOTH IN PERSON AND BY MAIL, DESIGNATING WHO SHALL BE ENTITLED TO VOTE AT SUCH ELECTION AND ADOPTING VOTING MACHINES AS THE METHOD OF VOTING AT SAID ELECTION, AND OTHER PROVISIONS OTHERWISE INCIDIENT TO SUCH RESOLUTION. WHEREAS, a vacancy has occurred in Place Six of the City Council by virtue of the resignation by Councilman Robert P. Brady effective January 5, 1981 and, WHEREAS, pursuant to Article V, Section 9 of the Charter of the City of North Richland Hills, provides that in case of a vacancy in the office of Councilman, the City Council shall order a special election to fill such vacancy. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT µESOLVED, by the City Council of North Richland Hills, County of Tarrant, Texas, that said Special Election be called as aforesaid for the election of one (1) Councilman for said City as provided by said Charter and as prescribed by the Laws of the State of Texas; Section 1. That said election be held on the 4th day of April, 1981, A.D., as provided by the City Charter of said City, between the hours of seven o'clock a.m. and seven o'clock p.m. Section 2. Qualified persons may file as candidates by filing with the Mayor in the Office of the City Secretary, between the hours of eight a.m. and five p.m. on or before Monday, March 4, 1981. Section 3. That said election will be held at the following place for the eleven (11) precincts in said city as recognized on January 1,1981: Precincts 41,49,63,72, 140, 159, 191, 196, 214, 215 - City Hall February 9, 1981 Page 8 CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION TO CALL A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR COUNCIL VACANCY PLACE SIX APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 81-4 Section 4. That the following named persons shall serve as Judges and Alternate Judges at the voting place City Hall - Mrs. Beverly Riley - Judge Mrs. Allene Parker - Alternate Judge If the regularly appointed presiding Judge is unable to serve at the election, the Alternate Judge therefore shall serve as presiding Judge. Such election Judges shall choose such other election officers as the Judges may deem proper. Section 5. a. Absentee voting by personal appearance shall commence on Wednesday, March 11,1981, at 8:00 A.M., and shall continue through Tuesday, March 31, 1981 at 5:00 P.M. Such absentee voting shall take place in the office of the City Secretary in the City Hall. b. Absentee voting by mail shall commence on Wednesday, March 11, 1981. The marked ballot must be mailed to the City Secretary in an envelope postmarked not later than 10:00 A.M. , Thursday, April 2,1981, and must be received in the City Secretary's office before 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, April 4, 1981. Section 6. All qualified voters residing within the corporate limits of the City of North Richland Hills, County of Tarrant, Texas, shall be entitled to vote at said election. Section 7. The election shall be conducted pursuant to the election laws of the State of Texas. The City Secretary is directed to procure voting machines for the election April 4, 1981, and voting machines are hereby adopted as the method of voting at such election. Councilman Hubbard moved, seconded by Councilman Wood, to approve Resolution No. 81-4. Motion carried 6-0. 11. Councilman Hubbard moved, seconded by Councilman Kenna, to approve Ordinance No. 873. Motion carried 6-0. 12. Councilman Freeman moved, seconded by Councilman Hubbard, to approve Ordinance No. 874. Motion carried 6-0. February 9, 1981 Page 9 CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE ADOPTING A UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 873 CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE AMENDING ELECTRIC CODE, ORDINANCE #310 APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 874 13. Councilman Kenna moved, seconded by Councilman Wood, to approve Ordinance No. 875. Councilwoman Groves stated she would like to commend Mr. Rice for a job well done in the updating of the ordinances. Motion to approve carried 6-0. 14. Councilman Freeman moved, seconded by Councilman Hubbard, to deny a variance to the Wrecker Ordinance. Motion carried 6-0. 15. Councilman Kenna moved, seconded by Councilman Wood, to approve Ordinance No. 876. Motion carried 6-0. 16. Councilman Hubbard moved, seconded by Councilman Wood, to approve Ordinance No. 877. -- Councilman Kenna stated he thought when this was approved the Council was going to be faced with several opportunities to revaluate their action. Councilman Kenna stated that he felt that in the future if they had to do that, the Council should ask the developers to sign a covenant so the city could make sure there was adequate protection before the builder built out of that piece of property. Councilman Wood stated what the Council was concerned about was that in some areas the Council might get a request to vary on item #1, at the same time the city might get a covenant to make sure that it was protected in the future. Councilman Wood stated the Council thought some of the developers might have a problem with item #1. Motion carried 6-0. 17. Councilman Thomas moved, seconded by Councilman Kenna, to approve payment to Sharrock Electric in the amount of $27,857.51. Councilman Wood asked if the installation and progress of work was being monitored closely. Councilman Wood stated looking through the original proposal and bid he had not been able to find a completion date. Mr. Bronstad stated he had a meeting with Sharrock immediately after they got the bid and they were having trouble with hardware, first it was the poles and the type of wire to be used. Mr. Bronstad stated the completion date was 60 to 90 days. February 9, 1981 Page 10 CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE AMENDING UNIFORM BUILDING CODE ORDINANCE #784 APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 875 CONSIDERATION OF VARIANCE TO WRECKER ORDINANCE #778 DENIED CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE VACATING TRACT l-F, ABSTRACT 953 APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 876 CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE FOR REVISION TO RULES, REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE WATER AND SEWER SYSTEM APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 877 CONSIDERATION OF PAYMENT TO SHARROCK ELECTRIC IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,857.51 FOR ESTIMATE #3, FOR INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS APPROVED February 9, 1981 Page 11 Councilman Wood stated his concern was the contractors bill of $27,000.00 and the contractors time was 90 to 120 days. Mr. Bronstad stated the company had a hard time getting the poles, they finally got the poles and were waiting on the wire for the Edison-Grapevine Highway light. The light should be in this week and the light at Harwood and Grapevine should be completed by the end of the month. Councilman Wood asked if a delay would be experienced on each installation. Mr. Bronstad stated all the poles and wire had been ordered but each would be a different type of pole and installation. Councilman Wood stated his concern was that it was not being followed as tight as it should be. Mr. Bronstad stated the work had been monitored weekly and the inspector had been on the job daily checking their progress report. Councilman Wood asked if the company had or authenicated all of their problems to his satisfaction. Mr. Bronstad replied yes. Motion to approve carried 6-0. 18. Councilman Kenna moved, seconded by Councilman Wood, to authorize the City Engineer to proceed with the design engineering for the 2.4 million dollar Revenue Bonds. CONSIDERATION OF 1980 SERIES WATER AND SEWER REVENUE BOND FUND PROJECT APPROVED Motion carried 6-0. 19. Mr. Albin stated this was a Tarrant County project and bids were opened at the County Courthouse. There were five bidders on this job for concrete channel lining on Mackey Creek near Jerrell Street and reconstruction of the concrete box channel along with utility adjustments. Mr. Albin stated a few weeks ago the Council had approved $11,000.00 from the Utility Department for the construction of utility relocation. Mr. Albin stated the low bid was from M. A. Cension Construction Company in the amount of $69,399.77, which was below the original engineers' estimate for this project. Mr. Albin stated he worked up this contract with a provision for extending the concrete liner further up stream based on the unit price of the bid in the proposal so the city could utilize the full budget that was available from Tarrant County. Mr. Albin stated what he was asking for was authorization for the city to go ahead and participate in the amount of $11,000.00 so the budget from the County could be utilized. Total amount of the project is $92,388. Mr. Albin stated he recommended the contract be awarded to M. A. Vension. Councilwoman Groves moved, seconded by Councilman Kenna, to award the bid to M. A. Vension. Motion carried 6-0. 20. Mayor Faram advised the citizen request had been withdrawn. The request would be heard on February 26, 1981. 21. Mayor Faram adjourned the meeting of February 9, 198. February 9, 1981 Page 12 CITIZENS REQUEST TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL POSTPONED ADJOURm·1ENT ~1AYOR - DICK FARAM ATTEST: CITY SECRETARY - JEANETTE MOORE