HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1977-05-23 Minutes
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS,
TEXAS, HELD AT THE CITY HALL, 7301 NORTHEAST
LOOP 820, MAY 23, 1977, 7:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Newman called the meeting to order May 23,
1977, at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT:
Mayor
Councilmen
Tom E. Newman
George Conant, Jr.
John Lamond, III
Dave Freeman
Dorothy McClure
ROLL CALL
Councilwoman
STAFF PRESENT:
City Manager
Ci ty Secretary
City Engineer
Dir. Pub. Works
M. E. Riddle
Jeanette Moore
Dick Perkins
Ray H. Britton
ABSENT:
Councilmen
Denver Mills
Walter Smith
James F. Cato
Rex McEntire
Mayor Pro Tern
City Attorney
INVOCATION
The Invocation was given by Councilman George
Conant, Jr.
COUNCILMAN SMITH AND MAYOR PRO TEM CATO PRESENT
PROCLM~ATION
Proclamation
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mayor Newman read a Proclamation proclaiming
Wednesday, May 25, 1977, as Gertrude Tarpley
day in the City of North Richland Hills.
Approval of Minutes of May 9, 1977
Councilman Conant moved, seconded by Councilman
Freeman, to approve the Minutes of May 9, 1977.
Mayor Pro Tern Cato advised the correction of the
Minutes of April 25, 1977, and May 9, 1977, were
different. Mayor Pro Tern Cato advised statements
had been added on page 4, and page 5.
Councilman Smith stated he objected to the word
"Blackmail" being added to the correction he had
made.
Mayor Newman stated he had made the changes because
he wanted the record to show what had been stated
at the April 25, 1977, meeting.
May 23, 1977
Page 2
Councilman Smith stated he also objected to the Mayor
making changes in the minutes after they had been
approved.
Mayor Newman advised that Councilman Smith was out
of order and stated he would have him removed from
the Council Chamber if he continued making statements
when he did not have the floor.
Councilman Smith stated he felt the Mayor was out of
order, and he did not feel the Mayor could remove
him from the Chamber.
Mayor Pro Tem Cato advised the statements that were
added were not approved May 9, 1977. If the minutes
were approved the added statements would have to be
struck.
Mayor Newman instructed the City Secretary to check
the tape of the May 9, 1977, meeting.
Councilman Conant amended his motion, seconded by
Councilman Freeman, to approve the minutes of the
May 9, 1977, meeting contingent on the tape being
checked. Motion carried 6-0.
CITIZEN REQUEST
Citizen Request, Mr. Henry Besson, 6719 Harmonson
Road, appeared before the Council representing
Northeast Community News. Mr. Besson stated he would
like to submit a proposal to the Council concerning
the use of Northeast Coummunity News for the City's
legal advertising. Mr. Besson stated he would charge
$0.03 per word and $5.50 per insertion. He advised
he had made a survey based on an ad the City had
paid $22.60 to print, it Norhteast Community News had
run the same ad it would have cost $6.60. Mr. Besson
stated he felt he could cut the City's cost of legal
adversting two thirds per year.
Mayor Pro Tem Cato ask Mr. Besson what affiliation
he had with the newspaper.
Mr. Besson replied he was the working partner.
Mayor Pro Tem Cato ask if Mr. Besson had any control
over the policy making of the paper.
Mr. Besson replied it was a 50/50 deal.
Mayor Pro Tem Cato ask Mr. Besson how many paid
subcribers he had.
Mr. Besson stated he had 1800.
Mayor Pro Tem Cato ask how many were in North Richland
Hi 11 s .
Mr. Besson replied between 2200 and 2500, in North
Richland Hills, Richland Hills and Watauga.
May 23, 1977
Page 3
Mayor Pro Tem Cato ask if the majority of these
copies were not complementary copies.
Mr. Besson replied that with the exception of those
on news stands they were.
Mayor Pro Tern Cato stated the Northeast Community
News had a 3rd Class Bulk Rate mailing permit, and
a 2nd Class permit was required to be a Legal
Newspaper.
Mr. Besson stated a 2nd Class rate was not required
by the State. Richland Hills and Watauga had
accepted the Northeast Community News as an official
newspaper. North Richland Hills City Attorney
had ruled Northeast Community News an Official
Newspaper.
Councilman Freeman moved, seconded by Councilwoman
McClure, to accept Northeast Community News as the
City's Official Newspaper.
Mayor Pro Tern Cato ask the City Manager if using a
weekly newspaper would interfere with Planning and
Zoning cases.
City Manager Riddle advised it could possibly delay
the cases for two weeks.
Mayor Pro Tern Cato ask the City Manager if he had
given the Council an up-to-date copy of Vernon's
Statues concerning the mailing requirements.
City Manager Riddle advised the copy given was an
up-to-date copy.
Councilman Conant moved, seconded by Councilman
Lamond to table this item because of a conflict
in information.
Councilman Smith stated he could see no reason
to table this item. He wanted to stay with the
Fort Worth Star Telegram.
Motion failed 2-4; Councilmen Freeman and Conant
voting for; Councilmen Smith and Lamond,
Councilwoman McClure and Mayor Pro Tern Cato voting
against.
Mayor Newman stated he was not sure the Star
Telegram was the City's Legal Paper, the Resolution
designating the legal paper had not been signed by
the former Mayor.
May 23, 1977
Page 4
Mayor Pro Tern Cato stated if the Resolution
was not signed, according to the Charger,
it did not have to be signed by the Mayor to be
legal. If the Council approved the Resolution
it was automatically passed.
Mayor Newman stated he did not care what the Charter
said, he felt the Resolution was not legal.
Mayor Newman stated the Council would go back to
the original motion.
RESOLUTION
77-8
Motion to accept Northeast Community News failed
by a vote of 2-4; Councilwoman McClure and
Councilman Freeman voting for; Councilmen Conant,
Lamond, Smith and Mayor Pro Tern Cato voting against.
Consideration and Passage of Resolution Authorizing
a Contract for Signal Repair
Councilman Lamond moved, seconded by Councilman
Smith, to approve Resolution 77-8.
Mayor Newman advised the cost would be $400.00
per month. He also stated that according to the
Charter, if the amount to be spent was over $2,000.00
bids would need to be taken.
Mayor Pro Tern Cato ask if the City had a contract
in effect now.
City Manager Riddle advised we did, but it was
expired.
Mayor Pro Tern Cato ask why the contract was dated
October 1,1977.
Mr. Britton stated the company had agreed to
continue services until October 1,1977.
Mayor Pro Tern Cato ask if there were any other
companies in the area.
Mr. Britton replied there were two more. They
did not have the equipment the present company had.
COUNCILMAN MILLS PRESENT.
Mayor Pro Tern Cato ask Mr. Britton if he could
write the specifications so the City could go out
for bids.
Mr. Britton replied he could, but could not cover
every item.
May 23, 1977
Page 5
Mayor Pro Tern Cato moved, seconded by Councilman
Conant, to table this item for further study.
Motion carried 6-1; Councilman Freeman voting
against.
PLANNING AND ZONING
PZ 77-8 ORDINANCE 664
Approval of PZ 77-8, Request of Precept to Rezone
Lot 1, Block 2, Industrial Park Addition from
Agriculture to Industrial
Mr. David Hughes, Engineer, appeared before the
Council to represent this case.
Mr. Hughes stated this property was located south
of the Rail Road and west of Rufe Snow. Platting
of this property had been approved in October 1976
and all monies had been escrowed with the City.
When the property was rezoned in 1974, there was
a stipulation on the Ordinance that if one third
of the property was not developed in three years
it would revert back to Agriculture. Precept
had taken longer than planned to arrange financing
with the home office, but all was in order now.
They have their building Permit and are ready
to start construction. They now were asking
the Council to approve the rezoning.
Councilman Lamond moved, seconded by Councilwoman
McClure, to approve PZ 77-8, Ordinance 664. Motion
carried 7-0.
Mayor Newman recognized students from Paschal High
School.
Mayor Newman stated he wanted the record to show
Councilman Smith was out of order.
Councilman Smith ask Mayor Newman why he felt he
was out of order.
Mayor Newman stated Councilman Smith was making funny
faces.
Councilman Smith stated he was sorry, but he
was born with this face.
ENGINEERING SERVICE
Consideration and Passage of Agreement for
Engineering Services
Councilman Conant stated he would like to have
more time to study this agreement and also have
the advice of the City Attorney before passing
this item.
Mayor Newman stated the City Attorney was in New York,
May 23, 1977
Page 6
After discussion, Councilman Conant moved,
seconded by Councilman Lamond, to table this
item and discuss this at a PreCouncil next
meeting. Motion carried 7-0.
PAYMENT
Approval of Payment to Texas Bitulithic Company
Councilman Conant moved, seconded by
McClure, to approve payment to Texas
Company in the amount of $31,350.33.
carried 7-0.
Councilwoman
Bitulithic
Motion
PAYMENT
Approval of Payment to G. T. Construction Company
Councilman Conant moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern
Cato, to approve payment to G. T. Construction
Company in the amount of $16,445.97.
Councilman Mills ask what would happen to the
retainer since this was a final payment.
City Engineer Perkins replied the retainer would
be held until all clean up work was done and the
inspector made final approval.
Mayor Pro Tern Cato ask the City Engineer to explain
why there was an overage on this job.
City Engineer Perkins stated there were two factors,
the time was one and the sewer line had had to be
encased in concrete at $12.00 per foot. This was
not anticipated at the time the contract was
awarded.
Mayor Pro Tern Cato stated he felt some justification
in writing for the overage should be done before
the retainer was released.
City Engineer Perkins stated he would write a letter
giving the reason for the increases.
Motion carried 7-0.
DIVIDER SCREENS
Approval to Purchase $1,353.25 of Divider Screens
for the Secretarial Pool
Mayor Pro Tern Cato stated this had been discussed
in the joint meeting with the Civil Service Commissior
Mayor Pro Tern Cato moved, seconded by Councilman
Smith, to approve $1,353.25 for the purchase of
the divider screens.
Councilman Mills ask what account the money would
come from.
PARK AND RECREATION DIRECTOR
May 23, 1977
Page 7
City Manager Riddle stated the funds would
come from the Surplus Account.
Councilman Lamond ask where they were being
purchased.
City Manager Riddle replied from an office supply
in St. Louis.
Mayor Pro Tem Cato amended his motion, seconded
by Councilman Smith, to state the funds would
come from surplus. Motion carried 7-0.
Approval to Hire and Director of Recreation as
Recommended by the Park and Recreation Board
Councilman Mills stated he was out of town when the
Council and the Park and Recreation Commission had
their joint meeting and ask that some one explain the
salary and benefits for the part time director.
City Manager Riddle advised this would be a part
time job. About 20 hours a week at $4.00 an
hour. This person would be responsible for setting
up the recreational program.
Mayor Pro Tern Cato advised the Park and Recreation
Commission was checking with other cities for
the requirements needed for this position.
Motion carried 7-0.
PLAQUE FOR RECREATION BUILDING Discussion of Plaque for Recreation Building
Mayor Newman stated he would like for Councilman
Lamond to present this item.
Councilman Lamond stated there was a lot of people
that had served on Boards and Commissions for the
City. The Park Board had worked especially hard
for a Recreation program. Councilman Lamond
stated he would like for the City to purchase a
Plaque for the Recreation Building listing the
names of the Park and Recreation Commission.
City Manager Riddle stated the Council might like
to list the names of the Council and Mayor.
Councilman Lamond stated if there was room on
the plaque the names of the Council and Mayor could
be listed.
Councilman Lamond moved, seconded by Councilman
Freeman, to purchase the plaque for the Recreation
ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
May 23, 1977
Page 8
Building, to be paid out of Surplus, not to
exceed $50.00. Motion carried 7-0.
Mayor Newman adjourned the meeting of May 23,
1977 .
~./¿.~n~
Tom E. Newman, yor