Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2005-03-28 Minutes MINUTES OF THE PRE-COUNCIL AND REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, HELD IN THE CITY HALL, 7301 NORTHEAST LOOP 820 - MARCH 28, 2005 PRE-COUNCIL SESSION The City Council of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas met in Pre-Council session on the 28th day of March, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. in the Pre-Council Room prior to the 7:00 regular Council meeting. Present: Oscar Trevino David Whitson John Lewis Jo Cox Suzy Compton JoAnn Johnson Nancy Bielik Timothy J. Welch Staff Members: Larry J. Cunningham Richard Torres Ogden Bo Bass Karen Bostic Patricia Hutson Alicia Richardson George Staples Mary Edwards John Pitstick Larry Koonce Mike Curtis Dave Green Vickie Lottice Thomas Powell Drew Corn John Lynn Bill Thornton Richard Abernethy Call to Order Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilman Councilwoman Councilwoman Councilwoman Councilwoman Councilman City Manager Assistant City Manager Assistant City Manager Managing Director Administrative/Fiscal Services City Secretary Assistant City Secretary City Attorney Public Information Officer Director of Development Finance Director Public Works Director Director of Planning Parks & Recreation Director Support Services Director Budget Director Interim Police Chief Assistant Parks & Recreation Director Assistant to City Manager Mayor Trevino called the Pre-Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Councilwoman Johnson present at 6:03 p.m. 1. Discuss items from Reqular March 28. 2005 City Council Meetinq Agenda Item 10 - GN 2005-031 - Councilwoman Bielik questioned Section 2f of the resolution. Councilwoman Bielik questioned if ineligible property inventory included all City Council Minutes March, 28 2005 Page 2 inventory paid through business personal property taxes. Mr. Pitstick advised personal property would still be eligible; that it was the business personal property tax with the inventory subtracted. Agenda Item 7b - GN 2005-028 - Councilwoman Cox asked how election officials are determined. Ms. Hutson explained that unlike federal and state elections, election officials for city elections are not associated with a political party affiliation. The officials recommended for the upcoming city election have worked in previous city elections. Several years ago when the city was in need of election officials and workers, citizens were recruited to work through the city newsletter. Tarrant County Elections Office has also provided names of officials who have worked for them or expressed an interest in working elections. Agenda Item 7c - GN 2005-029 - Councilwoman Cox questioned what kind of equipment is purchased by cities. Mr. Lynn explained the equipment purchased is basic equipment such as supplies, traffic cones, etc.. Agenda Item 9 - GN 2005-030 - Councilwoman Cox stated there was over a fifty percent difference in the impact fees compared to five years ago and questioned why the big change. Mr. Curtis explained the sixty percent difference referred to is the adopted amount. The City Council approved previously the adopted fee at 25% of the maximum calculated fee. Staff is recommending Council adopt the fee at 50%. Agenda Item 14 - PW 2005-003 - Councilwoman Cox stated she understood part of the project was funded by a grant and funding for the remainder of the project was shared with the City of Keller. Councilwoman Cox questioned where the City's portion of the project was funded. Mr. Curtis advised it was funded from bond funds. 2. IR 2005-044 Discussion of Site Plan Approval Process Mr. Green advised that staff has received inquires from the development community concerning the limiting of the site plan approval process to the staff or Planning & Zoning Commission level of review. Council also discussed streamlining the process at the recent goals work session to make it more efficient. Currently site plan approval is required by the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council for new commercial development or redevelopment that 1) exceeds 75% of the assessed value of the property; 2) is located on property within 200 feet of residential zoning or property shown on the Comprehensive Plan to become residential; or 3) any addition to the square footage of an existing commercial building exceeding 30% and located with 200 feet of residential zoning. The site plan approval process is not a public hearing and does not require notification of property owners. Site plans are required to meet all current ordinance requirements and no variances may be requested. The site plan approval process takes as much time as a zoning case or a plat because of Planning & Zoning and Council meeting scheduling requirements. If the process were to be modified to eliminate Council approval, the process would be shortened by an average City Council Minutes March, 282005 Page 3 of three and one-half weeks. If it were further modified to eliminate the Planning & Zoning Commission from the approval process, another four weeks could be cut from the process. Staff is requesting direction from Council as to their desires to streamline and modify the approval process. After discussion by Council, the consensus was for Staff to look at what other cities are doing and to address the possibility of a way for Council to review or receive some type of summary report without the applicant having to go through the long approval process and consider asking for input from developers. 3. IR2005-045 Discuss Pilot Proqram for Outsourcinq Parks Mowing Ms. Loftice advised the Parks Department is interested in maximizing full use of available resources in the most effective and efficient way possible. In the current year's budget, the Parks Department has four newly approved mid-year park maintenance positions. Instead of hiring those four positions as planned in April, Staff would like to use the funds associated with those positions to outsource general mowing, trimming and edging. Staff feels that this approach can provide an opportunity to improve productivity and efficiency. Mr. Thornton presented a PowerPoint presentation addressing the benefits of outsourcing. Council was advised the outsourcing would be a pilot program and the program would be evaluated during fiscal year 2005/06 to measure the success of the program and its continuation. After discussion by Council, consensus was for Staff to proceed with the program. Staff will proceed with bidding the mowing services and bring back for Council approval. 4. Executive Session Mayor Trevino announced at 6:40 p.m. that the Council would adjourn to Executive Session as authorized by Texas Government Code Section 551.087 for deliberation regarding economic development negotiations for the purpose of discussing the North Hills Mall Redevelopment Agreement. 5. Adjournment Mayor Trevino announced at 7:03 p.m. that the Council would adjourn to the regular Council meeting. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Trevino called the meeting to order March 25, 2005 at 7:10 p.m. City Council Minutes March, 28 2005 Page 4 ROLL CALL Present: Oscar Trevino David Whitson John Lewis Jo Cox Suzy Compton JoAnn Johnson Nancy Bielik Timothy J. Welch Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilman Councilwoman Councilwoman Councilwoman Councilwoman Councilman Staff: Larry J. Cunningham Richard Torres Patricia Hutson Alicia Richardson George Staples City Manager Assistant City Manager City Secretary Assistant City Secretary Attorney 2. INVOCATION Councilwoman Compton gave the invocation. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilwoman Compton led the pledge of allegiance. 4. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS PROCLAMATION - NATIONAL ANIMAL CONTROL APPRECIATION WEEK Councilman Welch presented Animal Center Supervisor Tommy Miller with a proclamation proclaiming April 11-17, 2005 as National Animal Control Appreciation Week. City Council Minutes March, 282005 Page 5 5. CITIZENS PRESENTATION Mr. John Propp, 8220 Euclid Avenue, inquired about the construction timeline for the construction of the Library to be built in Hometown. Mayor Trevino asked City Manager Larry Cunningham to either send a letter or set up a meeting with Mr. Propp to inform him of the construction timeline. Councilwoman Johnson asked Mr. Cunningham to provide information to all citizens as there may be other citizens who would find information beneficial. 6. REMOVAL OF ITEM(S) FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA None. 7. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS APPROVED A. MINUTES OF THE MARCH 07, 2005 COUNCIL MEETING B. GN 2005-028 APPOINTMENT OF ELECTION JUDGES - RESOLUTION NO. 2005- 026 C. GN 2005-029 APPROVE COOPERATIVE DRIVER TRAINING INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT - RESOLUTION NO. 2005-018 D. GN 2005-034 APPROVE ABANDONMENT OF A SANITARY SEWER EASEMENT LOCATED NEAR THE FOREST GLENN WEST, PHASE 1 AND FOREST GLENN WEST, PHASE 2 DEVELOPMENTS - ORDINANCE NO. 2825 E. PU 2005-009 AWARD ANNUAL CONTRACT FOR TOP SOIL, SAND AND FLEX BASE TO HJG TRUCKING - RESOLUTION NO. 2005-020 F. PU 2005-011 AWARD BID FOR TRACTOR/LOADER BACKHOES TO CONTINENTAL EQUIPMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $101,254 G. PU 2005-012 AWARD BID FOR ASPHALT PAVER TO ROMCO EQUIPMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $93,350 City Council Minutes March, 28 2005 Page 6 H. PU 2005-012 AWARD BID FOR ANNUAL SHIRT CONTRACT TO ACTIVE IMPRESSIONS -RESOLUTION NO. 2005-021 I. PU 2005-013 AUTHORIZE MODIFICATION TO DEPOSITORY CONTRACT WITH BANK OF AMERICA FOR CREDIT CARD TRANSACTION PROCESSING SERVICES - RESOLUTION NO. 2005-019 J. PU 2005-014 AWARD BID FOR ANNUAL CONTRACT TO PRINT VARIOUS CITY NEWSLETTERS AND BROCHURES - RESOLUTION NO. 2005-024 K. PU 2005-015 AWARD BID FOR TRAFFIC MATERIALS SUPPLY CONTRACT- RESOLUTION NO. 2005-022 L. PAY 2005-002 APPROVE FINAL PAYMENT TO N.G. PAINTING, L.P. IN THE AMOUNT OF $31,295.00 FOR THE BOOTH CALLOWAY 2.0 MG GROUND STORAGE TANK REHABILITATION PROJECT MAYOR PRO TEM WHITSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. COUNCILWOMAN BIELlK SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7 -0. 8. LRB 2005-001 PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM NORTH HILLS HOSPITAL FOR A VARIANCE FROM LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE NO. 2473 IN THE 7700 BLOCK OF RODGER LINE DRIVE APPROVED Mayor Trevino opened the public hearing. Nature of request is to expand an existing parking lot from 204 spaces to 355 parking spaces. The parking lot is being expanded to accommodate additional required parking spaces necessary for the hospital's expansion project and loss of spaces to equipment and material storage for hospital's expansion. Applicant is requesting a variance from the 15' landscaped setback along Rodger Line Drive and a variance from providing street trees and parking lot screening in the 15' setback along Rodger Line Drive. In lieu of providing the 15' landscape and parking lot screening applicant is proposing an increase (60% above requirement) in the amount of landscaping within the parking lot. Mr. David Littleton, representing applicant, was available to answer questions from council. City Council Minutes March, 28 2005 Page 7 Director of Planning Dave Green advised council the hospital has worked with staff to maintain a twenty foot wide open space on the west side of proposed parking lot in an effort to preserve the required area needed for a future hike and bike trail. Staff is in support of hospital's variance due to their efforts to grant the required space needed to support a hike and bike trail through the hospital campus; hospital's eagerness to ease the amount of visitor/patient parking in the adjacent neighborhood streets; their effort to exceed all other landscaping requirements by providing significantly more landscaping features than required by ordinance; and their desire to provide a modern, consistent, streetscape along Rodger Line Drive. Mr. Green was available to answer questions from Council. Mayor Trevino asked if there was anyone wishing to comment on this request. There being no one wishing to speak Mayor Trevino closed the public hearing. COUNCILWOMAN BIELlK MOVED TO APPROVE LRB 2005-001. COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. 9. GN 2005-030 PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION FOR COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN, IMPACT FEE CIP PROGRAM AND IMPACT FEE RATES- ORDINANCE NO. 2826 APPROVED Mayor Trevino opened the public hearing. Nature of request is a requirement of Senate Bill 243 which was passed in September 2001, which states that municipalities review their Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and impact fees every five years and update if necessary. The maximum time allowed between updates is 10 years and the last update to North Richland Hills plan was completed in 1997. Ordinance No. 2826 sets the water impact fee to $1,087 and the wastewater impact fee to $306 effective beginning April 1 ,2005. Mayor Trevino asked if there was anyone wishing to comment on this request. There being no one wishing to speak Mayor Trevino closed the public hearing. Public Works Director Mike Curtis was available to answer questions from council. COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON MOVED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE No. 2826 AND SET THE WATER IMPACT FEE TO $1,087 AND THE WASTEWATER IMPACT FEE TO $306 EFFECTIVE BEGINNING APRIL 1, 2005. COUNCILMAN WELCH SECONDED THE MOTION. City Council Minutes March, 28 2005 Page 8 MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7 -0. 10. GN 2005-031 APPROVE RESOLUTION REVISING GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA FOR GRANTING TAX ABATEMENTS IN REINVESTMENT ZONES CREATED IN THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS - RESOLUTION NO. 2005-025 APPROVED Nature of request is to approve a resolution revising guidelines and criteria for granting tax abatements in reinvestment zones to allow up 100% property tax abatements in redevelopment areas. The current guidelines only allow up to 50% property tax abatements throughout the city. Economic Development Director John Pitstick was available to answer questions from council. COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION No. 2005-025. COUNCILWOMAN COMPTON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. 11. GN 2005-032 APPROVE 2005 BYRNE JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM AWARD INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT - RESOLUTION NO. 2005-017 APPROVED Nature of request is to approve resolution authorizing city's participation in a joint application for a grant award under the 2005 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG). Interim Police Chief John Lynn was available to answer any questions from council. COUNCILMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2005-017 . MAYOR PRO TEM WHITSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7 -0. City Council Minutes March, 282005 Page 9 12. GN 2005-033 APPOINTMENT TO PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE - EX OFFICIO POSITION APPROVED City Secretary Patricia Hutson advised council the ex officio position is vacant and Mayor Trevino is recommending Mike Benton be appointed to position with term expiring June 30, 2006. COUNCILWOMAN COMPTON MOVED TO APPOINT MIKE BENTON TO THE EX OFFICIO POSITION FOR THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE. MAYOR PRO TEM WHITSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. 13. GN 2005-035 CONSIDERATION AND ACTION ON REDEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE AGREEMENT - RESOLUTION NO. 2005-027 APPROVED Nature of request is to take formal action on item discussed in Executive Session and relating to economic development negotiations for North Hills Mall Redevelopment Agreement. Assistant City Manager Richard Torres introduced Bob Ginsburg with C.B. Richard Ellis. Mr. Torres advised council Mr. Ginsburg would review the proposed rendering of the new development. Mr. Ginsburg summarized artist rendering and the theme in which applicant is leaning towards for the new development. Mr. Ginsburg discussed the development would include mixed development and a fountain. Mr. Torres outlined agreement for council and the public. MAYOR PRO TEM WHITSON MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION No. 2005-027. COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON SECONDED THE MOTION MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7 -0. City Council Minutes March, 28 2005 Page 10 14. PW 2005-003 APPROVE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF KELLER FOR THE DESIGN OF NORTH TARRANT PARKWAY FROM DAVIS BOULEVARD TO WHITLEY ROAD - RESOLUTION NO. 2005-023 APPROVED Nature of request is to enter into an interlocal agreement with the City of Keller for the design of North Tarrant Parkway excluding portion covered by grant (an amount not to exceed $725,000). The agreement will define how the local match will be paid by Cities of North Richland Hills and Keller; designate North Richland Hills as the administrator of the grant; local match will be divided between the parties with the cost of designing North Tarrant Parkway between the east right-of-way line of Smithfield Road and the North Richland Hills-Keller city limit line where it crosses North Tarrant Parkway west of Smithfield Road being divided evenly and the cost of the balance of the project to be divided between the cities, based on estimated construction costs within each city of the remainder of the project; if local match is required to be deposited before apportionment of costs can be determined, both cities shall pay one half of such local share and parties agree to share expenses not covered by the grant or local match. Mr. Curtis was available to answer questions from council. MAYOR PRO TEM WHITSON MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2005-023. COUNCILMAN WELCH SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. 15. PW 2005-004 APPROVE LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECT ADVANCE FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR NORTH TARRANT PARKWAY (DAVIS BOULEVARD TO WHITLEY ROAD) APPROVED Nature of request is related to agenda item 14. The grant received requires the city to execute a Local Transportation Project Advance Funding Agreement (LPAFA) with the State. The LPAFA defines the responsibilities of both the State and the City of North Richland Hills. Mr. Curtis was available to answer questions from council. COUNCILMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE PW 2005-004. COUNCILWOMAN BIELIK SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. City Council Minutes March, 28 2005 Page 11 16. ACTION ON ANY ITEM DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION LISTED ON PRE- COUNCIL Council took action on Agenda Item No. 13. 17. INFORMATION AND REPORTS Councilman Lewis made the following announcements. Dan Echols Senior Center is hosting a Springfest Health Fair on Friday, April 1 , from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please join us for free health screenings including blood sugar, vision, hearing and more. For more information, please call 817-281-9267. Keep North Rich/and Hills Beautiful is sponsoring the annual Great American Cleanup event on Saturday, April 2. Neighborhood associations, schools, civic groups, scout troops, and employee groups are encouraged to participate and remove trash and litter from neighborhoods, workplaces and other public spaces across North Richland Hills. Volunteer groups should register and pick up supplies in advance at the Neighborhood Services Office. For more information, please call 817-427-6651. The City of North Richland Hills kicks off spring with a free concert series at Green Valley Park, 7701 Smithfield Road. Join us for Key West on April 8 and Empty Pockets on April 22. All concerts begin at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Please bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. For more information, please call 817-427-6614. The NRH Recreation Center will hold a Spring Break Camp from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. April 11-15. Activities include games, crafts, field trips and fun. For more information, please call 817-427-6600. Kudos Korner - Jimmy Cates and Staff, Public Works Department A North Richland Hills resident e-mailed his thanks and appreciation for the Public Works employees who quickly responded to a storm drain problem. He said he reported the problem one day and by the next day it was fixed. City Council Minutes March, 28 2005 Page 12 17. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Trevino adjourned the meeting at 8:59 p.m. ATT¡::Cf.~'··· ~. ...."" ~"" '~, ..~,A.y.. ............. ~;I...oI' ~" i.,'Ç". '.'", ~ ···n -.. ~ ~ \\ - ~ . ~¿¿ . ~ PaWia Huts -. ",;. .... ...., ~/ ........... ~~ ;1/ " 1/", "" II"'H,,, 1t1"''\''