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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2005-04-25 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 - APRIL 25, 2005 PRE-COUNCIL SESSION The City Council of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas met in Pre-Council session on the 25th day of April, 2005 at 6:10 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 George Staples Mary Edwards John Pitstick Mike Curtis Vickie Lottice Drew Corn John Lynn 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 City Attorney Public Information Officer Director of Development Public Works Director Parks & Recreation Director Budget Director Interim Police Chief Assistant to City Manager Mayor Trevino called the Pre-Council meeting to order at 6:10p.m. 1. Discuss items from Reqular April 25. 2005 City Council Meetinq Agenda Item 10, GN 2005-040 - Councilwoman Cox asked for a definition of slurry seal. Councilwoman Cox was advised that it was an oil slurry sealant that was placed over the surface of asphalt. Agenda Item 12 - GN 2005-042 - Councilwoman Cox referred to the water agreement with Watauga and questioned how the City of Watauga reimbursed North Richland Hills for water supplied to them through the city's line. City Council Minutes April 25, 2005 Page 2 Staff advised that the agreement was for the sharing of the facility. Watauga pays for the use of the line and meters monitor the flow back and forth and Watauga's use is subtracted. 2. IR 2005-052 Review New Code of Ordinances City Secretary Patricia Hutson presented to the Council the new Code of Ordinances. Ms. Hutson briefed the Council on the history of the previous Code and the process to recodify the ordinances of the City. Council was advised that the ordinances were originally codified in 1975 and needed to be updated. In 2001 the recodification of the general ordinances of the city was initiated, and in October 2003 a second project to codify the zoning ordinances of the city was initiated. The new "Code of Ordinances" consists of two volumes. One volume contains the Charter and the General Ordinances of the City and the second volume contains the Building and Land Use Regulations. The last step in the codification process is for the Council to adopt the new Code by ordinance. After adoption by Council, both volumes will be placed in the Library for public use and it will be available for citizen access on-line on the city's website. 3. IR 2005-053 Canvass Date for May 7,2005 Election City Secretary Patricia Hutson advised that pursuant to the Texas Election Code the period for the canvass of the May 7 election is May 15-18. The canvass has been set for May 17 at 6:00 p.m. 4. IR 2005-055 Discuss Proposed Quad Cities 4th of July Celebration Park and Recreation Director Vickie Loftice advised the Council that due to financial constraints the City of Bedford would most likely not be hosting their annual 4th of July celebration this year. Last year North Richland Hills sponsored the Bedford event in the amount of $5,000. North Richland Hills staff met with Bedford Staff and discussed different options. The most preferred option was a Quad-Cities event in North Richland Hills with Bedford helping to sponsor the event. The Quad-Cities (Haltom City, Richland Hills and Watauga) as well as Bedford would equally fund the event with production, planning and labor shared. The south Grapevine Hwy area near the ATI site is being considered as the possible location for the event. Each of the four cities will be presenting the proposed project to their City Councils at their respective meetings this week. The City Manager felt that approximately $30,000 would be needed to produce a good fireworks show and that at least four sponsors would be needed. The City Council agreed to support the event if the other four cities would participate and contribute up to a maximum of $8,000. Councilwoman Cox advised that she had a question regarding the April 11 City Council minutes. Councilwoman Cox questioned that her kudos to Public Works Director Mike Curtis had not been included with the Kudos Korner during the Information and Reports. City Council Minutes April 25, 2005 Page 3 Councilwoman Cox was advised that if she would like her comments to be made part of the minutes, she could remove the minutes from the Consent agenda and make a motion a motion to approve the minutes with an amendment to include her comments. 5. Adjournment Mayor Trevino announced at 6:38 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 April 25, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. 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 Ogden Bo Bass Richard Torres Patricia Hutson George Staples City Manager Assistant City Manager Assistant City Manager City Secretary Attorney 2. INVOCATION Councilwoman Cox gave the invocation. 3. City Council Minutes April 25, 2005 Page 4 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilwoman Cox led the pledge of allegiance. 4. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS None. 5. CITIZENS PRESENTATION Mayor Trevino advised that he had several requests from citizens and asked Council if they would be agreeable to extending the Citizen Presentation time from 20 minutes to 40 minutes. Council was agreeable with the extension. Mr. Herb Parsons, 7701 Turner, expressed his appreciation to Councilwomen Cox and Bielik for their service to the citizens the past year. Ms. Anita McNeese, 7717 Terry Drive, commented that the Economic Development Department and Staff have worked hard on the North Hills Mall project and deserve public recognition, but asked who would be occupying the development project. Ms. McNeese expressed concern with the number of businesses leaving the city and the need to retain the businesses currently established in the City. Ms. McNeese also asked the following questions: 1) Why are there eight very expensive rock NRH monuments on North Tarrant Parkway within one-half mile of Davis Boulevard to Precinct Line Road? 2) Why did the Council spend $25,000 taxpayer dollars for one weekend out-of-town for budget review; what is wrong with the city's facilities? 3) When was the 10.5 million dollar library planned to be located in Hometown presented on a ballot for voter approval? The Mayor asked the City Manager to send a response to Ms. McNeese's questions. Ms. Myrtis Byrd, 7312 Hialeah Circle West, expressed appreciation for the Senior Centers and the City. Ms. Byrd asked for a public apology from the Mayor for a comment that he said to her at the Bursey Road Senior Center. Mr. Tim Barth, 8400 Bridge Street, spoke on behalf of ten individuals present in the audience. The ten individuals he represented were asked to stand. Mr. Barth referred to a column written by a City Council member and posted on a local internet site. Mr. Barth stated it was his understanding that the same information had also been sent as part of a campaign mailing to North Richland Hills citizens. Mr. Barth stated that the City Council Minutes April 25, 2005 Page 5 Mayor, in response to a citizen inquiry concerning the council member's claims, wrote a letter to the citizen addressing the claims. The Mayor's letter was posted to the Local News Only website. Mr. Barth stated he felt it important to hear both sides of the debate and read the Mayor's letter. Mr. Barth advised he had edited the letter to stay within the citizen presentation time limits but the letter may be viewed in its entirety on the Local News Only website. Ms. Denise Llewellyn, 7337 Timberidge Drive, spoke on behalf of ten individuals present in the audience. The ten individuals were asked to stand. Ms. Llewellyn explained she lost her son in a fatal car accident on Rufe Snow and as a result, she volunteers her time to educate teens on the consequences of drugs, alcohol, street racing, etc. Ms. Llewellyn advised she recently received an unwelcome visit from Kerry West harassing her on the political signs in her yard. Ms. Llewellyn advised that during the visit, Mr. West also harassed her twice on her son's wrecked car being parked in her driveway. Ms. Llewellyn explained that she uses her son's car in her outreach programs and that when the car is not being used at a public event or school function; it is legally parked and tarped in her driveway. Ms. Llewellyn felt Mr. West had attacked her and her family and that Mr. West owed her a public apology. Ms. Gini Parsons, 7701 Turner Drive, remarked on the diversity of views and commented on the need to continue to work together for the good of the community after Election Day. Mr. Russell "Rusty" Caranfa, 8504 Olmsted Terrace, spoke on behalf of ten individuals present in the audience. The ten individuals were asked to stand. Mr. Caranfa stated he was a former elected official and had recently relocated to North Richland Hills. Mr. Caranfa stated that as a former elected official he was familiar with the tactics and strategies of the so called "concerned" citizens and had empathy for the present Council. Mr. Caranfa addressed the tactics and strategies and the effect on the community and the City. Mr. Caranfa referred to a specific letter written by a citizen and addressed the comments in the letter. Mr. Steve Koons, 6054 Lake Way Mews, thanked the Mayor, Council and City Manager for the responsiveness shown to citizens who have asked questions during citizens presentations and for promoting open government through open communications with all citizens. Mr. Bill Gietema, 5440 Harvest Hill, Dallas, President of Arcadia Realty and developer of Hometown NRH, expressed concern with the alarming things, specifically on a website and articles authorized by Ron West, being written about Hometown, himself personally and his business. 6. REMOVAL OF ITEM(S) FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA City Council Minutes April 25, 2005 Page 6 Councilwoman Cox removed 7a from the Consent Agenda. Mayor Trevino removed 7b from the Consent Agenda. 7. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS A. REMOVED B. REMOVED No action required. 7A. MINUTES OF THE APRIL 11, 2005 COUNCIL MEETING APPROVED COUNCILWOMAN Cox MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENT TO INFORMATION AND REPORTS TO INCLUDE THE COMMENTS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN COX REGARDING KUDOS FOR MIKE CURTIS: "COUNCILWOMAN Cox ALSO RECOGNIZED PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR MIKE CURTIS FOR GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND TO ASSIST A VERY UPSET AND ANXIOUS REALTOR AND NEW HOME BUYERS. NOT ONLY DID HE SPEAK TO THEM ON THE PHONE, HE TOOK THE TIME TO VISIT THE HOME THEY WERE PLANNING TO PURCHASE AND TALKED TO THEM AT LENGTH REGARDING A WATER PROBLEM. ONE MORE INSTANCE OF ONE OF OUR CITY STAFF GOING OUT OF THEIR WAY FOR OUR CITIZENS." COUNCILWOMAN BIELlK SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE WITH CORRECTION CARRIED 7-0. 7B. PAY 2005-003 APPROVE FINAL PAYMENT TO SHARROCK ELECTRIC, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $2615.14 FOR THE GLENVIEW DRIVE AT DAWN DRIVE TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION PROJECT APPROVED Sharrock Electric was awarded a bid in April 2004 to install a new traffic signal at the intersection of Glenview Drive and Dawn Drive. The project was part of the 2003 Bond Program and is now complete. Staff recommendation is to approve final payment in the amount of $2,615.14 to Sharrock Electric, Inc. City Council Minutes April 25, 2005 Page 7 Mayor Trevino asked the Public Works Director to name other projects that had been done on the south side of the City since he had been on Council or Mayor. Mr. Curtis stated that he did not have a list with him, but projects that came to mind were Glenview Drive from Flory to Honey; Flory from Glenview adjacent to Mullendore Elementary School; a section of Rufe Snow from Glenview to Karen; the intersection at Glenview and Rufe Snow was reconstructed; section of Rufe Snow from Karen to Loop 820 will soon be under design; sections of Riviera, Briley, and Blaney have been reconstructed; upcoming 2003 bond program projects are sections of Tabor, a section of Briley; reconstructed Mackey and Jerrell, two projects being designed to reconstruct Janie and another section of Jerrell; and many streets have been overlaid and slurry sealed. Mayor Trevino asked the Public Works Director to address why a signal light was installed at Glenview and Dawn Drive. Mr. Curtis explained the light was needed because of pedestrian and traffic congestion. Mayor Trevino commented that he wanted to make everyone aware that the City was experiencing growth and redevelopment on the south side of the City. COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON MOVED TO APPROVE PAY 2005-003. MAYOR PRO TEM WHITSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. 8. GN 2005-039 APPROVE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH TARRANT COUNTY FOR INSTALLATION OF LIVE SCAN SYSTEM FOR JAIL FACILITY - RESOLUTION NO. 2005-036 APPROVED The Tarrant County District Attorney's Office received a grant from the United States Department of Justice. The grant will provide seven cities in Tarrant County with automated fingerprint systems, which will be connected to the Texas Department of Public Safety Automated Fingerprint Identification System in Austin. The system will allow the police department to electronically fingerprint arrested persons, which will immediately be sent to the state and national crime information computers to verify person's identity, check for warrants and prior criminal activity. Staff is recommending approval of Resolution 2005-036 authorizing interlocal agreement with Tarrant County. City Council Minutes April 25, 2005 Page 8 Chief Lynn answered questions from Council concerning the length of time agencies will have to wait for the return, the current climate in Washington, D.C. for improving identification measures and the use of biometrics for identification, the potential to expand the system for regular fingerprinting processes for job applicants and other cities with the system in place. COUNCILMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION No. 2005-036, GN 2005-039. COUNCILMAN WELCH SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. 9. PW 2005-005 AWARD OF BID TO SHARROCK ELECTRIC, INC. FOR THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL LIGHT COMMUNICATION 2003 PROJECT AND REVISE THE 2004/05 CIP BUDGET APPROVED Nature of request is to upgrade specific traffic signals to a Spread Spectrum Traffic Signal Communication System. The radio communication system will allow Public Works to monitor the operation of a specific traffic signal from the Service Center. The City's portion of the project was funded ($60,000) in the 2003/2004 Capital Projects Budget for construction. The lowest bid for the project is approximately $20,000 over amount funded therefore changing City's total share cost to $91,000. The grant under which this project is performed stipulates the city must fund the project upfront with reimbursement from Texas Department of Transportation upon completion. The city has several options available: (1) reject all bids due to budget constraints and scope of the project be reduced to fit within approved funding; (2) award project with understanding a change order would be submitted to council reducing scope of the project and (3) use $31,000 from the Unspecified Street account to fund the additional $31,000. The 2004/2005 Capital Projects Budget could then be revised to reflect the change. Staff recommends option three due to the importance of the project to improve traffic flow and minimize congestion in the city. Public Works Director Mike Curtis and Public Works Operations Manager Jimmy Cates, addressed questions from the Council on how the synchronization of the signals will be accomplished, the timing plan, how the system will affect the flow of the traffic, the start and completion dates, future plans for Smithfield at Davis and the future realignment of Smithfield at Bridge Street. COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON MOVED TO AWARD THE BID TO SHARROCK ELECTRIC, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $298,145.25 AND REVISE THE 2004/05 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS BUDGET AS PRESENTED BY STAFF. COUNCILWOMAN BIELlK SECONDED THE MOTION. City Council Minutes April 25, 2005 Page 9 MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. 10. GN 2005-040 APPROVE 2005 PREVENTIVE STREET MAINTENANCE PROGRAM APPROVED Nature of request is to approve the 2005 preventive street maintenance program as discussed and approved by the Capital Improvement Program Committee at their April 18, 2005 meeting. The program being recommended by the committee consists of: asphalt overlay (15 streets), slurry seal (22 streets and crack seal (43 streets). The total estimated cost of the program being recommended is $574,843. Sufficient funds are available in the Permanent Street Maintenance and staff and the CIP Committee recommends approval of the 2005 Preventive Street Maintenance Program. In response to questions from Council, Staff discussed the history of the Street Maintenance Fund budget, who is responsible for the street ratings, and explained slurry seal. COUNCILMAN WELCH MOVED TO APPROVE GN 2005-040, APPROVING THE 2005 PREVENTIVE STREET MAINTENANCE PROGRAM. MAYOR PRO TEM WHITSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7 -0. 11. GN 2005-041 APPROVE ADOPTION OF THE NEW CODE OF ORDINANCES - ORDINANCE NO. 2829 APPROVED In April 2002 staff began the process of working with Municipal Code Corporation to recodify the City's Code of Ordinances. The City's ordinances were originally codified in 1975, updated in 1984 with further supplement publications from 1984 to June 2003. The initial project did not include the codification of zoning ordinances for the city. In the 2003-04 budget funding was provided to codify the zoning ordinances. The codification is now complete and staff is recommending that council approve Ordinance No. 2829 adopting the new "Code of Ordinances". Once adopted, the "Code of Ordinances" will be made available for public use in the Library as well on the city's website. COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON MOVED TO APRPOVE ORDINANCE No. 2829. MAYOR PRO TEM WHITSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. City Council Minutes April 25, 2005 Page 10 12. GN 2005-042 APPROVE WATER CONSERVATION AND EMERGENCY WATER DEMAND/DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN - ORDINANCE NO. 2830 APPROVED Nature of request is to approve an ordinance for the City's Water Conservation and Emergency Water Demand/Drought Contingency Plan. The Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 288, which became effective October 7,2004, requires the City of North Richland Hills as a wholesale water provider and customer to revise its Water Conservation Plans and Drought Contingency Plans. The City's Water Conservation and Emergency Water Demand Management Plan was originally approved by council on August 09, 1999. Staff has updated the Water Conservation and Emergency Water Demand Management Plan to meet the requirements of Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 288 and are included in Ordinance No. 2830. The revised plans are to be submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality no later than May 1, 2005. Staff is recommending that council approve Ordinance No. 2830. Public Works Director Mike Curtis was available to answer questions from council. Councilman Welch asked that the Plan's trigger conditions and implementation measures be placed on the city's website for the citizens. MAYOR PRO TEM WHITSON MOVED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE No. 2830, GN 2005-042. COUNCILWOMAN COMPTON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. 13. INFORMATION AND REPORTS Councilwoman Compton made the following announcements. Early voting for the May 7 City Council Election continues from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, through May 3. Early voting will also be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 30. Early voting takes place at City Hall, 7301 N.E. Loop 820. Please bring your voter registration card with you. The 10th Annual Paws for the Cause Walk-A- Thon will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 30, benefiting the NRH Animal Adoption & Rescue Center. The two-mile walk begins at the center, 7200 B Dick Fisher Dr. Area residents are encouraged to bring their pets to the walk, provided they are on a leash and have current rabies vaccinations City Council Minutes April 25, 2005 Page 11 and licenses. For registration information, please call 817-427-6570. The City of North Richland Hills continues its free spring concert series at Green Valley Park, 7701 Smithfield Road. The next scheduled performance is the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. on May 6. Admission is free. Please bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. For more information, call 817-427-6614. Kudos Korner - JoAnn Stout & Staff, Neighborhood Services Department - The North Richland Hills Neighborhood Initiative Program has been selected as a finalist for the 2005 City Livability Awards presented by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. More than 150 cities from across the country submitted applications for the award. The Neighborhood Initiative Program was one of 15 finalists selected for improving the quality of life in U.S. cities. Winners of the award will be announced in June during the 73rd Annual Conference of Mayors in Chicago. Congratulations to the Neighborhood Services Department and the many Neighborhood Initiative volunteers for this accompl ish ment. IR 2005-057 STAFF REPORT ON STATUS OF TIF AND HOMETOWN LIBRARY (FOLLOW UP FROM APRIL 11, 2005 CITIZEN'S PRESENTATION) City Manager Larry Cunningham read letter addressed to Ms. Jane Birkes in response to her inquiry at the last council meeting during citizen's presentation. 14. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Trevino adjourned the meeting at 9:0 \\\0' "" O\;~"J \'~ f'\I ~'/. ~'" ~~,.,......... ......" ~ " '. ~'" ~ "n '. ~ :::." ..-:. Â~ST: r \!p~ ~;r;\ iJt !Ikø---¡~F .. - : -~~....... ..... .' Patriéfã, . utson"~ City Secretary