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2005-08-01 CC MinutesCity of Farmers Branch City Council Regular Meeting Agenda City Hall Plaza 13000 William Dodson Parkway Farmers Branch, Texas Monday, August 1, 2005 7:30 P.M. The following members of the City Council were present: Mayor Mayor Pro Tern Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Councilmembers Bob Phelps Charlie Bird Ben Robinson Junie Smith Tim O'Hare Bill Moses The following members of the Administration were present: City Manager Linda Groomer Assistant City Manager Mary Jane Stevenson Assistant City Manager Greg Vick City Attorney John Boyle City Secretary Cindee Peters Assistant to the City Manager John Roach Director of Economic Division Norma Nichols Reed Finance Director Charles Cox Director of Public Works Mark Pavageaux Director of Community Services Michael Spicer Director of Parks and Recreation Jeff Fuller Police Chief Jimmy Fawcett Fire Chief Kyle King Library Director Danita Barber City Engineer Jerry Murawski Director of Communications Tom Bryson Director of Equipment Services Don Moore Recording Secretary Suzanne Reynolds Mayor Phelps called the City Council meeting of August 1, 2005 to order at 7:35 p.m. The meeting was televised. A.1 INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Bird gave the invocation and Councilman Moses led the pledge of allegiance. Volume 95, page 75 Mayor Phelps welcomed a student from North Lake College who was in the audience. Mayor Phelps read a letter from a resident and recognized Deputy Chief of Operations Ronnie Inman and Paramedics Eric Kruckenberg and Mike Campbell for an outstanding job helping the resident and her husband. A.2 PROCLAIM AUGUST 2, 2005 AS "NATIONAL NIGHT OUT" IN THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH. Mayor Phelps explained that the 2005 edition of National Night Out will be celebrated in Farmers Branch, and across the nation, on Tuesday, August 2 with neighborhood get-togethers, cookouts and block parties. The City of Farmers Branch and Farmers Branch Community Watch encouraged neighborhoods to plan get-togethers and residents to spend the evening outdoors with outside lights on to present a united front against crime. In Farmers Branch, registered parties will receive visits from the Farmers Branch public safety agencies (as available) along with the Mayor and members of the City Council and City staff. To register a National Night Out party, call Farmers Branch City Hall at 972-247-3131. In recognition of the event, Mayor Phelps read and presented a proclamation to Police Chief Fawcett proclaiming August 2, 2005 as "National Night Out" in Farmers Branch. A.3 PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES OF ACHIEVEMENT TO CITY EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEERS IN THE CITY'S MENTORING PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN. Mayor Phelps explained that the City of Farmers Branch encourages its employees to volunteer in the City's mentoring program coordinated through Communities In Schools. Communities In Schools has offices on campuses of four Farmers Branch schools helping at-risk youth succeed by giving them the opportunity to be mentored by concerned adults in their community. Studies indicate that students who participate in programs such as these are more likely to complete their education. The eleven City volunteers tutor and mentor students and also serve as judges for spelling bees and science fairs as well as greeters welcoming students as they arrive on their first day of school. The City appreciates these employees for making a difference in the life of a child here in Farmers Branch. Mayor Phelps presented and congratulated the following employees for their dedication to the Communities In Schools program for volunteering: Pam Smith, Volume 95, page 76 Ava Harris, Cassandra Coffey, Norman Reynolds, Connie Stewart, Bill Burns, John Roach, Norma Nichols, Amanda Johnson, and Melody Drake. Karen Alvarado was not attendance. A.4 PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARD - ERIC CURTIS OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT - 20 YEARS. Mayor Phelps presented a 20-year employee service award to Eric Curtis of the Public Works Department. A.5 PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARD - JEANNIE SCULLEY OF THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT - 10 YEARS. Mayor Phelps presented a 10-year employee award to Jeannie Sculley of the Finance Department. A.6 PRESENTATION OF BOARD APPLICATIONS. There were no applications presented. A.7 REPORT ON STUDY SESSION ITEMS. Mayor Phelps and City Council gave a brief summary of the items discussed in Study Session. John Wells, 13521 Heartside, expressed his concerns regarding Study Session Items A.2 regarding increasing youth program fees and A.5 Capital Improvement Program; he feels the city should allow alcohol sales for sales tax benefits. B.0 CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING AS CONSENT ITEMS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. Mayor Phelps stated consent items are items that are to be considered that may not need discussion individually. Any member of the City Council or the audience may request to withdraw any item from the consent items and place the item before the Council for full discussion. The concept for consent items is to speed up discussion for those items that need more time for discussion. A motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bird, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Robinson, all voting "aye," approved the Consent Agenda as submitted. B.1 APPROVED MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 11, 2005. B.2 ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 2823 DENYING THE REQUEST OF ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION FOR AN ANNUAL GAS Volume 95, page 77 RELIABILITY INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM (GRIP) RATE INCREASE FOR ALL ATMOS ENERGY CUSTOMERS IN FARMERS BRANCH. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS, DENYING THE REQUEST OF ATMOS ENERGY CORP., MID-TEX DIVISION, FOR AN ANNUAL GAS RELIABILITY INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM (GRIP) RATE INCREASE IN THIS MUNICIPALITY, AS A PART OF THE COMPANY'S STATEWIDE GAS UTILITY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM; APPROVING COOPERATION WITH OTHER CITIES WITHIN THE ATMOS ENERGY CORP., MID-TEX DIVISION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AS PART OF THE ATMOS CITIES STEERING COMMITTEE (ACSC); AUTHORIZING ACSC TO HIRE LEGAL AND CONSULTING SERVICES AND TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE COMPANY AND DIRECT ANY NECESSARY LITIGATION; AUTHORIZING INTERVENTION AS PART OF ACSC IN ANY APPEAL OF THE CITY'S ACTION TO THE RAILROAD COMMISSION; APPROVING COSTS INCURRED AS REASONABLE AND PROVIDING A REQUIREMENT FOR PROMPT REIMBURSEMENT OF COSTS; FINDING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS ORDINANCE IS PASSED IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW; AND PROVIDING FOR NOTICE OF THIS ORDINANCE TO ATMOS ENERGY CORP., MID-TEX DIVISION. B.3 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2005-092 REJECTING THE BID FOR CONCRETE-LINED CHANNEL DRAINAGE REPAIRS BETWEEN JOSEY LANE AND EUNICE DRIVE. B.4 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2005-095 ACCEPTING COMPENSATION IN THE AMOUNT OF THE PERFORMANCE BOND FROM EVERGREEN NATIONAL INDEMNITY COMPANY RELATIVE TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE EXISTING SANITARY SEWER LIFT STATION AT VALWOOD PARKWAY AND IH-35 WITH GRAVITY FLOW SEWER. B.5 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2005-096 APPROVING THE 2005-2006 OPERATING BUDGET OF THE NORTH DALLAS COUNTY WATER SUPPLY CORPORATION. Volume 95, page 78 C.l CITIZEN PARTICIPATION. John Wells, 13521 Heartside Place, expressed his concerns regarding the trees that were cut down at the corner of Josey and Rawhide. He would like to see the City plant trees which are more conducive to this area. D.1 CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION NO. 2005-094 AWARDING THE BID FOR THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL IMPROVEMENTS ALONG VALLEY VIEW LANE AT HUTTON DRIVE AND AT PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH TURNPIKE AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. Mayor Phelps presented the following information. The installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Valley View Lane and Hutton Drive, and at the intersections of Valley View Lane and the President George Bush Turnpike ramps is budgeted in the 2004-05 Capital Improvement Program. On July 21, 2005, two bids were received and opened for these traffic signal improvements. Both bids met specifications. Roadway Solutions, Inc. submitted the lowest bid in the amount of $319,496. The contract time is 120 calendar days. Roadway Solutions, Inc. has provided qualifications and references for similar work that was successfully completed. The North Texas Tollway Authority recently announced the opening of the President George Bush Turnpike between IH-35 and IH-635 would be September 9, 2005. In order to expedite installation of the traffic signals at the intersections of ramps at Valley View Lane, the signal poles were purchased separately for $24,904. The cost to design the signals was $21,000. Funds are available for the bid award in the Valley View Lane Widening Project, Valley View Lane-Hutton Drive Traffic Signal Project, and from $150,000 reimbursement from the North Texas Tollway Authority. There being no discussion, a motion by Mayor Pro Tern Bird, seconded by Councilman Moses, all voting "aye," adopted Resolution No. 2005-094 awarding the bid for the Traffic Signal Improvements along Valley View Lane at Hutton Drive, and at President George Bush Turnpike to Roadway Solutions, Inc. in the amount of $319,496. D.2 CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION NO. 2005-068 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO PURCHASE AN ENHANCED 911 CALL CENTER SYSTEM AND INSTALLATION SERVICES FROM COMBIX CORPORATION FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. Mayor Phelps presented the following information. The City's Police Department has identified a need to replace the current Combix Corporation enhanced 911 call Volume 95, page 79 center systems. The current systems are six years old, run continuously seven days a week, and cannot effectively receive emergency calls from phones using new technologies. The current enhanced 911-call system provides police dispatchers with name and address information. The requested system will have the capability of providing geographical coordinates for calls from cell phones, if that information is provided by the cell phone company. Cell phone calls represent an increasing volume of calls to dispatchers. This information will allow public safety officials to respond to cell phone based calls more quickly. The requested system will also be able to effectively accept voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) calls, via that new and growing technology. Proposals were requested from eleven vendors. Combix Corporation submitted the only price quote for the Enhanced 911 Call Center System and installation services in the amount of $91,799.66. The 2004-2005 Fixed Asset Fund includes $100,000 for the purchase of these items. There being no discussion, a motion by Councilman O'Hare, seconded by Councilwoman Smith, all voting "aye," adopted Resolution No. 2005-068 authorizing the City Manager to purchase an Enhanced 911 Call Center System and installation services from Combix Corporation for the Police Department. D.3 CONSIDER APPOINTMENTS TO THE SCHOOL-COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE, AND THE COMMUNITY WATCH COMMITTEE AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. There were no appointments to the School-Community Relations Committee or the Community Watch Committee. DA CONSIDER COUNCIL TRAVEL REPORTS AND REQUESTS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. There were no travel reports or requests. D.5 PRESENTATION OF COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND ORGANIZATION REPORTS. Councilman Moses stated on July 14th he attended the Senior Advisory Board, which sponsored a CPR class at the Senior Center. Councilwoman Smith reported on the Metrocrest Hospital Authority meeting she attended on July 18th and the Metrocrest Hospital Authority Board meeting on July 19t'. She also reported on the Prime Time Sports Basketball Tournament Volume 95, page 80 , "V, 4.1, "c held on July 30th at the Farmers Branch Community Rec Center. She stated this tournament would probably return next year. Mayor Pro Tern Bird congratulated City Manager Linda Groomer for her volunteer work in Costa Rica. MAYOR PHELPS ANNOUNCED THAT THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA FOR THE EXECUTIVE SESSION WERE DISCUSSED IN THE 4:30 P.M. WORK SESSION. MAYOR PHELPS EXPLAINED THE CITY COUNCIL CONVENED INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:50 P.M. AND RECESSED AT 7:27 P.M. AND RECONVENED AT 8:24 P.M. AND THEN CONCLUDED AT 9:43 P.M. TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 551 OF THE OPEN MEETING LAW PROVIDES THAT SUCH ITEMS AS PERSONNEL MATTERS, LAND ACQUISITION AND PENDING AND CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION MAY BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION. E.1 DISCUSS LAND ACQUISITION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.072. Discuss land sale, purchase, trade or lease of properties addressed as 2520 Pepperwood Street and 12905 Bee Street located in Farmers Branch, Texas. I Discuss land sale, purchase, trade or lease of properties in the DART Station Area located in Farmers Branch, Texas. Discuss Farmers Branch Keenan Cemetery. Discuss status of Economic Development Project. Mayor Phelps stated that staff was present to discuss these items with Council. F.1 CONSIDER NECESSARY ACTION ON ITEMS DISCUSSED IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION. Mayor Phelps explained that staff discussed these items with the City Council and no action was necessary. F.2 ADJOURNMENT. A motion by Councilman O'Hare, a second by Councilwoman Smith, all voting "aye," adjourned the City Council meeting of August 1, 2005 at 9:43 p.m. Bob Phelps, Ma r Cindee Peters, City Secretary Volume 95, pa.-e 81