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2005-02-21 CC MinutesCity of Farmers Branch City Council Regular Meeting Agenda City Hall Plaza 13000 William Dodson Parkway Farmers Branch, Texas Monday, February 21, 2005 7:30 P.M. The following members of the City Council were present: Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Councilmembers Bob Phelps Bill Moses Charlie Bird Junie Smith Ben Robinson Paul Walden The following members of administration were present: City Manager Linda Groomer Assistant City Manager Mary Jane Stevenson Assistant City Manager Greg Vick City Secretary Cindee Peters Assistant to the City Manager Margaret Somereve Assistant to the City Manager John Roach City Attorney John Boyle Director of Finance Charles Cox Director of Community Services Michael Spicer Director of Economic Development Norma Nichols Reed Fire Chief Kyle King Police Chief Jim Fawcett Library Director Danita Barber City Engineer Jerry Murawski Director of Communications Tom Bryson Director of Public Works Mark Pavageaux Director of Equipment Services Don Moore Director of Parks and Recreation Jeff Fuller Recording Secretary Suzanne Reynolds Mayor Phelps called the City Council meeting of February 21, 2005 to order at 7:30 p.m. The meeting was televised. Volume 94, page 114 A.1 INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Bird gave the invocation and presented the pledge of allegiance. A.2 PROCLAIM FEBRUARY 20-26,2005 AS "ENGINEERS WEEK" IN FARMERS BRANCH. Mayor Phelps presented the following information. National Engineers Week was founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers. Historically it has been celebrated at the time of George Washington's birthday because he was a military engineer and land surveyor. Since 1951, beginning with President Truman, U.S. Presidents have sent special messages of appreciation to the engineering profession in recognition of the week. This year President George Bush said, "Engineers Week provides an opportunity to recognize the many accomplishments of America's engineers and the positive impact they have on our quality of life. In addition, this week encourages the study of math and science, inspires young people to pursue a future in engineering, and promotes the pursuit of excellence." National Engineers Week recognizes the contributions engineers make to the community. Engineers are instrumental in providing many of the basic needs of our citizens. They are involved in improving health and sanitation and they are leaders in the development of the transportation and communication infrastructure that drives commerce. Mayor Phelps proclaimed "Engineers Week" in Farmers Branch and congratulated the city's six engineers: Sallie Mullins, Mike Martin, Randy Walhood, Dave Davis, Mark Pavageaux, and Jerry Murawski. A.3 PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARD. Mayor Phelps presented a 20-year employee service award to Steve Irick of the Fire Department. A.4 PRESENTATION OF BOARD APPLICATIONS. There were no applications presented. A.5 REPORT ON STUDY SESSION ITEMS. Mayor Phelps and City Council gave a brief summary of the items discussed in Study Session. Volume 94, page 115 Mayor Phelps introduced and welcomed Albert Solis with Troop No. 838 from St. Rita Catholic Church and Daniel Siptak from Troop No. 1202, who are both working on their Communications Merit badges. 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 the consent items is to speed up discussion for those items that need more time for discussion. A motion by Mayor Pro Tem Moses, seconded by Councilwoman Smith, all voting "aye," approved the Consent Agenda as submitted. B.1 APPROVED MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 7, 2005. B.2 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2005-027 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A JOINT ELECTION CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY OF DALLAS FOR THE MAY 7, 2005 CITY COUNCIL ELECTION. B.3 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2005-035 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF DALLAS FOR BIOTEL SYSTEM BIOMEDICAL ONLINE SUPERVISION SERVICES FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. B.4 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2005-034 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENTS FOR MEDIANS AND SUMPS IN THE VALWOOD PARK-FARMERS BRANCH PHASE I AND PHASE II DEVELOPMENTS BETWEEN THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH AND THE PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATIONS BY MANAGING AGENT WILCOX REAL ESTATE, L.P. B.5 APPROVED THE RECOMMENDATION TO DEACCESSION ITEMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HISTORICAL PARK'S COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT POLICY AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. C.l CITIZEN PARTICIPATION. There was no citizen participation. Volume 94, page 116 D.1 CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION NO. 2005-029 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CHANGE ORDER FOR THE SCOPE OF WORK TO INSTALL CABINETS IN THE PEDESTALS OF THE WATER TOWERS FOR THE 800 MHZ PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO PROJECT UPGRADE AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. Mayor Phelps presented the following information. On January 10, 2005, the City Council rejected the shelter bid for the 800 MHz Public Safety Radio Project Upgrade due to costs exceeding the amount allocated for the shelter portion of the project. To complete the 800 MHz Public Safety Radio Project Upgrade, staff recommends installing the radio equipment in cabinets inside existing City facilities. If approved, the cabinets housing the radio equipment will be located within the pedestals of the water towers located on both the east and west sides of town. This plan requires a change order expanding the scope of work with Applied Computer Services (ACS) to include the installation of the cabinets, uninterruptible power supply (UPS), climate control system, and necessary electrical components. The allocated amount for shelters is $292,632. The cost of the alternative plan is $161,680 resulting in a savings of $130,952, which is within the Council approved amount allocated for this portion of the project. Al Solis, 13243 Glenside Drive, asked what the benefit of this project would be. Chief of Police Jimmy Fawcett explained the project has been on going for several years. The City of Farmers Branch has been part of a group with Carrollton and Addison, working to allow the cities to communicate better than before and lessening the public safety risk. There being no further discussion, a motion by Councilman Robinson, seconded by Councilman Walden, all voting "aye," adopted Resolution No. 2005-029 authorizing Change Order No. 2 with the City of Carrollton expanding the scope of work for the installation of cabinets and related equipment for the 800 MHz Public Safety Radio Project Upgrade. D.2 CONSIDER APPOINTMENTS TO THE SCHOOL-COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE, THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AND THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD, AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. A motion by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Bird, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Moses, all voting "aye," appointed Nyles Bynum to Place 2 on the School-Community Relations Committee. A motion by Mayor Pro Tem Moses, seconded by Councilman Robinson, all voting "aye," moved Charles Beck from Alternate Place 1 to Place 7 on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Volume 94, page 117 A motion by Mayor Pro Tern Moses, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Bird, all voting "aye," moved Joan Abby from Alternate Place 1 to Place 4, moved Robert Davis from Alternate Place 2 to Alternate Place 1, and appointed Jim Barrett to Alternate Place 2 on the Parks and Recreation Board. D.3 CONSIDER COUNCIL TRAVEL REPORTS AND REQUESTS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. Mayor Phelps stated City Manager Linda Groomer, Councilman Robinson and he traveled to Austin to attend the Association of Mayors, Councilmembers and Commissioners Institution and Texas Municipal Legislative Briefing on February 12' through 14', 2005. Mayor Phelps reported on the workshops he attended on Saturday and Sunday. Mayor Phelps stated a book by Tom Peters entitled Reimagine the Small City Choices, Die or Desire to have Growth and Do Something About It. He recommended this book to anyone wanting to develop their City. City Manager Linda Groomer echoed Councilman Robinson's report on the Study Session item regarding the legislative issues. Ms. Groomer reported on a workshop she attended, "Advocacy and Communications," with Dr. John Daly as the speaker. Ms. Groomer reported that she and Tom Bryson, Communications Director, would be attending another one of his seminars on March 4a'. Ms. Groomer reported on sessions she attended and stated she found it beneficial visiting with State Legislators and speaking with the Governor regarding the City's economic development project. Councilman Robinson extended an invitation to citizens who might be interested in hosting guests from the Sister Cities this fall. Sister Cities include the District of Bassetlaw, England, and Garbsen, Germany, and the friendship City of Sch6nebeck, Germany, will be visiting Farmers Branch from September 7-17 to celebrate the anniversaries of the relationships with each of them. Persons interested should contact Traci Leach at 972-919-2584. DA PRESENTATION OF COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND ORGANIZATION REPORTS. Councilwoman Smith stated on February 15'h she attended the Metroplex Hospital Authority meeting. Councilwoman Smith reminded citizens that the 2005 Farmers Branch Police Department Citizen Police Academy is set to begin March 3 and continue for 10 Thursday evenings from 6:30 until 9:30 p.m. at the Farmers Branch Justice Center. The Citizen Police Academy is a 30-hour block of instruction designed to give the public a working knowledge of Police Department personnel, policies and procedures. The class is open to anyone who lives or works in Farmers Volume 94, page 118 F.1 F.2 Branch and is at least 18 years old. Councilwoman Smith stated anyone interested can call Lt. Mark Young for at 972-484-3620. Mayor Phelps stated on February 8th he and City Manager Linda Groomer attended the Metroplex Mayors meeting. He also attended the Janie Stark Elementary "Burn Awareness Week" program. On February 9th he hosted "Tell it to the Mayor." On February 1 lth he attended the Farmers Branch Chamber of Commerce Board meeting and luncheon. On February 12th through 14th he traveled to Austin with City Manager Linda Groomer and Councilman Robinson. On February 17th he attended the Village Oaks Open House. On February 18th he welcomed the Ice Skating Institute Figure Skating Competition held at the Stars Center. On February 20 he congratulated the First Baptist Church for celebrating 135 years. CONSIDER NECESSARY ACTION ON ITEMS DISCUSSED IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION. There were no executive session agenda items. ADJOURNMENT. A motion by Councilwoman Smith, a second by Mayor Pro Tern Moses, all voting "aye," adjourned the City Council meeting of February 21, 2005 at 8:15 p.m. Bob ..Phelps, Mayor Cindee Peters, City Secretary Volume 94, page 119