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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMn 12-05-06 MINUTES #2629 CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF UNIVERSITY PARK, TEXAS CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2006, 5:00 P.M. Mayor Blackie Holmes opened the meeting. Present were Mayor Pro Tempore Harry Shawver and Councilmembers Syd Carter, Kelly Walker and Jerry Grable. Also in attendance were City Manager Bob Livingston, City Attorney Rob Dillard and City Secretary Nina Wilson. Three Boy Scouts introduced themselves and stated the badge upon which they were working: Davis Collins, 3544 Milton; Ross Watson, 3914 Normandy and Kyle Trimmer, 4547 Arcady. Mayor Pro Tempore Shawver moved approval of the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Carter seconded, and the vote was unanimous to approve the following: CONSENT AGENDA CONSIDER COLOR SELECTION FOR GERMANY PARK TRACK: Previously, a contract was awarded to Texas Track Builders to renovate the track at Germany Park. The council was asked to select a color for the surface. The council selected black as the surfacing color. CONSIDER PROPOSAL FROM MORAN & MURPHY FOR ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH IMPROVEMENTS TO PEEK SERVICE CENTER: Moran & Murphy previously developed the design for the backup Dispatch Center and temporary police department offices, which will be constructed on the first floor of the Peek Service Center. After the police move back to City Hall, the temporary facilities will be converted to an Emergency Operations Center. To provide space for these functions, Facility Maintenance operations were to move to a new metal building at the Fondren water storage tank site. However, costs were considerably higher than expected, and staff determined that it would be better to construct new Facility Maintenance facilities in garage space in the Peek Center; therefore, a proposal was solicited to provide architectural and engineering design for the new space. The proposal is in the amount of $8,721. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES: For November 13, 2006, November 14, 2006, 2:00 p.m. and November 14, 2006, 5:00 p.m. with necessary corrections. MAIN AGENDA CONSIDER COST ESTIMATES FOR BARBARA HITZELBERGER PARK: Mr. Coy Talley of Talley and Associates presented the project cost estimates associated with the development of Barbra Hitzelberger Park. Council requested the project be broken down into segments and bid. CONSIDER BIDS FOR CITY HALL/GOAR PARK LANDSCAPE PACKAGE: The project’s original estimated cost was approximately $900,000. A total of five bids were received from $1.3-$1.5 million dollars. After meeting with the project’s landscape architect, Newman, Jackson, Bieberstein, Project Manager Von Gallagher, and the City Hall Renovation Committee, staff requested city council reject all bids and allow the project to be re-bid outlining alternates that would provide cost savings in bringing the project in line with the original project budget. Mayor Holmes moved the five bids be rejected and the project re-bid. Councilmember Grable seconded, and the vote was unanimous to re-bid the City Hall/Goar Park Landscape Package. DISCUSS ANOTHER REQUEST FROM REYNOLDS OUTDOOR TO INSTALL INFORMATION KIOSKS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN CITY: Reynolds Outdoor initially requested consideration to install information kiosks in Snider Plaza. The city council discussed the request on June 20, 2006 and referred the item to the Urban Design and Development Advisory Committee (UDADAC) for review. They discussed the request at their meeting on July 11, 2006 and recommended the design of the Kiosks be reduced in size, as well as, a detailed site plan showing specific locations be submitted. The request was presented to the Snider Plaza Merchants Association on October 3, 2006. Most of the merchants were not in favor of the placement of the Kiosks in Snider Plaza; therefore, Reynolds Outdoor withdrew the request. The new request is scaled down to locations along Central Expressway, Hillcrest, Lovers Lane, and Preston Center. Reynolds Outdoors will reimburse the City $10,000 per year for 20 years for 10 two-sided kiosks and prepay at a discounted rate $165,000. Alternatively, Reynolds Outdoor will pay the city $20,000 per year for 20 years for 10 three-sided kiosks and prepay at a discounted rate $330,000. Scott Reynolds presented the request. Mayor Pro Tempore Shawver was concerned about the height of the kiosks and would like to have them made smaller. Councilmember Grable did not feel the kiosks were right for the city. Councilmember Walker was concerned that businesses other than those in Highland Park and University Park would advertise on the kiosks. Mayor Holmes moved approval of the concept subject to working with staff and UDADAC to come up with a design that is acceptable in size, location, aesthetics and compensation. Councilmember Carter seconded, and the vote was four to one in favor of an acceptable design. Councilmember Grable opposed the motion. CONSIDER ORDINANCE TO REMOVE AND REROUTE 138KV TRANSMISSION LINE OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS: At the request of members of the University Park Residents in Action (UPRIA) Committee, the city drafted an ordinance requesting TXU remove and reroute the transmission line outside the city limits. Due to narrow alley rights-of-ways and the close proximity of the transmission line to University Park Elementary school, the ordinance requests the rerouting of the transmission line for reasons of safety and reliability. Mayor Holmes read the ordinance. Mayor Holmes then moved approval of the ordinance as read. Mayor Pro Tempore Shawver seconded, and the vote was unanimous to approve the ordinance to remove and reroute the 138 kV transmission line outside the city limits. ORDINANCE NO. 06/34 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UNIVERSITY PARK, TEXAS, REQUESTING TXU ELECTRIC DELIVERY TO RELOCATE THE 138 KV TRANSMISSION LINE CONNECTING THE LOMO ALTO AND GREENVILLE SUBSTATIONS OUTSIDE OF THE CITY LIMITS DUE TO PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS AS OUTLINED BY THE TEXAS PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION SUBSTANATIVE RULES TO ELECTRIC SERVICE PROVIDERS, Sec. 25.101(c)(5)(F). DISCUSS PROCEDURES FOR BLOCK PARTIES: The city currently allows residents to request their street be closed for a block party, but applications must be submitted at least three (3) business days prior to the event. Once an application is received, staff creates a list of blocks to be closed on a given day, and the list is distributed to the police and fire departments. On the last business day prior to the event, city crews deliver two (2) barricades and six (6) traffic cones to the home of the person requesting the block party. On the first business day following the event, city crews pick up the cones and barricades. This year, there were 60 block parties over the 4-day week-end surrounding Halloween with 46 on Halloween night. Such a high volume is too great for city crews to handle. Additionally, emergency response times are significantly reduced when so many blocks are closed. This year, one EMS call was delayed on Halloween night because the paramedics had to move barricades in order to reach a home. The closures also make it difficult for motorists to navigate the city. Another problem has been residents’ submission of an application only an hour or two before the block party is to begin. This is generally after hours or on the week-end when the city does not have personnel working. Workers have been called in or pulled off other jobs to accommodate last minute requests. This is costly and inefficient and does not allow staff sufficient time to notify police and fire of the additional closures. The staff recommended block party applications should be submitted a minimum of two (2) business days prior to the event and any applications received after that deadline should be denied, and the practice of allowing block parties on Halloween be discontinued entirely. Limiting the number of parties was also discussed. Councilmember Walker suggested the council receive input from the PTA Presidents. Kathy Vandemotter, 4205 Stanford, spoke in favor of the council taking action to limit the number of people from outside the city. Peter Tanguy, 4044 Amherst, agreed with Ms. Vandemotter. Mayor Holmes recommended Councilmember Walker discuss this item with the PTA Presidents and that it also be sent to the Public Safety Committee for review. DISCUSS SIDEWALK REPLACEMENT AROUND HIGHLAND PARK INDEPENDENT SCHOOL Staff reviewed the condition of the subject sidewalks and provided an DISTRICT CAMPUSES: estimate of the repair costs in the amount of $43,148 for University Park Elementary School, Hyer Elementary School, McMcCulloch/Highland Park Middle Schools and Highland Park High School. Chris Murzin, 3236 Milton, requested the sidewalks be ADA accessible. Peter Tanguy, 4044 Amherst, asked if the school district was going to pay 50% of the cost. Terry Skartsiaris, 3221 Westminster, asked for an explanation of city policy on sidewalks. Mayor Holmes moved the city pay to replace the defective sidewalks around the schools in University Park and that staff solicit bids and present the low bid for council approval. Councilmember Walker seconded, and the vote was unanimous to approve the solicitation of bids for the repair of defective sidewalks around the schools in University Park. The city’s insurance CONSIDER RENEWAL OF EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND DENTAL PLANS: coverage for employee health and dental plans will expire on January 1, 2007. Due to extremely high claims activity in October, the renewal proposals submitted were much higher than expected. The Employee Benefits Committee voted in favor of recommending that the city purchase specific and aggregate stop loss coverage and third-party claims administration services from Cigna Insurance Company. Due to increased insurance costs, the Employee Benefits Committee also recommends a slight increase in employee premiums. Staff has proposed a $5 per month increase for all premium levels, and the Employee Benefits Committee approves. Benefit plans and premiums for employee dental insurance are unchanged from 2006, and staff recommends renewing coverage with Assurant Dental. Mayor Holmes moved approval of purchasing specific and aggregate stop loss coverage and third-party claims administration services from Cigna Insurance Company, an increase of $5 per month for employee insurance premiums and renewal of dental insurance with Assurant Dental. Mayor Pro Tempore Shawver seconded, and the vote was unanimous to approve the renewal of employee health and dental insurance plans. CONSIDER ACCEPTANCE OF URBAN AREA SECURITY INITIATIVE GRANT TO DEVELOP A COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM: The North Central Texas Council of Governments and the 2006 Citizen Corps Grant Review Committee has awarded funding to the City of University Park in the amount of $6,586 for development of a Community Emergency Response Team. The grant allows the city to train volunteers to assist during emergencies. In emergency preparedness for the city, staff members have recognized the need for additional personnel to assist various departments to accomplish goals and objectives during emergencies. Without overburdening departmental staff, the best solution was to have a core of personnel that can handle minor chores and activities and utilize our personnel in more demanding roles. The grant monies will be utilized to purchase 25 Community Emergency Response Team Action Response Units, which is equipment that response team members will utilize in the field including latex gloves, medical supplies, blankets, etc. Additionally, other items to be purchased will include team uniform shirts, rain gear, high-visibility vests, office supplies, duffel bags that contain Response Unit items, training videos, recruiting, and promotional items. Southern Methodist University will partner with the city to recruit volunteers for the program since they are a Point of Distribution for pandemic and/or prophylaxis medical supplies to the citizens. Mayor Holmes moved approval of staff’s recommendation that City Manager Bob Livingston sign the agreement for acceptance of the grant money in the amount of $6,586. Councilmember Grable seconded, and the vote was unanimous to accept the grant to develop a Community Emergency Response Team. CONSIDER RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING CITY COUNCIL POSITION REGARDING UNDERFUNDING REMEDY FOR FIREFIGHTERS’ RELIEF AND RETIREMENT FUND: Over the past three years, the declining financial health of the University Park Firefighter Relief and Retirement Fund (UPFRRF or the Fund) has attracted increasing attention from its Board of Trustees, the University Park City Council, and city staff. The city council is willing to take action to assist conversion of the active FRRF members to the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) by agreeing to ensure that current FRRF pensioners receive their promised benefits and, should conversion to TMRS not occur, the city council agrees to contribute to the FRRF on an equal basis with the Fund’s active membership. The combined contribution rate needed to amortize the Fund’s liabilities within 30 years shall be shared equally by the city and the active members, provided that the FRRF adopts plan language requiring an automatic change in the contribution rate whenever recommended by the regular actuarial study. Mayor Pro Tempore Shawver moved approval of the resolution regarding city participation in the underfunding remedy for the University Park Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund. Councilmember Grable seconded, and the vote was unanimous to approve the resolution regarding the council’s position on the underfunding remedy for FRRF. RESOLUTION NO. 06-21 RESOLUTION REGARDING CITY PARTICIPATION IN UNDERFUNDING REMEDY FOR UNIVERSITY PARK FIREFIGHTERS’ RELIEF AND RETIREMENT FUND ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR Peter Rogers, 6200 St. Andrews, voiced his concern regarding the noise from airplanes from Love Field early in the morning. He requested the city council make an official complaint by passing a resolution and sending it to the appropriate party. Mayor Holmes said the council will discuss the issue. There being no further business, Mayor Holmes adjourned the meeting. th PASSED AND APPROVED this 19day of December 2006. James H. Holmes, III, Mayor ATTEST: Nina Wilson, City Secretary