Loading...
Min 03/17/1998 137 Wichita Falls, Texas Memorial Auditorium Building March 17, 1998 Items 1 & 2 The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas met in regular session on the above date in the Council Room of the Memorial Auditorium Building at 8:30 o'clock a.m., with the following members present: Kay Yeager - Mayor Don Johnston - Councilors Dan Shine - Angus Thompson - Bill Daniel - JW Martin - Harold Hawkins - James Berzina - City Manager Greg Humbach - City Attorney Lydia Torres - City Clerk Mayor Yeager called the meeting to order. Invocation was given by Reverend R. D. Sanders, Anderson Chapel AME Church. Mayor proclaimed the week of March 15-21, 1998 as "Older Worker Week" in Wichita Falls. Mayor expressed appreciation for the contributions that older workers provide. Mayor expressed appreciation to the ministers who come and give the invocation at our Council meetings. Item 3 Billy Neimeyer and Tammy Vaughn, 1034 Westerly Place, expressed concern over toxic waste and trash in the creek on their land located at 1818 Perigo. Mayor directed that they discuss this with Mr. George Bonnett and Mr. Ruben Warren. Mr. Neimeyer invited the Council to go out and look at this property. Mayor said she would get with Mr. Bonnett and go out to see it. Regina Neimeyer, 1034 Westerly Place, and Tammy Vaughn, expressed concern that the new weather alert system was inadequate. Mrs. Neimeyer said that she was unable to hear the siren inside her place of business which is located on Avenue J. Mrs. Neimeyer informed that she had a petition with signatures of concerned citizens and will continue to add signatures to that petition. She asked that sirens be tested before the first Monday of next month. Mayor stated that, in following Council rules and procedures, Mr. Robert Parker will respond to this at the end of this meeting. Item 4 The Minutes were approved as distributed. Mayor will provide minor typing corrections to the City Clerk. 138 Items 5a-7e Moved by Councilor Thompson that the consent agenda be approved. Motion seconded by Councilor Johnston and carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Yeager, Councilors Johnston, Shine, Thompson, Daniel, Martin, and Hawkins Nays: None Item 5a RESOLUTION NO. 31-98 A RESOLUTION DETERMINING NECESSITY FOR ACQUISITION OF UTILITY EASEMENTS ON SPISER LANE, APPROVING THE APPRAISALS, SETTING JUST COMPENSATION, AND AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OR CONDEMNATION; FINDING AND DETERMINING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS RESOLUTION WAS DISCUSSED WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW Item 5b RESOLUTION NO. 32-98 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WEED AND SEED GRANT PROGRAM AND TO EXECUTE ANY NECESSARY CONTRACTS INCLUDED IN THE APPLICATION TO OPERATE THIS PROGRAM; FINDING AND DETERMINING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS RESOLUTION WAS PASSED WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW Item 6a RESOLUTION NO. 33-98 RESOLUTION TO AWARD BID AND CONTRACT FOR JALONICK PARK RESTROOM REROOF (CDBG) PROJECT Items 7a-7e Minutes of the meeting of the following boards and commissions were received. a. Helen Farabee Center Board of Trustees, January 22, 1998 b. The Wichita Falls Traffic Safety Commission, February 4, 1998 c. Board of Electrical Examiners, February 12, 1998 d. Library Advisory Board, February 24, 1998 e. Wichita Falls Park Board, February 26, 1998 Item 8a ORDINANCE NO. 24-98 ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING HOTEL/MOTEL FUND EQUITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $250,000 TO A SPECIAL CONVENTION AND VISITOR'S BUREAU ACCOUNT FOR EXPENSES RELATED TO ASSISTING AND ESTABLISHING SUMMER TRAINING CAMP FACILITIES FOR THE DALLAS COWBOYS Moved by Councilor Thompson that Ordinance No. 24-98 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilor Johnston. 139 Item 8a cont'd. Murray Salas, Trade Winds Motel, felt that this was a positive step, however, he thought this should come from the General Fund because he did not think that these expenses come under the use of tax revenue. He mentioned the uses for the hotel/motel tax. He urged Council not to go ahead with this appropriation because this is a capital expenditure and would bring about an audit from the State. E. W. Foster, Travelers' Inn Manager, felt that the Dallas Cowboys would be a good asset, but felt that the $250,000 should be used to support the Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Also, he thought that funding for preparation of the Dallas Cowboys training camp should come from the General Fund and not the hotel/ motel fund. City Attorney stated that there is no question that funds are going to be expended for promoting conventions and tourism for the community. When the Dallas Cowboys were in Austin, the City of Austin utilized their hotel/motel tax funds for this exact same purpose - to assist the Dallas Cowboys. Councilor Daniel commented that if we used General Funds we would come under extreme criticism because the hotels and restaurants would probably benefit more from increased tourism than any other sector in the City at the expense of the tax payers. By using the hotel/motel tax funds it is not an encumbrance upon the property tax in any way. Those industries who benefit from it will be helping to pay the cost. Councilor Hawkins stated that we are providing a place for the tourists to come and this is an avenue for that. Motion carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Yeager, Councilors Johnston, Shine, Thompson, Daniel, Martin, and Hawkins Nays: None Mayor recognized Boy Scouts from Scout Troop 15 who were observing the Council Meeting in order to complete their Citizenship and Community Merit Badge. Item 9a RESOLUTION NO. 34-98 RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT THE JASPER STANDPIPE AND DENVER ELEVATED TANK PAINT PROJECT AND AUTHORIZE FINAL PAYMENT TO GROUND UP, INC. Moved by Councilor Johnston that Resolution No. 34-98 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilor Thompson and carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Yeager, Councilors Johnston, Shine, Thompson, Daniel, Martin, and Hawkins Nays: None Item 9b RESOLUTION NO. 35-98 RESOLUTION TO APPROVE CONTRACT WITH ENGINEERING FIRM OF CORLETT, PROBST & BOYD, INC. FOR THE LAKE ARROWHEAD RAW WATER PUMP STATION MODIFICATION AND PIPELINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT Moved by Councilor Martin that Resolution No. 35-98 be passed. 140 Item 9b cont'd. Motion seconded by Councilor Shine. Mr. Bonnett informed that approximately 70% of our water capacity is located at Lake Arrowhead. We we take roughly 50% each from Lake Arrowhead and Lake Kickapoo. We can get the water cheaper from Lake Kickapoo in terms of energy. Capacity remains at Lake Arrowhead and that is what we depend upon. We have some structural difficulties at the pump station and corrosion, over thirty years, has taken its toll. This project will do many things at the pump station, but most importantly will do structural rehabilitation. Additionally, it will rehabilitate the electrical system at the pump station. The project will cost approximately $5.5 million. i Motion carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Yeager, Councilors Johnston, Shine, Thompson, Daniel, Martin, and Hawkins Nays: None Item 9c RESOLUTION NO. 36-98 A RESOLUTION DETERMINING POLICY FOR ADMINISTRATION OF LEASE LOTS AND PUBLIC SHORELINE PROPERTY, NOT PART OF LEASED LOTS, AT LAKES ARROWHEAD AND KICKAPOO; FINDING AND DETERMINING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS RESOLUTION WAS DISCUSSED WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW Moved by Councilor Thompson that Resolution No. 36-98 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilor Daniel. Mr. David Clark informed that the City has looked at the management of Lakes Arrowhead and Kickapoo and the use of piers, docks, etc., on those lakes. Considering that we are talking about what is the City's main water supply, there has been an attempt to organize the management of that City asset and to look at protection of water quality. The committee has reviewed the details of this and has been in contact with agencies from EPA to TNRCC. This proposed policy basically looks at the future of things that are on the lake, and four types of leases have been identified. He added that there is a permit and review process. Mr. Clark stated that in reference to public boat ramps there are commercial leases at Lake Kickapoo which are covered under their circumstance of the lease agreement with the City and their future. Also, there is a proposal for a commercial lease at Lake Arrowhead that may be the same. The public boat ramps, maintained primarily through the Parks and Recreation Department, can come up in the future as recreational opportunities when Council wishes. City of Wichita Falls Building Code is being followed as leases are updated. Councilor Daniel commented that it is the City's responsibility to provide a clean, sanitary supply of water to its citizens. EPA and TNRCC may come back and mandate us to remove every structure from these lakes, and staff and Council are moving in that direction. It is with the foresight of this staff and, hopefully, the action of this Council that we will be able to - maintain the quality of water for our citizens. We have no alternative but to pass this resolution. Michael Mitchell, 125 N. Lake Road, Lake Kickapoo, was one of the representatives that met with the committee and stated that he understands the problems with which the City of Wichita Falls, as well as the lake residents are faced. He expressed appreciation to the committee members, the Staff and to the Council for their interest and courtesy. Motion carried by the following vote Ayes: Mayor Yeager, Councilors Johnston, Shine, Thompson, Daniel, Martin, and Hawkins 141 Item 9c cont'd. Nays: None Item 9d RESOLUTION NO. 37-98 RESOLUTION APPROVING CONTRACT WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR AN URBAN MOBILITY PROJECT DESCRIBED AS HAMPSTEAD LANE AT TAFT BLVD. Moved by Councilor Johnston that Resolution No. 37-98 be approved. Motion seconded by Councilor Hawkins. Mr. George Bonnett informed that the $117,500 is the initial cost which will be sent to TXDOT. As we develop the plans and specifications there will be additional costs and we estimate the total cost at $316,000. Therefore, we request that we be allowed to encumber the total amount of$316,000 and carry it forward across the budget year. Moved by Councilor Johnston to amend the resolution to encumber the entire amount of$317,280. Motion seconded by Councilor Hawkins and carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Yeager, Councilors Johnston, Shine, Thompson, Daniel, Martin, and Hawkins Nays: None Motion carried on the original motion as amended by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Yeager, Councilors Johnston, Shine, Thompson, Daniel, Martin, and Hawkins Nays: None Item 9e RESOLUTION NO. 38-98 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD FUNDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF WICHITA FALLS AND VERNON REGIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE. Moved by Councilor Hawkins that Resolution No. 38-98 be passed. Motion seconded by Councilor Thompson. Chief Ronnie James commented that training is a continuing challenge for the Fire Department and this agreement with VRJC is going to be an important step in providing additional resources to the Fire Department to try to meet that challenge. It will place Fire Department training in all of our programs under the umbrella of the VRJC Continuing Education Division, thereby, providing funding from the state which will allow us to enhance our fire training program. Dr. Susan Couch, Director of VRJC Continuing Education, stated that continuing education through community colleges do receive coordinating board funding for their vocational training. This proposed model is used in other parts of the State. We modeled our contract after the Dallas system where the El Centro College works with the City of Dallas and their fire department. 142 Item 9e cont'd. Motion carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Yeager, Councilors Johnston, Shine, Thompson, Daniel, Martin, and Hawkins Nays: None City Council recessed at 9:55 a.m. and reconvened at 10:16 a.m. Item 10a Mr. David Lehfeldt provided information on the roll-out containers and on recycled yard waste. Moved by Councilor Hawkins that bid be awarded to Schaefer Systems International, Inc. in the amount of$21,611.84 for the purchase of yard waste roll-out containers. Motion seconded by Councilor Johnston and carried by the following vote. Ayes: Mayor Yeager, Councilors Johnston, Shine, Thompson, Daniel, Martin, and Hawkins Nays: None Item 11 a Councilor Thompson asked for more discussion on the sirens. Mr. Robert Parker explained that the reason new sirens were purchased was that we were having trouble maintaining the old system and were unable to obtain parts because there are none available. Also, after electrical storms the electric driven sirens had fuses blown, and we were having to check six to seven sirens at one time. Two years ago when we asked to augment the system with five new sirens, we went through an extensive testing program where three siren systems were brought in for evaluation. He explained how they designed the system. Twenty-five sirens were installed in December and tested in January but because of bad weather were unable to complete the test. Therefore, we tested in February on the alert tone, which is a solid tone that runs on a frequency of 465. We tested again in March using the alert tone followed by a second tone which was an air-horn. After our second test there were several concerns from the citizens of the inability to hear the sirens. We checked it electronically through silent testing and sent people out to the cabinet to make sure it was working and everything was okay. We called the Manufacturer and they recommended that we go to the wail system. We set the test up for Thursday and the siren was operational well outside the targeted range. The difference was that we used the old tone that is more recognizable. Hindsight, we should have been testing for three minutes at a time to verify and get the people used to an electronically generated tone rather than an air horn. We tested by the old method of thirty seconds. On a steady tone it is easy to block it out of your mind. I believe it is more of a recognition problem than a volume problem. Councilor Thompson suggested that it would be prudent to provide as many tests as possible so that the citizens could become accustomed to the sound. Mr. Parker stated that he will run some unscheduled tests from now until April. Councilor Hawkins stated that the problem is that we have not educated the citizens and we need to do that with the help of the media. Mayor suggested putting a map on the City Channel showing the locations of the sirens and the coverage area. Councilor Martin said they should be tested until everybody is satisfied that they can hear and identify the tone. City Manager suggested that we should have three or four unscheduled tests, inform citizens and then ask if they are hearing them. 143 Item 11 a cont'd. Councilor Thompson asked for the status of the traffic survey on 10`h Street between Bethania Hospital and the old Medical Surgical Clinic. City Manager informed that the report was complete and has been distributed to Council. Councilor Hawkins suggested that the old sirens stay within our County, and if possible turn them over to the County Emergency Coordinator and let them deal with the local cities to locate these. City Manager said that Staff will try to find the best and quickest way to do that, _ but it may take a different direction. Councilor Hawkins asked that the bar-ditches in the Wichita Garden, the Sunset, and Duty Lane areas be checked because they are experiencing quite a bit of flooding. Councilor Martin recognized the following businesses for the beautification program: Gilmore Paint & Body Shop and Winn Dixie on Jacksboro Highway. Mayor informed that April 30 the Texas Highway Commission will meet in Odessa to address the priority on the trunk system and we will be attending for moral support. Item 11 b City Manager reported on the Capital Projects Update. A copy of this Update is attached hereto as Exhibit A. The City Council adjourned at 11:30 a.m. PASSED AND APPROVED this day of 1998. i j KA HRYN A. AGER` MAYOY / ATTEST: e Lydia Torres City Clerk pw4p ki" on" PROJECTS UPDATE PROJECT Est. Completion I. CURRENT CONSTRUCTION LIBRARY March 12, 1998 Punch list has been prepared. This week there will be a re- inspection to see if all items have been completed. Due to rain, contract deadline was extended to March 12. Anticipate contractor to be through by end of next week. Pre-bid conference was held for library relocation with good response. Bids opened on March 24'. Kemp Close Date: end of day Saturday, May 9th W.F. Public Library Open Date: Monday, June 8th SIRENS March 15, 1998 As reported at the February 17' Council meeting, all emergency warning sirens are in, save the four which go in the newly annexed areas. These are due in next week (ending March 6''') and be installed by March 15t . Old system has been disconnected. Decision needs to be made on disposal, e.g., auction, sale to smaller cities,competitive bid, etc. Staff is drafting testing procedure options for public awareness, i.e., monthly audible, silent-only, etc. MCGRATH CREEK Fall 1998 Taft Street Bridge reopened on 2/26/98. Bridge No. 4 on Midwestern Pkwy (damaged in May 1997 storm) has been removed and the replacement is about sixty (60%) percent complete. Work on spillway at Sikes Lake is on schedule. Channel between spillway and Taft is about seventy-five (75%) complete. Tree planting on the environmental mitigation areas in the Weeks Park area will start 3/2/98. EXHIBIT A COUNCIL MINUTES OF MARCH 17, 1998 II. CURRENT STUDY, DESIGN OR RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISTION RADIO COMMUNICATIONS Phase I: April, 1998 Phase II: End 1998 Phase I of the study is the needs assessment. RCC (Houston) conducted staff interviews in late January and returned draft summaries of these interviews for staff to correct or add to and return by March 10'. Next step will be to determine system requirements and develop conceptual plan. Phase I report should be presented to Council in mid-to late-April. ($25,000) Phase II which is detailed system design and issuance of RFP would commence upon go ahead by City and take approximately seven(7)months to complete. ($50,000) RCC will make presentation to Wichita County when they return to W.F. for a site visit within the next several weeks. CALLFIELD RELIEVER Spring 1999 City share of Preliminary Engineering of$115,500 was approved by Council on January 20, 1998. Contract with TxDot is on 3/3/98 Agenda. After completion of the study, Council will have sixty (60) days to decide whether to proceed with project. Callfield widening should be completed prior to this decision point. HOLLIDAY CREEK TRAIL PHASE II Sept 1998 After meeting in Austin, staff is in redesign and expect to resubmit the revised plans to TxDot committee in May. PLUM CREEK Late 1998 Corps in process of issuing fencing contract for wildlife mitigation area. Federal funds for project have been approved. City is awaiting schedule. Property acquisition is well under way. Council has approved the major relocation project contract with TUElectric and it appears that the project is on track for a late 1998 letting. I44 ELEVATED FREEWAY-RIGHT OF WAY N.A Two parcels need to be acquired on 6'' Street. Property Acquisition authorization to proceed is on the March 3" Agenda (value estimated at$137,000). 2 ANNEXATION -ANIMALS &ZONING Zoning. April 1998 Workshop was held which citizens attended. Went Well. Item scheduled for formal action by P&Z on Wednesday, March 11' with forwarding to City Council on the April 7t'Agenda. Animals. May 1998 380+ surveys were mailed with approximately 8% return rate. 180 day moratorium on Section VI: Keeping of Animals, Fowl, Livestock Wildlife& Sanitation Requirements expires May 6'. ENERGY MANAGEMENT AUDIT April 1998 EnerShop (consultant)has visited most City facilities and currently is reviewing utility bills for selected sites. A report to Council is possible in mid-late April. Should their analysis be positive, staff would discuss merits of issuing RFP for energy saving improvements which would be payable via guaranteed contract with successful vendor on energy savings up to a maximum ten year payback. III.AWAITING BID OR OTHER ACTION BY OUTSIDE AGENCY CALL FIELD WIDENING August 1998 Projected state letting date is March 1998 with construction to follow thirty (30) days hence and completed within 90 calendar days (around August 1) ELEVATED FREEWAY 7' Street Bridizes. August- Sept 1998 To be let within two weeks. State says I44 will close for three (3) months. Staff believes five (5) months is more realistic. 50,000+ vehicle counts Monday through Friday will be diverted during day. Northbound will exit at 8" Street and reenter by Health Unit. Southbound will exit past the river, cross 5m and 6', pass Police Station and reenter at 8 h. Elevated Project. Sept 1998 is on schedule for letting in September 1998. Traffic Engineering, Planning and Public Works have been coordinating with TxDot. 3 INTERNET N.A. We are waiting on Vista to replace some of their equipment which they discovered was not up to par. Taking advantage of our franchise agreement with Vista is saving us approximately $10,000 annually rather than paying for our own T-1 line to MSU. IV.STAFF PREPARATION FIRE STATIONS April 1998 The three sites have been acquired. They are located as follows: Station 3-4: Brewster at Midwestern Parkway(clinic) Station 5: Beverly(between 9" and Seymour Hwy) Station 7: U.S. 287 at City View Staff is preparing RFP for architect selection. Should be ready to issue by first of April. PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING CENTER The firm of McClaren & Wilson (Phoenix, AZ) conducted a two day facility needs assessment workshop in early December. The results of the meeting indicated the following: Public SafejX Training Center Est. Size: 20,400 square feet Est. Construction: $2.4M(Building) 1.OM(land, A/E, furniture/ Total $3.4M equipment,parking, etc.) Firing Range Est. Cost: $475,000 Department Concept Plan Reviewed& OK'd Fire Training Ground Est. Cost: $450,000 Department Concept Plan Reviewed& OK'd Next Step under consideration prior to architect selection, would be detailed "room data sheets" which would itemize the specific needs of the facility (similar to process used with Library consultant prior to architect award). Estimated Cost: $25,000 4 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN (VIA 4B) Council met with staff on January 20' in a work session to discuss funding options and priorities regarding 4B funds. The funding scenario identified potentially $2.OM of "undesignated" funds in 1998 assuming a 1998 debt issuance of $4.OM in mid-1998. "Designated" projects included the Library, Sirens, Fire Stations, Training Center, Firing Range and Fire Training Field. Staff was instructed to prepare prioritized listing of Capital Improvement Projects and review with Legal, eligibility of using 4B funds. This has been completed. Next Step would be for staff to prioritize on a city wide basis Collections for first three months are 7% ahead of budget. The 413 fund will show positive fund balance in May (after paying for Library TAN's and Sirens). V. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION RECREATION CENTER Park Board Chairman, Gary Patrick made presentation to Council on February 17'. Estimate from Bundy, Young was $900,000 construction and design for 37,500 square feet. Park's concept is to enlarge spaces (remove walls between rooms) for more flexible use, update appearance. COUNCIL GOALS ' Staff presented a six month report at January 6, 1998 Council meeting. Council indicated a desire to schedule work session to review Goals in more detail and have opportunity for questions and input 5