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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987/10/13-Agenda-Pre-Council( PRE-COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 13, 1987 PRE-COUNCIL CHAMBER ABSENT: Councilmen Vance and Zapata ITEMS : 1. REVISION OF CHAPTER 22 AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE INSPECTION PROGRAM (M&C G-7291) -SANDRA GONZALES, HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR Sandra Gonzales, Housing and Human Services Director, explained the proposal to establish a Commercial Vehicle Weight Inspection Program. Under the proposed program, city size and weight limits for commercial vehicles will be changed to conform with state limits. The proposed program will be administered by the Consumer Affairs Office, which will monitor compliance and will issue citations. The fine for violating the new size and weight limitations is $100 per violation. The Consumer Affairs Office will sell permits for overweight vehicles to operate in Fort Worth at a cost of $20 per trip. Councilman Williams asked Ms. Gonzales if businesses that will be affected by the changes have been informed. Ms. Gonzales indicated that businesses have been informed of the changes. Councilman Gilley asked if the weight limits for bridges and residential streets are lower than those for commercial routes. Ms. Gonzales stated that some streets and bridges have lower limits which are posted with appropriate signs. 2. HAZARDOUS MATERIAL CLEANUP (M&C C-10576) -TOM DAVIS, ACTING CITY SERVICES DIRECTOR Tom Davis, Acting City Services Director, informed Council of plans to clean up an illegal hazardous dump located on property that the city acquired for the proposed expansion of the Southeast Landfill. The hazardous waste, consisting of 200 large metal drums filled with liquid, was discovered in routine clean up efforts. Subsequent analysis of the liquid in the drums indicated the presence of PCB's, which are toxic chemicals that cause cancer in humans. Mr. Davis indicated that the clean up will be conducted by a private contractor which has demonstrated the ability to handle the job. The city will spend approximately $100,000 to clean up the site. Councilman Williams asked if the city will be able to recover any of the cost of cleaning up the site. Mr. Davis indicated that cost recovery is unlikely because the city does not know who dumped the waste. Mr. Williams asked where the hazardous chemicals will be dumped. Mr. Davis stated that the material will be placed in the nearest hazardous waste disposal site in either Southeast Texas or Louisianna. 3. PROPOSED VOTER REGISTRATION PROGRAM (I.R. NO. 7224) -SCOT LAWRENCE, MANAGEMENT INTERN Scot Lawrence, Management Intern, reviewed a proposed Voter Registration Program. The proposal calls for volunteers within city departments that have daily interaction with citizens to serve as deputy registrars. Citizens would be offered the opportunity to register while conducting routine city business, and the deputy registrars would be available to assist those citizens needing help with the registration forms. Mayor Bolen stated that the National League of Cities has encouraged its member cities to develop and implement voter registration programs. Councilwoman Webber expressed concern that the program would only add to the duties of city employees without any additional compensation. She stated her belief that it is inappropriate for city employees to actively engage in registration efforts. Additional concerns include the potential for the registration to become "politicized" or for citizens to feel that receipt of city services is contingent upon registration. Councilman Garrison also expressed concern that the process might become politicized. Councilman Gilley asked that action on the proposed program be delayed for one week for further review. 4. QUESTIONS/ANSWERS CONCERNING CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS -DOUGLAS HARMAN, CITY MANAGER City Manager Douglas Harman informed Council that the November workshop date coincides with election day. He indicated that Council could opt for no workshop on that day if so desired. Council decided to cancel the workshop and to have a short meeting. Mr. Harman reminded Council of the scheduled Airfest activities. 5. CHANGE OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE OF DECEMBER 15, 1987 -RUTH HOWARD, CITY SECRETARY City Secretary Ruth Howard informed Council that because of the NLC Conference, the December 15 Council Meeting would have to be rescheduled or cancelled. Council decided to reschedule the December 15 meeting to December 18. The December 27 Council meeting was cancelled to allow for an extended Christmas holiday.