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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988/02/09-REVISED-Agenda-Pre-Council~) 2) 4) REVISED AGENDA PRE-COUNCIL MEETING February 9, 1988 9:00 a.m. Pre-Council Chamber FOR ACTION TODAY Request for Extension of Injury Leave of Absence by Dana S. Jordan (I.R. No. 7258 and M&C G-7431) -Bill Herrington, Risk Manager ( 5 Min.) Adoption of Amended Floodplain Ordinance (M&C G-7427) -Gary Santerre, Transportation/Public Works Director (10 Min.) A/E Selection for Renovation of the Southside Multi-Purpose Center (M&C C-10793) -David A. Ivory, Senior Assistant City Manager (10 Min.) Questions/Answers Concerning Current Agenda Items -Douglas Harman, City Manager (5 Min.) FOR FUTURE ACTION /5) Recommendations from the Human Relations Commission (I.R. No. 7259) Ramon Guajardo, Assistant City Manager (10 Min.) FOR DISCUSSION ONLY 6) Review of Issues Associated with Inspection Problems -Douglas Harman, City Manager (15 Min.) The Meeting Ends at 9:55 a.m. To add or make revisions, please call the City Manager's Office, 870-6140, before 3:00p.m., Monday, February 8, 1988 The Purpose of the Pre-Council Meeting is to allow the Mayor and Councilmembers to discuss informally items on the agenda and to secure information from the City Manager and the staff. Although the meeting is open to the public, citizens are requested to reserve comments and questions for the subsequent Council meeting so they will be a part of the public record. OFFICIAL RECORD CITY SECRETARY .. · ·:-. ~ ORTH, TEX. PRE-COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 1988 PRE-COUNCIL CHAMBER ABSENT: Councilmen Vance and Zapata ITEMS: 1. REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF INJURY LEAVE OF ABSENCE BY DANA S. JORDAN (I.R. NO. 7258 AND M&C G-7431) -BILL HERRINGTON, RISK MANAGER Personnel Director Charlie Shapard reiterated staff's recommendation that Firefighter Dana S. Jordan's request for extension of injury leave of absence be denied. Ms. Jordan injured her back in the line of duty and has been on injury leave for the past year. During that time she has received her salary and medical payments and she continues to accrue other benefits. Mr. Shapard stated that on three previous occasions Council has denied similar requests of other civil service employees. According to Mr. Shapard, Ms. Jordan may take disability retirement or she may return to light duty work. Continuation of the leave of absence, however, would keep the Fire Department below full staff as Ms. Jordan's authorized position in the budget would have to be kept vacant. 2. ADOPTION OF AMENDED FLOODPLAIN ORDINANCE (M&C G-7427) -GARY SANTERRE, TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR Transportation and Public Works Director Gary Santerre informed Council that the proposed amendments to the floodplain ordinance correct problems in the ordinance which was adopted in September 1987. 3. A/E SELECTION FOR RENOVATION OF THE SOUTHSIDE MULTI-PURPOSE CENTER (M&C G- 10793) -DAVID A. IVORY, SENIOR ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER Senior Assistant City Manager David Ivory informed Council that a consultant hired to study the structural flaws at the Southside Multi-Purpose Center has recommended that the city repair the existing structure rather than build a new one. Repair of the existing structure at a cost of between $1.1 and $1.2 million is less expensive than demolishing the center and building a new one. Mr. Ivory indicated that meetings with neighbors and users of the center have been held and that the programs operating in the center will have to be temporarily moved. Mayor Bolen asked how long the repairs are anticiparted to take. Mr. Ivory stated that the repairs should be completed within six to seven months after commencing. The repairs to the foundation will require that the inside of the building be completely gutted. The exterior walls of the building, which currently have large cracks, are serviceable according to Mr. Ivory. Councilman Lancaster asked how much the building originally cost. Mr. Ivory stated that the building was originally constructed for just over $1.2 million. Councilman Gilley asked if staff has developed a plan for relocation of the programs located within the center. Mr. Ivory stated that Assistant City Manager Ramon Guajardo is working on a relocation plan. 4. QUESTIONS/ANSWERS CONCERNING CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS -DOUGLAS HARMAN, CITY MANAGER City Manager Douglas Harman informed Council that the city's sales tax revenue is improving but is still below budget projections. As a result, city departments have been asked to prepare plans to reduce budgets by three percent. Councilman Lancaster asked if Council will see plans prior to implementation. Mr. Harman stated that Council will have a detailed report prior to any budget actions. 5. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION (I.R. NO. 7259) RAMON GUAJARDO, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER Assistant City Manager Ramon Guajardo informed City Council that the Human Relations Commission has approved the recommendations of its self-appointed committee studying the proper role of the Human Relations Commission. Mr. Guajardo introduced Commission Chairman Jeff Bland to review the committee's recommendations. Mr. Bland informed Council that a conflict currently exists between the city charter and the city code regarding the hiring and evaluation of the HRC Executive Director. Mr. Bland asked that the conflict be resolved so that the HRC can maintain it advisory role, with input into the hiring and evaluation of the Executive Director. He recommended that the staff of the HRC be called the Department of Human Relations and be placed under the control of the City Manager. Mr. Bland also asked that Council fill the seven current vacancies on the Commission in order that it may operate as a complete body. Councilman Williams expressed concern that the HRC's proposal would dilute the Commission's power. He stated that the HRC should remain an autonomous body and that public hearings should be held regarding any proposed changes. City Manager Douglas Harman indicated that the major issue of debate is whether the HRC staff should report to the City Manger or the Human Relations Commission. He indicated that Council should take action to make that issue clear. 6. REVIEW OF ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH INSPECTION PROBLEMS -DOUGLAS HARMAN, CITY MANAGER City Manager Douglas Harman stated that a memo was sent to City Council detailing the events that led to the termination of two Water Department inspectors. He indicated that all allegations regarding the acceptance of bribes and improper gifts are being investigated and that the inspection process is being reviewed in all departments with inspectors. Mr. Harman also reported the establishment of a hotline to the Internal Affairs Division of the Police Department so that any improper actions by city employees can be reported. A memo reviewing procedures ior dealing with gratuities was distributed to all employees. Councilman Lancaster stated that the City Manager and staff have been very responsive in dealing with the inspector situation. Mr. Harman stated that the improper actions of a few employees unfortunately places a cloud of suspicion over honest employees and officials. He commended the contractor who reported the improper actions of the Water Department inspectors to the proper officials.