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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987/06/02-Agenda-Pre-Council .R., PRE-COUNCIL 112 � j PRE-COUNCIL CHAMBERS JUNE 2, 1987 ~� �����1 00 All Councilmembers present. � 9 � ITEMS: 1. CABLE TELEVISION UPDATE - SUE WINTER, PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER AND CHARLES REID, CHAIRMAN, CITIZENS CABLE BOARD Sue Winter and Charles Reid provided Council with an update of the City's cable television system with the aid of a video program. The presentation addressed the cable network 'Sammons' and the services it offers to the public and to the employees of the city. Sammons represents a partnership between local citizens and is a leader in the nation's cable television industry. In addition, Mr. Reid reported that the information distributed to Council contains the Cable Committee recommendations to Sammon. The recommendations are a response by the City Council Cable Committee to an 11-point position paper received from Sammons describing proposals it would like the City to approve for the remaining years of the cable franchise. He also stated that the recommendations were the result of valuable time, energy and serious thought by the public, the Citizens Cable Board and City staff. Mr. Reid concluded by asking Council to review the recommendations and to consider taking part in the negotiations of •the concessions that Sammons requested. Also, he asked that staff provide a list of those Councilmembers that are a part of the Cable Committee. 2. NORTH TEXAS COMMISSION BRIEFING - HARDEN WIEDEMANN, PRESIDENT Mr. Wiedemann, President of NTC, provided Council with an update of programs the North Texas Commission would like to address for the 1987 fiscal year. The following are the proposed major programs that were presented: 1) Regional Research and Technology - Mr. Wiedmann reported that these ongoing programs build teams of academic, corporate and other personnel/resources to compete for national science and technology projects/funding and to stimulate the development of excellence in science and engineering in the metroplex. Examples of recent activity include proposals for the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences, Product Engineering Research Center and the SuperConducting Super Collider. 2) Regional Aviation - It was proposed that a North Texas Aviation Council would be set up to promote aviation in the North Texas region. 3) Regional Marketing - A metroplex marketing team would be organized and would receive training in advanced marketing techniques in order to develop a higher profile image for the metroplex, both nationally and internationally. 4) International Trade and Investment - Mr. Wiedemann stated that this program entails the development of a 10 year international economic development stategic plan for the North Texas region. S) Regional Data Base - This program examines ways to enhance the region's competitiveness through the development, use, and analysis of carefully targeted economic development data and relevant national and international data bases. 6) Regional Forums - Mr. Wiedemann concluded that NTC would sponsor major regional conferences of current interest to the region's leadership role two to four times per year. 3. PROVISION OF FIRE SERVICE TO THE CITY OF WESTOVER HILLS - BOB TERRELL, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER Assistant City Manager Bob Terrell went before Council to discuss the recommended provision of fire service to the City of Westover Hills. The provision would authorize the City Manager to enter into an annual contract, initially prorated over a 21-month period beginning January 1, 1987, and ending September 30, 1988, in the amount of $171,024. Mr. Terrell told Council that given the lateness of the date of execution of the initial contract, staff feels it would be in the best interest of both parties to extend the initial contract to cover FY 1987-88, so that renegotiations would be avoided in four months. The contract could be renewed annually beginning October 1, 1988, with the City of Fort Worth reserving the right to increase the annual charge in direct proportion to the increased per capita cost of Fort Worth fire protection. Mayor Sam Berry, of Westover Hills, was present to answer questions and concerns. Mayor Bolen asked if Chief McMillen, City of Ft. Worth Fire Cheif, was confortable with the proposed cost adjustments. Chief' McMillen indicated that he was. Councilman Lancaster was concerned that citizens of Fort Worth would pay more for fire services than the citizens of Westover Hills. He maintained that the system cost needed to be approached and distributed in a more equitable fashion. Mayor Bolen viewed the contract as an revenue enhancement. The City's Fire Department could provide the services primarily due to its excess capacity and ability to render the service. 4) UPDATE ON PEROT AIRPORT ACTIVITIES - RICK SALWEN, THE PEROT GROUP. Mr. Salwen provided Council with an update of activities pertaining to the proposed Perot Airport. In response to recent media attention to the proposed airport, Mr. Salwen began by providing a history of the concept of the project and a general overview of the current situation. Mr. Salwen explained that Mr. Ross Perot Jr. had rendered support for the project based on four conditions: 1) that the project be done expeditiously, 2) a first class facility be built to serve aviation, 3) the airport project meet the approval and agreement of the entire community, and 4) it (the airport) serves to enhance economic development. Mr. Salwen also reported that an environmental impact analysis is currently being conducted for the proposed conceptual change and expected results should be ready within ten days and would share the results as soon as possible. In response to the proposed changes to the original plans for the airport, Mr. Salwen reported that there are new developments of expanding the airport, however without the results of the environmental impact analysis nothing could currently be announced. Council's concerns centered on the possible impact of larger aircraft in the area and what the changes would do to the land and surrounding communities. Councilman Lancaster asked if a parallel runway is part of the future development plans. Mr. Salwen stated that it was not. Councilman Zapata was concerned about the taxi runway and whether it would be possible for the larger airplanes to get off the runway apron. Mayor Bolen stated that when Mr. Perot first filed the airport request before Council, he envisioned a general aviation airport to serve an expanded corporation aviation market, "has that concept changed?" Mr. Salwen indicated that the concept has not changed, however after the analysis of the environmental study there will be a better understanding of what would be done. 5) AUTHORITY TO COOPERATE WITH THE TEXAS TURNPIKE AUTHORITY IN A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF THE SOUTHWEST FREEWAY AS A TOLLROAD`- DAVID IVORY, SENIOR ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER Bob Neely, Executive Director of the Texas Turnpike Authority appeared before City Council to explain the proposed feasibility study of the Southwest Freeway as a potential tollroad. It was explained that the Southwest Freeway from I-20 North to I-35 West or a portion of the freeway may be suitable for construction as a tollroad. The feasibility study would help determine that fact. Mr. Neely stated that construction of the Southwest Freeway as a tollroad could significantly advance the completion date of the project. The City would be under no obligation to construct the project as a tollroad even if the study should indicate that it could be economically viable. Council indicated support for the study. 6) DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTION PROCEDURES - JUDSON BAILIFF, FINANCE DIRECTOR Mr. Bailiff introduced officials of San Antonio-based law firm of Heard, Goggan, Blair, Williams and Harrison. In summary they reported to Council the procedures the firm uses to collect delinquent taxes. Oliver Heard, a senior partner of the law firm, said that procedurally in early July, the firm mails the first of three letters to delinquent property owners threatening lawsuits and foreclosure proceedings. Currently there is a bill pending passage in July which would allow the firm to assess a 15 percent penalty on top of the 18 percent in penalties the accounts have accrued already. (This bill has not been approved yet) One of the problems addressed by Mr. Heard was that some citizens are being threatened by lawsuits who have not received tax bills. The situation could be due to the fault of outdated county and city records that do not show the present owners of property. However, the law requires delinquent property owners to pay all interest and penalties even if they don't receive a bill. Mr. Heard reported that last year the firm filed 7,000 lawsuits and collected $8.7 million in delinquent city taxes, interest and penalties. This year, 19,750 accounts are delinquent for 1986 taxes of about $15 million including interest and penalties. Council was concerned about the sensitivity of the collection process. Mr. Heard stated that the firm makes every effort to collect in a sensitive matter. He maintained that the firm has every problem associated with mass collection, yet make every effort to deal with the problems. Councilman Zapata indicated that he did not think that it was the philosophy of the City take property from homeowners. Councilman Williams asked what the average time before the sale of property and the posting of the property. Mr Heard said 6 months to a year. Councilman Garrison asked were does the 15 percent penalty go. Mr. Heard stated that after 30 days it would become part of the collection of the total taxes owed. It would be used as monies used in effort to collect taxes. 7) MONTHLY OPERATING REPORT - CHARLES BOSWELL, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES Charles Boswell introduced Mark Carpenter, Administrator for Fiscal and Equipment Management and Gary Santerre, Director of the Transportation and Public Works Department. The monthly operating reports highlighted the 'New Police Programs' and the 'Supplemental Street Paving Assessment. Mark Carpenter reported to Council that of the 105 newly created police positions for FY 1987-88, 45 individuals have been inducted as police officers and began work as of March 1st. The remaining 60 positions would be filled by the end of the the fiscal year. He concluded by announcing that police strength thus far in this fiscal year was 836 police officers. By June 87 there would be 914 positions filled. There are a total of 94 more officers today than one year ago. Gary Santerre provided Council the Street Paving Assessment update. He reported that T/PW Department had reviewed the street-improvement program and had recommended that the program eliminate paving assessments for one-family and two -family residences on all reconstruction projects included in the 1986 capital improvements program. .. _.,_. r ~..f.+ -,w��_jam� _�.y!IR,IT:^!-���.'�.f.•a'""1' . . The staff recommended plan would do away with the paving assessments for new streets only in certain inner-city, low-income target areas. However, a majority of the 182 street projects included in the bond package approved last year would be exempted from paving assessments. Council's concerns centered on the funding of assessment paving and the issue of matching funds and ways to stretch the dollars. 8) PUSHCART ORDINANCE - RAMON GUAJARDO, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER Mr. Guajardo provided Council with an overview of the proposed Pushcart Ordinance. In summary the ordinance would require pushcarts to operate in the following locations: 1) In Mall Shopping Centers, with the permission of the owner of the Center; 2) In downtown area parks, with the approval of the City Manager and the Director of the Park and Recreation; 3) At temporary special events with a special event permit; 4) On private property, with the written permission of the owner; and S) Residential areas only on sidewalks and only in specially designated geographical locations. Councilman Gilley asked what had been done with the safety issue pertaining to ice cream trucks. Mr. Guajardo indicated that that particular issue would be addressed before Council at the next Pre-Council meeting. Councilman Murrin was concerned about the overview of the ordinance. Specifically, was it proposed in order to strengthen or weaken the existing policy. Mr. Guajardo stated that currently there is no policy on pushcarts. 9) SIDEWALK CAFE ORDINANCE - RAMON GUAJARDO, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER Mr. Guajardo reported that the current City Code prohibits sidewalk cafes, and furthermore, any private use of the public right-of-way requires City Council approval which is usually limited to a short period of time for a specific event. The proposed ordinance would permit restaurants to set tables on the sidewalks adjacent to their property allowing for eight foot wide unobstructed pedestrian walkway.