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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987/09/01-Agenda-Pre-Council 1 PRE-COUNCIL MEETINGCA ti SEPTEMBER 1, 1987 PRE-COUNCIL CHAMBER �C+� ABSENT: Councilman William N. Garrison ^ ITEMS: 1. STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING ANALYSIS OF CITY FACILITIES - GARY SANTERRE, TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR Gary Santerre, Transportation and Public Works Director, spoke to Council about the need to obtain structural engineering analyses of two city facilities: the Municipal Building and the Southside Multi-Purpose Center. a. AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE STRUCTURAL EVALUATION OF THE MUNICIPAL OFFICE BUILDING (MSC C-10499) Because of the structural flaws discovered in some of the concrete support beams in the Municipal Building, the Transportation/Public Works Department recommends that a structural engineering analysis be completed for the remainder of the building. While the consultant will inspect every support beam if necessary, T/ PW hopes that a less expensive sampling technique will effectively verify the integrity of the remaining support beams. Mayor Bolen suggested frequent monitoring of the structural analysis so it can be terminated as soon as the building is deemed structurally sound. b. AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR STRUCTURAL REVIEW OF SOUTHSIDE MULTI-PURPOSE CENTER MSC C-10497) The same contractor that is providing the structural analysis of the Municipal Building will inspect the Southside Multi-Purpose Center to determine the extent of structural damage which has resulted from the poor sub-soil conditions. The contractor will determine if the building can be saved, and if so, what reinforcements will be needed. 2. PURCHASE OF TELEPHONE STATION EQUIPMENT (MSC P-2118) - J.A. MARSHALL, DIRECTOR, INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND SERVICES J.A. Marshall, Information Systems and Services Director, spoke briefly to Council about the purchase of telephone station equipment. The equipment being replaced includes all desk instruments and large key systems. Mr. Marshall indicated that bid specifications were developed based upon the surveyed needs of departments. The new equipment has a seven month payback and will result in a $97,000 savings the first year. Councilman Gilley asked why the equipment is being replaced now. Mr. Marshall indicated that the equipment is currently being leased and that substantial savings in lease costs will result from the purchase of the telephone equipment. 3. AWARD OF CONTRACT OF SUB-STANDARD STRUCTURES AT TWO (2) LOCATIONS (M&C C- 10500) - RON STULTS, ASSISTANT CITY SERVICES DIRECTOR Ron Stults, Assistant City Services Director, presented Council with two examples of sub-standard houses that the Code Enforcement Division has been trying to abate for several years. The two case histories demonstrate the time and effort which is frequently expended in the sub-standard housing abatement process at a cost to the city of thousands of dollars, much of which cannot be recovered with exising policies. City Manager Douglas Harman indicated that the City Services Department is looking at methods of greater cost recovery but that much of the problem is due to low court fines and extensions granted to the property owners. Mayor Bolen commented that much effort is made to work with property owners, and many simply abuse the system. 4. QUESTIONS/ANSWERS CONCERNING CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS - DOUGLAS HARMAN, CITY MANAGER a. Zoo expansion Regarding resolution of the zoo expansion issue, Council decided to schedule a public hearing for October 1, which is an evening meeting. At that time, Council will decide whether to take action on the Zoo Master Plan. Councilman Williams asked that efforts be made to prevent repeating information in any presentations that might be made by staff at that time. Mayor Bolen commented that he is still receiving many calls about the zoo expansion issue from opponents as well as proponents. b. Ad valorem tax rate City Manager Douglas Harman reminded Council of the need to direct city staff as to which ad valorem tax rate to advertise. Charles Boswell, Management Services Director, gave Council packets containing six scenarios based upon different, potential tax rates. Discussion of the scenarios was delayed until the afternoon work session. 5. MEETING WITH CONGRESSMAN JIM WRIGHT TO DISCUSS VARIOUS NATIONAL ISSUES AFFECTING THE CITY OF FORT WORTH - MAYOR BOB BOLEN Congressman Jim Wright spoke to Council about several areas of special interest to Fort Worth. He reiterated his desire to help the city attain its development goals and expressed congratulations for the progress which has been made on the northside projects, the stockyards and the federal mint. Congressman Wright stated that since the early 1970s, the city has received seventeen different EDA grants. One of the results is the Stockyards Redevelopment, which was patterned on the renovation of Southside Chicago. To date, $9.3 million in federal and city funds has been spent in northside Fort Worth, resulting in private investment of $65 to $70 million. Thus, the investment of public funds has resulted in a multiplier of approximately six or seven to one. Congressman Wright also complimented the city on the rejuvenation of downtown and the renovation of Main Street. He cited the $9 million in UDAG grants that helped make this renovation possible. He suggested that the Perot development of north Fort Worth will be a catalyst for further development. In particular, the construction of an industrial airport will result in aviation-related industrial development. including foreign industries. Congressman. Wright suggested that City Council is the architect of Fort Worth's future and that he is eager to help in any way that he can. Councilman Zapata thanked Congressman Wright on behalf of the northside citizens and asked for continued help and support in Washington. Councilman Williams asked Congressman Wright for help in resolving the ozone problem and the threat of santions from the EPA. Congressman Wright assured Mr. Williams that he will sit down with city and EPA representatives to work out a solution. He suggested that EPA is too concerned with "paper" rather than performance and that it is unrealistic for EPA to expect a halt to the productive enterprises which help create new jobs.