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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994/12/06-Minutes-City Council-Worksession AM. "nk Notes from City Council Meeting and Worksession December 6, 1994 City Council Worksession 1. Report of the City Manager. Mr. Guajardo briefed the Council on the possible closure of the air control towers at Meacham and Alliance airports and discussed the status of efforts to receive financial assistance from other cities for the operation of the tower at Spinks Airport. The Mayor asked that City staff contact the cities which had not responded to her letter asking for financial support. Mr. Guajardo reported to Council that the combined report of the DBEAC and staff was anticipated to be complete by January 3, 1995, for presentation at the Council workshop. 2. Responses to M&C's Continued from a Previous Week. • M&C G-10894- Donation of Three Vehicles for Use by the Police Department, Gang Unit. Ms. Watson informed the Council that the subject M&C was continued from the previous week because representatives from-the dealerships donating the vehicles were unable to attend the Council meeting. Representatives were anticipated to be present at the current meeting. • M&C P-7177- Purchase Agreement for Liquid Petroleum Gas & Lease of Dispensing Equipment and Tanks from Chadwell & Sons Gas Company for the City Services Department. Mr. Davis reviewed with the Council the areas of comparison used by staff to select propane gas (LPG) as the City's alternative fuel choice and the process used to select the vendor in the subject M&C. Mr. Barr stated that Mr. Davis had answered his questions from the previous Council meeting. However, he was concerned about issues raised in a letter from Lone Star Gas recently received by Council. Other Council members shared Mr. Barr's concern and Mr. Gary Cumbie from Lone Star Gas was asked to address the Council. Mr. Cumbie stated that the estimates in the original informal report relating to the selection of an alternative fuel included natural gas (CNG) cost estimates which were too high. He felt that a gallon to gallon comparison of CNG and LPG costs was inaccurate and misleadingHe believed an "energy equivalent" comparison would produce more OFFICIAL RECORD CITY SECRETARY FT WORTH, l 7 accurate calculations. He suggested that a 1.2 multiplier applied to the LPG figures would produce an energy equivalent number for comparison. Mr. Cumbie also stated that he believed that the City staffs estimated conversion costs were too high and that the impact of the reduced range created by the use of CNG had been overstated. In addition, he felt that the cost of refueling facilities should not be included in the calculations. The Mayor suggested that the Council allow staff a week to formulate a response to Mr. Cumbie's statements. Mr. Meadows asked for information regarding other entities which were utilizing alternative fuels such as The "T." Mr. Terrell pointed out to Council that the City had already indicated to the NCTCOG the City's intention to convert to LPG as an alternative fuel. Mr. Barr raised a question about the City's bidding requirements. He was worried that requiring a vendor to build refueling sites might be preventing the City from receiving the lowest possible bid on fuel. He also raised a concern about whether the City's choice of an alternative fuel was compatible with private firms in the city. Mr. Terrell told Council that the M&C would be rescheduled for the December 20 meeting and that staff would prepare more information regarding the functions of various City vehicles and the impact of fuel choices on the vehicles' uses. • M&C C-14589- Award of Contract for ADA Curb Ramp Accessibility Contract IX to North Texas Bomanite, Inc. Mr. Guajardo informed Council that the subject M&C from the previous week was to be withdrawn because none of the bidders were in compliance with the City's DBE policy. An M&C for the rejection of all bids was included on the current agenda. 3. Questions Concerning Current Agenda Items. None. 4. ADA Status Update. Mr. Boswell provided a status report to the Council on the City's ADA compliance efforts and the need for funds to finance additional accessibility improvements at the Zoo and other City facilities. 5. Annual Report on the Commission on the Status of Women. Dr. Paula Vastine provided the Council with a summary of the Commission on the Status of Women's activities for the last year. Mr. Lane asked if Cou c l RECORD 2 CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTH, T •.. low members could nominate individuals for the Outstanding Women of Fort Worth award and Dr. Vastine responded that the Council was encouraged to submit nominees. 6. Light, Signal and Street Division Reorganization. Mr. Hugo Malanga briefed the Council on the consolidation of the Light, Signal and Street Divisions in T/PW. The reorganization has allowed the department to form teams which can respond to citizen complaints regarding streets and alleyways. Ms. Webber asked if T/PW had reinstated street cleaning and he told her that it had not. She asked if T/PW had plans to reduce the spacing of street lights and he responded that the Traffic Division was reviewing the subject and a report would be presented to the Council. 7. Proposed Citizen Participation Plan for Consolidated Plan Submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Ms. Watson briefed the Council on the proposed citizen participation plan for the City's consolidated plan for CDBG, HOME and other HUD funded programs. Mr. Meadows and Ms. Webber noted that the citizen participation plan and the consolidated approach to planning was a significant improvement from the current process. 8. Sammons of Fort Worth Cable Rate Study Results. Sue Winter reported to the Council on the results on the consultant cable rate review and an upcoming M&C related to the setting of maximum rate levels. 9. Approval of the Acquisition of Lot 1, Block 98, T&P Railway Company Subdivision by the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) through Condemnation Proceedings. A representative of The T informed the Council that this condemnation was necessary for The T to acquire land for an expansion near its maintenance facilities. 10. Approval of Recycling Facilities and Other Special Exceptions Uses Via PD-SU Zoning. Ms. Ann Kovich asked for direction from the Council regarding the process for special exception uses. She questioned whether the Council or the Board of Adjustment should have the final authority regarding special exceptions. Most Council members favored allowing the Council the final decision regarding the granting of special exceptions. However, several Council members were not present for the discussion. Ms. Woods felt the current process doubled the amount of time and money spent on these zoning cases. Ms. Haskin expressed concern about the reduction in the number of notices given citizens, as well as a reduction in the number of times neighborhood residents could oppose a request for a change in allowed use. OFFICIAL RECORD CITY SECRETARY 3 f. WORTt rI. TAW Ms. Kovich stated that Staff would review the current process and, with consideration given to the Council's concerns, return with an ordinance amendment which would clarify the process. 11. Fort Worth Crime Control and Prevention District Update. Mr. Boswell updated the Council on the activities of the temporary board of the Crime Control and Prevention District. He informed Council that a copy of the proposed plan would be included in their packets on Thursday. Ms. Webber asked if citizens would be allowed to provide input on the proposed plan and Mr. Boswell responded that the upcoming public hearing would provide an opportunity for citizen comments. Ms. Haskin asked that citizens be allow to submit comments in writing. Mr. Silcox asked that the public hearing last as long as necessary to accommodate all of the citizens which attend and wish to make comments. 12. Reprographics Efficiency Update. Ms. Suellen Mathews presented a report on the activities of the City's Office Services Division. 13. City Council Requests for Future Agenda Items and /or Reports. None. City Council Meeting Items to Be Continued or Withdrawn by Staff. The City Manager withdrew M&C P-7177 (Purchase of Liquid Petroleum Gas) and continued M&C P-7177 Revised for two weeks. Citizen Presentations. Mr. Link Davis addressed the Council with concerns regarding flooding caused by a culvert owned by Railtran in the Valley Branch area. Mr. Jackson asked if Mr. Davis had met with Ms. Lisa Pyles. He said that he had discussed the matter with her, but that he continued to have problems with conflicting engineering reports regarding the culvert. Mr. Douglas Rademaker told the Council that he would review the engineering studies and talk with Mr. Davis and report back to the Council. Other citizens (e.g., Ms. Anabel Terry, Mr. Anthony Justice, Mr. Glenn Mann and Mr. John Davis) addressed the Council regarding flooding problems in the same area and the Mayor asked that staff present a report during a Council workshop and that the citizens be notified of the date of the workshop. Mr. Walter N. Morosky, Jr. spoke to the Council regarding his frustration ir OFFICIAL RECORD dealing with a zoning violation at the Southwest Paper Company. He CITY SECRETARY 4 FT. WORTH, TIL