HomeMy WebLinkAbout1963/02/25-Agenda-Pre-Council A G E N D A
PRE-COUNCIL CONFERENCE
8 :30 A.M. , FEBRUARY 25, 1963
1 ) Charles Hawes, President of Park Board
2) M&C's of February 25, 1963
3) Other Items
OFFICIAL RECORD
CITY SECRETARY
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PRE-COUNCIL CONFERENCE
February 25, 1963
Members Present : Late Arrivals: Members Absent:
1. Justin 1. Geo. Thompson (Item 5) 1. J. F. Keeton
2. McLeland 2. T. D. Thompson
3. McKnight 3. Gene Moore
4. Cagle
5. Friedman
I t e m Follow-up Referred to
1. Park Department Problems Line Line - coordinate
preparation of M C
Park Board Chairman Charles Hawes
appeared before the Council informally
iur the purpose of clarifying problems
being confronted by the Park Board. A
discussion generally followed the out-
line of a letter submitted to the Coun-
cil members on the subject. Six general
observations were made by Mr. Hawes:
1. Th-At the contribution of parka
is aesthetic and that there is
not normally a demand for park
"service" as such;
2. that the Park Board desires to
protect public land intrusted
to it;
3. The Park Departments budget
appears to be in danger of be-
ing nibbled away, mostly by a
peripheral paving costs;
4. The Fort Worth needs more neigh-
borhood parks, and that money
formerly used for paving be put
to more useful use in acquiring
additional park land;
5. The Park Board finds it inequit-
able to pay $24,000 for peri-
pheral paving and bridge improve-
ments near Bunche Park, to benefit
an area originally costing only
$45,000;
6. The administrative fees paid to OFFICRL RECORD
the general fund by the Park Board lJ luiri
is in excess of that being paid CITY 'SECRETARY
by the Aviation Department. The t y
bill for services was neither FT. VION11, TEA.
itemized nor substantiated.
Page 2
1 t e m Follow-up Referred to
Mr. Hawes made the following rec-
ommendations;
1. That the administrative charge
be reduced;
2. That peripheral paving around
parks be paid out of funds other
than Park Funds unless the street
improvements directly benefit the
park property;
3. That the Park Board be consulted
on any plans or plats approved
in which there is any land desig-
nated as park;
4. That traffic islands and medians
be maintained by the Street Divis-
ion, except in such instances
where the Park Board can be in-
strumental in beautifying signifi-
cant parkways on major thorough-
fares.
5. That further consideration be
given to the problems on land
sale at Greenway Park.
In response to questions, Mr. Hawes
said that the Board was examining those
properties which were not considered to
be suitable for development for possible
sale. It was a consensus that the mat-
ter of policy changes to meet problems
was by the Park Department be studied by
the Manager and report in the near future
in order that action may be taken during
the remaining term of the present Council.
2. Firemen's Retirement Fund CKD CKD - work with Johndroe
for resolution
Councilman Cagle reported that the
attitude of the firemen was "good" dur-
ing his meeting with Firemen's repre-
sentatives on Saturday morning. He
stated they seemed to be willing to
enter the City Fund, providing the gen-
er.il membership approved and certain
problem areas were resolved between the
City and the Firemen's Association. Two
areas of discussion included (1) survivor
benefits, (2) the age of retirement at nn
which there would be no penalty. Be-
cause RECORD
firemen's suggestions in these areas T
were more liberal than that provided by CITy SECRr ARY
the City's Fund, it was agreed that any
action on the proposals would be deferred
V
for two weeks at which time an acturial FT. �'JGRTN, TL1�.
study of the fund, and the affect of lib-
eralized benefits, could be evaluated.
Page 3
I t e m Follow-up Referred to
In conclusion, Councilman Cagle remarked
that it appeared that the Firemen would
be agreeable to somewhat lesser benefits
than that contained in legislation pend-
ing before the State House , providing
the problem areas stated above could be
successfully negotiated. General dis-
cussion followed in which the advantages
and disadvantages of scheduling an eight
hour work shift , forty hour week for Fire-
men was considered. Councilman Mc Leland
suggested that the City pass a resolution
requesting that the legislators pass no
local bills without notifying the City
Council. There was a general agreement
that added communication between the
State Representatives and the City Coun-
cil would be desirable.
3. Zoning Case 63-Z-4 NAN NAN
Councilman Mc Leland indicated that
he had inspected the property, and in
his opinion the improvements proposed
would be of benefit to existing neigh-
borhood.
4. Police Escort Service NAN NAN
Councilman Cagle asked if it was the
City's intention to continue both Alter-
natives
lter-
natives Two and Three in M&C G"426, to
which City Manager Brownlee replied that
the City prefers Alternative No. Three in
preference to other i.lternatives. The
Council approved Alternative Three in
the regular meeting. _
5. Performance of House Wrecking Companies EHD Larson
Mayor Justin discussed a series of in-
stances in which House Wrecking Firms were
known to have contracted for the removal
of substandard or obsolete improvements,
and had failed to completely clear the
debris from the lot. He stated the be-
lief that certain house wreckers merely
take the valuable materials and leave
the debris on the lot. There was general
consensus that the City should investi-
gate means of establishing a bond or time
limit to more effectively control the �
removal of debris from lots within the OFFICIAL V-41010
City. Councilman Friedman expressed ��TY �rr�.,Fn �
some concern whether the City should en- i 1►
Ler into the contractural arrangement be-
tween the house wrecker and the owner of f 1. WORTH, ,
the improvements. But there was general
agreement that the City should stiffen
Page 4
I t e m Follow-up Referred to
its requirements with regard to such
contractors.
5. Sale of Land to the Water Board EHD Martin
Councilman George Thompson suggested
that the City attempt to negotiate a more
favorable price for land sold to the Water
Board as included in M&C L-24. City Man-
ager Brownlee replied that the )%C had
been withdrawn from consideration for
further study.
i. Completeness of Council Information EHD EHD and Waters
Councilman Friedman complained that
not all copies of his Mayor and Council
Communications were being included in
the packet being delivered to his home
and requested that greater care be given
in the future to including all copies of
correspondence being sent to the Council.
OFFICIAL RICO"D
CITY SECRETARY
FT. WORTH, TEX.