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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1964/08/31-Agenda-Pre-Council r PRF,-COUNCIL CONFERENCE -am% AUGUST 31, 1964 Present: Late: Absent: 1. Friedman 9. Jones (Item 2) None 2. Kemble 3. Hoover 4. Hamm 5. Shannon 6, Barr 7. Stovall 8. Harding I T E M Follow-up: 1. Paddock Viaduct Renovation NAN The City Manager advised the Council that the plans _ and specifications for repairs to the Paddock Viaduct were almost completed by the consulting engineer, and OFFICIAL RECORD that it was anticipated that the project would be ad- vertised in September. The City Manager also presented CITY SECRETARY pictures showing the present condition of the viaduct, ET, IPIaRTN TCh. and an artists rendition showing the viaduct after the renovation had been completed. In response to a question, the City Manager reported that the cost of the renovation work, including light fixtures and re-surfacing of the viaduct, was estimated to be approximately $200,000. 2. Status of Municipal Buildings West Accounts Receivable (I. R. 612) The City Manager reported that in response to a request from Councilman Hamm, the City' s independent auditors had been requested to audit the accounts receiv- able at Municipal Buildings West. The City Manager advised F that the independent auditors had recommended more adequate follow-up controls on accounts receivable, and that the acting manager of the buildings had been instructed to revise the follow-up procedures in cooperation with the independent auditors. The City Manager also requested direction from the City Council regarding the delinquent accounts of the Opera and Symphony Associations for use F of the buildings. Councilman Hamm stated that he had requested this information in view of reports he had received concerning a substantial amount in delinquent accounts for use of the buildings, and that these delinquent accounts included individuals and organizations other than the Opera and Symphony. Councilman Hamm stated that he felt the billing of these accounts should be handled through the Accounting Department as is done in other cases, Councilman Hamm h inquired if the accounts receivable were reflected in the audit of the city financial transactions, and was informed by the City Manager that the independent audit was on a spot check basis and that the accounts receivable were not -L- 01 OFFICIAL RECORD , CITY SECRETARY checked each year. However, the City Manager stated that perhaps it would be advisable to check accounts receivablerT. WORTH, TEX. more thoroughly during this year's audit. - - — A general discussion followed concerning the policy Line - prepare memo to Acting Manager to be followed in the collection of delinquent accounts giving instructions on billing of the Opera and Symphony Associations, and consensus procedure study and practices, and of Council was that non-profit civic associations such letter to auditors requesting special as these should be requested to pay rentals in advance attention to delinquent accounts in when delinquencies existed, but that the administrative various City operations. staff should work with these organizations on their delinquent accounts, and that some flexibility and discretion should be available to the management. 3. Change Order - Open End Contract for Installation NAN and Adjustment of Water Facilities (M&C C-366) The City Manager reported that this change order provided for additional items needed to be performed under the contract prior to street paving projects, which were not included in the original specifications for the contract, and inquired in Council desired additional information concerning the change order. Cuuncil approved the change order at regular Council meeting. 4. Bishop Street Extension Paving Assessment - Lots KD - draft memo to Thelin re 7A, 8A and 9, Block 7, Meadowlawn Addition mixing assessments with land (M&C G-689) transactions, also obtain information re dispersement of $900 in connection Council discussed the proposed paving assessment with transaction. in connection with the property acquired by Mr. and Mrs. Wilson in an exchange with the city for right- of-way required in the Bishop Street Extension project, and the memorandum which had been furnished to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson prior to the exchange estimating that the approximate assessment against this property would be between $625 and $1,060, depending upon the zoning at the time of the assessment. The City Manager reported that as a general practice the proposed assessment against a property owner was not included in the land transaction for right-of-way, and that the Public Works Department had made an error in this case by doing so. During the discussion which followed, Councilman Jones requested information concerning the $900 which had been paid for a garage in connection with this transaction, and requested that the matter be investi- gated to determine if the payment had been dispersed. At regular Council meeting, Council set the assess- ment in connection with this property at $625, the amount stated in the Public Works Director's original memo. _o- 5. Assessment Paving of 21 Locations in South Side PAIL OFFICIAL RECORD (M&C C-367) CITY SECRETARY Councilman Harding inquired about the time lag FT. 1��RTI1 TEX between the award of contract and the start of con- ` 1 WORTH, . struction in connection with assessment paving projects, and reported that he had been informed that the gas and water utilities were responsible for a delay in the start of construction due to the reloca- tion and lowering of utilities. The Chief Engineer, Public Works Department, reported that it was normal for a 90 to 120 day delay } to occur between the award of contract and the start of construction on street paving projects, primarily due to the gas and water utilities relocation. The Water Department Director reported that the change in the open end contract and the additional service crew which was anticipated to be put in service on approxi- mately September 15 would assist in reducing the back- log of water line relocation projects. During the discussion, the Water Department Director stated that7major water transmission main is required to be lowered in connection with the long 33rd Street project, and advised the Council that this would be an expensive project inasmuch as this was the only feeder main to the Meacham Field area. It was re- ported that the main could not be taken out of service, and that a parallel line would have to be installed in order to provide continuous service to this area. Councilman Hamm inquired if the Public Works Department had considered changing the grade on the Long 33rd ;street project in order to avoid the lowering of the main, and was advised by the Water and Public Works representatives that this had been considered, Council approved the award of contract in connec- tion with the assessment paving of 21 location - South Side, at regular Council meeting. 6. Assessment Paving of 26 Locations in South Side KD - memo to Public Works re (M&C G-686) Unit 15, Fogg Street. Council raised no questions concerning this pro- ject, and the benefit hearing was closed and assessments levied at regular Council meeting with the exception of Unit 15, Fogg Street, which had been deleted by the City Council at the award of contract. It was requested at regular Council meeting that this unit be reactivated and that additional notices and a new benefit hearing date be set for this unit. 7. Institute on Planning and Zoning - September 10-12, EHD - ask Mahoney to check with 1964 (I,R, 609) Zoning and Plan Commission members re their attendance. The City Manager inquired if any Council Members desired to attend the Institute on Planning and Zoning, and requested Council Members to advise him in order M OFFICIAL RECORD CITY SECRETARY that reservations could be made. Councilman Barr nn y u� suggested that members of the Zoning Commission attend FT. WORTH, TEA. this meeting, and Councilman Jones indicated he would decide later this week if he would attend the meeting. 8. Changes in Proposed 1964-65 Budget (M&C G-688) KD - inform Bateman to publish schedule of changes. The City Manager referred to the changes in the proposed 1964-65 budget which had been made by the City Council at the budget study session, and requested authority to print the proposed changes in accordance with the legal requirements. i Councilman Harding inquired if this was considered final action by the City Council on the proposed budget, and was informed by the City Manager that it was possible for the Council to make additional changes desired up to the time the final appropriation ordinance was approved. In response to a question concerning date of approval of the final appropriation ordinance, the City Manager reported that it was tentatively scheduled that the ordinance would be acted on by the Council on September 14 in order that the tax rate could be fixed for tax billing purposes. Council authorized printing of the changes at regular Council meeting. 9. Resolution Opposing Action of Trans-Texas Bateman - please handle. Airlines Re Reduction in Service at Greater Southwest International Airport Mayor Friedman inquired concerning the procedure which should be followed in indicating the Council's opposition to the proposed reduction in service by Trans-Texas at Greater Southwest International Airport, and Council adopted a resolution at regular Council meeting requesting the Aviation Board to notify Trans-Texas of the Council's opposition to the uni- lateral action without notice. 10. Information on University Training Program KD - draft D.H. letter re enrollment (I.R. 611) for fall semester, also memo to J. F. Flood regarding A.R. The City Manager requested Council consideration of establishing a program whereby the City would reim- burse employees for the cost of tuition for college courses which would be beneficial to the employee in the performance of his job. Consensus of Council was for the administrative staff to develop a program as suggested, with adequate procedures and controls in order to insure that the courses for which reimbursement would be granted would be applicable to the employee's present or potential job requirements.