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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1964/11/16-Agenda-Pre-Council AGENDA PRE-COUNCIL CONFERENCE 8:30 A.M. , NOVEMBER 16, 1964 1 . Lane Star Gas - Operating Agreement Renewal (M&C C-394 and I.R. No. 641) 2. Status of Delinquent Accounts at I-Lnicipal Buildings West (I.R.No . 6311) 3. Life and Hospital Group Insurance Program (M&C C-396) 4. Paving Improvements - Old Cleburne Road (M&C G-720) S. Lake Worth Casino and Ballroom Leases (M&C G-723) 6. New City Code (M&C C-722) 7. National Hinicipal League Conference Arrangements (I.R. No. 640) 8. Other M&C's of November 16, 1964 9. Other Items .1ok PRE-COUNCIL CONFERENCE MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 16, 1964 Present : Late: Absent: 1 . Shannon None None 2 . Harding 3. Friedman 4 . Stovall 5 . Kemble 6. Barr i. Hoover 8. Hawn 9. Jones I T E M Follow-Up 1 . Lone Star Gas - Operating Agreement Renewal GD - Aughinbaugh-prepare (M&C C-394 and I,R. No . 641) information Council discussed the proposed operating agreement renewal with the Lone Star Gas Company, and the proposal submitted by Coastal States Gas Company requiring purchase by the City of the gas distribution system in Fort Worth. Councilman Harding stated that the proposal submitted by Coastal States was basically the same as the proposal submitted by Lumar Gas Company, and that he did not feel that the City should spend $26 million to purchase the gas distribution system without some guarantee of gas reserves . Mayor Friedman stated that the only difference between the proposal by Coastal States and that of Lumar was that the Coastal States Company had the gas which they proposed to sell to the City. The Mayor inquired if the Council felt that the proposal by Coastal States necessitated a rate study by a consultant, and a report to the City Council. Councilman Jones stated that he did not understand the provisions of the proposal, and that the Council should look into the proposal by Coastal States . Councilman Stovall stated that taxes which were presently being paid by Lone Star Gas would have to be paid by the other general taxpayers in the event the City purchased the Lone Star distribution system. Councilman Harding stated that under the Coastal States proposal , the consumer would not receive a lower gas rate. Councilman Hamm stated that it appeared that the Council was in favor of private rather than municipal ownership of the gas distribution system, but that he felt a qualified firm should be employed to analyse the two proposals. Councilman Hamm stated that he felt the Manager should make a recommendation regarding the cost -2- "~ and other factors involved in such an analysis , and that the two companies should be given 30 days in which to submit their proposals for analysis . Councilman Stovall repeated that there would be no reduction in gas rates to the consumer under the Coastal States proposal, and that there would be only one line to serve Fort Worth from Austin whereas the Lone Star Gas Company now had several lines serving the City. The City Manager suggested to the City Council that the Utilities Supervisor and the City Manager's Office look into the Coastal States ' proposal, and report back to the City Council if it was considered that there should be a consultant employed to study the proposal . Councilman Hoover inquired about the points to be explored by such a study, and was informed by Mayor Friedman that the information the Council was seeking consisted of; 1) information concerning the Coastal States proposal, and 2) can Lone Star Gas Company adequately serve the City of Fort Worth under the proposed operating agreement. Councilman Barr stated that he desired further analysis regarding the theory behind the permissive clause in the proposed Lone Star operating agreement providing for rate adjustments . Councilman Jones stated that he felt the Company should be questioned whether they were willing to consider a 15 or 20 year contract rather than the proposed 30 year contract . Councilman Hoover inquired as to the City's authority to purchase the gas distribution system of Lone Star Gas Company, and was informed by the City Manager that this provision was a part of the City charter. The City Manager further reported that the basis for purchase of the distribution system was stated in the Charter to be "replacement costs less depreciation." Councilman Jones inquired if the Coastal States Company would be interested in selling gas to the Lone Star Gas Company, thereby realizing the savings on the cost of gas without the necessity of purchasing the distribution system. Councilman Jones also inquired as to what would happen in the surrounding municipalities if the City should purchase the distribution system of Lone Star in Fort Worth. At regular Council meeting, Council deferred action on the proposed operating agreement with Lone Star Gas Company, 2 . Status of Delinquent Accounts at Municipal JLB-conferred with Huberr Buildings West (I.R. No. 634) Foster and Webb Maddux on 11-23-64, and Foster stated Councilman Harding inquired if it were necessary he would write letter to make the Opera Association pay for all mentals of promising payment for up- the buildings at Municipal Buildings Nest in advance, coming events, with the $500 rental to be paid not later than 12-4-64. Ash• +!. -3- and was informed by Mayor Friedman that this had been the instructions to the City Manager. The City Manager reported that two letters have been written to the Opera Association, but that there had been no acknowledge- ment of the letters . The City Manager reported that the staff would be willing to talk with the Opera Association officials, and would even recommend , if desired by the Opera Association, that payment for the use of the buildings could be made immediately after the event. Councilman Hamm stated that the Council had adopted a policy providing for the payment of rentals in advance from delinquent individuals and organizations , and that the Council should continue with its policy. The City Manager stated that it was the understanding of the staff that the use of the facilities at Municipal Buildings West by the Opera Association should be on a paying advance basis , and asked if the Council desired to make any change in this policy. Consensus of Council was for the staff to proceed on the basis outlined in the informal report . 3. Life and Hospital Group Insurance Program (M&C C-396) J.P. Wood - follow-up The City Manager reported that this proposal for employ- ment of an outside consultant to assist in the preparation of specifications for a group life and hospital insurance program for City employees had been deferred at the last Council meeting. Councilman Shannon reported that he had talked with Mr. Tom Chamberlin, and that Mr. Chamberlin had informed him that his partner had two clients who might possibly bid on an insurance program for City employees . Mr. Shannon reported that Mr. Chamberlin had stated that if the point were reached where one of the two companies was in competition for the award of the contract, he would disqualify himself. However, Mr. Chamberlin had stated that if none of these two companies were in the lower competitive range, he would be in a position to make a recommendation on selection of a company. Councilman Jones stated that a local insurance representative would be present at the formal Council meeting to suggest that the Council appoint a committee of local insurance agents to pre- pare the specifications at no cost to the City. The City Manager reported that the committee recommendation for employment of an outside consultant had been made in order to avoid any suspicion of preference in the award of a contract involving approximately $600,000 in annual premiums . Councilman Hamm stated that, based on Mr. Chamberlin's state- ments, he was willing to proceed with the employment of an outside consultant other than Mr. Chamberlin. -4- Aw At regular Council meeting Council approved the M&C providing for the employment of an outside consultant. 4. Paving Improvements - Old Cleburne Road NAN (M&C G-720) Council had no questions concerning this assessment paving project, and the benefit hearing was closed and assessments levied at regular Council meeting. 5. Lake Worth Casino and Ballroom Leases (M&C G-723) Agenda 11-24-64 Councilman Harding stated that he felt the City should explore the alternative of tearing down the Lake Worth Casino. Councilman Barr stated that he agreed with this alternative, and suggested that a committee be appointed to explore the possibility of tearing down the building or continuing its use. Councilman Hoover stated that he had received a call from a group of people who had indicated an interest in leasing the Casino, and requested a two-week delay on the matter. Councilman Stovall stated that he felt the lease of the Casino and the Casino Beach should be turned over to the Park and Recreation Department, and Councilman Kemble stated that he agreed with this . Councilman Harm stated that he felt the City should readvertise the lease of the building, and that since the City had only received one bid for the lease of the building, it indicated that the specifications had been too rigid. The City Manager recommended that the Council inform Mr. Jerry Starnes that he could continue on the temporary lease basis until January 31, 1965. Councilman Hoover inquired if Mr. Starnes was keeping current with his $100 per week payment, and was informed by the Manager that the payment was not being made each week, but was made each time an event was held in the building. The City Manager reported that while the Casino building would require the expenditure of some Park and Recreation funds, the Casino Beach lease would reimburse the Park Department for the expenditures made on the Casino building. Councilman Jones referred to an earlier report from the Building Commissioner stating that the building was in sound structual condition, and that there were minor things, primarily safety features, which should be done to the building. Councilman Jones inquired if the bid of Mr. Jerry Starnes had complied with the specifications, and was informed by the Manager that the third proposal received from Mr. Starnes had complied except for maintenance of the fire pump. Consensus of Council was to defer action on the Lake Worth Casino and Ballroom lease for one week, and this action was taken at regular Council meeting. AM ... -5- 6 . New City Code (M&C G-722) BATEMAN - please follow-up on codification of Mayor Friedman stated that the new City Code construction ordinances made it much easier to determine ordinance provisions using same format of the City, and that he felt the firm had done a good job with the codification. Councilman Harding inquired if it were possible to combine all ordinances of the City into the code, and was informed by the City-Secretary that some items such as the Hriilding Code were not included in the codification of ordinances . The City Secretary also reported that ordinances which were not of such a permanent nature, such as street name changes and assessment paving ordinances, were also not included in the code . Councilman Hamm stated that he was also pleased to receive a copy of the new City Code, and stated that he had inquired of the City Manager as to the cost of putting the building, electrical and plumbing codes in loose-leaf form. Council approved adoption of the ordinance regarding the City Code at regular Council meeting. 7 . National Municipal League Conference Arrangements NAN (I.R. 640) The City Manager inquired if any Council members had questions concerning the proposed schedule for the National Municipal League Conference. Council had no questions , however, Mayor Friedman requested any Council members who had ideas regarding the City's presentation to the All-American Cities jury to contact him. 8. Request for Information - Councilman Barr (1) Floyd - prepare I.R. (2) GD - get Time magazine Councilman Barr requested that the City Council copies be provided with information regarding 1) the (3) Augh - get information Ecomonic Opportunities Act; 2) reprints of the Time Magazine article on Urban Renewal, and 3) the periodical of General Electric regarding rapid transit in Urban cities . Councilman Barr also requested that the Council be placed on the mailing list for future General Electric transit periodicals . 9. Report on Acquisition of Right-of-Way, KD - request report from Long-33rd Street Improvements (M&C L-504) Land Division Council requested a report on the proposed acquisition of this right-of-way in connection with the Long-33rd Street project, regarding the difference between the tax value and the proposed purchase price. Council also requested the same information on all previous acquisitions in connection with the Long-33rd Street project.