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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1966/09/26-Agenda-Pre-Council A G E N D A Pre-Council Conference 8 :30 A.M. Monday, September 26, 1966 1) Demolition of Substandard fwildings (M6C G-966 and C-804) 2) Clearance of Obstructions - ?Meacham Field ('1t.0 C-ti05) 3) Purchase of Small Computer For Engineering Computations (M&C P-544) 4) Engineering Services for Henderson Street Storm Drain (WX C-801) 5) 'Traffic Safety Enforcement Statistics (IR #1060) 6) Investment of Temporarily Idle City Funds (IR #1059) 7) Status of Working capital Fund (IR #1062) 8) Other M&C's of September 26, 11) ;6 9) Other Items OFFICIAL RECORD CITY SECRETARY FT. V1"RF;;, Tc . MINUTES Pre-Council Conference September 26, 1966 Prusent Late Absent 1 - Barr 6. Stovall (Item 1) 8., Hoover ? . Deen 1. Jones (Item 10) 9. Shannon 3. Hamm I; . Eagle Kemble I t e m Follow-Up 1 . The City Manager advised the Council that the Texas EHD - Plan to attend Rt-!;earch League would discuss proposed legislation affect- ing-, urban problems at the Arlington State College Theater, p.m. , Thursday, September 29 and extended an invitation Irom the League for Council Members to attend the meeting. The announcement was repeated for Councilman Stovall who arrived late. 2 „ Demolition of substandard Buildings (M&C G-966 and EHD - See regular meeting notes . C-804) Also get Po Ice to check junk ul-2ra- tion on South Freeway to clean publi Provisions of M&C G-966 were outlined by the Manager right-of-way who emphasized that the procedures proposed were primarily directed at houses beyond repair. In response to a question by Mr. Kemble, it was reported the listed houses were not occupied, Mr. Hamm asked if these procedures would strengthen co,irt cases concerning; substandard buildings to which the Manager replied that the procedural aspects of the removal pro:,ram would be of suhstantfal help in any litigation, 00w The Mayor observed that the net effect of the proposal was to establish better and more complete records on substandard building cases, Mr . Hamm expressed considerable conte m over the costs of "enforced demolition" of houses and suggested setting; a ruaximum price to be paid for razing., The Manager assured Mr. Hamm that a price control was built into the procedures and that high or excessive bids could be rejected by the City staff or Council . Mrs . Deen remarked that some savings in costs might result ii one contractor could tear down ad- jacent substandard houses at the same time, Mr. Hamm ex- pressed the thought that they should be torn down but that his personal experience had made him wary of some of the prices demolition contractors were asking. The Manager said that separate bids would be required on each house to establish the liens on the property and that no demolition could proceed without expressed approval by the Council . Mr. Hamm also asked about some junk cars on property aloes. the South Freeway and wondered what, if any, action war; being taken to eliminate them. The Manager replied that a junkyard along; the freeway had been the subject of much litigation and represented t;ie serious nuisance. There was indication that the operation may be a legal non conform- ing; use. Mr. Hamm asked that encroachments be removed from public property at the location. The Manager reported there had been a number of cases filed to get cars removed from the 001"' public right-of-way and that efforts would continue. Mr. Eagle inquired what costs would constitute the lien for razing;, and the Manager replied the cost of razing as well as administrative and inspection costs leading to actual razing; would be charged. The ManagIr distributed a photograph of a house at 1205 High (M&C C-804) on which Council Members had previously urged action and which was proposed for action authorizing; demolition. It was suggested that a phrase be added to the M&C's in question specifically 401111statin,, that administrative costs would be part of the lien on prt)perty. (This action was formally taken in regular sessityn. Mr. Eagle inquired whether the property owner could he advised of the demolition bids to give him a last chance to take action. The Manager said this could be done, but wotltd cause some delay in the procedure, Mr. Kemble ob- scived that by this time in the process, the property uwcier would have had sufficient notification. M&C G-996 and C-804 were passed unanimously in the regular session of the Council, including the provision that administrative costs would be included in liens against the property. 3. Clearance of Obstructions - Meacham Field MAN (M&C C-805) The City Manager presented the proposal to eliminate obstructions in flight approach zones at Meacham Field. Aviation Director Sekadlo described the project to the Council and, using a map, pointed out which utility lines would be affected. In response to a question from Mr. Kemble, the Aviation Director replied that the City is ob- lin,ated to pay for the utility improvements. Mr. Hamm ob- served that better plannin_, and controls might have pre- vented the obstructions being there at all . Mr.. Sekadlo stated that the airport was built about 1929, but didn't know exactly when the lines had been built , Mr. Eagle asked why both lines couldn't be strung on poles, and Mr. Sekadlo replied that this was not possible from an engineering standpoint, in this case, Mr. Hamm ex- pressed concern that more obstructions might be erected in the area, but Mr. Sekadlo gave assurances that zoning re- structions would prevent such construction, Mr, Kemble asked why both the electric and telephone lines couldn't go underground, and Mr. Sekadlo replied that this alterna- we would be costly. He said that the Texas Electric Service Company proposal consisted mostly of line reloca- tions. Responding to a question from Mr. Hamm, the Aviation Director said that the plan for Meacham Field included capacity for business jets which use up to 6000' for takeoffs . Mr,. Hamm asked the staff to make sure no obstructions would be built at the airports in the future. M&C C-805 was approved at the regular session. 4. Mr._ Brownlee introduced Mr. David Farrington, the NAN new _Assistant Public Works Director, to the Council. S. Purchase of Small Computer for Engineering NAN Computations (M&C P-544) , The Manager asked for any questions regarding the Olivetti computer to be purchased . Mr. Stovall asked +00'whether the Public Works Department had looked at a KE machine, Mr. Graham said that to his knowledge only only Olivetti had a small computer built for eny•,ineer- in,; iise� Mr. Eagle asked whether a special operator was necessary, and Mr. Graham said no . _ M&C P-544 passed in regular session. 0. Enl;ineering Services for Henderson Street Stone NAN Drain (M&C C-801) The Manager presented a proposal for an engineer- in;, study co define the problem and recommend a solu- tion. Ile mentioned that the situation was serious be- cause of the relatively high value of the property ,hreatened. The recommendation was approved at re jular session, 7 . Traffic Safety Enforcement and Statistics (IR 1060) MAN The Police Chief explained that August was a "dis- mal" month for traffic safety, but added that the en- iorcement index is now above that recommended by the National Safety Council. Mrs. Deen asked about "smog" problems, and the Chief replied that vapor on streets in the early morning was of some prevalence, but Fur!' Worth's experience is not as bad as Dallas. Mr. Eagle asked whether the "free service" to be offered by a Chevrolet firm was operative yet , The Chief re- plied that it was still in planning stages and should be of help to motorists when initiated . _ 8 , Invcstment of Temporarily Idle City Funds JLB (IR #1059) The City Manager asked for guidance on idle funds investment , Mr. Kemble said that he would like to keep the money on deposit in Fort Worth but indicated the City should get the best return on its money wherever possible. Mr. Hamm said he heard the banks were working on a proposal to equal the potential income from other sources, The Mayor said that the City should invest its funds in accordance with Lite policy adopted by the Council to obtain the highest pod- sible return. It was decided to wait until next Monday to learn what the banks propose, but the Manager later, reported the City must announce its intention to buy Government hills during the week prior to the next Council meeting.. The Manager said that lie would continue talks with the hanks and if they cannot meet the price, he would purchase the Treasury bills as has been done in the past, in accord- ance with standard Council policies . 11* ;;latus of Working Capital Fund (IR 1062) NAN There were no questions about the report on the R)rking Capital Fund requested by Mr. Shannon, 'Oak AVA l0. Discussion with Mr. Larry Meeker and Mr. Grover NAN Shaunty of the CAP regarding; request for $4,000. Mr. Larry Meeker representing the Community Action Program, detailed the benefits that would be received arum the program by citizens of Fort Worth. He listed the credentials of the advisory board of the CAP and said LhaL administration costs appeared high now because of initial staffing; needs for program definition and develop- ment. He said that some $480,000 has been programmed for Fort Worth projects and that the money would be used to put people to work and "given away" as welfare aid . (Mr. Jones entered.) He went on to say that the Fort Worth program has been cited as an "outstanding example" of how the program should be run and noted comments by Senators Yarborough and Tower to that effect. Mr. Meeker said that the CAP program would help reduce the cost of municipal services. He said that city services cost $5,000 per block per year in poverty areas compared to only $1,500 in other city areas. He concluded by saying that the pro- gram may have to be curtailed if sufficient matching funds aren't forthcoming. Mr. Kemble asked how much money is being put into Llse community, and Mr. Meeker replied that $480,000 was being; distributed among neighborhood centers, including $147,000 for dental service at the Public Health Center. He said that lie anticipates another one-half million dollar program request to be approved in October, with Len per cent of the funds to be put up by local agencies. Mr. Hamm asked what services and space were now being F given by Fort kbrth to the CAP. He also said that he was not against the program but felt that it was county-wide in scope and did not want Fort Worth taxpayers to pay twice since they also pay county taxes. He suggested Lhat the Community Council pay the whole cost. Mr. Shaunty replied that the dental service in the Health Center is for Fort Worth citizens only, is staffed by volunteer dentists, and provides a facility not previously offered by the City. He said that this is the only assistance the CAP gets from the City, and it is credited against the ten per cent matching fund require- ment. The Mayor asked that Messrs. Meeker and Shaunty stand by for additional questions in regular session. After some discussion in regular session, the motion to grant the CAP request for $4,000 failed to receive affirmative vote of a majority of Council Members (Vote was 4 to 3 in favor; 5 votes needed) . _ I ACTION REQUESTED OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF City Council Meeting September 26, 1966 P R O J E C T Referred to '1 . Council authorized a $1 ,500 pay increase MAE - prepare change of status form. for the City Manager effective October 1, 19660 FLOYD - adjust budget salary schedule. 2• Jack Bean regarding Community Action Program NAN Mr. Larry Meeker appeared to represent Mr. Bean. Mr. Kemble moved approval of the request for $4,000, and considerable discussion follow ed. Mr„ Jones was Primarily interested in future obligations that the City might incur by granting the request, and Mr. Hamm again stated his view that the County should provide the money. The motion failed on a 4-3 vote (For: Barr, Eagle, Kemble, and Deen; Against: Stovall, Jones, Hamm) 3. Letters from Citizens Council referred a letter from Jim Puff, attorney, living notice of a lawsuit against the City on behalf of Merlean and Louis Shaw for fi5,000 to the Department of Law, 4. Demolition of Substandard Houses EHD - make sure future M&C's include authority to charge administrative M&C's G-996 and C-804 were amended to state that costs . .administrative costs should be included on all liens iiled in demolition cases .