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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1967/05/29-Agenda-Pre-Council $or& MINUTES A=b� PRE-COUNCIL CONFERENCE May 29, 1967 `resent Late Absent McKinley 6.. Gui_v. (Item 2) 7. Kemble Dunham 8. Hoover Stovall 9. Wilson =�. Kersnick Sarsgard 1 t e to Follow-Up 1 . Orientation, Luncheon, and Bu ; Tour for Council DICK - Alert Public Works to le ready with street present at iiin Council Members present were reminded of the lun- on June 5. Begin to organi c• cheon at the Holly Water Treatment Plant, and bus tour, bus tour in s-lutheast and - vutl,- %.ith orientation of Water Department activities , fel- west Fort Wortn. lowing Council Meeting today. All members present indi- cated they could attend. There was insufficient time at the Pre-Council Conference for the scheduled orientation oL the WtLer Department., so it was held in connection with the lun- cheon at the Helly Water Treatment Plant. The bus tour of the north Fort Worth projects was conducted immediately following the luncheon, with Councilmen Dunham, Stovall, Kersnick and Sarsgard attending. Drainage Condition at Boulevard Christian Church GENE - ask Public Works to r:t•nd (IR #1193) letter with prnposa l to Blvd. Christian Church as mentionci. to Councilman Dunham asked what the church thinks IR 41193. about the proposed solution. 'Phe City Manager said the church has not yet been notified of the recommendation. Councilman Stovall said he thinks the recommended solu- tion is reasonable, but he believes the church probably wants the City to pay for all of the improvement costs. He said lie discussed the matter with Mr. Crawford last Saturday. Mayor McKinley asked what the City will do toward the solution. The City Manager replied that the work on 'ferrate Street, above the church, in the street right-of- way would be done by the City, and the retaining wall problem would have to be corrected by the church. 3. Benefit Hearing - Street Paving in Cosmos GENE - work wi;lh PW Neighborhood Improvement Area (M&C G-1095 port on matters request(,( i, r the 6/12/67 Council MA-v, Councilman Stovall asked if everybody wants the paving improvements in the neighborhood. Mayor Pro-Tem Sarsgard responded that it appeared that about half of rhose who responded to the post card survey are in favor and lialf against. The City Manager said that the Bunge Company may protest its paving assessments. Mayor Pro-Tem Sarsgard asked what the procedure at the gearing is for requesting independent appraisals of the benefit to properties. The City Manager said the Council may close the hearing on any properties it wishes and request independent appraisals on any parcel desired. r Ank At the regular meeting, several persons appeared i, i- the benefit hearing. The following five property tiers requested appraisals on their properties relat- u to the benefit from the paving ; the Bunge Company, uV Gutierez, W. H. Land, Mrs. John Gonzales, and Mrs. iiry Mize. Also appearing were Loraine Louse, Mr. Muro (re- t c ;ting a refund on a prepaid assessment), Raymond Rodriquez, and Mr. Dominguez, none of which requested appraisals on their properties. The concern expressed by residents of the area was primarily over the p.iviug of Alice Street and the use of this street by trucks around the grain elevator, and the ut;e of Butler Street as a truck route to and from the South Freeway. The Council postponed the benefit hearing for two eeks and requested from the staff a report on enforce- mMut of the truck routes in this area, and the independent )raisais on the five properties requested. Accept nice of Street Right-of-Way from the United NAN Stockyard Company and others (M&C L-1833 ) Mayor McKinley asked what the background of the project is. The City Manager replied that about two years ago, the United Stockyards Company requested the City to officially accept the streets mentioned in M&C lb-33, which have been used by the public for many years. lie said that during the intervening time, surveys of the tioets to be taken were made, accurate descriptions were Litten, and appropriate dedications from all the owners in.olved were secured. Mayor Pro-Tem Sarsgard asked if cre is anything else involved in the matter. The City imager said he doesn 't think so. Mayor Pro-Tem Sarsgard i ked if the City is setting any precedent on other pri- vtte streets by this action. The City Manager said the City was not setting any precedent. At the regular meeting M&C L-1833 was approved tillanimous ly. Purchase of Delinquent Tax Statements NAN (M&C P-586, page 1 of 5) Mayor Pro-Tem Sarsgard asked why the statements needed to be printed on the back of the form. The City miii.tger replied that the staff needs a receipted copy to return to the property owner. At the regular meeting, this purchase item was 1tlroved unanimously. Renewal of Blue Cross-Blue Shield Employee JACK WOOD - is getting cost til Group Health Insurance Contract (M&C C-957) $25 deductible and drafting Ir. Mayor McKinley asked how the contract was awarded i�;inally. The Personnel Director said that it was irded after receipt of sealed bids. He said Blue Cross- '.I<<. Shield was substantially lower than the other bidders. tit • .iid rates were then guaranteed for two years, or until lu ' 1 , 1967. 3 s Mayor McKinley asked what the retention rate is. The Personnel Director replied that it is 8.3 per cent, which amount is for overhead, administrative costs and I,rofi.t. He said that the company has experienced 114 per cent expenditure over income on the City group, and this is the reason for the increase in rates. Mayor McKinley asked about the $50 deductible pro- vision. The Personnel Director replied that the staff desires to retain the $50 deductible provision, but also to add a $25 first aid rider. Mayor McKinley said he doesn't care for the first aid rider because it is subject co abuses by members of the group, which will greatly in- crease the coat to the group. The Personnel Director said the previous policy (Aetna) included coverage under the surgical schedule for .mall accidental injury expenses. lie said the Personnel Department has experienced many employee complaints about + lie lack of coverage now for this expense. Councilman Dunham said that it appears to be a philosophical question, and that he does not personally hulieve that group health insurance is provided to take care of the small medical expenses. Councilman Stovall said the City paid a consulting firm two years ago for its assistance in writing specifi- cations, and this firm recommended a $50 deductible. Councilman Guinn said that rather than insurance, group health plans are often called pre-care payment plans. Mayor McKinley suggested taking bids on a $25 de- ductible e- ductable policy. Councilmen Stovall asked who was the consultant two years ago, The Personnel Director replied Arthur Stedry Hansen (H&C C-491 dated 4/26/65). Mayor Pro-Tem Sarsgard asked if there is a deadline for deciding this matter. The City Manager replied that the premiums for the July first billing will have to be withheld beginning with the payroll on June 9th. Mayor Pro-Tem Sarsgard asked if the City can change its carrier any time. The City Manager replied that the City is on a month to month policy with Blue Cross and could change on fairly short notice. He said also that the first aid rider has been a source of many complaints from city employees. Councilman Kersnick asked if the staff has checked on the cost of a $25 deductible. The City Manager said it has not checked on this. Councilman Dunham said that the wage and hour law has increased all medical costs and that certainly the cost of the plan will be up. Councilman Guinn asked if more than one company covers the City employees. The Personnel Director said that Blue Cross-Blue Shield is the only City group carrier, but some employees have personal policies with other com- panies. Councilman Guinn asked about the increased costs of the policy, and the Personnel Director explained them.. Councilman Guinn asked about the total cost of the po I icy The Per,, .)nnel Director said the cost to the City r . about $155,000 per year in the General Fund or about .'01),000 i., all funds. ilc. said that the life insurance included in this figure., Councilman Kersnick asked if the employees know that 11L' .:ity pays 45 per cent of the employee premium The f^•,r!;onnel Director replied that all City publications in- ude this fact , and he thinks it is common knowledge. He did that the Police Association about six or eight months t,%o requested addition of the first aid rider. Councilman Kersnick asked what if a policeman is in- ,k.. ed in the line of duty. The Personnel Director replied th.c1 the City pays all medical e.:prn-,es in this c"se, under It :, self insurance. He said the City carries no workmen's ur11pensat.ion, Councilman Dunham asked if the staff would contact it, C oss and check the cost of a $25 deductible change. tic• - uggested getting a binder :gin t , current contract if i1 rook some time to get this inform,cion and for the i.c,iuncil to act, At the regular meeting, M&C C -''>7 was postponed for 1 c cport by the staff. _ L Meeting with Regional Airport Board NAN Mayor McKinley requested that the City Council ftiaet th the members from Fort Worth of the temporary Regional Airport Board. The consensus of the Council was that such .i meeting would be useful, with the election date of June 6 ,-l-proaching. Mayor McKinley asked the City Manager to check an ap- pio priate time. Councilman Guinn said he preferred it not Wednesday or Thursday because he has received an invira- ,n from the President to attend a White Hou_,e reception j ,1c the Amba•;sador from Australia on June 1 The City Manager said he would try to arrange a meet- ing for Tuesday morning, May �0 (meeting was held at 11 :00 i.m. on May 30) , Increased Equipment Capacity - Municipal NAN telephone Switchboard (M&C C-955) Mayor Pro-Tem Sarsgard asked if the staff is getting .Pmplaints about having to wait for lines on the switch- oi,.ird. The City Manager said the staff is not, but that , he number of calls is increasing rapidly and the capacity ;,ill be exceeded soon. Mayor Pro-Tem Sarsgard asked if the new City Hall is Completed before the 60 month contract is expired, would credit be received, The City Manager replied he thought it could, as applied to the new swithboard on the new City Ilall . At the regular meeting, M&C C-955 was approved unani- urou::i Y. _ _