Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993/06/15-Agenda-Pre-Council �r NEW DISCUSSION OF GANG ACTIVITY IN FORT WORTH . IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING CITY COUNCIL MEETING PRE-COUNCIL CHAMBER PRE-COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1993 8:30 A.M. PRE-COUNCIL CHAMBER 1) Responses to M&C's Continued from a Previous Week a) M&C G-10156 - Proposed Retail Wastewater Rate Increase(Continued from 6/1/93 by Council) (Boswell/Groomer responding) b) Questions Concerning Current Agenda Items, Bob Terrell, City Manager 2) New Housing Programs Design - Libby Watson, Assistant City Manager 3) Discussion of Proposed,'.V. Electric Franchise Agreement Wade Adkins, City Attorney ►) AAAA�'k, i 4) City Council Requests for Future Agenda Items The Pre--Council Meeting is scheduled to end at 9:45 a.m. THE PURPOSE OF A PRE-COUNCIL MEETING HELD PRIOR TO A REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING IS TO ALLOW THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS TO INFORMALLY DISCUSS ITEMS ON THE AGENDA AND TO SECURE INFORMATION FROM THE CITY MANAGER AND THE STAFF.ALTHOUGH THE MEETING IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC,CITIZENS ARE REQUESTED TO RESERVE COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS FOR THE SUBSEQUENT COUNCIL MEETING SO THEY WILL BE A PART OF THE PUBLIC RECORD. 'This facility is wheelchair accessible. For acconniraxlations or sign interpretive services,please call the City Manager's Office at 871-6140,48 hours in advance.' F RECORD RETARY H, TEL NOTES FROM JUNE 15, 1993 PRE-COUNCIL, COUNCIL MEETING AND LONG-RANGE PLANNING SESSION FOR JUNE 16, 1993 CITY MANAGER'S STAFF MEETING PRE-COUNCIL 1. Responses to M&C's Continued from a Previous Week a) M&C G-10156 - Proposed Retail Wastewater Rate Increase. SUMMARY: ACM Boswell stated that a memo from Mr. Meadows directed staff to look at a variation of staff's recommendation that would bring in the same amount of revenue, but shift the cost burden from the residential customer to the commercial/industrial customer. This was done in the attached memo from Richard Sawey to ACM Boswell, listing several options. Option 3 shifts the majority of the cost to the commercial/industrial user, and is the recommendation of the Water Rate Committee. ACM Boswell stated that staff expects the expenditures in the Water Department to increase even with the IMR efficiency study due to environmental mandates. COUNCIL: Mr. Barr expressed concern that the option recommended by the Water Rate Committee shifts too much of the burden to the commercial/industrial user. He also expressed a concern about moving ahead with this rate increase before City Council can pin down the efficiencies that will be gained from the study. He expressed a desire to delay action on this issue until a decision is made about the IMR study. Mr. Meadows stated that the additional revenue will be required, because we have a sludge problem that we have to deal with. The rate increase is expected to bring in an additional $5.4m in additional revenue. Mr. Meadows suggested that perhaps we should approve the rate increase but wait to implement it pending the outcome of the efficiency study. ACTION: None required. b) Questions Concerning Current Agenda Items Zoning Hearing Z-92-087 - Tarrant Aggregates Corporation, 7000 Block of Jack Newell Boulevard. COUNCIL: Ms. Haskin expressed a desire to delay this for two weeks. M&C G-10212 - Continued Employment of Kelly, Hart and Hallman, Attorneys at Law, as Outside Counsel on Water Matters. OFFICIAL RECORD 1 CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTH, TEX. COUNCIL: Mr. Lane asked if we have negotiated an hourly fee with the law firm, what their rate is, if the $208,966 is additional money to be paid to them, and how much we have paid them to this date. STAFF: Mr. Adkins responded that they do charge an hourly rate at $185/hour for the top two attorneys, with lesser rates for paralegal and other assistance; that the $208,966 is additional money; and that we have paid them approximately $500,000 to date. COUNCIL: Mayor Granger asked to put the case on Executive Session for next week. ACTION: Place the Arlington Rate Case on the agenda for Executive Session for next week. 2. New Housing Programs Design SUMMARY: Sandra Gonzales stated that modifications to three of the City's existing housing programs are necessary due to the receipt of new funding from HUD in HOME and HOPE 3 funds. With the new funds come new regulations; therefore, we have to modify our programs to fall within the new regulations. She then explained the three programs as they currently exist, compared to how staff would like to modify them. She also stated that they are aiming to place an M&C on the June 22, 1993 agenda with the proposed modifications. COUNCIL: Mayor Granger asked if this information had gone to the Housing Committee. Ms. Webber mentioned that the CDC did not have a quorum at the last meeting, and therefore has not reviewed the information. STAFF: Ms. Gonzales stated that the Housing Committee has been given the information, and that they are trying to reschedule the CDC so that it will be reviewed by them before it comes before the City Council. She added that the CDC has reviewed the body of the modifications, but some minor changes have been made that they have not yet reviewed. COUNCIL: Mayor Granger asked staff to provide the new City Council members with the goals and information provided to Council members recently. Mr. Lane asked if the marketing material is in Spanish, and if we have guidelines on the contractors that we use. STAFF: Ms. Gonzales responded that all brochures are in Spanish, and that we use strict guidelines on both the contractors that we use, and on our own in-house inspectors, and that we can provide these guidelines to him. OFFICIAL RECORD 2 CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTH, TEX. r a COUNCIL: Mr. Barr requested copies of the transparencies, and asked if they could get definitions of these programs. Mayor Granger suggested that it would be helpful to have a work session on this subject. STAFF: Ms. Gonzales responded that staff can provide a glossary of our housing programs to him. Mr. Terrell stated that the Enterprise Foundation is reviewing our housing programs to determine our effectiveness vs. national objectives and other programs around the country. Ms. Gonzales stated that staff will meet with the Council Housing Committee once the Enterprise Foundation is completed. COUNCIL: Mr. Lane asked who is on the Housing Committee. Mayor Granger responded that Ms. Woods and Ms. Webber are on the committee, with one vacant position. Mr. Barr expressed concern about our history of success, how we will measure our success in the future, and if there is urgency to passing the M&C next week. STAFF: Ms. Gonzales responded that regulations require us to spend a certain amount of the HOME money within the first two years, and our time started in the spring of 1992, so we are anxious to implement the modifications so that we can start delivering services. COUNCIL: Mr. Silcox stated that he would like to know which of the modifications are federally required, and which are simply modifications of City design. Mr. Barr added that this information should go to the CDC with adequate time for review, so that the CDC can make a recommendation to the City Council. He also asked for an accounting of prior year CDBG funds not yet spent. Ms. Webber asked if these modifications will help us to rehabilitate more houses. STAFF: Ms. Gonzales responded that staff can provide information as to which modifications are federally required vs. City design, and that staff can provide information on prior year CDBG funds still available. She added that we have almost doubled our money over the last few years, so we can now afford to do these modifications to include more services to more citizens. She added that with HOME and HOPE 3 funds, we now have approximately $9.Om - $10.0m available, where we had approximately $5.0m a few years ago. COUNCIL: Mayor Granger asked to add this issue to an after Council meeting work session. ACTION: Provide new Council members with the goals and other information presented to the Council recently; provide guidelines for contractors and in-house inspectors to Council members; provide copies of transparencies and definitions of programs to Council members; provide informa ' h OFFICIAL RECORD 3 CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTH, TEX. modifications are federally required vs. which are due to City design on the copies of the transparencies provided to them; and provide an accounting of prior year CDBG funds still available. Add this issue to the schedule of long-range planning sessions after the Council meetings. 3. Discussion of Proposed T.U. Electric Franchise Agreement SUMMARY: Mr. Adkins explained our current franchise agreement, and mentioned that our current agreement expires on December 21, 1993. He further explained that the City of Dallas has historically received 4%, while the City of Fort Worth has reviewed 3%, and that staff has wanted to negotiate our agreement to be similar to that of Dallas. In May, the City of Dallas and T.U. Electric came to terms that will provide Dallas with 4%, and in return, Dallas will give up its right to reimbursement for rate case costs. Dallas will pay the first $4.0m, then T.U. will pick up the expenses. However, the current rate cases will be reimbursed. T.U. has offered a similar agreement with Fort Worth. Staff recommends a 15 year agreement at 4%, effective June 1, 1993. We would give our best effort to not spend more than $1.Om per rate case after the initial $4.0m. At a cost of approximately $500,000 per case, we would be giving up approximately $2.5m over the 15 years, assuming 4-5 rate cases over the 15 year term. We anticipate receiving an additional $3.Om to $5. Om in 1993, and an annual increase of $5.Om to $6. Om in subsequent years. Mr. Adkins suggested escrowing some of this revenue to build up a fund to cover future rate case costs. Mr. Adkins added that three action items are scheduled to be on next week's agenda. The first is an ordinance to terminate the old agreement, the second is the new franchise agreement ordinance, and the third is a new agreement concerning the payment of pole rentals. COUNCIL: Mr. Lane expressed concern that he cannot vote on this next week without looking into the issue further. He further expressed his desire for a public forum on this issue. Mr. Barr expressed a desire to have a work session on this issue. STAFF: Mr. Adkins responded that in order for the agreement to be effective June 1, 1993, it has to be acted on very soon. Also, additional revenue will be lost by delaying action. ACTION: Schedule a public hearing on this issue for next week. 4. City Council Requests for Future Agenda Items COUNCIL: Mr. Lane requested on next week's Pre-Council agenda the discussion of an Actuarial Study for the retirement fund in 4 OFFICIAL RECORD CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTH, TEX. order to look into separating the Police Department employees from the regular employees. ACTION: Add this item to Pre-Council agenda for next week. STAFF: Mr. Terrell mentioned that Orientation-Part II will still need to be held, but the date must be rescheduled. ACTION: ACM Boswell to contact Council members to reschedule Orientation-Part II. COUNCIL MEETING VIII. Election of Mayor Pro Tempore After citizen presentations by Brent Dickey and Pat Taylor, Virginia Nell Webber was elected -Mayor Pro Tempore. X. Items to be Withdrawn from the Consent Agenda M&C G-10207 - Resolution Requesting the Texas Department of Commerce Remove Enterprise Project Designation for PTCC, Inc. - was withdrawn from the consent agenda by Mr. Meadows due to a conflict of interest. This M&C was passed with Mr. Meadows abstaining. M&C C-13872 - Amendment No. 4 to Architectural Services Agreement with Growald Architects for Design of Central Library Expansion and Cable T.V. Studio - was withdrawn due to a citizen card from Pat Taylor. See below. XI. Items to be Continued or Withdrawn - None XVII. Report of the City Manager M&C G-10156 - Proposed Retail Wastewater Rate Increase. The Council denied the unrevised version of this M&C. Citizen presentations from Lon Burnam, Anne Johnson, and Pedro Herrera followed. Mr. Meadows amended the revised version of the M&C to maintain the current service charge at $4.50, increase the volume charge to $1.08/100 cu. ft. , and rate not to take effect and be contingent upon the outcome of the efficiency study (to the Council's satisfaction) . The M&C passed as amended. M&C G-10212 - Continued Employment of Kelly, Hart and Hallman, Attorneys at Law, as Outside Counsel on Water Matters. This M&C was passed with Mr. Meadows abstaining due to a conflict of interest. 5 OFFICIAL RECORD CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTH, TEX. M&C C-13872 - Amendment No. 4 to Architectural Services Agreement with Growald Architects for Design of Central Library Expansion and Cable T.V. Studio. Following citizen presentation by Pat Taylor, staff explained that this M&C is for the redesign of part of the facade of the building, necessary as a result of an engineering redesign of 3rd Street due to drainage problems. Mr. Barr requested wording to clarify that the work to be done is the modification of the design of the facade. M&C was approved as amended. XVIII. Zoning Hearing Zoning Docket No. Z-92-087 - Tarrant Aggregates Corporation, 7000 Block of Jack Newell Boulevard. Following a citizen presentation by Gene Ferreira, Ms. Haskin requested that this item be continued until June 29th in order to clarify some information. ACTION: Continue until June 29th. Zoning Docket No. Z-93-025 - Autozone, Inc. , 6600 Block of McCart Avenue. Ms. Woods asked if any mechanic/service work would be performed at this location. Mr. H. Dennis Hopkins responded that only the sale of parts would occur at this location. This item was subsequently approved. Zoning Docket No. Z-93-033 - Charles D. and Frances Barnett, 4800 and 4804 Brentwood Stair Road. Following citizen presentations from Larry Chapman and Charles Barnett, this item was approved. XIX. Citizen Presentations 1. Pat Taylor on the library expansion and government accountability. 2. Tom Oliver on teenage violence. 3 . Rev. Jose Stewart on a new youth center in the Eastwood area. Ms. Woods suggested looking into using CDBG funds to build a new center. 4. Marla Jesmore introduced herself as the new spokeswoman for the Library Assistants. 5. Joe Blair on the adoption and enforcement of a 5-day waiting period for the purchase of a handgun. ACTION: City Attorney to research this (?) . 6 OFFICIAL RECORD CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTH, TEX. LONG-RANGE PLANNING SESSION: GANG ACTIVITY IN FORT WORTH DISCUSSION: SUMMARY: Chief of Police Tom Windham introduced the subject, and Sgt. Oscar Ramirez gave an overview of current gang activity in the city. COUNCIL: Mr. Lane asked how staff identifies gang members. Mayor Granger asked how young the gang members are. Mr. Jackson asked if staff keeps statistics on how many gang members are in jail. STAFF: Sgt. Ramirez responded that they identify gang members by interviewing them, and then verifying; that gang members are as young as 11 years, and as old as 35-40; and that staff is currently in the process of setting up a tracking system for gang members in jail. SUMMARY: Deputy Chief Mike Culpepper provided information as to the actions being taken by the Police Department to counteract the gang activity. The city has had ten people killed and twelve wounded since June 1st, mostly on the east side of the city. The Police Department is increasing visibility in the area, and has adopted a "Zero Tolerance" policy. They have designated three target areas within the East Division, and have further sectioned these three target areas for further intensification, if necessary. This intensification will continue for three weeks, at a cost of $64,800 in Overtime. They will evaluate after three weeks to determine if this intensification is still required. If so, another $44,800 in Overtime will be required. COUNCIL: Mayor Granger asked what is meant by "Zero Tolerance"; Ms. Woods asked if gang members are heavily involved in drugs. STAFF: Chief Culpepper responded that "Zero Tolerance" means that they will deal with every gang-related offense as it occurs, and they will arrest for all arrestable offenses. He also responded that some members are involved in drugs, but that most are involved more for protection, respect, and territorial rights. COUNCIL: Mayor Granger asked that staff come back at the end of the first three weeks with a report on how well our actions are working. Mr. Meadows stated that we need to impact it on a policy level, and address societal problems and be willing to devote the resources to them. He suggested that Council should be looking into comprehensive solutions with price tags attached. EOFFICIALREC a�® A -Mw' Mr. Lane asked if other City departments and outside agencies are cooperating with the Police Department, and if enforcement is working or just moving to other areas of the city. STAFF: Chief Windham responded that the role of the Police Department is primarily containment and enforcement, but it also has a role in prevention. Mr. Terrell stated that other City departments and outside agencies are cooperating with the P.D. (such as D.A. 's Office) . David Manning took this opportunity to suggest that the Police Department needs additional funds for Overtime because officers are currently flexing out by Wednesday or Thursday of each week; and that they need additional funds for vehicles, uniforms, and semi-automatic weapons. ACTION: Come back at the end of the first three weeks of Police intensification with report as to P.D. effectiveness. SUMMARY: Patsy Thomas of the Citizens Crime Commission provided information regarding study done called "Gangs in Tarrant County" that provides strategies dealing with intervention, prevention, and enforcement. She suggested that the City should take the leadership position to bring all of the necessary organizations together to develop strategies for dealing with the problem. She also mentioned that a bill to stiffen penalties for drive-by shootings was watered down in the 1993 legislative session. COUNCIL: Mr. Lane asked if the Council should establish a Council committee to work on this issue. Mr. Silcox asked why we could not get a stronger bill passed, and if we should work on this for the next legislative session. Mr. Meadows asked what the City of Fort Worth could do to assist the Crime Commission in its efforts. STAFF: Ms. Thomas stated that their bill did not have the level of support that they would have desired. In response to Mr. Meadows, she stated that assistance in identifying potential funding sources would help their programs. COUNCIL: Ms. Woods stated that housing plays an important role in preventing gang activities, and that we should possibly build another community center with CDBG funds. Mr. Meadows stated that the Crime Commission should take the lead role, and tell the. Council specifically what it needs to do to implement the strategies. Mr. Lane again asked if Council should establish a committee to act as a liaison with the Crime Commission. Mayor Granger and Ms. Haskin agreed. Ms. Webber asked how we can reinvest in our people, possibly by providing General Fund money for housing and job training. 8 OFFICIAL RECORD CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTH, TE r. STAFF: victor Herrera suggested that what is needed is an administrative body to bring all of the agencies together. Chief Windham suggested that the City must find some way to fund the Crime Commission if the Commission is going to assume the lead role in this effort. COUNCIL: Mr. Barr requested information about the Crime Commission's budget, structure, and service areas. ACTION: Provide information about the Citizens Crime_ Commission to the Council members. LOFFICIAL RECO�Rq 9 CRETAR'lH, TEX.