Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-11-11 N... MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE EULESS CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 11, 2008 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Euless City Council was called to order by Mayor Mary Lib Saleh at 4:05 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11, 2008, in the Precouncil Conference Room of City Hall, 201 North Ector Drive. Those present included: Mayor Mary Lib Saleh, Mayor Pro Tern Linda Martin, Council Members Tim Stinneford, Leon Hogg, Glenn Porterfield, Donna Mickan, and Perry Bynum. The city council convened into closed session at 4:05 p.m. concerning personnel matters for the municipal court judge evaluation, as authorized by Section 551.074 of the Texas Government Code; deliberation regarding real property in Cresthaven Addition, as authorized by Section 551.072 of the Texas Government Code; and deliberation of economic development incentives regarding DFW Airport, as authorized by Section 551.087 of the Texas Government Code. They reconvened into open precouncil session at 5:17 p.m. r The precouncil meeting included: > A report from Mayor Saleh on the recent Texas Municipal League (TML) Conference held in San Antonio, Texas; • Announcement of upcoming city activities and events by City Secretary Susan Crim; • A report by Police Chief Mike Brown and Fire Chief Robert Isbell that the Euless Citizen Police and Fire academies will be combining into one academy beginning January 8, 2009; • An update from Fleet and Facilities Administrator Kyle McAdams regarding the purchase and utilization of vehicle equipment, including changes being implemented to better utilize smaller vehicles and hybrids where possible; > An update on plans for the Parade of Lights to be held on Saturday, December 6, given by Director of Parks and Community Services Ray McDonald; > Discussion led by City Manager Gary McKamie and Director of Parks and Community Services Ray McDonald, of the Midway Park Family Life Center project and grant application, and the possibility of constructing it in phases; > An update from Deputy City Manager Loretta Getchell on the Texas Municipal Retirement System funding increase due to actuarial changes; City Council Minutes Page 2 of 7 November 11, 2008 • A financial update from Director of Finance Vicki Rodriquez related to sales tax v., and car rental tax revenues; > A Capital Projects update from City Manager Gary McKamie on the renovations being done at the Texas Star Conference Centre and the architectural redesign required for the Redi-Mix building project; • A Transportation Update from City Manager Gary McKamie regarding the Rail North Texas project being proposed; > and the review of agenda items. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF SCHEDULED ITEMS - COUNCIL CHAMBERS The Euless City Council continued their meeting in the Council Chambers at 7:00 p.m. for the consideration of scheduled items. STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT City Manager Gary McKamie, Deputy City Manager Loretta Getchell, City Attorney Bob McFarland, City Secretary Susan Crim, Deputy City Secretary Becky Null, Director of Public Works Ron Young, Director of Economic Development Bill Ridgway, Director of Finance Vicki Rodriquez, Director of Parks and Community Services Ray McDonald, Director of Planning and Development Mike Collins, Fire Chief Robert Isbell, Police Chief Mike Brown, Assistant Police Chief Bob Freeman, Assistant Police Chief Harland Westmoreland, City Engineer Robert Barker, Assistant Director of Planning and Development Chris Barker, Fleet and Facility Administrator Kyle McAdams, Purchasing Manager Mike Lowry, Human Resources/Risk Administrator Carolyn Marshall, Texas Star General Manager Glenda Hartsell-Shelton, Library Administrator Kate Lyon, Public Works Manager J. T. Ackerman, City Planner Stephen Cook, Recreation Superintendent Michael Davenport, Division Fire Chief/EMS Jeff Morris, Division Fire Chief/Fire Marshal Paul Smith, Fire Training Chief Dale Skinner, Fire Inspector Vernon Gilmore, Fire Battalion Chief John O'Brien, Fire Captain Jerry Sutton, Fire Lt. Scott Stamps, Fire Lt. Danny Phillips, Driver Engineers Steve Mayo, Lance Judd, and Tommy Rush, Firefighter II/Paramedics Jon Evans, Brad Schupbach, Tom Tyre, Scott Evans, and Kenny Wroblski, Firefighter/Paramedics, Josh Schnitzius , Aaron Schmidt, Adam Parkhurst, Michael Jones, and Jeremy Goodman, Police Records Clerks Celia Carrillo, Maria Lopez and Jolie McManus, Information Services Administrator Dan McLain, Computer Services Specialist Brett Bennett, Web Designer Adam Eakins, and Reserve Police Officer Clyde Cullum. VISITORS Lissa Stamps, Iris Elliott, Jerrie Keller, John Schleeter, Carroll Scott, Jake Thomasson, Gary Haecker, Tamra Etheridge, and others as noted in the visitor register. ti... City Council Minutes Page 3 of 7 November 11, 2008 INVOCATION ti.. Father Ghobrial Samaan, St. Abanoub Coptic Orthodox Church, gave the invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Tim Stinneford led the Pledge of Allegiance. ITEM NO. 1 PRESENTATION OF EMPLOYEE SERVICE PINS Police Chief Mike Brown introduced Police Records Clerk Celia Carrillo. Fire Chief Robert Isbell introduced Fire Lt. Scott Stamps, who introduced his wife, Lissa. Mayor Saleh presented Celia with a 5-year service pin and Scott with a 25-year service pin. ITEM NO. 2 PRESENTATION OF INSURANCE SERVICE ORGANIZATON (ISO) PUBLIC PROTECTION CLASSIFICATION RATING Fire Chief Robert Isbell explained that the Class 1 Insurance Service Organization (ISO) Rating that the City of Euless received is the highest rating any city can receive, which indicates the City's ability to prevent and fight fires. He recognized the part that Director of Public Works Ron Young and Police Chief Mike Brown played in the city's application. Fire Chief Isbell presented a coin commemorating the Class 1 ISO Rating to Mayor Saleh and each City Council Member. ITEM NO. 3 PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES TO FIRE PREVENTION POSTER WINNERS Fire Marshal Paul Smith introduced the following grand prize winners for grades one through six for the 2008 Fire Prevention Week Fire Safety Poster Contest: First Grade: Nadia Fifita -Wilshire Elementary Second Grade: Jack Fry - North Euless Elementary Third Grade: Alexandra Popke - Bear Creek Elementary Fourth Grade: Lauren Kelly - Midway Park Elementary Fifth Grade: Nicole O'Neal - Lakewood Elementary Sixth Grade: Bessie Dennie - Oakwood Terrace Elementary The students' parents and teachers were also recognized, and Mayor Saleh extended her congratulations and presented a certificate to each of the winners. City Council Minutes Page 4 of 7 November 11, 2008 REGULAR AGENDA ITEM NO. 4 RENEWED BID NO. 002-07 Council Member Stinneford motioned to renew Bid No. 002-07 for the final one-year renewal with Redi-Mix Concrete and to use Custom-Crete as secondary supplier for ready-mixed concrete, in the estimated expenditure of$150,000. Mayor Pro Tern Martin seconded the motion. Ayes: Mayor Saleh, Mayor Pro Tern Martin, Council Members Stinneford, Hogg, Porterfield, Mickan, and Bynum Nays: None Mayor Saleh declared the motion carried. ITEM NO. 5 AUTHORIZED THE PURCHASE OF FLEET VEHICLES Council Member Bynum motioned to authorize the purchase of five (5) Ford F150 half- ton pickups from Chastang's Bayou City Ford, Houston, Texas, through the Houston- Galveston Area Cooperative (HGAC) purchasing program to be used as replacement units for public works supervisor vehicles, in the amount of $76,675. Council Member Hogg seconded the motion. Ayes: Mayor Saleh, Mayor Pro Tem Martin, Council Members Stinneford, Hogg, Porterfield, Mickan, and Bynum Nays: None Mayor Saleh declared the motion carried. ITEM NO. 6 APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 08-1297 Council Member Mickan motioned to approve Resolution No. 08-1297 authorizing participation in Texas Short Term Asset Reserve Program (TexSTAR) and delegating authorized representatives. Council Member Stinneford seconded the motion. Ayes: Mayor Saleh, Mayor Pro Tern Martin, Council Members Stinneford, Hogg, Porterfield, Mickan, and Bynum Nays: None '`� Mayor Saleh declared the motion carried. City Council Minutes Page 5 of 7 November 11, 2008 ITEM NO. 7 APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Council Member Stinneford motioned to approve the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of October 28, 2008. Council Member Hogg seconded the motion. Ayes: Mayor Saleh, Mayor Pro Tem Martin, Council Members Stinneford, Hogg, Porterfield, Mickan, and Bynum Nays: None Mayor Saleh declared the motion carried. ITEM NO. 8 PUBLIC COMMENTS Tamra Etheridge, 603 Vine Street, addressed the City Council members regarding the street drainage at Vine Street and Bayless Drive, and the flooding that occurs in her garage because of the lack of storm drains within three blocks of her home. ITEM NO. 9 REPORTS STAFF REPORT Director of Economic Development Bill Ridgway stated that the Class 1 ISO Rating the City of Euless received is a great economic development tool, and he congratulated all of those who had a part in attaining it. He reported that his department has a new report that tracts the volume of solid waste and recycling collected in the City. He said that since the new contracts with Allied Waste and Community Waste Disposal have been implemented, the service has been good and complaint calls have been almost nonexistent. He noted that the Crud Collection event held recently was one of the best to date. He distributed a demographic report on households in Euless, and compared the City of Euless with national statistics. He expressed the importance of the Development Review Committee in the success of the city's economic development endeavors, and he stressed the commitment the City of Euless has toward continually seeking quality development in the city. Mr. Ridgway announced that Recycling Coordinator Kaye Anderson will be retiring at the end of December, and the city will be losing one of the greatest advocates for the environment. He said she is a wonderful asset for the city and a true environmentalist. CITY MANAGER City Manager Gary McKamie stated that one way citizens can participate in recycling is to mulch their leaves and not bag them for the landfill. He emphasized the importance of the Class 1 ISO Rating, which is a rating of a community's ability to prevent and fight fires. He stated that homeowners and businesses should see a reduction in insurance rates on policies renewed after February 1, 2009. He expressed his appreciation for everyone's part in receiving the ISO rating. City Council Minutes Page 6 of 7 November 11, 2008 CITY ATTORNEY City Attorney Bob McFarland had no report. CITY COUNCIL Council Member Mickan thanked all the veterans for their service and sacrifice in protecting our freedoms. She thanked the Fire, Police and Public Works departments for their work involved in the City of Euless receiving a Class 1 ISO Rating. She congratulated those receiving service pins and the fire poster contest winners. She also praised the Historical Preservation Committee and the recreation staff for the photo display of history at Heritage Park. She announced that the photo display will be available for viewing again at the Ruth Millican Center on Saturday, December 13, during the Heritage Park Christmas Celebration. Council Member Porterfield congratulated Police Records Clerk Celia Carrillo and Fire Lt. Scott Stamps for their years of service. He mentioned the special presentation of the Class 1 ISO Rating held earlier in the day, noting that Robert Nail, former fire chief in the 1950s, and Lee Koontz, who recently retired as fire chief and who did most of the ground work for the ISO rating, were in attendance. He stated the Fire Department did a marvelous job putting the presentation together. He congratulated the fire poster contest winners for their creativity. He thanked Director of Economic Development Director Bill Ridgway for his report, stating the city has been participating in recycling for years, and, although citizen participation could be higher, the city is giving them the opportunity to participate. He stated he is proud of what Bill Ridgway and Kaye Anderson do in the recycling program. He also stated his appreciation for the great job Bill Ridgway does on economic development. Council Member Bynum noted that today is Veteran's Day, which is a special day. He stated his dad served in the military, and that many men and women have given their dedication and sacrifice for our freedoms. He reminded everyone that there are a number of people with loved ones who will be serving our country during the holidays. He announced the Parade of Lights will be held on Saturday, December 6. He assured Tamra Etheridge that Director of Public Works Ron Young will address her concerns about street drainage. He congratulated Celia Carillo and Scott Stamps for their service. He thanked Ron Young and his staff for the work they do in the Public Works Department that provides the city with a good water supply which was an important part of the city attaining the Class 1 ISO rating. He urged everyone to thank a veteran. Council Member Stinneford congratulated Celia Carrillo and Scott Stamps for their years of service and the great job they do. He commented that the fire poster contest winners were from six different grade schools in the city which shows that the talent is spread throughout the entire city. He thanked Bill Ridgway for his report and urged citizens to recycle for the younger generation. He thanked those who worked on the ISO rating application, noting Euless is only the 10th city in Texas and 57th in the United States to receive a Class 1 Rating. He also urged citizens to thank a veteran, not just ``� on Veterans Day, but every day. City Council Minutes Page 7 of 7 November 11, 2008 Council Member Hogg expressed appreciation to the employees, and thanked Bill r.. Ridgway for a good report. Mayor Pro Tern Martin thanked Bill Ridgway for his report, stating she always enjoys hearing the demographics of the area. She congratulated Celia Carrillo and Scott Stamps, and said they are the type employees that make the city great. She congratulated the fire poster contest winners for doing their best. She stated the ISO rating is the greatest thing for the City of Euless to have. She also noted that Euless was rated the "Best Place to Raise Your Kids" in Texas by Business Week Magazine. Mayor Saleh stated she attended the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Hurst-Euless- Bedford Independent School District where State Representative Todd Smith and Neil Denari were recognized as outstanding Trinity High School alumni. She announced that the Trinity Trojans will be playing at Texas Stadium on Saturday, November 15, at 4:00 p.m. She stated she is proud of everything the city does, and that she would see everyone at the next council meeting on Tuesday, November 25. ITEM NO. 10 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Saleh adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m. APPROVED: New Amor L .„A A ' Mary Lib Si;Ieh Mayor ATTEST: usan Crim, RMC City Secretary