HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-01-13 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
EULESS CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 13, 2009
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, January 13, 2009, 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.
During the precouncil meeting:
> Mayor Saleh reported that the HEB Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a
reception for Texas Senator-Elect Wendy Davis, who will represent a portion of
the City of Euless. Mayor Saleh stated that the major initiatives the HEB
Chamber is focusing on in the upcoming legislative session are transportation,
education and health care.
> Mayor Saleh stated that she recently attended a joint meeting of the Tarrant
Regional Transportation Coalition and the Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition.
The two groups are working together to approach the legislature regarding
transportation issues for North Texas and to attain more local control on
transportation issues.
> Mayor Saleh reported that the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) is working with the
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) in planning future rail needs. The TRE is
ordering four additional trains and adding parking at the Centreport station and
will later be adding parking at the Bell Helicopter station.
> City Secretary Susan Crim reviewed the city activities and events that are
planned in the near future.
> Director of Public Works Ron Young reported that traffic studies indicate traffic
signals are warranted at the Mid-Cities Boulevard intersections of Baze Road
and Gateway Boulevard. He stated the speed study on Gateway Boulevard
warrants a speed limit of 40 mph, but the study did not warrant stop signs on
Baze Road at intermediate streets.
> Assistant Director of Planning and Development Chris Barker gave a progress
report on the Reclaimed Water Project being proposed among the cities of Fort
Worth, Arlington and Euless and the DFW Airport. The 20-year contract would
have rates fixed for the initial 5 years and an advisory committee would be
formed with each entity represented.
City Council Minutes Page 2 of 6 January 13, 2009
> Director of Finance Vicki Rodriquez reported on sales tax and car rental tax
`•- receipts to date this fiscal year. She stated the FY08 audit will be presented at
the next council meeting.
> City Manager Gary McKamie discussed the use of Community Development
Block Grant funds for the Senior Citizen Center which is proposed to be a part of
the Midway Park Family Life Center. The entire project will be designed to add
components as funds are available.
> City Manager Gary McKamie gave an update on the renovation of the
Conference Centre at Texas Star. He stated that the fountain for the golf course
has been ordered and will be installed within two to three weeks.
> The agenda items were reviewed.
The city council convened into closed session at 6:15 p.m. for deliberation regarding
contemplated or pending litigation concerning City of Euless vs. Upper Deck and
Overton vs. City of Euless as authorized by Section 551.071 of the Texas Government
Code and deliberation regarding personnel matters as authorized by Section 551.074 of
the Texas Government Code. They reconvened into open session at 6:55 p.m.
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, Fire Chief
Robert Isbell, Police Chief Mike Brown, Director of Parks and Community Services Ray
McDonald, Director of Planning and Development Mike Collins, Director of Finance
Vicki Rodriquez, Assistant Police Chief Bob Freeman, Assistant Police Chief Harland
Westmoreland, City Engineer Robert Barker, Assistant Director of Planning and
Development Chris Barker, Public Works Manager J. T. Ackerman, Fleet and Facility
Administrator Kyle McAdams, Texas Star General Manager Glenda Hartsell-Shelton,
Library Administrator Kate Lyon, G.I.S. Manager David Allen, Special Projects Manager
Kay Godbey, Police Sgt. David S. Chaney, Senior Police Officer Richard Wong, Division
Chief/EMS Jeff Morris, Division Chief/Fire Marshal Paul Smith, Fire Inspector Vernon
Gilmore, Fire Lieutenant/Paramedic Chanc Bennett, Battalion Chief John O'Brien, Fire
Captain Jerry Sutton, Fire Lt. Alan Cavender, Fire Lt. Danny Phillips, Driver/Engineer
Steve Mayo, Driver/Engineer Tommy Rush, Driver/Engineer Lance Judd, Firefighter
II/Paramedics Tom Tyre, Jon Evans, Kenny Wroblski, Scott Evans, Brad Schupbach,
George Grim, and Ken Kelly, Firefighter II/EMT Rusty Cade, Firefighter/Paramedics
Josh Schnitzius, Aaron Schmidt, Robert Hopkins, Michael Jones, Adam Parkhurst,
Jeremy Goodman, Fire Administrative Secretary Tammy Renteria, Fire Secretary
Melissa Thomas, Information Services Administrator Dan McLain, and Computer
Services Specialist Brett Bennett.
City Council Minutes Page 3 of 6 January 13, 2009
VISITORS
Cindy, Elaine, and David Gilmore, Eileen, Aubrey, and Michael Bennett, Chris Estrada,
Bobby Evans, Esther Johnson, Jerrie Keller, Iris Elliott, Jeremy Tompkins, Faye
Stinneford, Steve and Loretta Doty, Susan Rogers, Alnawaz Devani, Carroll Scott, Jake
Thomasson, John Schleeter, and others as noted in the visitor register.
INVOCATION
Reverend Chris Estrada, New Life Covenant Church, gave the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Perry Bynum led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ITEM NO. 1 PRESENTATION OF EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR FOR 2008
Fire Chief Robert Isbell Introduced Fire Inspector Vernon Gilmore, who introduced his
wife, Cindy, daughter, Elaine, and son, David. Mayor Saleh presented Vernon with a
plaque for being selected employee of the year for 2008.
ITEM NO. 2 PRESENTATION OF EMPLOYEE SERVICE PINS
'taw Police Chief Mike Brown stated that Police Officer Coty Bush was unable to attend the
meeting. He introduced Senior Police Officer Richard Wong.
Fire Chief Robert Isbell introduced Fire Lieutenant/Paramedic Chanc Bennett, and
Chanc introduced his wife, Eileen, daughter, Aubrey, and son, Michael.
Information Services Administrator Dan McLain introduced Geographic Information
Services Manager David Allen.
Mayor Saleh presented Chanc Bennett and Richard Wong with 15-year service pins
and David Allen with a 20-year service pin.
ITEM NO. 3 PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR
EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING
Director of Finance Vicki Rodriquez presented Mayor Saleh and the City Council
Members with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Finance Reporting
awarded by the Government Finance Officers Association. She stated that Euless is
one of only 1700 cities in the Nation to receive this award.
ITEM NO. 4 PRESENTATION TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
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Estrada and Bobby Evans, New Life Covenant Church, presented a plant to
Mayor Saleh and a plaque to Mayor Saleh and the City Council Members that stated
"On Behalf of New Life Covenant Church & the People of Euless, Congratulations On
City Council Minutes Page 4 of 6 January 13, 2009
Being Voted Best In Texas To Raise A Family 2008". They said they were proud of the
standard the City of Euless has set for other communities.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council Member Mickan motioned to approve Consent Agenda Items numbers 5 and 6.
Council Member Stinneford 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. 5 APPROVED JOINT PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Approved a one-year joint purchase agreement with the City of Fort Worth for the
purchase of bulk gasoline and diesel fuels from Martin-Eagle Oil Company, Denton,
Texas, in the estimated expenditures of $336,000 for unleaded fuel and $113,400 for
diesel fuel. The agreement includes the option to renew for four additional one-year
terms.
ITEM NO. 6 APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of December 9, 2008.
REGULAR AGENDA
ITEM NO. 7 APPROVED FIRST AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1838
Council Member Hogg motioned to approve the first and final reading of Ordinance No.
1838 vacating and abandoning five feet (5') of a 10-foot (10') utility easement located on
Lot 10, Block A, The Landing at Eden Lake Addition.
Council Member Bynum 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.
City Council Minutes Page 5 of 6 January 13, 2009
ITEM NO. 8 APPROVED FIRST AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1839
Mayor Pro Tern Martin motioned to approve the first and final reading of Ordinance No.
1839 vacating and abandoning a 30-foot drainage easement located in the John Groves
Survey, A-599 (Ferrell Addition).
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.
ITEM NO. 9 PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
ITEM NO. 10 REPORTS
STAFF REPORT
v.. Geographic Information Services Manager David Allen gave a presentation on how the
cartography skills are being utilized in the geographical information mapping system for
the Euless Revitalization Program, sewer line analysis, water line inventory, Community
Development Block Grant analysis, and many other ways.
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Gary McKamie had no additional report.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney Bob McFarland did not have a report.
CITY COUNCIL
Council Member Bynum stated the Finance Department is amazing, noting they have
received numerous awards and are doing a great job. He reported that
Communications and Marketing Manager Betsy Deck had a new baby boy in
December. He thanked the park and recreation staff for their hard work over the
holidays. He remembered two long-time Euless residents who passed away in 2008,
Dub Elliott and Boyce Byers, and stated we will miss them but their lineage lives on.
r.. Council Member Porterfield expressed gratitude to Fire Inspector Vernon Gilmore, Fire
Lt. Chanc Bennett, Senior Police Officer Richard Wong, and G.I.S. Manager David Allen
on their recognitions. He said Chanc Bennett was the paramedic on duty one night who
City Council Minutes Page 6 of 6 January 13, 2009
took him to the hospital and for that he was grateful. He stated he is glad for 2009 and
wished everyone a great year.
Council Member Mickan congratulated Vernon Gilmore, Chanc Bennett, Richard Wong,
and David Allen. She stated she attended her first employee Christmas luncheon and
was impressed by the decorations. She noted that the Heritage Park Christmas event
had a tremendous turnout and the photo exhibit was very popular. She wished
everyone a Happy New Year.
Mayor Pro Tem Martin thanked David Allen for a great report. She congratulated
Vernon Gilmore for being selected Employee of the Year and Chanc Bennett, Richard
Wong, and David Allen on their years of service. She stated that every time she reads
the employees' bios, she is continually amazed with their talent, noting the city is
blessed.
Council Member Hogg expressed appreciation to the employees. He reminded
everyone of the town hall meeting to be held on Thursday, January 15.
Council Member Stinneford congratulated Vernon Gilmore, stating he has worked with
him through the Euless Police and Fire Academy Alumni Associations, and he is very
deserving of being named Employee of the Year. He congratulated the Finance
Department, stating the city is on good financial footing. He thanked David Allen for his
report and commended him on receiving his 20-year service pin. He noted that his
■.. daughter is taking classes with David Allen at Tarrant County College. He thanked
Richard Wong, Chanc Bennett, David Allen, and Coty Bush for their exemplary service.
He wished everyone a Happy New Year.
Mayor Saleh thanked all the employees for the beautiful Christmas decorations around
the city. She stated the City of Euless participated with Santa USA which served
130,000 people this year, their largest number ever. She stated she appreciated the
citizens who come to the council meetings and wished them blessings and a Happy
New Year.
ITEM NO. 11 ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Saleh adjourned the meeting at 7:42 p.m.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
Mary Lib aleh Susan C i m, TRMC
Mayor City Secretary