Loading...
Minutes January 23, 2001CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES January 23, 2001 After determining that a quorum was present and convening in an Open Meeting, the City Council convened in a Closed Meeting of the City of Denton City Council on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 at 5:15 p.m. in the City of Denton Council Work Session Room. PRESENT: Mayor Brock; Mayor Pro Tem Beasley; Council Members Burroughs, Cochran, Durrance, and Kristoferson. ABSENT: Council Member Young 1. The Council considered the following in Closed Meeting: Ao Consultation with Attorney - Under Tex. Gov't. Code Section 551.071 Discussed with the City's attorneys the legal requirements for awarding the architect's contract for the Central Fire Station under the Professional Services Procurement Act and other applicable laws under circumstances where litigation may be reasonably contemplated and the possible legal effects of such award, including the effect on pending litigation entitled Municipal Administrative Services, Inc. v. City of Denton currently on appeal from a decision of the 367th District Court of Denton County, Texas as Cause No. 99-50263-367, where to discuss these matters in public would conflict with the duty of the City's attorneys to the City Council under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas. Considered and discussed status of pending litigation styled Municipal Administrative Services, Inc. v. City of Denton, Cause No. 99-50263-367, on appeal from the 367th District Court of Denton County, Texas. Work Session of the City of Denton City Council on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Work Session Room in City Hall. 1. The Council received a report and held a discussion regarding an update of the status of the 1-35E Major Investment Study (MIS) from John Nguyen, P.E., of the Texas Department of Transportation. John Nguyen, Texas Department of Transportation, presented an update on the status of the 1- 35E Major Investment Study. The study had been initiated to analyze transportation improvements on 1-35E, from the State Highway 121 Bypass in Lewisville to U.S. 380 in Denton. The project being analyzed included expansion of 1-35E in Denton to eight moving lanes (4 in each direction) and six frontage lanes (3 in each direction). The study would evaluate the impacts, feasibility, and estimated costs of the project. 2. The Council received a report, held a discussion and gave staff direction regarding the process to select an architect to design the new Central Fire Station. Ross Chadwick, Fire Chief, stated that at the Council meeting of January 9th, Council requested further information on the selection of an architect for the design of Central Fire Station. He reviewed the selection process as noted in the agenda back-up materials. City of Denton City Council Minutes January 23, 2001 Page 2 Mayor Brock suggested to start the process over again and to have more Council participation in the process. Council Member Kristoferson motioned to start the process with the four finalists and add two Council Members to the end process of the evaluation. Mayor Pro Tem Beasley motioned an amendment, Mayor Brock seconded to expand the committee to include two Council Members, a member of the Historical Landmark Commission and an additional member of the Fire Service who had a long history with the Department. On roll vote on the amendment offered by Mayor Pro Tem Beasley, Beasley "aye", Burroughs "aye", Cochran "nay", Durrance "aye", Kristoferson "nay", and Mayor Brock "aye". Motion carried with a 4-2 vote. On roll vote on the main motion as amended, Beasley "aye", Burroughs "aye", Cochran "aye", Durrance "aye", Kristoferson"aye", and Mayor Brock "aye". Motion carried unan/mously. Consensus of the Council was to include Council Members Burroughs and Cochran on the committee. Item//6 was considered. 6. The Council received a report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction regarding a summary of public comments received in response to meetings and open houses held for the review of the City of Denton Draft Development Code project. Mayor Brock felt that there was a problem with the proposed schedule and felt that the all day Council work session should be before the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. She suggested holding the work session on February 2nd. Consensus of the Council was to hold the work session on February 2nd. Doug Powell, Director of Planning and Development, presented an update to the Council on the status of the Development Code Process and a report on the comments and requests received from the public during the community review process as noted in the agenda materials. Issues for Council consideration included protecting existing single-family neighborhoods within the Plan and the Downtown University Core District. Consensus of the Council was to make any changes in the map and plan would be made at the February 2nd meeting. 3. The Council received a report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction regarding the draft scope of work for the City of Denton Facilities Master Plan. Dave Hill, Assistant City Manager for Development Services, stated that as part of the approval of the 2000-01 budget, Council reserved funding to conduct several master plans. One of these projects was identified as the Facilities Master Plan. A Request for Proposal was prepared and sent out to more than 20 consultant firms. Seven firms or consultant teams responded and interviews were held with six firms. Based on those interviews, staff chose the firm of Hellmuth, 15 City of Denton City Council Minutes January 23, 2001 Page 3 Obata and Kassabaum (HOK) as the consultant for the project. HOK had presented a scope of work and budget as noted in the agenda materials. Staff was recommending approval of the draft scope of work and budget and would prepare a contract for the project based on that information. Consensus of the Council was to proceed as recommended by staff. 4. The Council received a report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction regarding the draft scope of work for the City of Denton Open Space Master Plan. Dave Hill, Assistant City Manager for Development Services, stated that staff was recommending the firm of Fregonese Calthorpe Associates to prepare an open space master plan. An open space master plan would guide implementation efforts regarding the location and use of open space in Denton and to develop an open space acquisition strategy. The firm was selected based on qualifications, knowledge of Denton and a thorough understanding of the Denton Plan gained through involvement in the Denton Development Code project. Consensus of the Council was to proceed with the development of the contract for consideration. 5. The Council received a report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction regarding the draft scope of work for the City of Denton Downtown Master Plan. Doug Powell, Director of Planning and Development, stated that Council had directed staff to pursue the development of a Downtown Master Plan. The goal of the plan was to follow up on the work being completed for the new Development Code and to implement a major objective of the Denton Plan. Fregonese Calthorpe Associates was selected based on qualifications, knowledge of Denton gained through involvement in the Denton Development Code project and because the Development Code would affect the downtown significantly. Staff recommended preparation of a consultant services contract with Fmgonese Calthorpe Associates to prepare a Downtown Master Plan, based on the proposed scope of work. Consensus of the Council was to proceed with the recommendation by staff. 7. The Council received a report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction regarding a proposed revision to Chapter 27, Article III, of the Code of Ordinances regulating vehicles for hire. Jim Bryan, Business Area Coordinator for the Denton Police Department, stated that staff had determined that the current ordinance regulating vehicles for hire had many areas that needed to be revised to be prepared for the projected growth of the city and to protect the safety and security of citizens. He reviewed the proposed changes as noted in the agenda materials. Council Member Cochran expressed a concern regarding the implementation of a dress code. Consensus of the Council was to proceed with the drafting of the ordinance. 8. The Council received a report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction regarding proposed revisions to Section 20-1 of the Code of Ordinances regulating noise. City of Denton City Council Minutes January 23, 2001 Page 4 Scott Fletcher, Field Operations-East of the Denton Police Department, stated that there had been an increase in the number of loud music complaints, specifically related to music and bands at various bars/clubs, and from vehicles driving in neighborhoods. In addition to these issues, there was a long-standing noise issue related to the North Texas State Fairgrounds and the annual Fry Street Fair. Staff was directed to research ordinances used in other Texas cities to determine possible options to address these issues. He reviewed the current ordinance provisions and a synopsis of the possible options as noted in the agenda materials. Consensus of the Council was to proceed with the staff recommendation. 9. The Council received a staff report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction regarding a proposed ordinance regulating junk dealers in secondhand merchandise. Gillis Hammett, Detective-Special Crimes Unit of the Denton Police Department, stated that the proposed ordinance would require all businesses that purchase merchandise from individuals to maintain records of the transactions and provide information to the Police Department in basically the same manner that applied to pawnbrokers under the regulations of the Office of Consumer Credit. The ordinance would fill an existing gap in the law that allowed for the undetected sale of stolen property to the businesses. The resulting information would significantly increase the Police Department's ability to identify individuals involved in burglaries and thefts and assist in the recovery of stolen property. Consensus of the Council was to proceed with the proposed ordinance. 10. The Council received a report, held a discussion, and provided staff direction conceming solid waste service, waste minimization, and curbside recycling plans. Charlie Watkins, Director of Solid Waste, stated that a five year residential solid waste plan had been developed in 1995 and was updated in 1997: He reviewed the provisions of that plan and indicated that staff was recommending adoption of the five-year plan as proposed. Council suggested looking at the costs involved in contracting out the services for curbside recycling and to proceed with the proposed development of an IPC. 11. The Council received a report, held a discussion and provided staff direction concerning Litter Reduction and Aesthetic Enhancements. Charlie Watkins, Director of Solid Waste, presented litter reduction and aesthetic enhancement recommendations as noted in the agenda materials. Consensus of the Council was to proceed with the staff recommendations. 12. The Council received a report, held a discussion and provided staff direction concerning the construction schedule for the Lake Ray Roberts Water Treatment Plant Project. Tim Fisher, Assistant Director of Water Utilities, stated that the schedule that was adopted regarding the construction schedule for the Lake Ray Roberts Water Treatment Plant Project needed to be revised prior to going out for bids on the project. 17 City of Denton City Council Minutes January 23, 2001 Page 5 Consensus of the Council was to proceed with recommendation of staff. 13. The Council received a report, held a discussion and gave staff direction conceming administrative procedures for processing change orders for the Lake Ray Roberts Water Treatment Plant Project. Tim Fisher, Assistant Director for Water Utilities, stated that the Lake Ray Roberts Water Treatment Plant project was nearing the bidding stage and staff was working with the engineering consultant Consensus of the Council was to follow staff recommendation. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:40 a.m. ~/xn, SiFE~.~2AL,V~r~R~ - _ _ ULZlTY SECRETARY CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS EULINE BROCK, MAYOR CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS