January 03, 2017 Minutes
CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
January 3, 2017
After determining that a quorum was present, the City Council convened in a Work Session on
Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Work Session Room at City Hall.
PRESENT: Council Member Wazny, Council Member Briggs, Council Member Gregory,
Council Member Bagheri, and Mayor Watts.
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Roden and Council Member Hawkins.
1.ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION
A. ID 16-1638 Receive certification of a petition regarding a tax freeze for seniors and the
disabled in the city of Denton from the City Secretary and give staff direction.
City Secretary Jennifer Walters presented the background information on the submission of the
petition. She noted that the petition met all requirements per the City Charter and the Tax Code.
The following individuals submitted Speaker Cards:
Deb Armintor- spoke against the proposal
Willie Hudspeth - spoke against the proposal
B. ID 16-1630 Reconsider the adoption of an ordinance accepting competitive proposals and
awarding a public works contract for the construction of the Fire Station 4 to be located at
the corner of Sherman Drive and Kings Row, Denton, Texas; providing for the expenditure
of funds therefor; and providing an effective date (RFP 6262 - awarded to Ratliff
Constructors, LP in the amount of $4,814,000).
Mayor Watts made comments on the construction design and the cost of the design. He felt there
were other options that would reduce the cost. He asked for a suspension of the rules to allow him
to make a motion.
Council Member Wazny questioned the design costs for Station 4 if it went back out for another
bid.
Robin Paulsgrove, Fire Chief, stated that amount was unknown if doing a complete redesign.
Council Member Wazny stated that the City had already spent money for design costs and
questioned if there would be enough savings for a redesign.
Council Member Bagheri motioned to reconsider the ordinance. Council Member Wazny
seconded the motion.
City Attorney Burgess stated that four affirmative votes would be needed for reconsideration
which would be at the next regular council meeting for discussion.
Council Member Gregory stated that the last vote on the issue had been unanimous. He questioned
if that precluded the staff from working with the contractor to reduce some of the costs.
City of Denton City Council Minutes
January 3, 2017
Page 2
Elton Brock, Purchasing Manager, stated that staff could perform value engineering of the project.
City Attorney Burgess stated that Council could approve the contract and still could make changes
to the contract.
Council Member Gregory stated that sometimes value engineering ended up costing money but
could also save money. Sometimes the savings were not what were hoped for.
Mayor Watts stated that he wanted to vote to reconsider because he wanted to vote against it.
Council had no policy decision on the type of construction and that needed to end.
Council Member Wazny asked for a clarification of the reconsideration time line.
City Attorney Burgess stated that a motion to reconsider had to be at this meeting. The plan would
th
be to put the item on the January 10 meeting to reconsider the award. She cautioned that there
might be some provisions that might have an impact on the termination of the existing contract.
Council Member Briggs stated that she was ok with the vote that was taken at the last meeting.
However, she would vote for reconsideration so the Mayor could change his vote.
Speaker cards were submitted by the following:
Willie Hudspeth spoke in favor of saving money on the buildings. He then went off topic
and asked why there were no African American fire fighters.
On roll vote for reconsideration, Council Member Wazny "aye", Council Member Briggs "aye",
Council Member Gregory "nay”, Council Member Bagheri "aye", and Mayor Watts "aye". Motion
passed with a 4-1 vote.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m.
____________________________________
CHRIS WATTS
MAYOR
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
____________________________________
JENNIFER WALTERS
CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS