1. CALL TO ORDER 2. INVOCATION/PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS -- Consider recognizing and presenting awards to the following: A) Mayor Ragan to present ten-year service award to Mr. Richard Berkobien, Firefighter/Paramedic, Fire Department and 7/27/2010 Biography of Firefighter/Paramedic Berkobien. 4. COUNCIL APPOINTED BOARDS -- Appointments and resignations.
HEAR PRESENTATION OF PARKS AND BEAUTIFICATION ADVISORY BOARD -- Consideration of hearing presentation of Mrs. Kathleen Davis, Chairperson, Parks and Beautification Advisory Board regarding activities of the Board during the past year.
DISCUSS FUNDING OPTIONS FOR PROPOSED CONVERSION OF ROSEBUD PARK WALKING PATH -- Consider discussing funding options including interlocal agreement with the Parks and Beautification Advisory Board to obtain loan to support the conversion of the Rosebud Park walking path from gravel to concrete. This item was tabled at Council’s Tuesday, July13, 2010 Regular Meeting.
7. CONSIDER SUBMITTING A NOMINEE FOR ELECTION TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TML INTERGOVERNMENTAL RISK POOL -- Consider discussing and approving appointment of a nominee for election to the TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool Board of Trustees. This item was tabled at Council’s Tuesday, July 13, 2010 Regular Meeting. 8. CALL PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING APPROVAL OF FISCAL YEAR 2010-11 CRIME CONTROL AND PREVENTION DISTRICT BUDGET -- Consider calling a public hearing regarding the approval of the Fiscal Year 2010-11 Crime Control and Prevention District Budget as recommended by the Board of Directors for Tuesday, August 10, 2010.
APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH ATMOS ENERGY REGARDING FRANCHISE FEE REVENUE COLLECTION METHODOLGY AND RECOUPING PAST REVENUES -- Consider discussing and approving agreement with Atmos Energy regarding City’s intention that amounts billed to and collected from customers for franchise fees be added to revenue amount Atmos uses to calculate City’s franchise payment and election to receive additional payment for the period of time franchise fees were not included in the calculation of the City’s franchise fee payment.
APPROVE AGREEMENT FOR WATER SERVICES WITH THE CITY OF FORT WORTH -- Consider discussing and approving an agreement with the City of Fort Worth for the provision of water services until the period September 30, 2031.
APPROVE MARKETING AGREEMENT WITH UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR SERVICE LINE WARRANTY PROGRAM -- Consider discussing and approving a marketing agreement with Utility Service Providers (dba Service Line Warranties of Texas) which provides affordable utility service line warranties to residents.
HEAR REPORT REGARDING FY 2010-11 BUDGET CONCERNING FUNDED AND UNFUNDED ITEMS AND RELATED REVENUE ISSUES -- Consider discussing and hearing staff report regarding funded and unfunded items in the FY 2010-11 Budget; particularly, lack of sales tax revenue, diversion of oil and gas revenue to partially offset water and sewer rates, probable increase in ad valorem property tax to support city services, and increase in water and sewer charges to residents. This item was placed on the agenda by Council Member Marrs.
DISCUSS AND APPROVE PLACEMENT OF ARTICLE IN CITY NEWSLETTER DESCRIBING BUDGET CONSTRAINTS IMPACTING FY 2010-11 BUDGET -- Consider discussing and approving placement of an article in the City Newsletter describing budget constraints impacting the FY 2010-11 Budget including declining sales tax revenue, unexpected wastewater charges, capital expense requests and unfunded public safety personnel. This item was placed on the agenda by Council Member Marrs.
DISCUSS AND APPROVE PLACEMENT OF ARTICLE DESCRIBING BUDGET CONSTRAINTS IMPACTING FY 2010-11 BUDGET ON CITY WEBSITE -- Consider discussing and approving placement of information article described under Agenda Item Number 12 on City Website. This item was placed on the agenda by Council Member Marrs.
DISCUSS AND DIRECT CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE REQUEST FOR PRESENTATION OF ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL REGARDING THE AUTHORITY OF THE T TO CLOSE THE TRE STATION AND WHETHER SUCH CLOSURE IS REQUIRED BY LAW - Consider discussing and directing the City Attorney to prepare a request to City’s legislative representatives to present additional questions to the Attorney General regarding the authority of the “the T” to close the TRE Station if the citizens determine to exit “the T” and whether such action to close the station is required by law or is instead discretionary. This item was placed on the agenda by Council Member Marrs.
CONSIDER AUTHORIZING CITY STAFF TO DEVELOP AN ARTICLE FOR INCLUSION ON THE FIRST PAGE OF THE NEXT CITY NEWSLETTER WHICH ANNOUNCES THE PLANNED AD VALOREM TAX RATE INCREASE AND THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN WATER BASE RATES FOR THE COMING FISCAL YEAR -- Consider authorizing City staff to draft an article for the front page of the upcoming City Newsletter which announces the proposed increases in ad valorem (property) tax. The article should explain the reason an ad valorem tax rate increase was necessary and why an additional rate increase in base water rates of 37% was necessary. The draft should be presented to Council in advance for approval prior to publication. This item was placed on the agenda by Council Member Marrs.
CONSIDER AUTHORIZING CITY STAFF TO DEVELOP A FACT SHEET WHICH EXPLAINS: 1) THE SALES TAXING AUTHORITY GIVEN TO THE STATE OF TEXAS AND TEXAS CITY GOVERNMENTS; 2) HOW RICHLAND HILLS’ SALES TAXES (BY CATEGORY AND AMOUNT) ARE CURRENTLY ALLOCATED; 4) THE TOTAL VALUE (FOR THE PAST 3 FISCAL YEARS) OF THE ½ SALES TAX BEING COLLECTED BY THE STATE CONTROLLER AND SENT TO “THE T” FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICES; 5) HOW THE ½ CENT SALES TAX TO “THE T” FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION WAS INITIALLY AUTHORIZED IN 1992 BY A MAJORITY VOTE; 6) AND HOW CITIZENS MAY NOW, BY MAJORITY VOTE IN NOVEMBER, ELECT TO EITHER CONTINUE THE ½ CENT SALES TAX TO THE T OR WITHDRAW FROM “THE T”, THEREBY MAKING AVAILABLE TO THE CITY AN ADDITIONAL ½ CENT SALES TAX IN A SUBSEQUENT ELECTION, BY VOTING IN THE UPCOMING NOVEMBER ELECTION ON THE BALLOT QUESTION: “SHOULD THE FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (THE T) BE CONTINUED IN RICHLAND HILLS?” – Consider authorizing City staff to draft a fact sheet for inclusion in the next City newsletter which explains in simple and understandable terms: 1) the city’s sales taxing authority and the value of each category for taxable goods and services sold within the city limits of Richland Hills; 2) how such sales taxes are currently authorized in the current City budget; 3) that ½ cent of the taxing authority available to local jurisdictions is now being collected by the State Controller on behalf of the T to pay for public transportation; 4) the amount of money received by the T for that ½ sales tax allocated for public transportation for the past 3 fiscal years; 5) how taxing authority was originally allocated to the T by majority vote in 1992; 6) how citizens may now, by majority vote, elect to either continue the current allocation of sales tax or elect to withdraw from the T and make available to the City an additional ½ cent sales tax authority in a subsequent election; and, 7) how such additional sales tax, if subsequently adopted by the City, could be used by the City, if the citizens so choose. The fact sheet should be impartial and simply explain that there are two choices for citizens in November: 1) keep the ½ cent sales tax going to the T to pay for public transportation; or 2) withdraw from the T, which would then make an additional ½ cent sales tax available to the City of Richland Hills. Such fact sheet should emphasize that the choice is entirely up to citizens. The fact sheet should be presented to Council for approval prior to publication. This item was placed on the agenda by Council Member Marrs.
CONSIDER AUTHORIZING CITY STAFF TO DEVELOP AN ARTICLE FOR INCLUSION IN THE NEXT CITY NEWSLETTER WHICH ANNOUNCES THE CITY EFFORTS TO OBTAIN PROPOSALS TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM FOR RICHLAND HILLS SHOULD CITIZENS VOTE TO WITHDRAW FROM THE “T” IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION -- Authorize staff to develop an article for publication in the next City Newsletter that announces that the City has solicited proposals from private vendors for an alternate public transportation service that will, if implemented as currently proposed, provide: 1) general bus transportation services; 2) special transportation services for mobility impaired and elderly residents; and 3) school bus services for students. The article should explain that should citizens vote to exit the T on November 2, 2010, that the alternate bus services, the proposal provides for the alternate system to go into operation. Such article should be presented to Council for approval prior to publication. This item was placed on the agenda by Council Member Marrs.
CONSIDER AUTHORIZING CITY STAFF TO DEVELOP AN ARTICLE FOR INCLUSION IN THE NEXT CITY NEWSLETTER WHICH PRESENTS THE FINDINGS OF THE AD HOC TASK FORCE APPOINTED TO EVALUATE RIDERSHIP OF THE CURRENT RICHLAND HILLS PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICES -- Authorize City staff to develop an article for the next City Newsletter that presents the findings presented by the task force to Council, for: 1) Route 41; 2) MITS; and 3) School Bus Services. It should also include the charts developed by the task force and observations regarding where most riders of our city’s transportation service originated and where their destinations were. This item was placed on the agenda by Council Member Marrs.
20. CONSIDER AUTHORIZING CITY STAFF TO DEVELOP AN ARTICLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NEXT CITY NEWSLETTER WHICH ANNOUNCES THAT THE COUNCIL HAS CALLED AN ELECTION PLACING ON THE NOVEMBER 2, 2010 ELECTION BALLOT A CHOICE FOR RICHLAND HILLS CITIZENS TO DECIDE WHETHER THE CITY’S PARTICIPATION IN “THE T” SHOULD CONTINUE -- Authorize City staff to develop an article for the next City Newsletter that announces that the City Council unanimously voted to place on the ballot for the November 2, 2010 General Election the question of whether the City’s participation in “the T” should continue, and explaining that the ballot language will be: "Shall the Fort Worth Transportation Authority be Continued in the City of Richland Hills?" and explaining that voters who wish to continue the T’s services in the City should vote “ YES,” and voters who do not wish to continue the T’s services in the City should vote “NO.” The draft article should be presented to Council for approval in advance of publication. This item was placed on the agenda by Council Member Marrs. 21. REMOVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS -- Any Council Member may remove any item from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion and action at this time. 22. CONSENT AGENDA -- A) Approval of Tuesday, July 13, 2010 Regular Meeting Minutes.
23. REPORTS/COMMENTS -- Public. 24. COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS/COMMENTS – Council Member to comment 26. ADJOURNMENT
Jul 27, 2010 City Council
1. CALL TO ORDER 2. INVOCATION/PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS -- Consider recognizing and presenting awards to the following: A) Mayor Ragan to present ten-year service award to Mr. Richard Berkobien, Firefighter/Paramedic, Fire Department and 7/27/2010 Biography of Firefighter/Paramedic Berkobien. 4. COUNCIL APPOINTED BOARDS -- Appointments and resignations.
HEAR PRESENTATION OF PARKS AND BEAUTIFICATION ADVISORY BOARD -- Consideration of hearing presentation of Mrs. Kathleen Davis, Chairperson, Parks and Beautification Advisory Board regarding activities of the Board during the past year.
DISCUSS FUNDING OPTIONS FOR PROPOSED CONVERSION OF ROSEBUD PARK WALKING PATH -- Consider discussing funding options including interlocal agreement with the Parks and Beautification Advisory Board to obtain loan to support the conversion of the Rosebud Park walking path from gravel to concrete. This item was tabled at Council’s Tuesday, July13, 2010 Regular Meeting.
7. CONSIDER SUBMITTING A NOMINEE FOR ELECTION TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TML INTERGOVERNMENTAL RISK POOL -- Consider discussing and approving appointment of a nominee for election to the TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool Board of Trustees. This item was tabled at Council’s Tuesday, July 13, 2010 Regular Meeting. 8. CALL PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING APPROVAL OF FISCAL YEAR 2010-11 CRIME CONTROL AND PREVENTION DISTRICT BUDGET -- Consider calling a public hearing regarding the approval of the Fiscal Year 2010-11 Crime Control and Prevention District Budget as recommended by the Board of Directors for Tuesday, August 10, 2010.
APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH ATMOS ENERGY REGARDING FRANCHISE FEE REVENUE COLLECTION METHODOLGY AND RECOUPING PAST REVENUES -- Consider discussing and approving agreement with Atmos Energy regarding City’s intention that amounts billed to and collected from customers for franchise fees be added to revenue amount Atmos uses to calculate City’s franchise payment and election to receive additional payment for the period of time franchise fees were not included in the calculation of the City’s franchise fee payment.
APPROVE AGREEMENT FOR WATER SERVICES WITH THE CITY OF FORT WORTH -- Consider discussing and approving an agreement with the City of Fort Worth for the provision of water services until the period September 30, 2031.
APPROVE MARKETING AGREEMENT WITH UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR SERVICE LINE WARRANTY PROGRAM -- Consider discussing and approving a marketing agreement with Utility Service Providers (dba Service Line Warranties of Texas) which provides affordable utility service line warranties to residents.
HEAR REPORT REGARDING FY 2010-11 BUDGET CONCERNING FUNDED AND UNFUNDED ITEMS AND RELATED REVENUE ISSUES -- Consider discussing and hearing staff report regarding funded and unfunded items in the FY 2010-11 Budget; particularly, lack of sales tax revenue, diversion of oil and gas revenue to partially offset water and sewer rates, probable increase in ad valorem property tax to support city services, and increase in water and sewer charges to residents. This item was placed on the agenda by Council Member Marrs.
DISCUSS AND APPROVE PLACEMENT OF ARTICLE IN CITY NEWSLETTER DESCRIBING BUDGET CONSTRAINTS IMPACTING FY 2010-11 BUDGET -- Consider discussing and approving placement of an article in the City Newsletter describing budget constraints impacting the FY 2010-11 Budget including declining sales tax revenue, unexpected wastewater charges, capital expense requests and unfunded public safety personnel. This item was placed on the agenda by Council Member Marrs.
DISCUSS AND APPROVE PLACEMENT OF ARTICLE DESCRIBING BUDGET CONSTRAINTS IMPACTING FY 2010-11 BUDGET ON CITY WEBSITE -- Consider discussing and approving placement of information article described under Agenda Item Number 12 on City Website. This item was placed on the agenda by Council Member Marrs.
DISCUSS AND DIRECT CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE REQUEST FOR PRESENTATION OF ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL REGARDING THE AUTHORITY OF THE T TO CLOSE THE TRE STATION AND WHETHER SUCH CLOSURE IS REQUIRED BY LAW - Consider discussing and directing the City Attorney to prepare a request to City’s legislative representatives to present additional questions to the Attorney General regarding the authority of the “the T” to close the TRE Station if the citizens determine to exit “the T” and whether such action to close the station is required by law or is instead discretionary. This item was placed on the agenda by Council Member Marrs.
CONSIDER AUTHORIZING CITY STAFF TO DEVELOP AN ARTICLE FOR INCLUSION ON THE FIRST PAGE OF THE NEXT CITY NEWSLETTER WHICH ANNOUNCES THE PLANNED AD VALOREM TAX RATE INCREASE AND THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN WATER BASE RATES FOR THE COMING FISCAL YEAR -- Consider authorizing City staff to draft an article for the front page of the upcoming City Newsletter which announces the proposed increases in ad valorem (property) tax. The article should explain the reason an ad valorem tax rate increase was necessary and why an additional rate increase in base water rates of 37% was necessary. The draft should be presented to Council in advance for approval prior to publication. This item was placed on the agenda by Council Member Marrs.
CONSIDER AUTHORIZING CITY STAFF TO DEVELOP A FACT SHEET WHICH EXPLAINS: 1) THE SALES TAXING AUTHORITY GIVEN TO THE STATE OF TEXAS AND TEXAS CITY GOVERNMENTS; 2) HOW RICHLAND HILLS’ SALES TAXES (BY CATEGORY AND AMOUNT) ARE CURRENTLY ALLOCATED; 4) THE TOTAL VALUE (FOR THE PAST 3 FISCAL YEARS) OF THE ½ SALES TAX BEING COLLECTED BY THE STATE CONTROLLER AND SENT TO “THE T” FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICES; 5) HOW THE ½ CENT SALES TAX TO “THE T” FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION WAS INITIALLY AUTHORIZED IN 1992 BY A MAJORITY VOTE; 6) AND HOW CITIZENS MAY NOW, BY MAJORITY VOTE IN NOVEMBER, ELECT TO EITHER CONTINUE THE ½ CENT SALES TAX TO THE T OR WITHDRAW FROM “THE T”, THEREBY MAKING AVAILABLE TO THE CITY AN ADDITIONAL ½ CENT SALES TAX IN A SUBSEQUENT ELECTION, BY VOTING IN THE UPCOMING NOVEMBER ELECTION ON THE BALLOT QUESTION: “SHOULD THE FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (THE T) BE CONTINUED IN RICHLAND HILLS?” – Consider authorizing City staff to draft a fact sheet for inclusion in the next City newsletter which explains in simple and understandable terms: 1) the city’s sales taxing authority and the value of each category for taxable goods and services sold within the city limits of Richland Hills; 2) how such sales taxes are currently authorized in the current City budget; 3) that ½ cent of the taxing authority available to local jurisdictions is now being collected by the State Controller on behalf of the T to pay for public transportation; 4) the amount of money received by the T for that ½ sales tax allocated for public transportation for the past 3 fiscal years; 5) how taxing authority was originally allocated to the T by majority vote in 1992; 6) how citizens may now, by majority vote, elect to either continue the current allocation of sales tax or elect to withdraw from the T and make available to the City an additional ½ cent sales tax authority in a subsequent election; and, 7) how such additional sales tax, if subsequently adopted by the City, could be used by the City, if the citizens so choose. The fact sheet should be impartial and simply explain that there are two choices for citizens in November: 1) keep the ½ cent sales tax going to the T to pay for public transportation; or 2) withdraw from the T, which would then make an additional ½ cent sales tax available to the City of Richland Hills. Such fact sheet should emphasize that the choice is entirely up to citizens. The fact sheet should be presented to Council for approval prior to publication. This item was placed on the agenda by Council Member Marrs.
CONSIDER AUTHORIZING CITY STAFF TO DEVELOP AN ARTICLE FOR INCLUSION IN THE NEXT CITY NEWSLETTER WHICH ANNOUNCES THE CITY EFFORTS TO OBTAIN PROPOSALS TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM FOR RICHLAND HILLS SHOULD CITIZENS VOTE TO WITHDRAW FROM THE “T” IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION -- Authorize staff to develop an article for publication in the next City Newsletter that announces that the City has solicited proposals from private vendors for an alternate public transportation service that will, if implemented as currently proposed, provide: 1) general bus transportation services; 2) special transportation services for mobility impaired and elderly residents; and 3) school bus services for students. The article should explain that should citizens vote to exit the T on November 2, 2010, that the alternate bus services, the proposal provides for the alternate system to go into operation. Such article should be presented to Council for approval prior to publication. This item was placed on the agenda by Council Member Marrs.
CONSIDER AUTHORIZING CITY STAFF TO DEVELOP AN ARTICLE FOR INCLUSION IN THE NEXT CITY NEWSLETTER WHICH PRESENTS THE FINDINGS OF THE AD HOC TASK FORCE APPOINTED TO EVALUATE RIDERSHIP OF THE CURRENT RICHLAND HILLS PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICES -- Authorize City staff to develop an article for the next City Newsletter that presents the findings presented by the task force to Council, for: 1) Route 41; 2) MITS; and 3) School Bus Services. It should also include the charts developed by the task force and observations regarding where most riders of our city’s transportation service originated and where their destinations were. This item was placed on the agenda by Council Member Marrs.
20. CONSIDER AUTHORIZING CITY STAFF TO DEVELOP AN ARTICLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NEXT CITY NEWSLETTER WHICH ANNOUNCES THAT THE COUNCIL HAS CALLED AN ELECTION PLACING ON THE NOVEMBER 2, 2010 ELECTION BALLOT A CHOICE FOR RICHLAND HILLS CITIZENS TO DECIDE WHETHER THE CITY’S PARTICIPATION IN “THE T” SHOULD CONTINUE -- Authorize City staff to develop an article for the next City Newsletter that announces that the City Council unanimously voted to place on the ballot for the November 2, 2010 General Election the question of whether the City’s participation in “the T” should continue, and explaining that the ballot language will be: "Shall the Fort Worth Transportation Authority be Continued in the City of Richland Hills?" and explaining that voters who wish to continue the T’s services in the City should vote “ YES,” and voters who do not wish to continue the T’s services in the City should vote “NO.” The draft article should be presented to Council for approval in advance of publication. This item was placed on the agenda by Council Member Marrs. 21. REMOVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS -- Any Council Member may remove any item from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion and action at this time. 22. CONSENT AGENDA -- A) Approval of Tuesday, July 13, 2010 Regular Meeting Minutes.
23. REPORTS/COMMENTS -- Public. 24. COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS/COMMENTS – Council Member to comment 26. ADJOURNMENT