Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-04-07 - Regular City Council Bill Corbin MINUTES OF GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING City of Stephenville - City Council TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 1998 - 7:00 P.M. The City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, convened on April 7, 1998, at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 298 West Washington Street, for the purpose of a General Business Meeting, with the meeting being open to the public and notice of said meeting, giving the date, time, place and subject thereof, having been posted as prescribed by Chapter 551, Government Code, Vernon's Texas Codes Annotated, with the following members present, to wit: Mayor : John Pollan Councilmembers : Jerry B. Madkins (tardy) Barbara Terrell K. H. Conatser Billy Bob Hodges Bea Marin Marshall Shelton Joel Hillin Others Attending : Don Davis, City Administrator Cindy L. Stafford, City Secretary Randy Thomas, City Attorney I. CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Pollan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and declared a quorum present. II. CITIZENS? GENERAL DISCUSSION No one addressed the council. Mayor Pollan recognized Boy Scout Glynn Adcock from Troop 18, who is working on his Citizenship in the Community merit badge. III. QUARTERLY REPORT FROM OMI ON WASTE WATER TREATMENT General Business Meeting -- April 7, 1998 Stephenville City Council PLANT Ed Schwab, Regional Business Manager, for OMImade this report. He stated that the Stephenville plant has had no permit violations and has accumulated 3,200 preventative maintenance IV. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A WESTERN HERITAGE LOGO V. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT 1. Agreement with Stephenville Bank and Trust Co. 2. 1998 Street Reconstruction Program 3. E-Z Mart Property VI. PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE REPORT 1. Emergency Medical Service 2. Consider an Ordinance Changing the Speed Limit on FM 205 3. TxDOT Letter Concerning Parking Problem VII. NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT VIII. CONSIDER CHANGE ORDER NO. 1 AND FINAL PAYMENT FOR THE DOWNTOWN PLAZA City Administrator Don Davis reported that because of unforeseen and unknown circumstances at the Downtown Plaza, adjustments were necessary in the contract. Those adjustments total the $12,900 sought as additional costs. Davis stated that staff and the engineers recommended that the change order be approved and that this be the final payment to Rick Hale Construction for this project. Council member Conatser asked whether or not the engineers were aware that there was a gas transmission line, or whether they did or did not look at the foundations and slabs of the buildings that were left. Davis answered that the gas transmission main was an unknown element until such time as the excavation began. Conatser questioned Davis, ?Isn?t it the responsibility of the engineer to check those things out before they start construction?? Davis replied that engineers rely General Business Meeting -- April 7, 1998 Stephenville City Council a great deal on the information that the City provides them. Davis said, ?I don?t know that they?re going to go research the records to determine the various utility lines.? Davis also stated that the scope of work would need to be reviewed to determine their responsibilities to the project. Conatser asked why this wouldn?t be in the normal scope of engineering, and ?why do we have to spell out every detail of what we want them to do?. Davis said that the engineers did not do an engineering report, but that they were hired to design the facility. Conatser asked what necessitated tearing out the storm water drain on the corner. Davis said he did not remember and called on Director of Community Services, Ronnie Isham. Isham stated that the inlet was there but had to be rebuilt to match the grade of the park. Council member Hodges stated that he did not recall the exact scope of work but said he does know that Schrickel-Rollins was hired to design an auto park just the way it is now. Hodges also stated that he doesn?t think it was any part of the contract to require the engineers to go underground below the Majestic Theatre to see if there was anything there. Hodges said the gas transmission line was an unforeseen obstacle that came about because of the excavation. Hodges said he did not know of any engineering firm that goes under ground when they are hired for design work. Hodges said he would have hoped that the gas company would have come forward to inform the city of this line. Mayor Pollan said there should be no surprise that a contract of this size would have a cost overrun. He reminded the council that the bid which the council accepted for demolition came in about $15,000 under the next bid, and there was some concern that maybe some shortcuts were taken which now represent additional costs. Pollan said it is difficult to place the responsibility solely on one party, whether it be the engineer, the contractor, the landscaper, etc. Pollan added that there were a series of problems that compounded the situation. Conatser said that he had no problem whatsoever with the cost overrun, but that he certainly expected the city to get what it pays for. He said he expects a thorough job from Schrickel-Rollins, Conatser said he didn?t question the $12,910 to the contractor. Council member Terrell did not wish to comment on the figures, but stated, ?I am. looking here across at the plaza, and I am so proud of it. I spent 20 years of my life in a building over there, and I cried when it came down; but it?s a beautiful plaza. I?m sorry it didn?t come in right at cost, but I think we have a wonderful place to celebrate our community.? Council member Shelton said that a portion of the $12,000 is justified because General Business Meeting -- April 7, 1998 Stephenville City Council nobody could anticipate the weather, but there is a portion of this $12,000 that, in the past, a reputable engineering firm would have stepped up and said, ?Here, let me bear this particular burden.? Shelton added, ?I think we need to go ahead and pay this and just be careful in the future, and when an engineer has a responsibility, I think we need to hold them to it; or at least that portion that we can make it responsible for.? Davis said he felt inadequate trying to answer for the engineering firm. He suggested that, if council has a problem with the engineering firm or the way they have handled it, the council and the engineering firm should possibly visit about that. Pollan suggested that a letter be sent to Schrickel-Rollins to advise them of some of the thoughts and questions of certain council members. Conatser said, ?I assume Schrickel-Rollins has already been paid for their work, but I can assure you as well as them, as long as I?m on this council, it will affect any decision I make concerning them. Council member Shelton made a motion to pay the cost overrun of $12,910.00 and direct a letter to Schrickel-Rollins advising them of the concerns of the council. Council member Conatser seconded the motion which passed by unanimous vote. IX. CONSIDER EASEMENT AGREEMENT WITH APPLETON ELECTRIC COMPANY X. CONSIDER THE FEDERAL HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABLE AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT XI. APPROVAL OF INTERNET POLICY FOR PUBLIC LIBRARY USE XII. CONSIDER AUTHORIZING FORGIVENESS OF AMERICAN LEGION PROPERTY TAX XIII. APPOINTMENT OF ELECTION JUDGE AND ALTERNATE ELECTION JUDGE FOR THE MAY 2, 1998 CITY ELECTION XIV. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes 1. Regular Business Meeting on March 3, 1998 2. Special Business Meeting on March 17, 1998 B. Bid Awards General Business Meeting -- April 7, 1998 Stephenville City Council 1. Ambulance 2. Relocation of 16"Water Line along US 67/377 3. Janitorial Service 4. Janitorial Supplies 5. Office Supplies 6. Airport Pump Station Repairs 7. Main Disconnect for Airport Pump Station 8. Emergency Repair on Sewer Cleaning Machine C. Bid Specifications--Repairs of West Well on Paddock Street D. RFP for Roof at Fire Station No. 2 E. Authorization to Sell City Property XV. CITY ADMINISTRATOR?S REPORT XVI. EXECUTIVE SESSION in compliance with the provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Law, Subchapter D, Local Government Code, Vernon?s Texas Codes, Annotated, in accordance with §551.071(1)(A) Consultation with Attorney, pending or contemplated litigation and §551.074(a)(1) Personnel Matters, to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee. A. City of Stephenville v. Clovis Russell (condemnation) B. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, et al v. Texas Water Commission, et al; Cause No. 432,066; in the 98th Judicial District Court, Travis County, Texas 1. Pending lawsuit filed by landowners 2. Refiling permit C. City Administrator?s Evaluation XVII. ACTION TAKEN ON MATTERS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary) No action was taken on matter discussed in executive session. XVIII. ADJOURN General Business Meeting -- April 7, 1998 Stephenville City Council There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m. _____________________________________ John Pollan, Mayor ATTEST: ____________________________________ Cindy L. Stafford, City Secretary General Business Meeting -- April 7, 1998 Stephenville City Council