CM 1978-02-20 MINUTES OF FEBRUARy,20, 1978
The City Council of the City of Coppell met in special called session on
February 20, 1978, at 7:30 P.M., in the City Hall.
The following members were present:
John R. Burns, Mayor
Fred Baker, Mayor Pro Tem
Roy Brock, Councilman
Stubby Steadman, Councilman
Andy Grant, Councilman
Councilman Don Carter was not present. Also present were City Administrator
James Elium and City SecretaryDorothy Tinm~ns.
The meeting was called to order and everyone asked to stand while councilman
Steadman gave the invocation.
The only item to be considered by the Council was the consideration of hiring
a consulting firm to conduct a water and sewer rate study for the City. Three
firms had been interviewed by the council at the previous meeting. These firms
were Nall& Associates, Hunter Associates, and Henningson, Durham & Richardson.
Mayor Burns questioned if Touche Ross & Company had been contacted to submit
a proposal. City Administrator James Elium answered that thatcompany was
strictly rate analysts and that they had not been contacted. Councilman Grant
stated that it was his opinion that the work should be divided. He felt that
Nall& Associates should do the rate study and that Rady & Associates, who are
the City engineers., should do the engineering study. He also questioned why
Rady had not been asked to submit a proposal on the rate study. Councilman
Steadman also.questioned the reason why Rady had not been asked to submit a
proposal. City Administrator stated that it was his understanding that the
Council had wanted an outside firm to be obtained in order to have an impartial
view. He also stated that he felt that the work should not be divided and that
the City would be penalized 15% to 25% on the cost of the project by dividing
the work. Councilman Grant stated that with the proposal he submitted, the pro-
ject would be completed more economically, more effectively, and more adequately.
He also stated that if a new firm were brought in to do the work, they would have
to obtain their background material from Rady and Associates, and why should the
city pay twice for this study and work.
A lengthy discussion followed on the merits o~ dividing the project
and the effect it would have on the cost of it as well as on the City's bond
rating. Following discussion on this item, Mayor Pro Tem Baker moved that the
firm of Henningson, Durham & Richardson be hired and that they do both the
rate study and the engineering work. Motion died for lack of a second. Council-
man Grant then moved that the firm of Nall& Associates be hired for the rate
study and that the City Engineers, Rady & Associates, do the engineering work;
Councilman Brock seconded and motion carried 3-1 with Mayor Pro Tem Baker
against and the mayor showing his approval.
The meeting was then adjourned.
AETEST: Joh~. Burns,Mayor~~ ~-~
Dorothy Timm~ns, Cil~y Secretary