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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/11/1977 City Council 000054 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING THE CITY OF THE COLONY DENTON COUNTY, TEXAS JULY 11, 1977 THE STATE OF TEXAS ) ) COUNTY OF DENTON ) The City Council of the City of The Colony, Denton County, Texas, convened in regular session, open to the public, at the north end of the First Baptist Church in the City of The Colony, Denton County, Texas, at 7,30 P.M., Monday, July 11, 1977, and the rolI was called of the members of the Council, to wit, Luis Guerrero Mayor Linda Adams Alderman Dave Dall Alderman Joe Gaulden Alderman Sandra Shearer Alderman Dick Weaver Alderman and all members were present, thus constituting a quorum. Also present were Bill Davis, City Attorney; Janice Carroll, acting secretary to the City Council; and members of the public. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Guerrero and the members of the audience were welcomed. Mayor Guerrero reminded those present that the new rules of procedure were in effect with one change -- the floor will be open for comments and questions immediately after each item on the agenda is discussed. The first item considered by the City Council was approval of the minutes submitted for the regular meeting of June 20, 1977. Alderman Dall moved to accept the minutes as written. Alderman Adams seconded the motion. The motion was carried by the following vote: Ayes, All members present voted aye Noess None 000055 Item two of the agenda was then considered, the approval of the Uniform Fire Code, 1976 Edition. Mayor Guerrero para- phrased the fourteen sections of the ordinance and explained that three sections had been added to cover specific situations relating to The Colony. Referring to Section 15.201 of the Uniform Fire Code, Alderman Dall asked about the restriction on above ground fuel storage and if it would prohibit citizens to store small amounts of fuel for outside grills. Fire Chief Chuck Kimberling stated that that was not the intent of the ordinance. Bill Davis, attorney, made reference to Section 15.03 of the Fire Code where it does define the amount of fuel to be stored~ and, therefore, protects the individual's right to store small amounts above ground. Alderman Dall made the motion that the Uniform Fire Code be adopted immediately. Alderman Gaulden seconded the motion. Mayor Guerrero asked for comments from the members of the audience. There were none. The motion was carried by the following votes, Ayes, Ail members present voted aye Noes, None Mayor Guerrero announced that the Uniform Fire Code Ordinance would be published in the Thursday, July 14, 1977, issue of "The Colony Courier". Item three, the Uniform Plumbing Codel item four, the Uniform Electrical Code~ and item five, the Uniform Building Code were presented together. Alderman Adams requested that no action be taken until the Planning and Zoning Commission has had an opportunity to thoroughly study the codes and present its recommendations to the Council. Mayor Guerrero stated that the citizens will also have an opportunity to voice an opinion at a public hearing to be held soon before these codes are adopted. At this time Alderman Adams moved to table the Uniform Plumbing Code, the Uniform Electrical Code, and the 000056 Uniform Building Code so that the Council can review the Planning and Zoning Commission's recommendations. Alderman Dall seconded the motion. Mayor Guerrero asked for comments from the floor. There were none. The motion was carried by the following vote, Ayes, All members present voted aye Noes, None Item six was the third and final reading of the Leash Law Ordinance by Alderman Shearer. Upon completion of this reading, Mayor Guerrero made note of one correction. The minimum fine should be not less than $1.O0 rather than not less than $5.00, as read, to conform with State Statutes. The motion was made by Alderman Dall to adopt the Lease Law. Alderman Shearer seconded the motion. Mayor Guerrero asked for comments or questions from the members of the audience. Bill Longo was recognized. He questioned why a dog who was inoculated must be locked up for ten days if he has bitten someone. Alderman Adams said this is simply a common safeguard measure to assure that the dog is not rabid. Mr. Longo also commented that he felt the minimum fine of $15.00 should be deleted and a written warning should be given in its place. Alderman Dall explained that the $15.00 fine is not mandatory, and that this will be up to the discretion of the animal control officer. From the floor Steven Kimball asked if the leash law can be enforced without a formal complaint. Mayor Guerrero said yes that it would be enforced against dogs without a complaint filed~ however, because of the nature of cats, it will not be actively enforced unless there is a formal complaint. At this point Attorney Davis asked that the arrangements for a pound and the inoculation clinic be explained. Alderman Shearer stated that when the city has the tags, a clinic will be set up for inoculations and registration at a nominal cost to the animal owners in The Colony. Mayor Guerrero explained 000057 the arrangements that have been made with the City of Lewisville. Upon completion of their new pound, The Colony will lease, at a minimum cost, the old facilities. On July 18 ~ayor Guerrero will attend a county meeting to consider building an animal control center for Denton County, specifically for the aid of small communities. Mayor Guerrero recognized Bob Fink who asked why the Leash Law will not apply to cats~ he felt this was discrimi- natory against dogs. Attorney Davis explained that it is not discriminatory in that the same code for both animals is on the books. Alderman Dall said that the City of Dallas was now using a trap for cats and that this is a possible solution for The Colony. J. J. Jamtson asked if there would be a full time employee at the pound. At this point in time, Mayor Guerrero said the City will have only one animal control officer. Joe Murphy reminded the Council that the ordinance stated that the animals should have food and water every six hours. Alderman Shearer explained that the ordinance was primarily concerned that the animals should not be without food or water, and if the proper size of containers were used, the time period would not be a problem. There being no further comments, the motion to adopt the leash law was voted on. The motion was carried by the following vote~ Ayes, All members present voted aye Noes, None Mayor Guerrero announced that the ordinance would be published in the Thursday, July 14, 1977, issue of "The Colony Courier". The seventh item considered by the City Council was the budget for May 1, 1977 to September 30, 1977. Mayor Guerrero asked for comments from the Council members. Alderman Dall said he objected to the budget procedurel he felt that all budgets should apply to an overall plan. In OOO058 answer, Mayor Guerrero, said the next budget will include more long range plans, when major goals have been more firmly established. Attorney Davis interjected that there will be public hearings held on the upcoming budget. Alderman Weaver's position is that the present budget is a minimum one and an overall plan is not applicable. Alderman Dall commented that there is financial advice available to us, and we should take advantage of it even if it must be paid for. Alderman Gaulden reminded the Council that financial advice is available through the City's bank. All sources of financial advice will be used in the planning of the 1977/1978 budget Mayor Guerrero advised. At this time a motion was made by Alderman Weaver to adopt the budget prepared for the period of May 1, 1977 to September 30, 1977. The motion was seconded by Alderman Shearer. Mayor Guerrero asked for comments from the floor. Bill Longo was recognized and asked when a list of bills paid by the City would be available to the public. Mayor Guerrero said they would be available after the meeting is adjourned. Joe Murphy was recognized and asked if financial advisors will be used. Mayor Guerrero assured him that advisors will be used in the planning of the upcoming yearly budget. At this time Steve Kimball asked what was included on the next budget. This is not on the agenda advised Mayor Guerrero and cannot be discussed. Mayor Guerrero recognized Robert Brown who asked if there was any time limit as to the date the new budget will be pub- lished. There is no time limit, but Mayor Guerrero explained that certain steps must be taken prior to publishing. Attorney Davis briefly explained the procedure. In August and September the budget will be developed, tax assessments will be made and tax statements will be mailed. A city has no actual funds until taxes are paid in October, November and December, so no definite deadline can be set. OO0O59 There being no further comments, the motion was carried by the following vote, Ayes, Four members voted aye Noes~ Alderman Dall voted no Proceeding to item eight, Mayor Guerrero asked Alderman Gaulden to present the considerations for a logo and colors for the city. Alderman 6aulden stated the alternatives are to keep the logo and colors presently used or sponsor a con- test for a different logo and colors. At this time Alderman Gaulden asked for opinions from the audience. Bill Longo, Robert Brown and Joe Murphy all expressed the desire to stay with the same logo and colors. For the Council's information, Rick Chadwick, director of The Colony M.U.D. #1, advised that M.U.D. will continue to use almond brown stationary. Martha Kimberling was recognized and suggested that the Council decide on the status of the City's logo and colors, as well as the type of stationary used for City correspondence. At this time the motion was made by Alderman ~aulden to resolve to keep the same logo and colors. Alderman Weaver seconded the motion. The motion was carried by the following vote, Ayes, Ail members present voted aye Noes, None Item nine on the agenda dealt with appropriations for the Fire Depart~aent. Mayor 6uerrero reported there has been some dissatification expressed because the City has not given any cash grants to the Fire Department. Mayor Guerrero read Article 3, Section 52 of the Texas Constitution which forbids this. Mayor Guerrero explained that by accepting a gift, the Fire Department could be regarded as an agent of the City. Ail financial dealings must be in contract form. He interjected that the City is paying for the emergency line, but the City also assumed all liability for this line. Fire Chief Chuck 000060 Kimberling is to provide the City with a study of projected needs, and a contract with the Fire Department is possible next year. Mayor Guerrero announced the final item on the agenda. The agenda will now be posted on the front left window of the new City Hall. Mayor Guerrero opened the meeting for comments from the audience. Robert Brown was recognized and asked if the City had been in contact with law officials regarding traffic problems on Highway #121 and F.M. #423. Mayor Guerrero stated that the City of Lewisville is now patroling farther out on Highway #121. Alderman Shearer is presently pulling records to prepare a study on accidents in the past years to project possible future traffic problems. This study will be taken to the state if need be. Alderman Weaver took this opportunity to announce that Bill Longo has been appointed Chairman of the Civil Prepared- ness Committee. Alderman Pall told members of the audience that the City will soon have the responsibility of the activity sign rather than the Homeowners' Association. There being no further action to be taken by the Council, Alderman Dall moved that the meeting be adjourned and the motion was seconded by Alderman Shearer. The motion was carried by the following vote, Ayes, All members present voted aye Noes, None The meeting was adjourned.