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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/24/1977 City Council 000058 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING THE CITY OF THE COLONY DENTON COUNTY, TEXAS OCTOBER 24, 1977 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 First Baptist Church in the City of The Colony, Denton County, Texas at 7:30 P.M., Monday, October 24, 1977, and the roll was called of the members to wit: Luis Guerrero Mayor Linda Adams Alderman Cathy Bock Alderman Dave Dall Alderman Joe Gaulden Alderman Sandra Shearer Alderman Ail were present with the exception of Alderman Shearer. Mayor Guerrero explained that at the request of the Council, Alderman Shearer was attending the Lewisville Regular Council Meeting to discuss the contract pertaining to lease of the vacated Lewis- ville dog pound by The Colony. Before proceeding with the meeting agenda, Mayor Guerrero, on behalf of the Council, welcomed Cathy Bock to the Council and stated that the Council feels she will be a very effective member. The first agenda item was the approval of the minutes of the October 3, 1977 Regular Session of the City Council. Mayor Guerrero asked for corrections. There were none. 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 Noes: None 000094 Mayor Guerrero explained the reason for the second agenda item. The City Council asked for and received the resignations of the following Law Enforcement Commission members; Gary Green, Bill Devlin, Nick Ristagno and Judy Gurley. Mayor Guerrero stated that thus far the Commission has done outstanding work, but the Council does not consider these resignations a /loss as Green, ~evlin, and Ristagno will be working for our city as Police Reserves and Judy Gurley will be serving as Secretary to the Police Chief. At this time, Alderman Gaulden, also extended his thanks to the Commission. The Mayor then requested applications of people interested in serving on the Law Enforcement Commission. Alderman Dall presented the third agenda item, a report to the members of the audience on the Texas Municipal League Annual Convention that the Mayor, Council members, and City Secretary attended in San Antonio, October 15 through October 18. A general overview of the convention, including the particular seminars attended and booths of particular interest, was the format of his report. He additionally mentioned that the seminars attended by Janice Carroll are credited to her certification program; and, also that the affiliation with officials from other Texas cities was most beneficial. Mayor Guerrero agreed that the contacts made were invaluable. The appointment of the Planning and Zoning Commission members was the fourth item on the agenda. Mayor Guerrero introduced 4o the members of the audience, Richard Turner and Mark Crow. The Mayor asked if the appointees would like to say a few words. Upon the conclusion of their statements, Alderman Adams made the motion that Richard Turner and Mark Crow be appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Alderman Dall seconded the motion. The motion was carried by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None oooos Alderman Gaulden presented the fifth aga~da item, the consider- ation of forming a Youth Services Commission. Alderman Gaulden stated that after further thought, he believed that this Commission could possibly encompass all ages of youth and spell out exact guidelines for their protection as well as their recreation. Possibly this would have to be in the form of an ordinance rather than a Resolution. Therefore, Alderman Gaulden moved that the Youth Services Resolution be tabled for further consideration in a Council Work Session. Alderman Dall seconded this motion. The motion was carried by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None Upon the completion of all agenda items, Mayor Guerrero made a further comment. He explained that a possible candidate for County Commissioner had visited with him. After visiting with this gentleman, he .decidedl. that it should be the City's responsibility to keep the citizens of The Colony up to date on this matter through "The Colony Courier" and the City Activity Board. Mayor Guerrero then asked for comments from the members of the audience. Jerry Pierce was recognized. He told the Council that he had several comments regarding law enforcement. He prefaced his remarks by stating that he bad twenty-one years experience in the military, was a certified policeman and served as Police Chief for eight months in a small Texas town. His first reference was regarding the fact that our Police Chief did not reside in the Colony and was not a member of the community. Secondly, why did the Police Chief not wear a uniform. Why was the police car not marked was his third comment. Mr. Pierce felt a marked police car was a detriment to crime. Fourthly, he asked why The Colony's Police Chief, Jim Beltran did not wear a badge but did wear a pistol strapped to his hip. The particular incident which concerned Mr. Pierce 000096 occurred when his wife called Chief Beltran about a strange person taking pictures of children on the way to school. Chief~Beltran stated that law had not been broken and their was no need for him to come to the Pierce home. Mr. Pierce felt that unless he was on emergency business at the time, he should have come to his home. Mr. Pierce further stated that if we have a need for a detective, we should get one, but our policemen should wear a uniform. He also stated that as our City policeman his jurisdiction ends at Highway 9121. In reply to Mr. Pierce's questions, Mayor Guerrero stated that Chief Beltran will buy a home, but it is not completed. He further explained that it was the Council's decision to adhere to a "low proffle" police image in The Colony. The suits that will be worn should be received shortly. Regarding police cars, Mayor Guerrero explained that the first car was the Chief's car; the second car will also be unmarked, while the third car will be marked. Mayor Guerrero emphasized that this policy is on a trial basis and is subject to change. Chief Beltran just recently received his Chief badge, and he will be wearing the badge where it can be seen. In regards to the incident, Mayor Guerrero stated that he was aware of the phone call and agreed with Chief Beltran that no law had been broken at this point in time. Chief Beltran did state that he would follow up on any information that she might have according to Mayor Guerrero, and Mrs. Pierce declined. Mr. Pierce made ~everal final comments, mentioning that Chief Beltran had his car parked in front of a structure fire and hindered the fireman. He also stated that members of the media must have permission to take an individual's picture. Mayor Guerrero then asked the Council if they had any comments. 00009? Alderman Dall Was recognized. He assured Mr. Pierce that the Council would take his comments into consideration and seriously look into the matter. At this time, Alderman Dall also wanted to publicly thank Jim O'Dell, Joe Murphy, and Wes Gray for voluntarily surveying our city streets for repairs that are needed. He further informed the members of the audience that the Building Ordinance will be reviewed by the Council at the Work Session on the following Wednesday. Alderman Adams announced that the Council would like to request that the children "Trick or Treat" between the hours of 6:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. Monday night. Parents should ac- company their children. The "Trick or Treat" hours will be posted on the City Activity Board. There being no further action to be taken by the Council, Alderman Dall moved that the meeting be adjourned. Alderman Adams seconded the motion. The motion was carried by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 P.M. by Mayor Guerrero. J~nice Carroll