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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/07/1977 City Council 000098 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING THE CITY OF THE COLONY DENTON COUNTY, TEXAS NOVEMBER 7, 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 First Baptist Church in the City of The Colony, Denton County, Texas at 7:30 P.M., Monday, November 7, 1977, and the roll was called of the members of the Council, to wit: Luis Guerrero Mayor Linda Adams Alderman Cathy Bock Alderman Dave Dall Alderman Joe Gaulden Alderman Sandra Shearer Alderman Mayor Guerrero was not in attendance; however, all Alderman were present and a quorum was established. Also present was Bill Davis, Attorney for the City; Joel Larkin, City Consultant; Janice Carroll, City Secretary; and members of the public. The meeting was called to order by Linda Adams, Mayor Pro Tem, and the members of the audience were welcomed. The first item considered by the City Council was approval of the minutes submitted for the regular meeting of October 24, 1977. Alderman Dall moved to accept the minutes as written. Alderman Bock seconded the motion. The motion was carried by the following vote; Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None The second agenda item was the consideration of the City Consultant contract. Mayor Pro Tern Adams explained to the members of the audience why the Council felt the hiring of a part time Consultant was the most practical avenue for The Colony at this time. Mayor Pro Tern Adams asked for comments from the Council. Alderman Dall suggested that she review 000099 the contract for the members of the audience. Mayor Pro Tem Adams did so and, upon completion, asked for comments from the audience. There were none. She asked the Council for a motion on the contract. Alderman Dall moved that the contract be accepted as written. Alderman Shearer seconded the motion. The motion was carried by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None The third agenda item was the consideration of the approval of the contract with the firm of Rauscher Pierce Securities Corporation. Mayor Pro Tern Adams stated that the firm would primarily guide the city through a possible bond election and would generally serve as financial advisors to the City. Mayor Pro Tem Adams then asked for comments from the Council. Alderman Dall stated that he felt that to sign the contract at this time would be premature. Due to the amount of money involved, $23,000.00, and since no other firms had been interviewed, he was of the opinion that the contract should be tabled for further study. There being no further comments from the Council, Alderman Dall moved that the contract with Rauscher Pierce be be tabled for further study. Alderman Bock seconded the motion. The motion was carried by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None Mayor Pro Tem Adams then turned the meeting over to Alderman Bock to present Agenda item number four, the appointment of the final member to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Alderman Bock stated that the person recommended to the Council was Lloyd Hodges; however, he was not able to be at this meeting tonight. Alderman Bock felt that he would be an asset to the Commission and made the motion that the Council appoint him to the Planning and Zoning Commission. The motion was seconded by Alderman Gaulden and carried by the following 000!00 vote: Ayes: Ail members present voted aye Noes: None Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated that this concluded the agenda items to be discussed by the City Council and asked for comments from the members of the audience. Joe Murphy was recognized. He stated that he was in'agree- ment with article published in the Sunday, November 6, 1977 issue of the "Lewisville News Advertiser" on the editorial page which described the City Council's receptiveness to the citizen's questions and complaints. He stated that he did want this article to be a matter of record in the minutes of this Regular Council Meeting. Ida Longo then presented a question to Bill Davis, Attorney for the City. She asked if it was a Texas State Law that bills be presented at each City Council meeting for approval for payment. Attorney Davis answered that the state only required a year-end audit for public information within 120 days of the close of the fiscal year and quarterly Treasurer Reports. Mayor Pro Tern Adams told Mrs. Longo that the City's first quarterly report will be presented in December and beginning in January, 1978 monthly reports will be made. It was requested by a member of the audience that a congrat- ulatory message be put on the City Activity Board. The "Fireballs", an under twelve girls soccer team, have won first place in their division of The Lewisville Soccer Asso- ciation. The first Colony soccer team to have this distinction. Mayor Pro Tem Adams then recognized Jerry Pierce who asked why a policeman was not present at the accident that occurred earlier this evening at FM #423 and Nash Drive. He also questioned why our police officers did not reside in The Colony. Mayor Pro Tem Adams answered that until the city has 000!01., "' a complete force, it is hard to cover every time period. She suggested that he attend the next Law Enforcement Com- mission meeting to make them aware of his opinion on various police department procedures. Alderman Dall also commented that he did see Chief Beltran this evening prior to the meeting, and that he was wearing his uniform and badge. He further explained that many of the Council's decisions were based on what they felt was the best utilization of the City's money in acquiring equipment necessary for a police department. He assured Mr. Pierce that both, Chief Beltran and Officer Hale, are having homes built in The Colony and would ti.~e~_h~e soon. Alderman Dall also urged Mr. Pierce to attend the Law Enforcement Commission meetings. Mr. Pierce stated that a schedule of their meetings had not been published, and he was not aware that he could attend. Alderman Gaulden informed him that the next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 A.M., Saturday, November 12 and that.~:~ it was open to the public. Sue Stockard was given the floor. She state that she was not adverse to outside help, but she did feel that Law Enforce- ment should be a high priority item for the City and that more policemen are needed. Ida Longo asked Alderman Shearer for an update on Animal Control. Alderman Shearer explained that the lease contract on the Lewisville Dog Pound had been approved, although not signed at this time. An Animal Control Offfcer has been hired. The pickup has been purchased and cages are being built. The Animal Control Officer will be attending an Animal Control Personnel Seminar in College Station next week. Ida Longo then questioned Alderman Shearer as to why a resident of The Colony was not chosen for this position. Alderman Shearer explained that the applications received from The Colony residents were for part time work only, and the Council felt due to the nature of the work s~hedule this position should be full time. Nancy Ri2ey asked where the positions with the City are' advertised. The Coun~cil explained that the professional positions were advertised in trade magazines, the 'Dallas Morning News" and the "Fort Worth Star Telegram", but the clerical positions have not been advertised in any form. Alderman Dall did agree with Ms. Riley that these positions should be advertised. It was agreed by the Council, after a brief discussion, that all city positions should be advertised in the city's official newspaper "The Colony Courier" . Ida Longo was recognized and asked what the status was on the City's Liability Insurance. Alderman Dall stated the the city was having difficulty in obtaining this insurance because the city has no credit history. Attorney Davis further explained that it was presently difficult to obtain individual public official liability insurance for any city. The Texas Municipal League is making a study of a group public official liability policies, but they are having problems arriving at a premium amount. There are limits to liabilities and immunities, and this is hard to set, Attorney Davis said. A general discussion as to the nature of city liability insurance follo~d. Ms. Longo asked if the taxpayers would be liable in any instance. Attorney Davis stated that he did not know of a case like this but he would look into this. A further question asked by Ms. Longo, was'. the difference between the term "city consultant" and the term "city manager". Attorney Davis explained that it is a technical difference only. Under the statutes of Texas one cannot hold two positions of the same nature. Mayor Pro Tem stated that also at this time the City does not have a City Manager form of government 000103 A discussion followed as to exactly how Mr. Larkin will ful- fill his duties as Consultant to the city. Martha Kimberling asked the Council if the Police Chief is to work automobile accidents. Mayor Pro Tem Adams replyed that when he is on duty this would, of course, be a priority item. Jerry Pierce was again recognized and asked how many applications had. been acce,gted for the~ Law Enforcement Commission. Alderman Gaulden answered that at last count'' the Commission had twelve to thirteen applications. At Mr. Pierce'es request, Alderman Gaulden explained that the Council had no prerequisites as to being qualified to serve on the Commission. The Council feels that a diversification of backgrounds is most important. Nancy Riley was then recognized and asked if the City Council had an official liason with the Lewisville Independent School District. Mayor Pro Tern Adams answered that Mayor Guerrero and Alderman Shearer worked with the school system. There followed a lengthy discussion as to future overcrowding of Camey Elementary if a second elementary as well as a middle school is not started immediately to handle the rapidly growing city. The members of the audience were informed that the City and Fox and Jacobs were working ~k the Lewisville Independent School District on this immediate problem. Gene Stockard asked the Council the status of our commercial development and industrial development. Alderman Dall answered that the Master Plan for the city must be completed prior to contacting companies to entice them to locate their businesses or industries in our city. A general discussion as to our future growth followed. Lupe Sanderton asked who was in charge of sweeping our streets. 000104 Alderman Dall explained that the Municipal Utility District now provides this service and to contact Rick Chadwick on this matter, and he would also be able to explain her water bill to her. There followed questions regarding street repair, street lighting problems, parking problems by the soccer fields and speeding in the alleyways. The public was told that these matters are being taken into consideration. A street survey has been made, and Fox & Jacobs should be receiving a bid from a contractor for street repairs Tuesday, November 8. It was also mentioned that some firemen have been observed speeding in alleys on the way to a fire call. Martha Kimberling stated that no fireman should speed and asked that they be reported to Chief Kimberling. She also stated that the Fire Department is preparing a report on Fire Lanes to be presented soon. James Wakefield read a prepared statement relating his feeling that the prevention of crime is the most important function of a Police Department and that unmarked cars do not support this function. Nancy Riley suggested that the city publish a monthly list of city meetings and activities in "The Colony Courier". The Council agreed to this procedure. There being no further action to be taken by the City 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 000105 Mayor Pro Tem Adams adjourned the meeting at 8:50 P.M. Janice Carroll Secretary