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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/05/1977 City Council 000112 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING THE CITY OF THE COLONY DENTON COUNTY, TEXAS DECEMBER 5, 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, December 5, 1977, and the roll was called of members of the Council, to wit, Luis Guerrero Mayor Linda Adams Alderman Cathy Bock Alderman Dave Dall Alderman Joe Gaulden Alderman Sandra Shearer Alderman All members were present with the exception of Mayor Guerrero; however, a quorum was established. Also present were John Freeman, Attorney, Janice Carroll, City Secretary, and members of the public. In the absence of Mayor Guerrero, Mayor Pro Tem Adams called the meeting to order and welcomed the members of the public. The first item considered by the City Council was approval of the minutes submitted for the regular meeting of November 21, 1977. Mayor Pro Tem Adams asked the Council for any cor- rections. Alderman Dall asked that on page three, line 000113 fifteen the word "maintenance" be changed to "ownership" in reference to the toddlers' playground. It was so noted. At this time, Alderman Pall moved that the minutes be accepted as amended. Alderman Gaulden seconded the motion. The motion was carried by the following vote, Ayes, All members present voted aye. Noes: None Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated that agenda items two and seven are to be presented jointly and gave Alderman Gaulden the floor. Alderman Gaulden said that he would like to postpone item 2, the appointment of Law Enforcement members~ and item 7, the authorization to purchase a police vehicle until the Council meets with the Law Enforcement Commission in a Special Session. He explained that information that should have been given to the Council and to the Commission had not been distributed to all concerned~ therefore, it would be unfair to make a decision on these items at this meeting. He said that the meeting will be held Saturday, December 10, 1977, at 10,00 A.M., and the public is invited to attend. Alderman Gaulden then moved that items two and seven be tabled for further study and discussion. Alderman Pall seconded the motion. The motion was carried by the following vote: Ayes, Alderman Bock, Alderman Pall, and Alderman Gaulden voted aye. Noes, Alderman Shearer voted no. Item three was a presentation of Certificates of Appreciation to outstanding citizens by The Colony Police Department and the Law Enforcement Commission Mayor Pro Tom Adams stated. She then gave the floor to Vicki Harkrider, Chairperson of the Law Enforcement Commission who, in turn, introduced Jim Beltran, Chief of Police, to present the Certificates. 000114 Chief Beltran asked that Alisha Wilson and Michelle Ware step forward. He then read the letter that accompanied the Certificates of Appreciation. A member of the audience asked exactly what the girls did. Chief Beltran explained that due to the nature of the incident, he could not reveal the details but that the girls were instrumental in the solving of a criminal case. Mayor Pro Tem Adams introduced Tony Marchioli to present agenda item four, the financial report for the month of November, 1977. Marchioli stated that the City's total revenue for the month of November was $7,374.00. This in- cluded a $5,000 loan from the Lewisville National Bank. Mr. Marchioli also told the Council and the members of the public that the City had borrowed only $10,000 from the Lewisville National Bank rather than the original loan amount of $20,000. The City had also received $1,429 in property tax revenues, and an additional $904.00 in traffic fines. The expenditures for the month were $8,046.00. Mr. Marchioli gave a breakdown of these expenditures by departments, General Fund - $2,763.00~ City Secretary - $1,412.00~ Police Department - $3,641.00~ Animal Control - $224.00~ Municipal Court - $5.00. Mr. Marchioli concluded that the City was keeping in line with the budget. The only overexpenditure was in the uniform allowance in the Police Department budget. The original amount allocated was $80.00~ however, $380.40 was spent in November. Mayor Pro Tem Adams asked for comments from the audience. Linda Doughty was recognized and asked why the loan was made by the City and was it reflected in the yearly budget? She was assured that it was a matter of public record and that its purpose was to carry the City until tax revenues are received, and when sufficient revenue has been collected, the loan will be repayed. Ms. Doughty asked about the terms of the loan and the interest rate. Mr. Marchioli 000115 explained that there were no definite terms but would be paid back when it is feasible for the City. The interest rate is 9½%. Item five, the adoption of the Building Code Ordinance, was presented by Mayor Pro Tem Adams. She read the ordinance and asked for comments from the Council members. Alderman Dall stated that the Council should receive a report from the attorney on Chapter 16, 2-D to advise if it should be left in. He further stated that the Building Permit fee would be in the amount of $125.00. There followed a brief discussion on the ordinance with members of the audience asking specific questions on the ordinance. Alderman Dall then moved that the Building Ordinance be approved as is until the attorney's report has been received by the Council. Alderman Gaulden seconded the motion. The motion was carried by the following vote, Ayes, All members present voted aye Noes, .None The final agenda item, number six, was the adoption of the ordinance creating the Board of Adjustment. Alderman Dall read the ordinance aloud for the Council and the members of the audience. Mayor Pro Tem Adams.asked for comments from the Council. Alderman Gaulden said he felt the members of the audience should be given some background on this ordinance. He further stated that this board would grant variances in particular situations. Temporarily the Council will serve as this board. Attorney Freeman explained that the Board of Adjustment is in reality a board of appeal on the enforcements made by the Building Official. At a later date this will be a separate board, but to get it started the Council will serve. Alderman Dall advised the members of the audience that the City did advertise for people to fill the Board, 000:116 but after further study the Council felt that it would be best to serve in this capacity until the board's work is better defined. There being no further comments Mayor Pro Tem Adams asked for a motion to approve this ordinance as read. Alderman Shearer made such a motion. Alderman Dall seconded the motion. The motion was carried by the following vote, Ayes~ Ail members present voted aye Noes, None Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated that there were no further agenda items and asked for comments from the members of the audience. There followed a lengthy question and answer period on various subjects. Emma McDaniel was the first to be recog- nized who voiced her support of a marked police car. She also asked if a curfew could be used to curb vandalism at night. Mayor Pro Tem Adams assured her that they do patrol at night, but according to State statutes, a curfew cannot be passed that discriminates against a certain age group. Ms. McDaniel then asked about the uniforms that the police department wears. There followed a lengthy discussion as to cost, style of uniform, and the recognition factor. Vita Koenig felt that the entire police department, including the reserves and the cars driven should be introduced to the public by the City giving perhaps a coffee. Alderman Dall felt that this was an excellent idea. Robert Brown was recognized and asked the Council's position on the Southwestern Bell suit. Mayor Pro Tem Adams said that the City has not signed a franchise agreement with South- western Bell and, on the advice of the attorney for the City, the Council has not taken a position to date but would take this into consideration. There followed a lengthy discussion of the law suit regarding the background of it, its present 000117 status, and conflicts of interest in that Mayor Pro Tem Adams' husband is named as a party in the law suit. Attorney Davis answered that this case will be heard at the Federal District Court in Sherman and all information is a matter of public record if Mr. Brown would like to study the suit further. Mr. Brown was also concerned with the role Fox & Jacobs was playing. Frank Graham, Fox & Jacobs, was recognized and explained the entity called Lone Star Telephone Company was used by Fox & Jacobs as a legal vehicle to get this before the FCC. The FCC would not hear this case, but i~ is presently before the Public Utility Commission. He further stated that adequate phone service is the only concern of Fox & Jacobs. Mr. Brown did agree that good phone service is the goal of all concerned, but he was concerned with how this would be brought about. There being no further comments, Alderman Dali moved that the meeting be adjourned. Alderman Gaulden seconded the motion. The motion was carried by the following vote, Ayes, Ail members present voted aye Noes, None The meeting was adjourned.