Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/15/1978 City Council M[CNUTES OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF THE COLONY, TEXAS HELD ON MAY 15, 1978 A regular meeting of the Board of Alderman of the City of The Colony, Denton County, Texas, was calle~, to order by Mayor William J. Longo, with the following members present: Wm. J. Longo Mayor C!int Davis Alderman Linda A. Adams Alderman Sandr a Shearer Alderman Gary Shipman Alderman Gene Pollard Alderman and with no members absent, thus constituting a quorum. ITEM IV. Mayor Longo asked for corrections to the minutes of the regular council meeting held May 1, 197'3. Alderman Shearer stated that on page four there was a typographical error in the spelling of Reserve Officer Todd Tiemann's name that should be corrected, and on page six the sentence stating the result of the vote of confidence should be corrected to reflect the fact that the vote of confidence failed. Alderman Pollard ~noved to accept the minutes as corrected. Alderman Shipman seccnded the motion. The motion was carried by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: tx~on e Alderman Shearer moved that the minutes of the Special Session held April 29, 1978 be accepted as written. Alderman Shipman seconded the motion. The .n~otion was carried by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: Non e ITEM V. B City Treasurer, Tony Marchioli, presented the City Financial Report for the month of April. Treasurer Marchioli stated that in the month of April the City refunded $1,208 to residents that were taxed incorrectly. Treasurer Marchioli listed City Revenues as: Franchise Fees 1,417.11 Permits & Licenses 18,620.00 Traffic Fines 467.00 Pet Registration 496.00 Miscellaneous Revenue 65.86 Total Revenues $19,858.08 Expenditures by department were: General Department 3,469.00 City Secretary 2,564.40 Public Works Admin. 2,614.70 Police Department 6,000.23 Municipal Court 100.00 Total Expenditures 14,748.33 Alderman Shipman moved that the report be approved as pre- sented. Alderman Shearer seconded this motion. Alderman Shearer asked the status of our Franchise payments. Treas- urer Marchioli explained that we had received a quarterly payment from Lone Star Gas. There followed a brief discussion of Southwestern Bell in regards to the status of the proposed franchise agreement and metro service for The Colony. Mayor Longo then called for a vote on the motion on the floor. The motion was carried by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None ITEM V. A Presented as the second report under Agenda item V, Mayor Longo introduced Wes Gray, Chairman of the Law Enforcement Commission. Chairman Gray asked the Council when they planned to consider the nine ordinances recommended by the Commission. Mayor Longo answered that he felt that they would be reviewed within the next two months. Chairman Gray also requested that the Council consider the communi- cations system proposal combining our service with the cities of Flower Mound and Highland Village. Mayor Longo a~reed that this proposal would be studied by the Council. Chairman Gray asked the status of the search for an individual to fill the position of Chief of Police, and offered the Law Enforcement Commission's assistance. Mayor Longo answered that the Council would be interested in the Commission's assistance. Chairman Gray asked if the Council planned to set down guidelines and procedures prior to the hiring of a Police Chief. Mayor Longo replied that they did intend to do this. Commission Member John Steinsiek then presented to the Council some future projects of the Commission. As a final item of his presentation Mayor Longo allowed Chairman Gray to read the letter of resignation submitted by Clarence Sweeny. There followed a brief discussion of the function of the Commission. ITEM VII. Al. There being no "Old Business", Mayor Longo moved to Item VII, A1 of New Business relating to the approval of seminar expenses for Council members. Alderman Shearer stated that some members of the Council did plan on attending the Texas Municipal Leagues Conference for Mayors and Council- men in Galveston, Texas, June 4 through June 6, 1978. Re- gistration will.be $50.00 per person and accommodations will be at a cost of $32 to $37. Alderman Adams suggested that the City set a per diem amount on expenses. Alderman Pollard felt that if a per diem was used it should be subject to vouchers. Alderman Shearer moved that the June Seminar ex- pense for Council members be approved. Alderman Shipman seconded the motion. The motion was carried by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None A. Mayor Longo read the bills over the amount of fifty dollars ($50.00) to be approved for payment. The council questioned the $636 owed to the Houri' House for the impoundment of animals. Their followed a brief discussion on other methods of boarding the animals. There being no further discussion, Alderman Shearer moved that the bills be approved for payment. Alderman Adams seconded the motion. The motion was passed by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None B. Alderman Shearer introduced Tom Hart to the members of the audience, giving a brief background of his work experience. Alderman Shearer moved that Tom Hart be hired by the City as an Administrative Assistant at a G-17 pay grade at a salary of $1221 monthly with a $115.00 monthly car allowance. Alderman Pollard seconded the motion. The motion was carried by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None -2- ooo / ? g At 8:45 PM Mayor Longo called for a ten minute recess. C. Upon reconvening, Alderman Shipman introduced the following ordinance: "AN ORDINANCE DEFINING ALLEYS; SETTING A MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT FOR ALLEYS; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE FOR THE REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE; PROVIDING F©R A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A PENALTY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE." After paraphrasing the ordinance for the members of the audience, Alderman Shipman moved that the City Council adopt the ordinance. Alderman Adams seconded the motion. There followed a brief discussion. Alderman Pollard emphasized that the 10 MPH speed limit must be posted before the ordinance is enforceable. Their being no further discussion, the motion was passed by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None D. Mayor Longo explained the purpose of the Home Rule Study Group, stating that this group will submit a recommendation to the Council prior to July 1, 1978. Mayor Longo read the following names: Norman H. Adeler Judith McConlogue Catherine Bock Judy McCormick Bob F. Brown Joseph B. Murphy LeJean Brown Sandra Pollard Dave Dall Jim Quevreaux Glenda Davis Sharon Quevreaux Linda Doughty Charles Shaw Michael J. Dowling Herb Stephens Linda Hughes Rosalie Stephens Vita Koenig Lowell Tullis Debby Lewis Richard Turner Michael Mayo Susan Wilkerson Edward J. McConlogue Alderman Shearer moved to accept all~ names read as members of the Home Rule Study Group. Alderman Pollard seconded the motion. The motion was carried by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None F. Alderman Pollard explained the parking pro- blem around the fire station particularly when an emergency run is made. The proposed parking lot would be approximately seventy feet in depth and two hundred and eighty feet in width, and would be located on the Texas Power & Light ease- ment. Alderman Pollard explained that this parking area would also ease the parking problem for soccer fans on the weekends. Alderman Pollard then moved to approve the construction of the described parking area based on a limited cost to the City public works department of two thousand dollars ($2,000). Alderman Davis seconded the motion. Mayor Longo then asked for comments from the audience. Their followed a brief discussion relative to location, design and traffic. Alderman Shipman asked the members of the audience if they were in favor of one way parking on Alta Oaks Drive and Blair Oaks Drive. The citizens present were in agree- ment with this plan to eliminate the traffic flow problems on these streets. There being no further discussion, Mayor Longo called for a vote on the motion of the floor. The motion was carried by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None G. Mayor Longo announced that the City -3- would like to form a Utility Study Group, consisting of seven members, to study the decisions made by the Public Utility Commission regarding rate increases and other problems. Alderman Pollard moved that a Utility Study Group be formed. Alderman Davis seconded the motion. Prior to voting Judy McConlogue was recognized and asked if this group would study the Southwestern Bell/Metro Service situation. Mayor Longo answered that this study group would not be used for the Metro Service Campaign. The motion was then passed by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None H. Regarding the question of one person serving on more than one commission or committee, Alderman Shearer read aloud the legal opinion of the City attorney~. based on the attorney's letter. Mayor Longo stated that the City would allow an individual serve on more than one comm i ttee. I. Mayor Longo stated that after a cost com- parison study had been done by Janice Carroll, City Secretary, between the Corn Key 718 telephone system and a ten button standard phone system, the cost difference per month was approximately fifteen dollars. However, if two lines were removed there would be an immediate savings of thirty dollars ($30.00) per month. After a brief discussion, Alderman Pollard moved that the fourth and fifth local lines be re- moved. Alderman Shearer seconded the motion. The motion was carried by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None J. Alderman Pollard moved that the Council accept Mr.. GlenMcNeiil as a member of The Colony Police Reserves. Alderman Shipman seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Mayor Longo introduced ~r. McNeill. The motion was then passed by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None K. Ms. Jene Weaver was recognized by Mayor Longo. Ms. Weaver announced that a citizen "Watchdog" committee would be formed to study all Council actions. Ms. Weaver then requested to ask the Mayor and Council members some questions regarding the circumstances surround- ing the firing of the former Police Chief Jim Beltran. Mayor Longo replied that she could do this. Ms. Weaver asked the Council if it were true that more City employees would be fired soon. Mayor Longo replied that no employees would be fired unless specific actions warrant this action. Ms. Weaver asked if it were true that "personal gain" was the motivation of some members of the City Council. Al- derman Davis stated that this is not true; his commercial interest in the city was an investment only, and the fact that he is serving on the Council has not improved his investment. Ms. Weaver asked if the Council felt that they were more qualified to hire police officers than a Police Chief. Mayor Longo answered that the Police Chief and the Council are all involved in this procedure. Ms. Weaver asked what is the "other information~' that caused Chief Beltran to be fired? At this time ~ayor Longo stated that he took exception to the front page article on the background of Jim Beltran in the Friday, May 12, 1978 issue of The Colony Leader. Mayor Longo further stated that when he told his son to get out of his car and lock the doors if stopped by a Colony Policeman, he was speaking as -4- a citizen and a father, but he did not mean that plantin~ evidence in cars was a tactic of The Colony Police Depart- ment. Ms. Weaver asked the Council if the actions of Chief Beltran that caused him to be fired were documented. Mayor Longo replied that there is a formal repriman~ in his file signed by the then Actin~ Mayor, Linda Adams. Ms. Weaver asked why was Chief Beltran not fired at this time? Alder- man Adams answered that the Council did not choese tc do so. At this time, the discussion became heated and "Points of Order" were called by Alderman Pollard and a citizen, Jerry Pierce. When the meeting's order was restored, Ms. Weaver asked Alderman Pollard why he requested that a Reserve Policeman be at the April 27 Work Session. Alder- man Pollard stated that he would not address the question at this time. Ms. Weaver then stated that many citizens are concerned as to what is happening. She asked that the Council revote regarding their confidence in Jim Beltran and offer him a three year contract. There followed a general discussion regarding all areas of this question. Mayor Longo suggested that the Homeowner's Association be reactivated rather than fcrming a "Watchdog" committee. Alderman Adams explained the reason that she voted against the former Police Chief Jim Beltran. She stated that in the past year, there has been a "chain of events" that brought her to this decision. She realized that he did not have administrative experience, but there were some judgment errors that she could not accept. After further comments from citizens were made, Bob Brown, a member of the audience was recognized and stated that this should be a Council discussion only. Mayor Longo also stated that the Council does not have to respond to the citizens questions at this time, and that this matter should come to a rest. Mr. Skinner, a member of the audience asked if a special meeting could be held to discuss this issue further. David Shearer was recognized and stated that this meeting was held at the City Council meeting when the vote was taken. He reminded the members of the audience that they selected these people, and they are conscientiously trying to make the best possible decisions. Alderman Shipman stated that at the time of the vote they did not have all the background information on Chief Jim Beltran. Alderman Davis asked that Alderman Shipman speak for himself only. Alderman Shipman continued by stating that he felt a second vote would not change the outcome, but he hoped this situation would make the Council become more responsive to the citizens' feelings. At this time Mayor Longo asked for a motion to rehire Chief Beltran. No motion was made. Mayor Longo stated that the issue is now closed and the City Council will move on to other matters. L. Citizen Jerry Pierce spoke in support of the City Council and their decision. He presented peti- tions in support of the Council. He stated he would like to reinstate to the City Council members the confidence of the citizens. Mr. Pierce asked that the Council keep up the good work and end this matter tonight. There followed a brief discussion. Bob Brown was recognized and commended Alderman Shearer for her actions in the past weeks and offered his condolances to her. ITEM IX. Two Announcements were made. A. Cathy Bock announced that the Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority was having a blood drive this Saturday from 8:30 through 4:30. B. Cleve Farmer announced the formation of The Colony Sports Association. -5- Mayor ]',ongo then announced that a City Council meeting would not be held on June 5, 1978, due to the seminar in Galveston, Te×as. There being no further action to be taken by the Council, Alderman Shipman moved that the meeting be adjourned. Al- derman 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 10:45PM. William6/J. L~ngo, Mayor ATTEST: J an~'e -Carroll ,~ eta r y -6-