HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/07/1979 City Council 000369
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE
CITY OF THE COLONY HELD ON
MAY 7, 1979
A Regular Meeting of the City Council was called to order
with the following members present:
Sandra Shearer Mayor Pro-Tem
Bill Longo Councilman
Linda A. Adams Councilman
Chris Fabian Councilman
and with Councilman Shipman absent due to business; however,
a quorum was established.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Councilman Adams moved that the minutes of the Work Session held
April 23, 1979 and the. Special Session held April 25, 1979 be
approved as read. Seconded by Councilman Longo, the motion was
passed by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: All members present voted aye
Noes: None
Abstention: Councilman Longo on the April 25
Minutes only
2. RECEIVE CITIZEN REQUESTS REGARDING FENCE VARIANCES
Mr. Lark, who resides at 4751 Hamilton Court, came before the
Council to request a variance to erect a split rail fence around
his front yard. Also, a Mr. Zupsich, came before the Council to
request the same variance. Mr. Bradburry, Director of Community
Development, explained to the Council that Mr. Zupsick, who re-
sides at 5000 Wagner, had started his fence and it had been red
tagged. Mr. Zupsick has also set the fence posts in the side-
walk right of way, and they will have to be moved. In a lengthy
discussion, the Council discussed the proper procedure for grant-
ing a variance in accordance with City Ordinance # 38, establish-
ing fence requirements. It was determined that a variance can
only be granted by the Board of Adjustment after a called Public
Hearing. It was determined that this ordinance should be re-
viewed regarding front yard fencing. Councilman Adams, asked
that the attorney give the Council a legal opinion regarding
the City's liability. Councilman Longo moved to table this
agenda item for further study. Seconded by Councilman Fabian,
the motion was passed by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: All members present voted aye
Noes: None
3. CONSIDER A CITIZEN REQUEST REGARDING A HOME OCCUPATION
Janice Carroll, City Secretary stated that Mrs. Purdy was not
able to attend the meeting. Mrs. Purdy no longer needed a con-
sent letter from the City and she has been advised by the staff
to contact the P & Z Commission regarding a zoning change on
the Davis Property, said Mrs. Carroll.
4. CONSIDER A REQUEST FROM TEXAS POWER & LIGHT REGARDING CON,
STRUCTION COMPOUND
Mr. Boyd Williams and Mr. Ken Max~zell, representing Texaa~ Power
and Light, presented to the Council for their consideration~ a
request to build a storage area on the T P & L easement for
construction material. Mr. Williams stated this will be a tem~
porary structure. This area will be enclosed by a chain link
fence and will have overhead security lighting. T P & L re~
quested that this be located on the easement at North Colony and
Pruitt. After discussion, the Council felt that a better loca--
tion would be west of Kisor on the T P & L easement near the
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existing batching plant. Councilman Shearer was concerned
that the lighting might be a problem. Mr. Williams assured
the Council that the lights could be shaded if this is a pro-
blem. Councilman Adams, then moved to authorize Tom Hart,
City Manager, to send a letter of approval if this site is
acceptable to T P & L. Seconded by Councilman Fabian, the
motion was passed by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: All members present voted aye
Noes: None
At this time, Councilman Longo moved to return to agenda item
#3 as a second citizen had requested to speak to the Council
concerning a home occupation. Seconded by Councilman Fabian,
the motion was passed by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: All members present voted aye
Noes: None
Mayor Pro-Tem Shearer recognized Rosemary Hall. Mrs. Hall
stated that she and other citizens were concerned about the
use of a house at 5005 Hetherington as meeting place for a
church group. She stated that this situation created parking
and traffic problems on the street and that the church group
seems to be enclosing the patio area for additional space.
Mr. Bradburry told the Council that a structure used for public
assembly must comply with City Codes, particularly the Fire
Code. After discussion, Councilman Longo moved that the Council
talk with the pastor of the church meeting at 5005 Hetherington
at the next Work Session and letters regarding this meeting
should be sent to the residents on Hetherington to advise them
of this meeting. Seconded by Councilman Fabian, the motion
was passed by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: All members present voted aye
Noes: None
5. CONSIDER RESOLUTION APPOINTING ELECTION JUDGE
Mayor Pro Tem Shearer presented a resolution appointing Dianne
Kovar as Election Judge for the Municipal Runoff Election to
be held May 19, 1979~as the present Judge Rose Ashman is unable
to serve. Councilman Adams resolved that Dianne Kovar be appointed
as Election Judge. Seconded by Councilman Longo, the motion was
passed by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: All members present voted aye
Noes: None
6. CONSIDERATION OF SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE ADOPTING M~CH~NI-
CAL, ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING CODES
Mayor Pro Tem Shearer read the following caption aloud:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF THE COLONY, TEXAS, ADOPTING
THE UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE, 1976 EDITION, OF THE INTERNA-
TIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PLUMBING AND MECHANICAL OFFICIALS;
ADOPTING THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, 1978 EDITION, OF
THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION; ADOPTING THE
UNIFORM MECHANICAL CODE, 1976 EDITION, OF THE INTERNATION-
AL ASSOCIATION OF PLUMBING AND MECHANICAL OFFICIALS; PRO-
VIDING FOR PERMIT FEES; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;
REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR A
PENALTY OF FINE NOT TO EXCEED THE SUM OF TWO HUNDRED
DOLLARS(S200.00) FOR EACH OFFENSE; AND PROVIDING AN EF-
FECTIVE DATE.
Councilman Longo moved to approve the second reading of the
ordinance adopting mechanical, electrical and plumbing codes
for the City. Seconded by Councilman Adams, the motion was
passed by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: All members present voted aye
Noes: None
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7. CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENT TO AMBULANCE FEE STRUCTURE
Mr. Hart, City Manager, recorc~aended that this agenda item be
tabled for further study by the staff. Councilman Longo so
moved. Seconded by Councilman Fabian, the motion was passed
by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ail members present voted aye
Noes: None
8. CONSIDERATION OF FIRST READING OF FIRE LA_NE ORDINANCE
After a brief discussion, Councilman Longo moved to table the
proposed Fire Lane ordinance for further study at a Council
Work Session. Seconded by Councilman Adams, the motion was
passed by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: All members present voted aye
Noes: None
9. CONSIDERATION OF FIRST READING OF AUCTION ORDINANCE
Mr. Hart presented the proposed Auction ordinance to the Council
for their consideration, Councilman Longo stated that in Section 1,
the City Manager is designated as the controller of this property,
and he feels the ordinance should designate the Chief of Police
as custodian. Section 7 should be changed to restruct elected
officials and appointments of the City also from acquiring this
property, Councilman Longo recommended. Councilman Longo was
also concerned that the ordinance did not contain a severability
clause. Councilman Fabian emphasized that a list of this pro-
perty should be published and posted in several places to give
citizens the opportunity to claim their property prior to the
auction procedure. Councilman Fabian recor~ended this be in-
corporated into the ordinance. After discussion, the Council
agreed that this procedure could be passed as a minute order
rather than incorporated into the ordinance, At this time,
Councilman Longo moved to table the ordinance for further study
at a Work Session. Seconded by Councilman Adams, the motion was
passed by the following vote:
Ayes: All members present voted aye
Noes: None
10. CONSIDERATION OF FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR
THE CONTROL OF ABANDONED OR JUNKED VEHICLES
Mr. Hart and Chief Steinsiek presented to the Council an ordinance
providing for the impoundment of abandoned and junked motor ve-
hicles and providing for their disposition. Councilman Longo was
concerned that the ordinance did not contain a severability clause
He asked for a clarification of the use of a Special Fund account
referred to in Section #5. Councilman Longo asked if the City
had a contract with a wrecker service as required in Section 9(g).
After discussing this ordinance briefly, Councilman Longo moved
to table this ordinance for further study at a Work Session.
Seconded by Councilman Fabian, the motion was passed by the fol-
%owing roll call vote:
Ayes: All members present voted aye
Noes: None
11. CONSIDERATION OF COMMISSIONING THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
TO PREPARE A FIVE YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE CITY
Mr. Hart briefed the Council regarding a Capital Improvement Program
for the City. Mr. Hart emphasized that this is a plan only and will
be effective for five years. It is Mr. Hart's recorm~iendation that
the P & Z Corc~aission work on this program with guidance and input
from the Council, the staff and community leaders, Councilman Fabian,
stated that he agreed but felt that the Council should wait until
appointments are made at the May 21 Regular Meeting. Virginia
McCollum, a member of the audience stated that the Commission would
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be setting the goals of the City and she felt the Council should
specify the guidelines. Councilman Adams agreed and said that
a letter of intent shOuld be given to the Planning and Zoning
Commission providing the Commission ~members specific guidelines
to follow'. The Council agreed that the City must work closely
with the Municipal Utility District and other Community leaders,
The M,U.D, Director, a member of the School Board and the Fire
Chief are Ex-Officio Members of the Commission, Councilman Fabian
noted. Councilman Fabian moved that this agenda item be tabled --
to enable the Council to formulate guidelines' to be presented
to the commission in a letter of intent. Seconded by Councilman
Longo, the motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AyeS: Ail members present voted aye
Noes~ None
14. OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL
Councilman Longo moved that the Council consider agenda item #14
before going into Executive Session, Seconded by Councilman Fabian,
the motion was passed by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ail members present voted aye
Noes': None
Wes Gray, a member of the audience, was concerned that Councilman
Longo was not given proper notice of the Emergency' Called Session
held on April' 25, 1979~ He also questioned the need for the emer~
gency meeting when no action was taken. Mayor Pro~Tem Shearer
assured Mr, Gray that the meeting was called because the outcome
could affeCt the public welfare. Councilman Longo urged that
Traffic Counts for the City's Traffic Survey be given high prior-
ity in the next weeks, Mayor Pro~Tem Shearer read the letter she __
received from the State Comptroller's Office informing the City
that the ordinance providing for the retention of the 1% utility
s-ales tax had been received by the~.Comptroller's office, Chief
John Steinsiek then presented aerial slides of The Colony taken
by Officer Richard Brooks',
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION DEALING WITH PERSONNEL - BOARD APPOINTMENTS
Mayor Pro Tem Shearer stated that in accordance with Article 6252-17,
Section 2 of Vernon~s Revised Civil Statutes, The Council would now
meet in a closed session dealing with Personnel.
13. CONSIDERATION OF BOARD APPOINTMENTS
Upon reconvening in Open Session, Councilman Fabian moved that
agenda item thirteen be tabled for further consideration at the
next Work. Session. Seconded by Councilman Adams, the motion was
passed by the following roll call vote~
Ayes~ Ail-members present voted aye
Noes: None
There being no further action to be taken by the Council, Council-
man Adams.moved that the meeting be adjourned. Seconded by Council-_.
man Longo, the motion was passed by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ail members present voted aye
No e s ~ None
Mayor Pro Tern Shearer adjourned the meeting at 12~:30 A.M.
MAYOR PRO TEM
JAi~I~E CARROLL
C'I'~_~ SECRETARY