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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/14/1980 City Council 000503 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF THE COLONY, HELD ON JANUARY 14, 1980 A Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of The Colony was called to order at ?:30 p.m., with the following members present: Richard Turner Mayor William J. Longo Councilman Linda A. Adams Councilman Sandra S hearer Councilman Gary Shipman Councilman Chris Fabian Councilman and with no members absent; thus, a quorum was established. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilman Fabian moved to approve the minutes of the Special Session held on December 28, 1979 and the Regular Meeting held on January ?, 1980. Seconded by Councilman Longo, the motion was passed by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilmen Longo, Shearer, Shipman & Fabian Noes: None Abstention: Councilman Adams 2. CONSIDERATION OF SUBDIVISION PLAT #28 Mr. Hart explained that this had been tabled at the January ? meeting for further review of the traffic flow from the residential alleys into Colony Boulevard by the traffic consultant. He further stated that the consultant did recommend approval of this plat, but advised that this situation should be avoided in future subdivisions. Tom Cravens of Fox & Jacobs, Inc. told the Council that because there is no service road on the south side of North Colony Boulevard, there is a twenty-eight foot easement from the last residential lot to the paved boulevard. This allows adequate visibility for vehicles entering the boulevard from an alley. This plat contains twelve alleys south of North Colony Boulevard spaced 110 feet apart with 169 residential lots using the alleys with all of the residential streets being cul de sacs. Council- man Fabian said that it was his opinion that the plat should be redesigned. However, other Councilmembers stated that since a redesign would delay construction approximately three months,traffic from the alley ways will be light, and the twenty-eight foot easement provided a safer egress to North Colony this plat should be approved. Concerning the staff suggestion to remove one street light in each cul de sac, Councilman Longo said that he would like to see them remain as these homes were adjacent to undeveloped Corp of Engineers land. Councilman Longo then moved to approve Final Subdivision Plat #28 as presented with the directive that all future plats be reviewed by a traffic consultant hired by the City council. Seconded by Councilman Shearer, the motion was passed by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilmen Longo, Adams, Shearer & Shipman Noes: Councilman Fabian 5' CONSIDERATION OF TEXAS POWER & LIGHT RATE INCREASE REQUEST Mayor Turner welcomed Boyd Williams, Herbert Bebe, and Don Stephens of Texas Power & Light Company. Mr. Stephens gave a presentation to the Council outlining the history of the company, the present development of fuel sources, and the company's customer service policies. The Council expressed concern that the 15.35~ rate increase request when broken down would be a 20.~ increase to residential users and a increase to commercial users. Councilman Longo asked why the largest 000504 increase is .directed to the residents. Mr. Williams answered that this was determined by the Public Utility Commission and was based on the cost to serve. Mr. Hart asked if TP&L had considered the filing of a bond and putting the rates into effect early. This has never been done by TP&L in the past, Mr. Williams advised. After further discussion, Councilman Longo moved to approve on first reading an ordinance sus- pending this rate request for a period of 120 days and join with the Texas Municipal League in its investigation of this request. The motion was seconded by Councilman Fabian. Prior to voting, Mayor Turner read ~--'i aloud in its entirety the following captioned ordinance: AN ORDINANCE SUSPENDING THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROPOSED REVISIONS OF RATES AND SCHEDULES OF TEXAS POWER & LIGHT COMPANY FOR 120 DAYS FROM FEBRUARY 8, 1980, PROVIDING THAT THE RATES OF SAID PUBLIC UTILITY SHALL REMAIN UNCHANGED DURING THE PERIOD OF SUSPENSION: AND PROVIDING FOR NOTICE HEREOF TO SAID PUBLIC UTILITY. The motion was then passed by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Ail members present voted aye Noes: None 7. CONSIDERATION OF SECOND READING OF PROPOSED MUNICIPAL BOND ORDINANCE NUMBER 89 Mr. Hart stated that he would like to move to this item as Mr. Larry Goode of the firm, Thompson Parkey, was Uresent to answer any questions that the Council may have on the building concept and plans. Councilman Shipman noted that the Community Room had been incorporated intothe building and that the roof had been designed for future solar use. At this time Councilman Adams and Councilman Fabian stated that they were concerned that the size~and cost of the building were too extravagant based on the changing e6onomic conditions. Councilman Adams stated that she had discussed the national economic trends with friends that --' are presently involved in financial professions in her home town of Westerville, Ohio. In light of these current conditions, she said she would like to see the City go with a smaller, less expensive bhilding; she did emphasize that a building was needed. Councilman Fabian stated that he was also concerned that the cost and size of the building are too high. He based this opinion on current inflationary trends and construction slowdown both of which will directly effect the growth projections of The Colony. He also advocated a smaller building now with the capability to add on at a later date. He explained that although construction costs would be higher, the cost to individual homeowners will be less when the City's tax base is larger. According to the staff's five year employee projections, the building will have 30%0 of its space not occupied when completed in July, 1981; 19.1% will not be utilized in 1982; 12.2% in 1983; and even after five years, 3% of the b-_ilding will not be utilized; and Councilman Fabian stated that this is based on optomistic employee projections. After a brief discussion of square footage construction costs, Councilman Fabian presented to the Council plans that he h~d designed that would come in under $1,000,000 based on a cost of $65.00 per square foot. The building would contain 8,496 square feet. At this time, Councilman Adams explained that it was Councilman Fabians intent to illustrate to the Council and staff how a municipal building with less square footage could still adequately serve the City's needs and be enlarged at a later date. Councilman Shipman asked Council Adams if she had adequately reviewed the plans presented by the architect. She ~ answered that she had met with Councilman Fabian that afternoon and reviewed the plans. Councilman Longo said that he was also present. In the lengthy discussion, Councilman Shipman did emphasize that the architect brought to the Council a set of plans that incorporated their requests. Councilman Longo said that he did not care for the plans and was concerned with wasted space. In answer to some of the Council- members concerns, Mr. Hart said that Fox & Jacobs had sold forty-four homes since January 1, 1980 and if this rate continued they would excede their projections. Fox & Jacobs has 1721 lots ready for construction in The Colony, and they are proposing two new product lines that should be made public soon. New marketing techniques are being proposed by F&J, Mr. Hart stated, and these concepts combined should help The Colony continue some growth during this construction slow down. He emphasized also that unemployment is very low in this area, and he did not see the national economic trends influencing the metroplex area to a great extent. He complimented the architect for the superb job he did in 00050 utilizing space for the community room. As a final statement, Mr. Hart said that he did make himself available all weekend to review the plans with the Council, and he did resent the fact that some Councilmen did not have the time to meet with him at their convenience. Prior to hearing comments from the members of the audience, Mayor Turner called for a five minute recess. Upon reconvening, the Council and architect answered questions concerning the size of the building, energy saving features, and the time schedule. Mr. Dillard, Attorney for the City, did state that he had found in his dealings with cities that a nice Municipal building is a source of pride to the citizens of a small city. Mayor Turner did applaud Councilman Fabian for his dedication and hard work on this subject. At this time Mayor Turner read aloud the ordinahce caption calling the bond election. Councilman Shipman moved to approve the second reading of this ordinance. After a brief discussion of an interest rate ceiling, Councilman Shipman amended his motion to raise the interest rate from 8% to 10%. Seconded by Councilman Shearer, the motion failed by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilman Shearer & Shipman Noes: Cotmcilman Ltngo, Adams & Fabian Mayor Turner then appointed Councilmen Longo, Adams, and Fabian to serve as a committee to determine a criteria for evaluating the size and cost of the building. 4. CONSIDERATION OF CITY CONSENTING TO ALLOW LAND INTO THE COLONY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DBTRICT Mr. Joel Larkin told the Council that zhis was necessary to run water and sewer service Urby Nowlin's home which has just recently been moved to this property located south of Arbor Glen and east of FM #423. This property has been in the City's incorporated limits for some time. Coancilman Adams moved that this resolution giving the City's consent to this annexation by the Municipal Utility District be approved. Seconded by Councilman Shearer, the motion passed by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Ail members present voted aye Noes: None 6. CONSIDERATION OF VARIANCE REGARDING FENCING PER CITY ORDINANCE #38 Mr. Bradburry said that a variance request had been received by 'the City from Mr. & Mrs. Norman Dixen at 5224 Pruiett. The fence is built on a retaining wall and is slightly over the maximum height of eight feet; however, this does not create any obvious problems. After a brief discussion, Councilman Shearer moved to approve this variance. Seconded by Councilman Longo, the motion was passed by the following roll call vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None 8. CONSIDERATION OF A SECOND READING OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE #90, ESTABLISHING A SPEED ZONE Mayor Turner read aloud the following caption: AN ORDINANCE ALTERING THE PRIMA FACIE SPEED LIMITS ESTABLISHED FOR VEHICLES UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 8 OF ARTICLE 827a VERNON'S TEXAS PENAL CODE, UPON STATE HIGHWAY NO. 121 OR PARTS THEREOF, WITHIN THE INCORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF THE COLONY AS SET OUT IN THIS ORDINANCE: AND PROVIDING A PENALTY OF A FINE NOT TO EXCEED TWO HUNDRED ($200.00) DOLLARS FOR THE VIOLATION OF THIS ORDINANCE. 000506 Councilman Fabian moved to approve this ordinance on second reading. Seconded by Councilman Adams, the motion was passed by the following roll call vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye No es: None 10. CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF OF POLICE FOR THE CITY OF THE COLONY Mr. Hart told the Council and members of the audience the history of Nick Ristagno's service to The Colony. Acting Chief Ristagno first served as a member of the Law Enforcement Commission, then as a Colony Police Reserve, was hired as a patrolman, received the rank of Sargeant and has served as Acting Chief twice, and in the past two and one half years has always exhibited a genuine concern and loyalty to this City, Mr. Hart stated. At this time, Councilman Shipman moved that Nicholas R. Ristagno be appointed as Chief of Police for the City of The Colony. Seconded by Councilman Longo, the motion was passed by the following roll call .vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None 9. EXECUTIVE SESSION - PERSONNEL AND PENDING LITIGATION Mayor Turner announced that the Council would now meet in closed session in accordance with Article 6252-17 VACS. 5. DISCUSSION OF HOSPITAL There followed a lengthy discussion of the various hospitals that have expressed an interest to the City of establishing a clinic or hospital in the area. Councilmen Longo and Fabian expressed concern that more information was needed in all areas before the Council could make a ~-~ decision regarding supporting a hospital facility. It was agreed that a Work Session would be held on January 21 to receive input from citizens. Nick 0pry, a member of the audience said he would attend. There being no further action to be taken by the Council. Councilman Shearer moved that the meeting be adjourned. Seconded by Councilman Fabian, the motion was passed by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Ail members present voted aye No es: None Mayor Turner adjourned the~ meetingat~11:40/.,.j~j~~~~p.~ ' ~ayor~