HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/28/1980 City Council 000 87
CITY OF THE OOLONY
April 28, 1980
A Work Session of the City Council for the City of The Colony was called to
order with the following members present:
Richard Turner Mayor
William J. Longo Councilmember
Linda Adams Councilmember
Norman AJeler Councilmember
Gary Shitxnan Councilmember
and with Councilmember, Chris Fabian, absent; however, a quor~n was established.
1. Discussion of Board Appointments
Janice Carroll, City Secretary, advised the Council that terms on the Planning
and Zoning Conmission and the Park and Recreation Board are up for re-appointment
and reconmended that the Council direct as to a proper procedure to be followed.
After a brief discussion, the following appointment procedures were agreed upon:
1 When a vacancy exists on any City Board or Con~ssion, an
ad shall run for two weeks, consecutively, in the official
City newspaper announcing such vacancy.
2. Applications will be taken in the office of the City Secretary for
thirty days from the first publication of said ad
3. The Commission or Board shall conduct interviews of applicants.
These interviews may be conducting during the thirty day.application
period.
4. After the thirty day period, the Board shall reconm~md to the City
Council their recon~nendations and the Council shall appoint, at
their discretion, at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
The Council also directed thatthe alternates to the Park and Recreation Board be
officially appointed at the regular meeting to be held on May 5.
2. Discussion of Entertainment Ordinance
Mr. Hart, City Manager, introduced this ordinance and stated that it was the
Chief of Police' recomnendation that it be adopted. In a brief discussion,
the Council wanted clarification on the hours of operation of the establishn~nts
listed and ages of children who were pe3rmitted to operate vending machines.
The Council directed that the ordinance be sent to the City Attorney to be put
in proper form for passage.
3. Discussion of Recreational Facilities for the City
Mr. Hart advised the Council that in a meeting with Frank Graham of Fox and Jacobs,
Inc., Mr. Graham recorm~nded that the site proposed for a municipal facility be
changed to the southwest corner of the FM 423 and South Colony Boulevard intersection.
This site would have better access to South Colony Boulevard. Councilman Adeler
advised that this site would set the facility apart from commercial develotxnent.
Mr. Hart r~quested that formal authorization be given to allow him to proceed with
the negotiations for this land site. Regarding recreational facilities, Mr. Hart
stated that a land tract separate from the municipal site was discussed. This
sixteen acre land tract is located south of Arbor Glen Road and adjacent to the Texas
Power and Light easement, and can be purchased at a cost of approximately $7500 to
$8000 per acre. Councilman Shipman noted that this cost would enable the City to
purchase sixteen acres rather than ten. Councilman Longo added that the City would
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also have the use of the easement. To develop this land, Blair Oaks could be
temporarily extended, a water tap could be introduced to this area and Mr. Hart
suggested that the balance of the bond monies be used for the development of
athletic fields. He emphasized that this area contains fifty acres for future
develo~raent; however, he did en~phasize that this is adjacent to residential develot~nent
which is a negat.ive factor.
Councilman Adeler was concerned with the time frame for completion. Councilman
Shipman answered that spring of 1981 would be the City's goal. Mr. Hart explained
that Fox and Jacobs has an option to purchase at this time and the land is being
farmed. Councilman Shipman suggested that the Parks and Recreation Board review
this proposed site and meet with the residents. -~
The Council then discussed the pros and cons of establishing temporary soccer
fields on the Texas Power and Light easement located between Strickland Avenue
and Nash Drive. A member of the audience, Bob Berry, presented to the Council
a memorandum outlining the objections to this location. Councilman Shil~an,
item by item, refuted many of these statements.
After a lengthy and detailed discussion, it was determined that the primary problems
in this location were parking, esthetics, i.e., port-a-can, bleachers, etc., the
possible lowering of property value on re-sale. The primary reaSons for using this
location were easy access for children from their hc~es; adequate space to construct
a parking lot and less expensive to develop, as the fields had been graded prior to
this request for use.
The Council also requested that it be clarified with Texas Power and Light as to
the proper utilization of the easement and what would be the cost for water being
run to the fields.
At this time Mayor Turner stated that no decision could be made on this matter at
a work session but after a break, the Council Would hear all statements for or ~against
this matter.
Upon reconvening, the citizens against the location of soccer fields on this property
were recognized. They were,
Melvin Adam Bob Berry
Bob Power Mike Longman
Bill Farreck George Dodson
Stephanie Procolis Roger Pace
Mrs. Roger Pace
These residents expressed concern regarding parking, soil erosion (due primarly
to parking on the field) proper drainage, intrusion to privacy, traffic problems
created by the n%~nerous cul de sacs along the easement, children's safety, and
re-sale of homes located adjacent to this easement.
Citizens speaking in favor of this location were:
Nancy Reilly
Glenda Davis
Donna Turner
As representatives of The Colony Youth Soccer Association, they expressed the following
viewpoints as to why the fields should be located in this area. The cost
to prepare fields in this area is much less, esthetically it could improve the area
due to better maintenance of these fields; the fields would create recreational
areas for the children of the neighborhood; and would not lower the property value.
Rex Lawler, President of C.Y.S.A. , stated that if an adequate location could be __
presented to the organization, it would certainly consider same.
Diane Kovar, Park and Recreation Board Member, noted that soccer fields could
be built on the easement without permission from the City but that the C.Y.S.A.
opted to go through a formal procedure by submitting a proposal to the Parks
and Recreation Cu,~L,~ttee to be forwarded to the City Council.
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Councilman Longo asked if there was other land a~ailable to be used as a field.
Councilman Shipman answered that there was land available, but it was not developed
at this time. Councilman ~ams requested that Mr. Hart prepare a study on alternative
sites to be included in the packet for the May 5 regular council meeting. It was
agreed by the Council that a final decision would be made at this meeting.
4. Receive report from Mayor on Lone Star Transportation Authority Meeting
Mayor Turner briefed the Council on his meeting with the Lone Star Transportation
Authority. He told the Council that evidentally the City of The Colony was left out
of this planning cell by mistake but that we did still have an option to be included
based upon the results of a referendum election that must be called. He added that he
intended to pursue this in greater detail and report to the Council.
After a brief discussion of the make-up of the board, Mayor Turner added that a park
and ride program is in operation in Carrollton and encouraged all Colony citiens
to participate.
5. Receive report on Perryman Park and Library plans
Councilman Longo advised the Council regarding the develoDment of the park, the costs
the have been incurred and the balance of funds available for future develoI~nents.
He further advised that he was also working on a project to establish a library in
The Colony.
He stated that a meeting would be held on April 29, 1980 at the Methodist Church
to give further information regarding this library and would invite all who are
interested to attend.
6. Discussion of request regarding pamphlet for the encouragement of industry
in our City
Councilman Adeler presented to the Council his proposal to develop a brochure
on The Colony that could be distributed to industrial and c~a~-ercial developers.
Councilman Shipman noted that a City slogan would be valuable on such a brochure.
Councilman Longo suggested that Councilman Adeler contact the utility ccmpanies
for further information.
7. Discussion of TP & L rate case
Mr. Hart presented m~noranda from the Texas Municipal League outlining the rates as
suggested by Texas Power and Light, the Public Utilities Commission and the
consulting firm of Touche-Ross. The Council agreed that the 5.4% increase as recon~r~nded
by Touche-Ross should be passed by the City at the May 5 regular meeting.
As an emergency item, Councilman Longo requested that Ron Underwood, Principle
of Camey Elementary School, be made an honorary citizen of The Colony in order that
he be made eligible to receive the Loyalty Day award as presented by the V.F.W.
Seconded by Councilman Shi~an, the motion was passed by the following roll call
vote:
Ayes: All members present voted aye
Noes: None
At this time, Councilman Shit~an moved that the meeting be adjourned. Seconded
by Councilman Adams, the motion w~s passed by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: All members present voted aye
Noes: None
The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Turner at approximately~ 11:10 P.M.
CI~f~/ECRETARY
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