Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/28/1983 City Council MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE GITY OF THE COLONY HELD ON MARCH 28, 1983 A SPECIAL SESSION of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas, was called to order at 7:30 p.m. with the following members present: Gene Pollard Mayor Scott North Councilman Norman Adeler Councilman Charles Dodds Councilman Marlene Poole Councilman and with Councilman Charlie Parker absent due to business; however, a quorum was established. 1. PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS FOR OR AGAINST THE CLOSING OF NERVIN STREET AT ITS INTERSECTION WITH FM 423 Councilman Poole moved to open the Public Hearing. Seconded by Councilman Dodds, the motion was passed by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None Mayor Pollard immediately recognized Mr. George Lindquist of 4627 Nervin. Mr. Lindquist, who has been present at many of the meetings, gave a general background as to the reason for this hearing for the closing of Nervin Street. He stated the primary reason for this was due to the immediate planned construc- tion of cluster homes, however; since the zoning for the cluster homes, he has also learned that a Mr. Jim Skinner has purchased 25 acres west of Nervin which will be developed, and this will additionally increase the traffic flow _ through this area. For these two reasons, he is in favor of closing Nervin to through traffic. Mr. Johnny Sartain, City Manager, advised the Council that this hearing was to receive input from citizens only for or against the closing of this street to through traffic. He advised that the plan is for Fox & Jacobs to widen Lamer Street from Curry to FM 423 to a collector size and have it carry t?_.e through traffic onto FM 423. However, he further stated he did not have complete reports from all Department Heads regarding the advisability of ti'tis. The only immediate problem that comes to mind is the possibility of a fire truck responding on Nervin and not having an adequate space to turn around, as there will be no cul de sac provided. After a brief discussion of this being a problem, Mayor Pollard asked that Chief Gothard address this in writing. Mayor Pollard then recognized James Schultz of 5533 Gates. Mr. Schultz said although he has not been involved in any of the previous meetings regarding this closing, he is now concerned in that he has purchased a Flair home on Larner, and he is concerned that people will not turn northbound on Curry but continue on on Lamer. This will create a heavy traffic flow on a street intended only for residential traffic. He did recommend that Lamer be widened the entire length of the street. Larry Sample of 5617 Pearce was recognized by Mayor Pollard. He stated that he was in favor of closing Nervin. He explained that while he was serving on the City Council, the Council did make a commitment to solve the traffic flow problem in this area. He further stated that they did agree to consider a no- parking zone on Curry and that the proper signs be placed on Nervin advising that it is not a through street. Mr. Dave Kellaway of 4624 Nervin was recognized. He stated that he also was in favor of closing Nervin. Mayor Pollard recognized John Sandow of 4626 Nervin. Mr. Sandow stated he also was in favor of closing Nervin but thought that possibly the alleyway could be opened onto FM 423. There was a brief discussion of this, and Mayor Pollard stated it could create some problems with traffic flow onto FM 423. Mr. Kellaway asked how the Council did intend to close Nervin. Mary Lou Evans of 4635 Nervin stated that, as a parent, she also was for clOsing the street but is also concerned with how it is done. She does not want the street closing to look like a mistake, and she would like for it to be aesthetically pleasing. The Council agreed that this is one aspect of the problem that~ they have not reviewed in detail and requested that the staff take this under consideration. Mr. Noel Long was -1- recognized. He stated that he felt that citizens could do much in the way of volunteer work to beautify that area. There being no further discussion for or against the closing of Nervin, Councilman North moved to close the hearing. Seconded by Councilman Dodds, the motion was passed by the following roil call vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None 2. CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION AND REVIEW OF MUNICIPAL CENTER AND SPORTS COMPLEX WITH CONSULTING ENGINEERS Mayor Pollard recognized Mr. Bob Hogan and Mr. Frank Rasor, consulting engineers for the City of The Colony. He advised the citizens present that the City had arranged an exchange of land with Fox & Jacobs and could acquire 75.2 acres on North Colony Boulevard adjacent to Griffin Middle School. Based on this land acreage and reviewing the bond package for the municipal comp]ex that was presented in 1979, Mr. Hogan and Mr. Rasor were instructed to come up to present some rough plans to the Council this evening. He did advise the Council and citizens that these plans had been prepared literally over the weekend. At this time, Mr. Bob Hogan presented the placement plans to the Council for their consideration. He showed that an eH-shaped City Hall building would be placed on the northeastern portion of the ]and. At one end of this building would be the Po]ice Department, at the other end the Community Development Department, the community room would be centrally located and the Administrative offices would be upstairs above the Community Development room. The plan also called for 250 car spaces. Mr. Hogan stated that they had located the Library separate from the municipal building and on the west side of the property. They had provided for a jogging track along the east side of the property to provide a buffer to the residential homes. The southern portion of the property and the western portion contained a football field, soccer and baseball fields, as well as a public swimming pool facility. Mayor Pollard asked what percentage of acreage would be involved in non-sport facilities. Mr. Hogan stated that approximately one third or six acres would be needed for the actual municipal comp]ex. He noted that the swimming pool, as well as additional tennis courts,would be located in the adjoining Bridges Park, although he did note that some of the drainage area in that park did need to be straightened to have better access of the land area. Mayor Pollard stated that it was the City's intent to negotiate a joint use agreement with Griffin Middle School for much of the sports facili- ties. Mayor Pollard also asked if it would be feasible to put the Library and the community room as a first phase. Mr. Hogan advised that, of course, it could be. Councilman Adeler asked if the Parks and Recreation Department was included in these plans. Mr. Hogan stated that yes they were, however, the original plans in 1979 included the Municipal Utility District offices, and these were not added in this plan. Councilman Poole thought that it would be very important that the foundation be provided that could accommodate Library facilities in the building. In a discussion of actual square footage, it was noted that the Police would have 3500 square feet, the community room and Administration would contain 5000 square feet and the Community Develop- ment Department would contain 2500 square feet. The estimated cost of this building would be $835,000. Councilman Poo]e asked if this included a vault for city records. Mr. Hogan stated that it did not, however, the entire building would be more fireproof than the present facility. Mayor Pollard asked what the approximate cost would be on the swimming pool. Mr. Rasor stated that it would be a 25-meter pool, and he estimated a cost of approximately $300,000 for the pool only. The Council did agree that they would like lights for the tennis courts to be provided. In further discussion, it was noted that this municipal comp]ex could be built for approximately $2,500,000. There was further discussion regarding the placement of a fire station at FM 423 and South Colony Boulevard. The future use of the existing Fire Station No. 1 was also discussed. It was agreed that this facility would be adequate as a general recreation center or possibly a library. It was noted that the existing City facility could still be used for inspections and maintenance, which comes under the heading of the Community Development Department. In discussing the financing of this complex, the Council noted that they were planning on selling 12 of the 13.606 acres that the City will own located at South Colony Boulevard and FM 423. Mayor Pollard stated that the City was looking into matching grants for the development of the park land and the swimming pool. Mr. Sartain advised the Council that he would begin setting up meetings with City boards and groups to begin the planning of the actual needs of the community. Councilman Poole thought that it was important that the City plan adequately to accomplish the moving of the athletic fie]ds between the sports seasons. Councilman Poole also asked what would be the approximate cost to light the fields. Mr. Sartain stated that the cost to light eight athletic fields is approxi- mately $100,000. Councilman Poo]e stated that she felt like this was an important element that should not be overlooked. In further discussion, Mayor Pollard asked Mr. Hogan what would be the feasibility of the City making a lake in an area located north of North Golony Boulevard and west of Ragan Road. Mr. Hogan stated that it is feasible to accomplish this, but it is usually a very expensive project. There being no further discussion regarding this plan as presented, Councilman Dodds moved that the meeting be adjourned. Seconded by Councilman North, the motion was passed by the following vote: Ayes: A]I members present voted aye Noes: None Mayor Pollard adjourned the meeting at 10:00 p.m. GE.~4~ POLLARD, MAYOR ATTEST: JANICE CARROLL, CITY SECRETARY -3-