HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/26/1984 City Council Minutes of The City Council
of the
City of The Colony, Texas
Held on
June 26, 1984
The Joint Emergency meeting with the Municipal Utility
Districe #1 (M.U.D.) was called to order at 6:10 p.m.
with the following Council members present:
Larry D. Sample Mayor
Noel Long Councilman
Helen Gray Councilman
Charles Dodds Councilman
Marlene Poole Councilman
and with Councilman Amick absent; however, a quorum was
established.
1. DISCUSS SUPPLYING THE TOWN OF EASTVALE WITH WATER
ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS
Mr. Bill Hall, District Manager for the Utility
District, advised everyone present of his phone
call this morning with Mr. Irving Turner, with
the State Department of Health in Austin. He
briefly reviewed the problems Eastvale is having
with their wells, pumps and storeage tanks. Accord-
ing to Mr. Turner, if necessary, the State could
declare Eastvale's water supply in a State of Emergency.
Mr. Hall said a fire hydrant at the corner of Knight
and Witt Streets could be used to pump water into
Eastvale's south storeage tanks. The Colony Fire
Department has been notified and have said they will
provide the 600 feet of hose needed to reach the
tank(s).
Sandra Shearer, M.U.D. Board member, questioned how
the water would be metered. After some lengthy
discussion, it was determined that a meter could
be retrieved temporarily from a contractor or borrowed
from a neighboring city.
Karen Cook, head of Eastvale's water utilities, stated
that their average monthly usage is one million gallons.
They have five storeage tanks that hold 5,000 gallons each
and two that hold 5,400 gallons each.
When asked about possible water rationing, Eastvale
Mayor Eubanks stated that her Council is expected to
pass an Ordinance at 8:00 p.m. this evening to pro-
hibit any outside use of water with a $1,000 per day
penalty.
There was a lengthy discussion as to how much water
would be needed and how many timeswe would need to
pump water into their tanks. Bob Hauck, Board Member,
said the contract with Dallas is very specific, that
no water will be pumped or sold outside the water
district. Mayor Eubanks said she hoped enough water
to fill their tanks or 30,000 gallons would be sufficient
to begin with. She went on to say their engineer has
been in touch with State Representative, Tip Hall to
try to get some Emergency Discretionary Funds to
get a new above ground storeage tank.
A number of Eastvale residents were present and out-
raged at thei~ problem as well as their City govern-
ment. All spoke inoppg_sition of the way their water
utility is being handled.
Board Member Shearer recommended a daily ceiling be
set. She doesn't want this incident to set a precedent
of selling water outside the district.
O'01'7 8 b
Following another lengthy discussion, Board Member
Hauck moved to supply a maximum of 7,500 gallons
of water per day to take effect upon the passage of
the proposed water rationing ordinance. That
Eastvale be responsible for all expenses incurred
and be charged the same water rate as The Colony
residents. That Eastvale be held liable for the
fire hoses and all uses would be subordinate and
inferior to the uses of the supply or needs of
the citizens of The Colony. Board Member Longo
seconded the motion which passed with a unanimous
vote.
City Manager, Janice Carroll, spoke regarding
payment of the bills incurred. Mr. Boyle, City
Attorney, said since Eastvale is a General Law
City with taxing power, they would have the
authority to raise taxes to pay whatever bills
arise from this need.
The Board and Council took a brief recess. Upon re-
convening in open session, agenda item #2 was addressed.
2. DISCUSS MANDATORY WATER RATIONING ON ODD AND EVEN
DAYS FOR THE CITY OF THE COLONY
Mr. Hall said the reason for rationing is that the
operational capacity is 5 million gallons per day.
Sunday the 24th, 4.8 million gallons was pumped.
Traditionally, this is the time of the year with
the most fires. Rationing or conservation measures
are necessary in order for the City to have the
water and sufficient pressure to fight a major fire.
In addition, historically the 4th of July has been
a high consumption day. He added, the rationing
purposed~would strictly be for outside watering.
Mayor Sample recommended conservation rather
than rationing. Mr. Hall recommended Nash Drive
be the dividing line. Everyone north of Nash
water on odd days and everyone south of Nash water
on even days.
After a lengthy dicuss]on on the odd/even watering,
the MUD Board voted to adopt water conversation
measures.
Councilman Dodds then moved to support the Boards
discision to adopt a voluntary conservation program
with odd/even days until the Dallas water is on
line. Seconded by Councilman Poole, the motion
passed with a unanimous vote.
3. DISCUSS POSTPONEMENT OF WATER RATE INCREASE
Mr. Hall suggested the proposed rate increase be
delayed until the 15th of July when the Dallas
water Js hoped to be on line. After a brief
discussion on this, it was unanimously agreed
upon by the Board members to postpone the water
rate increase until July 15th.
With no further action to be taken by the Council,
Councilman Dodds moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded
by Councilman Poole, the motion passed with a unanimous
vote.
Mayor Sample adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
Attest: ~~a~D~'
Jane~/~add, City Secretary