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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/21/1985 City Council Minutes of the City Council o:~ the City o£ The Colony, Texas 001927 held on 3anuary 21, 198~'~ The Regular 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: Larry D. Sample Mayor Rick Harris Councilman Noel Long Councilman Helen Gray Councilman Don Amick Councilman Charles Dodds Councilman Marlene Poole Councilman and with all members present, a quorum was established. 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Sample led the Council and members of the audience in the pledge to the United States flag. 2. CITIZEN INPUT Mr. Bill Longo speaking on behalf of his fellow M.U.D. Board members, presented the City Council with a Deed to one square inch of the Town of Eastvale as a belated Christmas present. Councilman Poole read a prepared statement expressing her outrage and disappointment with a recent advertisement by the C.O.L.T.S. organization (An organization of Landlords in the City) that ridiculed the City Council and City sta£f. Don Beckel, 510# Brandenburg, asked for some maintenance on the City jogging trail. Mayor Sample instructed City Manager Carroll to look into the matter. Councilman Gray spoke briefly to commend the Fire Department for a job well done fighting a major fire the night of 3anuary 19th. With high winds and freezing temperatures, they managed to keep the fire contained to one home. 3. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilman Amick made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 10th and 17th meetings as written. Seconded by Councilman Poole, the motion carried with a unanimous roll call vote. CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING FIRST SouTHWEST TO PROCEED WITH THE CITY BOND SALE Mr. Boyd London, City Financial Advisor, recommended that Council not sell all the bonds immediately. He said wait until some additional commercial growth generates. His concern seemed to be with short term interest rates. The City currently has a BAA ratting. He suggested the first sale consist of 3.8 million. 3anice Carroll, City Manager, added the 3~8 million would include the City Hall, Recreation Center, Library, Swimming Pool, Pedistrian Crossover, and some monies for park improvements. There was a brief discussion on investing bond monies. Councilman Poole had some questions regarding the actual cost of the issuance of bonds. (One sale versus Two) Mr. London indicated that February llth is the projected date for the sale if the decision to do so is made tonight~ Following a lengthy debate between Council members and Mr. London , Mayor Sample recommended that this discussion be continued later in the evening after the remaining agenda items have been addressed. The consensus of Council was unanimous to continue later in the evening. 001 J26 5. PROCLAMATION FROM THE MAYOR REGARDING THE NORTH TEXAS TRIVIA PURSUIT CHAMPIONSHIP Mayor Sample read aloud a proclamation to Mrs. Diane Kovar a representative of the Beta Sigma Phi Chapter holding the contest~ She said the championship would begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Paradise Cafe. 5he then briefly reviewed the rules. !1. RECEIVE REPORT REGARDING CITY STREET LIGHTS City Manager, Janice Carroll, reviewed recommendations received from City Engineer, Hal Jones. He recommended use of 100 watt high pressure sodium or 175 watt mercury vapor lamps on lSft. fiberglass poles. One standard located at each street and alley intersection. Additional standards be located at the end of cul-de-sacs and ninety degree bends in streets. A maximum spacing of 500 ft. should be used for midb]ock lighting~ Ihese are his recommendations for residential areas, the following are his recommendations for maior arterials. Use 250 watt high pressure sodium lamps mounted on 30fro steel or aluminum poles spaced between 125 ft and 175 ft. This design could also be used on collector streets. Councilman Amick wants the cost figures for the additional lighting needed for Turner Street. Mrs. Ann Smith, a resident on Turner Street, said she iust wants adequate lighting, not continuos elumination. There was then a lengthy discussion as to the type of lighting needed all along Turner Street~ Mayor 5ample then instructed City Manager Carroll to pursue the lighting on Turner and present a report on same at the next regular scheduled meeting~ There were a number of residents from the Carr and Chapman area that spoke requesting a high wattage light on Chapman by the park. One of the residents asked for the additional lighting mostly for the safety of the residents living there. It is a very dark area. Mayor Sample then addressed the City Manager to bring back a report on -- this area as well at the next meeting. 12. CONSIDERATION OF SIGNALIZATION AT FMS## AND CRIDER ROAD <~ Mayor Sample said traffic on ~ Road is very serious and affects many of our residents who travel to and from work using this route. He indicated that he would like to pursue this in the same manner as the Council did at North Colony Blvd. and FM#23. By renting the signals. Police Lieutenant Mike Carroll said if we install a temporary signal at our expense, the State would pursue our request more closely, however, it may take the State as long as 1½ to 2 years to install permanent signalization at this intersection. The County Commissioners may be willing to subsidize a portion of the cost. Mayor Sample took a straw poll of all the citizens present at the meeting (approx. 30) regarding this issue. One resident opposed placing a traffic signal outside the City. The remainder agreed with the idea. Councilman Gray asked for a load limit for Crider Road. Councilman Dodds then suggested that staff look into the legal liabilities of operating a signal light outside our City limits. With no further discussion, Councilman Long made the motion to table this decision at this time. Seconded by Councilman Poole, the motion carried with a unanimous vote. At this point, Mayor Sample announced the Council would take a brief recess. During the recess, the Bahai Faith presented the Council with a Birthday Cake representing the Citys 8th birthday. 001.929 6. RECEIVE REPORT FROM THE CITY BUILDING OFFICIAL Mr. Eric Stanton, City Building Official, reviewed a map showing how his inspectors canvass an area for violations. They work in teams and leave yellow notices that allow the resident 7 to 10 days to make contact with his department regarding the specific violation. If no answer, citations are issued. 70% of the notices are for trash in streets and alleys. Councilman Amick had numerous questions regarding complaints he receives regarding oil spills, pool drainage in alleyways and junked vehicles. Mr. Stanton advised him how City Code and or State law determines how and what we can enforce. 7. DISCUSSION REGARDING COMMERCIAL OUTSIDE DISPLAYS AND SALES City Manager Carroll, said staff would like to request further direction from Council regarding the policy they would like to look at for commercial outside displays and sales. If it is the consensus of Council that outside displays be officially allowed on sidewalks and parking lots, then staff recommends the zoning ordinance be changed to reflect this. This clari- fication would take the burden from the Building Official in enforcements in "gray areas". Mayor Sample asked, what are we protecting ourselves against? City Manager Carroll responded by saying, safety hazards, a potential for accidents and sights that are not esthetically pleasing. Councilman Poole addressed the present situation at Walmart and said she has no problems with their displays. Councilman Harris added that he thought the passage of Ordinance #31# was to ~t*h~'s type of display with a permit, not to prohibit it. Mr. Stanton said the basis for denying the Walmart permit is because they want to use the parking lot. His department prefers to see it on the south side of the building. Councilman Amick recommended the ordinance be reviewed in greater depth and possibly have it rewritten to better clarify the Citys position. After a lengthy discussion, City Manager Carroll recommended the Shopping Center Zoning be changed to address outside displays. Councilman Long then made a motion to grant Walmart a permit for their outside display on their parking lot. Seconded by Councilman Harris, the motion carried with a unanimous vote. 8. CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM COMMUNICATION SERVICES ASSOCIATES TO INCREASE THE MONTHLY RATE OF BASIC CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE Mr. Ed Muser and Mr. Richard Thiessen were present representing Communication Services. Mr. Thiessen said the increase is being requested due to the increased service and a net loss of $36,000 per month. They proposed to add three additional channels, 2#hr Weather Channel, Nashville Network, and MTV. The increase would be an additional $2.00 on basic monthly service. He went on to say they would like this increased rate and the additional channels to take effect March 1, 1955. Mr. Muser gave a report of Capital Expenditures made by their firm during the last year. Councilman Amick moved to refer this to a committee for review and study and to conduct a public hearing in the later part of February regarding same. Seconded by Councilman Long, the motion carried with a unanimous vote. Mayor Sample then appointed Councilmen Amick, Dodds and Poole to the committee. 9. CONSIDERATION OF ANNUAL APPROVAL OF TEN POLICE RESERVE OFFICERS Councilman Poole made the motion approving of the ten police reserve officers for another year. Seconded by Councilman Dodds, the motion carried with a unanimous roll call vote. For the record, the reserve officers names are as follows: Sgt. Russell F. Clark Sgt. Robert Gill Officer 3ohn Whitley Officer Richard Renfro Officer 3erry Kemp Officer Paul Confalone Officer Paul Krajcovic Officer Debra Cunningham Officer Patti 3ones Officer 3ohn Thompson 10. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF THE COLONY LITTLE LEAGUE ASSOCIATION USING THE PARKS & RECREATION OFFICES FOR THEIR ANNUAL REGISTRATION DRIVE Councilman Dodds made the motion to approve the request. Seconded by Councilman Amick, the motion carried with a unanimous vote. 13. DISCUSS AN INTERVIEW PROCESS AND TIMETABLE FOR THE YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD After a brief discussion, the general consensus of Council was to conduct the interviews beginning at 9:00 a.m., Saturday February 2nd at City Hall. The City Secretary was directed to make the necessary contacts and set up the appointments. CLOSED DOOR SESSION AS AUTHORIZED BY ARTICLE 6252-17 OF V.A.C.S. SECTION 2E Mayor Sample announced the Council would be in closed door session for a period of time and would reconvene in open session later in the evening to continue their discussion on agenda item ##. Upon reconvening in open session, Councilman Dodds made a motion to continue with agenda item #g at 7:30 p.m. 3anuary 22nd. Seconded by Councilman Harris, the motion carried with a unanimous vote. The time was 12:20 a.m. At 7:30 p.m. on the 22nd day of 3anuary, 1985 Mayor Pro-Tem Amick called the continuation of last nights meeting to order with the following members present: Don Amick Mayor Pro Tern Rick Harris Councilman Noel Long Councilman Helen GraY Councilman Charles Dodds Councilman Marlene Poole Councilman and with Mayor Sample absent due to a prior committment, however, a quorum was established. Mr. Boyd London was present at this meeting as well. Mr. London said that after serious review of statistics after last nights meeting, he would now recommend the sale of the entire $5,000,000 in bonds. The market is indeed more favorable at this time. After a lengthy discussion, Councilman Dodds made a motion to approve the sale of all $5 million in bonds. Councilman Harris seconded the motion. Councilman Long expressed caution over selling the entire lot. He preferred to sale $4 million now and $1 million later. With no other discussion, Mayor Sample called for a vote on the motion on the floor, it passed with the following roll call vote: Abstain: Councilman Long Ayes: All other members present voted aye Noes: None With no further action to be taken by the Council at this time, Councilman Dodds made the motion to adiourn. Seconded by Councilman Long, the motion carried with a unanimous vote. 00193.i Mayor Pro Tem Amick formally adjourned the meeting at 8:47 p.m. Approved: ar~i~~/ Mayor Attest: Jan~(Gadd, City >ecretary