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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/26/1985 City Council 002104 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON AUGUST 26, ]985 The SPECIAL SESSION of the City Council of the City of The Colony was called to order at 7:30 p.m. with the fo]lowing members present: Larry Sample Mayor Rick Harris Councilman Helen Gray Councilman Don Amick Councilman Charles Dodds Councilman Marlene Poole Councilman and with Councilman Arrambide absent due to an out of town family emergency, however a quorum was established. 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Sample led the Council and members of the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. 2. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL ~F MINUTES '~ Councilman Amick moved to approve the minutes of the August 5, and the August ]2, 1985 meetings as written. Councilman Gray seconded. The motion carried with all members voting Aye, with the exception of Councilman Poole who abstained on the August 12, 1985 meeting due to her absence at that meeting. 3. CONSIDERATION OF A PROPOSAL FROM THE BAHA'I FAITH CHURCH FOR THE ADOPTION OF PERRYMAN PARK. Dick Rush, a representative of the Baha'i Faith was present at the meeting and presented the proposal of the church for the park, including landscaping, brick entry intot he park, a garden area, additional picnic tables, and extending the sprinkler system. Also mentioned was the possibility of adding tether and volleyball to the existing equipment at the park. Mr. Rush stated that the idea of a formal rose garden, possibly called a "Unity Garden", had been talked about and that perhaps it would be a project in- volving all the churches in the community. He said they would like to border the park from the parking area. At this time, he showed a diagram of the park with the changes. He also stated that the current equipment would be moved. Mr. Bill Longo asked if the City actually has the deed to the park or if it still is deeded to the Homeowners Assocation. Janice Carroll said she wasn't sure, but that we would check into it and that she did not feel that was a major problem. Councilman Harris asked why the equipment was being moved. Sylvia Brantley, Park and Recreation Supervisor stated that the equipment was being moved for safety reasons. She said they felt the equip- ment should be moved farther away from the street and that some repairs need to be made on the ladder or the ladder needs to be replaced. Councilman Dodds moved to accept the proposal along with requesting Janice Carroll to research the ownership of the park. Councilman Poole seconded the motion which carried with a unanimous roll call vote. At this time Councilman Harris did request a written plan of the proposed changes. 4. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF THE FITNESS TRAIL DEVELOPMENT BY THE COLONY ROTARY CLUB. Mr. Tom Reese of the Rotary Club was present at the meeting and stated that a grant had been applied for and approval had been received. He went on to say that the equipment should be arriving shortly. Reese stated that the Club would like to build the trail at North Colony Blvd. and Pruitt Dr. He said there would be land- scaping, as water availability would allow, and that this is ~ exercise trail not a jogging trail. He said the total length wou~ 0021015 be a 2/3 mile loop. The club would like to name the trail "The Colony Rotary Fitness Trail". Councilman Harris asked about parking and watering the trail. Mr. Reese stated that he had already talked with Texas Power and Light regarding a sprinkler system and that there would be no objections and that there is available parking on Pruitt Dr. for a few cars and if more is needed they will build a parking area. Councilman Dodds moved to approve the proposed fitness trail with a second from Councilman Harris. The motion carried with a unanimous roll call vote. 5. CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FROM THE LIONESS CLUB TO USE FIRE STATION NO. 1 ON EITHER NOVEMBER 2 OR NOVEMBER 9 FOR A CHRISTMAS BAZAAR. Janice Williams, of the Lioness club stated that this was the 3rd annual bazaar and the club wanted to expand. They felt that the fire station was their best alternative at this time. She stated that the club would clean up when finished and that they will be making a donation to the Volunteer Fire Department based on what profit they make on the bazaar. Williams went on to say that the proceeds of the bazaar go to a scholarship for a Senior student of The Colony and other charitbale causes. Janice Carroll recommended they use the fire station on the 9th. Councilman Dodds stated that he preferred they make no donation to the volunteers and that all monies go the charitable causes. Councilman Harris stated that he felt that using the fire station would set a precedent for other organizations and that if they are allowed to use the building that they should make a donation. He also said he felt they should not be allowed to use the building. Councilman Amick made the motion to approve the use of the fire station on November 9. Councilman Poole seconded the motion which carried with all members voting Aye with the exception of Councilman Harris who voted No. Councilman Poole interjected that meeting rooms should be available to public, and policy is necessary. 6. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A"~EW TELEPHONE SYSTEM FOR CITY HALL City Manager, Janice Carroll introduced Mr. Ray Reynolds of Business Telecommunication Services to show the proposed telephone system to the Council and to answer any questions. Mr. Reynolds had brought a sample unit to City Hall to show how the system actually works. Mr. Reynolds gave a brief background of his company and spoke regarding the manufacturing of the system. He stated that there would be very little if any system failure. He stated the equipment would be very serviceable with only 1 in every 33,000 hours down. He went on to explain various features of the system. Councilman Poole asked if the system would be sufficient for the new municipal building and if that would include the Library and the Recreation Building. Reynolds stated yes that the system he is presenting tonight covers the Library, Park and Recreation, the Animal Shelter and Fire Station No. i all for $68.00 per month less than we are currently paying A.T. & T. Councilman Amick asked if when the cut is made from the old building to the new, would there be a cost to the city. Mr. Reynolds said that the contractor building the building could put the cable in at a lower cost or his company could put the cable in after the building is completed at a higher cost. He stated that the cost to move the system from the old building to the new would be $250.00. Mr. Reynolds answered several more questions from Councilman Amick. Mayor Sample then asked if any lines could be restricted to outgoing calls only. Reynolds responded that the lines could be restricted all the way down to a single line only being capable of reaching another single line. Councilman Harris asked the total cost of the system as it is presented. Mr. Reynolds stated the cost is $20,207.00. Reynolds went on to answer several other from the Council regarding installation, switch over, back up systems, cost, etc. Councilman Dodds moved that the Council direct the City Manager, with the approval of the City Attorney, to enter an agreement with B.T.S. and to prepare an Ordinance to that effect. The motion was seconded by Councilman Harris and carried with a unanimous roll call vote. Councilman Poole then expressed appreciation to Sharon Sebera for her hard work in the research and preparation of the presentation. 002106 7. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING PARKING IN THE FRONT YARD. Janice Carroll reviewed the ordinance and the changes made for clarification, stating that the ordinance amendment deals only with the front yard and the driveway in the front and does not address side or rear parking at all. Mayor Sample read the caption of the Ordinance as written: An ordinance amending Chapter 19 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of The Colony, Texas by providing for a prohi- bition of parking in the front yards in the SF, D, and TH zoned districts; providing definitions; providing a penalty not to exceed the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for each offense and a separate offense shall be deemed committed upon each day during or on which a violation occurs; providing a severability clause; and providing an effective day and declaring an emergency. Councilman Gray stated that she felt the ordinance should address side yards also to prohibit persons from parking a vehicle in the side yard, visible from the street. Councilman Poole moved that the ordinance be approved as written. Councilman Dodds seconded the motion which carried with all members voting Aye with the exception of Councilman Gray who voted No. 8. VOTE ON CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR TAX INCREASE Mayor Sample stated that in accordance with the Truth in Taxation Provisions, ARticle 8, SEction 21 of the Texas Constitution in Chapter 26 of the Property Tax code, the governing body of the municipality must by vote agree to conduct a eharing to increase the taxes by a percentage determined from the calculated effective tax rate. The Mayor called for a motion to proceed with that vote. Councilman Amick moved to vote with a second from Councilman Poole. All members voted Aye. 11. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE, AMENDING SECTION 19-11 (A) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF THE COLONY RELATING TO SCHOOL TRAFFIC ZONES, BY ADDING A CERTAIN PART OF CURRY DRIVE TO THE EX- ISTING SCHOOL TRAFFIC ZONES. Mayor Sample read the Ordinance caption as written: An Ordinance of the City of The Colony, Texas amending Section 19-11 (A) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of The Colony relating to speed limits in school traffic zones by adding a certain part of Curry Drive to the existing school traffic zones; providing that this ordinance shall be cumulative; providing a severability clause; providing a penalty not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200.00) and a separate offense shall be deemed committed each day during or on which a vilation occurs or continues; providing an effective date and declaring an emergency. Councilman Amick moved to approve the ordiancne as written with a second from Councilman Dodds. Councilman Amick asked if this ordinance was to cover the area mentioned during the discussion regarding the Safe School Route presentation. Chief Nick Ristagno was present and stated yes. Amick also requested information re- garding the cost to put flashing lights in all school zones. Chief Ristagno said that had been looked into and the cost was around $45,000.00 to $50,000.00. Ristagno said he would like to start next year putting lights in the major intersections only. Council- man requested the cost for putting lights at Paige and Baker only. Chief Ristagno said he would get those figures for the Council. Also regarding the school zones, Councilman Amick requested that the City Manager draft a letter to Larry Ludwig of Fox and Jacobs, asking them to clean up the debris at the corner of Augusta and Anderson, which is right in front of Stewart's Creek Elementary. The motion carried with a unanimous roll call vote. 9. CLOSED DOOR SESSION AS AUTHORIZED BY ARTICLE 6252-17 OF V.A.C.S., SECTION 2E, regarding board appointments. 00210 ; Upon reconvening in open session, the Mayor moved to Agenda Item Number 10. 10. CONSIDERATION OF BOARD APPOINTMENTS: A. LIBRARY BOARD B. PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION a.There was no recommendation for appointment to the Library Board, so no appointment was made. b. Councilman Dodds moved to appoint Mr. William Sharp to the Planning and Zoning Commision, with a second from Councilman Poole. All members voted Aye. With no further business to discuss, Councilman Dodds moved to adjourn the meeting with a second from Councilman Amick. The motion carried with ail members voting Aye. Mayor Sample adjourned the meeting at 11:00 p.m. APPROVED: ATTEST ~ r Pa~a y