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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/14/1985 City Council-SS 00 15 . MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 14, 1985 The SPECIAL SESSION of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to order at 7:30 p.m. at'City Hall with the follow- ing members present: Larry D. Sample Mayor Tom Arrambide Councilman Helen Gray Councilman Don Amick Councilman Charles Dodds Councilman Marlene Poole Councilman and with Councilman Harris out of town on busienss, however a quorum was established. 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Mayor led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. 2. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF MINUTES. Councilman Arrambide moved to~iapprove the minutes of the September 23, 1985 Council meeting as written. Councilman Dodds seconded the motion which carried with all members voting Aye, with the exception of Councilman Poole, who abstained due to her absence at that meeting. 3. PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING ANNEXATION OF A 53.1 ACRE TRACT OF LAND GENERALLY LOCATED IN THE SOUTHEAST PORTION OF THE CORPORATE LIMITS, ADJACENT TO AND CROSSING THE BURLINGTON NORTHERN RAILROAD, AS REQUESTED BY HENRY BILLINGSLEY. Councilman Dodds moved to open the Public Hearing, with a second from Councilman Arrambide. The motion carried with all members voting Aye. Janice Carroll, City Manager pointed out the area on the map for the audience and presented the Service Plan. There was no discussion. Councilman Poole moved to close the Public Hearing, with a second from Council- man Dodds. The motion carried with all members voting Aye. 4. CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM THE CUB SCOUT SPONSOR GROUP TO USE THE PARK AND RECREATION OFFICE FOR A MONTHLY MEETING, THE FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH. Janice Carroll, City Manager, turned this request over to Councilman Dodds, a member of the Sponsor Group. Dodds stated that the Cub Scout Pack Sponsor Group meets to plan for the Cub Scout activities. He further stated that he had checked with Sylvia Brantley, the Park and Recreation Director and that she said there would not be a conflict. He did say that the meeting is held the second Tuesday'of the month, not the first Tuesday, as was so stated on the agenda. Mayor Sample asked if this is a precedent, saying he doesn't recall city facilities being used for regularly scheduled meetings of organization outside of the City organization. Councilman Dodds said the only other organization that meets regularly in a City facility is the "Friends of the Library" which does meet in th Library and is not a City organization. At this time, Councilman Poole stated that she could see no problem with this request. Councilman Arrambide asked ~hat group sponsors the Cub Scouts, and shouldn't they provide a meeting place. Councilman Dodds said that Peter's Colony Elemntary is the sponsor and they do provide a meeting place for the actual Cub Scout meetings, however, the Sponsor is a small group and feel it would be more practical to meet in a smaller area. Councilman Amick moved to approve the request, with a second from Councilman Poole. At this time, Janice Carroll did say that it was staff's view point that a city employee should 00215 '- be present any time City facilities are used by another organization. She said that Councilman Dodds would serve as the City representative and that staff would not have to assign someone to that task. Councilman Amick stated that he saw no problem, but if in the future it becomes one, then it could be reviewed again and perhaps other arrangements could be made. There was then a general discussion regarding the new municipal facilities and the setting of policies for the use of the various meeting and class rooms which will be available in the new buildings. Janice Carroll said that such a policy would have to be set by the Council. The motion carried with a unanimous roll call vote with the exception of Councilman Dodds who abstained. 5. CONSIDERATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FRISBEE GOLF COURSE AT THE B.B. OWENS SITE. Janice Carroll, City Manager said that this was brought before Council orginally at the March 11, 1985, meeting and the general concensus at that time was to go ahead with the plans for the course. She further stated that in the interim, several other projects had been addressed and staff now feels it is time to go ahead with this project. She said that Larry Owens was present to answem any questions the council may have. Carroll stated that the equipment cost, delivered wopla be $4200.00 and that Mike Moore~would design the course for $500.00. She went on to say that an additional $1300.00 had been allowed for signs, park benches, etc. The Mayor asked if this would be a nine (9) hole course. Owens replied yes. Councilman said that since this had come before Council before that we should go ahead with it. Council- man Poole asked why the cost had gone up so much §ince March. Councilman Amick stated that he was present at the Park and Recreation Board meeting and the feeling was to allow $7000.00 to cover any hidden costs and that it probably would not take all of it. Poole said she would not vote against this project this time, but the next project would not receive her vote if a total picture was presented. She went on to say that the Council had made promises as to how the bond money was to be spend and'the golf course was not one of those promises. Councilman Poole stated that she did~ not want to run out of money before the promises were kept. Sylvia Brantley said that the original cost was estimated at $6000.00 so really the increase was only $1000.00 and that it probably would not take all of that. The Mayor stated that this was part of an original plan and one of the few things that the Council had agreed upon, but would want it clear that this is not Carte Blanche to hire out installation when it can be done by City employees. Larry Ownes then stated that he didn't know Mike Moore would be paid for designing the course. Owens said that last spring he and some pros (Professional Disk Golfers) had already done a design for the course and that anyone was to be paid it should be the professionals. Councilman Amick said that since the course was already designed why should we go with another consultant. Janice Carroll and Sylvia Brantley both stated that they were unaware that the design had been done. Janice Carroll said there certainly was no problem with eliminating a $500.00 charge. Mr. Owens said there may be a need for a foot bridge in the course which is a possible use for the $500.00. Councilman Amick moved the'approval of the course with a maximum expense of $7000.00 to build the Frisbee Golf Course, and with City employees doing'the installation. Councilman Dodds seconded the motion which carried with a unanimous roll call vote. At this time, Mayor Sample did recognize Mr. Henry Billingsley, who had come into the meeting during discussion of the last item. Mr. Billingsley did answer some informal questions from the floor 0021 ¢ regarding the property and the proposed use. Mr. Billingsley stated the this property is zoned the same as the first 589 acres he requested to be annexed. He then went on to explain how the road will come from FM 544, wind through the new property and end up at Paige Rd. 6. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 6 ARTICLE II, SECTIONS 6-20 THROUGH 6-62, INCLUSIVE, RELATING TO SIGNS. Janice Carroll stated that Eric Stanton, Building Official had reviewed with the City attorney all the changes proposed in the last week's Council meeting and they were currently being incorporated into the ordinance. Janice Carroll said perhaps a compromise could be reached on the garage sale sign section, so the ordinance could be approved, bringing the garage sale sign section back to council at a later date, if necessary. Councilman Gray stated that she does not want signs to be on trees or light poles. Councilman Amick asked why a compromise. Janice Carroll stated that she meant only a compromise because of a time factor. She assured the Council that staff would enforce the ordinance on Monday mornings, and would also like to see enforcement of the "2 per year" limit. Councilman Gray said the City should not allow persons to hold sales in their yard or on the side of the road. Councilman Pool~ then stated that she had a problem with the City Manager's statement about staff not actively enforcing this ordinance previously because- of too little staff. Poole went on to say that ordinances should ot be selectively enforced and that she felt the ordinance should be left just as it is and be enforced. Janice Carroll said that selective enforcement is not the case, but that the staff has to prioritize the tasks to be done and that garage sale signs is not a high priority.. Mayor Sample said that signs should be visible, that he is not against garage sales as some of the Council. Councilman Arrambide stated that he has heard from three (3) citizens this week who think the Council should not restrict the garage sale signs. Councilman Dodds said he heard these same type comments from citizens. Councilman Amick stated that the previous ordinance must have been working, so why was it being changed and why doesn't the Council leave it as is. Amick went on to say that he feels ~ would b easier to enforce the previous ordinance than~the new one. Amick also stated that he doesn't understand how staff thinks it can enforce this ordinance on Monday morning. Coun- cilman Arrambide agreed and said this ordinance should be en- forced on a complaint basis only and as the staff is able. Councilman Dodds asked why we would allow Real Estate signs in the same areas that we won't allow our own citizens to place signs. Mayor Sample said that brings up a question regarding Real Estate signs. He said that some persons have used real estate signs to advertise their company only, not to advertise that a piece of property is for sale or lease. The Mayor went on to say that he wants the ordinance to state that the sign must indicate that the property is for sale or lease.. Councilman asked if the commercial part of this ordinance could be passed and everything else be brought back to Council. Councilman Poole; stated that the ordinance needs to be passed or McDonald's Restaurant will have to request a variance on their sign. The Mayor asked for a concensus re- garding the new proposal for garage sale signs, The new proposal: Arrambide - No; Gray - Yes; Amick - No; Dodds - Yes; Poole - No; Sample - Yes. To allow signs in front yards only, with permission from owners. Arrambide - No; Gray - Yes; Amick - Yes; Dodds - Yes; Poole - Yes; Mayor - Yes. Councilman Dodds moved to approve the ordinance as amended with the two chagnes regarding Real Estate signs and Garage Sale signs. ( The latter being in private yards only, with permission) Councilman Amick asked the City Manager to express how she understood these chagnes. Janice Carroll stated that the Real Estate signs were to indicate whether the property is for sale or lease and not be used just to advertise a company, and that garage sale signs would be allowed in private yards only with the permission from the property owner. The motion passed with a unanimous roll call vote. 7. CLOSED DOOR SESSION AS AUTHORIZED BY ARTICLE 6252-17 OF V.A.C.S., SECTION 2G, REGARDING PERSONNEL. Upon reconvening in open session, the Mayor moved-to-the~next item on the agenda. 8. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE ANNEXING A 500 FOOT WIDE STRIP OF LAND (EAST/WEST) AND ONE MILE IN LENGTH (NORTH/SOUTH), GENERALLY LOCATED ONE-HALF MILE WEST OF FM 423 NORTH OF BOYD ROAD ON WYNNWOOD PENINSULA AND EXTENDING ONTO HACKBERRY PENINSULA. Councilman Amick moved to table this item until the next meeting of the Council. Councilman Poole seconded the motion~ which carried with all members voting Aye. With no further business to address Councilman Dodds moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilman Poole seconded the motion, which carried with all members voting Aye. Mayor Sample adjourned the meeting at 10:30 p.m. APPROVED: ~~. ample, ayor ATTEST: ~P~etary