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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/17/1987 City Council MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 17, 1987 The SPECIAL SESSION of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to order at 8:00 p.m. on the 17th day of February, 1987 at Griffin Middle School with the following Council roll call: Don Amick, Mayor Present Rick Harris, Mayor Pro-tem Present Tom Arrambide,Councilman Present David W. Dye, III,Councilman Absent, due to business Steve Glazener,Councilman Present Harvey Bradley,Councilman Present Marlene Poole,Councilman Present and with six members present, a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: EMERGENCY AGENDA ITEM: 1. CONSIDERATION OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN TOM TUNKS AND THE CITY OF THE COLONY FOR USE OF A CITY PARK FOR THE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF A PRIVATELY OWNED MINIATURE GOLF COURSE. Councilman Harris moved to approve the agreement as it had been presented in the February 16, 1987 meeting. Councilman Arrambide seconded the motion which carried with a unanimous roll call vote. REGULAR AGENDA ITEM: TOWN HALL MEETING REGARDING THE CONSIDERATION OF THE ANNEXATION OF THE CITY OF EASTVALE. Mayor Amick opened the meeting by explaining that previously the Council had been considering annexing the City of Eastvale but after review and advice from the City Attorney's office, consolidation seemed to be the most advantageous way to proceed. The Mayor cited several reasons why and then reminded the audience that they would be limited to 5 minutes and that this was not a debate but an information gathering session, going on to say that the Council wanted input from the citizens regarding this matter. At this time, Councilman Harvey Bradley was asked to summarize the findings of the committe appointed to study the feasibility of such action. Councilman Bradley stated that the committee had met with the Eastvale Council several times and had come up with a plan to accomplish the desires of Eastvale to become a part of The Colony. Councilman Bradley said that in the plan The Colony would agree to: 1. Maintain the roads and water system 2. Start improvements within 2 1/2 years 3. Employ 3 of their present employees: A. Chief of Police B. City Secretary C. Water Manager Councilman Bradley went on to say that the Committee believed that this action would ultimately benefit both cities, stating that according to estimated figures, after taking the funds to pay on debt retirement there would be approximately $99,000.00 left from the additional revenue to put back into improving the roads in Eastvale. The Councilman stated that it would take some time but eventually the roads could be brought up to standard. Mayor Amick opened the floor to questions. Richard Civeck - Arbor Glen asked where the $99,000.00 would be coming from to fix the roads. The Mayor re-stated that the money would come from total revenue after paying debts. Mr. Civeck asked why Eastvale doesn't raise their taxes and fix their own roads. Dave Nelson - 5556 Vance - What about existing homes and buildings. Mr. Bill Hall said there would be a transitional period, stating that existing structures can't possibly be brought into compliance at one time, but that over a long period all structures will be. Mr. Hall said the junk vehicle and weed ordinances would be enforced as soon as possible. Scott North - 4733 Lemmon Ct. asked if the existing structures would be "grandfathered" Mr. Hall said no that "grandfathering" indicates that they will never be brought into compliance and in this case they will be eventually. Mr. North asked if the C.O.Ordinance would be enforced and Mr. Hall and the Mayor both responded that it would be as much as possible. Mr. North asked if it is the Council's hope that the citizens of Eastvale will move out due to the high tax rate. Mayor Amick said no, that the Council hopes to improve that area and bring it up to the standards of The Colony. Art Walker - Pemberton - How much money will it take to improve the sewer, water, streets, street lights, etc. and how much will the City of The Colony pay? Mr. Hall explained that the present water and sewer systems (septic tanks) were acceptable for now but that fire hydrants would have to be installed soon. Mr. Hall said the approximate cost for water and sewer would be $416,000.00 each but that it is possible to get grant money to fund all or part of the costs. Mr. Hall also stated that our current City staff and equipment could handle the job of grading the roads to get them passable. Dick Weaver - 4940 Hackney - How would our sewer system be effected by the addition of Eastvale? Mr. Hall stated the impact would be insignificant. Art Walker - How much tax increase will this cause? Mr. Hall said he really could not answer that. Mayor Amick said the intent is not to increase the taxes of The Colony at all. Jim Skinner - Pemberton - How long will it take to retire the $100,000.00 debt of Eastvale? Janice Carroll responded to that question by covering her memo to Council regarding the taxes, revenues and expenditures of Eastvale. Steve Bissett - 4801 Branch Hollow asked if this would impact the council seats. Mayor Amick said Place 4 would have a larger district, but the at large seats serve the area also. Dick Schuyler - Hardaway Cir. asked Eastvale citizens if they had talked to any other city about this. Billy Owens, Eastvale Councilman said they had talked to Frisco earlier but are only interested in The Colony now. Mr. Owens said there are lots of elderly and the higher taxes will hurt them but they are willing to pay the taxes for the increase in services. Mr. Schuyler asked if any consideration had been given to their ability to pay the higher taxes. Mayor Amick said that is why there will be an election so they can voice their own opinion. Art Gibson - Merrell Cir. stated he owns a business on 423 in Eastvale and stated that Eastvale is not a slum as had been stated previously by another citizen. Mr. Gibson said there are some homes with trash on the outside but on the inside they are nice going on to say that in The Colony there are homes that look good on the outside but on the inside they are trashy. Mr. Gibson said this is a good move for all concerned and there is Mayor Amick said this would open up areas we can't now reach, extending our ETJ, stating that developers would probably want to buy the vacant lots to build on and to sell. Mr. Hall said the developers would then pay the cost of installing sewer and water. David Helmbig asked how much could be borrowed to make the improvements if the $99,000.00 was used to retire the debt. Mayor Amick said he really couldn't answer that right now. Dick Weaver said that if we can go in and grade the roads with our current staff, then The Colony has too many employees. J.W. Williams - Eastvale - asked about the $150.00 tap fee, wanting to know if that is all or is their a linear foot charge. Mr. Hall said there would be a linear foot charge and explained the alternative ways to accomplish; assessment program or grants. Scott North asked where the current Frisco City limit is. Mayor Amick said that is a question that needs to be investigated and instructed the City Secretary to do so. Bob Fuimara - Chairman P & Z asked if a hot line could be set up to answer questions, before the election. Mr. Fuimara said the City of The Colony should apologize for the term "slum" being used to refer to Eastvale. Mayor Amick apologized to the public for the term. Steve Bissett asked if school children would be affected. Mayor Amick said there would be no change. Mayor Amick explained that Eastvale will hold an election on April 4, 1987 to determine if the citizens want this consolidation and then The Colony will hold an election to determine how it's citizens feel. Terry Peak - Stanley stated that it appears that the only avenue left for Eastvale, due to their financial state, is to become a part of The Colony or Frisco. Mayor Amick said they could become a County ward. At this time, Mayor Amick closed the questions and addressed the following item. 2. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL SUPPORTING THE CONSIDERATION OF THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE CITY OF THE COLONY AND THE CITY OF EASTVALE AND DETERMINING THE GUIDELINES Mayor Amick read the Resoluton in it's entirety: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF THE COLONY, TEXAS SUPPORTING THE CONSIDERATION OF THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE CITY OF THE COLONY AND THE CITY OF EASTVALE AND DETERMINING THE GUIDELINES, SHOULD SUCH ACTION OCCUR WHEREAS, Eastvale, Texas is contiguous to the City of The Colony, Texas,; and WHEREAS, the City Councils of both the City of The Colony and the City of Eastvale, have agreed on the need of such consolidation to ensure the health and public welfare of the citizens of both entities; and WHEREAS, the City of Eastvale will hold an election on April 4, 1987 to determine whether or not the citizens of that City wish to consolidate with the City of The Colony; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas that if the citizens of Eastvale vote to consolidate, the City of The Colony will call an election to be held on August 8, 1987, for the purpose of determining the express desires of the citizens of The Colony in regard to consolidation with the City of Eastvale, and furthermore agree to the following: Section 1. The City of The Colony will maintain the existing roads and water system located within the property now known as the City of Eastvale. Section 2. The City of The Colony will, within 2 1/2 years, commence a Master Plan for improvement of the area. Section 3. The City of The Colony will employ the persons now serving in the below named positions for the City of Eastvale: A.Police Chief B.City Secretary C.Water Manager PASSED AND APPROVED this 17th day of February, 1987. (s) Don Amick, Mayor (s) Patti A. Hicks, City Secretary The above writing reflects a change in the election date as prescribed by state law. The original date was on or about May 16, 1987. According to our attorneys and state law such an election can only be held on a uniform election date. Councilman Harris moved to approve the resolution as amended and Councilman Poole seconded the motion which carried with a unanimous roll call vote. At this time, with no further business to address, Councilman Harris moved to adjourn and Councilman Arrambide seconded the motion which carried with all members voting Aye. Mayor Amick adjourned the meeting at 9:55 p.m. APPROVED: D~n Amlck~, ~ayor ° ATTEST: Patti A. Hic-k~, City Secretary [SEAL]