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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/06/1987 City Council JONE 6, 1987 The SPECIAL SESSION of the City Council of the City of The Colony was called to order at 9:00 a.m. on the 6th day of June, 1987 at the Eastvale Town Hall located at 326 West Lake Highlands Drive, in Eastvale, Texas with the following Council roll call: Don Amick, Mayor Present Rick Harris, Mayor Pro-rem Present Johnny Spears, Councilman Present Michael Robinson, Councilman Present Steve Glazener, Councilman Present Harvey Bradley, Councilman Present Marlene Poole, Councilman Present and with six members present, a quorum was established. Mayor Bill Dorman called the Eastvale City Council to order with the following persons in attendance: Bill Dorman, Mayor Brad Teachout, Councilman Mike Freeland, Councilman Don Buttress, Councilman Bill Beaubien, Councilman Rita Christiansen, Councilman Mary Pilcher, City Secretary 1. TOWN HALL MEETING FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING THE PROPOSED CONSOLIDATION OF THE CITY OP EASTVALE WITH THE CITY OF THE COLONY Mayor Amick welcomed everyone and stated that the purpose of the meeting was to hopefully answer questions regarding the consolidation which will occur if the August 8, 1987 election issue in The Colony passes. The Mayor said he specifically wants to address questions from the citizens of Eastvale and to dispel any rumors that may have been spreading. Mayor Amick said that those present may or may not be in favor of the consolidation but that it did pass in Eastvale in the April 4 election and that neither City Council has the power or authority to reverse that decision. The Mayor said the City Council of The Colony is very much in favor of the consolidation, stating they feel it will be an asset to both cities. Mayor Amick said his vote would be for consolidation on August 8, because it he thinks it is good timing and will bring good to both cities. At this time, Mayor Amick introduced The Colony City Council as well as Bill Hall, City Manager and Patti Hicks, City Secretary. Mayor Bill Dorman then introduced the Eastvale City Council and City Secretary, Mary Pilcher. Mayor Amick then introduced members of the City staff present; Chief of Police, Nick Ristagno, Fire Chief, Van Morrison, Assistant City Manager, Janice Carroll and Director of Public Works, Tommy Turner. Mayor Amick then opened the floor for questions: First citizen stated that the rumors going around are based on the fears that Eastvale citizens have regarding what will be required of them after consolidation as far as The Colony ordinances are concerned. She went on to say that those fears stem from a statement Mayor Amick made in a recent newspaper article and she quoted "Eastvale is smack up against The Colony. It started as a weekend place and the end result is that some homes are somewhat blighted, as compared to The Colony. They will have to bring their properties up to par with ordinances that exist on our books.", stating that is what the citizens are concerned about. Mayor Amick said that is a broad statement and he clarified saying that once the cities are consolidated, they (Eastvale citizens) will come under the ordinances of the City of The Colony. The Mayor cited the weed.ordinance as an example, stating that they would be given notice and asked to cut the weeds that are too tall. Mayor Amick said that the ordinance requiring 70% brick on homes applies to new homes and that any home existing now that is not brick will not have to be bricked to comply with the ordinance, stating they will be "grandfathered". The Mayor said that if the resident wished to add on to an existing frame home, the addition could be frame also. The citizen said she understood from former Eastvale Councilmember, Carol Kantak, who attended the joint meetings between the two City Councils that there would be no grandfather clause. Mayor Amick said that at the time of the joint meeting, it was not yet known what could and could not be grandfathered, however it is now his understanding that ordinances such as the weed ordinance and the junk and abandoned vehicle ordinance cannot be grandfathered but that ordinances dealing with building standards would be. The citizen asked if a wood burning stove would be grandfathered. Mayor Amick asked the committee if that had come up and Councilman Bradley stated that if the stove is in good working order and does not create a public health hazard it would be allowed. Mayor Amick said that the committee is going over all ordinances of both cities to determine what exactly will be grandfathered, what remains the same and what will have to be changed, stating that the committee should have the study done in approximately 2 - 3 weeks. Mayor Amick went on to say that even after consolidation, the City has no right to come into a private home and tell them what they can and cannot have in their home, stating that only in the case of a Certificate of Occupancy would the inspector come in and inform the homeowner what needed to be corrected in order to receive a C.O. Another question referred to the $15,000.00 allocated in the inspection budget. Councilman Bradley said that money was already in the Eastvale budget for the City Secretary salary, stating that she may be put into the inspections department after consolidation. Mayor Amick did state that the committee recommended to make the consolidation effective October 1, 1987, if the issue passes and to have the ordinances not be enforced until January 1988, giving residents approximately 5 months to make any necessary corrections or to clean up their yards, if necessary. The Mayor did say that the police, fire and ambulance will begin functioning immediately since they enforce state laws, not city ordinance. Mayor Amick said the idea had been brought up that an inspector could drive around the area and list any violations and make that list available to the respective homeowners so that they are aware of what is in violation and can make the necessary corrections. Mayor Amick said that it is not the intent of the City to come in and close places down, stating that the inspections department works approximately 65% on a complaint basis and that they do not patrol regularly to find violations, going on to say that the inspections department will not come in on January 1, 1988 and start issuing citations. Mayor Amick explained about vehicles parked in front yards and the weed ordinance and what they both require. Councilman Mike Freeland responded to the question about the $15,000.00, stating that the two cities have very different budget systems and explained that the $15,000.00 was already budgeted but that the committee had merely put in a different allocation. The next question dealt with the 70% increase in taxes to the Eastvale residents. Mayor Amick referred to the information sheet on which the tax increase was explained; a home valued at $50,000.00 in Eastvale would cost $210.00 a year in taxes and at The Colony's tax rate would go up to $375.00 a year. The Mayor went on to say that based on The Colony's key rate the homeowners insurance would increase by approximately $50.00 a year. There was a question regarding the keeping of horses. The Mayor said The Colony ordinance relating to animals will apply in Eastvale, stating he would make a copy of that ordinance available to him. Another citizens asked when the work on the roads would actually being. Mayor Amick said as soon after consolidation as possible work would begin to fill the holes, grade the roads, make ditches and create better drainage using in-house crews. Another question was asked about culverts in driveways and who would pay for that. Mayor Amick said that would have to be addressed at a later date. Councilman Teachout of Eastvale said there is currently an ordinance on their books requiring culverts in driveways but it has not been enforced. It was noted that for proper drainage along side the roads, there would have to be culverts in the driveways. Art Gibson stated he is a commercial property owner in Eastvale and has installed signage and displays that are legal in Eastvale but that would not be allowed in The Colony and he wanted to know if he would have to do everything over after consolidation or would it be acceptable. Councilman Bradley stated that if it is now legal in Eastvale then it will be considered legal in The Colony. Mr. Gibson also wanted to know if he sells his property will the special permits stay with the property. Mayor Amick said that a special permit would not carry over to the new owner. A question was raised about the mobile homes in Eastvale. Mayor Amick said that all mobile homes in Eastvale now will be allowed to stay but that no new ones will be allowed to move in. The Mayor did state that someone who live in a mobile home in the mobile home park moved out leaving a vacant lot, that another mobile home can be placed on that lot. Another question dealt with the current Eastvale city staff. Councilman Bradley said that 3 employees will be absorbed into The Colony city staff; the police chief, the city secretary/clerk and the water manager. One citizen said they were told they would receive something in writing stating what is to be expected from the consolidation. Mayor Amick said the sheet handed out earlier is a beginning and more information will be provided later. There was another question, asking if present zoning will change. The Mayor said we are waiting on our attorney's opinion regarding the zoning. Councilman Poole reminded everyone that any zoning changes have to come before P & Z and Council at Public Hearings and that any citizen has the right to voice their opinion at such hearings. One of the Eastvale Councilmen asked what The Colony P & Z would be doing to bring business to the commercial property in Eastvale. Mayor Amick said that is primarily a function of the Chamber of Commerce and the Council. Another citizen wanted to know if sewer hook-ups would be paid for by the property owner. Mr. Bill Hall stated that after the sewer line is laid then it will be up to the individual homeowner to pay for the connection, stating that in some cases the funds can be assessed to the homeowner, making it easier to pay for the line. Councilman Teachout asked why the surplus funds originally said to be around $99,000.00 had been lowered to $35,000.00 on the handout. Janice Carroll said that figure was lowered to $77,000.00 and that even that may change again during the budget process. Mr. Teachout also wanted to know how future improvements to the roads will be financed. Mayor Amick, first stated that there would not be concrete streets put in, saying that The Colony just cannot afford to do that. The Mayor said the only reason we have concrete streets in The Colony is because the developer paid for them. Mayor Amick said the roads will be maintained, holes repaired, etc., going on to say that if the citizens in the area decide they want a concrete street then there would have to be a vote to decide if the citizens affected would be willing to be assessed for the cost to build that road. There was another question regarding livestock. Mayor Amick again said that The Colony ordinance will apply. The citizen said she wanted to know if she would have to sell her horses. Mayor Amick said he could not promise anything but that she would have plenty of time to make any necessary adjustments. Mayor Amick reminded the citizens that Eastvale currently has an ordinance that states that livestock can be kept as is, but if it dies or leaves, then it cannot be replaced. There was a question regarding the current tax rate and the effect new annexations, ie., Eastvale and future annexations will have on the water/sewer system causing an increase in taxes. Mayor Amick stated that this council does not ever want to increase taxes and that when a developer comes into the city that developer pays the costs of roads, sewer lines, water lines, etc. Mr. Hall said that eventually the water/sewer system will have to be expanded due to growth but not because of Eastvale alone. Councilman Poole explained how The Colony had annexed the 500 foot strip from Wynnewood Peninsula and spoke regarding the golf course being built on the peninsula. Councilman Teachout asked again about the 70% brick requirement and suggested that a lesser requirement be set for the area now known as Eastvale due to the low percentage of brick homes there. Mr. Teachout said he feels that if new brick homes are built in this area they will not match and may stagnate the growth in the area. Councilman Bradley said the Board of Adjustment and Appeals could decide each individual case. Mayor Amick said that should be addressed by the committee. Mr. Billy Owen suggested that there be some Eastvale representation on the committee and all agreed to that. There as another question regarding the mobile homes in Eastvale, specifically addressing Haven Hill Mobile Home Park. Mayor Amick said that the park would continue to exist as such. Councilman Bradley said the other mobile homes scattered throughout the city would be able to remain but if they are moved out another cannot be put in it's place, stating that currently the City of Eastvale has an ordinance addressing that issue. Eastvale citizen, Mike Williams, stated that he is for the consolidation and would like to have Councilman Steve Glazener's honest opinion of Eastvale, since he will be representing the area on the Council. Councilman Glazener responded by saying he feels very positive about Eastvale, that it (Eastvale) has a lot to offer The Colony and that he will work in that direction. Councilman Glazener went on to say that he supports consolidation whole heartedly and has since the joint meetings began, stating that he does not feel that Eastvale is a slum, noting that there are some things that need to be addressed regarding zoning but that he will work for this area just as he will for the rest of his district. There was question regarding a new Council district after consolidation and the Mayor said there is a committee looking into re-districting but not to create a new seat, just to realign the districts more evenly. Councilman Harris reminded the audience that he in Place 1 and Councilman Spears in Place 2 are at large positions and serve the whole city. Councilman Harris also reminded everyone that any improvements would not begin until after October 1, 1987. The Eastvale Council requested another Town Hall meeting be held in September if the issue passes so that final information can be disbursed. Councilman Christiansen asked if any parks were planned in the area. Mayor Amick said if there is land available then there would probably be parks developed. Mayor Dorman said there is some city owned land that might be suitable for neighborhood parks. It was stated that the fence between the cities would probably remain since it was put in by the developer. Councilman Poole reminded everyone that the City of The Colony has several advisory boards established to help the Council in making good decisions and explained how the boards work and how persons are appointed to serve on them. Mayor Amick thanked everyone for coming and for their questions, stating that the committee would be finishing up with their study and answers to all questions would be forthcoming. Councilman Bradley moved to adjourn the meeting and Councilman Glazener seconded the motion which carried with all members voting Aye. Mayor Amick adjourned the meeting at 11:15 a.m. APPROVED: Don-~mick ~~ , Ma ATTEST: Patti A Hicks, City Secretary [ SEAL ]