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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/26/1988 City Council 00309 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON SEPTEMBER 26, 1988 The Joint Work Session of the City Council and the Park and Recreation Board of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on the 26th day of September, 1988 at City Hall with the following Council roll call: Don Amick, Mayor Present Rick Harris, Mayor Pro-tem Absent Johnny Spears, Councilman Present Mike Robinson, Councilman Present Steve Glazener, Councilman Present Dick Weaver, Councilman Present Joel Marks, Councilman Present and with six members present a quorum was established. The following members of the Park and Recreation Board were present: Wayne Sandy, Chairman Zane Kennedy, Member Steve Faulkner, Member Julia Warren, Member Kathy Phillips, Member David Martin, Member Member Sherry Schuyler was absent, however a quorum was established, and the following items were addressed: Mayor referred to a letter received from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in which they commended the condition of Turner Street Park. Mayor Amick then asked Mr. Hall if Sail Fair was successful. Mr. Hall said it was a marked success with approximately 3500 persons attending, noting the booths reported an average profit of $400.00 At this time, the Mayor asked everyone present to introduce themselves. 1. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF PROPOSAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PARKS AND ATHLETIC FACILITIES Mayor Amick asked Bill Hall if it is necessary to spread the costs out over such a broad period of time or if all the projects could be done right away, providing the P & R Board gave the priorities by parks. Mr. Hall said that is possible. Mayor Amick also wanted to know why Items 1 and 2 couldn't be accomplished right away and not spread out, reminding everyone that the funds for these parks were approved previously by Council. (Item 1 - Wilcox Street Pocket Park, Item 2 - West Lake Highland Park) Mr. Hall said they can be but a lot of work will be done in-house and that will have to scheduled around other Public Works projects. Mayor Amick asked if the P & R Board has a problem with moving ahead on 1 and 2. Ail agreed they should be done as soon as possible. The Mayor then directed the City Secretary not to place those items on the October 3 agenda for action. Mayor Amick asked why pea gravel can't be moved up to winter or spring. Bill Hall again stated that could be done but will have to scheduled with Public Works. The Mayor noted there was no pea gravel allotted for Scout Park, asking if the proposed maze made it difficult. Sylvia Brantley, P & R Director said that was just an oversight and that it should placed under the parallel bars. Mayor Amick reminded her to be sure to include the cost of the frame to hold the gravel. Councilman Weaver asked if these estimates were based on actual costs and Ms. Brantley stated they were gathered from catalogs and staff research. Councilman Weaver noted there was no labor costs listed. Mr. Hall stated that is because most of the work 00309, will be done in-house. Mayor Amick stated that in the past, we have always over-estimated costs and have always come in under. Item No. 3 - B.B. Owens Park Mayor Amick asked where the playground equipment would be located and Chairman Sandy stated it would be near the outfield so parents can watch their children play. Councilman Marks asked if the cost for the security light included the pole. Ms. Brantley said the cost is for the light and the pole. Councilman Robinson asked where the concession stand would be located. Chairman Sandy stated it would be between the two fields by home plate. Councilman Marks also asked about the location of the picnic tables and Ms. Brantley said they would be located near the pond. Councilman Robinson suggested putting the concession stand closer to the parking lot for security reasons. Chairman Sandy stated that PARDNERS wanted to run that concession stand and asked if the time schedule could be moved up to be ready for the next playing season. Ms. Brantley said that she could not commit to that. At this time, Mayor Amick said whatever is passed by Council on October 3, P & R can set priorities and then Public Works can schedule. Item No. 4 - Bridges Park There was a brief discussion regarding extending the backstop. Councilman Marks asked if hydro-mulching the football field is included and Mayor Amick replied it is not because that is taken from the operating fund, not the bond funds. Mayor Amick did say that he was advised by Ben Swearingen, Griffin Middle School Principal, that the City could use on of the school's fields and the Mayor directed Mr. Hall to have Public Works hydro mulch after the baseball season so the field would be ready for football. There was a discussion regarding replacing the playground equipment and Ms. Brantley advised only the walkway needs to be replaced at this time. Item No. 5 - Dave Cowan Park (Jaycees) Mayor Amick questioned the need for a backstop, asking if the park is level enough for baseball. Councilman Glazener said there are some level area. Chairman Sandy noted that the Jaycees are willing to pay half the cost of basketball court. Mayor Amick said the court should be close to sprinklers to keep the concrete from cracking. Mayor Amick asked again about the backstop, wanting to know if there is a field there. Member Warren said there is not a field at this time. Mayor Amick reminded everyone that this park has been adopted by the Jaycees and wondered if the City was putting too much into it, going on to say we should leave some space for the Jaycees to develop as they want to. The Mayor went on to say he has no problem approving the backstop as long as the Jaycees are agreeable. He directed Ms. Brantley to check with them to be sure this fits their plans, warning to be careful not to eat up too much free area. Mayor Amick asked what kind of pavilion is planned and what function would it serve. Chairman Sandy stated that a pavilion is on the Master Plan for the park as prepared by the Jaycees. Ms. Brantley said this will be a plain slab with a shelter, not as big as the one at Lions Club. Councilman Weaver asked why Lions Club is not listed in these proposals. Member Martin said the Lions Club has taken the lead in the adopt a park program and have provided many things in their park, adding they want to control what is in the park. Mayor Amick said we might need to contact them again for any needs they have. Councilman Spears suggested 1/2 court basketball and the Mayor directed P & R to contact the Lions Club about that. Item No. 6 - Friendship Park (Beta Sigma Phi) There was a general discussion regarding what is in the park now, but no real questions. Everyone was in agreement with this proposal. Item No. 7 - Slay/Baker Park Mayor Amick said the volleyball was a good idea and wondered why it was not being proposed everywhere. Chairman Sandy said this is a test to see how it lasts before it is placed in other parks. There were no more questions regarding this proposal. Item No. 8 - North Colony Blvd. Park Mayor Amick said this park serves a good purpose but agreed it needs improvement. Member Warren said the empty land south and behind of Squires Dr. would be a good location for more park land. Member Kennedy agreed stating Public Works is to get costs for levelling that area for use as a practice field. Mayor Amick said that is a lot of land and asked if there is a need for a neighborhood park in that area. Member Kennedy asked about the area on the west side of Squires. Mr. Hall said that is Corp property and is in the flood plain and would be cost prohibitive for the City, stating the Corp would have to do the improvements. Mayor Amick suggested the P & R Board contact the Corp regarding a plan to reclaim all the land from behind the pool all the way through the Squires area. Councilman Weaver asked what kind of sign would be put at Slay/Baker. Ms. Brantley said it would be a heavy wooden sign like the one at Lions Club Park. At this time, Mayor Amick asked Mr. Hall about the I.D. marked on City signs. Mr. Hall said it has been done and notices are in the water bills. Item No. 9 - Historical Park Member Warren said "We are adopting that park". Mayor Amick asked, "Who is, the Board"? Chairman Sandy and Member Warren said "Yes". Mayor Amick asked "What does that mean to us"? There was a brief discussion regarding possible improvements. Mayor Amick asked if the park is irrigated and Member Kennedy said it is. Mayor Amic~ what is the feasibility of putting trees and landscaping there. Member Kennedy said the problem with trees is the power lines. There followed a general discussion regarding what improvement would be beneficial in that park. Item No. 10 - Latimer Circle - Scout Park It was noted that this item had come to Council previously but had not at that time been approved by the P & R Board. Member Martin said the board had some questions regarding the fire pit. Mayor Amick said he recalled when the park was adopted it was understood there would be some camp fires. Member Martin said, "They are not just talking about your incidental camp fires, as I understand it, I wouldn't say it is a bon-fire, but it is significant, that the group had been told they would have to check with the Fire Department. He noted the Scouts were going to contact the residents in the area to see if they objected. Councilman Glazener did mention that Scouts would be more careful with the fires than the average person. Councilman Marks said that people in the area of that park are concerned about the growth around the pond. Mayor Amick and Bill Hall both said they had been told by area residents they did not want the natural habitat disturbed. Mayor Amick said we need a consensus from the neighborhood before taking any action. Item No. 11 - Complex There was a discussion regarding the number of bleachers at each field. Member Martin said that Flag Football is buying one set and Little League Baseball is buying one set. Mayor Amick stated that other fields have only one set of bleachers and if we put two sets on this field we will hear complaints from the other groups. Ms. Brantley said that flag football has already bought two sets and has said that they can be moved to the baseball fields when their season is over. Mayor Amick said, we just need to be sure we do the same thing at each field. Item No. 12 - Jogging Trail Member Warren said it is suggested to put the trail in the area of the Rotary fitness trail. Member Sandy said poles were put in that area originally with grant money and the trail needs to be re-furbished. Mayor Amick asked if anyone would use it and Councilman Spears was concerned about maintenance of the trail, noting the original poles were pulled up by vandals and it was very muddy. Mayor Amick asked again if we really need it. Councilman Glazener said to be effective the trail needs to be where houses are, and done in phases, eventually running through the entire city. Mayor Amick said that people in The Colony can jog on the streets with no problems. Member Sandy agreed, but stated the Board is working on 10 year projections for the Land Use Assumption project, and he feels it needs to include a jogging trail. Councilman Glazener agreed and said this money and see how it can tie into the whole plan to eventually have a system throughout the city. Mayor Amick said the area will have to be near water. Councilman Marks said is does not think it is time. Councilman Spears said we need to meet the needs of a lot of joggers, but stated there is no appropriate area. Mayor Amick said we may need to better utilize the $5000.00 to irrigate areas, not yet sprinkled, suggesting perhaps the Fitness Trail. Councilman Spears asked if the Fitness needs any maintenance. Chirman Sandy said, "They were looking to improving it some by putting in the trail." Member Warren said, "They are going to match, or try to match." Chariman Sandy said. "They are willing to do something." and, "They are supposed to come back to us in October." Councilman Glazener said if the money is not used now for a jogging trail, we need to agree to look at long term plans for a jogging trail. All agreed. Member Faulkner said the City needs to consider needs of skate boarders. Mayor Amick said he was approached by kids for a 1/2 pipe and 1/4 pipe, and he had asked Bill Hall to check with our attorneys. Mr. Hall said the attorney stated we should not build such an area, the liabilities are too high and the insurance company advised against it. Bill Hall said there would be no · "He problem with a skate board park Member Faulkner said, was not suggesting we do that (build and 1/4 pipe or 1/2 pipe) but if we build a jogging and bike trail maybe the skate boarders might use it instead of the tennis courts, parking lots and streets. Item No. 13 - Turner Street Community Park Ms. Brantley said the CYSA would like to lite the northeast field and she has recommended one additional pole. Mayor Amick asked if that would be sufficient and directed Ms. Brantley to get a proposal from Gary Birdsong before bringing it to Council for approval. 00310 Item No. 14 - Chapman and Perryman Parks There were no questions regarding the proposal to add pea gravel to these two parks. Item No. 15 - Camey Field Councilman Marks asked why bleachers when are already bleachers there. Ms. Brantley said the field is getting more use now. There were no more questions. The Mayor then opened the floor to other concerns. Councilman Glazener asked about using the area at Augusta and Nervin as a park, stating the residents have questioned if it could be cleaned up for use. Mayor Amick said it has always been felt that area is too close to the elementary school to use as a park. Councilman Glazener said that is true but the children cannot play on the grass at the school. Mayor Amick directed the P & R Board to look into that area for possible use. Bill Hall shoed the plans to expand the athletic fields at the Complex on N. Colony. There followed a discussion regarding the best use for that area. Mayor Amick suggested creating a multi- use field and Mr. Hall agreed that would be a good use. All agreed the large open field should be make a multi-use field that all groups could use as practice area. Kathy Phillips said we should give consideration to the men's flag football league because they have to get permission from the Corps to use Stewart Creek Park for their games. Mayor Amick stated that Stewart Creek Park is the best place for them to play, but directed the board to get with the group to see if there is a workable plan for them to use fields within the city. Chairman Sandy asked if the board should prioritize the items approved. Mayor Amick said the City Council will approve the money and the concept and then the board and the P & R department should work with Public Works to get the work done. Ben Walser from PARDNERS was present and handed out Triathalon II T-shirts to the Council. Mayor Amick asked the Board to check on holding the Criterion Bike Race in The Colony again. Councilman Glazener at this time, commended Ben Walser, Sylvia Brantley, Public Works and the Police Dept. for the work they did on the Triathalon II. Mayor Amick directed the City Secretary to put all but the following items on the October 3, 1988 agenda for approval. Items No. 1, 2, 12 and 13 9:05 p.m. At this time, Mayor Amick dismissed the Park and Recreation Board. 2. RECEIVE REPORTS FROM ALL COUNCIL COMMITTEES Metroplex Mayor's Committee Mayor Amick advised this is a committee made of all mayors in the metroplex and that it is a positive net-working among cities, stating he and Bill Hall attend the meetings. Re-districting Committee This committee has completed its task and should be dissolved. Personnel Committee O0310a This is a committee which is activated each year, but should be dissolved at this time. Corp Land Acquisition Committee Councilman Glazener said there had been no reason to meet as yet, but that this is in regard to an athletic complex on Corp property. Fire Station One Committee Councilman Robinson said the preliminary planning is done, the final plans have not yet been approved. Golf Course Committee Bill Hall said the 120 day option given to Dick Watson for developing a golf course on Wynnewood expires on October 6, and that he (Hall) had received a letter from the Corp of Engineers stating that we must do something on that property or else. Mr. Hall said he gave an ultimatum to Mr. Watson through Frank Jennings that he must bring in the plans and agreement by this Friday, September 30, or the recommendation to Council will be to go with another company. EAS Study Committee Mr. Hall said there is a pre-hearing conference set for October 3 in Austin, to which he is going. He also related the information he received from Plano with regard to the City of Frisco and how much Frisco had contributed and how much work they had done on the EAS case. Mayor Amick said the EAS committee needs to contact Frisco to straighten that out. Fees Committee Councilmen Marks and Robinson said they need one or two more meetings, noting they had looked into franchise fees for commercial trash pick up, pool fees to accommodate mothers, etc. Mayor Amick reminded them that cities live and die by their fees and perhaps we do not collect enough revenue from fees. Animal Ordinance Committee Councilman Spears said the issue of exotic animals still has not been addressed. Logo Committee The committee has come up with some guidelines, and recommended leaving the decision up to the City Manager. Mayor Amick said he felt this should not be up to the City Manager. This item is back in committee. City Promotion Committee Councilman Glazener said the brochure is done, but they are waiting for the copy. Economic Development Committee Councilman Glazener said this is an on-going committee. Denton Col Water for the Future and Voting Member of C.O.G. Councilman Weaver advised these are both on-g~ing committees. 3. CONCERNS, NEEDS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE CITY Mayor Amick said this is as a result of letter written to 00310a everyone by Councilman Rick Harris several months ago, to which he received no response. The Mayor suggested tabling since Councilman Harris was absent at this meeting. Councilman Robinson moved to table this item and Councilman Spears seconded the motion which carried with all members voting Aye. 4. ITEMS OF OTHER INTEREST Bill Hall advised the Council that the Denton County Commissioners Court passed a resolution today objecting to the scheduling of the 121 improvements as did the cities of Plano and Lewisville. Councilman Weaver asked Bob van Til could work with him on the Tax Abatement issue. Mayor Amick and Bill Hall both agreed. Bill Hall advised the Council that the company interested in buying land along 121 from Fox and Jacobs had extended their option. There followed a discussion regarding the sale of property at 423 and N. Colony from Fox & Jacobs to a church. Mayor Amick said he thought it was zoned shopping center and asked if the City could turn down the zoning request for a church. Councilman Marks asked the status of the School Resource Officer. Bill Hall said Mr. Dennis of the high school is most pleased and will put in a desk for the officer at the school. Councilman Marks said he has a suggestion regarding which officer should be given that position, due to his observation of that officer at the football games. Mayor Amick said that is not the place of the Council, but that of the Chief of Police. 4. CLOSED DOOR SESSION AS AUTHORIZED BY ARTICLE 6252-17, V.A.C.S., SECTION 2F, REGARDING LAND ACQUISITION, TO-WIT: A. MCKAMY ROAD (FUQUA ROAD) With no action to be taken regarding the Closed Door Session, and no further business to address, Councilman Robinson moved to adjourn and Councilman Spears seconded the motion which carried with all members voting Aye. Mayor Amick adjourned the meeting at 9:55 p.m. APPROVED: Don . r - Ma ATTEST: City Secretary