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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/27/1990 City Council 00348. . MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL M~ETING HELD ON JANUARY 27, 1990 The Regular Session of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to order at 8:30 p.m. on the 27th day of January, 1990 at the Grapevine Concourse, Fairway Drive, Grapevine, Texas with the following Council roll call: Don Amick, Mayor Absent Rick Harris, Mayor Pro-tem Present Steve Withers, Councilman Present Mike Alianell, Councilman Absent Steve Glazener, Councilman Absent Dick Weaver, Councilman Present Joel Marks, Councilman Present and with four present, a quorum was established. Also present at the meeting were the following persons: Bill Hall, City Manager Patti Hicks, City Secretary Lowell Barton, Library Board Susan King, Park and Recreation James Althaus, Library Board Kathy Phillips, Park and Recreation Dell Holmes, Library Board Julia Warren, Park and Recreation Vivian Bedell, Chamber Rod Rodriguez, Park and Recreation Mike Russell, Operations, Mgr Bob van Til, Staff Planner Jeff Ball, The Colony Leader Lewis Jue, Planning and Zoning Gary La Crone, B.O.A. Agnes Foster, Planning and Zoning Roosevelt Johnson, B.O.A. and the following items were addressed: 1. OPENING REMARKS AND INTRODUCTIONS Mayor Pro-rem Harris welcomed everyone to the retreat and explained that with the beginning of a new decade a theme of Planning for the 90's had been set for the day. 2. RECEIVE STATEMENTS FROM COUNCIL ON GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Councilman Marks stated that his main goal for the 90's would be to see more done for the Senior Citizens. He went on to say that he is happy with the way the boards and council work together. Councilman Weaver read from the list of 5 year capital projects which had been prepared last year, naming several items and their costs, such as sewer system in the Eastvale area, elevated storage tank, re-painting of the storage tank, Strickland Drainage area, lane marking, expansion of the wastewater treatment plant, Witt Rd. re-surfaced, street repairs, Eastvale streets, irrigation of the medians, Animal Shelter, drainage on Paige Rd., channel work at Turner St. Park, signal 00848 lights at Paige and S. Colony, irrigation at the Library, water system in the Eastvale area, multi-purpose civic center, beautification, additional street lights. He estimated the total costs for these projects to be around $9,894,500.00. Roosevelt Johnson said there may be funds available from outside sources. Councilman Weaver also told the group that the T.U.E. rate case is under way and that the City of Arlington is backing a steering committee made up of several cities in the TU jurisdiction to fight the case, going on to say that TU wants almost one-half billion dollar increase to cover the cost of Comanche Peak and in 1991 they plan to ask for another increase. The Councilman recommend that The Colony join in with Arlington as an intervenor. Councilman Withers stated he agreed with Councilman Weaver regarding funds and stated that next year will be a tough budget and that he doesn't want to see a tax increase, suggesting that the city use creative ideas to serve the citizens. He said we need to encourage volunteers and test out new ideas. The Councilman said that P & Z should be problem solvers and work with developers to work out problems. He summarized by saying that the cost of living is spiraling and we need to be aware of and use our creative juices to help solve problems. Mayor Pro-rem Harris read from a list created at the retreat one year ago naming accomplishments since that time, such street markings on N. Colony, lower taxes, more practice and playing fields, city promotions organized, improved toilets at Stewart Creek Park, concession stands, widening of 423 from N. Colony to the bridge (will be under way next year), trees, shrubs, Beautification Committee, landscaping Ordinance, improvements to the office at the pool, communication with boards, new help at the Recreation Center, we will soon be able to pay utility bills at City Hall, E 9-1-1 will be up and running by July 1990, the golf course will be a reality within our lifetime, staff applies for grants, working toward solving the "standing water in streets" problem, better working relationship with L.I.S.D., big truck parking problems handled, pre-council sessions, metro service at City Hall, Library hours conformed to usage hours, and State Approved water signs. Mayor Pro-rem Harris said currently we have a tentative deal with Centex to work out the drainage problems on Paige, Blair Oaks and 423, explaining ordinance #357 and the covenants which require a roadway be built on the property along 121 by Centex. He said the Council can grant an extension on the requirement for the roads in exchange for a correction of the flooding problems. He went on to say the City has gone out to bids to demolish the burnt house on N. Colony and it should be demolished by the end of February. There is a new Code Enforcement Officer covering alleys and is giving 30-$0 notices per day. Mayor Pro-rem Harris reminded all that we do have metro phone service in The Colony. He said the S.O.B. Ordinance passed earlier has been good and has kept such businesses out of our city, noting we had filed one case and that business is now closed. He did state that many citizens did not understand wy Braums did not come into The Colony and assured all that the Council had done all that was possible to get the store in our City. He did say that TCBY and SUBWAY will soon be open in The Colony. Mayor Pro-rem Harris said that volunteers and boards are very much appreciated and that the city could not run without their help. He then introduced the Chamber representative, Vivian Bedell, President elect, who addressed the group. Ms Bedell said she appreciated the opportunity to be at the retreat, stating she is in charge of membership this year. She said the Chamber is concerned with getting businesses and keeping them. Ms. Bedell said the Chamber is available to help the Council and Boards and appreciates the fact that all plans cannot be accomplished. 3. DISCUSSION OF BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION Bill Hall, City Manager, explained that this board would handle complaints regarding substandard buildings in the city, noting that the Inspections Department cannot possible cover the entire city and the complaint process takes time, ie, court proceedings. Mr. Hall said that House Bill 1587 allows cities to establish the Building and Standards Commission (BSC) and it has been determined that the members of our current Board of Adjustment and Appeals can serve as both entities. Mr. Hall said that after a violation is noted, the BSC can meet and rule on the cases much more rapidly than court. 10:00 A.M. COFFEE BREAK 4. RECEIVE PRESENTATIONS FROM ADVISORY BOARDS Planning and Zoning Commission Agnes Foster said their role is as a recommending body to the Council on zoning requests. She said Bob van Til does a good job preparing for the needs of the commission, noting the commission tries to consider the time involved and handle items as expediently as possible. She said work sessions are held when needed, but she said she doesn't think the public is well enough informed. She said two goals are to get more information into the local newspaper and to have more effective planning with the citizens and Council. Lewis Jue said as a one year member he is impressed with the cooperation of staff and looks forward to continuing to have input into the planning of the City. He encouraged people to call him for answers and use what resources he has available. Roosevelt Johnson said he knows P&S works closely with the council and staff, but said maybe they' need to work closely with the Chamber to cut down misunderstandings, perhaps inviting them to meetings. Councilman Marks requested minutes from the P & Z meetings when an item is before the Council. Councilman Withers suggested that maybe input from the F&J salesmen regarding changes in the city would be helpful 00348' Park and Recreation Board Julia Warren listed some accomplishments: Concession stands at B.B.Owens and Little League fields, a fifth field at the complex, Wilcox Pocket Park is finished and another on hold on Lake Highlands Dr., electricity at Stewart Creek Park. The Board has established co~m]ittees for better communication, ie, Budget Committee, Sports Organizations Committee, Public Work Committee, Special Events Committee, PARDners, City Council, Adopt a Park. Ms. Warren said she would like to see quarterly work sessions with other boards. She noted the softball field parking lot problem and the proposed sail boat launch at Stewart Creek Park as current projects. She said the board will be out in the city the first week-end in February with surveys to get city wide input regarding Park and Recreation. Ms. Warren said the Board would like to increase public awareness, pride and involvement in the parks, would like to see youth football fields, and hike and bike trail and more cooperation in youth sports organizations. Ms. Warren went on to say the Board encourages activity in the Adopt a Park program and thinks standards should be set and if the standards are not met, the park should be taken away from the adopting group. She went on to name other goals; park bonds completed, re-do the racquetball courts, rest rooms at Stewart Creek park, increase the frisbee golf course to 18 holes, more staff at the pool, improve drains at the pool, enclose the wading pool with a fence and gate, adding decking for adults. She said the 5-10 year goals are to complete a hike and bike trail, a sports comp'lex, a new recreation center in the northwest sector, a civic center, an outdoor amphitheater. Ms. Warren said the recreation center serves over 6400 people per month. Rod Rodriguez said the key to accomplishing goals is working with other boards. Susan King said the amphitheater is her idea and believes it would work in one of the parks, noting that there is a need for a place to hold outdoor concerts. There was a brief discussion regarding the Adopt A Park program, with the Mayor Pro-tem stating the Council did require groups to report on the progress and when it was clear that some groups could not afford to develop the parks, the Council corrrnitted to irrigation, 1/2 court basketball and some playground equipment. Mayor Pro-tem Harris noted that the Slay-Baker Park happened because the neighbors in that area made the request. Councilman Marks said outdoor basketball facilities at the recreation center should be considered to meet the high demand. Mr. Rodriguez said the survey will help citizens to give input for pocket park improvements. Councilman Weaver said we should encourage more organizations to install irrigations systems in the parks and Mr. Rodriguez said often one organization can't afford that, but if they join together they could. Councilman Withers said the Adopt a Park program did work well but is falling by the wayside now. Library James Althaus covered revenues from last year, noting that the library was shut down 2 weeks at Christmas time and as of February 1, 1990 will be fully automated. Mr. Althaus said the Library received a significant book budget this year and stated that the Council does a good job with the money available. He did say there are problems with staffing, noting the Library is under staffed and there is a bit of a morale problem. He said the Library received more money from the County than budgeted, in the amount of $6000.00. He said only $4000.00 had been budgeted for a part time clerk and he suggested allocating the balance to whatever the Council desires. He said the fees and fines schedule has been revised to streamline procedures and it will be posted for all to see, Mr. Althaus said the board has considered cutting hours from 42 to 35 with more evening and week-end hours and less morning hours. Mr. Althaus said the 1990/91 number priority is staffing, noting the part time should be upgraded to full time, going on to say it is hard to find someone with a masters degree who will work as the Technical Services Librarian in a part time position. He said a Youth Services Librarian is needed and they would like to maintain the current adequate book budget, a computer catalog access to patrons and continuing audio/visual support for patrons and other departments. Mr. Althaus said the U.S. Chamber says that people look for churches, schools, and libraries when seeking a place to live. Ms. Foster said the staffing problem didn't just occur and the book budget is nice, but shouldn't the staffing problems be solved first, Mayor Pro-rem Harris said the priority had been to get books on the shelves to supplement the poorly stocked library at the High School. He said any department needs staff, that this is not a new problem and is not unique to the Library. Dell Homes said with a new building two situations arose, volunteer staffing decreased and patronage usage increased. Lowell Barton said the Library serves the minds of the people, by dispensing information. He said he would like to see the Friends of the Library to dedicate themselves to the inner man and not the physical needs, ie, the sprinkler system. Board of Adjustment and Appeals Roosevelt Johnson said this is an adjudicating body and their decision is final, noting the next step is District Court. He said they only meet when there is a problem which cannot be reconciled by staff. He said when someone wants to build something that will not meet the Codes, they come to the BOA for a variance, noting they are open meetings, however, they can close the meetings for adjudication. He said he would like to see briefings from P & Z and the Council regarding the overall plan for the city and would like to see meetings quarterly or every 6 months for boards to share and to invite the Chamber of Commerce. Gary LaCrone said the board has helped some citizens, has 00348o settled some disputes. He said the board members are very diversified. At this time, Bill Hall introduced Mike Russell, Operations Manager and Bob van Til, Staff Planner to give an overview of their duties. Mike Russell said his duty is to meld ideas and money and try to make the ideas work. He said this takes time and effort to take ideas, implement them and keep them going. He said he would like to see services improved. He said services such as response time for emergencies, general operations and maintenance of vehicles, guaranteed ambulance and goals. He noted that The Colony is now the only city in Texas to offer a Food Service Operator Certification Course. He said his staff brainstorms each week to come up with ideas to be looked at such as the ideas he has heard today. He said the establishment of the Operations Manager position was important in getting new ideas implemented sooner. Bob van Til said the process of planning involves P & Z, Council and all staff. He said there is a Master Plan adopted about a year ago. He said there were numerous meetings held before the 10 year plan was adopted. Mr. van Til said all staff cooperates to meet the ultimate goal of a project. Mr. van Til said he works with economic development of the city, taking a pro-active role, involving everyone including the Chamber. He said he has attended several meetings concerning the issue of promotions trying to get the word out about The Colony and what we have to offer, noting that internal operations can make your city attractive. He said he also works on acquiring financial assistance to find capital to work with. He said there are very restrictive guidelines. Mr. van Ti] said he seeks to solve problems in the city's infrastructure as well as social problems. He also commended the volunteer effort in the city, stating we could operate without them, citing the R.S.V.P. programs as one avenue. Mayor Pro-rem Harris said with no further business to address, and with lunch waiting he would call for a motion to adjourn. Councilman Marks moved to adjourn and Councilman Weaver seconded the motion, which carried with all voting Aye. 1:00 P.M. LUNCH 2:00 ADJOURN APPROVED: