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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/18/1991 City Council MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MARCH 18, 1991 The Regular Session of ~he City Council of %he City of The Colony, Texas was called %o order a~ 7:30 p.m. on %he 18~h day of March, 1991, a~ City Hall wi~h %he following Council roll call: William W. Manning, Mayor Presen~ Mike Lynch, Councilman Presen~ S~eve Wi~hers, Mayor Pro-~em Presen~ Mike Alianell, Councilman Presen~ Rob Burchard, Councilman Absen~ Lou Gomez, Councilman Absen~ Joel Marks, Councilman Presen% and wi~h five present, a quorum was established and %he following i~ems were addressed: 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 2. CITIZEN INPUT Melanie Abel, 4524 Lakecres%, read a prepared s%a~emen% asking ~he Council ~o cease from ~heir bickering and animosity amongs~ %hemselves and ge~ on wi~h %he business of running %he ci%y. (see A%%achmen% "A") 3. PRESENTATION OF EMPLOYEE AWARDS Six employees were ~o receive %heir recogni%ion awards for ~enure wi~h ~he ci%y. They are as follows: Mike Ramon - 10 year wa%ch; Tab Bradburry - 8 year pin; Mary Pilcher - 5 year pin; Buddy Rogers - 3 year pin; Damian Paul - 2 year certificate and Terry Farmer - 5 year pin. Of ~he six, only Mr. Bradburry was presen% %o receive his award. The award was presen%ed by Mayor Manning. 4. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF GOLF COURSE PROPOSAL AS PRESENTED BY CHILDERS INVESTMENTS Charlie Childers wi%h Childers Inves%men%s introduced his par%ner, Dave Mannen and proceeded ~o give %heir proposal %o build a 36 hole golf course on Wynnewood Peninsula. Mr. Childers said ~he projec% would cos% approxima%ely $7,111,000 including %he wa%er line, no%ing wa%er would be used from ~he lake, wi~h permission from %he City of Dallas. Mr. Childers wen~ on ~o say ~he projec~ could be finance by ~he sale of ~ax exemp~ bonds, which ~he ci%y would authorize. Mr. Childers said he would sell %he bonds, ~he Ci%y would endorse %hem, bu% would no% be liable for paymen~ of ~he bonds. The Mayor asked abou~ ~he 30 year plan. Mr. Childers said ~he 3 ~) current lease on the park with ~he Corps of Engineers is 25 years with 21 years left. He has spoken with the Corps and %hey will ex%end the lease if everything is going as planned, no%lng %hat Corps is in favor of this project. Mr. Childers showed %he audience %he proposed plan, stating %hey will build a course %hat will be enjoyable for all %o play. Mr. Childers said %his will be a public course, and that %he course will pay for all expenses, again stating %here will be no expense to the city. Councilman Alianell asked about %he wa%er from %he lake. Mr. Childers said %he untreated water will be used for irrigation and the Ci%y of Dallas will probably require meters to measure the amount, going on to say the course may have to build holding tanks. Councilman Lynch asked about wa%er for the club house. Mr. Childers said he doesn't know about %ha% for sure, but Tommy Turner advised there is a well on site. Mr. Dave Mannen said %he course should be playable in about 18 months, noting that depending when %he course is finished and how much growing time is available will determine when the course can actually open. There was a discussion regarding he flood plain and its effects on %he playing season. Mr. Childers said %hey anticipate 100,000 rounds of golf per year by %he 5th year of operation. Councilman Marks asked about %he company's experience. Mr. Childers said he has never buil~ a golf course, %hat he is the real estate developer but that his partner Dave Mannen and Carlton Gibson will do the actual building and they have built or been involved in the building of several courses. Councilman Marks noted the agreement says %he City will own the course 100% and if that is so, then who will pay for flooded holes, etc. Mr. Childers said it is %he law that the city own it 100% due to the financing by tax exempt bonds, but that revenues from the course will pay for all the operations of the course. Mayor Manning said this is in %he very early stages and that this will come back to Council several times before it is finalized. Mr. Childers closed by stating that he has handled several bond deals before and %hat he does have purchasers ready to but these bonds. 5. PRESENTATION OF THE AUDIT FOR THE CITY OF THE COLONY, TEXAS, FOR THE YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1990 Mr. England introduced Mr. George Scott with Deloitte/Touche who told the Council %hat their opinion is on page one of the audit and stated that during the process of conducting the audit, the city staff cooperated fully and provided all the necessary data for a successful procedure. Mr. Scot% said %he Financial Statement is in 3 sections,; 1. Introduction, including an organizational chart, the transmittal letter and a copy of a Certificate of Excellence for financial 4 reporting. Mr. Scott noted that about 1% of all the cities in the country receive such an award and that we should be proud that we are one of them. Going on, section 2. the actual financial report and section 3. the statistical section, including demographics, etc. Mr. Scott said their report to management will be covered by Mr. England. James England gave a presentation to the Council covering various aspects of the Audit including the goals, the organization chart, the Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings and assets. Mr. England noted that all the budget data is now automated. Mr. England went on to cover long term debt and various other tables found in the audit itself, as well as the statistical data. Mayor Manning asked where the Enterprise Fund has gone over the past few years. Mr. England explained that in the pas, the City Council has taken the interest from old construction project funds and funded that balance, but we are at the end of those funds, going on to say that something must be done to alleviate the deficit in that fund. Mr. England did note that the management letter did state there were no major weaknesses found in the City's accounting procedures. There was a discussion regarding the Utility Fund, the accumulated debt, etc. Councilman Alianell asked if the increase in the water and sewer rates had helped to ease the deficit. Mr. England said it is hard to say at this time, but that they are checking now to see how it is doing and they (Finance) are keeping Mr. Hall informed on the progress. Mr. England used graphs to show the last three years in the fund; revenues, expenses and losses, going on to say the account deficit in the Utility Fund is due to largely to depreciation and that he does believe it will be less in 1991 than it was in 1990. Mr. England went on to say that this has been addressed for the past 3 years and that it needs the council's attention, noting there are several options to look. Mr. England said we are going to try again this year for the Certificate of Achievement. Discussion followed regarding options to lower the deficit; cut expenses, increase revenue, re-structure the debt or eliminate the transfer to the General Fund. Councilman Marks said he would like to see the water expenses for City Hall broken out before the budget process begins. Mr. Jim Wallace asked if the depreciation is actual outlay of cash or just an accounting procedure. Mr. England said there is no actual cash and Mr. Wallace asked how rasing the rates makes a difference in the depreciation of the system. Mayor Manning said that subject will be discussed in great detail during the budget sessions. With no further discussion, Councilman Withers made a motion to accept the audit as presented and Councilman Marks seconded the motion which carried with a unanimous roll call vote. 5 6. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF AN OPEN SPACE PLAN AND PARKS DEVELOPMENT PLAN Bob van Til no%ed %ha% %he Parks Developmen% Plan is no% %o be reviewed tonight, only the Open Space Plan and that there will be a resolution placed on %he April 1, 1991 agenda for Council adopt the plan as presented. Mr. van Til covered the purpose of ~he plan stating it is part 1 of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan which identifies all city's natural open spaces such as drainage ways, flood plains and we% lands. Mr. van Til said the plan is an integral part of the grant process which is currently underway for Northpointe Park. Mr. van Til said the Parks Development Plan is provided guide ~he city is the physical development of the parks and recreational facilities and should work in unison wi%h the Open Space Plan. The Open Space Plan is broken into the following: NATURAL OPEN SPACES AND UNIQUE FEATURES: Drainage ways Flood Plains, flood ways, wet lands Wildlife areas MAN-MADE OPEN SPACES AND UNIQUE FEATURES: City Entries Transportation Corridors Major Utility Easements --~ Mr. van Til went on to say the Park Standards are as follows: 1, Neighborhood Park Acres - one acre per 1000 population 2. Community Park Acres - one and one-half acre per 1000 popula%ion 3. Ci%y park Acres %wo acres per 1000 population. To adop% %hese standards the undeveloped areas have been divided in%o %wo major areas; Wynnewood Peninsula and the properties sou%h of Sta%e Hwy 121. Fur%her, it is recommended Wynnewood Peninsula areas set aside 4.1 acres for neighborhood parks or 6.2 acres for a communi%y park. This should be done despi%e the possible golf course facili%y on %he Corps of Engineer property. Mr. van Til went on %o say the area south of Hwy 121 is recommended for 13.2 acres as Neighborhood Parks, or 19.7 acres for Communi%y parks or 26.3 acres as a City park. Councilman Lynch asked if a developer can choose one type of park and then after seeing another need change it. Mr. van Til explained %his is a guideline and %he developer has to come %o Ci%y for approval before actually building a park. The resolu%ion %o adop% %his plan will be placed on the April 1, 1991 agenda for ac%ion. 6 7. CONSENT AGENDA A. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD MARCH 4, 1991 Councilman Lynch made ~he mo%ion to approve the minu~es as written and Councilman Withers seconded the mo~ion which carried wi~h a unanimous roll call vote. B. CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTANCE AND AWARD OF BIDS FOR THE MOWING OF STEWART CREEK PARK AND APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING CONTRACT FOR SAME Councilman Lynch made the mo~ion ~o accep% the bids and award the con~rac% ~o D & S Landscape as recommended. Councilman Withers seconded %he motion which carried wi~h a unanimous roll call vote. C. CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTANCE AND AWARD OF BIDS FOR THE MOWING OF MEDIANS AND PARKWAYS AND APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING CONTRACT FOR SAME Councilman Lynch made %he mo~ion ~o accep~ %he bids and award the con~rac% to E.F. Anthony as recommended. Councilman Wi%hers seconded ~he mo%ion which carried wi~h a unanimous roll call vo~e. D. CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTANCE AND AWARD OF BIDS FOR THE PURCHASE OF UTILITY SUPPLY PARTS AND APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING CONTRACT FOR SAME Councilman Lynch made the mo~ion to accep~ the bids and award ~he contrac% for the purchase of u~ility supply par~s ~o Industrial In%ernational and ~he contract for the purchase of fire hydrant parts ~o Bowles and Eden as recommended. Councilman Withers seconded %he motion which carried with a unanimous roll call vote. E. CONSIDERATION OF RENEWAL OF A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF THE COLONY AND THE AQUA CATS Elise Knox explained ~ha~ this is a parent run swim team and %ha~ ~he members pay $25.00 a month ~o belong. The city is paid 20% for use of the facili%y. Councilman Alianell made the mo~ion %o renew ~he contract as recommended. Councilman Marks seconded the motion which carried wi~h a unanimous roll call vo~e. F. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF CITY OF THE COLONY, TEXAS, WATERWORKS AND SEWER SYSTEM REVENUE BONDS SERIES 1991, IN THE AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $1,330,000; ENACTING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING THERETO Councilman Lynch asked abou% %he differences in the ordinance in %he council packe~ and ~he one originally brough% forth. Mr. Chris Janning wi%h Firs% Sou%hwes% said %he bond counsel jus% %his morning made more amendmen%s %o %he ordinance, however he no%ed %hey are minor and do no% effec% %he bonds in any way. Mr. Janning said %he s%a~e jus% reviewed %he ordinance %his morning and made %hose changes necessary. Wi%h no fur%her discussion, Councilman Lynch made %he mo%ion %o approve %he ordinance wi%h changes. Councilman Marks seconded %he mo%ion which carried wi%h a unanimous roll call vo%e. G. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE STATE PURCHASING AND GENERAL SERVICES COMMISSION TO INCLUDE CONTRACT NO. 070-Al ON THE COMMISSION'S ANNUAL CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF FOUR (4) POLICE VEHICLES Councilman Lynch asked why we are going wi%h a Caprice and a Ford. Cap%. Carroll explained %ha% we are buying ~hrough %he S%a%e bid and %he Caprice is %he only police package available %his year, no%lng %he Fords will no% be available un%il 1992. Tim Bagge%% asked why i% is necessary %o purchase full pursui% vehicle for pa%rol officers in The Colony. Cap% Carroll said %he police package is buil% for durabili%y and safe%y for %he officer. Mr. Bagge%% asked if %he smaller cars are no% safe, no%lng o%her area depar%men%s use %hem. Cap%. Carroll said in %he case of an acciden%, a larger car will be safer. Wi%h no fur%her discussion, Councilman Lynch made %he mo%ion %o approve %he resolu%ion au%horizing %he purchase of 4 police vehicles %hrough %he S%a%e Purchasing Agency and General Services Commission. Councilman Wi%hers seconded %he mo%ion, and asked if %he cars being replaced will be pu% in ano%her depar%men%. Cap%. Carroll said %hese are 1985 and 1986 vehicles %ha% were %o be replaced las% year and were no% and %ha% %hey have over 100,000 miles on %hem. The mo%ion %hen carried wi%h a unanimous roll call vote. 8. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS The Landscape Commi%%ee will mee% nex% week. GOLF COURSE, LANDSCAPE, SENIOR NEEDS, S.U.P STUDY, TAX ABATEMENT The Landscape Commi%%ee will mee% nex% week. 9. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 1. The Lions Club has a mobil concession s%and and has reques%ed %o use i% a% parades and o%her special even%s in Ci%y. They curren%ly have i% loca%ed nex% %o Wal-Mar% and have ob%ained %he necessary heal%h permit from %he Health Direc%or. S~aff has no problem as long as %hey do no% .conflic% wi%h o%her concession s%and opera%ions, ie., sof%ball games, e%c. They are in full compliance wi%h ci%y regula%ions. 8 00;394o 2. There is a Focus on Transportation workshop ~o be held in Dallas this Thursday and Friday. John Weinberg has ~wo tickets if anyone is interested in attending. 3. Josey Lane Extension problems have been resolved, a route satisfactory to all involved has been decided upon and the project will be moving forward. 4. The plans for the widening of FM 423 from N. Colony to the bridges have been received and the contract should be let in la%e summer 1991. 5. Hwy 121 - the primary issues have been resolved by the Council and other city's. Two remaining issues to be addressed before the contracts can be let. The State is working on an agreement concerning the control of access and the area west on 121 owned by the Santa Fe Railroad Company. With no further business to address, Councilman Alianell made a motion to adjourn and Councilman Lynch seconded the motion which carried with all members voting Aye. Mayor Manning adjourned the meeting at 9:40 p.m. APPROVED: William W. Manning, Mayor City Secretary 9 Melanie Abel ATTACHMENT "A"(1) 4524 Lakecrest Drive The Colony, TX 75056 (214)625-5951 Statement to the Mayor and City Council, March 18,1991 In the beginning, there was a councilman with a personal transgression. Then, there was another councilman with a personal transgression. Some people sided with one councilman and some people sided with the other. Of course, these teams did not believe alike or vote alike. They went to great measures to ascertain this and make sure that everybody knew. The councilman that were left in the wings didn't know who to side with or which way to vote; so they 3ust sat there straddling the fence, until the coast was clear. The problem was that the coast never cleared and decisions were 3ust as hard to come by. In the meantime, the citizens of the city became disgruntled and complained endlessly. This was all to no avail, because the complaints fell upon the deaf ears of the mayor and city council: who was too busy, making certain that each others lives were miserable, to worry about whether the people they represented were affected or not. Does this sound like a fairy tale? Well, it's not. Does this sound like a city council? Not really. But, it does sound a lot like back biters and cowards, doesn't it? It is obvious that you, the council and mayor, do not realize the effect you have on the lives of the citizens of The Colony. You only know the opinions of the people that speak out on certain problems at these meetinus or who post an editorial or the people that you are acquainted with. Well here are the opinions and feelings of people that I have come into contact with for weeks and months. It is not for a council to stand in judgement of people and discuss their moral or personal values, but to run this city as the PEOPLE desire. I have talked to councilmen concerning issues that I felt were important and found the answers to be that they would vote the way that they believed. Notice that I said the way THEY believe not the way the people they represent believe. I believe you have forgotten who you work for. We live in a democracy. A government for the people and by the people. We the people put you in those positions and we the people can take you out. And if you can't stand the heat of a council position, then it is your duty to the people to get out of the oven, On the other hand, I believe you have forgotten those who work with you and for you. I have heard the rumblings from within all phases of the city government and the city council. Your attitudes and actions make their 3obs difficult and cause them undue embarrassment. ATTACHMENT "A"(2) Imagine trying to work for a company that. is indecisive and has internal disagreement on how the company should run. This company and its problems are always in the newspaper and everybody's talking about how undisciplined, unorganized and ridiculous this company is. They automatically assume that anyone that works there must be that way. This is the City of The Colony and its citizens. We are being made to' look like a bunch of bickering, bungling idiots. The council meetings drag on and on because some councilman has not studied his packet and has off the wall questions and comments. Most of you know what you believe, but you're not real sure what all that~ involves when it comes down to the nuts and bolts of a situation. You need to be prepared when you come to these meetings. The bickering and animosity amongst council members is overshadowing everything that is important. The council meetings are more like bar room brawls, with very little mediation taking place. For the sake of your credibility, stop this bickering amongst yourselves and take a whole-hearted interest in this city dnd its people. Here we are supposedly trying to attract business for the sake of lowering taxes. In essence we're cutting our own throats: because there are businesses and corporations that read our newspaper. Why would a corporation want to open a business here and try to deal with this mess? I read somewhere that a good business reputation does not spring up overnight, but grows slowly and soundly because it is rooted in the solid ground of customer satisfaction. The citizens, the future citizens and businesses of The Colony are your customers. If you do not have the desire to make some changes, then I am wasting my time. If you do desire to make some changes then here is an idea of what we the citizens of The Colony expect of you. 1. Loyalty to The Colony 2. Decisiveness 3. An interest in the people 4. Respectability Your jobs as councilmen and mayor demand professionalism, leadership, and communications skills. But the greatest skills I believe this council is in need of are common sense and tact. While cleaning off my desk a couple of weeks ago, I ran across a list of 10 pretty good rules to live by. I thought I should share them with this council and the mayor. 1. Never wrestle with a pig; you both get dirty and the pig likes it. 2. Never argue with an idiot; people watching may not be able to tell the difference. 3. Observe everything; admire nothing. 4. It's easier to obtain forgiveness than it is permission. ATTACHMENT "A"(3) 5. Rarely resist the opportunity to keep your mouth shut. 6. Don't ask the question if you cannot live with the answer. 7. If you want a new idea, read an old book. 8. If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there. 9. Never have a philosophy which supports a lack of courage. 10. Never look back unless you intend to go that way. My hope for this council is that you realize that mistakes are not only inevitable, but that they can be invaluable. Learn from them. If your mistakes come from misinformation, correct them; don't find a scapegoat.