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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/02/1993 City Council00486o MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON AUGUST 2, 1993 The Work Session of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on the 2nd day of August, 1993 at City Hall with the following Council roll call: William Manning, Mayor Present Mike Lynch, Councilman Present Toby Pollard, Councilman Present Joe Agnew, Councilman Present Tom Bogan, Councilman Absent (Arrived 7:05) John Dillard, Councilman Present Joel Marks, Mayor Pro-tem Absent (Arrived 7:05) and with five present, a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 1. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF THE PROPOSED CONTRACT FOR THE MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE POSITION Councilman Lynch asked when the alternate judge would be appointed. Mayor Manning stated the Municipal Judge would be appointed by the Council and would be required to submit prospective alternates for interview to the Council. No alternate could be appointed before then. Councilman Lynch stated we would need to act fast to have the Judge and alternate appointed before we entered into a long term contract. Bill Hall said he had already spoken with some individuals who were interested in the position. He had used the Proposed Requirements drafted by staff as a guide and all seemed to find requirements and salary range acceptable. Mayor Manning expressed his appreciation for the work done by Chief Stewart and Ms Ristagno in preparing the Proposed Requirements as well as Ms Hicks for drafting the Proposed Contract. Mayor Manning asked Mr. Hall to check with the legal advisors at T.M.L. in regard to removal of an appointed judge and term. With no further business to address, Mayor Manning adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m. William W. Manmng, Mayor ATTESt// Sandie Chance, Deputy City Secretary 0048 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON AUGUST 2, 1993 The Regular Session of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to order at 7:30 p.m. on the 2nd day of August, 1993, at City Hall with the following Council roll call: William W. Manning, Mayor Present Mike Lynch, Councilman Present Toby Pollard, Councilman Present Joe Agnew, Councilman Present Tom Bogan, Councilman Present John Dillard, Councilman Present Joel Marks, Mayor Pro-tem Present and with seven present, a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 8. CITIZEN INPUT - None 2. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Manning summarized the items on the consent agenda. Councilman Lynch asked that item 2C be pulled for discussion. A. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETINGS HELD JULY 19 AND 26, 1993 Motion to approve the minutes as written - Agnew; second - Bogan, carried with a unanimous roll call vote. B. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO THE PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL BY ADOPTION OF SECTION 5.61 RELATING TO THE FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT AND SECTION 5.62 RELATING TO THE DISABILITY/LEAVE POLICY; AND AMENDING SECTION 2.18 RELATING TO THE ELIGIBILITY LIST FOR APPLICANTS Mayor Manning stated we need to add the statement "The employee will be eligible for rehire." to the end of paragraph 5, page 2 of the Family. Medical Leave Act, Section 5.62 of the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual to make it consistent with the remainder of the section. 5 00485 , Motion to approve the Amendments with the addition to Section 5.62 - Agnew; second - Bogan, carried with a unanimous roll call vote. C. CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING ADVERTISING FOR THE POSITION OF ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER. Councilman Lynch stated we should wait to fill this position as there are only two months left in the current budget year and as we are looking at the possibility of privatizing the services of the animal shelter, we cannot be sure what staffing would be needed. Mr. Lynch recommends we table this until we know the future of the animal shelter. Councilman Bogan indicated the need for a work session immediately to discuss the operations and staffing of the shelter. He also stated he is not in favor of privatizing the operations. City Manager, Bill Hall, stated he has talked with representatives of the S.P.C.A. about taking over the operation of our shelter. He is awaiting additional information from them. Mayor Manning scheduled a work session to address the item for August 9, 1993. 3. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 19-11 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATING TO TRAFFIC; AMENDING SCHOOL ZONES. Bill Hall explained that Staff had been reviewing the current school zones and school crossing guard locations due to the construction of the new elementary school on Paige Road. The proposed ordinance would delete some existing school zones and create a new school zone on Paige Road from Yager Drive to Nash Drive. There has already been a suggestion made to extend this zone from Strickland Avenue to North Colony Boulevard. Councilman Agnew noted Paige Road is a very heavily traveled roadway and he believes the longer school zone is needed. He further stated that although the ordinance does not address school crossing guards, the information from staff indicated the reduction of crossing guard locations. He would like to keep the crossing guard at North Colony Boulevard and Paige Road if students would be crossing from the north to attend the elementary school. He would also like to keep the crossing guard at Nash and Blair Oaks Drive as this is another very busy intersection. Tom Cravens, Director of Public Works, displayed a map which outlines the new school boundaries as determined by L.I.S.D. This indicates there will be no elementary students crossing North Colony Boulevard from the north to attend the new school. There will be students for Griffin Middle School crossing North Colony Boulevard. The city is also placing a sidewalk on the east side of Paige Road from the new elementary school to Gates Drive. Councilman Agnew stated we would need to keep the crossing guard for the middle school students and he was pleased with the construction of the sidewalk due to the pooling of water in that area. He hoped it would keep the students from getting splashed and soaked on their way to school. Councilman Bogan expressed concern over the proposed elimination of crossing guards at Keys/Keyland and Ethridge/Fryer. This is another heavy traffic area and guards should not be eliminated without a current traffic count and student crossing count. Police Chief Bruce Stewart explained there is a crossing guard within one block of these locations and the students would cross at that location instead. Mr. Bogan asked if we could reduce the hours of the crossing guards in lieu of eliminating the locations. Councilman Marks stated he would like to keep all of the crossing guard positions until the new budget is in place. Bill Hall said the elimination of the crossing guard positions is not a budget decision. We would not eliminate a crossing guard location to save money at the risk of any child, but some of the locations do not warrant the placement of a crossing guard. Councilman Lynch suggested we extend the school zone on Paige Road and wait until we have a traffic count and student crossing count for the new school year before making any changes in the school crossing guard positions. Additional discussion followed regarding the students from the Lakeridge area and police department staffing during school zone hours. Motion to approve the ordinance with the following changes: extend the school zone for Paige Road from Strickland Avenue to North Colony Boulevard, add North Colony Boulevard from a point 250 feet east of its intersection with Paige Road to a point 250 feet west of its intersection with Paige Road - Lynch; second - Agnew. Motion carried with a unanimous roll call vote. Resident Joyce Fulco, 4712 Clover Valley Drive, urged the Council to wait until school starts before they make any decisions on the school crossing guards. 4. FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 6 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ADDING ARTICLE VIII, INSPECTION OF VACANT COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS. Bill Hall stated there had been concerns expressed over vacant commercial buildings which have not be inspected. He met with Tom Cravens of Public Works and Dave Wallace, Fire Marshall to establish criteria for inspections. Councilman Marks asked if we don't inspect occupied buildings already and do we charge a fee. Captain Wallace indicated the Fire Department does inspect occupied buildings but does not charge a fee. Bill Hall clarified that there is a fee assessed by the Inspections Department for commercial building inspections which was determined by the Fees Committee. Councilman Marks stated he would like to see any reference to a fee charge for this service eliminated. As we are already inspecting without a charge from the Fire Department now, why add a fee. It makes us look anti-business. Councilman Lynch said we need to recover costs and we are only inspecting occupied buildings at this time, not vacant. Councilman Agnew said this ordinance might encourage occupancy but did question a fee for this service. Councilman Dillard said we shouldn't assess a fee for providing a necessary service. If there is a code violation at the time of 7 004856 inspection, a citation should be issued. Councilman Bogan said we need to inspect these vacant properties to assure they are safe and a fee is not out of line. Mr. Marks stated again he would like all reference to a fee deleted from the ordinance. Councilman Agnew suggested no fee for initial inspection however, if they are not in compliance, we could charge a fee for the re-inspection. Mayor Manning closed the discussion reminding everyone this is only a first reading. 6. CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENTS TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. Mr. Hall introduced Paul Tidwell, president of First Colony Bank, as representative of The Colony 2000. Mr. Tidwell stated TC2000 has determined the need to either establish the Economic Development Corporation or abandon the idea. If we are to move forward, the City Council needs to appoint a member of the Council to the Board of the Economic Development Corporation and approve the two other members suggested from the Chamber of Commerce and the community. The Chamber proposes Clayton Oliphant from their membership and Mr. Frank Cuda has been nominated for the positions of Treasurer. Confirming these appointments would leave only two remaining positions on the Board and these could be filled from resident or non-resident applicants. Mr. Tidwell felt it important to look for people with divergent skills to compliment each other on the Board and for someone with vision to lead the Board. Councilman Lynch asked how many applications were received to date for the Board. Mr. Larry Bryant of TCI Cablevision stated four or five, well under the hoped for response. Councilman Marks nominated Councilman Agnew as the Council representative. Councilman Agnew asked how much time would need to be devoted to this. Mr. Tidwell stated that it would take no more time than The Colony 2000 at this time. There is no way of projecting future involvement. Councilman Pollard volunteered to serve if Councilman Agnew was unable. Councilman Agnew said he would be able to serve. Motion to approve Clayton Oliphant and Frank Cuda to Board of the Economic Development Corporation - Lynch; second - Bogan, passed by acclamation. Motion to approve Councilman Agnew to Board of Economic Development Corporation - Pollard; second - Marks, passed by acclamation. 7. DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 357 AS IT PERTAINS TO RIDGEPOINT Bill Hall stated that Ordinance 357 contained covenants governing the development of Ridgepoint (formerly called the South Planning Unit) which have expired. We are currently negotiating a new bond with Centex concerning this area. No action is required by Council at this time. The new ordinance and bond will be on the August 16 agenda for Council approval. 8 00485',: 5. CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING ADVERTISING FOR BIDS FOR THE SALE OF A 1971 MERCEDES Bill Hall noted we had previously requested the trading of this vehicle for services to the new D.A.R.E. vehicle and it was recommended we check on the value of the vehicle and possibly sell it instead. Staff now requests authorization to advertise the vehicle for sale by sealed bid with a minimum of $800. This will be advertised in the local paper, the Dallas daily and a specialty paper dedicated to the sale of autos. Motion to authorize the sale of vehicle by sealed bid - Bogan; second - Dillard. Motion passed with unanimous roll call vote. 10. CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING EMERGENCY CAPITAL EXPENDITURE Bill Hall explained the recorder/logger in the Police Department is connected to the E911 phone system and records all calls. The equipment failed recently and the Police Department utilized the recorder from the Council Chambers. A loaner was provided by the repair company and it also failed. The current system is at least nine years old and repair is not cost effective. The Police Department requests an emergency expenditure to replace the system at this time. Police Chief Stewart explained the current model only covers four channels and we have eight. He would like to buy two units. He has checked with manufacturers and to replace with two new units compatible with the existing system is $10,685 plus installation. Mayor Manning asked if funding was available. Mr. Hall stated funds were available as all capital expenditures for the General Fund were not utilized or using funds from the Police Departments capital account for their computer system. Mayor Manning was not in favor of using any funds from the computer account. Councilman Lynch expressed concern in moving expensive equipment around for listening and transcribing purposes. Suggested we buy a player unit only or continue to use the Council Chambers recorder for listening. Mr. Hall questioned the possibility of repairing the old unit for listening only. Chief Stewart agreed this was an option. Councilman Agnew asked if there were any other vendors and their costs. Chief Stewart said only one other vendor provided information and it was for $17,500. Motion to approve request for emergency capital expenditure - Lynch; second - Bogan. Motion carried with unanimous roll call vote. 9. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 1. Water Meter Reading - There were two companies represented at the pre-bid conference. Hopefully we will get a good proposal. 2. Tax Roll - The Budget Transmittal Letter was based on the Preliminary Tax 9 0048,56 Roll. We have now received the Certified Tax Roll and it is $5 million higher than anticipated. Councilman Lynch asked if tax roll increase was due to improved appearance of property in the city or actual sales. Mr. Hall stated the tax roll would be based on the actual selling price of property in the city although appearance would affect the price. 3. Court Tax Collection Agency - We contracted with Municipal Services Bureau for the collection of warrants for our Municipal Court. To date they have collected two accounts for a total of about $50. For this reason and due to some other problems we are experiencing with them, we are looking at using another company for this service. J.V.C. of Lewisville provides this service and we are getting more information from them. 4. Tom Cravens, Director of Public Works, said we set a record for water used in the month of July. There were 141 million gallons pumped for the month, the highest ever, and 6.3 million gallons on July 25 alone. With no further business to address, Mayor Manning adjourned the meeting at 9:30 p.m. APPROVED: C~am ~. Manning, ATTEST: Sandie Chance, Deputy City Secretary 10