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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/10/1995 City Council 00564; MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON APRIL 10, 1995 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 10th day of April, 1995, at City Hall with the following Council roll call: William W. Manning, Mayor Present Mike Lynch, Mayor Pro-Tem Present Kay Hardin, Councilman Present Rob Burchard, Councilman Present John Dillard, Councilman Present G. David Heiman, Councilman Present and with six present, a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 2. CITIZEN INPUT 3. MAYORAL PROCLAMATION DECLARING APRIL AS "SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS" MONTH Denton County Friends of the Family requested this proclamation in an effort to increase public awareness about the problem of sexual assault and to encourage citizen involvement. Mayor Manning read the proclamation in it's entirety and Debra Ross, volunteer counselor, representing Denton County Friends of the Family accepted the proclamation. 4. MAYORAL PROCLAMATION DECLARING APRIL 9-15, 1995 AS NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK The Colony Public Library staff requested this proclamation. The Mayor read the proclamation in it's entirety and Ms. Joan Sveinsson was present to accept the proclamation. 5. PRESENTATION OF AWARD TO WINNER OF THE NAME THE PARK CONTEST FOR THE NEWLY ACQUIRED PARK ON LAKE LEWISVILLE The Parks & Recreation Board conducted a contest to name the new park. Ninety- one entries were received from persons ranging in age from one to sixty-five. The winning entry, "HIDDEN COVE PARK", was submitted by Gary Garrett. At this time, Mr. Garrett was introduced by Ms. Pam Nelson. Mayor Manning presented Mr. Garrett with a combination permit good for entry into Hidden Cove Park and Stewart Creek Park along 3 0 0 $ 6- with a Certificate of Appreciation. Mr. Garrett has offered his services with art work as needed for the new park. 6. CONSENT AGENDA A. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETINGS HELD MARCH 20 AND MARCH 25, 1995 Council meeting minutes were prepared for the council review and approval. Councilman Lynch had submitted a change to the March 20, 1995 minutes. Motion to approve the minutes as amended - Lynch; second - Hardin, carried with a unanimous roll call vote. B. CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTANCE AND AWARD OF BIDS FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF SOCCER FIELD LIGHTING AND ATHLETIC FIELD POLES, AND APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING CONTRACT FOR SAME There were no bids received on the above project. Councilman Lynch said he understands Ms. Nelson and Mr. Johnston are reviewing whether to re-bid or negotiate with the contractors. Re-bidding will slow down the project, but if the law requires re-bidding, then that is what will be done. Mr. Smith said the only reason we are considering this without re-bidding is the timing on the project. Motion to postpone for legal opinion - Lynch; second - Dillard, carried with a unanimous roll call vote. 7. CONSIDERATION OF ANY APPROPRIATE ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE COUNCIL WITH REGARD TO FINANCING FOR THE PROPOSED GOLF COURSE ON WYNNEWOOD PENINSUI.~ The City Council and The Colony Municipal Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board of Directors met April 6, 1995 in a joint work session to discuss the fmandng for the proposed golf course. Also present was the city's bond counsel and representatives from Matthews Southwest and Champions Golf. All present at the meeting agreed on the direction to be taken and that council should be asked to approve the EDC board seeking proposals for a feasibility study. The EDC agreed to develop an RFP based on the issues discussed for the feasibility study with input from each group present at the work session. Councilman Dillard, council representative to the EDC board, said the board is requesting approval from the coundl to seek proposals from four companies; Coopers & Lybrand, Economics Research Associates, Peat Marwick, and Golf Resource Assodates. Other companies may be contacted as well. Councilman Hardin expressed concern about the city paying for the study and 4 Councilman Dillard explained that we have to look at what the city is trying to develop with our parks and other areas. He said we have to look at what will draw people to The Colony. Councilman Burchard agreed the study is needed but also expressed concern about the city paying for it, when only the developer will benefit. Councilman Dillard disagreed, stating the city's EDC will be directly involved in this golf course and the city will benefit. Mr. Smith advised that the estimate is from $6000.00 to $12,000 and if the course is constructed it will be operational in the spring of 1997. After further discussion Coundlman Lynch made a motion. Motion to authorize the EDC and staff with assistance from parties as needed to prepare RFP's and seek proposals for a feasibility study on a golf course to be constructed on Wynnewood Peninsula - Lynch; second - Dillard, carried with a unanimous roll call vote. 8. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING THE FEE STRUCTURE FOR HIDDEN COVE PARK AS RECOMMENDED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD AND RECEIVE UPDATE ON STATUS OF THIS PROJECT AND OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST REGARDING OPERATIONS AT THE PARK The P & R Board has recommended the following fees for the new park: Dining Hall - $125.00 per day, plus $100.00 clean-up deposit plus a $50.00 non-refundable reservation deposit; Pavilions - $40.00 per day, plus $40.00 clean-up deposit plus entry fee; Screened Shelters - $25.00 per day plus entry fee; Camping $10.00 and $5.00 per day; Daily - $5.00; Annual - $30.00 for 1st vehicle, $5.00 each additional. Ms. Nelson introduced Sam Fitzgerald, the park director and his wife. He is busy interviewing for employees at the park and getting acquainted with the operations. P & R Board member, Rich Lewis said the proposal the council will be reviewing for boat rental and concessions at the park is a good one. Mr. Smith complimented the board on their work on this project. He reminded everyone that all concepts and ideas have to be approved by the Corps. Motion to approve the fee structure as presented - Lynch; second - Hardin, carried with a unanimous roll call vote 9. CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING CITY MANAGER TO RE-NEGOTIATE THE EXISTING CONTRACT WITH WASTELINE ENGINEERING FOR THE DESIGN OF A WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT Mr. Smith said we must make a decision regarding who will be doing the engineering for the sludge handling project so we can get the package together to send to the Texas Water Development Board by May 1, 1995. Negotiating the sludge handling and disposal within the existing contract was suggested by Councilman Lynch, who went on to say the existing contract does not have to be canceled to negotiate this project. Councilman Burchard stated that it appears we have a fair percentage from 5 Wasteline Engineering. Mr. Smith said staff does not agree with some of the assumptions Wasteline has made in their report, but stated the proposal is to negotiate a smaller contract with Wasteline Engineering for sludge handling and disposal and to go the the Texas Water Development Board for a loan to complete the sludge handling project. Mr. Smith said it is staffs opinion the percentage on the existing Wasteline Engineering contract is not good and asked why the city should keep an $882,000 contract in place for an indefinite period of time. Councilman Heiman said it doesn't cost us anything to keep it in place and it can be cancelled later. Mr. Tony Johnston, Finance Director asked the council to consider the city's bond rating. He said the financial statement is a picture of the city's financial standing and we need to present the best statement we can. This would be at least a footnote on the financial statement, and keeping this contract in place will raise questions and will require good explanations. He guessed there might be a 25% chance it would have a negative impact. Councilman Burchard said we are going to build a plant sometime, and asked if we should lock in the interest rate now or take a chance later. Mr. Smith again stated the staff's position is apparent. He said this is not a flexible contract..it is for $800,000 plus, for a certain technology; for a 5.5 mgd plant and scrapping the old plant. After further discussion, it was agreed action to officially put this contract on hold could not be taken at this meeting due to the manner in which the agenda had been posted. It will be placed on the April 17, 1995 agenda for action. 10. CITY MANAGER AND STAFF REPORTS 1. Speed Humps - Ragan and Etheridge Drives. Comments and recommendations have been requested from staff on these two proposed areas for speed humps. Sidewalk on the west side of Etheridge will be completed by Fall 1995. Recommendation regarding speed humps will be made at the next council meeting. 2. New Employee Pay Plan will be given to the employees tomorrow for their review and comments. 3. Staff requests a joint work session with the Council and the Library Board to discuss staffing problems. This is an urgent matter and should be set as soon as possible. 4. Sam Chavez - the Thoroughfare Plan will be on the April 17, 1995 agenda for possible action by the council. He will be forming a committee of 2 P & Z members, 1 BOAA member and two councilmembers to begin work on the Residential Standards. Councilmen Burchard and Dillard volunteered. We may be scheduling a joint work session with P & Z and Council to set goals in regard to the 121 Corridor Standards. 5. The trash ordinance is in the process of being reviewed. Councilman Heiman requested information on how it is enforced and any problems we have with it. 6. Josey Lane - The extension of Josey Lane to connect with FM 423 will be discussed at the next Council meeting. The City Attorney will be here. 6 0056 o 7. Denton County Day was very successful. Mayor Manning said if there are persons from The Colony interested in promoting our community they are welcome to come and participate in this activity next time. With no further business to address, Mayor Manning adjourned the meeting at 9:08 p.m. APPROVED: William W. M~ming, Mayor ~ ATTEST: Patti A. Hicks, TRMC, City Secretary 7