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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/21/1995 City Council 00579 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON AUGUST 21, 1995 The Regular Session of the City Council of the City of the Colony, Texas was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on the 21st day of August, 1995 at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL William W. Manning, Mayor Present Bill Longo, Councilmember Present Mary Blair Watts, Councilmember Present Kay Hardin, Councilmember Present Rob Burchard, Councilmember Present John Dillard, Councilmember Present David Heiman, Councilmember Present and with six present and quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 2. CITIZEN INPUT The following persons addressed the council regarding speeding and unsafe driving on Strickland Avenue. They requested a 3-way stop or speed humps to help with these problems. James Jeffcoat, 5229 Strickland; Bahr Albrecht, 5233 Strickland; Darrell Belew, 5221 Strickland; Shane Gardner, and 5200 Strickland. The following persons did not wish to speak but requested their opinion be recorded. They also requests a 3-way stop and speed humps at Strickland and Griffin. Brenda Gardner, 5200 Strickland; Jeff Hunsaker, 5213 Strickland; Dannye Dove, 5228 Strickland; and Tami Zeller, 5217 Strickland. Morris Seay, 5240 Norris Dr., spoke regarding economic development in the city. He said there is no business run by a city that is more efficient than those businesses run by private organizations. The city needs to pursue private operations for projects. Mr. Seay said slow development has slowed down the city's economy. He said there has been lots of talk and little action. Mr. Seay also expressed concern for jet skies and alcohol at Hidden Cove Park and encouraged the city to provide security in the park and on the lake. He said the park should be designated an alcohol free park by a referendum held in November if possible. 3 3. RECEIVE PRESENTATION FROM COMMUNITY WASTE DISPOSAL Mr. Greg Roemer with Community Waste Disposal presented the city with a park bench made from cast aluminum and recycled plastic. He listed things accomplished since the recycling contract with C.W.D. was initiated in August, 1993. In twenty-three months, 1100 tons of recycling products has been picked up, monthly reports have been provided, a bench was donated to Kid's Colony Playground, service was donated to help with the annual city wide clean up, recycling service has been initiated at City Hall, a free drop off location has been provided at Wal-Mart and money will be donated to the renovation of "The General" fire engine. Mayor Manning thanked Mr. Roemer for the donation. 4. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE DEMOLITION OF A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE LOCATED AT 4514 S. HORSESHOE, THE COLONY Motion to open the public hearing - Heiman; second - Hardin, carried with all members voting aye. Pursuant to chapter 214 of the Local Government Code, the city is authorized to to order demolition of property after the proper steps have been taken. The final step is a public hearing. This residence has never been connected to the sewer system and there has been no water service to the residence since March 1993. The owner has not responded to any contact from the city. All procedures have been followed. Motion to close the public hearing - Heiman; second - Hardin, carried with all members voting aye. 5. PUBLIC HEARING AS REQUESTED BY DAVID SURDUKAN, SURDUKAN SURVEYING, INC FOR A REPLAT OF PROPERTY CURRENTLY ZONED PLANNED DEVELOPMENT 2 FOR THE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT (SF) DESCRIBED BELOW: LOTS 49 AND 50, BLOCK 7 INTO A SINGLE LOT, LOCATED SOUTH OF WEST LAKE HIGHLANDS DRIVE AND WEST OF F.M. 423 (MAIN STREET) Motion to open the public hearing - Dillard; second - Hardin, carried with all members voting aye. Sam Chavez, City Planner, advised this request is to replat two lots into one for single family construction. Motion to close the public hearing - Dillard; second - Hardin, carried with all members voting aye. 4 6. PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE PROPOSED 1995-96 MUNICIPAL BUDGET Motion to open the public hearing - Heiman; second - Hardin, carried with all members voting aye. Tony Johnston, Finance Director gave highlights of the proposed budget: · The assessed values have increased. · Revenues equal expenditures in the 1995-96 budget. Johnny Smith said the Personnel Committee will meet this Wednesday and a final recommendation for those personnel requests will be made to the council on August 28, 1995. Mr. Smith said staff is recommending reducing the tax rate from $.80 to $.795 because the 1/2 cent would have to be put into debt service and at this time, it is not necessary. He said since the 1/2 cent cannot be used to provide services to the citizen, he would like to see the rate reduced. Mr. Smith doesn't believe an increase will have to be requested for debt service, even if the council decides to go with a bond issue later. Mr. Johnston agreed, and noted that staff is also considering reducing or eliminating the 3 year notes for capital purchases. Mayor Manning reminded everyone that the budget is not complete. Motion to close the public hearing - Heiman; second - Dillard, carried with all members voting aye. 7. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Manning summarized the items on the Consent Agenda. Items A, B, and E were pulled for discussion. A. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETINGS HELD JULY 24 AND 31, AND AUGUST 7 AND 14, 1995 Councilman Dillard asked that the August 7 minutes be pulled so he can discuss them with the City Secretary. They will be brought back for approval at a later date. Motion to approve the July 24, 31 and August 14, 1995 minutes as written - Dillard; second - Hardin, carried with a unanimous roll call vote. B. CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTING LE'ITERS OF RESIGNATION FROM KEN WOOD, LIBRARY BOARD AND CHARLES CHRISTIAN, PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD 5 00,5795 Councilman Burchard said he did not agree with a memorandum from the City Secretary regarding moving Alternate #2 into the vacancy created by Mr. Wood's resignation from the Library Board. He said we have previously moved the Alternate #1 into the vacancies and that practice should continue. Ms. Hicks, City Secretary noted that memorandum was not placed in their packet for discussion under this item. Motion to accept the letters of resignation - Burchard; second - Heiman, carried with a unanimous roll call vote. C. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE 1995-96 BUDGET FOR DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT Motion to approve the resolution as written - Dillard; second - Hardin, carried with a unanimous roll call vote. D. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A REPLAT ON PROPERTY ZONED PLANNED DEVELOPMENT 2 FOR THE SINGLE FAMILY DISTRICT AS DESCRIBED BELOW LOTS 49 AND 50, BLOCK 7, SOUTH OF WEST LAKE HIGHLANDS AND WEST OF F.M. 423 (MAIN STREET) Motion to approve the resolution as written - Dillard; second - Hardin, carried with a unanimous roll call vote. E. CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTANCE AND AWARD OF BIDS FOR THE PURCHASE OF A MINIMUM OF SEVEN POLICE VEHICLES Councilman Hardin asked who the bidders were on this item and if these were bids for police cars. Chief Stewart said the bidders as named in the packet were: Arendale Ford, Orange Ford and Leadership Ford and that the cars are "police package" vehicles. Councilman Hardin asked if all the old vehicles will now be phased out. Chief Stewart said these cars will replace all those vehicles scheduled to be replaced in the 1995-96 year and noted this bid includes two additional vehicles for new officers to be hired. He went on to say there will be more old vehicles to be replaced in the 1996-97 year, advising that the replacement plan calls for 5 - 7 cars to be replaced each year. Councilman Dillard said when we (council) approved staying with the take home car policy, we also approved going with the replacement program to keep good vehicles on the streets. Motion to accept the bids and award the bid to the low bidder, Arendale Ford as recommended - Heiman; second - Longo, carried with a unanimous roll call vote. 6 00579" 8. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF THE COLONY DIRECTING PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ISSUE REVENUE BONDS Councilman Hardin asked what the one million dollars is for and Mr. Smith responded this is for the lab, truck, roll-offs and dewatering equipment. Mr. Johnston advised this will be paid back with funds from the SRF account, noting that currently there is enough revenue in that account to take care of these payments for several years. Councilman Hardin asked if we have to spend all the one million dollars or if we can pick the most important. Mr. Smith reminded council that this project is the wastewater treatment improvements they approved earlier this year and that most of the items included in the project have already been approved by them. This is just the authorization to advertise the notice of intention to issue to revenue bonds. Councilman Burchard asked what would happen to any funds we did not use and Hector Reyes, bond counsel said any unused funds can be used to redeem the bonds. Motion to approve the resolution as written - Dillard; second - Longo, carried with the following vote: Longo, Watts, Burchard, Dillard, Heiman, Manning - Aye; Hardin - No 9. CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH J.T. DUNKIN AND ASSOCIATES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE CITY OF THE COLONY Johnny Smith advised that he had spoken with the City Attorney regarding using the 1979 Land Use Plan, which had been recently discovered. The attorney said this plan had not really ever been implemented and is now very out-dated. Mr. Smith and the attorney recommend that Land Use Plan continue to be held in reserve until updated and in the mean time, zoning requests should be handled as they ~ for years, with review by Mr. , Dunkin and the City Planner. ~ Sam Chavez, City Planner has contacted two consultants and based on Mr. Dunkin's experience he (Chavez) recommends using J.T. Dunkin and Associates for development of a Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Dunkin was present and addressed the council, giving the background of his firm. He said the first step will be to work with a steering committee to decide where to go and what the city wants done. The process will include building a consensus which will be done by holding public meetings with the council, P&Z and the citizens. After that is done, the scope of services will be decided. Mr. Dunkin recommended adopting an Interim Land Use Plan as soon as possible to be used while we are working toward the final product. Mayor Manning said it would be foolish to wait on any possible development until this plan is done and Mr. Dunkin agreed stating the city must continue to move forward and make plans within the planning process currently in place. He does not recommend a moratorium on development. 7 00579'/ Discussion followed concerning the make up of the committee, cost of services, etc. Mr. Dunkin advised the cost will not be established until after the scope of services is decided. There will be no charge during the consensus building process. He will meet with the committee and hear input, then the scope of services will be presented to the full council for approval. At that time the cost will be set, based on the time it will take to complete the project. Mr. Smith said $40,000 has been placed in the 1995-96 budge to begin the project and more will be placed in the 1996-97 budget for completion of the project. Mr. Dunkin assured the council that he is not associated with any current land owners in The Colony, noting he has not done any private sector planning since the late 1980's. Motion to authorize working with J.T. Dunkin & Associates to develop a Comprehensive Plan - Burchard; second - Hardin, carried with a unanimous roll call vote. 10. CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING A METHOD FOR STAFF TO PROCEED IN REGARD TO USE OF THE EXISTING LAND USE PLAN The existing Land Use Plan is outdated and the city has been handling zoning and planning issues on a case by case basis. Staff and the City attorney recommend continuing to operate on a case by case basis, working with J.T. Dunkin and the P&Z. The attorney has advised this is a safe and legal way to go. Motion to set aside the existing Land Use Plan until a Comprehensive Plan is developed - Dillard; second - Burchard, carried with the following vote: Longo, Watts, Burchard, Dillard, Heiman, Manning - Aye; Hardin - No 11. CITY MANAGER AND STAFF REPORTS Mayor Manning read a proclamation recognizing The Colony High School baseball team for going to the national play-offs. 1. '~'he General" - fund raising has netted $1000.00 so far. Special thanks to Rodman Excavation in Frisco. They are donating the services of their chief mechanic to give a diagnosis on the engine. 2. Second annual Fire Fest is set for October 21, 1995. 3. Special Session will be held August 28, 1995. 8 0 0 5 7 9 :,5 Mayor Manning stated that a great deal of time could be saved at council meetings if all members of council would pick up their packets and review them ahead of time. Most questions can be answered before the meeting. With no further business to address, Mayor Manning adjourned the meeting at 9:21 p.m. APPROVED: ATTEST: Wil~'am W. Manning, Patti A. Hicks, TRMC, City Secretary 9