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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/04/1996 City Council MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 4, 1996 The Work Session of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas, was called to order at 7:05 P.M. on the 4th day of January, 1996, at City Hall with the following Council roll call: William W. Manning, Mayor Present Bill Longo, Councilman Present Mary Blair Watts, Councilman Present Kay Hardin, Councilman Present David McCreary, Councilman Present John Dillard, Mayor Pro-Tern Present David Heiman, Councilman Present and with seven present, a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 1. DISCUSSION WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SENIOR CITIZENS REGARDING USE OF THE DENTON COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER. Mayor Manning began the work session by explaining the procedures by which the meeting would be conducted. Mayor Manning stated that it was due to the efforts of Commissioner Kirk Wilson and Constable larry Floyd that the former Denton County Government Center would be considered for use by the senior citizens. The original plan was to use the building for storage. The Civic Center, used primarily by the senior citizens, has been condemned for habitation. The purpose of the work session is to determine the best use for the vacant Denton County Government Center. Mr. Dick Weaver, President of the Seniors Association and Board Member of A.A.R.P., explained that there was not a quorum of Board members present, however, those present would make recommendations to the rest of the board. Mr. Weaver continued to state that all of the surrounding cities in the area have senior cemers. He further added that the senior citizens currently were using the Baptist Church for covered dish meetings. Ms. Carolyn Rapisarda, Board Member of the Seniors Association and the A.A.R.P., made a presentation to the Council regarding the purpose of SPAN. She explained that SPAN was established in 1988 as a tax free social group for senior citizens. She gave statistics on the number of hot lunches currently provided by SPAN and emphasized the importance of SPAN to the senior citizens of the community. Mr. Bill Bausticker, President of A.A.R.P., and Mr. Jerry Rooney, Treasurer of the Seniors Association, were also present. Mr. Rooney said that the senior citizens had survived many adverse conditions while using the Civic Center. Para Nelson, Parks and Recreation Director, made a brief presentation. She provided a list of other groups who had been using the Civic Center and indicated the alternative places where their meetings were now being conducted. Discussion followed as to the condition of the Civic Center following meetings held by groups other than the senior citizens. On several occasions items were damaged. Mayor Manning indicated he would like to see the former Denton County Government Center utilized by groups other than the senior citizens. He stated that strict rules would have to be established. It was suggested that a large deposit be determined and an amount would be deducted if the premises were not left in good condition. The City personnel must enforce the established rules and inspections would be made following occupancy. Discussion followed regarding the possible users to determine time and day of usage. Councilman Watts inquired about the school use policy. Ms. Nelson explained that we are charged by the hour. LISD uses the City pool with equal time for the City to use local schools. Councilman Longo expressed the need for the City to support its senior citizens. Mr. Jerry Rooney then explained a proposed floor plan revision for multi-use activities with joint use. Councilman Dillard added that the former Government Center is only a slab and could be altered in any way. Ms. Nelson explained that existing walls would be salvaged when possible. The senior citizens would like the ability to leave their equipment, i.e. television, VCR, etc., without having to move it for security from other groups. Mr. Rooney described which doors could be locked to separate senior citizens' area from available area for other groups. Mayor Manning stated he would like to go back to Art Phelps with further needs of the senior citizens since they had not been consulted prior to the proposal made by the architects. Councilman Dillard expressed the need for a commercial grade refrigerator which would lock to protect SPAN food. The senior citizens added that they would prefer to not have joint use of the kitchen for that reason. Mayor Manning stated he would like the senior citizens to work with City staff on establishing a joint use area. He added that the architects should be given further specifics for joint use. Councilman Heiman explained that the City cannot exclude other groups since tax dollars are involved. Mayor Manning further added that the government center is considered temporary for joint use until a new Civic Center could be built. The government center would then be for the exclusive use of the senior citizens. 2 It was agreed by all present that Mayor Manning and the architects could work with the senior citizens to customize the government center. A meeting with Mayor Manning, the architects, and representatives of the senior citizens was set for Wednesday, January 10, at 3:00 P.M. for further discussion. With no further business to address, Mayor Manning adjourned the meeting at 8:50 P.M. APPROVED: William W. Manning, ATTEST: /Ru'h'-flmnn Devli~, Deputy City Secretary