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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/29/1997 City Council 00669 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON SEPTEMBER 29, 1997 The Special Session of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to order at 7:05 p.m. on the 29th day of September, 1997, at City Hall with the following Council roll call: Mary Blair Watts. Mayor Present Bill Longo, Councilmember Present Bernetta Henville-Shannon, Councilmember Present David Stanwick, Councilmember Present Wilma Avey, Councilmember Present John Dillard, Councilmember Present Dave Kovatch, Councilmember Present and with seven present, a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 1.0 ROUTINE ANNOUNCEMENTS, RECOGNITIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS: Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Watts asked Councilman Kovatch to give an invocation. Mr. Lambert asked Pat Dunlap to give a report on the intersection of N. Colony and F.M. 423. Mr. Dunlap advised the council that staff has proposed to go ahead and make the center lane eastbound on N. Colony and the center lane northbound on F.M. 423 a right turn and left turn lane respectively as well as straight lane. It is staff's opinion that this will improve the flow of traffic at this intersection. Mr. Dunlap has received the approval of TxDOT for making this change and permission to put markings on the pavement as well changing the signs. When the intersection improvements a re completed by TxDOT there will be other changes to that area that will also improve traffic flow, but in the meantime this is a step in the right direction. Mr. Dunlap will check with TxDOT regarding changing the light configuration, placing signs on the signal lights and will discuss with Chief Clark the possibility of selective traffic enforcement in the area. Mr. Lambert advised that the tanker truck acquired from Federal Surplus was in the parking lot for council's inspection. Mr. Lambert said that last Thursday the October 6, 1997 agenda packet was prepared and given to them (12 days prior to the meeting). He said he has received two requests to add to that agenda and asked council's opinion on whether to add them or not: Councilman Dillard has requested a discussion of the regional wastewater costs and analysis. He advised that those costs were received today. Mayor Watts has requested action on an ordinance establishing a Telecommunications Board as a formal board of the city. Councilman Kovatch said he would like to discuss the wastewater issue Monday, but based on his knowledge of this council, there would probably not be time to then diScuss the ordinance establishing the board. Councilman Avey said since she is on the Wastewater Committee, she would like to meet with the Committee and then have a council work 00669 session instead of discussing this matter in a regular session. Councilman Dillard said he wants it on a regular agenda as soon as possible. Councilman Henville-Shannon agreed that the committee needs to meet first. Councilman Kovatch suggested a work session after the regular agenda items on the 6th. Mayor Watts stated that the Telecommunications Committee has met and performed its duties and that she wants the ordinance establishing that board on the 6th agenda. She continued saying the Wastewater Committee needs to perform its duties, then asked for a council consensus regarding the wastewater issue. Councilman Longo agreed the committee should meet first. Councilman Kovatch suggested the committee meet and then have a work session on October 13, 1997. Mayor Watts said the 13th would be for discussion only and then if action is needed, it could be placed on the October 20, 1997 agenda. Councilman Dillard asked how an item regarding a fireworks display could be added to the agenda after the deadline and now a matter dealing with cable T.V. be placed on the agenda after the deadline, but a matter of great importance such as wastewater cannot be placed on the agenda. Councilman Stanwick said after the committee meets, this matter will not be ready for discussion by the 6th but it might be ready by the 13th. Councilmembers Henville-Shannon and Longo said not to rush, proceed with caution. Councilman Kovatch said this has been discussed for over a year and he is just trying to get on an agenda. Mayor Watts said three years ago regional wastewater was discussed and, for some reason, the council did not choose to go with that. Councilman Dillard said the council knew we would have to upgrade but did not build or go with NTMWD. Mr. Lambert said Frisco will want our decision within 2 months. He said perhaps a report can be given by staff and the committee under Old Business on October 6, 1997. There was consensus to hold a work session on this matter on October 13, 1997. Mayor Watts asked if there was consensus to take action on the telecommunications board ordinance on October 6 and Councilman Kovatch asked why so urgent. Mayor Watts explained there are sponsors for a certain show ready to begin and the ordinance needs to be in place. It will be on the October 6 agenda. The council will wait to appoint board members. Mr. Lambert asked if the council had a better way to add agenda items, reminding them of their desire to have the packet at least ten days ahead of the meeting. Adding items makes it impossible to provide back-up that early. There were no suggestions for a better way. He advised they will be given an "Additional Agenda" but the agenda they were given last week will not be changed and the packet will not be added to or amended. Councilman Longo said the Boys and Girls Club is about to open in the old post office at S. Colony and Paige. Councilman Stanwick suggested that the items posted on the agenda should be discussed at this time. 3.0 REGULAR AGENDA: ORDINANCES: 3.1 Adopting the ad valorem tax rate Mayor Watts read the caption of the ordinance as follows: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF THE COLONY, TEXAS, LEVYING THE AD VALOREM TAXES FOR THE YEAR 1997 AT A RATE OF $.795 PER ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00) ASSESSED VALUATION OF ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY AS OF JANUARY 1, 1997; TO PROVIDE REVENUES FOR THE PAYMENT OF CURRENT EXPENSES AND TO PROVIDE AN INTEREST AND SINKING FUND ON ALL OUTSTANDING DEBTS OF THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR DUE AND DELINQUENT DATES TOGETHER WITH PENALTIES AND INTEREST; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Motion to approve the ordinance as written - Longo; second - Stanwick, carried with all members voting Aye. Councilman Kovatch said the city council needs to begin planning to lower the tax rate over time and would like to see that addressed during the next year. 3.2 Adopting the 1997-98 municipal budget Mayor Watts read the caption of the ordinance as follows: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF THE COLONY, TEXAS APPROVING AND ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE CITY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 1997, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 1998; PROVIDING FOR THE INTRA AND INTER- DEPARTMENT FUND TRANSFERS; PROVIDING FOR THE INVESTMENT OF ' CERTAIN FUNDS; PROVIDING THAT EXPENDITURES FOK SAID FISCAL YEAR SHALL BE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SAID BUDGET; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Councilman Avey verified that she had the approved personnel requests. Motion to approve the ordinance as written - Dillard; second - Kovatch, carried with all members voting Aye. 6.0 DISCUSSION ITEMS: 6.1 Work Session to discuss the Request for a Specific Use Permit for the off-premise sale of alcohol, including liquor, beer and wine at the intersection of Memorial Drive and F.M. 423 Director of Planning, /-larry Persaud advised the council that this matter was reviewed and unanimously recommended for approval by Planning and Zoning on August 12, 1997. Mr. Persaud then walked through the steps of this request noting that this site is already platted, that it does not lie within the 121 Corridor and that it meets all requirements. The site includes a 4000 sq. ft. beverage store, a 6000 sq. ft. restaurant space 00669b and two retail spaces of 7000 and 9000 sq. ft. Mr. Persaud has requested a change to the irrigation plans which he will work out with the developer. Councilman Avey said she wants to see what is surrounding the site so she will know if the type of business is acceptable in the area. Mr. Persaud advised that an apartment complex is to the north and east, Sonic is to the south. There was a brief discussion regarding a stacking lane. Bill Winkleman, engineer, said the correct site plan has been prepared to show all requirements of P&Z and other items will be added prior to the public hearing on the 6th. There was no further discussion. At this time, Councilman Avey, referring to a proposed schedule provided by Mr. Persaud regarding the Wal-Mart project, stated that the council had made it clear that they did not want to meet in a joint work session with Planning and Zoning, noting this schedule indicates such a session on October 13, 1997. Mr. Lambert said he asked for that to expedite this matter. Councilman Dillard said the last time there was a joint work session it was for the Tri-West development and was during a regular council meeting, which was not a good situation. Councilman Kovatch said he thinks this issue warrants a joint session. Councilmembers Longo and Henville-Shannon agreed with Councilman Avey. Mr. Persaud said he had discussed this with the Chairman of P&Z and that she understands the need to expedite the Wal-Mart project, but that either with P&Z or without P&Z will be acceptable. After a brief discussion and clearer understanding of the schedule, council decided not to hold a work session at all regarding Wal-Mart. They asked that Mr. Persaud bring them the project in the normal course of business after it has been to P&Z. Councilman Avey asked that a Wastewater Committee meeting be posted as soon as possible. There was concern regarding who is actually on the committee. The membership will be clarified. Minutes of the council meetings held 3 years ago regarding wastewater will be made available to the committee. 8:32 p.m. Recess - At this time, Mayor Watts left the meeting. 8:34 p.m. 7.0 EXECUTIVE SESSION AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 551.074 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE RELATING TO PERSONNEL, TO-WIT: A. Discussion of Appointments to the Economic Development Boards (4A)(4B) 9:40 p.m. Reconvene in Open Session 7.2 Consideration of any appropriate action to be taken as a result of the Executive Session - No action to be taken 006696 With no further business to address, Mayor Pro-tem Stanwick adjourned the meeting at 9:43 p.m. APPROVED: Mary Blair WattJ, Mayor A1TEST: Patti A. Hicks, TRM(~, Qity Secretary