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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/23/1998 City Council 006816 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 2~3, 1998 The REGULAR SESSION of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to order at 7:30 p.m. one 23~ day of February 1998 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: Invocation - Van Morrison, Fire Chief Pledge of Allegiance 1.1 Mayoral Comments -~ Mayor Watts has asked the Telecommunications Board members to attend a Telecommunications public hearing on Wednesday. ~ Mayor Watts attended the Emergency Management Conference in San Antonio with ChiefMorrison. · ~ Mayor Watts, Councilmembers Longo and Henville-Shannon toured the DeSoto city hall, which was converted from a grocery store. The new city hall for The Colony will be located in the former Food Lion grocery store. ~ An open house at city hall will be planned after drawings of the new city hall are ready for viewing. -) Mayor Watts will be leaving on Tuesday March 3, 1998 driving to Washington D.C. The rest of tile council is flying. Mayor Watts wants to take her own car and Mr. Lambert wants her to take the city van. No member of council expressed any problem witt, her taking the van. N.C.T.C.O.G. is asking for representatives to attend a hearing in Austin on March 30, 1998. Mr. Lambert advises that a~er the trip to Washington, the council travel budget will be depleted. A budget amendment may be required in the near future to cover increased council travel costs. 1.2 City Manager and Staff Reports ~ Chief Joe Clark reported that Unit 845, a 1995 Crown Victoria, was damaged in January, 1998 and has been "totaled" as a result. He is going to replace this vehicle in this budget year instead of next year as scheduled. This will reduce the budget request next year from 7 to 6 vehicles. The low bidder on the ears purchased earlier still has some vehicles let~. Waiting to purchase will require re- bidding and an increase in cost. ~ The sensors on the signal light at Noah Colony and Main Street were damaged during construction. "> Fire Chief Van Morrison reported on the trip to San Antonio for the Emergency Management Conference, stating this is the kick-off for the severe weather season. He will be initiating monthly EOC (Emergency Operations Center) meetings. · '> Mr. Lambert reported a proposed contract has been received fi'om Noah Texas Municipal Water District. It will be given to the wastewater committee for review. "> Cougar Alley signal light bids open in two weeks. "> F.M. 423 and Noah Colony Blvd. intersection improvements and widening of F.M. 423 by TxDOT should be complete by the end of June, 1998. ~Mr. Lambert gave a brief synopsis of the Thoroughfare Plan as it relates to the Stewart Peninsula area. Councilmember Kovatch asked that anyone wishing to attend the seminar by Scott Joslove on February 28, 1998 call Patti Hicks to RSVP. 1.3 Citizen Input Laura Bickerstaff, 4928 Arbor Glen said the city needs to take a stance on the liquor issue. 3.0 REGULAR AGENDA: 3.1 Consideration of recommended Channel 6 Operations Policy from the Telecommunications Board Councilmember Longo suggested removing the words "nor any political forums" from paragraph 3. Motion to adopt the policy with change to #:5 - Longo, second - Kovatch. Councilmember Stanwick said this is a good start and agrees with the change, stating that no political issues should be added to #3. Councilmember Henville-Shannon asked the city manager to review items to be aired. Councilmember Avey commended the board for their hard work. She said the board's intent is to clarify and continue working on this policy to better suit our city and its citizens. OOG8!z' Councilmember Kovatch asked if amending the motion to strike the word "candidate" from #3 would satisfy Stanwick's request. Mr. Lambert disagreed stating that political advertisements should be allowed on local government channel 6. Mayor Watts suggested changes as follows: 1. City/Governmental sponsored events 2. City Manager should know if a department is submitting something and he should approve. 3. Political forums and politicai advertising, not necessarily individual candidates or PACs, but allow election advertising. 4. Under bulletin board, notices can be put on at the discretion of the fire chief and city manager as well as police chief. Councilmember Longo said his motion stands as he made it, stating he disagrees with all comments. He re-stated his motion. Motion carried with all members voting Aye. Councilmember Avey stated that she was assigned as liaison to the board and that it was wrong for Mayor Watts not to recognize her earlier when she asked to speak. She noted that last week the council had voted that no political tapes would be aired. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 3.2 On application of Tim House, WODTO, Inc. seeking to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of the City by requesting a change in zoning on property described below currently zoned Agricultural. (A) to a General Retail (GR) zoning classification A tract of land 5.876 acres in size located north of Ridgepointe, Phase IA and west of and abutting F.M. Motion to open the public hearing - Stanwick, second - Kovatch, carried with all ayes. Mr. Persaud gave the background of the request, stating that P&Z has recommended approval. Mr. Tim House explained there is no user at this time, but they are trying to bring the land into compliance with the surrounding areas. Motion to close the public hearing - Longo, second Kovatch, carried with all ayes. 3.3 On application of Jerry Huffman, for a change of zoning on property presently zoned as shopping Center (SC) seeking to amend the comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map of the City sc a as to give the following described property a specific Use Permit for the operation of an animal clinic OU6&io Northwest corner of the intersection of __ F.M. 423 and North Colony Boulevard Motion to open the public hearing - Dillard, second - Kovatch, carried with all ayes. Mr. Persaud gave background of the request, stating that P&Z has recommended approval. Council questioned having an animal clinic in an office building. Councilmember Dillard stated there are two veterinarians in shopping centers now and there have been no problems. He said the insulated blocks to be used for construction would block any sound. Rich Lewis, 5013 Ashlock, asked about the notices mailed out to surrounding area, and noted that the representative is not at this meeting. Mr. Persaud said in the SUP process, the council should be concerned with negative impact on the area and if there is any then stipulations can be added. Motion to close the public hearing - Dillard, second - Kovatch, carried with all ayes. Councilmember Kovatch asked if the zoning in this case is the same as where the other animal clinics are located. Mr. Persaud responded that it is. 2.0 DISPOSITION OF MINUTES: 2.1 Consideration of approval of the minutes of the council meetings held January 26 and February 2, 1998 Mayor Watts noted that the motion made by Councilmember Longo in the February 2, 1998 minutes should read no "individual" political broadcasts. Motion to approve as corrected - Longo; second - Kovatch, carried with all ayes. 8:55 p.m. 7.0 EXECUTIVE SESSION AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 551 OF THE GOVERNMENT CODE RELATING TO PERSONNEL AND LITIGATION, TO-WIT: A. Interview for Board appointment (551.074) B. BNKCC v. City of The Colony (551.071) C. JWV v. City of The Colony (551.071) D. GOODY-GOODY v. City of The Colony (551.071) E. OFFICE CREEK v. City of The Colony (551.071) F. GIBSON v. City of The Colony (551.071) G. KAMEN, et al v. City of The Colony (551.071) F. Mayor Watts 10:55 p.m. oo68!a OTHER ACTION ITEMS: 3.7 Consideration of acceptance of a~ letter of resignation from The Colony Municipal Economic DeveloPment Board from Gary McClure Motion to accept the letter of resignation - Longo; second - Kovatch, carried with all ayes. 7.1 Consideration of any appropriate action to be taken as a result of the executive session A. Board appointments Mayor Watts opened the floor for nominations to serve on the 4B Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors. Longo - Vicki Briggs; Dillard - John Sanders; Kovatch - Art Keeton Vote was taken as follows: Briggs- Long{J, Henville- Shannon, Stanwick, Avey, Watts Sanders - Dillard Keeton - Kovatch Mayor Watts declared that Vicki Briggs had been appointed to serve. 3.4 Consideration of approval of a final plat for Standridge Right-of-way, being a 3.94 acre tract situated in the H. Hedgecoxe Survey Abstract No. 533 and the A. Singleton Survey Abstract No. 1138 in the City of The Colony Motion to approve with P&Z stipulations ~ Kovatch; second - Henville-Shannon carried with all ayes. 3.6 Consideration of approval of an amendment to the developer's agreement with Wal- Mart Mr. Persaud clarified that the signal light will be installed before the store opens. Motion to approve as written - Kovatch; second - Henville-Shannon, carried with all ayes. 3.S Consideration of authorizing a. budget amendment to implement a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (S.T.E.P.)' Chief Clark gave a brief presentation. Motion to approve as written - Longo; second - Kovatch, carried with the following vote: Ayes - Longo; ltenviile-Shannon; Stanwick; Avey; Kovatch; Watts No - Dillard 6.1 Discussion of a Ring Down Phone at Fire Station 2 Chief Morrison said he has researched this idea but due to the cost' of the equipment and the high risk of vandalism, he does not recommend it at this time. Councilmember Longo said he had suggested this and thought it a good idea, but after seeing the Chief's concerns, agrees this is not a good idea. 3.8 Consideration of reimbursement to Mayor Watts in the consideration of reimbursement to Mayor Watts in the amount of $83.82 for registration at the Emergency Management conference in San Antonio Mayor Watts noted the amount is $11.371ess than the amount posted. Motion to approve the reimbursement - Kovatch; second - Henville-Shannon, carried with all ayes. 6.2 Development Review and Approval Process; 'role, functions and responsibilities of the Development Review committee (DRC) - this will be addressed at the March 2, 1998 meeting. With no further business to be addressed, Mayor Watts adjourned the meeting at 11:33 p.m. APPROVED: ATTEST: Patti A. Hicks, TRMC, City Secretary