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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/23/1998 City Council 0068 ,I MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL I1ELD ON MARCH 23, 1998 The SPECIAL SESSION of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to order at 7:03 p.m. on the 23ra day of March 1998, at City Hall, 5151 N. Colony Boulevard, The Colony, Texas, with the following council roll call: Mary Blair Watts, May0c Absent (Personal) 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 six present a quorum was established, the following items were addressed: 3.0 CONSENT AGENDA 3.1 Consideration of acceptance and award of bids for equipment rental for water and sewer line installation projects Motion to approve - Kovatch, second - Dillard, carried with all members voting Aye. 3.2 Consideration of acceptance and award of bids for mowing of the Aquatic Park, Bill Allen Memorial Park and Stewart Creek Park Motion to approve - Kovatch, second - Dillard, carried with all members voting Aye. 2.0 REGULAR AGENDA 2.1 Consideration of approval of a contract between the City of The Colony and North Texas Municipal Water District for wastewater services Mr. Lambert stated that this issue has been discussed over the last six months. A work session was held on March 19 to a~:swer any final questions and staff now recommends approval of the contract. John Hill, City Attorney, has reviewed the contract and has given Mr. Lambert a list of comments to be considered. Mr. Hill explained that his comments were minor in nature. Mr. Lambert reported that he had verified with bond counsel that the City's bond rating would not be affected by entering this contract. 3/23/98 Motion to approve contract pending review and approval of the city attorney - Dillard, second - Kovatch, carried by roll call vote with all members voting Aye. 2.2 Consideration of approval of an agreement with The Colon}, Economic Development Corporation and consider approval of interim fnnding for the corporation Mr. Lambert explained the EDC is requesting interim funding until sales tax revenues are received in September. Dr. Richard Seidler, Chairman of EDC Board, made a brief presentation to the Council explaining the immediate plans of the EDC. Dr. Seidler stated that the EDC is taking a very deliberate approach as each crucial decision is made. There was a special session held earlier today to approve agreement submitted to the Council regarding operational funding. Mr. Randy Robinson, EDC treasurer, explained that he has drafted a 90-day payback agreement with payments of $20,000 monthly beginning November, 1998. He continued explaining w~t plans had been made for budget preparation. Councilman Avey read a portion of pg. 4 i of the Economic Development Plan, adopted by Council, recommending that the administrative and operational management of the Plan become the responsibility of the City and that a full-time econOmic development professional be responsible for day-to-day management of the Plan. She continued saying the Plan also states that the most common practice among cities and communities is that the EDC director stay within the operation of the City. Councilman Avey stated she would like to have seen the EDC operation stay under City direction until adequate time was given the EDC Board to get established. Mayor Pro-Tem Stanwick confirmed that an upcoming budget retreat is scheduled for March 25 and until that time no interim budget is available. Mr. Robinson said it would probably be the first week in April before a draft budget would be available. Councilman Kovatch commented that it needs to be clear that there are two boards (4A and 4B) to consider as far as structuring. Councilman Longo said he thought Betty McKean was hired to bring both boards together and while he has faith in the board members appointed, he has a problem with the boards not working together because of the lack of efforts of the director. Discussion followed regarding how EDC boards operate in other cities. Motion to table this item until next meeting to give time for a budget to be submitted for review - Dillard, second - ltenville-Shannon Mr. Lambert reminded Council that there will be no further funding. Mayor Pro-Tern Stanwick stated that by contract there were no obligations other than an intern working with Ms. McKean. Mr. Lambert announced that the 4B Board has asked to utilize City services for their operation which may include a director. Councilman Longo reminded that the unspent $60,000 remaining in the budget for EDC operations will be shared between 4A and 4B. Councilman Henville-Shannon said she did not feel that two directors for the two boards was cost effective. 2 3/23/98 Richard Seidler commented that most 4A Corporations work independently of cities and that usually these two boards are not operated under one director. He explained that the boards had met together and decided two individuals would be necessary to operate efficiently since directors of 4B Boards are usually assistant city managers with other responsibilities. He stated that the board members were committed to this effort and would not walk away from their appointed responsibilities. He also commended Betty McKean for all her efforts. Motion withdrawn - Dillard, second not withdrawn - motion stands Councilman Henville-Shannon referred to the by-laws where guidelines are established for bringing items before council. She was referring to a general development plan and a budget. Councilman Kovatch reminded that they have not had time to generate these items. Councilman Avey stated she would be pleased with just general figures rather than specifics at this point. Motion amended to allow for a one month loan in order to continue operations - Dillard, second not amended - original motion stands Councilman Henville-Shannon requested citizen input. Mayor Pro-Tem Stanwick asked Council if there were agreeable. All were agreeable. Terd Goebel, 5153 Ragan, put in endless hours on the recent election and is in full support of both boards. She asked the Council to reconsider the 30-day funding. Richard Kuether, 4109 Driscoll, has concems regarding the budget and suggests paying their expenses rather than a loan. Sue Walden, 5081 Avery; member of 4B Board, asked the Council to please fund the 4A Board and commented that Ms. McKean was worth the effort. Jorge Diaz, 5809 Carroll, stated he understood the concerns, however, does not feel the Council would want the 4A Board to throw together a budget that wasn't thought out. Debra Irick, 5048 Ridgecrest, stated she is a new resident and sees clearly that everyone needs to reach an agreement since this is such an important issue. Motion amended to allow for a 30-day loan, subject to payback schedule, not to exceed $8,300 with a budget being presented within that period - Dillard, second amended - Henville- Shannon Mr. Lambert reminded Council that their approval was necessary before any expenditures are made. Motion carried with the following roll call vote: Ayes: Longo, Henville-Shannon, Stanwick, Avey, Kovatch Noes: Dillard 3/23/98 2.:3 Consideration of appointment of a City Council lmison to The Colony Economic Development Corporation With a poll of Council for choice of appointment: Councilman Longo - Councilman Henville-Shannon Councilman Henville-Shannon - Mayor Watts Mayor Pro-Tem - Mayor Watts Councilman Avey - Councilman Henville-Shannon Councilman Dillard -Mayor Watts Councilman Kovatch - Councilman Henville-Shannon ~ With a tie vote, Councilman Dillard changed his vote to Councilman Henville-Shannon. 8:30 p.m. Recess to Executive Session 4.0 Executive Session A. Consideration of approval of a settlement agreement between BNRCC and the City of The Colony 8:40 p.m. Reconvene in Open Session 4.1 Consideration of any appropriate action to be taken as a result of the executive session Motion to approve compromise settlement agreement and releases and its intended documents and Windhaven Parkway Facility Agreement subject to approval by attorneys, Mike Griffin and John Hill - Dillard, second - Kovatch, carried with aH members voting Aye. With no further business to address, Mayor Pro-Tem Stanw~ck adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m. David Stanwick, Mayor Pro-Tem ATTEST: Ru~haiu, Devlin, Dc~,uty City Secretary 4