HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/06/1998 City Council MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF COUNCIL
HELD ON
APRIL 6, 1998
The REGULAR SESSION of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to
order at 7:30 p.m. on the 6t~ day of April 1998 at City Hall, with the following council roll call:
Mary Blair Watts, Mayor Present
Bill Longo, Councilmember Present
Bernetta Henvii!e-Shannon, Councilmember Absent (4A Board Mtg.)
David Stanwick, Councilmember Present
Wilma Avey, Councilmember Absent (Illness)
John Dillard, Councilmember Absent (Business)
Dave Kovatch, Councilmember Present
and with four present a quorum was established, the following items were addressed:
1.0 ROUTINE ANNOUNCEMENTS, RECOGNITIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS:
Invocation - Brian Watts, JROTC
Presentation of the Colors and Pledge of Allegiance - JROTC
1.1 Mayoral Proclamation Declaring "The Colony High School Junior Reserve Officer
Training Corps Month"
Mayor Watts read the proclamation, which was received by members of The Colony
High School/ROTC.
1.2 Receive presentation from C.W.D. regarding 1997 Recycling Program
Mr. Greg Roemer with C.W.D. presented the city with a plaque recognizing the city's
1997 Recycling Program. The plaque is made from recycled laundry detergent bottles. Since the
bins were distributed in October 1997, volumes per household have increased 62% and the
number of setouts has increased 48%.
1.3 Mayoral Comments
") Southwestern Bell Extended Area Service will be in place by July 1998 and will
appear on the Augt: st bills.
-> Bids for the extension of F.M. 423 to Josey Lane will be let in May with
construction beginning in July 1998.
1.4 City Manager and S*.,ff Reports
-) Pam Nelson advised the 4B Board would hold a public hearing on April 16, 1998
at 7:00 p.m. to heat' proposals for community development projects.
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4.0 Old Business Update
-~Bids for the signal light at Memorial Drive and F.M. 423 and for the Austin Ranch
Water tower will be opened April 27, 1998.
~City crews will begin work on the water and sewer lines for Wal-Mart on Wednesday
1.5 Citizen Input
Jorge Diaz, 5809 Carroll Drive, advised of a post prom party for the high school seniors.
The PTA is asking for donations. The party will be at the high school on May 9, 1998 after the
prom and will be drug and alcohol free.
Sam Fitzgerald and Bob Merkey, Hidden Cove Park, invited everyone to the Easter Egg
Hunt at 10:00 a.m. on April 11, 1998. The bunny has left 6,000 eggs.
Tony Johnston reported that $45,000 was made at the auction on April 4 by selling 7
vehicles. The money will be put into the vehicle replacement fi~nd.
2.1 Consideration of an ordinance granting a franchise to CoServ for electric service
Jim Chism representing CoServ (Denton County Electric Cooperative) and Tony
Johnston stated the attorneys have negotiated this agreement and recommend approval.
Joyce Fulco, 4712 Clover Valley, asked several questions about the company. Mr.
Chism responded stating that CoServ is Denton County Co-op and has been in business since
1938. They have changed the name because they now serve much more than Denton County.
Mr. Lambert said this is a renewal of the franchise agreement and recommended
approval.
Motion to approve the ordinance as written - Longo; second Stanwick carried with all
ayes.
2.2 Consideration of authorizing a two month extension of the depository agreement
with First State Bank
Mr. Johnston advised the depository agreement expires the end of April. We have two
banks in the city that can bid on the agreement and GNB has asked that we give them the
opportunity to do so, therefore, we are asking for an extension to the existing agreement to allow
for the RFP process. A letter will be forthcoming from Firs: State Bank acknowledging the
extension. :
Motion to approve the extension as recommended - Stanwick; second - Longo, carried
with all ayes.
2.3 Consideration of authorizing the purchase and disposition of confiscated property
located at 5201 N. Colony Blvd.
Mr. Johnston and Lt. Mike Carroll explained that the pr.~perty had been seized due to
criminal activity and in order for the city to take proceeds, the city has to pay off the notes
totaling approximately $43,000. There are two options; sell by auction or sealed bid. Staff
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proposes to initiate the payment of the loan(s), sell the house through sealed bids, and reap any
proceeds in to the city's confiscated funds account. The liability would be paid from the city's
Reserve Fund and paid back once the house is sold. At, er the County gets its share, the
remaining amount would go to the City. Discussion followed regarding establishing a minimum
bid of $60,000. Councilmember Stanwick expressed concern over setting the minimum bid at
more than what is owed on the p~'operty.
Motion to approve as recommended - Longo; second, Kovatch, carried with the following
vote:
Ayes - Longo, Kovatch, Watts
Noes - Stanwick.
2.4 Consideration of a resolution objecting to the passage of the internet tax freedom
act
Councilmember Kovatch stated that the National League of Cities has recommended
passage of this resolution. Councilmember Stanwick said he does not like the proposed law, but
he thinks cities may do more harm by passing sales taxes before there is a common method
established. He went on to say we might be premature in objecting to the law.
Motion to approve as written - Kovatch; second - Longo, carried with the following vote:
Ayes - Longo, Kovatch, Watts
Noes- Stanwick
3.0 CONSENT AGENDA
:3.1 Consideration of approval of the minutes of the council meetings held March 16, 19,
and 23, 1998.
Motion to approve as written -- Longo; second - Kovatch, carried with all ayes.
3.2 Consideration of canceling the election for the office of City Council, Place 3 for
May 2, 1998, and certifying David Stanwick "elected"
Motion to approve as written -- Longo; second - Kovatch, carried with all ayes.
Consideration of acceptance and award of bids for the annual purchase of chemicals
in the Parks and Recreation Department and approval of an ordinance authorizing
contract for same
Motion to approve as recommended - Longo; second - Kovatch, carried with all ayes.
3.4 Consideration of approving a contract with David M. Griffith for a water and sewer
rate study
Motion to approve as recom~ended - Longo; second - Kovatch, carried with all ayes.
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3.5 Consideration of a proposal to proceed with the c,~nstruction of a playground in
memory of Johnnie Walker at Stewart Creek park, with final plans to be considered
by council at a later date
Motion to approve as recommended - Longo; second - Kovatch, carried with all ayes.
3.6 Consideration of authorizing reimbursement of expenses incurred at the National
League of Cities Conference in the amount of $202 to Mayor Watts
Motion to approve as presented - Longo; second - Kovatch, carried with all ayes.
3.7 Consideration of acceptance and award of bids for the construction of sidewalks at
the Little League Complex and approval of an ordiaaoce authorizing contract for
same
Motion to approve as presented - Longo; second - Kovatch, carried with all ayes.
5.0 DISCUSSION ITEMS
5.1 Proposed costs for revamping the utility billing process, using envelopes and
publication of a newsletter
This item will be addressed at the April 20, 1998 meeting
5.2 Refunding of remain debt
Mr. Johnston advised that our financial advisors at First Southwest say now is the time to
take action. Consensus of council is to proceed.
5.3 Presentation of tax reduction plan
This item will be discussed at the April 20, 1998 meeting.
6.0 EXECUTIVE SESSION AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 551.071 OF THE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE RELATING TO LITIGATION, TO-WIT:
A. JWV v. CITY OF THE COLONY
B. GOODY-GOODY v. CITY OF THE COLONY
C. OFFICE CREEK v. CITY OF THE COLONY
D. GIBSON v. CITY OF THE COLONY
E. KAMEN, et al v. CITY OF THE COLONY
There was no executive session held at this meeting.
6.1 Consideration of any appropriate action to be taken as a result of the executive
session. No action was taken
With no further business to address, Mayor Watts adjourned the meeting at 8:16 p.m.
APPROVED:
ATTEST: Ma~ Bla~Watts, M~iyor '
Patti A. Hicks, TRMC, City Secretary