HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/18/1998 City Council-WS 006890
MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF COUNCIL
HELD ON
MAY 18, 1998
The WORK SESSION of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to order
at 6:20 p.m. on the 18th day of May, 1998 at City Hall, with the following council roll call:
Mary Blair Watts, Mayor Present
Bill Longo, Councilmember Present
Bemetta Henville-Shannon, Councilmember Present
David Stanwick, Councilmember Present
Al Garcia, Councilmember Present
John Dillard, Councilmember Absent
Dave Kovatch, Councilmember Present
and with six present a quorum was established, the following items were addressed:
6.0 DISCUSSION ITEMS:
6.1 Proposed plans for renovation of the City Hall on Main (Food Lion Building)
Mr. Norm Hatfield, architect for this project, displayed a sketch of the front elevation of
the building, explaining that he proposes to change the face of the building so it will no longer
resemble the Food Lion store. A covered drive-through is planned for the front entrance. He
also proposes a curb cut along Main Street (F.M. 423) to allow direCt view of the front of the
building when entering the parking lot. There will also be the'existing entrance from N. Colony
Blvd.
Discussion followed regarding traffic in and out of the area, along Main Street and N.
Colony. Councilmember Stanwick suggested blocking the existing access to the Blockbuster
store. All agreed that would eliminate some cross through traffic. Councilmember Garcia
suggested no entrance from Main Street due to the amount of traffic on that roadway.
Councilmember Henville-Shannon asked about a de-acceleration lane to allow entrance without
hazard. Mr. Lambert advised the cost would be from $40,000 to $60,000. Mr. Hatfield
reiterated the Main Street entrance will give the facility better visibility.
Councilmember Longo asked about an outside patio for citizens' use in front of the
building. Mr. Hatfield said that can be done but will cut into the parking spaces. Mr. Persaud
said the spaces are just adequate now and they should not be reduced. Mayor Watts advised she
had suggested a living Christmas tree at the comer of the lot at N. Colony and Main Street.
Councilmember Garcia again expressed concern regarding the Main Street entrance,
citing unsafe conditions for children visiting the Library. Further discussion followed regarding
this issue, with Mayor Watts stating that if there is no opening on Main Street the ability to take
away the "look of the Food Lion" will be lessened. Councilmember Henville-Shannon stated
there needs to be two entrances due to the heavy traffic flow in and out of the facility.
Councilmember Longo said the new building needs to be a functional building for offices
and we don't need to spend a lot of money on the outside. He said the question is to decide if the
council chambers will stay in the existing building or be moved. He thinks it should be left as is,
noting the plan is to move to a new city hail in the future.
Mayor Watts said years ago the police department was promised a separate building and
they have not received it. She said if we do this, it should be done right and if it means giving up
park benches and Christmas trees, that's O.K. Mayor Watts said the City Hail on Main needs to
look like a main street city hall.
Councilmember Longo disagreed, stating we have limited funds and that he will not
agree to build a monument to (the Mayor) or anyone else on council. He said the building needs
to be functional for staff, then in the future there can be a bond issue to build a new city hall.
Councilmember Kovatch mentioned the Main Street entrance again and stated that after it
(Main Street) is widened, that should not be a problem. He does not think we should give up
parking spaces for a Christmas tree. He asked if there was a consensus on the things discussed.
Mayor Watts said another work session would be needed as soon as possible to discuss
the matter. Councilmember Kovatch asked for consensus on the items they discussed during this
meeting, i.e. closing the Blockbuster access, the Main Street entrance and the parking lot.
There was consensus as follows:
1. Close the Blockbuster access
2. Create an entrance on Main Street
3. Leave the parking lot alone (do not reduce parking spaces)
There was no consensus on whether the council chambers should stay or be moved. Mr.
Hatfield advised the council that he could do nothing more on this project until he knows the
answer to that question. A date was not set at this time for a future work session
With no further business to address, the work session was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
APPROVED:
MaryXBlai~tWatts, Mayor
ATTEST:
Patti A. Hicks, TRMC, City Secretary