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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/14/1999 City Council 0(1718, MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF COUNCIL HELD ON JUNE 14, 1999 The WORK SESSION of the City Council of the City off'he Colony, Texas was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on the 14th day of June 1999 at City Hall, with the following council roll call: William W. Manning, Mayor Present John Gordon, Councilmember Present Lewis Jue, Councilmember Present David Stanwick, Councilmember Present A1 Garcia, Councilmember Absent (personal) John Dillard, Councilmember Present Jeff Meyers, Councilmember Present and with six ~resent a quorum was established, the following items were addressed: ITEM DESCRIPTION SOURCE STATUS 1.1 Discussion of an ordinance amending Section 15 of the Workshop Subdivision Ordinance by adding an access policy applicable to FM 423 and SH 121 Mr. Persaud presented some options to the policy, which had first been addressed by the council on June 7, 1999. Councilmember Stanwick stated that he would like to see joint access driveways encouraged whenever possible. The council discussed various distances for space between driveways and distance from corners. They also reviewed standards from surrounding cities. The council reached a consensus to set the following distances: Spacing between driveways 200 feet Distance from curb - 150 feet This ordinance will be on the June 21, 1999 agenda for action. 1.2 Discussion of Tax Increment Financing in the City of The Workshop Colony Mr. Lambert stated this meeting is for information only and not to negotiate terms with the proponents of the TIF. Mr. Lambert further advised that there had been two proponents, Austin Ranch (Billingsley Co.) and Wynnewood (Matthews-Southwest), and that he had received a call from Tim House representing Matthews-Southwest withdrawing ,.007186 the Wynnewood property from the TIF consideration. He said formal, written notice of the withdrawal is forthcoming. Mr. Lambert then introduced visiting participants: Tom Leonard with Leonard, Frost, Hurt & Lilly, an expert of TIF's in Texas. Boyd London with First Southwest, the city's financial advisor. Leroy Grawunder with Fischer and Newsom, the city's bond counsel. John Hill with Cowles & Thompson, the city attorney. Mr. Lambert also advised that Susan Mead, attorney for the Billingsley Co., was present to answer questions, it necessary. Mr. Lambert said the council needs to come away from this meeting with direction to staff regarding a cost benefif analysis and the appointment of a negotiation committee. Mr. Tom Leonard then addressed the council. He advised that he serves as the attorney for economic development for Denton County and that he did some work for Lucy Billingsley in March of this year. Mr. Leonard further advised he did not believe either of those two matters constitutes a conflict of interest for him with regard to this issue. Mr. Leonard continued and gave the council details of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts, covering the statute governing TIF's and answering questions posed by the council, staff and other participants. Mr. Leonard stated that the council does have control over how the TIF board can spend money. Mr. Body London said council should look at all the facts, weigh the risks and then decide if a TIF is advantageous for the city. He cited other cities in Texas that have successfully created TIF's and examples of how the funds had been expended. One example was the City of Grapevine' s TIF for Grapevine Mills Mall. Mr. London said his firm could find a contractor to perform the cost benefit analysis. Mayor Manning asked if these funds could be used to build a sports complex, a community center, roads, etc. Mr. London and Mr. Leonard both said those would be acceptable projects for the funds from a TIF. Mayor Manning asked it it would benefit the city to create the TIF if other entities., LISD and Denton County did not participate. Mr. Leonard said it would benefit the city even if those entities do nol participate. Mayor Manningsaid we need to know right away if LISD and Denton County will participate. Mr. Lambert noted the following issues need to be reviewed: 2 · What should be the boundaries of the TIF zone? · What are the costs associated with legal services and studies for TIF and who should pay? (even costs incurred by city) · What should the TIF pay for? · How does the TIF handle commercial, industrial, retail, office park, multi-family and residential zoning. Should residential and multi-family be excluded? · How does the TIF handle impact fee monies versus TIF monies regarding what is used to pay for what? · Who should be appointed to negotiate these details with the Austin Ranch representatives? · If created, who should be appointed to the 4-member board? Mr. Leroy Grawunder said the next essential step is to prepare the Project Plan and the Financial Plan. Mayor Manning told the council they need to decide if we should go forward, who would be on the negotiation team and what the city would accept in the TIF. Mayor Manning further stated that he would not support a TIF for residential properties. Further discussion followed regarding advantages, disadvantages and uses for the funds. Councilmember John Gordon said he wants to know about LISD and Denton County participation before expending any funds for a Cost Benefit Analysis. He further stated the Cost Benefit Analysis is not needed if we do not go forward with the TIF. Mr. Lambert is to contact LISD and Denton County. All information will be presented to council at the June 21, 1999 council meeting for further review and possible action. Mayor Manning suggested that another work session would be needed regarding this matter. With no further business to address, Mayor Manning adjourn.ed the meeting at 8:55 p.m.