HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/20/2001 City Council11/20/2001
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION OF COUNCIL
HELD ON
NOVEMBER 20, 2001
The REGULAR SESSION of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas, was called to order at 6:40
p.m. on the 20th of November 2001 at City Hall, with the following roll call vote:
Bemetta Henville-Shannon, Mayor Present
John Gordon, Councilmember Present
Lewis Jue, Councilmember Absent
David Stanwick, Councilmember Present
A1 Garcia, Councilmember Present
John Dillard, Councilmember Present
Dave Kovatch, Councilmember Present
and with six present a quorum was established and the following items were addressed:
1. Discussion concerning fire service, to include number of fire stations and personnel and
consideration of any appropriate action
City Manager, Dale Cheatham, presented information to the council regarding the future of fire service
in The Colony. He identified the main questions:
How many fire stations do we anticipate needing at build-out?
When do we anticipate needed additional stations?
Should we staff Station 2 if we plan to close it down?
In what increments should we increase fire staff?.
Mr. Cheatham advised the council the estimated total cost for one station is $2,955,500, which
includes land, construction, equipment and manpower. Mr. Cheatham noted the estimate is high for planning
purposes. He also explained the proposed staffing schedule for three stations and for four stations. Mr.
Cheatham said we rely heavily on surrounding cities for help in responding to fires in The Colony. He went on
to say even though those cities have not complained, The Colony has become too reliant on other cities to
provide adequate services to our citizens.
ChiefMorfison then covered operational aspects of having three stations versus four stations. It was
suggested that we might look into a centralized EMS station at some point in the future.
After lengthy discussion, Mayor Henville-Shannon asked for council consensus on whether to have
three or four stations.
Three stations - Henville-Shannon, Dillard
Four stations - Gordon, Stanwick, Garcia, Kovatch
In summary, the consensus of council is to eventually have four fire stations, including existing
stations one and two; complete renovation of station two and staff station 2. In the future, staff is to look into
purchasing a small tract of land on which to build a central medical station.
2. Discussion concerning beautification, to include code enforcement and consideration of any
appropriate action
Beautification Standards for Major Arterials /,.¥. -
After brief discussion council consensus was agreement with the Beautification S.~t~i~rds for Major
Arterials as presented. -
00757 .
11/20/2001
Street Lighting
Staffpresented information to the council regarding types of streets lights for replacement and asked
for council consensus on types and timing for replacement. Mr. Cheatham estimated the cost to purchase and
install 800 lights to be $1.6 million. After looking at sample lights and lengthy discussion, council consensus
was to install lights similar to the theme carried out in the Austin Ranch development along major roadways.
A smaller light along the same theme would be used on the smaller residential streets. The council also agreed
to pursue replacement at 20% per year.
Irrigate all medians
Council agreed with the plan as presented by staff
Maintenance of Drainage Channels
Mr. Cheatham proposed to establish a drainage fee which would be paid by each resident on their
water bills, to provide funds necessary to better maintain the drainage channels. After brief discussion council
agreed we need money to handle the maintenance.
Street Sweeping
Mr. Cheatham said the city has never been swept completely. Sweeping the streets helps them to last
longer. He proposed that if the drainage fee is approved, some of those funds could also be used to purchase a
street sweeper, which will reduce debris going into the drainage system and improve the appearance of the city
at the same time. Council agreed to place this item in the next budget.
3. Discussion and any appropriate action concerning telecommunications issues to include cable
policies and the Telecommunications Board and consideration of any appropriate action-not addressed
4. Discussion concerning change order authority and consideration of any appropriate action
Mr. Cheatham said it would improve efficiency to allow the city manager authority to approve change
orders (without going back to the council) up to a certain amount or percentage of the job.
Motion to authorize the city manager to approve change orders in an amount equal to 10% (of the project)
up to $15,000, not to exceed building amount- Dillard; second- Kovatch, carried with all ayes.
Mayor Henvillc-Shannon advised that due to the hour, the rest of Item 2 and Item 3 would be
discussed at a future work session. After brief discussion, it was agreed to hold a Special Session on December
10, 2001
With no further business to address, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Bemetta Henville-Shannon, Mayor
ATTEST:
~....P~.~,.~..~c,,~RMC, City Secretary