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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/20/2003 City Council 0O?904 October 20, 2003 MINUTES OF SPECIAL SESSION OF COUNCIL HELD ON OCTOBER 20, 2003 The Special Session of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas, was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on the 20th day of August 2003, at City Hall, 6800 Main Street, The Colony, Texas, with the following roll call: John Dillard Mayor Present Allen Harris Councilmember Present Scott Ward Councilmember Present Joe McComry Mayor Pro-tem Present Lynda Bayliss Councilmember Present Perry Schrag Councilmember Present Joel Marks Councilmember Present And with seven present a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 1. Discussion and action concerning an arts/civic building and related matters. Mayor Dillard opened the meeting and advised council that several citizens had requested to speak. He reminded everyone that normally citizen input is not received in a special session, but if council was in agreement, then it would be allowed. All council agreed to hear the input. Mayor Dillard reminded the speakers to keep their comments to 3 minutes maximum. Sue Walden, 5081 Avery Lane, advised she was speaking for her and her husband, not for the "seniors". Ms. Walden supports an arts building, but does not want to see tax dollars paid for a dedicated arts facility building. She supports a multi-purpose building and stated this issue should be taken to the voters for a decision. Kenny Hill, 5060 Aztec Drive, is in support of an arts building open to any arts and civics groups who want to use it. Sandy Sparks, 5236 Cook Circle, is opposed to building an arts building and would rather see the funds go to the seniors and street repairs. Ms. Sparks suggested the arts group check out empty store fronts. Neale Whitmore, 5921 Cypress Cove, introduced himself as a professional in the performing arts, advising he was involved in many theater groups around the metroplex. He cautioned the council about building a multi-purpose facility because it could mean a "mediocre" facility. He said arts are good for the economy. Kent Godfrey, 5060 Aztec, advised he is on the board of the Lakeside Community Theater. He said this is not about Lakeside Community Theater, but it is about the city. He said it should not be a fight between the arts and the seniors. Mr. Godfrey advised that his group has approximately $45,000 in theatre seats and $16,000 in lighting that will be donated to the city. He said an arts facility will generate income and will bring people into the city. Carolyn Rapisarda, 4004 N. Colony Blvd., said this type of facility would be a wonderful thing for the city and she hopes it will bring many events and excitement to The Colony. Ron Czamy, 4937 Wheeler Drive, said he was on the original committee that worked on the arts building project. He noted that all neighboring cities have senior facilities, but none of them have arts facilities. He said he does not think the city can afford this project. Tim Martin, 5704 Longhorn, advised council that he is married to Christi Martin, who has worked 1 007905 October 20, 2003 hard to start a theater in The Colony. He would like to see a more rounded community, noting that our Parks & -- Recreation Department is second to none. He said there is no need for this matter to be seniors vs. arts and went on to say he does support building an arts facility. Joseph Rogers, 4725 Roberts, opposed council voting on this issue tonight. He said this matter should be taken to the voters. He said he does not believe it should be about seniors vs. arts. Christi Martin, 5604 Longhorn, stated she is in favor of the arts project. She said it should not be about personalities, but about the city. Ms. Martin said art is our legacy. She went on to say that the cities of Lewisville, Irving and Frisco do support the arts projects in their respective cities monetarily. Deanna Phillips, 5108 Griffin Street, advised that the seniors and the arts are equally important to the city, and that we should work as a team to make a facility available to seniors, arts and children. Richard White, 3720 Cottonwood Springs Place, said he believes that when the city is looking at spending a large amount of money (such as this project would take), the issue should be taken to the people for a vote. Helene Parker, 6037 Cypress Cove, said the building should be multi-purpose, not just for the arts, but for all people. She said there needs to be an auditorium for a meeting place. Mayor Dillard advised the council that several decisions need to be made regarding this issue. He further stated there is approximately $850,000 set aside for the project and that at the recent council retreat, most council agreed the best location would be the 5 Star Complex. There was a lengthy discussion among council about the scope of the project, i.e. should it be a multi- purpose facility, dedicated to the arts, should it have an auditorium. Councilmember Marks asked if the city could afford such a facility, stating that the sewer plant and streets will cost about $18,000 million. Dale Cheatham asked the council to answer four questions: 1. Should any part of the building be dedicated specifically for any one purpose? He noted that if it is not then scheduling for use of the building will be an issue. 2. What was meant when some Councilmembers said "Do it right"? He said $800,000 limits what can be done. 3. Where the facility would be built? He noted that building it at 5 Star could be more expensive. 4. If the council decides to move forward, would they want to hold a bond election? Mr. Art Phelps with Phelps-Wood Architects showed council a drawing that he did earlier for the Chamber/Arts building proposal, that he believes is similar to what the council has discussed as a multi- purpose facility. He said if the facility is built at 5 Star it should match the exisfmg style, which would drive the costs up. He said nationally, the average cost is $140 - $165 per square foot. Councilmember Schrag said it should be at 5 Star, but that he does not think the city can afford it now. Mr. Phelps advised the project could be master planned and built in phases. After further discussion Mr. Cheatham told the council if they would each answer his 4 questions, perhaps some direction would come from those answers. McCourry - 1. Start by scheduling for specific groups, no dedicated area for any particular group. 2. Use existing funds. He is not sure we can afford it now. 3. It should be built at 5 Star 4. Ifa bond election is held, then the entire $2.1 million should be taken to the voters, not just the amount for this facility. Otherwise, council should make the decision on their own. He said council should make the -- 2 007906 October 20, 2003 decision tonight to move forward with a master plan. Schrag He agreed with McCourry, except that he does not believe the city can afford to build it now. He also said if only spend $800,000 then the council should make the decision (no election). However, ifa larger facility is to be built, there should be bond election. Marks - 1. Do not dedicate any part of the building to any particular group. 2. The council agreed to $800,000 and should not spend any more. 3. Should be built at 5 Star 4. Does not think the city can afford a larger building but if we do, then there should be a bond election. Harris - 1. Do not dedicate any space for any one group. 2. Master plan - is willing to issue more debt for this facility. 3. It should be built at 5 Star 4. Should take entire issue to the voters, except funding for Police Department. That portion should be set apart. Mr. Harris said as much as he would like to see it (larger facility); he is not sure the city can afford it now. He does want a master plan approach. Ward - 1. Yes, dedicate space for one particular group, schedule ahead (of time) 2. It should be built at 5 Star 3. Don't take it to the voters unless we take all bond issues to the voters. 4. It would be very expensive to "do it right". Lots of things to spend money on. The council needs to step up and provide this type of facility. Bayliss - 1. Schedule with priorities (to certain groups) 2. Master Planned Project 3. Build it at 5 Star 4. Spend the $800,000 at the old library site (bare minimum) now. Take an issue to the voters later for the large facility at 5 Star Mr. Cheatham stated that all council had asked if the city could afford such a facility. He said it is a matter of priorities. Mayor Dillard answered the questions; Build it at 5 Star, Take a large, master plarmed facility to the voters. He said in the interim, the city should find a place in which the arts group can function. There was discussion about renting space in one of the shopping centers. Mr. Cheatham summarized stating the council consensus was to build the facility at 5 Star; consider a bond election for a large, master planned multi-use facility and to seek temporary space for the arts group. Mayor Dillard asked staff to research leasing space as a temporary place for the arts group. He asked Mr. Phelps to bring a conceptual plan for a master planned multi-use facility back to the council. Mr. Phelps suggested the council take some field trips to visit other city's facilities, in particular Decatur, 3 007907 October 20, 2003 where a large facility was just completed. After further brief discussion the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. APPROVED: Jo~ Dillard, Mayor ATTEST: Patti A. Hicks, City Secretary 4