HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/17/2005 City Council
January 17, 2005 008098
MINUTES OF REGUALR SESSION OF COUNCIL
HELD ON
I JANUARY 17, 2005
The Regular Session of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas, was called to
order at 7:00 p.m. on the 17th day of January 2005, 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 McCourry Mayor Pro-tem Present
Lynda Bayliss Councilmember Present
Perry Schrag Councilmember Present
Joel Marks Councilmember Present
And with seven council members present a quorum was established and the following
items were addressed:
11.0 I ROUTINE ANNOUNCEMENTS, RECOGNITIONS AND I
PROCLAMATIONS:
Call to Order
Invocation - Perry Schrag
I Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag
Salute to the Texas Flag
Proc1amation- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day- Mayor Dillard read the proclamation
and noted the proclamation would be on display in the city hall lobby.
Citizen Input- Don Brody addressed the council saying that there are too many
change orders on contracts. He asked if the city uses a checklist for each
department to sign off on plans.
Announcement of upcoming civic events and activities 1 - Mayor Dillard
announced the resignation of Thomas Handley from the Code Enforcement
Advisory Committee and asked the city secretary to prepare a letter of
appreciation for his service. The Mayor also announced upcoming public
meetings being held by the Regional Transportation Council regarding
transportation priorities.
12.0 I CONSENT AGENDA I
2.2 Consider approval of council expenditures for the month of December
(Council)
2.3 Consider approval of a change order to the wastewater engineering design
contract for design of backwash holding pond, storage building, access road,
plant outfall line, and preparation of easement documents (Scruggs)
I 1 These items are strictly public service announcements. No action will be taken and no direction will be given
regarding these items.
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2.4 Consider approval of an ordinance adopting and enacting a new code of
ordinances for the City of The Colony and providing an effective date
(Wilson)
2.5 Consider approval of a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign an Interlocal
Cooperation Agreement for fire protection services in the unincorporated
areas of Denton County (Nolen)
2.6 Consider approval of a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign an Interlocal
Cooperation Agreement for ambulance services in the unincorporated areas
of Denton County (Nolen)
2.7 Consider approval of a resolution awarding low bids to various vendors for
annual chemical purchases (Sparkman)
2.8 Consider approval of a resolution authorizing the city manager to terminate
the legal services contract with Thomson, Coe, Cousins & Irons and approve
a contract with Strasburger & Price to assist the city in acquiring easements
for utility lines from Wynnwood Peninsula to the central city, which was
previously approved by council, and to maintain the services of attorney
Ryder Scott (Scruggs)
2.9 Consider approval of a resolution authorizing the city manager to terminate
the legal services contract with Thomson, Coe, Cousins & Irons and approve
a contract with Strasburger & Price to assist the city in acquiring right of
way easements for the proposed widening of F.M. 423, which was previously
approved by council, and to maintain the services of attorney Ryder Scott
(Scruggs)
2.10 Consider approval of a resolution authorizing the city manager to terminate
the legal services contract with Thomson, Coe, Cousins & Irons and approve
a contract with Strasburger & Price to assist the city with matters related to
S.H. 121, which was previously approved by council, and to maintain the
services or Ryder Scott (Cheatham)
2.11 Consider approval of an ordinance amending the municipal budget for 2004-
2005 for Municipal Court to fund wireless connectivity in the court room
(Koo)
2.12 Consider approval of a resolution authorizing the city manager to sign a
contract addendum with INCODE, authorizing court payments on-line (Koo)
2.13 Consider approval of inter-fund transfers for accounting purposes in relation
to capital project funding (Koo)
2.14 Consider approval of a resolution accepting negotiated rate change for
CoServe Gas (Sparkman)
AEotion to approve above consent agenda items- McCourry; second by Bayliss; motion
passed with all ayes.
Councilmember Harris asked for this item to be pulled for discussion.
2.1 Consider approval of minutes of council meetings held January 3, 2005
(Wilson)
Councilmember Harris advised it was not his intent to abstain on item 3.5
pertaining to site plan approval for Colony Plaza (S.H. 121 and Blair Oaks). He
asked for the minutes to be changed to reflect an aye vote. City Attorney David
Bernam advised that according to Roberts Rules of Order for a vote to be
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changed, a consensus of the council must be taken approving the change. Mayor
Dillard took a vote and all voted aye. Therefore, the minutes for January 3,2005
I will be changed to reflect an aye vote on item 3.5 for Councilmember Harris.
Motion to approve item 2.1 with the change in Councilmember Harris' vote on item
3.5- Harris; second by Ward; motion passed with all ayes.
13.0 I REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS I
3.1 Discuss and consider approval of a resolution authorizing the city manager
to sign an engineering services contract for design Office Creek erosion
correction and provide direction to staff regarding prioritizing this project
(Eubanks)
Public Works Director Steve Eubanks reviewed the erosion problem along Office
Creek, and stated he is requesting an engineering design contract for erosion
mitigation. The second part of this item is to reprioritize an erosion correction
scheduled for an area behind the Aquatic Park in order to do Office Creek first.
He added that area is relatively stable at this point compared to Office Creek.
Councilmember Schrag asked if the storm water utility fee will pay for this
contract. Gordon Scruggs, city engineer, replied that due to sediment being
considered a pollutant, this is an acceptable usage of the funds and added that
controlling erosion is a big factor of storm water utility. Councilmember Harris
and Mayor Dillard were both in agreement to reprioritize due to the homes along
Office Creek possibly being endangered.
I Citizen Don Brody asked if the appropriate departments have looked at the
contract, and if the engineering firm have been given any requirements (what do
we want them to accomplish).
Assistant City Manager Tony Johnston advised that the entire channel from F.M.
423 to Lewisville Lake needs to be studied. He added that the engineering firm
does meet the qualification set out by the city and they have been given direction.
Councilmember Schrag asked if there is any liability for the city regarding the
remainder of the creek (if we do repairs in certain areas). Steve Eubanks replied
that he did not believe so.
Motion to approve the contract and reprioritize the projects- Harris; second by
Schrag; motion passed with all ayes.
3.2 Discuss and consider approval of a resolution authorizing the city manager
to sign an engineering services contract for the design of an additional left
turn lane at Memorial and F.M. 423 (Johnston)
Tony Johnston advised this request is brought to the council at the request of
I citizens due to the traffic exiting at the rear of Walmart and blocking the recently
opened Memorial Drive eastbound. He stated there needs to be two left turn lanes
going north on eastbound Memorial and a restructure of the opposite side of the
intersection to accommodate the extra turn lane. A question of how the future
improvements of F.M. 423 will impact this project was raised, and whether or not
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January 17, 2005
changing the timing of the traffic signal lights would help the situation. Tony
advised that TxDOT and the City of Lewisville (maintains the lights) have
indicated they cannot be adjusted anymore without affecting the entire system in
that area. He suggested that signs not to block the intersection be put in place. It
was noted that F.M 423 improvements are not scheduled for another four to five
years.
Citizen Don Brody stated he is concerned that this project could encourage more
people to drive through the parking lot rather than go through the intersection at
S.H. 121 and F.M, 423. He suggested police presence to discourage people from
blocking Memorial. Councilmember McCourry agreed that the city should look
at other options and put this off for now.
Motion to table this item indefinitely- Marks; second by McCourry; motion passed with
all ayes except for Dillard and Harris who voted no.
3.3 Discuss and consider approval of a resolution authorizing the city manager
to sign an engineering services contract for the purpose of conducting a
water and sewer impact fee study (Johnston)
Tony Johnston advised the council that the current water and sewer impact fee
study (2003) assumes certain growth patterns and now needs to be updated due to
changes taking place in Austin Ranch and planned growth at Wynnwood. The
city also is expanding the wastewater treatment plant.
Motion to approve- Ward; second by McCourry; motion passed with all council voting
aye except for Harris to had left the dais temporarily.
3.4 Discuss and consider approval of a resolution authorizing the city manger to
sign an engineering services contract for the purpose of conducting a
drainage impact fee study (Johnston)
Tony Johnston advised the last study was done in April of 2000. The city
attorney told the council it is required under state law every five years.
Motion to approve- Schrag; second by Marks; motion passed with all ayes.
3.5 Discuss and consider approval of a resolution authorizing the city manager
to sign a construction contract for installation of a sidewalk on the west side
of Blair Oaks from Memorial to Nowlin Drive (Johnston)
Tony Johnston advised council that several requests have come in for a sidewalk
for students to walk to school. He said that Centex owns the property and will be
contacted for their permission and to see if they will share the cost. The
apartment complex will also be asked to share some of the cost.
Citizen Don Brody said that this is premature and that the staff work initially was
incomplete.
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Motion to approve up to $10,000 after Centex and the apartments have been contacted
to possibly share the cost-Marks; second by Harris; motion passed with all ayes.
I 3.6 Discuss and consider possible revisions to council policy regarding agenda
preparation and council meeting protocol (Dillard)
Mayor Dillard asked for this agenda item due to a previous Resolution by the city
council setting out guidelines for conduct of meetings and agenda preparation,
and that though legal, the current council is not following that Resolution exactly.
He asked city attorney David Bernam to define the differences between
ordinances and resolutions. David said that ordinances are law and resolutions
are policy or directives.
Citizen Steve Parsons told the council that thirty minutes for public input was not
enough and that it should be eliminated. David Bernam told the council that the
public has a right to attend and observe public meetings but state law does not
require citizen input. He advised the council has the authority at any meeting to
extend or reduce the guideline of thirty minutes.
Suggested changes include:
Eliminating Section II, 6.; adding citizen input at special meetings and work
sessions as long as it pertains to the subject matter at hand; Section IV, 2. b., last
sentence will be eliminated on the advise of city attorney; Section V. 1. last
sentence will delete the term "chronic absenteeism" and replace it with "as
I defined in city charter".
It was confirmed by the city secretary that Section II., 3. referring to new
ordinances being brought to council two times means those that add new subject
matter to the Code of Ordinances and not those amending sections or chapter
subjects already in the Code.
It was requested by council that a directive be given to staff regarding specific
addresses or locations on the agendas. It was noted that Planning and Zoning
agenda items should have more than just a lot number, to include a clear
description of the location under consideration.
After the changes have been made, a new Resolution reflecting the suggested
changes will be brought to council for approval.
3.7 Discuss and consider canceling marketing plan and other related agreements
with GroupBaronet (McCourry)
This item not addressed at this time.
(Councilmember Harris left the meeting following Regular Session and prior to
I Executive Session.)
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January 17,2005
Executive Session was called to order at 9:20 p.m.
I 4.0 I EXECUTIVE SESSION I
4.1 A. Council shall convene into a closed executive session pursuant to
Section 551.071 of the Local Government Code to consult with the city
attorney regarding pending litigation between the City of Frisco, North
Texas Municipal Water District and the City of The Colony.
This item not addressed.
B. Council shall convene into a closed executive session pursuant to
Section 551.074 regarding personnel matters to wit: City Secretary annual
evaluation.
Reconvene to Open Session at 10:05 p.m.
4.2 A. Any action as a result of executive session regarding pending litigation
between the City of Frisco, North Texas Municipal Water District and the
City of The Colony.
This item not addressed.
B. Any action as a result of executive session regarding the City
Secretary annual evaluation.
Motion to approve a 3% salary increase- Schrag; second by Bayliss; motion passed
with all ayes except for Harris who left the meeting prior to Executive Session..
And with no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 10:07 p.m.
APPROVED:
CJ?J :JEh
J Dillard, Mayor
y of The Colony
ATTEST:
&~0L);JjJ~~
Christie Wilson, TRMC, City Secretary
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