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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/26/2006 City Council I I I UUB03, June 26, 2006 MINUTES OF WORK SESSION/ RETREAT OF COUNCIL HELD ON JUNE 26, 2006 The Work Session/Retreat ofthe City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas, was called to order at 6: 12 p.rn. on the 26th day of June 2006, at City Hall, 6800 Main Street, The Colony, Texas, with the following roll call: John Dillard Allen Harris Scott Ward Joe McCourry Kirk Mikulec Perry Schrag Joel Marks Present Present (arrived 6: 16) Absent Present Present Present Present (arrived 7:00) Mayor Councilmember Councilmember Mayor Pro-tern Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Department directors and other city staff members were also in attendance. Mayor Dillard turned the meeting over to City Manager Dale Cheatham who reviewed the material presented for the agenda items. He told the council there are only a couple of items included that he is seeking some direction on from the council. Those include the wireless mesh and the code enforcement issues. 1. Council will meet with city staff to discuss goals and future needs, including the following: . Preliminary selected survey results - Dale reviewed some results from the May 2006 Citizen Survey, adding that the complete survey results are not ready yet. The particular results he presented are relative to issues up for discussion. . Personnel - Dale stated that in some areas staffing is short, and that some position's salaries are behind the averages of surrounding cities. Comparisons for Fire and Police were obtained from 2005 COG data. Councilmember Harris asked for a comparison of the number of Fire/EMS personnel in relation to the number of calls per city. . Capital projects - Utility and General- Dale explained the spreadsheet of projects for the next few budget years. Councilmember McCourry voiced his concern over possibly having North Colony and F.M. 423 under construction at the same time. He asked that it be evaluated as to whether North Colony will hold up until after the completion ofF.M. 423. If so, it may need to be delayed. . Capital requests - Dale advised there are a couple of city facilities that do not meet city codes. 1 u u g :)~: .) June 26, 2006 . Facilities - Photos of Fleet Maintenance and P &R facilities were passed around. It was noted that the summary in the packet material has cost estimates only for future city facilities. The three fire stations and the timing for those were discussed, as well as the need for a Fleet Maintenance facility that would allow for fire equipment to be serviced inside rather than outside. Mayor Dillard added that there is a commercial building up for sale that might be considered for an arts building. After further discussion it was determined not to pursue it at this time. . Miscellaneous financial information - Dale reviewed the summary of information in the packet material and informed the council that the city is financially stable. He added that there is a large general fund fund balance at this time. He discussed the benefit (or lack of) to citizens of reducing the tax rate and provided some examples based on average valued homes. · Communications - This information was presented to inform the council of ways the city communicates with citizens. Councilmember Harris suggested using other e-groups in town to help disperse information (ex. the Home Owners Association e-groups.) . Economic impact analysis - Dale reviewed the effect of parks and recreation activities on the local economy. · Wireless mesh - Dale asked the council whether there is an interest in the city pursuing more information on this. The general consensus among council was to get more information for them to evaluate. . Code enforcement and related issues - Specific code enforcement questions were presented to council. It was the general consensus of council to maintain the current procedures for the Sign Board of Appeals and the Code Enforcement Board (not allowing them to hear cases on extensions for signs or code enforcement appeals.) Council also expressed support for a more stringent approach to repeat code violation offenders. Opinions were split on whether to add an additional code enforcement officer. Council would like to consider possibly enacting an ordinance allowing for higher vegetation growth along drainage areas (erosion control). Councilmember Mikulec asked that the city look at ways to better maintain its own properties. Dale advised that, according to the city attorney, the city is not legally bound to adhere to the Code of Ordinances. In addition to the above, the council would like to schedule a tour of the wastewater and water facilities. Recess from 7:50 p.m. to 8:05 p.m. I I 2 I I I I U0833,j June 26, 2006 . City Council comments, direction, goals Councilmember Harris . Reduce the tax rate . Plan to reconstruct 8 residential streets currently under design . Do engineering for 8 more streets . Fleet maintenance facility . Identify alternatives for the arts community . Look at creating occupancy incentives for larger shopping centers Councilmember Schrag . Roads - Memorial connection into Frisco; expedite Paige . Plan to do North Colony after F.M. 423 is completed . Create jobs and review how EDC works . See if CDC can do more for economic development . See what can be done to significantly reduce tax rate over a period of time . Clean up image and appearance of city Councilmember McCourry . Reconstruct Paige prior to F.M. 423 getting started · Concerned about timing of North Colony reconstruction - perhaps delay until after F.M. 423, but assess to see how it will hold up if we delay . Move forward on 8 streets construction . Beautification . Staffing . Start planning for fire station at Wynnwood and perhaps expand for some police operations . Identify what we may be able to do for arts from HOT funds specifically for publicity and perhaps other purposes Councilmember Marshall (As presented by Mayor in John's absence) . Evaluate wireless mesh . Continue to make the city a safe place to live . Improve city infrastructure . Maintain bond rating . Attract businesses . Keep the tax rate stable now and plan to reduce it in the future 3 o U 8 :3 '~l '~'I June 26, 2006 Mayor Dillard . F.M. 423 Overlay district standards . Memorial connection into Frisco . Recreation Center/Civic Center - maybe this is more long term . Austin Ranch Public Improvement District Councilmember Mikulec . Focus on Economic development - EDC and see what we can do as a City . Beautification - particularly city parks . Complete update of comprehensive plan . Fleet maintenance facility . Keep on track with North Colony Fire Station . Consider restoring Library hours that were cut last year . Shoreline trails and access Councilman Marks . Memorial connection into Frisco . Beautification . Concerned about employee quality of life . Develop better relationship with neighboring cities . Get discussions going now for mass transit . Roads . Utilize Denton County Days as an avenue to reach the legislature on important issues And with no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. APPROVED: ATTEST. (iL4 (;j~ f2~ Christie Wilson, TRMC, City Secretary I I 4 I