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Home My WebLink About05/14/2007 City Council c>1 7 tJ May 14,2007 Special Session MINUTES OF SPECIAL SESSION OF COUNCIL HELD ON MAY 14, 2007 The Special Session ofthe City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas, was called to order at 7:05 p.m. on the 14th day of May 2007, at City Hall, 6800 Main Street, The Colony, Texas, with the following roll call: John Dillard Mayor Present Allen Harris Councilmember Present John Marshall Councilmember Present \Ir,. Joe McCourry Councilmember Present Kirk Mikulec Councilmember Present Perry Schrag Mayor Pro-tern , Present Joel Marks Councilmember Present And with seven council members present a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 1. Discuss and consider approval of a resolution adopting a new city logo. Communications Director Diane Baxter reviewed the proposed changes to the resolution and displayed examples of the logo in color and in black. Councilmember Harris asked whether there are any examples of what an abbreviated version would look like for street signs. Ms. Baxter replied not at this time but would bring that back to council for approval at a later date. Councilmember Schrag confirmed that this project was originally intended to update the website and suggested council approve it only for that purpose. City Attorney Bob Hager said that the resolution provides an official adoption date and offers protection ofthe logo for the city's use only. He added that registration ofthe logo would include all aspects of it (ie. words, colors, art work, fonts.) Motion to approve this logo for use only on the city website- Schrag; second by Mikulec; motion passed with all ayes except for McCourry who voted no. Mayor Dillard advised there was a citizen who requested to speak on this item and asked if there was any objection. With none stated, citizen Tony Seiler stepped to the dais and showed some examples of other possible logos. Mayor Dillard then directed that a committee be formed, to include Mr. Seiler, to review and perhaps create other options for council to consider. , ';1' ~I ' (,,) c q q May 14,2007 Special Session 2. Discuss, provide direction to staff, and take appropriate action regarding the proposed Shoreline Trail. Parks Manager Keith Helms reviewed the history ofthis project and stated that the Shoreline Trail is the first phase of the Trail Master Plan. The proposal starts the trail at Ridgepointe Park and runs along the shoreline to Stewarts Creek Park. It is 19,100 feet in length. Due to some shoreline residents' concerns that it would be too close to shoreline homes, two other options for the route were considered by the 4B board. One option moved the path at Scout Park to North Colony Boulevard on the north side ofthe street and a second option was the same except on the south side of North Colony Boulevard. Either would then continue along North Colony to Stewart Creek Park. The city's consultant provided cost analysis on both, and both exceed the cost of the original shoreline proposal. Keith stated that along the trail there will be benches, ~ mile markers, litter receptacles, pet waste stations, and possibly call boxes. Emergency access points will be included in the plan. A trailhead will be located at Stewart Creek Park outside the fee gate so that trail users don't have to pay an entrance fee. Keith's presentation included reports that indicate trails are low crime areas. Additionally he reviewed benefits to the city and its citizens, costs, CDC funding and future financing, and estimated maintenance costs. The trail is proposed to be 10-12 feet in width and constructed of Geoweb material that has been tested by staff. There are some existing storm drainage areas that need to be considered and some low lying areas that will need stream crossings, or some type of boardwalks. Finalization ofthese items will not occur until the construction documents are prepared at a later time. Staff requested direction from council as to which plan to use- the original as proposed by the 4B board, or an alternate. After final design plans are completed, a construction cost will be presented to council. (Costs presented to council tonight are preliminary. ) Don Beckel, president ofthe Community Development Corporation (4B) advised the council that the board voted on and approved the shoreline trail as presented, based on the fact that the Trail Master Plan had been previously approved by the city council. Mayor Dillard announced that council will hear citizen input for and against the proposal, giving each side fifteen minutes. Councilmember Marshall then requested an executive session to consult with the city attorney. The executive session lasted from 8:04 p.m. until 8:27 p.m. Mayor Dillard then asked for Corps of Engineers representative Tim McAllister to speak. Mr. McAllister described the authorization process for using Corps property for projects such as this. He said he has no concern that the trail will be detrimental to the environment. He advised the council that no privacy fences are allowed on Corps property. . (~ ~ ~. .0<;t{l) May 14,2007 Special Session Citizen Input opposing the trail: Donna Arnold Kera Atchison Tatiana Lankford (in favor of trail but not close to homes) James Yarborough (go through Scout Park) Bill Sneed (likes nature trail that does not include construction) Citizen Input in favor of trail as presented: Wayne Proctor Donna Cole Wayne Schultz Rick Casterline Kevin Gravey Tom Tvardzik Neutral Comment: Christi Martin voiced concerned over the community division this has caused. Stated she is supportive ofthe trail and is in favor of community improvement. She also stated that the trail will pass closely to the Lakeside Arts building and a trailhead could possibly be located in that area. Councilmember Marshall asked whether the city had pursued volunteer groups to help maintain the trail. Keith answered by saying no, that those that have volunteered have done so oftheir own volition. Mr. Marshall also inquired whether there is a east/west trail in the master plan. Pam Nelson advised there is in Phase IV that would go along North or South Colony. She added these would be commuter/destination trails not nature trails. Considerable discussion among council members included the parking and proposed trailhead areas, drainage issues, specific locations of the boardwalk and stream crossing locations. Motion to approve the shoreline trail alignment as recommended by the CDCboard- Schrag; second by McCourry who added bringing back to council adjusted costs for operations and maintenance; Councilmember Marshall asked if he could amend the motion by adding that the trail alignment be routed through Scout Park. His amendment was not seconded. He then asked for another amendment to delay the portion from Scout Park to Stewart Creek Park pending further investigation. His amendment was not seconded. He proposed a third amendment to direct staff to work to assure property line definitions were clear with at least cable and post. His amendment was not seconded. Motion passed with all ayes except for Marshall who voted no. (7' ., \...J l) 4 u May 14,2007 Special Session 3. Receive presentation from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers representatives and discuss a Challenge Partnership Agreement for mowing, underbrushing, and providing natural resource amenities on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property within the city and in its ETJ. Pam Nelson advised that the Corps of Engineers is offering a Challenge Partnership Agreement that would allow the city to issue permits for mowing, etc. behind homes along Corps property. The agreement is a draft and staff is requesting general guidance from council on whether or not to pursue this type agreement. Mayor Dillard confirmed there was no opposition from council and asked members to forward their ideas on how to use this to the city manager. And with no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 9:58 p.m. APPROVED: ATTEST: <' ---'\ JJ ;::)11 /-liJ' ret~~ ~.t.j[.J/ i ! V \./