HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/03/2009 City Council
November 3, 2009
MINUTES OF REGULAR SESSION OF COUNCIL
HELD ON
NOVEMBER 3, 2009
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 3rd day of November 2009, at City Hall, 6800 Main
Street, The Colony, Texas, with the following roll call:
Joe McCourry Mayor Present
Allen Harris Councilmember Present
Richard Boyer Councilmember Present
Jeff Connelly Councilmember Present
Kirk Mikulec Mayor Pro-Tem Absent
Perry Schrag Councilmember Absent
Joel Marks Councilmember Present
And with five council members present a quorum was established and the following
items were addressed:
1.0 ROUTINE ANNOUNCEMENTS, RECOGNITIONS AND
PROCLAMATIONS:
Call to Order
Invocation - First Baptist Church
Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag
Salute to the Texas Flag
Veteran's Day Proclamation
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting- Tony Johnston
presented the award to Finance Director Rebecca Koo, and stated this is the 20th
consecutive year for the city to receive the award.
Citizen Input- none
Announcement of upcoming civic events and activities 1- Presentation from the
Library Director regarding current and upcoming programs, events, and service
improvements; Salute to American Heroes, November 7th; City Hall closed on
November 11th for Veteran's Day.
2.0 CONSENT AGENDA
2.1 Consider approval of minutes of council meetings held October 20, 2009
[Harris absent] (Wilson)
2.2 Consider approval of a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute
documents required for a one-year extension of the bank depository contract
with JPMorgan Chase Bank (Koo)
I 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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November 3, 2009
Motion to approve above consent agenda items- Connelly, second by Boyer, motion
passed with all ayes.
Mayor McCourry requested item 2.3 be discussed separately.
2.3 Consider approval of an ordinance amending the 2009-2010 Hotel
Occupancy Tax Fund budget to provide funding for qualified events and
projects approved by the Cultural Arts Board (Koo)
Mayor McCourry asked Finance Director Rebecca Koo whether these funds
would be set aside in a separate fund or a line item, and asked how the details of
the expenditures will be documented. Rebecca explained that this will be a
separate line item, and that with this amendment each expenditure will not be
brought to council for approval. Different categories for each grant will be
identified within the line item. She added that a report will be provided to the
council every six months with an update of the expenditures.
Motion to approve- Connelly; second by Marks; motion passed with all ayes.
Councilmember Connelly requested item 2.4 be discussed separately.
2.4 Second reading and consider approval of ordinance amending the Code of
Ordinances by adding Section 20-200 to Appendix A to provide for
establishment of nonconforming structures and improvements on property
acquired as a result or threat of eminent domain (SI09-0016, Morrison)
Councilmember Connelly questioned whether an exemption versus a zoning
change is better when it comes to these properties that will be affected by the
widening of F.M. 423. Planner Wes Morrison advised that staff did not want to
permanently exempt the properties, in the event the use changes in the future.
Councilmember Boyer expressed a concern that by automatically exempting each
property that becomes non-compliant there may ultimately be some existing
businesses, for example, that end up with small parking areas or no landscaping.
It was noted that if a safety hazard exists, such a signage, those issues will be
corrected. City Attorney Bob Hager read the caption.
Motion to approve- Connelly; second by Marks; motion passed with all ayes.
At this time Mayor McCourry advised those in attendance that Councilmember
Schrag was absent attending the ICSC show with the EDC Director, and
Councilmember Mikulec was away on business.
3.0 REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
3.1 Receive presentation from Texas Parks and Wildlife and discuss urban
wildlife affecting the city (Johnston)
Urban Wildlife Biologist Jessica Alderson with the Texas Parks and Wildlife
made an informative presentation on wildlife that may be present in urban areas
from time to time. Recent sightings of a bobcat in the westerly areas of town
prompted this presentation. Ms. Alderson provided general information on
bobcats such as physical characteristics and diet, adding that it is unlikely they
would attack humans. She provided information on how to react should someone
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November 3, 2009
see one, and to report any unusual or aggressive behavior to the Animal Control
or the DFW Wildlife Coalition. She added that public education, a wildlife
feeding ordinance, aversive conditioning, and removal as a last resort are options
for the city in dealing with the issues.
3.2 Conduct a public hearing, discuss and consider approving an ordinance
amending Section 1OB- Regulations and Design Guidelines for Accessory
Structures regarding the use of accessory structures regardless of the zoning
district for municipal properties only (SI09-0014, Morrison)
Wes Morrison reviewed the current ordinance regarding accessory structures,
which does not allow them in non-residential zoning districts. Municipal facilities
are not specifically addressed in the existing ordinances and this ordinance makes
a special exception so that city departments have a way to store certain items.
The Fire Chief explained he applied for a cargo container permit for Fire Station
2. Storage is limited and there is a need to have an area to store environmental
materials, however cargo containers are not allowed at all by ordinance. The
public hearing was opened at 8:05 p.m.
Assistant City Manager Greg Vick provided additional information as to the
process that would still require a site plan and P&Z approval. Mayor McCourry
asked Wes whether the intent is to grandfather existing structures or require
compliance. Wes replied staff had not planned to review existing structures
unless council desires they do so. Discussion of the issues and procedures for
types of storage structures followed. Bob Hager suggested that council table this
item and continue the public hearing until another date. In the meantime council
can submit their comments to the attorney for some revisions to the proposed
ordinance.
Motion to table this item and continue the public hearing to the first meeting in
December- Harris; second by Boyer; motion passed with all ayes.
3.3 Discuss and consider adopting a resolution casting votes for candidates to
serve on the Denton Central Appraisal District Board of Directors (Council)
Motion to cast the city's votes for Michael Roe- Harris; second by Connelly, motion
passed with all ayes.
Executive Session was convened at 8:37 .m.
4.0 EXECUTIVE SESSION
4.1 A. Council shall convene into a closed executive session pursuant to
Section 551.071 of the TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE to seek legal advice from
the city attorney regarding pending litigation between the City of Frisco,
North Texas Municipal Water District and the City of The Colony.
B. Council shall convene into a closed executive session pursuant to
Section 551.071 of the TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE to seek legal advice from
the city attorney regarding pending litigation between John McDonald and
Cheryl McDonald and the City of The Colony.
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November 3, 2009
C. Council shall convene into a closed executive session pursuant to
Section 551.074 of the TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE to deliberate the
appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, and duties of the city
attorney.
Reconvened to Open Session 9:20 pm.
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.
Not discussed.
B. Any action as a result of executive session regarding pending litigation
between John McDonald and Cheryl McDonald and the City of The Colony.
Not discussed.
C. Any action as a result of executive session regarding the appointment,
employment, evaluation, reassignment, and duties of the city attorney.
No action.
And with no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
APPROVED:
e McCo , Mayor
City of The olony
ATTEST:
]A X L' - 0 1,""
C st e Wilson, TRMC, C
City Secretary
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