HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/04/2011 City Council-WS
October 4, 2011
MINUTES OF PRE-COUNCIL WORD SESSION OF COUNCIL
HELD ON
OCTOBER 4, 2011
The Pre-Council Work Session of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas, was
called to order at 6:03 p.m. on the 0' day of October 2011, at City Hall, 6800 Main
Street, The Colony, Texas, with the following roll call:
Joe McCourry Mayor Present
Allen Harris Councilmember Present
Richard Boyer Mayor Pro-Tem Present
Jeff Connelly Councilmember Present
David Terre Councilmember Present
Perry Schrag Councilmember Arrived at 6:09
Joel Marks Councilmember Absent
And with five council members present a quorum was established and the following
items were addressed:
A. Call to Order at 6:03 p.m.
Tim Miller introduced the new Finance Director, David Cranford.
B. Discuss changes to Article XI, Signs, of Chapter 6 of the Code of
Ordinances (Joyce)
Development Service Director Mike Joyce discussed the changes to the
sign ordinance. The proposed ordinance has been revised to reflect only
the organizational event signs. The sign board will review the other sign
types addressed. City Manager Troy Powell suggested bringing the
location of the Organization Event Signs back for the council to review.
Councilman Connelly would like to see criteria be set for an
organization's sign be added to the wayfinding signs.
C. Discuss process for board interviews and appointments (Mayor)
The Mayor discussed the process for interviews and board appointments.
D. Discuss city council redistricting process and provide direction to staff
(Wilson)
City Secretary Christie Wilson provided information on the process, time
line, and costs involved with hiring an outside firm for redistricting. She
asked the council for direction. The council discussed options and decided
to evaluate to determine if we could complete the process in house using
data supplied by Denton County.
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October 4, 2011
E. Receive presentation and discuss SB 100 (City Attorney)
City Attorney Jeff Moore discussed the new legislation regarding elections
and advised the council of their options. The options include: moving the
elections to November, changing to two or four year terms, or having all
seven members elected at the same election. The elections can stay in
May if the county can still provide the equipment. The city council would
have to take action by December 31, 2012. The statute does provide for a
holdover in term. The council asked for more information to be provided
regarding changing to a four year term.
F. Council to receive supplemental information from staff or answers to
questions regarding the October 4, 2011 regular agenda items as follows:
2.1 Consider approval of minutes of council meetings held September
20, 2011 [Harris absent] (City Secretary)
2.2 Consider approving council expenditures for August 2011
(Council)
2.3 Consider approving a resolution designating The Colony Courier-
Leader as the official newspaper of the city for legal publications for fiscal
year 2011-2012 (City Secretary)
2.4 Consider approving a resolution amending the 2011-2012 Master
Fee Schedule to add a health permit fee for convenience stores
(Community Image/Health)
2.5 Consider approving a resolution amending the 2011-2012 Master
Fee Schedule to add and/or adjust fees for foundation repair, re-roofing,
siding, organization signs, and special event signs (Development Services)
2.6 Consider approving a resolution authorizing the city manager to
execute an engagement letter with Fulbright and Jaworski L.L.P. to serve
as bond counsel for the city (Finance)
2.7 Consider approving a resolution authorizing the city manager to
execute a contract with Western Enterprises, Inc. for the 2011 American
Heroes and the 2012 Liberty by The Lake aerial fireworks displays and
issue appropriate purchase orders (Finance)
City Manager Powell made note of the location change on the contract.
3.1 Discuss and consider approving a resolution authorizing the city
manager to execute a contract with Environmental Systems Research
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October 4, 2011
Institute, Inc. for the enterprise license for Geographic Information
Systems (IT)
3.2 Second reading, discuss and consider adopting an ordinance
amending Article XI, Signs, of Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances by
establishing regulations for flags and flagpoles; by adding new definitions
for "Abandoned Sign," "Flagpole," "Organization Event Sign," and
"Placard for Organization Event Signs;" and by amending the regulations
for the removal and/or impoundment of prohibited, noncompliant and/or
abandoned signs. (Development Services, SI10-0013)
3.3 First reading, conduct a public hearing, and discuss an ordinance
amending Code of Ordinances, Chapter 8, entitled "Finance and
Taxation", by adding a new Section 8-13 providing for the taxation of
tangible personal property in transit (EDC)
3.4 Discuss and consider approving a resolution authorizing the city
manager to execute an Advance Funding Agreement with the Texas
Department of Transportation to fund the preliminary engineering, right of
way acquisition, and construction expense for the Memorial Drive/Spring
Creek Parkway connecting road (Engineering)
Tim Miller introduced the new Utility Office Manager - Molly Owzcar.
G. Council to provide direction to staff regarding future agenda items.
Councilman Connelly inquired about reducing the fees involved with
paying water bills by phone. Councilman Boyer asked about reducing or
waiving building permit fees for non-profits or churches.
Mayor McCourry gave an update on the Regional Transportation Council.
And with no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 7:02 p.m.
APPROVED:
Joe McCourry, Mayor
.'`City of The Colony
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October 4, 2011
ATTEST:
Christie Wilson, TRMC
City Secretary
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