City of Farmers Branch

City Council Regular Meeting Agenda

City Hall Plaza

13000 William Dodson Parkway

Farmers Branch, Texas

Monday, March 17, 2003

7:30 p.m.

The following members of the City Council were present:

                        Mayor                                                              Bob Phelps

                        Mayor Pro Tem                                                Charlie Bird

                        Deputy Mayor Pro Tem                                    Paul Walden

                        Councilmembers                                               Bill Moses

                                                                                                Jim Robbs

                                                                                                Calla Davis

The following members of the Administration were present:

Interim City Manager                                        John Burke

City Secretary                                                  Cindee Peters

Assistant to the City Manager                           Margaret Somereve

            Assistant to the City Manager                           John Roach

            City Attorney                                                    John Boyle

Fire Chief                                                         Kyle King

                        Police Chief                                                      JimmyFawcett

                        Library Director                                                Mary Jane Stevenson

                        Director of Engineering                         Jerry Murawski

                        Director of Public Works                                  Mark Pavageaux

                        Director of Community Services                        Michael Spicer

                        Director of Equipment Services             Don Moore

Director of Parks and Recreation                     Jeff Fuller

Director of Economic Development                   Norma Nichols

Communications Director                                  Tom Bryson

                        Recording Secretary                                         Suzanne Reynolds

Mayor Phelps called the City Council meeting of March 17, 2003 to order at 7:30 p.m.  The meeting was televised.

A.1      INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

Brother Eddy Ketchersid introduced his granddaughter Courtney who gave the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance.

A.2      PROCLAIM MARCH 16 - 22, 2003 AS INTERNATIONAL DEMOLAY WEEK IN THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH.

Mayor Phelps read and presented to a group of DeMolay members a proclamation and proclaimed March 16 - 22, 2003 as “International DeMolay Week” in the City of Farmers Branch.

A.3      PROCLAIM MARCH 16 - 22, 2003 AS "POISON PREVENTION WEEK" IN THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS.

Mayor Phelps read a proclamation and proclaimed March 16 - 22, 2003 as "Poison Prevention Week" in the City of Farmers Branch, Texas.

Mayor Phelps took executive privilege and read a proclamation declaring March 17^th as “Support American Heroes Day” in Farmers Branch, Texas.

Mayor Phelps announced the Community Meetings would be held on Tuesday, March 25, at the Farmers Branch Manske Library and Thursday, March 27, at the Farmers Branch Senior Center.  Mayor Phelps invited all residents to attend.

A.4      CONSIDER ACCEPTING A $1,500 DONATION FROM THE FARMERS BRANCH ROTARY CLUB TO BE USED FOR THE CITY'S YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.

Jim Barrett, Rotary Club Golf Tournament Director, and members of the Rotary Club presented a $1,500 check to the City of Farmers Branch to support the City’s Youth Scholarship Program.  The program supports local children by supplying equipment such as soccer shoes and balls, baseball shoes and gloves, karate uniforms, cheerleader outfits, and registration fees that allow for participation in a number of local youth organizations.

The Parks and Recreation Director recommends the donation from the Rotary Club of Farmers Branch be accepted.

A motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bird, seconded by Councilman Moses, all voting “aye,” accepted the $1,500 donation from the Rotary Club to be used in the Youth Scholarship Program, with appropriate thank you letter.

A.5      PRESENTATION OF BOARD APPLICATIONS.

            There were no applications presented.

A.6      REPORT ON STUDY SESSION ITEMS.

Mayor Phelps and the City Council gave a brief summary of the items discussed in Study Session prior to the regular meeting.

B.0       CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING AS CONSENT ITEMS AND TAKE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION.

Mayor Phelps stated consent items are items that are to be considered and action taken that may not need discussion individually.  Any member of the City Council or the audience may request to withdraw any item from the consent items and place the item before the Council for full discussion.  The concept for the consent items is established in order to speed up discussion for those items that need more time for discussion.

A motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bird, seconded by Councilman Moses, all voting “aye,” approved the Consent Agenda as submitted.

B.1       APPROVED MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 3, 2003.

C.1      CITIZEN PARTICIPATION.

            There was no citizen participation. 

D.1      CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION NO. 2003-038 AWARDING THE BID FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THREE SANITARY SEWER MAINS AND A WATER LINE TO JS CONSTRUCTORS, INC. AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.

Mayor Phelps presented the following information.  The 2002-2003 Capital Improvement Program Budget Non-Bond Utility Fund provides funding for the rehabilitation of water lines and sanitary sewers.  On February 20, 2003, nine bids were received and opened for the replacement of one water line and three sanitary sewers.  All bids met specifications. 

The water line and the sanitary sewers are 35 to 45 years old and in poor condition.  The water line to be replaced is in Courtdale Drive from Marsh Lane to Janlyn Lane and will be replaced by the traditional “cut and cover” method.  The existing water line in Courtdale Drive is a deteriorated cast iron water line that has had a number of breaks within the last few years.

The sanitary sewer lines will be replaced by the pipe bursting method, which consists of pulling a device through the existing sanitary sewer that in one operation breaks the existing pipe, pushes the broken pipe fragments into the soil, and pulls in a new replacement plastic pipe.  The only digging required is to connect the existing services to the new pipe.  The three sanitary sewers to be replaced are in the following locations:

h     In the easement between Sundown Trail and Dennis Lane from Longmeade Drive to Josey Lane;

h     On Templeton Trail from Janlyn Drive to Rockmartin Drive;

h     On Rockmartin Drive from Templeton Trail west to the end of Rockmartin Drive.

The easement between Dennis Lane and Sundown Lane will be graded and resodded to insure that the easement properly drains.  Disturbed areas on all the lines will be graded and resodded when construction is finished.

There is $689,300 available for the water line and sanitary sewer replacement.  The low bidder is JS Constructors, Inc. with a bid in the amount of $316,245.50.  JS Constructors, Inc. has experience in utility replacement and has provided adequate references.  The contract time is 150 calendar days.

There being no discussion, a motion by Councilman Robbs, seconded by Councilwoman Davis, all voting “aye,” adopted Resolution No. 2003-038 awarding the bid for the rehabilitation of three sanitary sewer mains and a water line to JS Constructors, Inc. in the amount of $316,245.50.

D.2      CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION NO. 2003-032 AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF ONE DOWN-SIZE VAN AND FOUR LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.

Mayor Phelps presented the following information.  The 2002-2003 Fixed Asset budget includes funds in the amount of $121,500.00 for the purchase of one replacement down-size van and four replacement light duty pickup trucks for four City departments.

Bid requests for replacement vehicles were sent to 16 vendors on January 16, 2003.  Six vendors responded with bids that were opened on February 4, 2003. 

The low bids meeting specifications for one full-size extended cab pickup for the Community Services Department, and one full-size extended cab pickup for the Public Works Department were received from Village Auto Group of Irving, Texas for the total amount of $32,954.00.

The low bids meeting specifications for one down-size van for the Parks and Recreation department, one full-size extended cab pickup for the Engineering Department and one crew cab pickup for the Parks and Recreation Department were received from Lawrence Marshall Ford of Hempstead, Texas for the amount of $55,449.00.

Four of the vehicles have low emission vehicle ratings and will provide Texas clean fleet credits. The full-size extended cab pickup for Community Services is ultra low emissions vehicle rated, and will provide two fleet emission credits. These fleet credits can be banked and used at a later date if needed, or sold to other fleets. The combined total amount for one down-size van and four light duty, full-size pickup trucks is $88,403.00.

Staff recommends awarding the bids for one full-size extended cab pickup for the Community Services Department and one full-size extended cab pickup for the Public Works Department to Village Auto Group of Irving, Texas for the total amount of $32,954.00.

There being no discussion, a motion by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Walden, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bird, all voting “aye,” adopted Resolution No. 2003-032 awarding the bids for one full-size extended cab pickup for the Community Services Department, one full-size extended cab pickup for the Public Works Department to Village Auto Group of Irving, Texas for the total amount of $32,954; and awarding the bids for one down-size van for the Parks and Recreation Department, one full-size extended cab pickup for the Engineering Department, one crew cab pickup for the Parks and Recreation Department to Lawrence Marshall Ford of Hempstead, Texas for a total amount of $55,449.  The total combined amount for one down-size van and four light duty pickups is $88,403.

D.3      CONSIDER APPOINTMENTS TO THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND BUILDING CODE BOARD OF APPEALS, THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION, THE HISTORICAL PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION BOARD, AND THE COMMUNITY WATCH COMMITTEE AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.

A motion by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Walden, seconded Mayor Pro Tem Bird, all voting “aye” appointed Vicki Goode Alternate Place 2 on the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Building Code Board of Appeals. 

Mayor Phelps stated he would speak with Ruth Lee of the Community Watch Committee and bring it back to the City Council meeting of April 7, 2003.

D.4      CONSIDER COUNCIL TRAVEL REPORTS AND REQUESTS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.

            There were no Council travel reports or requests. 

D.5      PRESENTATION OF COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND ORGANIZATION REPORTS.

            There were no Council Committee or Organization reports.

MAYOR PHELPS ANNOUNCED THAT THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA FOR THE EXECUTIVE SESSION WERE DISCUSSED IN THE 4:30 P.M. WORK SESSION.  MAYOR PHELPS EXPLAINED THE CITY COUNCIL CONVENED INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:07 P.M. AND THEN CONCLUDED AT 6:29 P.M.  TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 551 OF THE OPEN MEETING LAW PROVIDES THAT SUCH ITEMS AS PERSONNEL MATTERS, LAND ACQUISITION AND PENDING AND CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION MAY BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION.

E.1       DISCUSS LAND ACQUISITIONS - TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.072.

Discuss sale, trade or lease of City owned property or acquisition of property located in the area known as Old Farmers Branch.

Mayor Phelps stated staff would be present to discuss this item with the City Council.

E.2       DISCUSS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.087. 

Discuss Economic Development Incentive and Sales Agreement with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company concerning two tracts of land north of Valley View Lane and on the east side of Denton Drive.

Mayor Phelps stated staff would be present to discuss this item with the City Council.

E.3       DISCUSS PENDING OR CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION - TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.071.

Discuss status of environmental cleanup efforts at the former St. Stephens Dry Cleaners site located at 2788 Valwood Parkway.

Mayor Phelps stated staff would be present to discuss this item with the City Council.

F.1       CONSIDER NECESSARY ACTION ON ITEMS DISCUSSED IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.

Mayor Phelps explained staff updated the City Council on items discussed in Executive Session.  No action was necessary.

F.2       ADJOURNMENT.

A motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bird, a second by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Walden, all voting “aye”, adjourned the City Council meeting of March 17, 2003 at 8:05 p.m.

_______________________________          ______________________________

Bob Phelps, Mayor Phelps                               Cindee Peters, City Secretary