City of Farmers
Branch
City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
City Hall Plaza
13000 William
Dodson Parkway
Farmers Branch,
Texas
Monday, October
13, 2003
7:30 P.M.
The following
members of the City Council were present:
Mayor
Bob Phelps
Mayor Pro Tem
Paul Walden
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Bill Moses
Councilmembers
Charlie Bird
Ben Robinson
Junie Smith
The
following members of Administration were present:
Interim City Manager
John Burke
Assistant City Manager
Linda Groomer
City Secretary
Cindee Peters
Assistant to the City Manager
Margaret Somereve
Assistant to the City Manager
John Roach
City Attorney
Mathew Boyle
Fire Chief
Kyle King
Police
Chief Jim
Fawcett
Library Director
Mary Jane Stevenson
Director of
Communications Tom
Bryson
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
Recording Secretary Suzanne Reynolds
Mayor Phelps called the City
Council meeting of October 13, 2003 to order at 7:30 p.m.
The meeting was televised.
A.1 INVOCATION
AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
Reverend Reggie
Mayo gave the invocation and Mayor Phelps presented the pledge of allegiance.
A.2
PRESENTATION OF AWARDS FOR FIRE PREVENTION POSTER CONTEST.
Mayor Phelps presented the
following information. The Mayor
and Fire Department staff presented awards to winners in the Eighth Annual Fire
Prevention Poster Contest. All
third grade students from Cabell Elementary, Farmers Branch Elementary, Janie
Stark Elementary, Dave Blair Intermediate, Parish Episcopal School and Mary
Immaculate School were invited to participate.
A.3
PRESENTATION BY CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES CONCERNING THE BOND REFERENDUM ON OCTOBER 25, 2003.
Mr. John Tepper, President of the
Board of Trustees for the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District,
gave a presentation on the upcoming school bond election on October 25, 2003.
Councilman Bird asked for
clarification on the statement about an elementary school in Farmers Branch.
He asked if it was “most likely” or “will be built” on Fyke Road.
Mr. Tepper replied the school would be built barring unforeseen
situations.
Councilman Bird asked if it would
be more feasible to tear down Janie Stark Elementary and build a new school.
Mr. Tepper replied it cannot be determined at this time without the
design/construction information. Councilman
Bird asked if it would be considered. Mr.
Tepper replied it would be considered.
A.4 PRESENTATION
OF SPORTS HALL OF FAME AWARD.
Mayor Phelps
presented the following information. At
the recommendation of the Farmers Branch Sports Council and the Parks and
Recreation Board, the Farmers Branch Sports Hall of Fame Award was created in
1998. Named to the Hall of Fame are
individuals involved in the city athletic leagues that have served unselfishly
by volunteering their time and efforts to assist local youth.
Mayor Phelps and
staff members presented a plaque to Truett Ball, President of the Girls Softball
League, to be named to the Hall of Fame for 2003 by the Carrollton Farmers
Branch Girls Softball League.
A.5
RECOGNITION OF THE AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION - TEXAS CHAPTER, AWARDS
FOR THE CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR PLANNING EXCELLENCE AND THE CURRENT
PLANNING AWARD FOR “STREAMLINING THE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW PROCESS.”
Mayor Phelps
presented the following information. The
Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association has recognized the Farmers
Branch Planning Division with two awards, presented at their 2003 annual
conference this month.
Mayor Phelps
presented the first award to Kaizer Rangwala, Planning Director, for the 2003
Certificate of Achievement for Planning Excellence, which recognizes
professional planning standards within the Planning Division.
Mayor Phelps presented the second award to Michael Spicer, Director of
Community Services, for the Current Planning Award for “Streamlining the
Development Review Process.” The Current Planning Award is given to an outstanding program
or process directed to the implementation of the plan.
Mayor Phelps
thanked the members of the Planning and Zoning Commission and staff in this
recognition and achievement.
A.6 PRESENTATION
OF SERVICE AWARD.
Mayor Phelps
presented a five-year employee service award to Ron Morrison of the Fire
Department.
A.7 PRESENTATION
OF SERVICE AWARD.
Mayor Phelps
presented a five-year employee service award to Paul Marcum of the Manske
Library.
A.8 PRESENTATION
OF SERVICE AWARD.
Mayor Phelps
presented a twenty-year employee service award to Randy Millaway of the Public
Works Department.
A.9
RECOGNITION OF LINDA GROOMER, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, IN RECEIVING
INTERNATIONAL CITY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION 30 YEAR SERVICE AWARD.
Mayor Phelps
presented a plaque to Assistant City Manager Linda Groomer to recognize her 30
years of local government service in ICMA.
ICMA’s mission is to create excellence in local government by
developing and fostering professional local government management.
John Wells a
Farmers Branch resident for many years congratulated Ms. Groomer for her work
with employees.
A.10
PRESENTATION OF TEXAS RECREATION AND PARK SOCIETY REGION 2 AND 3
DIRECTORS' TROPHY.
Mayor Pro Tem Paul
Walden presented a golf trophy to Mayor Bob Phelps, which will stay in
possession of Farmers Branch for one year and then be awarded to next year’s
champion.
The Texas
Recreation and Park Society Region 2 and 3 Scholarship Golf Tournament was held
Friday, September 26, 2003. More
than 30 cities and 152 golfers participated in the event.
The Farmers Branch team of Mayor Pro-Tem Paul Walden, Chris Goodspeed,
Stacy Wright and Jeff Fuller shot 15 under par 56 to win the Directors’ Trophy
and posted the lowest overall score in the tournament.
A.11 PRESENTATION
OF BOARD APPLICATIONS.
There were no
applications presented.
A.12 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 Walden, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Moses, all voting “aye,” approved
the Consent Agenda as submitted.
B.1
APPROVED MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 22, 2003.
B.2
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2003-126 ACCEPTING A TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION
EASEMENT AT JANIE STARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DONATED BY THE CARROLLTON-FARMERS
BRANCH INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF SANITARY
SEWER PROTECTION PROJECT ALONG THE BANK OF FARMERS BRANCH CREEK NEAR VERONICA
CIRCLE.
B.3
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2003-119 AUTHORIZING THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE COMMERCIAL LEASE AGREEMENT WITH CHAMPION TRAILER
ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC.
B.4
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2003-112 APPROVING SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NO. 1 TO
THE CONGESTION MITIGATION AND AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE
FURNISHING AND INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS BY A MUNICIPALITY WITH THE TEXAS
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
B.5 ADOPTED
RESOLUTION NO. 2003-138 AUTHORIZING CONTINUATION OF THE HEALTH SERVICES
AGREEMENT BETWEEN DALLAS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH.
B.6 ADOPTED
RESOLUTION NO. 2003-128 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO PURCHASE COMPUTER
NETWORK COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT FROM NEXTIRAONE AND COMPUTERS AND PRINTERS FROM
DELL INC. FOR THE NEW RECREATION CENTER UTILIZING THE STATE OF TEXAS CATALOG
PURCHASING PROCEDURES FOR AUTOMATED INFORMATION SYSTEMS.
B.7
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2003-133 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO PURCHASE
RECREATION AND BUILDING USE SOFTWARE FOR THE NEW RECREATION CENTER FROM CLASS
SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS UTILIZING THE STATE OF TEXAS CATALOG PURCHASING PROCEDURES
FOR AUTOMATED INFORMATION SYSTEMS.
B.8
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2003-134 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO PURCHASE
A TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR THE NEW RECREATION CENTER FROM NEXTIRAONE
UTILIZING THE STATE OF TEXAS CATALOG PURCHASING PROCEDURES FOR AUTOMATED
INFORMATION SYSTEMS.
B.9
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2003-118 APPROVING CHANGE ORDER NUMBER 1 TO
GALLAGHER CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES RELATIVE TO CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW
RECREATION CENTER.
B.10
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2003-095 AWARDING THE BID FOR HEATING,
VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE SERVICES TO DBI
AIR CONDITIONING SERVICES.
C.1
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION.
There was no citizen participation.
C.2
PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDER THE
REQUEST FROM BILL BAUMAN ON BEHALF OF FIBERTOWER/AT&T WIRELESS FOR A
SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO LEGALLY ESTABLISH THE EXISTING 78-FOOT TALL MONOPOLE
TOWER AND ANTENNA SYSTEMS, AND TO ALLOW COLLOCATION OF TWO MICROWAVE DISH
ANTENNAS ON THE TOWER, ON A 0.99-ACRE TRACT LOCATED AT 14944 VENTURE DRIVE
WITHIN THE LIGHT INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICT, AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Phelps
presented the following information. The
subject monopole antenna tower is located at the rear of the Brookhaven College
Medical Services Training Facility at 14944 Venture Drive.
The monopole tower currently supports two existing antenna systems, for
AT&T and Cingular Wireless, and their associated equipment buildings are
located at the base of the tower.
The proposed
specific use permit request is twofold:
(1)
To legally establish the existing monopole tower and antenna systems; and
(2)
To allow two proposed microwave dish antennas on the exiting tower and
their associated equipment cabinet at the tower’s base.
The City’s
Specific Use Permit requirement for monopoles was enacted after the existing
monopole and antenna systems were erected.
Therefore, this proposal includes legally establishing the existing
improvements through the Specific Use Permit process.
The subject
property is currently non-conforming with respect to landscaping and vehicular
screening between the street and the front of the existing building.
The applicant is proposing to address the non-conformities by providing
five trees in the right-of-way, additional ground cover adjacent to the right of
way, and realigning vehicular parking in front of the building; no parking will
be lost as a result of the modified realignment.
The Planning and
Zoning Commission unanimously recommends approval of the requested Specific Use
Permit and associated site plan with the following condition:
1. The owner(s) of the monopole, the two existing antenna systems mounted on the monopole, and the two proposed microwave dish antennas shall remove their respective antenna systems and all appurtenances including the monopole and any associated equipment buildings or cabinets within ninety (90) days subsequent to such time that the antennas and/or monopole become obsolete and/or the use is abandoned.
Mayor Phelps opened the public hearing.
Bill Bauman with AT&T, 5601 Legacy, was available to answer questions of the Council. He stated in the site plan, landscaping and irrigation would be provided per the City’s requirement.
A motion by Mayor Pro Tem Walden, seconded by Councilwoman Smith, all voting, “aye,” closed the public hearing.
There being no further discussion, a motion by Councilman Bird, seconded
by Mayor Pro Tem Walden, all voting “aye,” approved the following captioned
specific use permit Ordnance No. 2743, and to include landscaping and automatic
irrigation system.
AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS, AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE
ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS, BY GRANTING A SPECIFIC
USE PERMIT to
legally establish the existing 78-foot tall monopole tower and antenna systems
and TO ALLOW COLLOCATION OF TWO
MICROWAVE DISH antennaS ON THE
EXISTING TOWER, LOCATED ON A .99 ACRE TRACT AT 14944 VENTURE DRIVE, WITHIN THE
LIGHT INDUSTRIAL (LI) ZONING DISTRICT; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;
PROVIDING A PENALTY OF FINE NOT TO EXCEED THE SUM OF TWO THOUSAND ($2,000.00)
DOLLARS; PROVIDING FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
C.3
PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE FARMERS BRANCH WEST SIDE PLAN
AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Phelps
presented the following information. The
West Side of Farmers Branch has locational advantages and is eminently
accessible from a network of freeways that frame the area.
The growth projections in the metroplex indicate that this part of
Farmers Branch as situated in the Greater Dallas region is ripe for development.
The Plan will guide growth and development of the West Side of Farmers
Branch.
The West Side Plan
builds on previous efforts that established the Tax Increment Financing District
Plan in 1999 for approximate 800 acres on the West Side, and refines them into
concepts, strategies, and policies that will serve the City for decades to come.
The Plan is a
product of several years of public discussions, study, and substantial review by
the Planning and Zoning Commission, City Council, and various City Boards.
A hard copy of the
West Side Plan was distributed to the Council, and a copy of the Plan is
available at the Farmers Branch Manske Library. The West Side Plan can also be accessed on the City’s
website at www.farmersbranch.info/planning.
The Planning and
Zoning Commission, by unanimous vote, recommends approval of the West Side Plan.
The Parks and Recreation Board has also issued a unanimous endorsement of
the West Side Plan.
Mayor Phelps opened
the public hearing.
R.L. Lemke, 1800
Valley View Lane, stated he is pleased to see the West Side Plan being reviewed
and considered for adoption by the City Council.
A motion by
Councilman Bird, seconded by Councilman Robinson, all voting “aye,” closed
the public hearing.
Kaizer Rangwala,
Director of Planning, gave a brief presentation on the five themes in the West
Side Plan. Themes included:
Regional Opportunities, Open Space and Environment, Sustainable Neighborhoods,
Planning for People and Strengthening Identity.
Mr. Rangwala stated the planning staff respectfully requests the adoption
of the West Side Plan.
Mayor Phelps
thanked the Planning and Zoning Division for their many hours of dedicated to
this project. Mayor Phelps also
thanked R.L. Lemke and his company for their willingness to make this a new area
and showplace.
There being no
further discussion, a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Walden, seconded Deputy Mayor Pro
Tem Moses, all voting “aye,” approved Resolution 2003-131 adopting the West
Side Plan.
D.1 CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION NO. 2003-130 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THOMAS & BONNEAU, INC. FOR THE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY AND NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION IN BRANCH CROSSING AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor
Phelps withdrew from the discussion on this item due to a possible conflict of
interest.
Mayor Pro Tem
Walden presented the following information.
The City of Farmers Branch initiated the Neighborhood Renaissance Program
in 1997. The first neighborhood to
be addressed under the program is Branch Crossing, an area east of City Hall
bounded by Tom Field Road, Farmers Branch Lane, Valley View Lane and Rawhide
Creek. In order to provide a
catalyst to encourage residential builders to develop new residences in this
area, as well as to encourage renovations and property improvements, the City
purchased certain lots and has offered those lots to residential builders.
As part of its
Neighborhood Renaissance Program, the City issued a request for proposals for
the construction of a new single-family home in Branch Crossing on a City-owned
lot at 2655 Mount View Drive.
Three proposals
were submitted by the August 14, 2003 deadline. One proposal was subsequently withdrawn from consideration by
the submitting party. City staff
carefully reviewed the two remaining proposals; and after their review of the
proposals, City Council directed City staff to negotiate an agreement with
Thomas & Bonneau, Inc. The
agreement would convey the property at 2655 Mount View Drive to Thomas &
Bonneau, Inc., and provide for the construction of a new single-family home on
the lot meeting the development standards approved for Branch Crossing. The new home would be a minimum of 2,300 square feet in size.
In addition, as part of the agreement, Thomas & Bonneau Inc. will
build a second new home at 12947 Epps Field Road.
The property at 12947 Epps Field is currently owned by Thomas &
Bonneau.
There being no
discussion, a motion by Councilman Bird, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Moses,
all voting “aye,” adopted Resolution No. 2003-130 authorizing the City
Manager to enter into a contract with Thomas & Bonneau, Inc., for the sale
of real property and the construction of new homes in Branch Crossing.
D.2
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION NO. 2003-071 APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH
GSWW, INC. FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF LONGMEADE DRIVE
FROM WEBB CHAPEL ROAD EAST TO GOLFING GREEN DRIVE AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Phelps
presented the following information. The
2002-2003 Non-Bond Capital Improvement Program budget provides $1,600,000 for
the reconstruction of Longmeade Drive from Webb Chapel Road east to Golfing
Green Drive. Longmeade Drive, an
existing concrete street in poor condition, is proposed to be reconstructed with
concrete. The reconstruction will include improving the storm sewer system,
replacing drive approaches, sidewalks, water lines, and sanitary sewer lines.
The majority of
Longmeade Drive presently drains across the surface of an existing drainage
easement east of Castleton Drive. There
has been a history of problems with the surface drainage, which includes
blockages and prolonged ponding. The
improved storm sewer system will include installation of a storm sewer pipe in
the existing drainage easement where the storm water presently flows overland.
The storm sewer pipe will have an energy dissipater and flow restrictor to
insure that the flow through the storm sewer pipe does not exceed the present
overland flow into Farmers Branch Creek.
An engineering
services agreement has been negotiated with GSWW, Inc. for design of the
improvements to Longmeade Drive, in an amount not to exceed $109,328.
This amount is within the fee range for similar projects.
GSWW, Inc. was selected based upon their experience in designing street
reconstruction and utility improvements throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth
Metroplex. GSWW, Inc. has performed satisfactorily for the City on other street
reconstruction projects.
The design will be
completed in approximately 308 calendar days.
It is anticipated that construction will begin in summer 2004 and be
completed in fall 2005. Neighborhood
meetings will be held prior to start of construction.
There being no
discussion, a motion by Councilman Robinson, seconded by Councilwoman Smith, all
voting “aye” adopted Resolution No. 2003-071 approving an agreement for
engineering services with GSWW, Inc. for the reconstruction of Longmeade Drive
from Webb Chapel Road east to Golfing Green Drive in an amount not to exceed
$109,328.
D.3
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION NO. 2003-137 APPROVING AN ENGINEERING
SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH CARTER AND BURGESS, INC. RELATIVE TO SUMP AND LAKE
IMPROVEMENTS NORTH OF I-635 AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Phelps
presented the following information. The
construction of sump and lake improvements north of I-635 is the fourth
improvement proposed within Tax Increment Financing Reinvestment Zone No. 1.
Development Agreement No. 4, approved by the City Council on September
22, 2003, provides the conditions for which American Realty Trust, Inc. and
Income Opportunity Realty Investors, Inc., the collective developer of
the property adjacent to the sumps and lake north of I-635, will advance funds
for the design and construction of the improvements and receive reimbursement
from TIF revenues for the actual funds advanced in an amount not to exceed
$3,000,000 plus interest.
A portion of TIF
No. 1 is located north of I-635 and is protected from flooding from the Elm Fork
of the Trinity River and adjacent creeks by levees. There is a sump
system, consisting of a large lake and channels, which collects storm water that
falls within the land protected by the levees and conveys the water to the river
via either gates or pumps. The sump system needs to be enlarged to accommodate
increased runoff from new development. The proposed improvements will include
edge and bank treatments to the lake, creating an amenity for the development.
The sump and
lake improvements are proposed in three phases. The first phase is the
hydrologic and hydraulic analysis to determine the amount of additional sump
storage that is needed and to develop alternative configurations and bank
treatments, such as grass slopes, vertical walls, and terraced walls. The second
phase is design of the alternative selected. The final phase is construction.
The firm of Carter
and Burgess, Inc. has been selected to perform the first phase, consisting of
the hydrologic and hydraulic analysis and
development of alternative configurations and bank treatments for the sump
and lake improvements. The engineering services will include surveying,
preliminary design of the streets, which is important to insure that the
proposed lake improvements will not conflict with the streets.
The firm has been involved in the infrastructure planning associated with
development on the west side of Farmers Branch and has satisfactorily completed
design of other projects for the City in the past. The firm is familiar with
drainage criteria applicable to the Valwood Improvement Authority.
An engineering
services agreement has been prepared with Carter and Burgess, Inc. for the engineering
services for an amount not to exceed $118,240 with a time of 180 calendar
days. The fee is consistent with the fees for similar projects.
Development
Agreement No. 4 provides that the developer will advance the funds for the
engineering services prior to the City approving the agreement.
The City has received $118,240 for engineering services
relative to the sump and lake improvements from American
Realty Trust, Inc., and Income Opportunity Realty Investors, Inc.
There being no
discussion, a motion by Councilwoman Smith, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Walden,
all voting “aye,” adopted Resolution No. 2003-137 approving an engineering
services agreement with Carter and Burgess, Inc. relative to sump and lake
improvements north of I-635 in an amount not to exceed $118,240.
D.4
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION NO. 2003-127 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
PURCHASE AN IBM AS400 COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR CITY-WIDE USE FROM HTE VAR UTILIZING
THE STATE OF TEXAS CATALOG PURCHASING PROCEDURES FOR AUTOMATED INFORMATION
SYSTEMS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Phelps
presented the following information. The
City of Farmers Branch currently utilizes an IBM AS400 computer system to serve
diverse functions for every department. The current system was last upgraded
seven years ago and has served the City well. However, advanced software and
networking needs require a more powerful computer system with greater processing
speed and storage capacity.
State contract
quotes for a new IBM AS400 computer system were received from five vendors with
the lowest quote of $96,957.85 submitted by HTE VAR. Funds in the amount of
$100,000.00 are budgeted in the 2003-04 Fixed Asset Fund. HTE VAR has been
certified by the Texas Building and Procurement Commission as a qualified vendor
for Catalog Information Systems Vendor (CISV) purchases.
The Information
Services Director recommends the purchase of the new IBM AS400 computer system
from HTE VAR for $96,957.85 using the State of Texas catalog purchasing
procedures.
There being no
discussion, a motion by Councilman Robinson, seconded by Councilman Bird, all
voting “aye,” adopted Resolution No. 2003-127, authorizing the city manager
to purchase an IBM AS400 computer system for city-wide use from HTE VAR
utilizing the state of Texas catalog purchasing procedures for automated
information systems
D.5
CONSIDER A MOTION RELATED TO THE CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH INDEPENDENT
SCHOOL DISTRICT CONCERNING THE PROPOSED BOND ISSUE AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Phelps
presented the following information. The
Board of Trustees of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District
has called a school bond referendum election for Saturday, October 25, 2003.
The bond referendum is for $300,165,000.
Various facility improvements, renovations and technology upgrades are
scheduled for schools attended by Farmers Branch youth.
Robert Hernandez,
Chair of the School/Community Relations Committee gave a report on the
Committee’s recommendations, which include:
·
The school board recognizes the seriousness and importance to attract and
maintain existing industrial commercial businesses (the commercial tax base that
can help support this $300.1 million bond) by passing a Triple Freeport Tax
Exemption.
·
The school board will appoint an appropriate representative citizens
oversight committee to insure that activities are carried out as proposed.
·
The school district should hire multiple architects and managers to
provide for simultaneous construction and repair.
·
Any improvements to Ranchview High School be considered low priority, be
qualified by specific and real demographic information.
·
High priority be given to improvements at Janie Stark Elementary.
·
High priority be given to both Pre-K Centers and a new southern
elementary school proposed at Fyke and Webb Chapel.
Mr. Hernandez
stated the School/Community Relations Committee would support the school bond
election if the School Board would consider the above-mentioned recommendations.
Yvette Kaplinsky,
13650 Littlecrest, stated she was on the bond committee for the
Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District and she would encourage
the City Council to refrain from endorsing this $300,165,000 school bond
referendum package and have the bond package brought back in 2004 with a more
realistic number. Ms. Kaplinsky
read a statement outlining her objections to passage of the bond referendum.
Mr. John Tepper,
President of the Board of Trustees for the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent
School District, replied to several of Ms. Kaplinsky objections that were
brought up in her statement.
Mayor Phelps asked
Mr. Tepper if he had any objections to the six recommendations made by the
School/Community Relations Committee. Mr.
Tepper replied there was a school board meeting and the business community was
presented with a draft agreement concerning the Triple Freeport Exemption for
the business community to gather support and get back with the school board.
He stated this had been scheduled for the October 30th School
Board meeting. Mr. Tepper stated he
did not have any problems with the recommendations but he is only one vote.
Deputy Mayor Pro
Tem Moses asked Mr. Tepper if he had a feel for how the other committee members
feel about the School/Community Relations Committee recommendations.
Mr. Tepper stated the school board would be taking a look at the
recommendations and that all the recommendations will be given consideration by
the school board.
Mayor Pro Tem
Walden asked if all the improvements for the 1998 bond have been completed.
Mr. Tepper replied every major project is complete except for one on the
west side. Mayor Pro Tem Walden
asked what is the time frame for completion of the 2003 bond referendum.
Mr. Tepper replied it would be a six to eight year program.
Councilman Bird
asked if there is a timetable for when the projects would be started.
Mr. Tepper replied there is no project timetable.
Mayor Pro Tem
Walden asked what is the duration of the bonds.
Mr. Tepper replied there are three different levels of bond durations,
taking into consideration the useful life of the various types of projects and
equipment.
There being no
further discussion, a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Walden, seconded by Councilman
Bird, all voting “aye,” supported the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent
School District school bond referendum election for Saturday, October 25, 2003,
including the recommendations from the School/Community Relations Committee.
D.6 CONSIDER APPOINTMENTS TO THE HISTORICAL PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION BOARD, THE ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY BOARD, AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
A motion by
Councilwoman Smith, seconded by Councilman Robinson, all voting “aye,”
appointed Joe Tilger, Environmental Inspector, to the Animal Shelter Advisory
Committee.
D.7
CONSIDER COUNCIL TRAVEL REPORTS AND REQUESTS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
There was no travel
reports or requests.
D.8
PRESENTATION OF COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND ORGANIZATION REPORTS.
Deputy Mayor
Pro Tem Moses stated he attended the Senior Advisory Board meeting on October 9th.
He attended a meeting at Chapel Hill Baptist Church for Mayor Phelps.
He also stated Senior Advisory Board members will be volunteers for the
Veterans Day celebration, which will be held at the Senior Center on November 11th.
Mayor Pro Tem
Walden stated he sat in on a meeting for Mayor Phelps at the Metrocrest Chamber
Leadership Class held at Addison City Hall.
Councilwoman
Smith stated on September 30th she attended the Community Watch
meeting. On October 4th
at Kerr Park she attended an organizational meeting for the area.
Mayor Phelps
stated on September 24th at 7:30 a.m. he attended the Farmers Branch
Chamber Branch Out meeting. At 9
a.m. he attended a meeting with representatives from Kay Bailey Hutchison’s
office. At 11:45 a.m. he attended
the Metrocrest Chamber luncheon, and at 6:30 p.m. he attended a DART meeting at
City Hall. On September 25th
he attended the Council of Governments Executive Board Meeting in Arlington.
On September 29th at 7 p.m. he attended the German Students
Reception held at City Hall. On
September 30th at 7:30 a.m. he met with and welcomed the Texas
Veterans Commission Statewide Convention at the Holiday Inn Select in Farmers
Branch. At 3:30 p.m. Mayor Phelps
met with Fire Chief King and Wendi Kimpton to judge fire posters; at 7:30 p.m.
he met with the Community Watch committee at the Police Department.
On October 1st the attended the Farmers Branch Chamber Branch
Out meeting. On October 3rd
at 10 a.m. he met with Assistant City Manager Linda Groomer regarding a citizen
complaint, at 11:30 a.m. he attended the Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition, and
at 3:30 p.m. he met with Assistant City Manager Linda Groomer at the Police
Department regarding the citizen complaint.
On October 4th he attended the Community Watch Program at Kerr
Park. On October 10th he
attended the Farmers Branch Chamber luncheon, which included an update on the
West Side Plan. On October 11th
he attended the Craft Fair held at the Senior Center.
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 5:56 P.M.
AND THEN CONCLUDED AT 6:45 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 the sale,
trade or lease of City-owned real property bounded by Golfing Green Drive and
Josey Lane, and City-owned property at 13200 Nestle Street, Farmers Branch,
Texas.
Discuss sale or
trade or leases of City owned property or acquisition of property located in the
area known as Old Farmers Branch.
Mayor Phelps stated
that staff was present to discuss this item with the City Council.
E.2
Discuss personnel matter - Texas Government Code Section 551.074.
Discuss City Manager employment agreement and hiring process.
Mayor Phelps stated
that staff was present to discuss this item with Council.
F.1
Consider necessary action on items discussed in the Executive Session.
Mayor Phelps
explained staff updated the City Council on items in Executive Session and no
action was necessary.
F.2
Adjournment.
A motion by Mayor Pro Tem Walden,
seconded by Councilman Robinson, all voting “aye”, adjourned the City
Council meeting of October 13, 2003 at 9:34 p.m.
_______________________________
____________________________
Bob Phelps, Mayor
Cindee Peters, City Secretary