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1963-06-24 CC MinutesMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING CITY COUNCIL FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS June 24, 1963 The City Council met in a regular meeting on June 24, 1963 in the City Hall at 7:30 p.m. with the following members present: Mayor A. J. Airoldi Mayor Pro-Tem Bill Hamilton Councilmen Ed Rhodes W. D. Oradat Dan Regan City Manager J. M. Orman Assistant City Manager John C. Dodson City Attorney H. Louis Nichols City Secretary Dorthanna Williams Councilman Oradat arrived at 9:00 p.m. Councilman Tippitt was absent. Mayor Airoldi called the meeting to order. Mr. William Parr, Jr., Valwood Baptist Church, gave the invocation. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of a Regular Meeting, June 3 and a Special Meeting, June 11 were considered and approved. ORDINANCE NO. 406 - FIRE STATION PROJECT NO. FS-3 Upon a motion by Councilman Regan, a second by Councilman Rhodes, all voting "ayes'", an ordinance was passed appropriating $75,000 for this project. Caption of the ordinance: AN ORDINANCE SETTING FORTH AN ESTIMATE OF THE COST OF CONSTRUCTING A SUBURBAN FIRE STATION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR OUT OF THE FIRE STATION BOND FUND UNAPPROPRIATED SURPLUS. PUBLIC HEARING - BROOKHAVEN SHOPPING CENTER ORD. NO. 269 Mayor Airoldi explained that this hearing was being held to consider changing a 13.56 acre tract of land located along the south side of the 3300 Block of Golfing Green Drive from "C" Commercial classifica- tion for shopping center under special permit to "R-2" Residential classification. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that this proposal change be disapproved and that the property be re-zoned for apartment use under special permit. Mr. Ed Blythe said that he was representing Mr. W. R. Hawn who was unable to attend. He said they would like to go along with the Page 103 recommendations of the Plan Commission and expressed his appreciation has been worked out and he was happy the people have come to an agree- ment. Councilman Rhodes said that he would rather have "R-2" Residential zoning but if the people in the area do not object he would not object to apartment zoning. Councilman Hamilton said that he feels this has been worked out most satisfactorily he never did like the commercial zoning. Councilman Regan said that he had studied the letters and the statements of the people and feels none want commercial. Councilman Regan moved, change Commercial Special Permit to Apartment Special Permit, allowing two-story building if the developer so desires, the site plan to be approved by the Plan Commission and the City Council; seconded by Councilman Rhodes, all voting "ayes". AWARD CONTRACT FOR TENNIS COURT LIGHTING City Manager Orman presented four (4) bids received this date for lighting the double tennis courts in Don Showman Park: Francis Electric Company - $2,465.00, Good Electric Company - $1,795.00, Leland Potts - $1,679.50 and G. M. Lewis - $1,539.90. The City Manager said that interest on investments are due in July, this money could be transferred to the Park Bond Fund to pay for this project. Councilman Rhodes moved that this contract be awarded to G. M. Lewis for his lowest and best bid and that this transfer of funds be made, seconded by Councilman Hamilton, all voting "ayes". METROPOLITAN MEDICAL CENTER Mayor Airoldi discussed the delay on the Medical Center. He said he was not satisfied with the progress being made. Mr. Orman explained that Powell and Powell Engineers had found a discrepancy in the field notes and need a correction. Attorney Nichols said, the field notes are incorrect, a 50-foot strip of land is in question. If it is a typographical error it can be their cooperation in coming to an agreement. Mr. Nee1e Barner, Tanglewood, said that he believed it an excellent to Mayor the people Airoldi in said the that area he and was the very members grateful of l for the the Plan way Commithisssion for compromise and it meets with his approval. Mr. McDaniel, Golfing Green Drive, said it is an improvement and he would go along with this. Page 104 changed by amendment, if not, a public hearing will have to be held on this 50-foot strip. Councilman Hamilton suggested that Mr. Nichols find out if it is a typographical error or if an intentional error, then the Council can decide what to do. Mr. Nichols said, if it is a typographical error he can have the ordinance rewritten by Thursday. INSURANCE SURVEY Mr. Bob Langdon had made and presented a comprehensive insurance survey. After much discussion on what are governmental funcations and what are proprietory functions Mr. Nichols said, it is for the Council to decide whether or not to carry insurance on governmental functions. Councilman Regan asked, is it possible to draw up specifications and ask for bids or are the rates set by the State? Mr. Langdon said, the rates are set rates. He then suggested that the Mayor appoint a committee to work with the City Attorney and him and they will submit a recommendation to the Council.. Mayor Airoldi appointed Councilmen Hamilton and Regan to the committee. CONSIDER SITE PLAN FOR DR. BEN LAWRENCE Dr. Lawrence presented a site plan for Lots 29, 30 and 31, Block 1, Valley View Lane, Macon Subdivision. During discussion of the plat Mayor Airoldi suggested a heavier fire wall on the end next to 2561 Valley View Lane (a residence). Council- man Hamilton moved approval of the site plan, seconded by Councilman Regan, all voting "ayes". INTEGRATION OF CITY FACILITIES Mrs. Larry Siegler said, Dallas integrated all of its parks and swimming pools, if the City of Farmers Branch has not made a policy she thinks it should. She asked, does the City have such policy? Mayor Airoldi said, no, but we are more or less governed by the Law of the Land. Mrs. Siegler said, the City should have a policy for the City employees so they will be prepared if such an occasion arises. Mr. Nichols said, if the City has an ordinance against integration then a policy would need to be made, since it has no such ordinance all residents should be treated the same and all non-residents should be treated the same, regardless of race or color. (Councilman Oradat arrived at 9:00 p.m.) P 105 Councilman Hamilton said he did not feel any announcement should be made but all should be treated the same. Mrs. Siegler said, she felt a policy should be established and all personnel of the City should be advised. The council was in agreement that the City Manager would so instruct all City employees. STORM SEWER ALONGSIDE KATY RAILROAD City Manager Orman explained that erosion is undermining the building owned by Don Church on Katy Railway property. This is caused by water running off the roof of the building and by run-off water from storm drains ending near the property and draining toward Farmers Branch Creek. Representatives from the Railway Company had been to see him and they will furnish 2 strings of 42" pipe for 296 feet of ditch and will completely close the ditch. Councilman Oradat said he believed one 60" pipe would be better. Mr. Nichols advised that a drainage easement should be obtained from the Katy Railway Company. The Council instructed the City Manager to have a survey made and to get cost estimates of the project. PERSONNEL FOR NEW FIRE STATION Fire Chief Yager told the Council that 8 men will be the absolute minimum for keeping 3 men on duty at the new Suburban Fire Station. He asked for authority to hire these men by August lst. so that they might have a month for training before the station is completed by September lst. After discussion Councilman Oradat moved authorization for the hiring of 8 firemen effective August lst, seconded by Councilman Hamilton, all voting "ayes". PROPERTY NEAR SEWER PLANT ON VALLEY VIEW LANE Mr. Bill Shepherd, Realtor, was present to discuss six acres of land that is for sale between the six acres owned by the City and Valley View Lane. He said this would give the City a total of 12 acres in one place and fronting on Valley View Lane. City Manager Orman said the City needs a location for the drill tower, city barn, equipment storage, etc. Mayor Airoldi said that this would give the City egress and ingress to the present property. Councilman Hamilton asked the cost of this six acres. Mr. Shepherd said, $5,000 an acre, if the City will build something nice he should be able to get it for them for $4,000 an acre. Page 106 Mayor Airoldi said that they would look at the property and would advise him of their decision. JOINT MEETING WITH DEPARTMENT HEADS Councilmen Hamilton and Oradat asked for a joint meeting of the Council and all Department Heads of the City. EXTENSION OF WALLACE ROAD Mayor Airoldi reported that he had met with Commissioner Crowley and Mr. Crowley has promised him a report on the extension of Wallace Road opening it from Carrollton, through Farmers Branch, to Irving. GARBAGE COLLECTION STUDY Councilmen Oradat and Rhodes had made a study of contract service versus city operated service. Councilman Oradat had asked Mr. McCafferty (garbage collection contractor for Lewisville, Euless and Bedford) to be present for this discussion. They had talked on the telephone. Mr. McCafferty said his business is to handle garbage problems and he would like to handle the garbage problems for Farmers Branch. Councilman Oradat stated that he had explained to Mr. McCafferty that he persona lly was against contract service and is in favor of improv- ing our own service. Their recommendation was to hire a full time supervisor and purchase a pick-up truck with a 2-way radio. If a contractor can collect garbage for the same charge as the City and make money there is no reason why the City can 't. Councilman Oradat moved, authorize the City Manager to hire a supervisor and buy a pick-up truck and a 2-way radio, seconded by Councilman Rhodes, all voting "ayes". FIRE DRILL TOWER Councilman Regan asked that an effort be made to have a cooperative drill tower with some of the neighboring cities. APPOINTMENT TO PLAN COMMISSION Councilman Regan moved that William T. Dargin, 3426 Goldendale, be appointed to the vacancy on the Planning and Zoning Commission (his term to expire May, 1964), seconded by Councilman Rhodes, all voting "ayes Adjournment at 11:00 p.m. Dorthanna Williams, City Secretary Page 107